17 July 2015
Screw It, Just do it!
A trip to Africa offers so much more than your standard summer holiday. Yes, there are still the beaches, the great weather and sundowners at the end of the day; but there is so much more to a trip to Africa.
From game parks teeming with wildlife, to scenery to take your breath away, and cultures to hook into day to day to expose you to a very different world.
We show you some big awesome African highlights that catch so many people’s imagination when they think of Africa……..
WILD ANIMALS
Africa is still the greatest wilderness on earth – home to many of the world’s most fascinating animal species……Game parks like Kruger, the Masai Mara and the Serengeti are all popular safari destinations to see the big five and more.
The word Serengeti comes from a Maasai word meaning “the place where the land moves on forever” and this is very apt for these vast plains in Northern Tanzania. This National Park is the platform for the famous migration of wildebeest, zebra, Thomson’s gazelle and eland who continuously move throughout the year from the southern plains of the Serengeti up to the Masai Mara National Park in the north, and back again, in search of fresh grasslands.
Alongside the Serengeti sits the Ngorongoro Crater – an ancient caldera formed by the collapse of a volcano 2 – 3 million years ago. It now has lush grasses as well as freshwater and soda lakes and is a Conservation Area where we take game drives in 4×4 vehicles for the chance for fabulous shots of the teeming wildlife, including lion, elephant, rhino, hippo and more!
TREKKING THE GORILLAS
Perhaps the biggest wildlife highlight for any traveller on the planet…….
“There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging a glance with a gorilla than with any other animal I know” David Attenborough has said. A trek to see the endangered mountain gorillas in the thick jungle of the Virungas mountain range is certainly an experience you will never forget.
There are only thought to be around 880 individuals now left on the planet and these fascinating creatures are our closest living relative after the chimpanzee, sharing 97 – 98% of our DNA!
A gorilla trek takes you deep into the gorillas’ Afro montane world to spend an hour with them as they forage, play and while the day away.
ZANZIBAR
A coral island of alluring images – of majestic Arab dhows in full sail, aromatic spices, warm tropical azure waters and palm- fringed beaches. Its very name conjures up the mystery and charm of a distant idyllic land.
Zanzibar is approximately 35 kilometres off the coastline. It has a rich history having been inhabited for 20,000 years. Ancient mariners established Zanzibar as the strategic and commercial centre on the Swahili Coast coming from the Orient and the Middle East, followed in later centuries by European adventurers, explorers and missioners. Zanzibar has quite a cosmopolitan feel, a legacy of its long history based in trade – in spices, ivory, the blight of the slave trade, and more.
Spend a few days to a week here to enjoy traditional Stone Town, the capital – a Unesco world heritage site of 2000 unique ancient stone buildings, narrow alleyways and markets. Visit the giant tortoises of Prison Island, see the red colobus monkey in the indigenous tropical Jozani Forest and enjoy a meal at the Rock restaurant. Head out kite surfing at Paje, and if SCUBA is your thing, then where better to do it then in the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean! And other wise unwind on long pristine white beaches.
VICTORIA FALLS
Victoria Falls, known as Mosi-oa-Tunya to the locals (the “Smoke that Thunders”) is one of the natural wonders of the world. The Zambezi River starts as a trickle in the north-west highlands of Zambia but gathers strength for a mighty plunge to form the Victoria Falls comprised of five separate waterfalls. In flood, 545 million litres of water a minute crash down the 100 metre height of the Falls along their width of 1,688 metres.
To see the Falls the pretty rainforest walk takes you through exotic lush rainforest right to the edge of the first gorge along its length. You can get quite drenched by the spray which also throws up beautiful rainbows so a raincoat can be wise.
And while at Victoria Falls there are a lot of fabulous activities on offer here as well, Victoria Falls being a haven for adrenaline junkies and adventure sport fanatics ranging from white water rafting, to bungee jumping and gorge swinging, as well as animal encounters such as the elephant rides and lion walks. Otherwise for those less inclined to dabble in adventure sports there are river cruises, busy local craft markets, or take tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
Heading to Africa can be as straight forward as any “holiday” destination.
As long as your passport is valid you can depart at very short notice and with minimal preparations. For the majority of nationalities, visas can easily be purchased out in Africa, as you travel. With regard to vaccinations, a quick call to a health clinic will give you the best advice in no time at all. Numerous airlines fly into the big hubs such as Nairobi and Johannesburg.
Africa is very large remember, with huge levels of poverty and the ensuing consequences. There are problems and regions hit by bad press. These areas continue to be far away from those locations where you would head on safari, the tourist routes being well established with good supports in line with British Foreign Office recommendations.
Backpack, passport, vaccination certificates – go! To get away, take a look at…
5-day Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater safari
