Posts Tagged ‘ Adventure ’

How can the adventure traveller tour Egypt? Desert camp , eco tours, camel safaris and jeep safaris

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There are people who love to travel. The enjoy going to places where they can recharge their batteries and forget everything about their; and simply just relax.And then there are the more adventurous types, who would rather enjoy the day climbing rocks in Thailand or dive with sharks in South Africa.However, no matter what kind of adventure you are planning for, it is wise to be prepared. Then you know what to expect and you do not get unprepared into risky experiences in foreign countries.In the following you can read tips for the adventures types. The tips can be used no matter if you are travelling to the wilderness or just planning to go on a more relaxing adventure that most families can do.You can get the adrenalin rush most adventurers long to experience if you are going to unknown territory. The feeling of a new and uncertain place; and the knowledge about everything can happen can give you a big gratification and satisfaction.However, you should always know what you are doing. Travelling involves a risk; especially if you are on a more adventurous trip to the unknown.The world is not as full of adventures places as it used to be. So it is not that easy to find a location for the next adventure travel.If you are looking for an adventurous location, you should go to an exotic place, where you can hear, see, smell and taste another world than the one you know.The new and exotic locations can also be too adventurous. So stick to the typical and classical places, instead of going to areas where people normally do not dare to go to.An adventure vacation often cost a lot more than a normal vacation to a beach resort. Especially if you want to go to exotic locations fare away.So shop around and compare trip details and prices, before you decide on a specific adventure travel agency. The best way to find a good price is by using the internet.Indeed, adventure travel can be one of the most exciting and gratifying travel one can experience. However, with the exotic places, wilderness, and virgin forests that one might consider, it is a must that every travel must know the proper way how to protect themselves and what to do first before trying the place out.Because adventurous travel is great, but it should always be safety that should always be on top priority.

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There are a wide range of extreme sports on a variety of terrains – from snow, surf and even stone.

The added risk factor of activities such as rock climbing, surfing and snowboarding adds to the appeal of these very popular sports.

Every year, thousands of eager adrenaline junkies, young and old, choose to go abroad to partake in such activities. From up north to down under, many head to exotic locations for the experience of a lifetime.

Finding suitable travel insurance before embarking on such trips is a vital part of the planning process. It’s all very well finding the highest peak to base jump from, or the biggest waves to ride – but what happens if something goes wrong?

Injury can be commonplace on an adventure holiday if you don’t take necessary precautions. If something happens and you need to be rescued from say, the side of a mountain, you could find yourself facing a hefty bill at the end of your trip if you don’t have suitable travel insurance.

Depending on the terrain involved, getting injured on an adventure holiday can prove costly if you don’t have sufficient cover, particularly in scenarios which result in you having to be airlifted to hospital (or in some cases back to your home country)

Therefore you need to make sure you take out suitable holiday insurance, and have all bases covered, before you travel.

For adventure holidays it can be worth taking out single trip policies, and it’s always best to ensure that you are covered against a range of factors associated with your activity of choice – such as winter sports cover and ensuring your possessions and passport are covered in case of theft or loss.

Many companies have specialist insurance packages to cater for thrill seekers of all ages and abilities. It can be worth paying that little bit extra to save you all kinds of hassle and financial trouble, meaning you can make the most of your thrill seeking adventures.

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It is our wish through our Travel Advisory to share with you our experiences, feelings and thoughts we have at our chosen properties we visit every month, however after returning to Cape Town after our Pafuri Camp long weekend, a new definition needs to be added to fully appreciate this property. However, before we get to this definition, let’s look at what this unique, wilderness destination offers…

 

The Makuleke peoples ancestral homeland, a diversity of exceptional scenic beauty, bird life of unrivalled value all wrapped up in the most remote, wildest and far flung vestige of the Kruger National Park. However, before we explore this heritage, it is necessary to understand the company behind Pafuri Camp. Wilderness Safaris have for over a quarter of a century strived to protect pristine wilderness areas and the flora and fauna – or biodiversity – that they support. They believe that in protecting these areas, and including the local communities in this process, they will make a difference to Africa and ultimately the world. In short, they believe that the world’s wilderness areas will save humankind. A heady mixture of theory mixed with workable reality. Global warming, carbon emissions mingled with a singular disregard for Mother Nature have turned full circle at Wilderness Safaris. Folks who through their personal experience have a fierce conviction that we can make the difference, can counter the effects of modern living and through a partnership with Mother Nature, create utopia. Imagine if you would meeting a consummate hospitality team combined with trained conservationists.  Now we were to experience the result.

 

Our Cessna Caravan (12 seater) gently alighted the hard topped runway and came to a stop close to two safari vehicles. As we disembarked, the warm embrace of the African sun engulfed us.  Our ranger Callum Sargeant welcomed us to Pafuri. Claire & and I were afforded our own ranger and incumbent vehicle, an exceptional welcome. A short initiation drive from the airstrip to camp sowed the seed of game drives to come. Perched on the raised banks of the Luvuvhu River, shaded by giant ebony & nyala berry trees, we were greeted by management and their smiling team members. After a brief review of the main areas, Claire & I were taken through to our tent. Now, for those of you who link the word tent with a piece of canvas, uncomfortable conditions and limiting amenities, our tent is juxtaposed to this conjecture! Positioned on a raised platform overlooking the gently flowing Luvuvhu River, our tent was superbly appointed in fitting colours. A full en suite bathroom and outside shower complemented our home for the next three days. Spacious and open to the elements through zip fastening flaps that allowed for expansive viewing of our surroundings. 

 

An African safari is a careful mix of game activities (game tracking in vehicles as well as interpretive game walks), relaxation and eating. At Pafuri Camp we thrived on all fronts! A key component of a successful safari experience is to be found in your ranger. His/her experience and ability to relate to their guests at an appropriate level and their innate passion for their calling is key. In Callum we found just this! With seven divergent biomes present within their 24,000 Hectare concession and over 400 bird species this is a birders paradise. Larger mammals also proliferate. During one game drive we witnessed a 30 strong breeding herd of elephants in serene peace ambling along the river bed, we stood on the raised river bank some 300 meters from them admiring the orderly manner these gentle giants intermingled, socialized and protected their young. Then, all hell broke loose. Three bulls approached the herd with the singular purpose of mating with the young females. The peace was shattered as one male chased a female across the river bed, sounds of trumpeting, shrill and dominating filled the air, we stood transfixed as he attempted to mount her only for her to reject his advances and trot off to the safety of the nearby wooded river bank.    

 

As if this was not sufficient safari material, we came within two meters of a bull elephant in musth  (a period where he will be actively pursuing a female to cover, witnessed by a secretion from glands between his eye and ears). We witnessed the affinity Callum has developed with Mother Nature during this encounter. Driving along what they called ‘The Gauntlet’, we came across this bull elephant. During this period, very much like their human counterparts, their behavior can be a little unpredictable and as the safety of both animal and guest lies firmly in his hands, Claire & I witnessed the exceptional manner in which Callum offered our ele respect, mingled this with his knowledge and yet provided us with a close encounter allowing us to not only hear, smell and communicate with the animal but in complete safety as well.

 

Peregrine Falcon, Bateleur & Martial Eagles, the sighting of Fish Eagles close to our tent all contributed to an exceptional safari aspect at Pafuri Camp. We also experienced a game walk in the presence of a herd of buffalo. Noted to be one of the most dangerous animals, again, unpredictable and should we come across dagga boys (older single males who have been kicked out of the herd), the knowledge & experience of our ranger comes to the fore. It did once again as Callum and a colleague showed respect and suitable caution as we skirted the herd in their full view and knowledge of our presence.

 

Two other highlights need to be shared with you. On our first game drive, Callum took us through to Crooks Corner, an apt name for the confluence of three countries and an era of lawlessness of a bygone era. Crooks Corner is a piece of land on the Limpopo River where South Africa, Zimbabwe & Mozambique meet. Crooks would high tail it from one country to Crooks Corner where the country boundaries at the time were a little blurred. Safe in the knowledge that the authorities would not want an altercation of international proportions, the crooks would often taunt their chasers from the safety of this place. So successful was this haven that it became known as Crooks Corner. Today it forms an amazing view from where the Luvuvhu River joins the Limpopo, the river that separates South Africa from Zimbabwe. Our last afternoon/evening game drive took in the scenic Lanner Gorge overlooking the Luvuvhu River. It is difficult to verbalise an African sunset in this region, even more so when perched a few hundred meters above the valley, the setting sun behind and our erudite ranger sharing his dreams with us…                     

 

You can imagine that Claire & I are fully into our safari experience, so what is there for us to do outside these eight hours per day? Well, how about the choice of two pools to absorb the sun around, a tad chilled for prolonged swimming but with views over the Luvuvhu River, sounds of Mother Nature going about her day and attentive staff to ensure drinks are to hand, what else could we need… I have experienced in excess of 200 game drives during my ten years in this business and have become possibly a little hardened to camps where the service, cuisine and overall experience is not up to scratch. The team at Pafuri however brought me to a higher level in this regard. A strong team ethic in the hands of their GM Hanèl De Wet, her interactive colleagues who ensured guest felt completely at home. They effortlessly intermingled, shared stories and provided an excellent level of care & concern for their guests.

 

You will never starve at Pafuri Camp! Nic their chef is a delight to see coming towards us, full of smiles and ‘what can we do for you today’, he took Claire’s wheat intolerance request to heart and provided ample alternatives that even had me ‘converted’. Attention to detail will set the best camps aside from the rest. There are twenty tents at Pafuri, fourteen suitable for double occupancy and six family tents accommodating up to two adults plus two children.  Balance this capacity against over forty staff members and you have a high ratio of staff to guests. Combine this with the level of training, passion for what they are responsible for and blend this with their incredible respect for their location and you have what was for us, a unique and very special African wilderness experience.

 

As our return flight rose into the hot afternoon sky, we looked down on our Africa with heavy hearts. We both realised that we had just experienced something not just special but enlightening, we had shared meaningful time and space with folks with the same passion  & enthusiasm as ourselves in their back yard. Climbing higher into the deep azure, it would be fair to say that Claire & I had been privileged to meet such gifted colleagues, to have witnessed such awesome events within Mother Nature. I started this article by saying a new definition is needed to encapsulate Pafuri Camp and it has to be ‘definitive’. The ultimate, perfect, classic wilderness property we have experienced, this simple.

 

Next month we visit the Welgevonden Reserve taking in three divergent properties and sharing with you our findings.

 

Happy Travels!

 

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Adventure travel often conjures up images of mountain climbing, whitewater rafting, scuba diving and four wheel driving. While these are certainly activities associated with adventure travel, adventure travel may involve something as sedate as a wine tasting tour in Bordeaux, France. Adventure travel is simply to go above and beyond one’s normal known area, seeking out experiences which are unfamiliar. The travel destination may be as close as a few kilometers from your home, or it can be thousands of kilometers away in an exotic location in Africa or Asia.

Maybe it has to do with the stressful and fast-paced lives we are leading, that adventure travel has become one of the fasting growing segments of the travel industry. More and more travelers are abandoning the usual beach resorts, and are actively seeking new experiences in their travels. These trips often bring significant personal discovery, development of new skills and knowledge and cross-cultural experiences.

Adventure travel is not for everyone. It is for an individual with the thirst for new experience, one who dares to forsake the well-trodden path. Health and age may restrict the traveler to less-strenuous activities, but that does not stop the traveler from other forms of adventure travel.

It is undeniable that some adventure travel activities carry additional risk. Trekking across the desert is definitely more dangerous than planting yourself under an umbrella at the beach. As in most travel situations, having adequate planning and practicing common sense will go a long way in minimizing risk.

An adventure travel need not be expensive. In most cases, you would not be staying in five star hotels, eating in fancy restaurants and taking limousine rides. Instead, you would probably be staying in guesthouses, eating at local food stalls and taking public transport. These usually more than help to hold the line on the total cost.

If you need more reasons to start your adventure travel, here are some motivating quotations I have collected.

“I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads. Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.” – Rosalia de Castro

“The traveler was active; he went strenuously in search of people, of adventure, of experience. The tourist is passive; he expects interesting things to happen to him.” – Daniel J. Boorstin

“All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary” – Sally Ride

“It is in the compelling zest of high adventure and of victory, and in creative action, that man finds his supreme joys.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Take action and start your adventure travel today!

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Wednesday, February 24th, 2010

It seems like everyone enjoys a good adventure. However, proper preparation can certainly make the difference between a great trip and a great disaster. Knowing what to expect, what to pack, and covering your basis will make your trip go smoothly and therefore be a lot more enjoyable then being unprepared. Below you will find a collection of some of the most important adventure travel tips from experienced travelers.
Things To Do Before You Go:
It is important to do some research on the country that you will be traveling to. Are there things that you should be aware of before going to the country? For example knowing a little bit about the history, culture and political climate of the country you will be traveling in can not only help you stay safe it can also improve your enjoyment and knowledge of the trip. Also before going you will want to clearly find out what important documents you will need to take to travel. Will you need a passport for example? It can also be a good idea to find out the number and location of your countries consulate or embassy before going. This can again be a good extra safety measure.
Are You Covered?
One of the most important things to research before going on a trip is medical information. You will want to know if your medical insurance will cover you and if so what the procedures are if you are to get ill. Sometimes you will need to contact you medical insurance provider to get clearance before seeking any medical care in a foreign country. Otherwise you might get stuck with the bill yourself. Find out what the procedure for payment with your medical insurance company is and how it works. Do they reimburse you for any medical expense and if so what documentation will you need to get the reimbursement. It is also a good idea to make sure you have fund that are easily accessible in a medical emergency.
When You Go
It is important to get an information update on the current security measures necessary for air travel. These are changing frequently right now and it is therefore very important to check on the internet or with someone who has recently traveled. Don’t have anything on your person or in your carry-on that could be confiscated at the airport. When you are on the plane, pay attention to instructions about filling out the visa forms for the country you are entering. If you do not fill out the document on the plane, you could be charged a fee for completing one when you arrive at the airport. It is also a good idea to have some American one-dollar bills on hand for tiping when you go through the airport.
When you get there: adventure travel tips from veteran travelers urge other tourists to use common sense. Remember, you are in another country. People do many things differently from what you are accustomed to. You have a right as a guest to be treated well, but you also have a responsibility as a guest to behave well. Remember, if you are tempted to buy or use illegal drugs, that the laws in the country you are visiting are not necessarily the same as those of your own country. Foreign jails can be extremely unpleasant, and your family might have to spend a lot of money to get you home.
Just a few more adventure travel tips: stolen passports are worth a lot of money on the black market. Make sure yours is in a safe place when you are not actually carrying it. If the tap water of your host country is not safe to drink, do not use it to make ice-cubes. Freezing does not kill bacteria. Nor should the water be used to rinse lettuce or other vegetables or fruits. In some Third World countries it is best to know whom you are dealing with if you rent a vehicle. Disreputable rental operators have been known to steal rented motorcycles and cars, and then bill the renter for the cost of the vehicle. At night, keep away from dark, unfamiliar places. Being safe means being smart.

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Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Adventure travel is one of the fastest growing segments of the travel industry, but it is often difficult to find good bargains when booking adventure travel.
With so many people itching to go on the adventure of a lifetime, the prices in those travel brochures can lead you to believe that adventure travel is beyond your means.
That does not have to be the case, however. The key to affordable adventure travel is to book directly from the providers of the adventure, instead of going through multiple layers of travel agents, tour operators and tour guides.
Booking a tour directly has many benefits besides monetary ones, including meeting wonderful local people and enjoying the local culture.
Often the best way to enjoy a vacation on a budget is to book low cost airfare to the destination of your choice, take the local bus into town, and start asking around about the best adventure guides in town.
Local tour operators know the area, they know how to please their clientele, and best of all they are inexpensive. U.S. currency goes quite a long way in many exotic locations in Africa, Asia and elsewhere, so dealing with local tour guides is the best way to make your adventure travel dollar stretch even further.
Many inexperienced adventure travelers are unsure how they can possibly book an adventure tour on their own. For one thing, there is often a language barrier in far off locations, and you may be many thousands of miles from home in an unfamiliar location.
What these first time travelers often don’t realize, however, is that finding a tour operator is often the easiest part of the journey.
In many cases, the tour operators will find you as soon as you land, without you having to seek them out. And in most places, especially those frequented by American tourists, the guides will speak at least a little bit of English.
Listed below are some of the best tips for booking your own budget travel adventure.
- Be sure to ask around before you leave. Get opinions from other travelers who have done the adventure you plan on.
- Refer to your guidebook for references. Guidebook writers are often quite knowledgeable about which tour operators are good and which are more questionable.
- Check on the message boards, both virtual and real. Real message boards are available at hostels and local guest houses, and they can provide excellent information on local tours and tour operators.
- The staff at local hostels can also provide excellent information about adventure travel. And internet message boards devoted to travel can be great sources of information, both before you leave home and after you arrive in your far off location.
- Interview your potential trip leaders carefully. Ask lots of open ended and probing questions about the equipment used, the experience level of the guides, the lodging the food, and what is and is not included. Be sure to negotiate everything in advance, since you will have little leverage once the adventure trip has begun.
- Finally, if your crew did a great job, be sure to tip them generously after the tour has come to an end. Good tour operators rely on these tips to supplement their often meager wages, and this helps to keep the best tour guides in business and the best tour operators in operation.

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Alaska is known as “Ice World”. It is a beautiful place which offers mountains full of icebergs and glaciers. It is also some place where bears and whales live and it’s a place which gives breathtaking scenery of Mother Nature’s beauty. It’s also a great place for cruises giving the maximum of both the worlds, from the natural one to the urban.
Many cruisers who might have experienced the nature of Alaska would tell that they like their experience there. The mountains are very high. The different type of animals which is possessed by Alaska is a wonder for watching, these are animals which can’t be in some other places.
Alaska’s boarder has a great collection of grass which gives a mystical colour. Many see Alaska as one ice blanketed land, these kind of grasses give a surprise to all. The coastline gives a great view of the sparkling ice. The very deep water flow and the out coming colour is blue. The sky would be reflected by the glimpse of sun. The fields containing wild grass and flower are very stunning.
The cruising ship would automatically park in a place known as “Town of Tourists”. It’s a place where these ships unload their passengers. It’s a small town that has some 600 or more as its population.
Normally, the tourists would outnumber the local’s population. In many cases, the tourists ratio to the locals would be 6:1. These local people would appreciate the tourist’s presence as they give more livelihoods for their community.
Getting the very best deals for Alaskan cruises is a good opportunity. For discussing further here are some basic steps to get discounts over Alaskan cruises.
• The first thing to be done is the arrangement of a cruise in some off seasons. If possible be away from some peak seasons of these cruise vacations. It might be better if you may schedule the time 3 to 4 weeks later from the peak season. For example, an Alaskan travelling cruise has its season on July and on September. Having one Alaskan vacation cruise before to these dates would surely save cash.
• Choose the kind of cruise to be used. There are some travelling agencies which are based in Alaska which pushes a single line for various reasons. It might be great if you do some homework and a kind of research first. Comparing these shipping line fees and these services would save cash.
• If possible never be misled because of the honey-sweet publicity which promises very much for nothing. Speaking with the correct travel agency might give important information which can result in significant saving of money.
• Have one Alaskan vacation cruise’s quotation which comprises all the port fees and also the tax revenue. If the travelling agency fails to tell that information, look out for another good agency. There mustn’t be any hidden fees and some uncertain collections. Be aware of the port fee which runs to hundreds of dollars for every person. The port fees should be very much stable and also consistent.
• Get one inside cabin. Usually, the inside cabin would be the cheapest. Besides that, the inside cabin would also give comfort for the vacation goer. Remember, Alaska’s weather is cold, the inside temperature would be much warmer and is comfortable.
Remember to avoid some stresses in the Alaskan cruising, having booked for two weeks before leaving is recommended. Check out a list of these cruise trips for Alaska. Always remember, Alaska’s beauty must never be disturbed. Respecting its nature would make the cruising more enjoyable.

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School Travel Insurance . travel insurance school trips destinations travelwith this comprehensive plan. School Travel Insurance .

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Life’s like a MasterCard commercial and so is camping. This means everything costs something but memories made are priceless. Memories can be made in a cost effective manner. Maximizing the fun and minimize the money spent is possible if you know some ways to reduce costs. The most effective way of having a memorable camping vacation is to create a budget and follow these tips and tricks for camping efficiently. The key is to have some key pieces of equipment that can be used in a variety of ways and that will last a long-time. This will allow you to enjoy the benefits of the equipment without worrying about the long-term effects of the cost.
It is frustrating trying to put together a quality set of camping supplies on a limited amount of money but it is very possible. First off, develop a list of equipment priorities. The camp site location and the fuel to get there is a primary necessity. Food and water to last for the length of your stay would come next. Other important tools to include in your camping equipment list are a long-lasting flashlight or lantern, multi-purpose knife, extra batteries, a first-aid kit and matches to build a campfire. Camping supplies such as tents, sleeping bags, and chairs will make camping comfortable and will keep you warm and dry. The secondary list of camping items would include hobby tools and equipment like those for boating, cycling, or fishing.
Camp Site Location and Getting There
Campground prices usually weigh in a $12 to $25 per night. Call the campground ahead of time to determine prices at your local state or national parks. Also, consider whether the campground you are going to has running water, bathroom and shower facilities, charcoal grills and trash disposal areas. Depending on whether the grounds have these you may need to add or take away items from your camping list. Additionally, estimate gas money ahead of time to ensure you are prepared.
Food and Water
Include in your camping list the coolers, water jugs, paper or plastic plates, and cups you may need while camping. Investing in reusable camping dishes is a benefit for families that camp often and saves on the environment as well. Purchase enough food to last the course of your camping vacation and be smart about buying non-perishable foods wherever possible. About $200 should be allotted for food and gas. This should cover your needs for about a 2-3 day trip, depending on how many people you are feeding and how far you plan to travel.
Camping Tools and Equipment
There are several items that are camping essentials. A multi-purpose tool or knife is essential for safe and effective camping. A multi-purpose survival knife will come in handy for cutting string or twine to hold down tents or hang tarps during rainy weather. It can also be used for opening canned food, gutting fish, and fixing other camping equipment should it break. There are a number of brands and styles of survival knives available. Find a good, quality one and keep it with your camping equipment at all times.
Quality lights are also important camping equipment. The most cost effective light for camping is a LED flashlight or LED lantern. They last longer than the usual fluorescent or incandescent bulb and are more resistant to breaking. This is very important if you are camping deep in the forest where it will get darker quicker or if you will be hiking to your destination. Having a long-lasting, dependable LED lantern or flashlight will give families extra reassurance of safety. LED lighting products are sometimes more expensive than regular camping lights but their longevity and bright light make them a smart investment.
Altogether, it is estimated that the cost of camping will be approximately $300-$400, making camping and spending time in nature a relatively inexpensive alternative vacation. Planning out your camping vacation: a quality, well-stocked campsite, food and water, tents and sleeping bags, survival knife, and long-lasting flashlights will help you spend a budget wisely and even save money in the long-term. This means more memories that last a lifetime.
~Ben Anton, 2007

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