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Posts Tagged ‘mount kilimanjaro’

Enjoy An African Safari Adventure

August 27th, 2009 No comments
by Lee Reid

Nothing beats being up close with wildlife. It can be an awesome and unforgettable experience seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. When it comes to wildlife, African safari vacations are quick to come to mind.

African safari vacations are extremely popular today that travel agencies and companies have packages designed to give tourists an African safari adventure. These tours have experts on board, of course.

If you decide to go on an African safari adventure, you’ll be living in lodges and camps with hot showers. Your meals and barbecues would be prepared by a cook hired for your specific African safari tour.

Most of the African safari vacations are in Kenya, with a beach holiday possibly included in the package. Kenya is a country that boasts of 40 national parks and game reserves. The Kimana Game Sanctuary is one of the most popular and spectacular game reserves in Kenya. It is situated at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Rich rain forest is the terrain at the Mount Kenya National Park and stretching plains dominate the Masai Mara. Guides drive parties in 4×4 vehicles or in open back trucks. Sometimes, they travel in mini buses.

For an aerial view of the landscape, there are fly/drive packages, using small, light aircraft. Kenya brings opportunities to see leopards, gazelle, crocodiles, giraffes, zebra, lions and hippos.

South Africa is the ideal destination for your African safari vacation if you’d like to see different landscapes (e.g., semi-dessert, old forest, open grassland, wetlands, etc.). South Africa’s Phinda region can be explored by foot, air or car.

There are also African safari vacation packages that include exploring South Africa by boat. Expect to see lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards and elephants. You’ll see packs of hyenas and wild dogs, leopards and elephants when you tour the Madikwe Game Reserve.

There are also African safari packages to Uganda and Rwanda. If it’s chimpanzees and lowland gorillas you want to see, you’ll see plenty of them in Uganda. You’ll see gorillas at the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

To see the different bird species of Uganda, you can walk through the Mgahinga Volcanoes, a tropical rain forest, on foot. The Queen Elizabeth National Park has a great savanna wherein you can see giraffes, elephants, birds and antelopes. Another popular destination that can be reached by boat is the Murchisson Falls National Park. The waterfall is a sight to behold and you’ll see wildlife that includes zebras, baboons and warthogs.

Mountain gorillas abound in Rwanda. It’s said that if you’ll see about 350 mountain gorillas in the slopes of the Parc National des Volcans. Uganda and Rwanda are popular African safari destinations for those who are after seeing volcanoes, lakes, forests and waterfalls, as well as lowland and mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.

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Interesting Places: Where To Travel If In Tanzania

February 21st, 2009 No comments

Looking where to travel in a land of contrast and diversity, excitement and adventure? Tanzania could be just the answer, and it will not disappoint you.

Access this country easily through a network of international flights from the UK, Europe,the Middle East or even many of the neighboring African countries.

Mount Kilimanjaro

It is a country of extremes in its geography and landscape, from the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak to its lowest at the bed of Lake Tanganyika and to the shores of the Indian Ocean at sea level. Mount Kilimanjaro, with snow at the top, is one of Tanzania’s wonders and many people visit this country just to climb Kilimanjaro.

Wildlife And Game Sanctuaries

Where to travel in Tanzania will invariably include the Game Parks and National Reserves. You can witness the wildebeest migration as it sets off from the Serengeti National Park heading into the Maasai Mara in Kenya.

Other wildlife sanctuaries like Tarangire National Park are several in Tanzania and the choice is wide as to where to visit.

Sandy Beaches and the Islands

Enjoy the deep blue sea, the sandy beaches and the haven of peace under the palm trees on the islands of Zanzibar, Pemba and the other surrounding small islands.

For an unforgettable offer in scuba diving and snorkeling, the Mafia Island Marine Park just south of Zanzibar is a good place to be. The ocean breeze and the palm trees add to its the overall tranquility.

Visit also Zanzibar’s Stone City and sample the rich blend of the historic with the modern as its unique architecture shows.

Thinking about where to travel in Tanzania? Well this country is precisely one of the good reasons why people come to Africa, the options are unlimited and the experience is truly memorable.

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Wilderness Travel In Kenya An Experience You Shouldn’t Miss

January 20th, 2009 No comments

Kenya is famed for adventure and wilderness travel and also it is a major part of the fun for the ardent adventure-seeker. Diverse ecological systems, natural resources and an unlimited range of habitats, animal and bird species are among the much there is to sample.

Tours Package to Suit You

You are sure to find something that meets your travel needs.Take a day or night drive by 4×4 vehicle, or make it a camping safari or even a guided walking safari. In all you will enjoy watching the animals in their wild habitat.

See the elephant, lion, rhino, zebra, giraffe, cheetah, leopard, buffalo, gazelles, antelopes and many rare animal species like the gerenuk, the greater kudu, eland, reticulated giraffe, the hartebeest and many more.

Luxury game lodges are another way to experience the wild. Simulated watering-holes allow you to watch game up-close and unobserved as they come to drink.

You can also choose a tented safari or for the bird -watcher, a photo safari. Or take a cultural tour and see and learn how the tribes of Kenya live.

Some suggested wilderness travel places to visit:

– the Kenya Mara Game reserve to watch the Great Wildebeest Migration

– Amboseli National Park at the foot or Mount Kilimanjaro for spectacular viewing of the elephant plus all the other animals

– the Shaba and Samburu national reserve for a flourish of rare and exotic game and bird species

– Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro for climbing expeditions for the mountain lover and for a taste of alpine vegetation right in the tropics

– enjoy the lakes of the Great Rift Valley with their flamingo population. The scenery here is just breathtaking

– you can visit Kenya’s biggest game sanctuary, the Tsavo National Park for a good mix of game, birds and wilderness.

The choice is so wide as to how to go on wilderness travel in Kenya. If looking for that bush expedition it is all there and has given many visitors unforgettable memories to take back home.

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What You Need To Climb Mount Kilimanjaro On Foot

December 15th, 2008 No comments
by Chris Channing

Being able to tell people you have climbed a mountain is quite a bragging right. In the case of Mount Kilimanjaro, anyone can actually climb the mountain as long as they are devoid of health defects and are in a fairly good physical shape. It’s certainly not Mount Everest, but this experience is still rewarding nonetheless.

Mount Kilimanjaro can still be a force to be reckoned with- meaning a good healthy body is required to climb it. It is highly recommended that those who are planning on taking the task of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro get a physical from a doctor in the area. This will allow a doctor to find any problems with one’s overall health just in case they are present, which could prove to be fatal if not found.

There are several different routes that can be taken as well, depending on one’s tastes and skill level. Some parts of the mountain are literal deserts, where few plants if any survive the extreme temperature changes. Obviously traversing through weather such as this can be very dangerous, and shouldn’t be attempted without a clear expectation of what lies ahead. Other easier routes may contain dense forests and less dramatic climbs.

Because there are different routes, and travelers will have different paces, the time to get up the mountain can differ. On average, however, it takes around 5 days to get to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. This can be delayed or shortened due to weather conditions, accidents, and other happenings- so be sure to pack enough supplies to last a long enough time period to survive an extended period of time.

The oxygen levels of Mount Kilimanjaro will differ based on elevation. At the top, there is around one half the amount of oxygen present at the base of the mountain. This means that one should take a slower pace while at the top, take frequent breaks, and try not to get too physical or else fatigue will set in. After all, it’s best to enjoy the scenery instead of make it a point to get to the top the fastest.

Before planning out a trip, try working out in a gym and make it a goal to be able to carry the weight of the necessary supplies with extreme ease. This is important because carrying the supplies around for days on end can be extremely tiring, and having more muscle will greatly help one’s endurance.

Closing Comments

It’s neat to think that a mountain can be climbed, even by the average tourist. Consult a travel agent, doctor, and locals for more information on what is needed to make the journey safely. As stated, a gym membership prior to the climb would be a great idea as well in order to prepare.

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