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Experience the Thrills of a Honeymoon Safari

September 28th, 2011 No comments

Experience the Thrills of a Honeymoon Safari

Article by Emma Drummond









Why Choose a Honeymoon in Africa?

These days, honeymooners are choosing to avoid the tourist-ridden destinations that offer little or no privacy, which is why African safari venues are becoming more popular as honeymoon destinations. Being well off the beaten track, honeymoon safaris combine adventure and luxury into a holiday that will stay etched into your memory forever. With so many honeymoon safari destinations in Africa to choose from, you are guaranteed to find the perfect spot.



Combining Luxury with Adventure

Going on a honeymoon safari combines the benefit of luxury accommodation with the opportunity to experience exciting close-up encounters with wildlife in an untainted natural environment. The wonderful thing about honeymoon safaris is that you are given ample private time to spend in the company of the one you love in an exquisite area – not to mention the special treatment you will receive! Most safari destinations that offer honeymoon safari packages ensure that you and your spouse are treated like royalty – whether it be by a private butler assigned to your suite or the cold bottle of bubbly ready to be enjoyed by the two of you on your private viewing deck.



Enjoy Your Wedding and Honeymoon at a Safari Destination

A honeymoon safari is even better when preceded by a safari wedding. A safari style wedding is guaranteed to be a celebration of love, tradition and unforgettable memories. You can leave the wedding preparations to your hosts, as you sip on evening cocktails, enjoy indulgent massages and morning and evening game drives. There are various choices of venues for any safari wedding, with most lodges offering an assortment of options for you to choose what suits you best. You can decide whether you’d like your ceremony in a clearing out in the bush, on a wooden deck overlooking a waterhole or even with in the lodge – the choice is yours. You will be able to host an unforgettable reception at a safari lodge with friends and family, and dance your first dance as the African sun melts away into shades of red and gold.



If you’ve already booked your wedding at a safari lodge, why not stay on a few extra days, after the wedding excitement has subsided, and enjoy the most romantic honeymoon Africa has to offer? You can unwind with a drink in hand and watch a dazzle of zebra drinking from a nearby waterhole or be treated to a massage in the privacy of your honeymoon suite. The magic of any honeymoon safari is that you will undoubtedly receive individual attention suited to you and your spouse’s needs and your required levels of privacy.



Exciting Honeymoon Safari Destinations

Honeymoon safari destinations in Africa are unlimited, given the diverse areas of wildlife parks and private reserves. The Sabi Sand Wildtuin, for example, is situated in the south-western section of the world-renowned Kruger National Park and is a 65 000 hectare wildlife oasis. There are no fences separating the reserves, allowing game to roam freely and abundantly through a natural area that spans some 2-million hectares. This area is home to spectacular wildlife, including the Big Five, the rare wild dog and some 200 other animal species indigenous to this area. Honeymoon safaris are not complete without a game viewing adventure that allows you to enjoy close encounters with many of these animals. Birding enthusiasts will also be delighted to know that this area is also home to over 350 bird species.



Honeymoon Safari Activities and Facilities

On your honeymoon safari, you can enjoy morning game drives, usually in a private open-topped Land Rover. You and your spouse will be woken before first light, while the kitchen brews a hot pot of coffee to start your morning off on a great note. Highly experienced game rangers will share their knowledge of this vast area as well as treat you to mid-drive tea and tasty delights once you find a suitable area to stop and stretch your legs. Night drives provide one of the most exciting opportunities to see the nocturnal species that roam the reserves once the sun has set, and an opportunity for you to share these special moments with the person you have chosen to spend the rest of your life with. For the wild at heart, personal trackers are available to take you on walking safaris, where you will learn to identify the tracks of various animals and have thrilling encounters with the likes of Africa’s Little Five – the Rhinoceros Beetle, the Elephant Shrew, the Leopard Tortoise, the Ant Lion and the Buffalo Weaver.



Once you’ve returned back to camp, you can enjoy candlelit dinners or a private dinner in your suite. Some honeymoon safaris offer the opportunity to dine out in a clearing in the bush, with the ambient noise of nightjars calling into the cool African night breeze. No other honeymoon destination can offer such intimacy and adventure all in one trip.



Honeymoon safaris come hand-in-hand with luxury accommodation, usually with a designated honeymoon suite with all the frills to spoil you and your spouse. You can enjoy romantic bubble-baths, shower underneath the stars or just unwind in your private plunge pool during the afternoon heat.



What better way to kick-off a life-time together than on a romantic, intimate and adventurous honeymoon safari?



About the Author

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve boasts four luxurious lodges, each unique in style and design and ideal for a wedding or honeymoon safari. With these four lodges to choose from, you can be sure to find the perfect spot to celebrate your new life. Visit the Sabi Sabi site today to find out more about the exciting honeymoon opportunities that await you.










Points To Consider Before Going On A South African Safari

August 31st, 2010 No comments

Since the 2010 World Cup, many people have added South Africa as a vacation destination. The wildlife in South Africa is a big attraction, and there are many national parks and private game farms that afford visitors the opportunity to see South Africa’s ‘Big Five’ in their natural habitat. There are, however, several things that you should consider before going.

Site of Soccer 2010 World Cup
Image by DanieVDM via Flickr

Budget

Although the exchange rate is generally in the international visitor’s favor, there are a variety of options available that can make your vacation more affordable. There are luxurious game lodges that offer elegant accommodation and five star service, generally on private game farms with organized game drives. These are for the people who want a nice place and have money to spare.

The national parks usually offer self-catering cottages and camping facilities, with stores and food available.

Hotels are usually going to be affordable and you can take day trips to the park. You may have to hire a car, but you will have more freedom to see around South Africa. South Africa has many well equipped camping sites.

The Season You Go

South Africa, being in the southern hemisphere, has its seasons reversed. The best game viewing time is in winter – June to September – where temperatures may reach 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit depending on which part of the country you are visiting.

The animals are in the midst of a dry season at this time and will be out at the watering holes. Vegetation isn’t super dense at this time, so you can see them more clearly.

Safety

The crime statistics in South Africa may deter some visitors, an alert tourist will have no problems. Being alert about what’s happening around you is crucial. In smaller towns, you really only need to look out for petty theft. Cameras, mobile phones, wallets and purses are popular items that may be snatched if left unattended in restaurants or shops. Lock cars up and lock all valuables in trunks.

The animals that you are going to look at are wild. Any rules that you are given, follow. An animal can get spooked from the smallest things.

Check and see if the area is prone to diseases like malaria. Whether you are visiting a malaria zone or not, take insect repellent and use it liberally, especially in the evenings and at night. You must wear sunscreen, too.

A South African safari will offer you views of wild animals you will never see outside of a zoo. The “Big Five” are lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo, and are supplemented by other animals like antelope and giraffe. With beautiful landscapes, lovely beaches and many other attractions, make sure you don’t make your South African safari too short, as you will want some time to see what this diverse country has to offer.

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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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Amazing South Africa

April 21st, 2009 No comments

South Africa is one of the most splendid places on earth. Stuffed with astonishing beauty, South Africa holds awesome sunsets and sun rises. People from all over the world love to have a holiday at this remarkable destination. You can enjoy luxurious picnics together with the savor of local wines. For the brilliance this country holds, it is renowned as a dreamland filled with natural beauty, history and all you can imagine.

One astonishing place you ought to see in luxurious South Africa is the Kruger National Park. This park offers wilds at their best as well as ultimate and comfortable African safari. It also offers a variety of wonderful private lodges which allow you to treat in astounding food, and an assortment of South African wines. Not only this, this part also has great massage service to calm its visitors.

Though luxury Kruger safari is not very cheap, yet this magnificent experience is certainly worth the cost. You will also be able to see the astonishing African flora and fauna including the herds of Elephants, Lions, Leopards, Rhinos, and Buffalo. You will also get a prospect to watch cheetahs and other astonishing wildlife at this park. These great parks also offer a variety of some of the most astonishing birds as well.

After you see and experience all the wonders of wildlife, Cape Town is just the thing destinations for you to return. This town has some of the best things you can dream to see. Best restaurants, splendid museums and galleries Cape Town is amazing in all aspects.

One of the land marks of this great city is the Table Mountain. You can enjoy a great cable car ride to the top which offers great fun and excitement. Here you will be able to behold some of the most amazing sites of Cape Town. You must not miss this brilliant experience. Cape Town is also offers you some great sight seeing. You will also find some amazing galleries here, and dwell in winery lodges.

Garden Route is one more lavish spot which will give you an astonishing experience. During the months of July to December, you can take pleasure here and have a wonderful time beholding the beach, and the whales. You can also spot some wonderful spectacles at Walker Bay. The Cango Caves are yet another marvel of South Africa. It is packed with wonderful beaches and great forests.

South Africa is wonderfully diverse and offers endless entertainment, fun and thrill for its visitors. It is surely one of the most amazing places where the tourists love to delight in. Owing to its diversity and amazing experiences, this country has been titled as the Rainbow Nation.

Be it beautiful beaches, mouth watering food, finest hotels, rare and awe-inspiring wildlife, wine or night life, south Africa can make all your dreams come true with its comprehensive and perfect spectrum of perfect and luxurious holiday package. So wait no more and head to the luxurious South Africa and make some ever lasting memories with your loved ones.

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Traveling to Kenya – What You Need to Know

January 19th, 2009 No comments

Upon arrival to Kenya, visitors from Europe and Asia can obtain travel visas at the airport. Travel visas are obtained at a fee either at the airport or in advance. Citizens from common wealth countries with the exception of a few d not require visas to enter Kenya. It is convenient to consult with the respective countries consulate, high commission or Kenyan Embassy before traveling.

Its is recommended that all travelers to Kenya and neighboring countries ensure validity of their visa, at least 6 months beyond protracted end of their visit and that their passports have plenty of blank pages to accommodate the immigration stamps. This info can be sourced by travelers from the Embassy of Kenya in the various countries.

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers to Kenya. Vaccination should be given 10 days before travel. Evidence of the yellow fever immunization may be requested on your arrival at the airport. Apart from Yellow fever, it is prudent to be up-to-date with routine inoculations such as, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) vaccine, polio virus vaccine.

A prescribed anti malarial drug as well as protection against mosquito bites by using nets that have been treated with insecticides(especially in game parks) at altitudes below 2,500m. It should be duly noted however that chloroquine is not considered to be an effective antimalarial drug hence no need to take it as a preventive measure.

Several Western countries have travel advisories for their citizens traveling to Kenya. In as much as I do not want to categorize travel advisories as those, ‘park at your own risk’ notices, the decision to visit Kenya remains solely the visitor’s. Kenya experienced turmoil in early January due to the disputed December 2007 elections. But even at that difficult time, the tourist sites and hotels remained safe.

Hotels, lodges and park are relatively safe because it’s to the interest of the management in those locations to ensure security. The Kenya boarder with Ethiopia, Sudan and Somalia are risky but this in not a major concern because they are far away from the tourist routes in Kenya.

The driving rule in Kenya is ‘keep left’, this could prove daunting especially to those who are not accustomed. Vehicle travel outside major cities at night should be avoided mainly due to poor lighting on the roads plus poor road conditions. Some roads become virtually impassible especially during the rainy season. Road jams are usually a norm during the mornings and evenings.

The use of plastic money i.e. credit cards or traveler cheques is advised. Major credit cards are accepted as a means of payment in hotels, lodges and shops. ATM machines are located in all major towns and are situated in secure and well lit places

It’s a rule of thumb to keep friends and family and even the embassy of the progress of your journey. Mobile phone companies offer a wide network though there are some regions that experience weak or no signal usually in the bush where some lodges and parks are situated. Cyber cafes are usually found in every major town, some public venues act as hotspots. This facilitates visitors to upload exciting pictures and videos of their travels in Kenya.

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