Zambia is considered to possess the largest water resources in the whole of Southern Africa.

This is because the country has a wide assortment of rivers both big and small, all across the country. From these rivers hail not less than twenty awe inspiring waterfalls that make Zambia’s landscape look like illustrations of the Garden of Eden.

The thunderous roar of the steady flowing waterfalls as water goes over their rocky edged cliffs is one of the most powerful sounds of nature. Various hotels offer tours, picnics and brunches at various waterfall sites. If your Zambia hotel does not have this, you can pack up a basket and have your own perfect little picnic.

Except for stubborn little monkeys and baboons, the sites of the falls are fairly safe as long as you keep off the waterfall edges.

The most remarkable of these falls is the glorious Victoria Falls Zambia which falls on the Southern Province. The Victoria Falls hails from the Zambezi River and is classified as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It covers a spectacular 1600m over a 100m high drop. The falls provide five vantage points; the devils cataract, horse shoe falls, rainbow falls, the main falls and the Eastern falls.

Each of these viewing points is an experience all on its own. If you happen to view the falls at sunset, then you will have no doubt that you are in the presence of a world wonder; sunset at the Victoria Falls has often been described as the most beautiful sight in the world.

Another beautiful cascade also falling on the Zambezi is the Ngonye falls. The falls is a wide spread of water falling 12m down below. Though Ngonye falls are not so high, the magnitude of falling water is close to that of the Victoria Falls. Ngonye falls are placed on the Western Province of Zambia and provide a wonderful picnic site.

Equally beautiful is the 20m high Nyambwezi Falls  situated in the Western Province on the Nyambwezi River. The falls provide a most unique camping site which is located under a natural rock shelter. The shelter contains pre-historic wall engravings and rock paintings among other evidence of late stone-age human existence in the area.

All the other popular waterfalls are located in the Northern Province of Zambia and make for interesting Zambia tours and safari. The most spectacular waterfall in this province is the Kalambo Falls which at 221m high is the second highest waterfall in Africa. The Kalambo falls are located on the Kalambo River which forms the border between Zambia and Tanzania. The falls are also home to the rare marabou stork as well as an array of many other creatures.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Surrounded by Eritrea and Djibouti to the North, Sudan to the West and Northwest, Somalia to the East and Southeast and Kenya to the South, Ethiopia is one of the most attractive countries in Africa.

The Simien National Park is one of the many popular and important sites boasted by Ethiopia. The park covers an overall area of approximately 14,000 hectares and is located on the vast Amhara plateau in the Western Simien highlands of Northern Ethiopia. The Simien National Park is a World Heritage Site and was made so in 1978. However, in 1996, the park was added to the list of delicate World Heritage Sites in danger as a result of continued encroachment of the land by humans.

Activities like cultivation, mining, woodcutting, hunting and construction of permanent as well as semi-permanent structures are threatening to completely deplete the resources within the park. Currently, there are a little over 30,000 people residing in villages within the park and they all rely on the park’s resources in one way or another. Therefore, 60 per cent of the total area of the park is under pressure from human settlement.

The Simien National Park receives over 2,000 foreign and even more domestic visitors per year. This rather impressive number goes to show that the park has a lot to offer despite its battle to survive depletion. The most attractive feature at the park is the landscape itself. According to various travel journals and documented testimonies of global travelers who have been on a Ethiopia tour, the landscape of the Simien National Park is one of the most thrilling in the world. Read the rest of this entry »

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Lusaka has been accorded several names its enthusiasts. ”The real Africa” and the “Sleeping giant” are some that come to mind as rapidly as the Victoria Falls-considered a wonder of the World.

The ‘Real Africa’ due to some of Africa’s purest game parks and ‘sleeping giant’ for its mineral stock, untapped energy sources such as the mighty Zambezi River and vast expanses of arable soil underutilized.

Zambia’s capital city is one of the highest points at an altitude of 1, 300m above sea level and it lies at the junction of the main highways to the north, east, south and west covering about 70km square. There are air links to most of the major tourist destinations in Zambia from Lusaka International Airport which also acts as landing for most international flights 25km from the centre.
Zambia airways flies to and fro Jo’ burg and has scheduled flights to Mfuwe, Chipata, the Copperbelt and Livingstone. The domestic railway goes to Livingstone, Kapiri Mposhi and the Copperbelt while the Tanzania Zambia Railway - Tazara - comes down as far as Kapiri Mposhi, where the Zambia Railways train links it to Lusaka. Buses arrive from Harare, Lilongwe, Johannesburg, Livingstone and the Copperbelt. Check out Lusaka flights here.

Local buses are generally available for those with a character of steel to guard against petty theft scenarios, and the discomforting pushing and shoving that comes with it. There are several local car rental services to counter that, and even though they are expensive, they might save you more in comparison to the theft. Read the rest of this entry »

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Although landlocked, Uganda is one of the most beautiful countries in Africa bordering Kenya, DRC, Sudan, Rwanda and Tanzania.

Said to be the safest country in the region, it provides a more or less serene environment for traversing form one part of the country to the other.

More or less because some parts are still ridden with traces of rebel activity, especially at the borders therefore calling for careful decision-making when planning your routes.

The main entry point to Uganda is Entebbe International Airport 35km southwest of Kampala, the capital city. Regular flights are available from London via Alliance Air and British Airways. Alliance Air operates flights to Entebbe from Heathrow on Monday and Friday, with returning flights on Thursday and Sunday. British Airways flies three times a week: Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Other airlines flying to Entebbe are Sabena which flies from London via Brussels.

Air France also has regular flight into Uganda. Alliance and Ethiopian Airlines both connect with the main cities of East and Central Africa. However, it’s important to note that most flights to East Africa from Europe and North America use the Kenyan capital of Nairobi as a gateway so few travelers enter Uganda directly by air. Many travel form Nairobi to Uganda by bus. There are flights to Entebbe from Kenya, Rwanda South Africa and Tanzania.

A tech savvy search for travel deals and discounts is necessary when planning your trip to Uganda and one of the tricks is to check out bootsnall.com for consolidated airfare prices. Other than this there are few ways around getting to Uganda cost-effectively. Flying into Nairobi and catching a connecting flight on one of Africa’s budget carriers is one of the ways to do this. Read the rest of this entry »

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The most recommended way of getting around Ethiopia is by air. The best airline for domestic flights is Ethiopian airlines; offering good discounts flights to Ethiopia.

There domestic flight schedule cover all destinations on the historical route and what’s more you can fly in between these destination without having to go back to Addis Ababa for connections. The destinations covered include; Axum, Bahr Dar, Gondar, Lalibela, Arba Minch, Gambela, Dire Dawa, Jijiga, Mekele and Debre Markos. Check Addis Ababa flights.

Alternatively you could tour Ethiopia by road. The roads in Ethiopia are not that great generally so road trips are usually bumpy and long. Combining your road trips with a few domestic flights  really makes a difference especially if you have less than two weeks to tour, otherwise a good chunk of this time will be spent on the road.

There are two categories of bus companies in Ethiopia; the government bus service and the private bus services. With the government bus services you get to book your seat before the intended day of travel. The only drawback with them is that they leave a little later than the stipulated time of departure. The private bus services don’t give the option of reserving a seat. Seats are awarded on a first come first serve basis. The private buses have no set time for departure they just take off when they are full.

It is important to note that standing in the aisles of long distance buses is highly illegal although the tout will be telling you its not. This makes the whole bus ride experience relatively civilized. The buses also don’t operate at night. Read the rest of this entry »

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Christened the land of a thousand hills, Rwanda is a country of stunning beauty.

Enclosed by Tanzania to the east, Uganda to the north, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, Rwanda boasts an incredibly wide array of flora and fauna that includes rare species of animals such as  silverback mountain Gorillas.

The 26,338 square kilometre country comprises of two dominant tribes; Hutu and Tutsi.  The Hutu are the majority people consisting of around 83 per cent of the population and are mostly peasant farmers of southern Bantu stock. The Tutsi are around 16 per cent of the population and are the descendants of the herds people from the Horn of Africa.

More than 80 per cent of Rwandese are christian with the rest being Muslim. Their rich cultural heritage can be seen in their huge array of fine crafts that comprises - among other things - pottery, jewelry, painting, basketry, metalwork and wood carving.

In 1994, an estimated 500000 Tutsi and thousands of Hutu were killed in the infamous Rwanda Genocide – one of the darkest moments in the history of Africa. The country has however gotten over the unfortunate occurrence and is now one of the fastest growing economies in the region. Read the rest of this entry »

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Mauritius is a small Island in the Indian Ocean. Its distance from Europe and America often discourages first time tourists.

But really, there is nothing to fear. The trip to Mauritius will be facilitated by five star airlines; you can even opt to relax on a cruise and while your time away to Mauritius. Once there, there will be no opportunity to feel tired, there simply are too many delightful things to see and do.

Getting into Mauritius is relatively easy, but there are a few formalities that you should get out of the way first. Before you even apply for the visa, you need to have proof of your return ticket or an onward destination ticket. You can easily get a copy of this from your travel agent. Your passport also has to be valid for at least six months after your return date—some airlines will refuse to let you board if your passport in not valid.

You will also need proof of accommodation and documentation certifying your ability to support yourself while in Mauritius. Therefore, it is necessary to plan and fine tune your trip relatively early, especially as visas will take at least a month.

Now there are some lucky people out there who are exempt from all this red tape. Citizen of the U.S., the U.K., and South Africa, among others, do not need a visa to get into Mauritius. They only need a valid passport.

To find out the particulars for your country, check with the nearest Mauritian consulate or access their website. Citizens of the Republic of India and China do not need a visa for a maximum stay of fifteen days in Mauritius. It is important to note that whether you need a visa or not, you will be required to have all the other documents in order: valid passport, return/onward destination ticket and adequate funds.

Soaring high over the waters of the Indian Ocean is the red tailed tropicbird. This creature of grace is adorned with a white pink-tinted plumage, a magnificently red tail and beak. The Paille en Queue, as the bird is known, can often be distinguished from other bird species by its smooth and swift flight. The Paille en Queue is the symbol of Air Mauritius. Read the rest of this entry »

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The wildebeest migration season has begun to unfold, and tourists are already rushing to the Masai Mara to watch the wonderful spectacle.

According to officials at the Mara Conservancy, the first crossing of wildebeests across the Mara River was recorded last week - signalling the onset of the Great Wildebeest Migration that is categorised as one of several Wonders of the World.

The Great Wildebeest Migration is an annual mass movement of over 2 million ungulates (hoofed animals) from Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya in search of pasture and water, and then back to Serengeti by the promise of rains.

The Maasai Mara Game Reserve is one of Africa’s greatest wildlife destination, covering 1,510 sq km. Masai Mara is located along the Great Rift Valley, approximately 300 km southwest of Nairobi. “Mara” in the language of the Maasai people, who are native to the region, means mottled- an allusion to the patchy landscape. Rolling hills, open savannah grass plains and woodlands define the area.

The Maasai are a pastoral tribes-people who live in southern Kenya and north-central Tanzania, along the Great Rift Valley plains. They are a fearless, proud, and freedom loving people, who live in the open wild, sharing their habitat with wildlife. The tall, dark and slender Maasai have for long remained contemptuous of modern lifestyles. They have always infatuated romantic westerners, since the appearance of explorer Joseph Thomson’s book “Through Maasailand” in 1885.

The Maasai are not hunters, an aspect that greatly contributes to their harmonious co-existence with wildlife. The only conflict arises when wild game attacks their beloved livestock.

Wildlife in the Mara is plentiful and the big five – elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino- are easy to spot. The predator population here is abundant and witnessing a lion or cheetah on the hunt is not just an idle dream. The reserve is not only a leading Kenya safaris destination but it is also an excellent birding destination, being host to over 450 species of birdlife, including the vulture, marabou stork, secretary bird, hornbill, crowned crane, ostrich, long-crested eagle, and pygmy falcon. Read the rest of this entry »

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Namibia is the world’s 34th largest country falling just short of Venezuela. With only 2.5 inhabitants per square kilometer, it is the least densely populated country after Mongolia.

There are generally five geographical areas in Namibia, each with characteristic abiotic conditions and vegetation: the Central Plateau, the Escarpment, the Bushveld, and the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. In the modern age of environmental degradation Namibia presents as one of the most ecologically important areas in the world and it’s unique physical landscape supports huge numbers of birds and animals and the extreme temperatures from drought to the flood season displays a tantalizing metamorphoses all year round.

Namibia’s high season consists mainly the months of April though to September as this time is mild during the day and cold in the nighttime with almost no rainfall. The summer months can be unbearably hot during the day and most of Namibia’s rainfall occurs at this time. It should be noted that summertime rates are significantly cheaper than those of the high season.

Along the coast, the Benguela Current has a modifying influence and fundamentally determines the climate of the Namib Desert. It reduces rainfall and causes a persistent fog to settle over the coast. It dictates variety over the desert clime.

Air travel is the most logical option when considering to go on a Namibia safari, though cross border drives from South Africa on the south eastern border are characteristically successful. Air Namibia, British Airways, SA Airlink and South African Airways have daily flights into Windhoek or Walvis Bay: while Air Zimbabwe, Air Botswana, and Lufthansa also fly into Windhoek on occasion. Local charter companies and Air Namibia handle frequent internal flights.

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Mauritius is a country with a unique cuisine. It is influenced by the myriad cultures of the people.

It is a country where you might find dholl puri, peking duck, and a classic French consommé on the same menu. Needless to say, the restaurants of this country are an endless adventure.

You can taste a little bit of every corner of the world, and you can enjoy dishes you will find nowhere else.

Because of the unique mingling of cultures, the dishes of Mauritius have also begun to change. Here you can buy a pizza topped with Italian Parmesan and tandoori sauce or a Creole fish dish flavored with Chinese duck sauce. Mauritius has something for people of all tastes.

Grand Baie, in Northern Mauritius is the go to place for a leisurely day and fun filled night. With its proliferation of shops, you will find anything you need; from an adapter for your electronics to a trendy traditional bracelet.  Grand Baie also happens to be home to some of the best Mauritius hotels and nightclubs. There is a selection of Italian, Chinese and Local Cuisine restaurants, most of them lining both sides of the famous Route Royal. Read the rest of this entry »

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Crossroads for the east and the west, home to the extinct dodo and the hypnotic music style of Sega, Mauritius is the ideal island destination.

Located in the Indian Ocean about 900 km from Madagascar, this small nation is composed of the two islands: Mauritius and Rodrigues.

Over the last five centuries, Mauritius has been occupied by various peoples from all over the globe. Arabs trading along the Indian Ocean were probably the earliest settlers. Then, in the sixteenth century the Portuguese came to Mauritius. They weren’t particularly interested in the island and it would be the Dutch who would give Mauritius its name. Named after Prince Maurice of Orange, Mauritius would, in subsequent years, fall into the hands of the British and the French.

This rocky history provides for the diversity of Mauritius. Its African population came in as slaves to work the sugar plantations. The Hindus are the descendants of Indian indentured servants. A significant Chinese population calls Mauritius its home. These people, in turn, intermingled to create the various creoles in Mauritius. Mauritius is a multilingual society with English, French and Hindi been spoken widely across the country. The beauty of the Mauritian culture can perhaps only be rivaled by the beauty of the island itself.

Western Mauritius is known for its long, relatively unspoiled beaches that offer unforgettable Mauritius holiday opportunities. Lying on the edge of a jungle and grazing the beginnings of the ocean, the Casela Nature and Pleasure Park takes utmost advantage of its surroundings. In a park filled by the rarest of fauna, the guest can either opt to go for a walk with lions, sit down to pet cheaters, tickle giant tortoises or simply go quad biking. Read the rest of this entry »

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Although not as famous as some of its African neighbours, Namibia is a haven for those searching for the best of African wildlife and wilderness.

The arid country offers contrasting landscapes that range from thorn bush savanna and rugged mountains to open plains of the renown Etosha Pan.

Some of the main highlights of Namibia include Windhoek, Kalahari Desert, Caprivi, Damaraland, Diamond Coast, Fish River Canyon, Etosha National Park, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, Namib region and Waterberg National Park.

Windhoek, the capital of Namibia, is an attractive city surrounded by hills and the impressive Auas and Eros Mountains. Highlights include three German-style castles, dating back to the early 1900’s, which add a touch of romance to the city and the Daan Viljoen Game Park, set in the rolling hills of the Khomas Hochland. Assorted species of antelope, zebra, baboons and ostriches can be seen here. Bird life is abundant with about 200 species.

The Kalahari is an area well worth visiting to experience the magnificent red dunes and meet up with its traditional inhabitants, the San Bushmen. Consisting a large variety of game, bird, tree and grasses; the Kalahari red-dune ecosystem, represents the traditional Bushman hunting area. Bushman trackers often take Namibia tours enthusiasts on foot trails into the veld to show them their means and ways of endurance. Read the rest of this entry »

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