Travel

If, like me, you are an avid horse rider, the phrase “African horseback safaris” probably awakens in you a deep-seated exhilaration  urging you on to make whatever plans necessary to make this dream come true . A horseback safari on a game rich private game reserve in the depths of the watery Okavango Delta in Botswana is a magnificent experience.

Picture yourself cantering along on your beautiful, firy-natured, muscular horse through a shallow flood plain next to a herd of giraffe, you watch in amazement their slow motion canter and wonder to yourself, how else would you experience something of this magnitude in this remote wilderness! The close encounters with wildlife that you experience from the saddle allow you to feel part of the natural wilderness.

The award winning African Horseback Safaris, is a safari operator based at Macatoo Camp on the western side of the Okavango Delta . The camp offers 6 large, classic African safari style tents, each with twin beds and their own en-suite shower and loo. The soft light of oil lanterns light the tents at night. Centrally there is a large mess tent with sofas, books and games, spectacular sunsets are enjoyed from the terrace and tucked away, is a private, inviting, rockpool. Meals are cooked on the open fire and are delightfully tasty. It is here that horse-mad people from all over the world meet to share this glorious wildlife experience.

To be able to join a horseback safari in a Big 5 (lion, rhino, elephant, leopard and buffalo) wilderness area you have to be pretty proficient on horseback.  You will need to feel confident about keeping up with the group, capable of riding at all paces; rising to the trot and controlling your horse at the canter. You may be required to gallop out of trouble, so beginners will not be allowed to ride. However you are still welcome at the camp if you are not a proficient horse rider. Other game activities are offered to the partners of those horse-mad people.

Going on safari on horseback means that you will be riding between 4 and 6 hours a day into the wilderness viewing various game species from the back of your horse. A maximum of 7 guests will join a safari. The horses are well trained, sure-footed and fit and you will be matched up with a horse of good size and temperament for you.

Qualified experienced game rangers will lead you on horseback through the delta interpreting the intricate language of the African bush, reading tracks and signs left by wildlife and following them for that classic close up sighting. The rangers have a natural love of the bush and a very intimate understanding of its inhabitants. You can rest assured that you will be well looked after.

Macatoo Camp is a remote bush camp within the Okavango Delta and getting there can only be done by light aircraft flight from Maun or Kasane. Combining this safari camp with a few nights at the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe allows for a wonderfully varied itinerary.

Africa Tamed, a successful tour operator based in Cape Town, South Africa, offers a range of exciting Escorted Tours, Self Drive Packages and Fly-in Safaris throughout southern Africa. With a focus on friendly personal attention and with a broad travel knowledge based on over 16 years of travel experience, they can assure you of a wonderful, memorable African holiday.

So you’re thinking about a self drive tour of Australia…

The first thing to take into account,  and the most obvious, is that Australians drive on the left hand side of the road. If the same applies in your home country, then you won’t have any problems. If driving on the right hand side is what you are used to , then you’ll need to concentrate a lot harder on what you are about to do when behind the wheel.   

Drivers Licences

As of May 2010, Australia recognises drivers licences issued in the following countries:

Austria : Belgium : Canada : Croatia : Denmark : Finland  : France : Germany : Greece : Guernsey : Ireland : Italy : Isle of Man  : Japan : Jersey : Luxembourg : Malta : Netherlands : Norway : Portugal : Singapore : Spain : Sweden : Switzerland : UK : USA

If there is any doubt about your driving licence being accepted , obtain an International Drivers Licence from your local automobile association before you leave home.

Vehicle Rentals

If you are an overseas visitor , you’ll need to think about the type of rental that best suits your needs. Australian vehicle rentals fall into two types :

a) cars that can be driven all over the country and returned to any rental office. This is the most expensive form of rental and is provided by operators such as Hertz, Avis, Thrify and Europcar.  

b) vehicles that can only be driven within a limited distance of the rental office and which must be returned to that office . This is the cheaper option provided by hundreds of 2nd tier rental operators throughout all cities and larger towns.   

c) there is an excellent range of both 2WD and 4WD rental campervans that are custom fitted for the independent traveller looking for a self catering option . The major camper rental companies usually allow different pick-up and return locations.

Vehicle rentals on the Gold Coast tend to cater more for short term holiday rentals with numerous rental companies offering everything from head turning exotic European roadsters, sports coupes, muscle cars, soft top VW conversions, dune buggies, family transport through to rent-a- wreck cheapies.  

Speed Limits

Speed limits are different from state to state but are usually 100-110kph on the highways and 50-60kph in built-up areas. There are numerous city arterial roads and bypasses and it is common for the speed limits to be 70 and 80 kph on these roads. Speed traps are commonplace and authorities generally use radar guns to catch offenders. Interstate motorways do not compare with USA and European highway systems but nor do they carry the same traffic volumes.

In Australian summers , the interior of a locked car can reach very high temperatures and you should never leave small children or animals locked in vehicles. Dehydration occurs rapidly and poses a very real risk. This practice is illegal and offenders may be fined.

Australia is a big country with long distances between cities. The most serious danger on Australian roads is driver fatigue. Find out about driver refreshment stations. Pull off and rest every couple of hours. 

Outback Driving

Visitors from overseas are unlikely to have experienced some of the unique considerations that apply to driving in outback and remote locations.

Drivers need to be careful on country roads at night in cold weather. Cattle and native animals like kangaroos lie on the bitumen road surface which holds the warmth of the sun. Car lights startle and confuse the animals which are just as likely to run into your vehicle as run away from it. The locals in outback towns have bull-bars fitted to the front of their vehicles. They do that for a reason!

When travelling on remote outback roads/tracks, you should always advise somebody at the destination end of your expected arrival time and the number of people in your party. If you fail to arrive within a reasonable time, help procedures can be started. Never leave the vehicle because it’s a lot easier to find than a missing person. Always check the vehicle before setting of off on the next sector of outback travel. There is no help along the way.

Another unique outback driving condition is sharing the road with road-trains. These cattle transport prime movers haul multiple trailers and can be 50 metres (170 feet) long and travel at surprisingly high speeds. The wind blast you receive as they pass in the opposite direction is quite severe. On unsealed roads, road trains create quite a dust storm in their wake that will usually obscure your vision. Don’t take risks, slow down or stop until the dust settles and you can see what’s behind the road train.

If you are thinking of overtaking a road train, allow at least 1 kilometre (3000 feet) of clear road before overtaking.

Australia is a country of extremes and torrential rains will often generate flash floods. Don’t attempt to cross flooded rivers and causeways unless you know the water depth and any possible road surface damage that could trap your vehicle. Most flash floods pass within 24 hours or less.

So there you go… just a few things to be aware of as you plan for your Australian self drive holiday.

Mexico: The Land of Gorgeous Beaches and Margaritas

Mexico is a single with the most visited locations inside the world. With its warm hospitality, all inclusive hotels and wonderful weather, it’s easy to determine why. But, there are a million alternatives. If you’ve by no means been, (or even if you’ve), how can you decide on the ideal hotel in Mexico for the distinct needs? Plus, how do you guarantee you may acquire the level of good quality that you’re expecting? Where do you want to travel in the world? For an idea of where to go on your next vacation, visit famouswonders.com. While you are on the site, also take a look at mexico travel guide. As in several acquiring nations, there’s a whole range of diverse properties to select from, some of which can be limited in terms of modern conveniences they offer. But then once more, this may perhaps be exactly what you’re looking for! Regardless, right here are some ideas on tips on how to locate a top quality inn in Mexico and advice on how you can ensure that you are ready as you lookup for that excellent Mexico vacation getaway.

Doing it Correct: The Accommodation Variety Procedure

Amenities, Price tag and Location. Individuals are the three most significant considerations when you strategy your trip to Mexico and book your resort. And if you’ll be able to plan much ahead, it just tends to make points that much easier. So where by do you start?

The Internet: Utilizing on the web vacation reservation solutions to compare inn amenities, rates and check out reviews.

• If you’ve a particular motel chain that you prefer, such as Marriott, examine their internet site first for specials and discount prices. The prime resorts will assure their prices since the lowest offered. This presents you the security of knowing that you simply are obtaining the most beneficial value and are booking through a dependable source.

• Several resorts will present holiday package discounts which bundle your space with meals as well as other hotel amenities. Depending on your requires, this is usually a wonderful method to increase convenience and save some funds.

• Verify out house photos, maps, and video clips from hotel internet websites.

• Find out how other travelers reviewed the property. This data might be found at numerous websites, such as http://www.epinions.com/ offer this.

• Check out The Mexico Accommodation Guide, TravelWeb, and PlacestoStay all of which have a lot of impartial accommodation facts.

Really don’t Pay Too Very much! Look for the discounts.

• If you have some flexibility, establish if they present lower mid-week prices.

• A great strategy to discover local resorts is to examine journey bulletin boards and look for recommendations created by other travelers, such as those created on Tripadvisor.com.

Inn Particular Problems

• How is their consumer service historical past? Have they received optimistic ratings from impartial organizations?

• If the hotel is component of an international franchise, discover how the chain prices this house inside their organization.

• May be the resort located in the safe component in the city or region?

• Is any major construction heading on within the region that could influence your stay?

• Will there be any big groups in the Inn in the course of the time you wish to go?

• Do they have a concierge, shuttle, laundry service or other additional service?

• Is 1 side on the inn far better than the other?

• Is public transportation situated near by?

• What kinds of restaurants to they provide?

• Is there a fitness and aerobics room?

• What would be the nearby attractions?

• Is this a brand new resort or have they gone through a latest remodel?

• What’s their cancellation policy?

• Do they deliver smoking/nonsmoking rooms?

• Do they have agreements with airlines, rental car or other partners? You may benefit.

• Will be the airport close towards the hotel’s site?

Other Basic Recommendations

• Be flexible if it is feasible to suit your needs. The resort sets their rates by supply and demand, so it assists to understand when the peak season is. When you really don’t know when the very best rates are, just ask them.

• Frequent buyers of chain hotels can register on the hotel’s world wide web website to save time and effort. By doing this, your accommodation room preferences will probably be automatically incorporated when you reserve your space.

• By calling the accommodation directly, instead of the chains 800 range, you might get a room in the last minute, or in the course of peak journey times. The front desk at the hotel are far more hands on when it arrives towards the hotel’s capacity and can check out for cancellations or no-shows.

So there you could have it, the most beneficial advice to finding your ideal Mexico resort! Maintain in thoughts; there are many fantastic hotels in all places of Mexico. From Cancun to Puerto Vallarta, you will discover lots of reputable resorts that you just will desire to return to yet again and again. If even worse comes to even worse, use a dependable vacation agent to help you discover a good motel. They could get rid of the uncertainty when it comes to selecting great high quality accommodations.

Lastly, enjoytake pleasure i

The second biggest city in the Australian state of Victoria is Geelong. It is situated on Corio Bay and the Barwon River and is 75 kilometers from Melbourne, Victoria’s capital. The city is a much loved destination for international and local visitors. Accommodation options are plentiful, shopping facilities are great, and there is plenty to see and do.

On 1 February 1802, Lieutenant John Murray was the first non-aboriginal to visit the site where the city now stands. It was given its name by Governor Richard Burke in 1837 from the word that the aboriginals called the area – ‘Jillong’. Geelong prospered at a rapid pace in the 1850s gold rush, during which time a number of beautiful buildings were constructed. It received its city status in 1910.

One of the most popular visiting sites is the Great Ocean Road. After the end of World War I, returning Australian soldiers built it in remembrance of their fellow comrades who were killed. This iconic landmark was opened on 26 November 1932 by Lieutenant Governor, Sir William Irvine. This is definitely a must-see attraction.

There are numerous restaurants in and around the city, all of which use fresh local produce. Seafood comes straight from the ocean, while vegetables and other ingredients are grown inland. Get a quick take-away and head off to Corio Bay to see an unbelievable sunset, or enjoy some good Aussie pub grub. Alternatively, relax in a fine-dining establishment and savor 5-star cuisine with a bottle of good Australian wine.

At Bellarine Peninsula, you will find some of Victoria’s finest wineries. This area is well known for its award-winning wines which are on offer at most restaurants. The cool climate is ideal for cultivating vineyards. You can join a wine tour if you like, or feel free to explore the various estates at your own pace. Visitors are welcome to call in at any time for tasting. Be sure to leave some room in your baggage so that you can take a couple of bottles home.

If you enjoy the beach, nature, fishing, and other outdoor activities, you won’t be short of choices at Geelong. It’s also a great venue for family holidays and offers plenty of attractions for children. There are some glorious beaches, lots of parks and gardens and entertainment facilities right on the city’s doorstep.There are great options when it comes to Geelong accommodation too.

You can enjoy scenic walks at Great Ocean Road or the Bellarine Peninsula which is home to lush national parks. Wend your way through cascading waterfalls and bush lands that are full of indigenous flora and fauna. For a walk that is more challenging, put some comfortable shoes on and walk the entire length of the Great Ocean Road.

Geelong has an action-paced Adventure Park which has a variety of exhilarating water rides to suit all ages. The newest addition is the Six Lane Aqua Racer which has proved to be a huge hit with older children and adults. Race your friends down the 6-lane slide while water gushes out at 90 liters per second. While you are going down, you can hit speeds as high as 40 kmp. The Tiny Tots Splashzone will keep toddlers entertained as they search for Tommy the Turtle amid mini waterfalls and waterslides.