Typically, it begins in the early hours with a morning wakeup call and then you begin to prepare for your first game drive of that day. A nice cup of hot African coffee accompanied by a light breakfast of some bit of toast will help chase away that lousy bit of drowsiness will make you feel great and much ready for the day.
You then set out for the best times for the game viewing which are normally early mornings just from before the daybreak onwards and then from the late afternoon up to sunset. The late afternoon drive is most times extensive, turning it into a rather night drive.
The safari begins when you get into the safari vehicle, habitually in a group of around 7 people, there is a lot of excitement and everyone is full of expectation. As you get into the jungle, the bushveld then becomes quiet, with a kind of stillness hanging within the air just before dawn. At this time nocturnal life is settling down, and the noise level subsiding, while daytime life is beginning to awaken with some early birds calling out with beautiful chants to welcome the lightening up of the blue skies.
At this time, you set off with a professional game ranger just at the back the steering wheel and a very well experienced tracker on his special seat up front way above the bull bar. Just between the two of these two men, they will make sure that your wildlife encounter is an exciting one, very safe and informative. travle guide
The African safari is a journey into the mystifying, wild but romantic jungles of Africa. At the present time these words spike the mind’s eye, correlating with images of enormous herds of wildebeest (gnu), buffalo, the huge elephants and the beautiful zebra, herds of running Giraffes all booming across the vast green sweeping savannas, being hunted by the King Lion, fierce Leopard and the mighty hyena. It is pure magical in the increasingly present and glorious African brightness of the sun capturing the wonderful and thrilling imagination.
Commencing the day you set under the wonderful African skies you will begin feeling the experience deep in the wilderness of our great and beautiful wild continent, you will absolutely fall in love with Africa aver and evermore. You will understand our passion for nature and the great life in the jungles.
Some of the natural beauties in the heart of Africa are the verdant waterways of the great Okavango Delta in Botswana, which is also home to the mighty elephant herds of the Chobe and Linyanti; the blazing Namib desert as well as the Skeleton Coast of Namibia. You will surely not miss the wonderful African bushveld of the Kruger National Park and then of course its game reserve neighbours of Mala Mala, Sabie Sabie and Timbavati in South Africa…. and many others!
These are the playgrounds of the great herds and predators of Africa, true African Safari country.
Have you heard of the booming roar of the Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi River? These great falls, just bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe are one of the features that you will surely not afford to miss.
In East Africa, you will definitely want to feel the open savannah grasslands of the Serengeti and the Masai mara in Tanzania and Kenya respectively. Go for that safari now!
Typically, a safari expedition begins in the early hours with a morning wakeup call and then you begin to prepare for your first game drive of that day. A nice cup of hot African coffee accompanied by a light breakfast of some bit of toast will help chase away that lousy bit of drowsiness will make you feel great and much ready for the day.
You then set out for the best times for the game viewing which are normally early mornings just from before the daybreak onwards and then from the late afternoon up to sunset. The late afternoon drive is most times extensive, turning it into a rather night drive.
The safari begins when you get into the safari vehicle, habitually in a group of around 7 people, there is a lot of excitement and everyone is full of expectation. As you get into the jungle, the bushveld then becomes quiet, with a kind of stillness hanging within the air just before dawn. At this time nocturnal life is settling down, and the noise level subsiding, while daytime life is beginning to awaken with some early birds calling out with beautiful chants to welcome the lightening up of the blue skies.
At this time, you set off with a professional game ranger just at the back the steering wheel and a very well experienced tracker on his special seat up front way above the bull bar. Just between the two of these two men, they will make sure that your wildlife encounter is an exciting one, very safe and informative. Get onto that great Tanzania Safari today.
A drive in the early hours of the morning can easily take up to three hours, but all depending on what you come across during that trip. By then you will surely have taken in so much that it is time to return to your bush lodge and to a lavish and energetic breakfast.
You then get ready from mid afternoon it starts all over again, with an afternoon drive that usually ends just about sundown. Please note that many game parks and lodges recommend game drives at night, because this gives the chance to watch the king lion, the fierce leopard and the hyena do what they do best for their survival and that is hunting for prey. This is an incredible experience to have.
After the jungle experience, you then have to return to the camp, take a great hot shower, have an ice cold drink at the camp fire and enjoy an outdoor Africa barbeque night and a bush dinner in the camp site. This, you may call a black night, stars all blazing, nocturnal wildlife sounds with the roaring of lion unmistakably discernible and this is an absolute entire bliss that creates an incredible experience.
The most popular destinations for an absolutely thrilling African Safari experience are Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda in East Africa, and of course South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia in the Southern part of Africa.
A true African Safari may be taken in very many ways, from the low budget backpacking, then a self driving and then accommodation in an organized lodge or tent. On the other hand, you may prefer a fly-in safari and a stay in a very luxury private lodge where you will be treated like a true princess.
Africa Safaris are surely numerous, for example honeymoon safaris, the canoeing safaris, the elephant back safaris, mountaineering safaris and general adventure safaris.
The choice of your journey into Africa will surely continue to be one of life’s greatest adventures that you will live to remember.
Feel the life in the jungle
Experience the sunrise over the African green bush land with the shadows of the ever thorny acacia trees against the blue lightening sky, it is a rather fantastic scenery, the superior rim of the sun glance over the clear skyline in the distance. At this time it is all there; that fantastic sight that gives a whole clear picture and makes you feel that you are not just looking at it, but rather you are fully in it. This is undeniably, the sunrise experience over the African bush land that you will surely never fail to remember. The majority of the animals take it easy during the heat of the day and are not very active until the day cools down again in the afternoon time. If then you wish, you may track their pattern and spend the entire middle section of the day relaxing by the pool side, alternatively you may decide to use this time to meet and visit the native people within a local village. This will also make you feel the African people and their culture.
Unhurriedly the gigantic body strolls by the vehicle and a big mass with curls of hair around its muscular neck stretches down its back as it walks like it owns the place, moving each massive paw slowly, calculatingly, decisively. All of a sudden the tracker whispers alerting everyone as he points ahead and a bit to the sides. And then you’ll see him, appearing from behind a bush, His Majesty, the king of animals,…a massive male lion. At this time everybody is just holding their breath, and the ranger will keep the engine idling and quietly shifting into gear, just in case. Yes, it surely walks like a king demonstrating truly the king of animals. Just one last look shows a slow swing of its tail before it then turns and disappears into the jungle. Take a flight to Africa…
You probably have always wondered what language is the word “safari”! This is a word that comes from the East African Swahili language and it simply means “voyage”, “travel” or “journey”. This word however has got an Arab origin as is most of the other Kiswahilli words. From the earlier times around the 14th and 15th centuries when the Arab traders, ivory hunters and slave traders would travel extensively in the eastern and central parts of Africa, an expedition could sometimes be up to around 4200 people strong. In those days such an expedition was refered to as a “Safariya” and this was a major undertaking.
Then came the Europeans in the heart of Africa for similar reasons; search of trade goods and colonisation. Am sure you’ve all heard of the Scottish traveller and missionary Dr. David Livingstone who, later in the 1800’s, explored the African interior for more than 30 years, unlocking its mysteries and and the natural secrets. Then later came Sir Henry Morton Stanley, who was a journalist and writer. He was sent by their home newspaper called The herald in the year 1869 purposely to look for Dr. Livingstone who was missing and was assumed to have been lost. Sir Henry Stanley is said to have found Dr.Livingstone in a small village of Ujiji, just on the side of Lake Tanganyika in the year 1871.
This gives a brief history of safaris and how the word developed and became to be used. A Safari to Tanzania….
Loans Made Easy for Small Traders
A partnership between Fina Bank and the Centre for International Development at Harvard University`s Entrepreneurial Financial Lab has seen a new flavor in the banking industry in East Africa.
Clients of Fina Bank; one of the banks in East Africa will not need collateral anymore to get loans. A new technology that will enable all this is being experimented and once done, the bank will be using psychometric technologies that involve the evaluation based on the entrepreneurial potential or future earning potential of applicants for small business finance. This will replace the screening of new borrowers based on their current wealth, known as collateral-based lending or the social reputation known as microcredit.
The move that has been praised as a breakthrough in profitable lending to small and medium enterprises in Africa will be piloted in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Once it is proved to be successful, it will be very essential in boosting small and medium enterprises in the region financially.
Rwanda to Assess Banks Liquidity Levels
The government of Rwanda through the Central Bank is set to assess the liquidity volumes in local banks; a move that will help to determine whether it should proceed with introducing long-term capital as a stimulus package to accelerate credit to the private sector. The lessening liquidity in local commercial banks has seen a rather tight clutch on private sector’s accessibility to long-term investment capital, a situation that has called for state intervention. The governor of the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) was reported as saying that according to the local banks’ books of accounts, they have comfortable liquidity levels, but they keep warning that it`s for only short term lending. The assessment is set to be conducted throughout the second half of this year.
New Financing Plan for Public Universities in Kenya
Barclays Bank in Kenya is developing yet a new platform in the bonds market that promises to significantly change the way public universities finance their unending needs. The bank is working on an education bonds plan that will be valued on the billions of shillings worth of assets held by the public universities. According to people familiar with the plan, it has got the potential of lowering the cost of education and increasing access to the universities by the prospective students. The aim is to relieve the institutions of their heavy dependence on short term borrowing that has left them with a yawning budget gaps and ramped up the cost of higher education.
Tanzanian: EAC pact with EU to delay
The government of Tanzania has disclosed that the East African Community (EAC) bloc is likely to delay the signing of a new trade deal with the European Union because fresh issues have been introduced in the negotiations. The five bloc members of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi – are among the nearly 80 countries of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific group that are in talks on a new pact with the EU. The Tanzania trade minister said that the issues included government procurement, environment and sustainable development among others.
REGIONAL NEWS
Rich nations pledge $20bn in three year period.
The rich nations under their umbrella, G8, have pledged financial support amounting to USD 20billion over a period of three years, in farm aid to poor nations, Reuters reported. According to the US, a move to farm aid is much more important instead of food aid, but over 1.02bn people need food help this year, the UN said and food aid is necessary until they can produce their own.
The leaders of the African countries of Ethiopia, Algeria, Angola, Egypt, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal and South Africa discussed food security and farming with their G8 counterparts and pushed for climate-change compensation. On the other hand, the European Union and Japan urged a code of conduct for responsible investment in the developing nations where farmland acquisition is on increase.
East African governors disagree on dollar reserves.
East African central bank governors have failed to agree over how much dollar reserves is to be held by each country ahead of the introduction of a single regional currency in the year 2012. This disagreement stemmed from different interpretations of the necessities that each country is supposed to hold enough dollars to cover six months of imports. The countries that form the East African Community, that is, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi are planning to have a common legal tender by the year 2012 and this is expected to reduce the cost of currency conversions across the regions and will also eliminate the risk of volatile interest rates for cross-border investments within the region.
‘SADC not effective at coordinating power projects’
The South Africa’s energy minister Dipuo Peters has commented that Southern African Development Community (SADC) is not effectively coordinating power projects in the region. According to the minister, unprecedented growth in region has put a strain on electricity power supply and joint efforts between SADC member states is seen as the best way to balance supply of and demand for the electricity. SADC has several viable projects waiting to be developed, and the more cost effective tariffs should see renewed private investment in energy projects within the region.
Africa’s hard knock from global crisis
The finance minister of South Africa revealed that African countries have taken a severe knock from the global economic crisis and some of the financial obligations to help the continent have not been realized. Minister Gordhan told a conference to discuss the World Development Report 2009 that only about 10 to 15 countries in Africa had the capacity to be able to implement counter-cyclical responses to help them overcome the financial / economic crisis. He said economic growth in some African countries has “gone into the deep negative figures” and that their fiscal deficits ranged from 10-15%, making the situation constraining to most countries’ ability to respond significantly to the global economic crisis.
RWANDA
Remittances to Rwanda rise despite the global hiccup
Remittances sent home by Rwandans working abroad have increased by 26% y/y for the first five months of 2009 up to USD 71.4M from USD 56.8M previously despite the global economic downturn. According to the central bank of Rwanda, remittances for 2009 are now forecast at between USD 160M and USD 200M making it the country’s second largest foreign exchange earner after tourism which is said to have brought in USD 218M in 2008. The African Development Bank said that remittances and the aid inflows to Rwanda had increased bucking the expected trend as a result of reforms as well as improved economic conditions in the country.
Meanwhile Fitch has affirmed Rwanda’s long-term foreign and local currency rating IDR at B- with a more positive outlook and also confirmed a short-term foreign currency IDR of B and a country ceiling of B-. The ratings agency said it continued to be impressed with Rwanda’s obligation and dedication to reform and also the continued country’s growth performance, but notes that although per the country’s capita income has doubled over the last four years, it still remains below the B median. Fitch also forecasts that the economic growth in Rwanda will continue in the 6% to 7% range on the back of government efforts to enhance the business environment and address the infrastructure deficit in the country.
KENYA
Kenya tax body feels the pinch of the global economic downturn.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) fell short of its revenue target by KES 12bn on the back of the global economic downturn, only gathering KES 481bn out of KES 493bn the body had budgeted. The KRA’s target for the current 2009/10 financial year is KES 545bn but meeting the new targets will be quite difficult as severe drought is badly affecting agricultural production and high inflation is upsetting the profitability of businesses and the affordability of goods for the Kenyan wananchi, thereby affecting the country’s tax revenues. This elevates the question of how Kenya hopes to finance its planned budget expenditure.
Meanwhile, Kenya central bank is expected to retain its key rate at 8%, according to most market players, although more cuts are anticipated later this year. As the country struggles on the back of weaker exports, the Central Bank of Kenya has adopted a monetary easing stance to boost growth. At its last meeting in May, the
MPC cut the rate by 25bps, ending speculation of most analysts who had expected a decision to hold it at 8.25%. According to Reuters, the government expects the growth of 3% this year after expansion of 1.7% last year.
ANGOLA
Angolan central bank to contain drop in forex reserves
The Angolan central bank has announced its plans to implement measures to contain the drop in foreign exchange reserves in Angola, as a result of the lower oil-tax revenues following the drop in crude oil prices. The Central bank governor Abraao Gourgel said that the average monthly income from oil taxes fell from USD 1.33bn in Q1 of 2008 to USD 283mn for the first five months of 2009. Reuters reported that Angola’s foreign exchange reserves are down 30% this year to USD 12.2bn.
Meanwhile, Angola’s inflation rose to 13.95% in June, up from 13.83% in May on the back of rising food prices and that of non-alcoholic beverages; this is according to the national statistics institute. Month-on-month inflation for June stood at a figure of 1.11% up from 0.95% in May. The current 2009 government budget allows for an inflation rate of 12.5% which has been upwardly adjusted from 10% previously.
BOTSWANA
Botswana’s GDP drop by 20.3%
Botswana’s GDP has contracted by 20.3% in Q1 of 2009 on the back of reduced diamond mining output. As a result of the global economic slowdown, the global demand for diamonds has suffered a decrease and the economy is anticipated to face a deep contraction over the next two years.
According to the central statistics office, mining and quarrying contributed 68.6% to the decline in the country’s GDP. Water and electricity did also record a fall of 4% y/y in Q1as a result of a fall in consumption from the mining industry.
Meanwhile, the country’s inflation has slowed to three-year low of 7% in June. According to the Central Statistics Office, Botswana’s consumer price inflation rate slowed to a near three-year low of 7.0% y/y in June from 8.4% in May. Lowing inflation could lead to open the way for more interest rate cuts to boost such a weak economy. However, as inflation remains above the 3-6% target band, reports emerged that the Central bank governor Linah Mohohlo said last month that Botswana had room for further rate cuts, and later in June he announced a 150bps cut in the bank rate to 11.5%, bringing total cuts since December to
400bps, the agency said.
You can’t figure out a cluster of islands amidst the Indian Ocean, dazzling landscapes, beautiful white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. All this can be wholly explained as “Experiencing comfort and tranquillity at its very best”. This is what it means to be part of the Seychelles Honeymoon!
In case you are getting married soon or you have just gotten married, this is the place you must spend your honey moon for a splendid experience. It’s just for you, the newly married couples looking to indulge in a truly superb honeymoon destination. Please note that the Seychelles is considered one of the ten most beautiful places in the world, answers the call.
For every type of travellers, there is a great deal of over 100 islands that make up the Seychelles archipelago, and there is something special for just about every type of traveller. If you want your honeymoon to be more than just stretch out on white sand beaches and swimming in spotless waters, then a Seychelles honeymoon has it all and will surely exceed all your wildest expectations.
Special points to consider
The Sainte Anne Marine National Park is a ‘must’ visit during your Seychelles honeymoon, as it features an incredible level of beauty and is one of the most serene destinations you will ever experience.
You can’ afford to miss the deep sea diving, scuba diving and many other water based activities that are ideal in the Seychelles. With exceedingly warm, pure waters, the Ocean surrounding the islands is very perfect for any water adventures! Mild temperatures all year round signify that this destination is ideal regardless of the time of the year you wish to wed. Remember that many of the islands are sanctuaries with rare and wonderful plants and birds, giving you extra pleasure. You will definitely watch wonderful plants, fauna and birding sights that you just won’t be able to find in any other corner of the world.
So now that you know about some of the many interesting features of this unique area of the world, you can rest easy knowing that no matter which of the Seychelles islands you choose for your Seychelles honeymoon, you are assured of a warm welcome and one of the most amazing experiences in your life.
Here are some of the islands to consider for your own Seychelles honeymoon:
Mahe is the largest island with a quiet and a rather relaxed nature and is considered the economic and political centre of the Seychelles. It is blessed with a natural appeal and beauty and it has got huge mountains, thriving tropical vegetation and numerous idyllic beaches spread all around the island.
Praslin has incredibly verdant vegetation; it’s because of this that it fits almost everyone’s image of the perfect tropical island. Everyone going for honeymoon will absolutely want to start their marriage surrounded by tropical paradise, the epitome of nature’s beauty! Take pleasure in the miraculous landscape, astounding coral life, awfully shaped rocks and quite a number of the world’s rarest birds. This island is perfectly suited for visiting many of the neighbouring islands.
La Digue present that chance to step back in time, you experience transport by mainly by oxcart or bicycle. Here all honeymooners truly appreciate the wide deserted beaches ideal for long walks, lazy swimming, snorkelling as well as fishing. Discover an exceptional tranquil and kindliness that cannot be compared with any other elsewhere.
Bird Island is best known, as the name suggests, because of the one and a half million grimy terns that nest, breed and hatch their eggs on this luxuriant island. In case you are a fun of big game fishing, this is your ideal place for that hobby. Just in case birding or fishing is not your thing, then this is amazing for any type of honeymooners because it is such a private island completely surrounded by a sparkling white sand beach. You surely must be here if you have’t!
If these island descriptions have caught your interest, be sure to get in touch with a safari expert for the experienced and friendly professionals to help you experience a Seychelles honeymoon in one of the most beautiful places in the world. See you there!
The beauty of having your travel insurance cover lies in the fact that in case of any accident or illness, you will be comfortably bailed out. This assurance gives any traveller a peace of mind and makes one enjoy their holiday, honeymoon and vacation. It is by common sense that nothing or none will alert you on what accident is going to happen in future but as the saying goes, forearmed is the best defence agaisnt such calamities. Your travel insurance cover will protect you and your family in an incident that such an unfortunate and unprecedented eventuality occurs.
Insurance is these days a necessity because there are so many accidents taking place and one has to be protected always to be able to move on with confidence. In the earlier days, insurance was considered more of a luxury because it was only the rich who could afford it because it was quite expensive for the common person. But because of the market competition in the insurance industry, prices have gone down drastically and now insurance policies are much more affordable, even air travel insurance. You have to understand thoroughly the coverage of air travel insurance.
By securing air travel insurance, you can skip some of the usual hassles of traveling. For instance, trip delay, flight cancellation, lost luggage, car rental cancellation, hotel cancellation, emergency needs, medical needs, and death are usually covered by travel insurance. Get advice from your travel advisor and your local indurance providers on the best package that you should take on. You can also apply and get more information online.
You can choose whichever is more suitable for you because in any way, you can still purchase the air travel insurance. There are some advantages of air travel insurance. You see, the policy is considered a short-range accidental death and life insurance. If a plane crash happens and you are either mutilated or killed in it, your family will be compensated for it. The policy must be purchased before you board the plane.
When purchasing an air travel insurance policy, do not forget to read the fine print. You must understand it fully so that in the event of an accident, there will be no untoward incidents once you claim for the coverage. Traveling by air will be safer and relaxing with your insurance policy, so always make all the endeavors to have it before you set out to travel.
Rwanda on her small size is endowed with great natural and manmade attractions, un paralleled with any other country on the African continent. The “thousand” hills characteristic of Rwanda provide a unique scenic beauty , while the outstanding mountain features on the west and the plains in the east with the unique flora and fauna are part of the exquisite beauty that blanket Rwanda and make it so special. Rwanda is a magnificent country with an assurance of social comfort, rich in cultural variety and rare smile that tourism worldwide should not miss. The culture is also shown in the arts and crafts made by the Rwandese artisans and you can learn more about the culture when you visit the National Museum of Butare. Accommodation is available for people visiting the parks and other tourist attractions.
Rwanda has substantial natural resources for tourism with variety of tourism and ecosystems, climate and culture. Some of its features are outstanding by international standards while others are unique. The main attractions so far visited by tourists are:
The Volcanoes National park famous for the rare mountain gorilla and is soon being accorded a world heritage status. Just two hours’ drive from Kigali, there you will visit the Golden Monkeys, Dian Fossey tomb, you will experience Muhabura and Bisoke hiking, nature walk and you enjoy the warm climate of the high attitude and for gorilla trekking you have to be at Kinigi office at 7:00 am.
Rwanda’s fresh water lakes such as Kivu, Muhazi, Burera, Ruhondo and numerous lakes in Akagera National park offer opportunities for water activities and sports. The plains of Eastern Rwanda which make up the Akagera National park, the Nybarongo/Akagera River line region all display unusual habitats of great diversity, offering a wide range of recreational activities.
Nyungwe Forest
Nyungwe forest is the largest Afromontane forest in Africa and has now been declared a national park. It is just four hours’ drive from Kigali and for primate lovers you will find 13 types of them among which the famous Chimpanzee, the Colobus etc… There many types of birds like the rare Blue Bird Turacco, waterfalls and many types of orchids.
Akagera National park
The Akagera Ntional park which the place to be for safari with its complex mix of terrains, marshlands and lakes, vegetation and animal life plus the conducive “spring like” climate and offers an enchanting and adventurous environment. Here you can meet big mammals such as zebras, buffaloes, antelopes, giraffes and elephants. During the boat tour you can enjoy the calm of Lake Ihema, discover hippopotami and crocodiles. As for birds, it has more than 525 species. You could encounter unique species such as shoebill and the papyrus gonolek. Among the endemic species, there are ibis, jacanas, herons, plovers, sandpipers and many others.
City tourism
The City tourism offers now to visitors the chance to discover the Capital city before they drive to the country side, and are overtaken by a thousand hills that overtake one’s breathe. Kigali City tour takes the visitors around the busy town where they are able to learn about the history of the town from the colonial era to democracy, from the slums to suburbs. This tour takes around four hours and you can buy souvenirs after tasting Rwandan food in one of the fine restaurants in Kigali. Safaris and Travel tips…
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique have signed an agreement to share the tourism spin-offs of the 2010 Fifa World Cup through “border-free” tourism packages. This means more cheaper opportunities for the Fifa World Cup fans come 2010.
South Africa’s provincial Limpopo Tourism Parks Board, the Zambia National Tourist Board, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Mozambique struck the deal creating the Limpopo-Zambezi Destination at the Tourism Indaba conference and exhibition in Durban.
These agreements will see the creation of new package tours between and within the four countries and this will result in the easing of border formalities to smoothen the route of travellers through border posts, and joint marketing and branding in support of all the package tours.
The Victoria waterfalls, located at the border between Zambia to the north and Zimbabwe to the south, is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is 1 708 metres wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. Remember that South Africa is not only an important emerging economy in its own right but rather, it is also a key gateway to sub-Saharan Africa.