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Africa is a continent of contrasts. From the sandy Sahara desert to tropical rainforests and vast open plains, Africa something to suit everyone any time of the year.

A safari in Africa is perhaps one of the most alluring holiday options available for tourists around the world. A safari gives visitors a unique opportunity to experience all the magic that this beautiful continent has to offer.

Of course, with options come choices. If you’re looking for an African safari, where do you start? How do you know what’s best for you? What are the must see sights of Africa?

3 Unforgettable African Safari experiences

1). Kenya - Wildebeest Migration

The Wildebeest Migration is one of Africa’s most eagerly anticipated events. This dramatic show takes place within Kenya and Tanzania and is definitely one of the greatest wildlife stories on the planet.

Across the vast open plains of the Masai Mara and the Serengeti, an astonishing number of wildebeest and zebra voyage in search of new pastures. This migration with the change of season is an important part of the living cycle, which has a massive effect on their entire bionetwork as it sets off a chain reaction across multiple tiers of the ecosystem. It is a rather unpredictable event, and there is considerable variation in timing from year to year. Between June and August is often the best time to see this somewhat spontaneous natural wonder… the huge herds of wildebeest massing near the banks of the Grumeti River, in preparation of the momentous crossing.

Where to witness the spectacle

Sarova Mara Camp
Located outside Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve, the Sarova Mara camp is set on an elevation surrounded by two streams. Facilities include a dining area, a swimming pool and curio shop. The camp, consisting of 75 tents, has 24-hour electricity and a shower with hot and cold running water.

Governors’ Camp
Governors Camp is situated in the northern Masai Mara and offers a perfect setting in which to witness the epic migration. The entire safari camp is under canvas and the 38 tents are in the classic safari style.

2). A Big Five Safari in Africa

The big five safari is perhaps the quintessential safari experience. The “Big Five” are the elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo and these magnificent beasts exude a grand presence that very quickly makes you realise just why they are so special. It is a rare experience to see all of these animals in one place, but in a select few places in Africa, the amazing diversity of the bushveld makes it a real possibility. To see all of the big five on safari, with the animals in their natural habitat, is an inspirational experience that will stay with you forever.

Where to see the big five:

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve South Africa
Sabi Sabi Game Lodges are situated in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. It represents the ultimate in luxury safaris, offering an experience to remember with its amazing combination of five star luxury and wildest Africa.

The reserve is blessed with phenomenal biodiversity and provides and excellent chance of close encounters with the ‘Big 5′ as well as other interesting creatures like the wild dog and cheetah.

3). Fishing Safari - Hooking the biggest fish of your life

Fishing in Africa is remarkable. Whether you’re a fresh water enthusiast or after that elusive trophy gamefish; whether you’re a fly-fishing fanatic or a spinning specialist, Africa is home to the type of fish you love to catch.

When it comes to fishing, any serious fisherman knows that the fight factor is a huge one, and the world’s most powerful freshwater fighter, the tigerfish, is only one of the numerous African fish which will test your skill and equipment. The only thing as important as the fight, is the size.

Does size matter? To a fisherman you better believe it does! The Nile Perch is one of the world’s largest freshwater fish. Native to the Lake Chad, Congo, Nile, Senegal, Volta, Lake Turkana and other river basins, it reaches a maximum length of nearly two metres and can weigh as much as 200 kg - this is one seriously big fish!

A fishing safari in Africa is a fisherman’s dream come true and the kind of African safari experience that you’ll remember forever.

Where to fish

Lake Nasser
This is a place where many the first time visitor catches the biggest fish they’ve ever caught. It promises an angling adventure they will never forget. Lake Nasser is the greatest venue in the world for wild Nile perch, while your line is in the water you never know if the next fish is going to be an average sized fish or a 200lb monster.

Lake Victoria Uganda
This is another hotspot for Nile Perch fishing. The nearby Ssese Islands, a small cluster of over 80 islands off Entebbe, Uganda, are a largely uninhabited paradise. They are covered in thick, tropical forests and fish of over 80 kg have been caught. The main methods of fishing in the lake are; trolling with lures, fly fishing, and live bait. Apart from the Nile perch, local tilapia and large catfish are often caught.

Whether you are a expert world-class cross country skier or a new beginner with wobbly legs just learning to ski, the Tahoe Donner Ski Resort is the place where you need to go for winter sports. Depending on your level of skiing and snowboarding expertise, two ski areas are offered in the upper region of Truckee, California - the Tahoe Donner Downhill Ski Area and the Tahoe Donner Cross Country Center XC. Located 5 miles from Donner Lake and a little under 20 miles from Lake Tahoe, this exclusive resort has several excellent available restaurants, a golf course, and public equestrian center & campground.

With spectacular views that verge on absolute silence, Euer Valley is surrounded by three major peaks - Castle Peak (El. 9,103 feet); Red Mountain (El. 7,900 feet); and Prosser Hill (El. 7,171). Tahoe Donner is one of two major cross-country ski area on Donner Pass, and the Nordic Center is larger and has a higher summit elevation than the downhill one, being the only cross-country resort in California that offers night-time skinny skiing. Snowboarders are also welcome at Tahoe Donner. The resort has reasonable lift ticket rates, and there are rentals available. Here, you will also find a variety of ski programs and a ski school.

After a full day of skiing, going to the Lodge will highlight your ski vacation. It stands out with its rugged beauty, impressive architecture, and rugged beauty. Everyone who sees it, more than agrees this spectacular mountain setting is the cornerstone of the Tahoe Donner community. Whether you go in for a quick relaxing “pick-me up” or for the entire afternoon, it will still be as enchanting. Dining consists of contemporary, seasonal, American cuisine with a mountain view that never tires.

Another place to go for relaxation is the Clubhouse Bar and Grill Restaurant for a wonderful and relaxing dining experience. It is located on Northwoods Boulevard in Truckee, so stop on by for some sangria after a cold day on the slopes. Also a specialty, order some buffalo hot wings, tossed in their own sauce and served with blue cheese dressing for dipping! They can be ordered in one or two pound servings. Other specialties are: raspberry and caramelized walnut salad with gorgonzola cheese: Mediterranean pita with humus spread, lettuce, sprout, tomatoes, onion, and vinaigrette on a fresh roll; or traditional pizzas, hot dogs, and hamburgers.

Tahoe Donner also offers a lot of family fun that is quite affordable, with the Snowplay Area located next to Trout Creek Recreation Center. It features a 601 foot vertical drop, and the highest elevation is 7,353 feet. There are approximately 120 acres for skiers to enjoy, with over 13 trails for beginners, intermediate skiers, and expert skiers. The resort features four lifts, with two of the list being surface lifts, and two being chair lifts.

Bird watching is one of the fastest growing popular hobbies. One of the reasons is it so easy to do since you can sit in your backyard and watch birds such as the hummingbird.

When you think of people going bird watching, one tends to get visions of a person standing out in a canyon somewhere. They have a vest, binoculars, writing journal, and so on. While this is certainly a possibility, you don’t have to venture far to become an avid bird watcher. In fact, there is an entire segment of this hobby known as backyard bird watching. You simply sit in the backyard, relax and start paying attention. One of the birds you may well see is the hummingbird.

Hummingbirds are part of the bird family Trochilidae. Obviously, they get their name from their unique habit of hovering in place. The hovering action creates a distinct humming noise in the air and gives rise to their title. What do you know? A name that makes total and obvious sense!

To the surprise of many, hummingbirds are only found in the Americas. There are some 338 species found from North America to South America. 16 are found in North America with most maintaining habitats more towards the tropical areas of the equatorial line. There are no hummingbirds in Asia, Africa or Europe, where their niche in the ecosystem is filled by other birds.

If you watch a hummingbird, you will note it flaps its wings at an insanely quick pace. This is a bit of a misnomer. The hummingbird actually has very short wings that act more as hands from a structural standpoint. They bones are aligned such that the “wings” can be flapped at a pace not seen in other bird species. It is the equivalent of wagging your finger up and down versus kicking your leg back and forth. You can move your finger much, much quicker.

Given the pace of their action, hummingbirds burn energy quickly and are in constant need of fuel. The average human needs a few thousand calories to get through the day. A hummingbird needs over 150,000! To fuel their fire, hummingbirds look for sugar fuel sources such as those found in the pollen of flowers and fruits.

To view hummingbirds, your best shot is during warmer months of the year. If you have flowering plants in your backyard, they should drop by every once in a while. If you do not, add some flower landscaping and you should see them soon. If you are hummingbird crazy, the best place to see them is in southern Arizona where the largest populations can be found.

The problem is of course space and most bike swags roll up small but are little more than sleeping bags when they are set up, which is ok on a fine night but if it is hot or raining then you want a bit more space inside.

After a lot of testing we have found an ideal set up for bike swags combining the size and many benefits of the usual swag with a great mattress.

Basically you take out the usual swag mattress that is supplied and replace it with one of the new self inflating mattresses that have become so popular (there are many different brands to choose from look for a good warranty)

This type of mattress works by having an outer shell with locking valves so when you roll up the mattress you compress all the air out and then lock off the valve when rolled, sealing it at a smaller size.

When you want to set up just unroll your swag and then unscrew the mattress valve, it inflates itself as the air gets sucked in by the expanding foam, very good design, no pumps, suction or blowing needed.

The dimensions of a complete king single size swag and standard self inflating mattress should come out to approximately (Rolled) 30cms diameter x 72 cms wide, weight approx. 5.9kgs.

Very light, very compact, but with all the room and benefits of a full king single size swag.

You simply will not find a better bike swag mattress combination than this.

As for poles and and other bulky set up you should be able to use either flex poles or straight rigid poles but we have plenty of customer feedback to suggest that most people don’t want a complicated set up so you should look for in the design of your swag a way for you to just use rope tied off to the head and foot.

That way your swag set up will be simple, quick and nothing to forget or break.

Sea Kayaking Adventure – Fun Comes In Triplicate

What you are having here? You have the ‘sea’ – what can be more beautiful, more fascinating and more relaxing all rolled on one, than the sea. People who love the sea can never have enough of it. A vacation at a sea location is reward enough; but when you have a kayak and an adventure added to the package – it is as good as a boon from the fairy mother! You a get a three-in-one deal – the sea, the kayak and the adventure.

Kayaking is a very energetic sport usually meant for rivers white waters. When the kayak is made for the sea, it is larger, more stable and the means for an exciting outdoor adventure. There are a lot of destinations which promote sea kayaking adventures around picturesque and mystique coastlines. Hence, sea kayaking adventure can make your vacation into an experience of a lifetime.

A sea kayaking adventure will give you everything you want – fun, exercise, the majestic beauty of nature, the feel of its awesome power and a beautiful family adventure. There are very few other choices that can give you so much delight. Fortunately for the outdoor enthusiasts, such sea kayaking adventures are possible today on any budget.

Ordinarily, people take vacations to certain places which give them pleasure. You might not need to go too far if you have a sea or ocean close by. You can have a wonderful vacation with your family for a couple of weeks anywhere where you find a patch of the sea.

Two weeks at sea in a kayak, with the whole family, can be unimaginably beautiful and entertaining. The sea can be calm and lulling, and intriguing and inviting at the same time. Sailing in a kayak is a totally different experience than sailing in any other craft. It requires your attention, energy and it forces you to become one with the nature. In this way you get the best of both the worlds, (i) you get your adventure, the glimpse into the unknown, and (ii) you get your safety and stability of being on a vessel which carries all that you need for your survival and comfort.

If surfing is your thing, then you must check out Bryon Bay, the Mecca of surfing in Australia. There you will find a place where surfing is not just a sport or favorite past-time but a lifestyle and local obsession.

Set against a back-drop of warm weather year-round and spectacular beaches, Byron Bay is an inviting venue that promises a laid-back lifestyle. Why, you can even go native and be part of a teeming “alternative” community whose ranks are constantly being bolstered by an increasing number of writers, artists and filmmakers.

Byron Bay is nestled at the North Coast of New South Wales in Australia. It boasts of four main beaches. Byron Main, the most popular of the four, is perfect for surfing newcomers because of its smaller swell that usually breaks close to the shore. It has non-stop breaks and is great for swimming.

The Pass is the next most popular beach in Byron Bay just south of Byron Main. It is a favorite of long boarders who comb the beach in droves during summer.

Watego Beach is hidden from view and, as such, is ideal for surfers who want to avoid the crowds. The challenges it offers are more difficult for surfers, which is why the most advanced surfers prefer Watego Beach.

Finally, there is also Tallow’s Beach, the most isolated of Byron Bay’s four beaches. Most tourists have not discovered it yet especially since it is only visible from Byron Bay’s headland. It is rare to find outsiders wandering around Tallow’s Beach but the locals just love it.

Aside from surfing, Byron Bay is also a great scuba diving venue and one of these rare places where you can sit back and occasionally catch a whale or two passing by. At night, dolphins come out to play and it is not unusual to see these friendly creatures swimming side by side with people.

If you’ve never tried canoeing before then it’s high time that you did. Basically, canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves paddling a canoe or kayak either as recreation, transportation or as a sport. Enthusiasts stress that canoeing only uses a paddle to propel your kayak or canoe and human muscle power, nothing more.

There are differences in the way one propels a canoe and a kayak. To propel a kayak, one uses a paddle with two blades and where the paddler sits with their legs directly in front of them. To propel a canoe, one uses either single or double bladed paddles and the paddler kneels or sits on a raised seat.

There are many forms of recreational canoeing. In fact, there are now hybrid canoes as well. Among the more popular forms of recreational canoeing are the following:

Whitewater canoeing. As the name indicates, this refers to paddling down whitewater rivers for fun. There are different difficulty levels for whitewater canoeing, including for short and long trips as well as extreme expeditions on raging torrents. This is the most practiced form of kayaking these days.

Sea Kayaking is recreational kayaking on the sea and covers short day trips to year-long expeditions. It also includes canoeing in heavy seas and tidal currents. Its main difference is that is requires navigational skills.

There are also playboating (surfing while performing tricks), canoe camping (a combination of canoeing and camping), wave skiing (using a craft that’s just a little bigger than a surfboard), surf skiing (using a longer craft that maneuvers well on breaking waves) and white water rafting (features a group of people paddling a large inflatable raft down a river).

As a sport, canoeing is governed by the International Canoe Federation, which creates the standard rules for the different disciplines of canoe competition. There are only two canoe sports included in the Olympic Games, Sprint and Slalom. Among the other canoe sports disciplines are the marathon, canoe polo, whitewater racing, dragon boat racing, playboating, extreme racing., outrigger canoe racing and canoe surfing.

My friends and I are eager to try white water rafting one of these weeks. We’ve already picked out a downhill river and it looks pretty wild.

Hitch your Wagon to a Star with New Truck Campers

Do thoughts of lumpy sleeping bags, cold hot dogs and collapsing tents scare you away from camping outside? If so, there’s no longer reason to be afraid. Three manufactures of truck campers have released models that make it possible to bring the creature comforts of home along for the ride while testing your skills in the great outdoors.

From the manufacturer Lance come the models listed below.

Lance Lite Series 815:

A shower, toilet, sink, heater, and stove are just a few of the amenities this camper has to offer. After a long day outside, you’ll also be able to get a good night’s sleep in the queen sized bed this self contained camper provides for your comfort.

Lance Series 951:

Improved for 2006, the Lance Series 951 gives you more bang for your buck by adding more storage and tank capacities than previous models have in the past. It also includes a dinette eating area and refrigerator and comes complete with a top of the line roof and fiber glass exterior.

Lance Series 1181:

A premier camper that really does include everything…and the kitchen sink! With a dry bath, large pantry, ample drawers for storage, extensive counter space, a full sized refrigerator and wardrobe, the Lance Series 1181 is ideal for those who can make do with the bare necessities.

From the manufacturer Palomino:

Ideal to tow from your pick up truck, the lightweight Bronco won’t weight you down during your travels. This folding model, operated by a manual crank, has tough side walls, a durable vinyl roof and lots of room to relax.

Affordable and rugged, the Yearling is a great choice for those looking to charter new ground. Complete with the all the niceties you need when on the road, this camper is perfect for a family looking for easy living and great value.

Get ready to roll with this aerodynamic hybrid trailer called the Stampede. Completely furnished with a roomy living area and additional storage space, adds to the appeal of this all-aluminum option from Palomino.

From the manufacturer Bigfoot:

1500 Series

In need of an RV? Look to the four models of the 1500 Series. Crafted from molded fiberglass and polystyrene insulation, each of the Bigfoot options available top quality appliances and three different interior looks from which to select.

2500 Series

Camp in rain or shine with this weather resistant, durable camper. Well insulated and constructed, campers in this series come complete with exterior storage space and a wastewater holding tank heated by a furnace.

3000 Series

The wide-body series from Bigfoot uses their exclusive Fibercore Wall System to provide a superior level of insulation. Campers in the 3000 Series also include all of the features Bigfoot makes standard in their models, like a dual battery compartment and a high output furnace.

Camping enthusiasts looking for a unique idea for a getaway should look no further than wilderness camping. Wilderness camping has many advantages such as having no need to hurry and no schedule to follow. It is a chance to commune with nature in some of the most attractive wilderness camping areas in the nation, many of which are not well-known to the general public. This kind of outdoor activity offers people the chance to relax and experience that indescribable feeling of being at peace with nature. They also have the luxury of all the time in the world to explore the beauty that nature is offering.

Here are some of the top places that other people who love wilderness camping recommend:

Andrew Molera Park, is found near Big Sur in California and is still one of those places that are fairly primitive for wilderness campers. There are over twenty sites to camp in, and interested campers should find out what kind of regulations are in place that should be complied with. This park offers wilderness camping trails for various outdoor activities that include several different types of landscape to choose from.

Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness in North Dakota is the home of this wilderness camping area, with nearly 30,000 acres to explore. Wilderness campers can spot many different types of animals and birds, including deer and bison, hawks and Bald Eagles. This wilderness camping area has around eighty-four miles of trails that give hiking access to the more inaccessible areas of the park. Wilderness campers must get a permit.

Ahjumawi Lava Springs Park gets its name from the Native American word, “ahjumawi” which means “where the waters come together.” This wilderness camping area is at one of the biggest fresh water spring systems in the nation. The camping areas are unique in that they can only be accessed by water, making sure you have the privacy you are craving. Visitors can enjoy the rustic beauty of the area that includes pristine water shores, places to view lava rock and scenery that includes Mt. Shasta.

Haleakala Park is a gorgeous spot in Hawaii which gives visitors a rare chance to do some wilderness camping in an area that is both primitive and breathtaking. There are two campsites that can only be reached by foot. These two campsites each offer a different experience for wilderness camping. Campers can get free permits to camp at either site, and there are various rules for camping in this park.

These are a few suggestions of places to go for wilderness camping. Needless to say, if you really yearn to escape from it all, you can blaze your own path into the wilder parts of America. Partake of nature’s gifts with wilderness camping today.

Clark State Forest is located on US 31 about one mile north of Henryville, Indiana and about ten miles south of Scottsburg, Indiana. This is Indiana’s oldest State Forest, established in 1903. It is also one of the prettiest of the State Forests.

Clark is very hilly, and the narrow, one lane asphalt system of roads which wind their way through the Forest makes a very scenic drive, especially in the autumn when the leaves are turning. There are eight sheltered picnic areas, the nicest ones overlooking Franke Lake. There is Old Franke, probably the best one, and New Franke, on the southwest side of the lake.

Clark State Forest, like all Indiana State Forests, is a mixed use facility. Hunting and fishing is permitted on the property. There is a popular gun range near Bowen Lake on the west end of the Forest. The State Of Indiana also sells timber from the Forest. Sales from the State Forest provide funds which help administer the State Forest system.

There are about one hundred miles of horse trails here, as well as six parking lots for day users. Horse riding among the wooded hills of Clark State Forest is a popular activity and the weekends will find a lot of horse riders on the trails.

The Forest boasts a forty five site primitive camp ground. There are seven public lakes ranging in size from thirteen acres to two acres. Franke Lake, at thirteen acres, is on the southeast side of Clark, the main road winding past it and its two picnic areas. Fishing is permitted, with an Indiana Fishing License in any of these lakes.

This road then climbs a rather impressive hill up to the fire tower. On the left, just before the fire tower is a picnic area with a very impressive view. On a clear day, the skyline of Louisville, Kentucky, twenty miles to the south can be visible against a background of trees and sky. There are two unmarked trails here. One, descending down the hill to west of the picnic shelter, is a one quarter mile loop which affords some nice views in the fall and winter when the leaves are down. Another trail, little used, leads down the hill. A hike on this one is not for the unprepared. It is steep, slippery, and finally dies away in the forest. A return up the hill is then necessary. This is a very pretty trail with some nice views, but not for the inexperienced hiker.

The fire tower is the next item of interest on this road. Ninety eight steps to the top, the tower is about one hundred feet tall. Unlike most fire towers, access to the lookout is permitted. An unfettered look at the surrounding countryside here makes it well worth the climb up. Again, Louisville is visible to the south, as well as some Indiana villages in other directions.

You can complete the loop around the Forest by turning right at the satellite dish antennae, right again on Bloomington Trail. This leads back to US 31. Maps are available at the State Forest Office, which is just off US 31, the entrance about a quarter mile north of the entrance to Clark State Forest.

There are only two marked hiking trails at Clark, the .9 White Oak Trail, trailhead on the right before the turnoff to Old Franke. The Forest Resource Trail, a one mile loop, is located near the main entrance. The trail head is near the Pine Lake picnic area.

Clark State Forest features a diversity of activities for the nature lover. Hiking, fishing, picnicking, hunting and horseback riding are all activities which can be pursued here. Add to that a scenic drive which encircles the facility, you have the ingredients for a fun day outdoors.