Tag Archives: Tanzania

The Great Migration – Sensational Game Viewing in the Serengeti Plains

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As someone who lives to travel, I have a bucket list of countries to visit and places to see that is as long as the Great Wall of China, but if there is one natural phenomenon that attracts me more than any other, it is the Great Migration of the Serengeti Plains and the Masai Mara ecosystems.

The Great Migration – Sensational Game Viewing in the Serengeti Plains

You Will See a Lot More of These During the Great Migration!

A perfectly coordinated movement of some two million grazing herbivores including zebra, gazelle, eland, impala and, of course, wildebeest, the Great Migration is the ultimate ‘circle of life’, and one of the greatest spectacles in the natural world.

Precisely timed to coincide with the rainfall patterns, one could almost set their watch by this pilgrimage of wildlife, and the fact that some 500,000 wildebeest calves are born within a 2-3 week period, just goes to show how well ‘organised’ this annual event is.

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Searching for Serengeti….

Covering a distance of around 1800 miles, the wildebeest set off on their clockwise journey in April after giving their calves (born in February) the chance to build up some much needed speed and strength. Followed by packs of hungry predators, this really is ‘the survival of the fittest’, and those that manage to out run the lions still have the rivers full of gigantic crocodiles to contend with!

During the great migration, the game viewing in the Serengeti Plains of Tanzania must be quite simply spectacular – and while we didn’t manage to fit a Serengeti Safari in with our Kilimanjaro Climb last September, I am determined to cross this off my ‘to do’ list soon!

Have you witnessed the great migration in either Tanzania or Kenya?  We would love to hear from anyone who has experienced this, one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders, so please drop us a line!

Earth Day – Are You Going to Make a Difference in the World?

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Today, Monday 22nd April 2013, is the 43rd anniversary of EARTH DAY and an estimated one billion people across the globe are taking action against Climate Change.

A controversial subject, and one that continues to be debated upon by government officials, environmentalists and scientists, Climate Change may still have its doubters, but one only has to travel to countries such as Eastern Africa, the South Pacific and Southern America to see that climate change is very real – and a lot closer to home than you may think.

Climate change may seem like a ‘remote or distant’ problem for some, but the fact is, climate change (and the effects thereof) is already impacting ‘real’ people, changing the landscapes of ‘real’ countries, and leading many of our ‘real’ animals to extinction – so what can we do?

The goal of Earth Day is to create awareness, encourage those who have been affected by climate change to share their stories with the rest of the world, and help the rest of us understand what we can do help, while asking the question – How has climate change impacted me?

As someone who lives in Europe, I have to say that climate change has not had a dramatic impact on my life… yet. The winters are longer and colder than they were when I was a child, the summers are hotter, and the rain seems to come by the bucket full – or not at all, but life goes on, as we know it.

Welcome to Earth Day – Are You Going to Make a Difference in the World?

However, having travelled the world, I have witnessed firsthand how devastating climate change can be, and I know that if we do not make an international effort, the glaciers of Mount Kilimanjaro will disappear, the Polar Bears in the arctic will no longer have a place to live, and the prolonged droughts in Africa will lead to the depletion of human and animal life.

Welcome to Earth Day – Are You Going to Make a Difference in the World?

The world is such a beautiful place, and I truly believe it is up to our generation to make a difference.  Making a conscious effort to turn off the lights, recycle waste, and lower our carbon footprints is a great place to start, and if you would like to become part of the solution, visit the Earth Day website and add your photo to The Faces of Climate Change global mosaic.

 

 

 

Climb Kilimanjaro for Charity in 2013

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If you dream of scaling Africa’s highest mountain, but need a reason to motivate yourself to do so, why not climb Kilimanjaro for your favourite charity in 2013, and share your amazing experience with those less fortunate.

Many well-known charitable organisations offer Kilimanjaro climbs, but they quite often charge a fixed ‘donation’ or set a minimum fundraising target that can push the adventure out of your budget range.

Fortunately, there are other options available, and if you book your Kilimanjaro climb with an independent tour operator, you can still raise money for your favourite charity, you just need to get in touch, let them know what your plans are, and ask them how people can donate.

Choosing a charity that is close to your own heart will, undoubtedly, help you reach Kilimanjaro’s 5,895 metre peak, and while the first charity we contacted (a Rhino charity) didn’t seem too interested in our adventure (“if you get to the top, get back in touch with us and we’ll send you our bank details”!), the second charity we spoke to were absolutely delighted.

As we were climbing an African mountain, we thought it only right that we try to raise funds for an African charity, and when a friend suggested African Tails, an organisation in the Western Cape of South Africa, we knew we have found the perfect cause.

Working tireless to curb the suffering, abuse and over-population of township dogs, this amazing charity provides mass sterilisations and veterinary care for those who are unable to fund it themselves, and they never seem to stop working.

So, on our summit night when the temperatures dropped way below zero and the 7-hour hike to Uhuru Peak seemed like a lifetime, the thought that we might help sterilise just 10 of these innocent dogs made those heavy steps a little bit lighter, and our feeling of elation on the top of the mountain even more special.

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a once in a lifetime experience, and if you can share that with others, your memories will be even more beautiful.

Luxury Travel – Cape Town to Cairo aboard Rovos Rail in 2014

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You might think it a little early to start planning your 2014 luxury holiday, but if you want to be one of the special few to join Rovos Rail’s Ultimate African Experience from Cape Town to Cairo, now is the time to reserve your place aboard this exclusive five-star train.

Luxury Travel – Cape Town to Cairo aboard Rovos Rail in 2014

A 28-day expedition, which combines the “incomparable luxury of the Pride of Africa and a comfortable aircraft” it covers the heartlands of South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, the Sudan and Egypt, and includes a range of luxury safari’s, cruises, and only the very best hotels.

Luxury Travel – Cape Town to Cairo aboard Rovos Rail in 2014

Starting your journey in the beautiful city of Cape Town, you will have the opportunity to visit Table Mountain, take a tour to the Cape of Good Hope, and enjoy the Winelands before boarding the truly magnificent Pride of Africa.

Stopping at various points of interest along the way, you will arrive in Pretoria on day 6, and spend your last evening in South Africa before heading across to Botswana. The Victoria Falls and a Zambezi River Cruise come next, before you board your luxury aircraft and head on over to the Spice Island of Zanzibar in Tanzania.

Luxury Travel – Cape Town to Cairo aboard Rovos Rail in 2014

Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater are just a few of the highlights you can expect to visit in Tanzania, before heading to Uganda for a Gorilla safari.  After a two-night stay in Sudan, you will continue to Egypt and board your luxury Lake Nasser cruise… but it’s not over yet!

On day 23 you will arrive in Luxor and will spend the next two days visiting the impressive Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and the Temple of Hatshepsut, before arriving at your final port of call Cairo and the magnificent Pyramids, Sphinx, and museums that this great city has to offer.

A trip of pure extravagance, the Rovos Rail Cape Town to Cairo experience is certainly on my wish list, and if you are looking for the ‘trip of your lifetime’, you might struggle to find anything more perfect!

Five Fabulous African Safari Destinations

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If you love animals, but hate seeing them confined in a zoo, you may well find an African safari to be a life-changing experience.

An opportunity to get up close and personal with those magnificent creatures we normally only read about in books or watch on TV, an African safari is breathtaking, exciting, and quite often luxurious, and if you are looking for a unique travel experience, off the beaten path and into nature, a safari will tick all the right boxes.

There are numerous options when it comes to choosing your African safari destination, but whether you head deep into bush in the north of South Africa’s Kruger Park, or out into the vast plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, you can pretty much guarantee that your trip into the wilderness will be unforgettable.

Unfortunately, environmental studies show that due to climate change and loss of habitat, the migratory patterns are changing in Africa and some animals are at risk of extinction, so if you would like to witness South Africa’s Big 5, or the great Wildebeest migration in Tanzania, now is the perfect time to head to one of these five fabulous safari destinations and get your cameras ready for some action shots!

Okavango Delta – Botswana

If you like big cats and have deep pockets, head to Botswana’s Okavango Delta where Africa’s largest lions roam in magnificent prides.  It’s not the cheapest safari destination in the world, but it certainly has a reputation for being one of the best, and there are some amazing properties to choose from.

Serengeti / Ngorongoro – Tanzania

Home to the largest mass movement of land mammals on planet earth – the great Wildebeest migration, Tanzania’s Serengeti ecosystem is a fantastic place to view wild animals in large numbers.  The great migration involves millions of wildebeest, zebra, gazelles and impala, creating one of the world’s most breathtaking natural phenomena.

Kruger Park – South Africa

One of the most world’s most popular safari destinations, South Africa’s Kruger Park attracts thousands of visitors each year, and is a great place to get a glance of the Big 5.  Surrounded by luxury lodges and five star tented camps, Kruger is perfect for those who would like to combine a wildlife safari with life’s little luxuries.

Rwanda / Uganda

If you prefer primates to panthers, why not head on down to the Volcanoes national park in Rwanda or the Bwindi forest in Uganda, where one can get up close with gorillas in their natural habitat.  Something a little bit different, but totally amazing, this really is a trip of a lifetime. 

Maasai Mara – Kenya

Offering an abundance of wildlife, including Lions, Elephants, Hippos and Warthogs, in addition to the Maasai tribes, distinct in their bright and colourful robes, Kenya’s Maasai Mara is a magical place to spend your safari holiday – and never disappoints.

We would love to know where you have been on safari, so please drop us a line and let us know!

Destination Review – The Spice Island of Zanzibar

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Just as exotic as its name would suggest, the Island of Zanzibar is a wonderful destination for those looking for a tropical beach paradise in the Indian Ocean.

Destination Review - Island of Spice Zanzibar

Nestling just a short hop from mainland Tanzania, the archipelago of Zanzibar holds prime position along East Africa’s coastline, and with its eclectic mix of nationalities, cultures and religions, it really does have something to offer everyone.

From the chaotic markets and labyrinth of narrow cobbled side-streets of Stone Town, to the long stretches of pure white sand in Kiwengwa, Zanzibar Island is just about as diverse as the people who live there, which makes it even more enchanting and inviting to those looking for a truly unique holiday experience.

There are several hotels to be found in Stone Town, but as it homes the islands main shipping port, the swimming possibilities are limited.  Those looking for picture-postcard perfect beaches need to head to the northern or eastern coastlines of Nungwi and Kiwengwa, where sunshine and powdery white beaches fringed by coconut palms come as standard.

Destination Review - The Island of Spice Zanzibar

Nungwi is a popular resort with travellers, and is one of the only beach areas in Zanzibar that does not have to deal with changing tides.  Kiwengwa is where you will find the islands luxury five-star hotels, and while the tides change throughout the day, the water is never more than a short stroll away.

Luxury Five Star Hotels in Zanzibar

The food found in Zanzibar is fresh, fragrant and quite simply delicious due to the fresh fish and seafood, exotic fruits, and herbs and spices that grow in abundance on or around the island. Influences from India, Africa, Persia and Arab lands have put a new twist on traditional recipes, and you never have to walk far to find your next mouth-watering meal.

Destination Review - The Island of Spice Zanzibar

When it comes to excursions and activities, Zanzibar has plenty going on.  A divers and snorkelers paradise, it offers beautiful reefs, crystal clear waters, and as it is nearly always sunny, the visibility is excellent.  Most day trips dock just off the private island of Mnemba, and if you cannot afford the $1,500 dollars per person per day to stay there, you can at least get some great pictures from the boat!

Destination Review - Island of Spice Zanzibar

A trip to one of the Spice Markets is a must, and while you will probably pay more for your herbs and spices here than you would in Stone Town, the tour is informative, fun, and will have you smelling like an explosion in a spice factory before you leave.

With friendly locals, beautiful hotels, and delicious cuisine, we believe Zanzibar is one of the world’s best beach holiday destinations, so why not head on down and taste the Island of Spice yourself!

Climbing Kilimanjaro 7-Day Machame Route – Day 2 Machame Gate

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When a lifelong dream becomes a reality, I believe that one of the best ways to preserve those precious memories is to put the experience down in words. A diary, a notepad, or in this case, a blog, are great tools for remembering, sharing and reliving those highs and lows that come with an extreme adventure, and as we share our Kilimanjaro Climb story over the coming days, we hope it encourages you to share your own.

Day 2 – Machame Gate

By day two of our trip, we had already noticed the very positive differences between our Kilimanjaro climbing company – Big Expeditions, and the others that operate out of Arusha.  Our departure from the hotel was scheduled for 9am; other Kili conquerors had to be up and ready to leave by 7am, leaving little time for packing and breakfast.

Day 2 Machame Gate - Climbing Kilimanjaro

The Machame Gate is very busy during the morning ‘rush-hour’, and those that left early had to queue for hours to get their mountain permits.  We arrived at the gate at 11am, signed in within minutes, and began our climb immediately after receiving our ‘snickers pack’ – a delicious goody bag filled with snacks to keep us going until lunch!

7 Day Machame Route - Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

After ensuring we had all the right gear in our day-packs, Mathew lead the way to the entrance gate of Mount Kilimanjaro and set the pace of “poley poley” (slowly, slowly).  It feels a little strange at first, walking so slow, but the scenery, wildlife, and abundance of rainforest flora and fauna soon make it easy to slow down and make the most of the experience.

Kilimanjaro Mountain Guide - Enjoying "snickers"

Our guide was full of interesting information about the mountain and the different eco-systems it homes, and before we knew it, it was time for our first water and ‘snickers’ break.

Note: Drinking water is, perhaps, one of the most important things you need to do when climbing Mount Kilimajaro, dehydration equals failure!  We were advised to carry a minimum of 3-litres per day in our daypacks, and we were fed copious amounts of soup, herbal tea and other drinks throughout the day – with Mathew questioning us each evening on the amount we had consumed.

After our 10-15 minute break, we carried onwards and upwards along the picturesque (and not very steep) Machame Route, and after a further 2 hours, it was time for lunch.  Turning the corner we were greeted by the most amazing sight, our magnificent crew (who had gone up ahead of us) had set up a dining table (complete with tablecloth, flowers and candles!), 2 comfy directors chairs, the internet café (loo!) and had the radio blaring some dance worthy Tanzanian tunes!  A huge round of applause was followed by singing, dancing, and a freshly cooked warm lunch, of soup, chicken stir-fry and rice and sweet pancakes – this all served on the edge of Kilimanjaro! Absolutely amazing!

Lunch - Climbing Kilimanjaro 7 Day Machame Route with Big Expeditions and Equatours Limited

Other climbers around us were perched on rocks and tree stumps eating their packed lunch that they had carried themselves.  So shocked were they by our amazing set up, they actually came over and asked if we were on honeymoon!  When we explained we were with Big Expeditions, one hilarious woman from Newcastle said, “Well, if you two have a hot tub at base camp, I’m your new best friend”!

This ‘special’ treatment carried on throughout our entire trip, and it raised more than a few questions from fellow climbers.

After lunch and a short rest, we headed off again towards our base camp for the evening.  30-minutes after we left our lunch station, our crew whizzed past us with all their equipment at an unbelievable speed – these guys are truly amazing.

Machame Camp - Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with Equatours Limited

The hike on day one isn’t too demanding at all, the scenery is breathtaking, and it took a mere 3 hours more to get to base camp for the night.  Our tents, mess tent and internet café were set up and ready to use, and our crew greeted us with a couple of popular Kilimanjaro songs and a glass of fresh Mango juice – again, amazing!

Arriving at Machame Camp - Climbing Kilimanjaro 7 day Machame Route with Equatours Limited and Big Expeditions

We freshened up in our tent before heading to the mess tent for another 3-course, freshly cooked meal of zucchini soup, fish with vegetables and pasta, banana fritters with honey, and all the tea, coffee, hot chocolate and just about every other beverage one could possibly think of.

Dinner was followed by a friendly chat, and we retired to bed early, happy, excited and in awe at how brilliant our first day climbing Kilimanjaro had been.

 

Climbing Kilimanjaro – We Did It!

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We have dreamed about it for years, we have talked about it for months, and now I am very happy (and quite proud!) to say we have done it, “it” being of course – the conquering of Mount Kilimanjaro!

climb Kilimanjaro - 7 day Machame Route with Flights

 

Tougher, higher and more beautiful than we had ever imagined, Kilimanjaro, and Tanzania in general, superseded all our expectations, and while our mission to Uhuru Peak was no walk in the park, it was certainly worth every headache, every cold night in a tent, and every gruelling step to the summit.

During our 7-day Machame Route tour, we witnessed breathtaking scenery, crossed over five different ecological zones, and made new friends amongst our group of porters and guides.  The Tanzanian people made us feel right at home on their ‘Mountain of the Gods’, and despite their busy schedules of packing and unpacking our tents, mess tents, toilet tents (aptly renamed “the internet café”) and fetching water from local streams, they always greeted us with huge smiles, a quick chat and quite often a song!

Climb Kilimanjaro

Our hike to the Roof of Africa was, perhaps, more challenging than we had anticipated, but it was also more rewarding than we had ever dreamed, and as I attempt to put our week on ‘Kili’ into words over the coming weeks, I hope we can give those who are thinking of climbing Africa’s highest mountain, a real insight into this adventure of a lifetime.

Kilimanjaro – Hakuna Matata!

 

Climbing Kilimanjaro – Our Full Moon Itinerary

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Our Kilimanjaro climb is finally upon us, and in just 3 days time we will be heading on down to Tanzania to begin yet another one of our lifetime adventures!

Where the time goes, I really do not know, but the last three months seem to have passed by in a blur of training, working, and shopping for mountain gear, and while there is still a pile of stuff to get through before we leave, I can honestly say we are ready, or should I say, as ready as we will ever be!

Climbing Kilimanjaro is something that has been on our bucket list for quite some time, so after much research and consideration, we decided to take the 7-day Machame Route and planned our climb to coincide with the full moon.  To give you some idea of what we are to face, here is a brief overview of our itinerary:

Day 1 – The easiest day of the trip! We arrive in Arusha at around 10am, and transfer to our hotel.

Day 2 – The journey begins… After breakfast, we drive to the Machame Village and complete the numerous forms (sign our lives away!), before starting on our six-hour trek through “dense rubber tree and giant fig forest” to Machame Camp at an altitude of 10,000 feet (3,048 metres).

Day 3 – “You will be awakened at 6:00am with a steaming cup of tea or coffee,” sounds good so far…!  Today’s hike will be about six hours in length, through a savannah of tall grasses, heather, ghostly landscapes and volcanic lava.  Overnight will be at the Shira Camp 12,500 feet (3,810 metres).

Day 4 – We will spend another six hours of hiking to the Lava Tower at 15,000 ft, before descending to the Barranco Camp at 13,000ft (3,962 metres).  Trekking high and sleeping low is believed to be one of the most helpful ‘tools’ in beating altitude sickness.

Day 5 – “A bit of real trekking is involved today”…. travelling along the Barranco Cliff.  However, we will only trek for 4-hours and will not increase in elevation.

Day 6 – Some people climb the Machame Route in 6 days, but we have added an extra day to improve our chances of reaching the summit.  Today we have a short four to five our hike to Barafu Camp at 15,200ft (4632 metres).  Freezing temperature is currently at 4,000 metres….Brrr

Day 7 – We have been training for this moment!  Our day begins a midnight and we start our final ascent to Uhuru Peak.  A six-hour hike will get us to Gilman’s Point at 18,630ft (5,678 metres) in time for the sunrise, and then we hike another two hours to Uhuru Peak at 19,340ft (5,895 metres). Phew…!  We then descend a whopping 9,000ft to our last campsite on the mountain – Mweka Camp.

Day 8 – After a final mountainside breakfast, we head on down to the base of the mighty Kilimanjaro, and return to our hotel for a much-needed shower!

We look forward to telling you all about our Kilimanjaro Full Moon Climb on our return – wish us luck!

Top 5 Beach Destinations for Winter 2012/2013

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Those of us living in the northern hemisphere will officially step into autumn this Saturday, 22nd September, and while I will be sad to say farewell to summer for another year, it does start me thinking about those gorgeous beach destinations around the world that are just starting to come to life!

Friends in the Western Cape of South Africa are already enjoying temperatures above 30° degrees Celsius, and as we are lucky enjoy to be heading down to Tanzania next week, we too are looking forward to hot sunshine, the warm Indian Ocean, and ice-cold cocktails found on the tropical paradise of Zanzibar (but just remember, we have to climb Kilimanjaro first!).

If you are thinking about a winter 2012/2013 beach holiday, you will find guaranteed sunshine below the equator, and here are our Top 5 Winter Beach destinations to tickle your taste buds:

1.            Zanzibar

As we are heading there ourselves, it makes sense that Zanzibar features on our list.  With temperatures rarely dropping below 25° degrees Celsius, great diving/snorkelling opportunities, and pure white sandy beaches, this Tanzanian gem is the perfect spot for a winter break.

2.            Playa Del Carmen

It might not be below the equator, but Mexico’s Riviera Maya enjoys great weather during our winter months, and offers some excellent stretches of coastline where one can relax and unwind, before taking a dip in the warm and inviting Caribbean Sea.

3.            Rio de Janeiro

The world-famous beaches of Rio de Janeiro remain popular throughout the year, but during our winter months, they really start to come to life with the sounds of the Samba, and a vibrant collection of colourful people from across the globe.

4.            Fiji Islands

Every bit as exotic as they sound, the magnificent Fiji Islands are well worth the 24-hour flight!  You can expect to see some “heavy but brief” showers during the winter months, but the temperatures remain tantalising warm all year round.

5.            Mauritius

Bathing in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius remains one of the world’s most popular Honeymoon destinations thanks to its collection of elegant hotels, pristine beaches, and year-round good weather.  The prime location makes it a popular choice for those visiting neighbouring South Africa, and if you fancy both a Safari and beach holiday this winter, combining these two destinations is easy.

We hope the sun continues to shine for you, wherever you are, and would love to hear where you are going for a spot of winter sun!