Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Kolmanskop: Namibia's Eerie Ghost Town]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/17/kolmanskop-namibias-eerie-ghost-town/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/17/kolmanskop-namibias-eerie-ghost-town/http://www.gadling.com/2012/05/17/kolmanskop-namibias-eerie-ghost-town/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Kolmanskop, ghost towns
There's something compelling about ghost towns. To walk amid the houses that once held families, past playgrounds that once rang with the laughter of children, and through public buildings where locals once gathered - all gone.

I've explored ghost towns all over the American Southwest, and while they have creepiness aplenty, the most disturbing ghost town has to be Kolmanskop in Namibia. Perhaps it hits closer to home because it was abandoned as recently as 1954. Perhaps it's because its buildings are half filled with desert sand, and may one day get buried entirely.

Kolmanskop sprouted into existence in 1908 when diamonds were discovered there. At that time Namibia was colonized by Germans who were eager to extract the mineral wealth of the region and, shamefully, had just committed genocide against two Namibian tribes to secure their dominance. The discovery set off a rush of investment and construction and soon this barren stretch of sand was the location of a model German town with schools, theaters and stately homes. It was so wealthy that its hospital boasted the first x-ray machine in the Southern Hemisphere and its public transportation included the first tramline in Africa.

Gallery: Kolmanskop

NeighborsMine manager's houseWhat was once in this room before the sand came?Dead rat and bugAlone

Continue reading Kolmanskop: Namibia's Eerie Ghost Town

Kolmanskop: Namibia's Eerie Ghost Town originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 17 May 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adandonedAfricacolonialcolonial periodColonialPerioddisturbingeerieGermanGerman coloniesGerman colonizationGerman colonyGerman South West AfricaGermanColoniesGermanColonizationGermanColonyGermanSouthWestAfricaGermany colonyGermanyColonyghost townghost townsGhostTownGhostTownshistoryKolmanskopNamibiascramble for africaScrambleForAfricaSouth West AfricaSouthWestAfricaSperrgebietstrangeweirdThu, 17 May 2012 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[South African Airways introduces virtual itineraries]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/24/south-african-airways-introduces-virtual-itineraries/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/24/south-african-airways-introduces-virtual-itineraries/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/24/south-african-airways-introduces-virtual-itineraries/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Elephants on the Serengeti South African Airways Vacations has introduced a new feature on its website that gives visitors the ability to explore options for travel in Africa like never before. The company has launched a series of "virtual itineraries" that use a combination of maps, photos and points of interest data to help travelers choose the right trip for themselves and to prepare them for their experience when they reach their destinations.

The site offers tours to a variety of locations including South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and more. To explore those options simply visit the SAAV website and search for itineraries based on the location you would most like to visit or the type of travel experience that you're looking for. The search results will provide the name of the available tours, a brief description and the price. There will be a button that will allow you to view the virtual itinerary for any given tour as well.

Opening one of those virtual itineraries presents you with an overview of the tour that includes each of the destinations that you'll be visiting, the number of nights you'll be staying there and the type of accommodations you can expect. Selecting the "day-by-day" view zooms the map in close to show more details about the area you'll be visiting on any given day and offers some suggestions of things to see and do in the region. It will also show you where your hotel for that night is located and even offers images and detailed information about those accommodations. The virtual itineraries also provide notes about the daily activities, giving travelers plenty of information about what's on the agenda for that day of the tour.

All of these tools help to take the guesswork out of a visit to southern or eastern Africa. Those two regions are popular dream destinations for may travelers, but planning and preparing for such a trip can be an intimidating experience for many. With the SAAV virtual itineraries you'll know exactly what you'll be getting when spending your hard-earned dollars, which can be very reassuring for travelers who aren't particularly fond of surprises.

South African Airways introduces virtual itineraries originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelafrican safariAfricanSafarisafarisouth african airwayssouth african airways vacationsSouthAfricanAirwaysSouthAfricanAirwaysVacationsvirtual itinerariesVirtualItinerarieswebsiteSat, 24 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Largest international conservation area formed in southern Africa]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/18/largest-international-conservation-area-formed-in-southern-afric/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/18/largest-international-conservation-area-formed-in-southern-afric/http://www.gadling.com/2012/03/18/largest-international-conservation-area-formed-in-southern-afric/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

An elephant on the newly formed international conservation areaOn Thursday of this week five nations in southern Africa announced plans to form a new international conservation area that will be the largest of its kind once it is complete. This unprecedented move was made to allow the participating nations to combine their conservation efforts and combat illegal poaching in a more efficient manner.

Under the agreement, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Botswana will combine 36 nature preserves that are currently managed independently of one another. The newly unified conservation area will be roughly the size of Sweden and will provide wildlife with more than 170,000 square miles of unbroken territory to freely migrate through. This new preserve will be expansive enough to encompass both Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and the Okavango Delta in Botswana, two of the more spectacular settings in all of Africa.

Conservationists are hailing the move as a good one for southern Africa. The newly formed Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area is home to roughly 45% of the total elephant population on the continent and will also feature more than 600 species of birds alone. Other big game, such as zebra, giraffe, buffalo and lion will be plentiful there as well.

Of particular concern for each of the countries involved with the project is protecting the elephant herds that live there. Poaching has become a major concern across Africa where the animals are routinely hunted and killed illegally to harvest their ivory tusks. With each nation working more cooperatively inside the conservation area, however, they hope to prevent much of the poaching that has gone on in the region over the past few years.

Largest international conservation area formed in southern Africa originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Namibia
While 2011 has been a bad year for African wildlife, a foundation in Namibia is making a difference.

The N/a'an ku sê Foundation, which runs a wildlife sanctuary in Namibia, announced its best year to date, the Namibian reports. Last year the Foundation rescued, rehabilitated and re-released several animals, including five cheetahs, two leopards, one brown hyena, two caracals and one serval. It also rescued and cared for numerous other animals.

The Foundation was started by Namibian conservationists in 2006. Located near the capital Windhoek, the wildlife reserve relies on donations to survive and is open to volunteers, in case you want to have an adventure vacation that makes a difference. A wildlife sanctuary cares for injured or orphaned animals that can't be released back into the wild. For some luxury travel, you can also stay at their lodge.

The main goal of the foundation is to find the best way for wildlife and humans to share the same land. Africa's population is steadily growing, putting ever more pressure on wildlife. Yet wildlife is an economic boon to Africa, bringing in hard currency from tourism. The Foundation also provides primary education and healthcare to the San Bushmen and employs several to work with guests and the animals.


Photo courtesy Claire Wormley.

Rescuing wildlife in Namibia originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure vacationadventure-traveladventuresAdventureVacationAfricaafrican wildlifeAfricanWildlifeature tourismAtureTourismBushmanBushmenconservationecotourismluxury travelLuxuryTravelNaankuseNaankuseWildlifeSanctuaryNamibiaNamibia tourismNamibia travelNamibiaTourismNamibiaTravelsafarisafari lodgeSafariLodgesafarisSan BushmanSan BushmenSanBushmanSanBushmenvolunteeringVolunteeringAbroadvoluntourismwildlifewildlife refugewildlife sanctuaryWildlifeRefugeWildlifeSanctuaryWindhoekSat, 21 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Build your own adventure with the Africa Safari Planner]]>http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/13/build-your-own-adventure-with-the-africa-safari-planner/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/13/build-your-own-adventure-with-the-africa-safari-planner/http://www.gadling.com/2012/01/13/build-your-own-adventure-with-the-africa-safari-planner/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Africa Safari Planner is a new tool for travelersThe Africa Safari Planner, a newly launched website from adventure travel company Natural Habit Adventures, gives travelers the ability to create their own custom trips to the African bush. The site, which launched earlier this week, provides options to visit nine different countries, and stay in over 300 unique camps, while encountering some of the most spectacular wildlife on the planet.

The process begins by selecting which months you would prefer to travel in, and indicating the number of people in your group. From there, you'll be presented with options for travel in both Eastern and Southern Africa, in such countries as Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and Namibia. After selecting a starting destination, travelers are then given the choice of several single and multi-country routes for their African adventure, which then prompts the site to suggest possible camps to stay in for each day of the journey. Those camps are broken down into categories based on price, giving the customer the ability to budget accordingly.

That said, there isn't much that is "budget" about these tours. They definitely fall into the upscale category, and travelers on these custom safaris aren't exactly roughing it. No matter which camps they choose to visit, they'll have their own comfortable rooms, complete with large beds and private showers. They'll also enjoy gourmet meals in spacious dining rooms and access to a host of other amenities while at the lodge. Of course, you don't go to Africa to hang out at the lodge, and each of the camps offers unique options for viewing the wildlife as well.

If you're looking for a truly once-in-a-lifetime journey, and don't mind paying for it, then this is an excellent tool for creating your own custom safari itinerary. There are less expensive alternatives for booking a trip to Africa, but few offer this kind of flexibility and options for travelers.

Build your own adventure with the Africa Safari Planner originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Tour d'Afrique celebrates ten yearsThe Tour d'Afrique is a legendary cycling event that runs from Cairo to Cape Town on an annual basis. Covering more than 7500 miles, and requiring four months to complete, the Tour is a popular "bucket list" item for adventure travelers and cyclists the world over. This year, the Tour d'Afrique commemorates its tenth anniversary, and to celebrate, the company behind the epic event has released a fantastic coffee table book entitled 10: Celebrating Ten Years of the Tour d'Afrique Bicycle Race and Expedition.

The book begins with a forward written by Tour founder Henry Gold. A decade ago, when he first pitched the idea of a bike ride across Africa, Gold was met with skepticism to say the least. Many thought that it simply wasn't possible for an event like this one to exist and he was regularly told he was crazy for even considering it. Ten year later, Gold has turned his idea into a yearly event, and his adventure travel company produces similar cycling tours in a host of other locations across the globe.

10 is filled with stories from the road, as riders share tales, quotes, and anecdotes of their own experiences from the Tour. For some, it was a life altering experience for others an adventure of a lifetime, but no one who has taken part in the journey has come away unchanged. Their words are likely to inspire readers to want to join Tour as well, and even if you haven't been on a bike in years, you may find yourself dreaming of pedaling under African skies. The book doesn't try to hide the challenges of the ride, which range from oppressive heat to unexpected downpours, not to mention ever changing road conditions, but the amazing beauty of Africa and the camaraderie that is formed amongst the riders, will have a universal appeal all the same.

If the words of the riders don't inspire you than perhaps the amazing photographs contained in this book will. 10 is a visual love letter to cycling, adventure travel, and most importantly, Africa itself. The 252 page volume is packed with breathtaking images that have been compiled over the past decade and capture the spirit of the Tour very well. Not only do those photos show the day-to-day experiences of the ride, but they also manage to convey a sense of wonder at the countries and environments that the riders pass through, as well as the people that live there.

If you have a cyclist or adventure traveler on your holiday shopping list, than this book is sure to be a hit. Just be warned, after reading it, they may feel compelled to join the ride themselves. Africa is most definitely calling.

New Book celebrates 10 years of the Tour d'Afrique originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure cyclingadventure traveladventure-travelAdventureCyclingAdventureTravelbook reviewBookReviewbookscairocape townCapeTowncyclingcycling toursCyclingTourstour dafriqueTourDafriqueTue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Remains of forgotten genocide victims returned by Berlin museum]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/03/remains-of-forgotten-genocide-victims-returned-by-berlin-museum/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/03/remains-of-forgotten-genocide-victims-returned-by-berlin-museum/http://www.gadling.com/2011/10/03/remains-of-forgotten-genocide-victims-returned-by-berlin-museum/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

genocide, Herero genocide, NamibiaIt's the genocide most people have forgotten, a ruthless extermination of men, women, and children while an uncaring world focused on other things.

From 1904 to 1908, German colonial rulers in what is now Namibia systematically exterminated the Herero and Nama people. They had rebelled against the colonizers and the German army quickly defeated them. Not satisfied with a only a military victory, the Germans pushed both tribes into the desert, where they starved and died of thirst. Nobody knows how many perished but it may have been as many as 100,000.

A grim relic of this genocide are twenty Herero and Nama skulls kept in the Berlin Medical Historical Museum. One skull is from a three-year-old boy. Originally they had been preserved with the skin and hair intact and used for "studies" to prove the superiority of the white race.

This week the skulls were returned to tribal leaders after an apology and a ceremony. This is the latest in a series of repatriations of human remains to native peoples from museums. Many nations, the United States included, have passed laws requiring human remains to be returned. Identification and legal technicalities slow down the process, however. Berlin collections still include about 7,000 skulls. Then there's the question of shrunken heads, which were often sold by tribal peoples to collectors, and of very ancient remains that cannot be traced to an existing tribe.

We forget genocides at our peril. Hitler felt he could get away with the Holocaust because nobody cared about the genocide of the Herero and Nama, or the genocide of the Armenians during World War One. Even many of the Holocaust's victims are forgotten. While everyone knows six million Jews died, many are unaware of the millions of Slavs, Gypsies, political activists, homosexuals, Born-Again Christians, and disabled who were also killed.

[Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

Remains of forgotten genocide victims returned by Berlin museum originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 03 Oct 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>archaeologyarchaeology newsArchaeologyNewsarcheologyarcheology newsArcheologyNewsarmenian genocideArmenianGenocideBerlingenocideGermanyHereroHerero genocideHereroGenocidehistoryHitlerHolocausthuman remainsHumanRemainsmuseummuseum newsMuseumNewsmuseumsNamaNama genocideNamaGenocideNamibiarepatriationshrunken headsShrunkenHeadsskullskullsMon, 03 Oct 2011 08:30:00 EST<![CDATA[6 surf destinations you'd never think of]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/20/6-surf-destinations-youd-never-think-of/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/20/6-surf-destinations-youd-never-think-of/http://www.gadling.com/2011/08/20/6-surf-destinations-youd-never-think-of/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,



Sure, we all know the world of surfing revolves around Hawaii's fabled North Shore. If you've ever owned a board, you can probably rattle off some of the other global hot spots: Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa, Fiji, California, Costa Rica...the list goes on and on.

Just because the same 20 places have some of the best waves on the planet, however, doesn't mean that the rest of the globe is forced to go without. Ever since the 1966 release of the timeless surf film Endless Summer, global surf travelers have been pushing the boundaries of scoring waves in increasingly obscure locations.

Lately, it seems as if the act of finding waves in remote locations is potentially more exhilarating than the act of riding the waves themselves. Here on Gadling we've reported before about surfers hunting down waves from Lake Erie to Iceland in search of some stoke, and Surfing magazine has hosted contests such as the Google Earth Challenge in a modern effort to scour the globe for unknown pointbreaks and barrels.

So, in the spirit of ever-expanding global surf travel, here is a list of 6 locations you might want to put on your surf radar.

Continue reading 6 surf destinations you'd never think of

6 surf destinations you'd never think of originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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most desolate

According to a Harvard study, the earth's population will hit seven billion humans in a few months. Earlier this summer, Gadling labs profiled the effects of increasing populations on finite land resources by showcasing the world's most crowded islands. The earth is, in its own way, an island, and 21st century humanity will be presented with the challenge of adapting to rising population levels and static resources.

While countries like India have wrestled with the conundrum of feeding and housing booming population levels in Delhi, Kolkata, and Mumbai, the countries on this list bear no similarities to the billion strong Indian subcontinent. These countries are the ones with open space - lots of it. Countries like Greenland and Mongolia may someday be utilized for their vast expanses of open terrain, but today they are simply great places to go when you have tired of other human beings.

So while this extraordinarily hot summer may have included elbowing your way through thronged midtown Manhattan in 100 degree heat or hesitantly inhaling the stink rising off the sweaty crowd at Bonnaroo, this list is intended to take you way away from the crowds. From riding a horse through the empty steppes of Mongolia to exploring the glacial highlands of Iceland, each of these countries offers exercises in sweet sweet solitude. None of these countries have more than ten people per square mile.

Gallery: The world's ten most uninhabited countries

Number 10 - MauritaniaNumber 10 - MauritaniaNumber 10 - MauritaniaNumber 10 - MauritaniaNumber 10 - Mauritania

Continue reading The world's top ten most desolate countries

The world's top ten most desolate countries originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Need a few moments of Zen? This video from NASA's Johnson Space Center has seven of them, traveling over the Earth from the coast of Namibia to the Amazon Basin to capture an astronaut's view of the world. The incredible images are narrated by Dr. Justin Wilkinson, a soothing astronaut who points out the many rivers, mountains, deserts, and other features shown on NASA's camera from far above. You can see Utah's Salt Lake, Sicily's cloud-covered Mt. Etna; there's even footage of Hurricane Florence, forming a perfect spiral over the Atlantic Ocean.

Sit back, put the video in full-screen mode, and start dreaming of your next travel destination. What an astronaut's camera sees.

VIDEO: Astronaut's view of the world originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 31 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bet you didn't experience wildlife like this when you were on your last wildlife safari. Marlice van Vuuren is a Namibian animal conservationist and a woman very familiar with the ways of the African cheetah. She should know, her last 34 years were spent growing up around animals in Namibia, and she currently runs the N/a'an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary with her husband Rudie.

It's that sort of experience that's prepared her for this close interaction with wild cheetahs, no doubt mixed with a healthy dose of bravery and maybe a shred of craziness. Check out this video where van Vuuren gets off of her dirt bike and walks around among the wild cats, often advancing towards them and showing her dominance -- it's a pretty amazing show.

Continue reading What not to do on your safari

What not to do on your safari originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 01 May 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventure-travelafricacheetahcheetahsMarlice van VuurenMarliceVanVuurennamibiavideoSun, 01 May 2011 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[The world's ten creepiest abandoned cities]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/27/the-worlds-ten-creepiest-abandoned-cities/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/27/the-worlds-ten-creepiest-abandoned-cities/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/27/the-worlds-ten-creepiest-abandoned-cities/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,


Some cities die. The people leave, the streets go quiet, and the isolation takes on the macabre shape of a forlorn ghost-town - crumbling with haunting neglect and urban decay. From Taiwan to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, these abandoned cities lurk in the shadows of civilization. Their histories are carried in hushed whispers and futures stillborn from the day of their collapse. Some have fallen victim to catastrophe while others simply outlive their function. I think we can all agree on one thing - they are all very creepy.


Gallery: Ten abandoned cities

Sanzhi in TaiwanPripyat in the UkraineCraco in ItalyKolmanskop in NamibiaHashima Island in Japan

Continue reading The world's ten creepiest abandoned cities

The world's ten creepiest abandoned cities originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abandonedabandoned buildingsabandoned citiesAbandonedBuildingsAbandonedCitiesafricaasiaCentraliachernobylchilecreepyeuropefranceitalyjapannamibiapripyattaiwanturkeyukraineunited statesUnitedStatesWed, 27 Apr 2011 11:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Enter the Put Foot Rally for an African road trip adventure]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/29/enter-the-put-foot-rally-for-an-african-road-trip-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/29/enter-the-put-foot-rally-for-an-african-road-trip-adventure/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/29/enter-the-put-foot-rally-for-an-african-road-trip-adventure/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Put Foot Rally promises to be quite an African adventureAdventurous travelers looking for a unique road trip this summer may want to checkout the Put Foot Rally, which is scheduled to get underway in June. The event begins in South Africa and promises to send teams on a 7000km (4350 mile) long odyssey through the wilds of Africa.

The 17-day rally will kick off at two separate starting lines, one in Cape Town and the other in Johannesburg. Once underway, competitors will navigate on their own, and are free to take any path they like, but are required to reach certain checkpoints along the way by certain times. For instance, the first checkpoint is located at the Andersson Gate, just outside Etosha Park in Namibia. How you manage to find your way to that destination is entirely up to you, but you'll certainly want to get there on time, as each of the checkpoints will play host to a party as well.

Subsequent CP's will be located on the Okavango Delta in Botwsana, in Livingstone, Zambia, and on the edge of Lake Malawi in Malawi. From there it is on to Inhambane in Mozambique before proceeding on to the finish line in Swaziland. All told, counting the starting and finish line, there are seven checkpoints, and seven parties, in all.

The Put Foot is accepting just 50 crews for the inaugural 2011 rally, and as of this writing they are about halfway to filling that quota. A crew can consist of as many people as you want, but they all have to fit inside one vehicle. Speaking of which, you can also drive any type of car, truck, or SUV you want, as long as it gets you to the checkpoints on time. You can even elect to ride on a motorcycle if you prefer. Organizers of the rally estimate that about 95% of the route can be done on paved roads, which means a 4x4 isn't necessary to compete. But part of the fun will no doubt be getting off the beaten path and finding interesting ways to reach the checkpoints. Just don't take a wrong turn and end up in a country you weren't expecting!

Continue reading Enter the Put Foot Rally for an African road trip adventure

Enter the Put Foot Rally for an African road trip adventure originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For years Black Tomato has delighted old travel hands with its inventive, bespoke itineraries to various corners of the globe. The company is especially good at showcasing beautiful destinations not yet well-known to most travelers beyond the surrounding region. Among others, Belgrade, the Carpathian foothills, the Kuronian Spit, and Bhutan have all been embraced by the company.

This morning, Black Tomato launched Epic Tomato, which showcases a selection of hardcore adventure experiences to very hard-to-reach places. These adventures are scheduled for lengths of between four to 21 days, and are grouped into five categories: Polar, Desert, Jungle, Mountain, and River. They are all led by serious expert guides, some with SAS (British special service) military backgrounds.

Bolivia's Apolobamba mountain range, Mali's Dogon region, the Star Mountains of Papua New Guinea (see above), the Mosquito Coast of Honduras, and East Greenland are just a few of the destinations reached by Epic Tomato tours.

Epic Tomato's frankly epic experiences don't come cheap. At the bottom end of the scale, three adventures come in at £5995 ($9660): 14 days in Papua New Guinea's East New Britain and Duke of York Islands; a 21-day trek in Tibet and Nepal; and eight days in Chilean Patagonia. At the very high end: 12 days on Canada's Ellesmere Island for £67,495 ($108,720).

Black Tomato launches Epic Tomato, an ambitious new adventure offshoot originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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gorilla, gorillas, mountain gorilla, mountain gorillas
In the latest in a spate of good news about wildlife conservation in Africa, BBC Earth reports that mountain gorillas have increased their numbers on Virunga Massif, their core habitat stretching across Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From a population of only 250 thirty years ago, their population has almost doubled to 480 today. Another 302 live in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park .

The rise is attributed to increased cooperation between the three countries to protect the gorillas and stop poachers.

Safaris to see mountain gorillas have become increasingly popular with adventure travelers. Uganda has expanded its gorilla safaris in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Rwanda is also offering safaris to see the gentle giants.

African nations are getting better at preserving their wildlife. Namibia and Zimbabwe are clamping down on poaching and last year we reported how Niger has pulled a unique subspecies of giraffe from extinction.


[Photo courtesy user KMRA via Wikimedia Commons]

Mountain gorillas making a comeback originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure activitiesadventure traveladventure vacationadventure-outdoorsadventure-travelAdventureActivitiesadventuresAdventureTravelAdventureVacationadventurousBwindi Impenetrable National ParkBwindiImpenetrableNationalParkconservationendangeredendangered animalsendangered speciesendangered-speciesEndangeredAnimalsEndangeredSpeciesgorillagorillasmountain gorillamountain gorillasMountainGorillaMountainGorillasnational parknational parksNationalParkNationalParkspoacherPoacherspoachingsafarisafarisVirunga MassifVirungaMassifWildlifewildlife conservationwildlife refugewildlife researchwildlife reservesWildlifeConservationWildlifePreserveWildlifeRefugeWildlifeResearchWildlifeReservesThu, 09 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Africa has mixed results in fighting poachers]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/27/africa-has-mixed-results-in-fighting-poachers/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/27/africa-has-mixed-results-in-fighting-poachers/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/27/africa-has-mixed-results-in-fighting-poachers/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Africa, rhino, NamibiaOne of the main reasons adventure travelers head to Africa is for the wildlife. Sadly, that wildlife is in danger of disappearing thanks to illegal poaching. Big game such as rhinos and elephants can bring in large sums of money for their tusks, hide, and meat.

Namibia has been one country that has been successful in the fight against poaching in the face of a continent-wide rise in illegal hunting. Neighboring South Africa lost 150 rhinos to illegal poaching. On the other hand, Zimbabwe has seen a drop in incidents, despite reports that safari operators and hunters are supplying poachers with weapons. The poachers are local hunters with local knowledge of the terrain and animals, who then sell the animals to big game hunters and safari operators who have foreign connections.

Namibia has been clamping down on poachers by increasing staff and national parks and setting up communication systems to rapidly report any incidents. So far it's worked, with no rise in deaths among the country's elephant and rhino population.


[Photo courtesy user Ikiwaner via Wikimedia Commons]

Africa has mixed results in fighting poachers originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 27 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>adventureadventure traveladventure-outdoorsadventure-traveladventuresAdventureTravelbig game huntingBigGameHuntingcrimeelephantelephantshuntingpoacherspoachingrhinoRhinocerossafarisafarisWildlifewildlife refugewildlife reservesWildlifeRefugeWildlifeReservesSat, 27 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Suspected bomb on airplane was a "dummy"]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/19/suspected-bomb-on-airplane-was-a-dummy/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/19/suspected-bomb-on-airplane-was-a-dummy/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/19/suspected-bomb-on-airplane-was-a-dummy/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

bombYesterday's potential bomb on an Air Berlin flight from Namibia to Germany turns out to have been an American-made "dummy" used by security officials for training, BBC reports.

The "bomb" consists of a detonator, wires, and a ticking clock and is put in a suitcase and through the system to measure the efficiency of an airport's security. The device did not contain explosives and was detected before being put on the plane, so score one for Namibian airport security. But here's the catch--there was no security test going on. So either it was put on by accident (unlikely) or someone decided to create a scare. Local police are investigating and with tourism being such a big money maker in Namibia, whoever was responsible faces some serious consequences. I wonder what the inside of a Namibian jail looks like?

The first wind we had of this new development came from Gadling reader Sabrina, who read about it on German news. Vielen Dank, Sabrina!

Suspected bomb on airplane was a "dummy" originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>air berlinAirBerlinairport securityAirportSecuritybombbombingbombsmunichsecurityterrorterrorismterroristterroristswindhoekFri, 19 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Breaking news: Suspected bomb found on German airline]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/18/suspected-bomb-found-on-german-airline/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/18/suspected-bomb-found-on-german-airline/http://www.gadling.com/2010/11/18/suspected-bomb-found-on-german-airline/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

bombA flight from Namibia to Germany was delayed earlier today after a suspected bomb was found in a suitcase. The package included a detonator, batteries, and a clock, the BBC reports. Details are unclear at this moment and it is not known if the device was an actual bomb or simply meant to intimidate.

The suspected bomb was found before it was loaded onto an Air Berlin flight from Windhoek to Munich. The flight was delayed for several hours as all passengers and luggage were checked. It has now safely completed its journey.

Germany has recently upped its security because of intelligence that an attack was imminent.

An interesting detail in this case was that the suitcase had no destination sticker, suggesting that it did not go through normal check-in procedures.


[Photo courtesy user Arcturus via Wikimedia Commons]

Breaking news: Suspected bomb found on German airline originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A black-maned lion nicknamed "Old Boy" has been shot in Etosha National Park, Namibia. This is the second lion to be killed in the park in the past five months. Both lions were collared, meaning park rangers were studying and protecting them.

"Old Boy" had been a favorite among visitors for years because he lived near Hobatere Lodge. Conservationists believe he was the most frequently seen lion in the country. The park has a no-shoot policy towards collared lions, which didn't stop a professional hunter from killing "Old Boy." The hunter had a permit, but officials want to know why he targeted a lion that was being studied. The hunting party claimed they didn't see the collar until the lion was dead. They also claim the lion attacked them, something "Old Boy" had never done before, although in a separate interview the hunters didn't mention any attack.

The incident highlights the troubles conservationists face in trying to preserve animals on a continent where big game hunting is still popular.


[Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons]

Favorite lion shot in Namibia originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 08 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>animalsblack-maned lionBlack-manedLionconservationEtosha National ParkEtoshaNationalParkhuntinglionlionssafarisafariswildlifeMon, 08 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fake gems and minerals sold to tourists in Namibia]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/30/fake-gems-and-minerals-sold-to-tourists-in-namibia/http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/30/fake-gems-and-minerals-sold-to-tourists-in-namibia/http://www.gadling.com/2010/09/30/fake-gems-and-minerals-sold-to-tourists-in-namibia/#commentsFiled under: ,


More and more adventure travelers are discovering Namibia, a nation in southwest Africa that offers deserts, beaches, safaris, and hikes. Unfortunately this rise in tourism has led to a rise in tourist scams. Namibia's Mines and Energy Minister, Isak Katali, has warned miners to stop selling fake gems and minerals to tourists. Mining is big in the country, and many miners are independent prospectors who scratch out a difficult and hazardous living from the rock.

One way to make extra money is to sell their finds to tourists. This has proved too tempting for some, and they're using their specialized knowledge, and the average tourist's cluelessness, to fob off colored glass as precious stone. While most miners are honest, buying minerals and gems in Namibia has become a tricky game. Mr. Katali says this has already hurt tourism and the country's reputation.

Namibia is certainly not the only country where cheap imitations are fobbed off to unsuspecting visitors. People will fake pretty much anything if they think it will sell. When visiting the ancient oasis city of Palmyra in Syria, I was offered a "genuine Roman coin" made of aluminum! Back in 2008, Italian police broke up a gang selling fake Ferraris.

Have you ever bought something overseas only to discover later it was a fake? Share your tale of woe in the comments section!

[Image courtesy Arpingstone]

Fake gems and minerals sold to tourists in Namibia originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collectiblecollectiblescollectingcollectionCollectionsfakefake gemsFakeGemsfakesgemgemsgemstonegemstonesimitationimitationsminemineralmineralsminersminesminingrock collectionRockCollectionscamscam artistScamArtistscammerscammersscammingScamsscams and fraudsScamsAndFraudsWindhoekThu, 30 Sep 2010 10:30:00 EST