Gadling

South African Airways introduces virtual itineraries

Kraig Becker — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Hotels and Accommodations, Ecotourism, Internet Tools, Luxury Travel

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.

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Largest international conservation area formed in southern Africa

Kraig Becker — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Africa, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ecotourism, News

On 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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Zimbabwe's last resort- an interview with bestselling author Douglas Rogers

Dave Seminara — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Zimbabwe, Budget Travel

After a decade of political unrest, seizures of white-owned farms and record hyperinflation that forced the government to print 100 billion dollar banknotes, Zimbabwe is finally starting to inch back onto the tourism radar, thanks to a power sharing agreement and a move to use U.S. dollars as the de-facto currency of the country.

But Zimbabwe's long-dormant tourism sector has also received a small boost from the popularity of The Last Resort, Zimbabwe native Douglas Rogers' bestselling account of life at Drifters, his parents' backpacker lodge turned brothel near Mutare, in eastern Zimbabwe. The book won the British Travel Writers' Guild Book of the year in 2010 and BBC recently bought the film rights. Gadling caught up with Rogers near his new home in Loudoun County, Virginia last week.

People loved this book so much that some decided to visit your parents' lodge in Zimbabwe?

The book came out at the end of 2009 and within a few months, people started turning up. The first visitor was the Swedish Ambassador. He hugged my mother and said he felt like he knew her. Now they keep coming, at least a few hundred so far. They bring books and want the staff to sign them.

This is very personal memoir where you talk about how your parents' lodge sort of morphed into a brothel and explain how your parents tried to grow marijuana in the yard as the tourists disappeared. Were you nervous about how your family or the staff at the lodge would perceive the book?

I was more nervous about the politics of it. That there would be negative repercussions for my family there, but so far there haven't been.

Has Mugabe's regime banned the book?

No, it's available in Harare but there are so few bookshops left it's hard to find. I wanted to change the names of people I wrote about in the book, but the staff at my parents' lodge were dead set against that. The 2008 election violence was terrifying and, at that point, the book was about to come out. But they wanted their named in the book- they're very proud and brave.

So many other white owned farms in Zimbabwe have been seized, and your parents had some close calls which you describe in the book, but how is it that they've been allowed to keep their property and the lodge?

Legally, they aren't supposed to lose the place, because it isn't an agricultural farm. But that doesn't really matter anymore; people can lose their land for any reason. Officially though, the government owns their property and someone could show up and take it at any time.

Continue reading Zimbabwe's last resort- an interview with bestselling author Douglas Rogers

Zimbabwe's last resort- an interview with bestselling author Douglas Rogers originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 19 Feb 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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African game reserves flooded, travelers stranded

Chris Owen — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe

Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Africa and a UNESCO Biosphere location. This week, the park was closed as massive flooding of the once-in-one-hundred-years magnitude stranding American and Canadian tourists who had to be airlifted out yesterday.

After a swollen river burst its banks and washed-out a bridge. "There wasn't any other way to get out of the park," Canadian Linda Freeman, airlifted out of the area told Reuters.

Flooding in southeast Africa this week has killed at least five people, forced thousands to evacuate homes and led to an airlift of about 20 foreign tourists in the southern provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane, weather officials said.

All organized game drives have been suspended as more than 1,500 people have been forced to flee their homes with local weather stations reporting a 267mm rainfall (10.5 inches) in one 24 hour period earlier this week, over five times the classification for heavy rain.

Gadling's Kraig Becker was on safari in Kruger National Park not long ago and tells us:

"In all, I spent six days in Kruger, and was given the chance to explore it both on foot and by vehicle. In those days, I found that it lived up to its billing as one of the top safari destinations in all of Africa. Not only is the wildlife all that you would expect, and more, but the landscapes are breathtaking as well. In my travels within the park boundaries, I saw beautiful rivers, emerald forests, and stunning canyons. The gorgeous scenery was an element I wasn't expecting, and it helped to further separate Kruger from the Serengeti." Read more here.

Flickr photo by Sito Wijngaarden

African game reserves flooded, travelers stranded originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 22 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Build your own adventure with the Africa Safari Planner

Kraig Becker — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Australia, Hotels and Accommodations, Ecotourism, Internet Tools, Luxury Travel

The 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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World's worst places: Top 10 places you do not want to visit in 2012

Justin Delaney — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Photos, Africa, Asia, North America, Oceania, South America, Liberia, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Yemen, Haiti, Mexico, United States, Papua New Guinea, Brazil, Airlines, Budget Travel, News, Travel Health, Middle East, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire), Travel Security

What comes to mind when you think of the world's worst place? While it is easy to complain about rural Wal-marts, La Guardia, Applebee's, and any government office with motor vehicle in its title, none of those places escalate the game from nuisance to immediate danger. All of them can be horrible, yes, but a threatened existence they do not pose.

The places on this list are the bad places. Some have run out of hope. Others have fought war for so long it is the new normal. Most are exceptionally dangerous and heartbreaking. And while none of them are fighting for write-ups by travel bloggers or inspiring travel with the NetJet set, some of these locations may someday be on the travel map. After all, it was not long ago that current hot-spots like Cambodia and Croatia would have made such a list.

Gallery: World's worst cities

Continue reading World's worst places: Top 10 places you do not want to visit in 2012

World's worst places: Top 10 places you do not want to visit in 2012 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 06 Jan 2012 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Book celebrates 10 years of the Tour d'Afrique

Kraig Becker — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Africa, Botswana, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Books, Ecotourism

The 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.

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Zimbabwe has mixed success stopping rhino poaching

Sean McLachlan — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Zimbabwe, Ecotourism, News

Zimbabwe has seen an increase in rhino poaching this year, the government newspaper The Herald reports.

At least 23 of the 700 or so black and white rhinos in the country were poached this year, but authorities managed to arrest 37 poachers and horn dealers. Rhino horns are popular for folk medicine, especially in Asia where they fetch high prices. One tactic of the poachers is to poison water holes, which kills not just the rhinos but any animal that drinks there.

More than $4 million is being spent to protect the animals, the government says, including implanting radio transmitters into the horns of 100 rhinos this year.

Zimbabwe isn't the only country facing this problem. The Huffington Post reports that South Africa is doing more to train park workers on how to investigate incidents of poaching. Several poachers were killed in shootouts with authorities earlier this year, but that didn't stop 341 South African rhinos from being poached in the first 10 months of the year, more than in all of 2010.

Photo of rhino in Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe, courtesy Susan Adams.

Zimbabwe has mixed success stopping rhino poaching originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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African governments doing more to stop poaching of endangered species

Sean McLachlan — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Africa, Asia, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Vietnam, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

This year in Africa, the fight between law enforcement and poachers of endangered species has flared into a war.

In the first two months of 2011, nine poachers were shot dead in South Africa. Despite this, poaching is up. In that nation alone, 333 rhinos were killed in 2010, and there have been 309 rhinos poached so far this year. It looks like the illegal hunters are set to break a grisly record.

Now South Africa is holding talks with Vietnam to reduce the demand for rhino horn, which some Asians use as an aphrodisiac and as a cure for cancer. Sometimes the horns are kept whole as curios or for religious rituals, as this 1930s photo of a Tibetan monk from the Bundesarchiv shows. The two governments are working on a plan to fight organized syndicates that trade in animal parts.

South Africa isn't the only country seeing trouble, and isn't the only country fighting back. In Zimbabwe, poachers have been poisoning water holes so they can kill animals silently and avoid detection by park guards. At least nine elephants, five lions, two buffaloes, and several vultures are known to have died.

Meanwhile, Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are going to sign a treaty to cooperate across their borders to stop poaching of mountain gorillas and other species. The treaty also sets up joint research and education about the region's diverse flora and fauna.

African governments doing more to stop poaching of endangered species originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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So You Want To Be A Safari Guide?

Kraig Becker — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Hiking, Learning, Business, Africa, Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Camping, Ecotourism

Wanted: Able bodied men and women who have a passion for the outdoors and a thirst for adventure. Must be well organized, have an attention for detail, and enjoy working with animals. Positive attitude, a flair for the dramatic, and good people skills a big plus. Plenty of positions available, no experience necessary. Will train for the job.

If the above job description sounds like something you'd be interested in, than perhaps you're a candidate to become a safari guide in Africa. But be warned, it is a job with long hours, little pay, and plenty of demands. It is also an occupation that offers a fantastic job site, daily surprises, and plenty of adventure.

The demand for experienced and well trained safari guides continues to grow as more and more African nations build an infrastructure to support tourism. Countries like Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa are well known, and popular, safari destinations. But other nations, such as Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe are quickly becoming popular alternatives to those classic places.

Of course, not just anyone can be a safari guide. It requires a unique set of skills that is not always obvious to the outside observer. Building those skills is no easy task either, and it can take years in the field to develop them fully. But, for those hoping to join the ranks of the African bush guides, there is an option for job training that is as unique and adventurous as the work itself.

Continue reading So You Want To Be A Safari Guide?

So You Want To Be A Safari Guide? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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African safari: then and now

Kraig Becker — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hiking, History, Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Camping, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Luxury Travel

African safaris are one of the most enduring travel experiences ever. For decades the safari has remained at the top of the "must do" list for many travelers. Such a trip is often seen as the ultimate escape, giving them a chance to visit a wild and untamed place, encounter amazing wildlife, and add a bit of adventure to their lives. Over the years, the traditional African safari has evolved greatly, and today it is still a fantastic experience with options for nearly every type of traveler, under nearly any budget.

The word safari traces its origins back to the Arabic word of "safara," which when translated means "to go on a journey." It was originally used by merchants traveling long distances trade routes throughout the Middle-East and Africa. As late as the 18th centuries, the term continued to refer to those traveling caravans that roamed the continent selling all kinds of goods, which was a profitable, yet dangerous, venture during that era.

During the 19th century, the writings of a number of prominent naturalists and explorers, such as Henry Morton Stanley, kept the public enthralled. They told tales of Africa that included vast herds of wild animals, deadly predators, primitive cultures, and dark, unexplored jungles. Those stories sparked the imagination and painted the continent in an almost mythic light. Many readers wished to travel to Africa themselves, and see these wonders with their own eyes, but in that age, few could make such a journey for a variety of reasons.

Continue reading African safari: then and now

African safari: then and now originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Zimbabwe safari parks, resorts seized by land invaders

Sean McLachlan — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Zimbabwe, News

Tourist sites are the latest targets for land seizures in Zimbabwe, reports SW Radio Africa.

A mob of about 150 people took over Lake Chivero Recreational Park, the Kumba Shiri resort, and several other sites around the lake, forbidding guests and employees from leaving.

This is one of a string of land grabs across the country committed by semi-legal mobs taking advantage of the Indigenisation Act, a law passed by President Robert Mugabe in which 51 percent of any foreign holding transfers into Zimbabwean hands. SW Radio Africa wryly noted that the mob promised several resorts to "ministers and other top officials".

Things seem to have calmed down now. The Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee, a group set up by the new coalition government to stop this sort of thing, intervened and got the mob to leave. Mugabe was forced to make a coalition government after gross mismanagement of the country. The Indigenisation Act was widely seen as a populist move to divert attention from the economy by targeting foreigners and white Zimbabweans.

Ironically, the Zimbabwe's tourism minister is currently in Madrid attending the travel expo Fitur, where he's pushing the country as a tourist destination. Zimbabwe has a lot to offer the adventure traveler: safaris, wildlife, traditional societies, ancient monuments, and beautiful countryside. If the government could offer some stability the tourist industry could blossom.

[Photo of Lake Chivero courtesy user Gyron via Wikimedia Commons]

Zimbabwe safari parks, resorts seized by land invaders originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mountain gorillas making a comeback

Sean McLachlan — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Africa, Namibia, Niger, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ecotourism, News, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

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.

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Africa has mixed results in fighting poachers

Sean McLachlan — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Africa, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe

One 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.

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Adventure travel meets faith: cycling to Mecca for the Hajj

Sean McLachlan — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Africa, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, Budget Travel, Middle East

Two Muslims from South Africa mixed adventure travel and spirituality this year by cycling to Mecca for the Hajj. Natheem Cairncross, 28 and Imtiyaz Haron, 25, cycled through South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Turkey, Syria and Jordan. Visa problems with Sudan and Ethiopia meant they had to take a plane from Kenya to Turkey, but that doesn't lessen their achievement.

In an interview with the BBC, Cairncross said the 6,800-mile journey was a life-changing experience. Both had to sell possessions to raise money for the trip. Cairncross even sold his car. Yes, he had a car and he decided to go by bike.

The Hajj is the traditional pilgrimage to Mecca that every Muslim should do at least once in their lifetime if they are able. Currently the Empty Quarter Gallery in Dubai is exhibiting photos and recordings made by Dutch explorer Christiaan Snouck Hurgronje in 1885. Check out the link for some amazing early images and eerie recordings made on wax cylinders that had only recently been developed by Thomas Edison.

[Image courtesy Ali Mansuri via Wikimedia Commons]

Adventure travel meets faith: cycling to Mecca for the Hajj originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rent an African villa for an exclusive safari experience

Kraig Becker — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Hiking, Africa, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel

Renting a private villa, isn't a new concept for travelers. In fact, many have been doing it for years in a variety of countries throughout Europe. But now, Kensington Tours is bringing the same concept to southern Africa, delivering a unique take on the experience by offering up luxury villas and safari houses for their clients.

According to Kensington travel expert Brad Crockett, a number of luxury villas have begun appearing in both South Africa and Botswana already, and he predicts that it'll become a very popular option for families or groups of friends traveling together. These rental houses offer all the luxurious (and then some) of home, but in close proximity to some of the best safari destinations on the planet, allowing you to escape to the wild during the day, then return to a comfortable chateau, complete with a deck, pool, modern kitchen, and luxurious beds.

Kensington, who specializes in luxury adventure travel, has a new safari option that includes a stay at the exclusive Ellerman Villa. The ten day trip offers visitors a glimpse at Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa, and includes a number of unique options that aren't found on any other trip of this kind. For instance, the journey beings with a visit to Victoria Falls and proceeds to South Luangwa, one of the best places in Africa to spot wildlife. Later, back in Cape Town, the travelers will visit the Cape of Good Hope, take a tour of wine country, and trek up Table Mountain. Check out the full itinerary by clicking here.

Having already gone on the traditional African safari a few years back, the thought of gathering up some good friends and renting a villa for a week sounds really appealing. Spending the day on game drives and then retiring to our rental home for the evening for some good food and a bottle of wine sounds like a fantastic escape, and a great alternative to spending the night in a crowded camp site.

Rent an African villa for an exclusive safari experience originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Controversy over development near Victoria Falls

Sean McLachlan — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business, Africa, Zimbabwe, Hotels and Accommodations, Luxury Travel

Environmentalists are complaining that the tour company Shearwater Adventures has violated national and international law by expanding their luxury resort into the rainforest near Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.

Shearwater has constructed a new restaurant, bar, kitchen, and information center next to the public entrance to the World Heritage Site. A lawyer for Shearwater insists the development is a legal replacement of earlier structures that had fallen into disrepair and that none of the new buildings go outside the area already reserved for facilities. Opponents to the construction contend that the buildings are on a much larger scale than the previous ones and are forbidden by a 2007 moratorium. This was put in place after UNESCO threaten to rescind Victoria Falls' World Heritage status after a local businessman tried to build a hotel and golf course in the World Heritage zone.

Without being on the ground it's hard to say if who's telling the truth here. Last week The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe ordered that no new construction take place. It is now running the site along with the National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, which used to have sole authority. The government is currently trying to decide which body will run the Falls.

As this shakeup is going on, conservationists say Shearwater is planning a giant $6 million development next to the VIP entrance to the Falls. This will include a complex of buildings close enough to the Falls to threaten its World Heritage status. There's also worry about the development's location only a few yards from the Zambezi River.

[Photo courtesy user colmdc via Gadling's flickr pool]

Controversy over development near Victoria Falls originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 13 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Top 10 country brands in the world, Canada hits #1

Tom Johansmeyer — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, North America, Oceania, Zimbabwe, Iran, Pakistan, United States, Australia, New Zealand

Remember when you could make all those "two thirds" jokes about Canada? Based on the currency, there were so many ways we could tweak our northern neighbors. Then, the U.S. dollar plunged. I remember being in Quebec and seeing parity between the two dollars for the first time in October 2007. Well, the momentum has continued, and it's not just about money. It seems as though Canada's brand is stronger than ours now.

According to FutureBrand's Country Brand Index, the United States isn't looking so good these days. From 2009, we fell down to the #4 spot, from the #1 position. Meanwhile, Canada worked its way from #2 last year to the top of the heap in 2010.

USA Today reports that the United States reached #1 last year because of the "Obama effect," with the prospect of "hope" and "change" making us look promising. A year later, the prospect doesn't burn as bright, and it's reflected in the FutureBrand rankings.

It could have been worse: we could've wound up joining Zimbabwe, Iran and Pakistan at the bottom of the heap.

See the full top 10 list below:

Continue reading Top 10 country brands in the world, Canada hits #1

Top 10 country brands in the world, Canada hits #1 originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 05 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ethiopia tops list of African nations improving quality of life

Sean McLachlan — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Africa, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, News, Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)

Ethiopia suffers from a bad image thanks to the war and famine of the 1980s. As my series on travel in Ethiopia showed, however, this is a land of friendly people, beautiful nature, and fascinating historic sites. Infrastructure is slowly improving and the Ethiopians are making serious efforts to boost education, access to clean drinking water, and other improvements to the quality of life.

These efforts have been recognized in the UN's 2010 Human Development Report. It ranked Ethiopia as number 11 in the world for improving human development since 1970, the highest ranking in Africa. The report was prepared by the United Nations Development Programme and measures progress in health, education, income, gender equality, and other areas. Researchers then formulate a "human development index" (HDI) for 135 countries.

Other high-ranking African nations include Botswana (14th), Benin (18th) and Burkina Faso (21st). All of these countries and some others have done especially well in the past ten years. Only looking at the past decade, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Uganda all come out in the global top ten.

One of the biggest areas of improvement was in education. Literacy has almost tripled in Sub-Saharan Africa in the past 40 years to 65 percent. Also, life expectancy is up and infant mortality is down.

Sadly, not all the news is good. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe were the only three countries in the world where quality of life actually went down.

Good news for Ethiopia is good news to travelers too. While the country is still an adventure travel destination, it's not as rugged as many people think. I spent two months there and my wife spent three weeks, and in all that time we never got sick. Chalk one up for good sanitation and clean water! Also, Ethiopia scores well of gender equality, which meant that, unlike some countries we've been to, my wife didn't get harassed by obnoxious guys. Good education meant we met lots of people who spoke English and wanted to improve it by chatting with us. Improved infrastructure meant there were more paved roads along our route than there were ten years ago.

When it comes to improvements in a country's Human Development Index everybody benefits, even people who don't live there!

Gallery: Roadtrip: Ethiopia

Ethiopia tops list of African nations improving quality of life originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tourist killed by lions while showering at Zimbabwe fishing camp

Tom Johansmeyer — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Zimbabwe, News

Five lions attacked, and a tourist died. Washing himself at an outdoor shower, Pete Evershed had no idea what was coming. Enjoying a vacation in Zimbabwe, he took advantage of the fishing camp's outdoor shower shortly before dark. It was his last. Evershed was found by other guests who heard his screams - he had sustained serious neck wounds and would later die from a loss of blood.

According to a few of the locals, the lions attacked because tour operators have been luring them closer with meat ... all in the interest of giving guests a closer look at the beasts. The Zimbabwean Conservation Task Force takes a different view, though claiming that lions are stuck competing with humans for food. Apparently, eight villagers fell victim to attacks like this one so far this year, according to an MSNBC report. The rise of fishing camps along the Zambezi River was also cited as a driver.

[photo by Tambako the Jaguar via Flickr]

Tourist killed by lions while showering at Zimbabwe fishing camp originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 04 Nov 2010 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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