Kenya Safari, Where to Find Fun and Adventure

Kenya is one of the top tourist destinations in Africa. A safari to Kenya is for sure a lifetime adventure where relaxation and enjoyment top your Kenya vacation.The diversity of your fun stretches from the sandy beaches at the coast areas to the fun at the hiking of mountain Kenya and the Masai Mara migration on safari, while not forgetting the breathtaking rift valley where you will find sample diverse habitats.

Some facts you need to know about traveling to Kenya are that much as Nairobi is the most popular city, other towns providing perhaps more adventure include Mombasa and Kisumu. A city tour to Nakuru, Eldoret, Nyeri and Meru is equally exciting.

The form of currency is the Kenya shillings with an abbreviation, K sh. Its possible to use the major credit cards like the VISA and MASTER CARD. The ATMS are found at band branches, airports, shopping malls and gas stations.

A number of facilities in form of accommodation have been put up to cope with the growing number of tourists. Safari lodges in abundance as well us upmarket hotels and other forms of accommodation surround the national parks and other tourist destinations, just for your comfort and relaxation.

Among the challenges of Kenya include the fact that it has a high crime rate in cities like Nairobi. Tourists have to be extremely careful. If is safer to travel in a taxi than the public means.There is also a growing concern in the national parks during the peak season. Notably, during the migration of the wild beasts in Masai Mara, the place is congested with tourists and safari vehicles.

All in all, Kenya is not a destination to miss when it comes to choosing a safari to Africa. A visit to parks including Masai Mara, Lake Nakuru, Marsabit, Amboseli and Mount Kenya will be a perfect strategy for fun and adventure.

Kenya Safari, An Insight Into A Lodge Or Camping Safari Holiday

Kenya, the land where safari was born, also known as the cradle of mankind, is a land of unashamed splendor and great contrast. From the highlands of central Kenya to the great Rift valley and its resident lakes across to the second largest lake in the world; Lake Victoria further south to the elephants of Amboseli and a spectacular view of Africa’s highest point Mount Kilimanjaro and down to the cost where the shimmering white sands of the beaches of the Indian Ocean and ancient culture of millennia passed is still alluring to the traveler to this day.

The country is inhabited by over 40 different tribes and has over 76 different languages spoken. It’s also famous for its friendly and welcoming people.

Kenya safaris are designed to help a vacationer traverse the amazing landscape with the least hustle possible. On a safari you get to visit the savannahs of Kenya including the seventh wonder of the world “The great wildebeest migration” in the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s’ best known game reserve and arguably the best game reserve in the whole world. You get to see a plethora of wildlife including the “big five” elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo. For birding enthusiasts, there are over 1400 species recorded here, I can count over 20 species even before I leave my leafy home!

A popular add on to the holiday safari experience in Kenya is a beach stay on the wonderful tropical beaches of Mombasa, this is the perfect opportunity to relax in the sun and take in the relaxed atmosphere of Mombasa and its culture.

Kenya safaris offer a wonderful holiday for those wildlife lovers, they can be done to suit most budgets and offer a fascinating insight in to Kenya and its spectacular wildlife.

I dare not forget the cultural hub that Nairobi is, to the flamingo lakes Nakuru, Naivasha and Elementaita. You get to see endangered animals like the reticulated giraffe, rhino and Elephants of the Tsavo. To crown it all, the family of cats; lion, cheetah, and the elusive leopard. They just had to make “The big cat diary” in Kenya! On Safari!

Holiday Campers and camping enthusiasts will love Kenya safaris, from basic camping facilities to luxurious private luxury tented camps with all modern amenities in the bush hundreds of kilometers away from civilization, there is choice for everyone according to your budget. You can also reside in the luxurious lodges located in every game reserve and national park in the country.

A visit to Kenya is indeed a lifetime experience. Those who have been here always talk with a sense of nostalgia and make a point of visiting the country on any opportunity they can get – Kenya in Earnest Hemmingway’s words “unknowable, unimaginable, unbelievable…..and completely unforgettable”

Robert Murigi is the Safari Director Explorer Kenya Tours & Travel, a Kenya based environment friendly and responsible and sustainable tourism Safari Company. We organise safaris that are beneficial to the community around the area where they take place. Click here http://www.explorerkenya.com offers comprehensive safari information for all travelers

Buy into the exotic Morocco Property Market

There can be few countries in the world which had suffered a worse press than Morocco over the years. This slightly mysterious and enchanting land is seen by many as the gateway between Africa and Europe, and while it has taken some time for the tourist market to pick up, we are seeing signs that the country is on the up. There are more and more tourists visiting year on year and ambitious plans to expand the tourism sector still further. So what is happening on the ground in Morocco, why the big change in image?The real catalyst for the recent change seems to have been the appointment of King Mohammed VI, who took the reigns in 1999 determined to push Morocco more into the limelight and increase the profile and wealth of the country. The focus on the tourism sector came about in 2001 which saw the release of Vision 2010, a very ambitious plan to increase tourist number 5 fold and create 600,000 new jobs in the tourism sector. At the time the country was more of an attraction for the so called hippy brigade, but since the announcement of the plans there has been a massive increase in the more traditional area of tourism the mass market have arrived in Morocco!While the country has a very active history, having been under the control of both the French and Spanish at various times it has always remained true to its Arab roots. Morocco is a strong Islamic country which many see as part of the reason for the creation of many urban myths, rumours and untruths about the region. Until recently the Islamic way of life was very much a mystery to those in Europe and other parts of the world, but as cultures converge and interest increases, Morocco seems set to benefit greatly from increased interest in the region.In an interesting development, many are actually comparing the current situation in Morocco with that of Dubai, prior to the massive investment programs which are under way. The land has culture, it has history and there is most definitely room for improvement in the standard of living for many. A number of those property developers who were in Dubai in the early days have moved on to Morocco, where we are seeing a vast number of property developments springing up on a regular basis, with billions of dollars being invested.As you would expect from a modern day tourist attraction, we are also seeing the building of a large number of golf courses and surrounding developments. It may surprise many to learn that gold is one of the more popular pastimes in the country, and actually hosts a number of well known golf tournaments. It is also interesting to note that the ruling government in Morocco have appreciated the need for an understanding tax situation at an early stage, preferring to attract travellers and developers rather than hit them with high taxes. Morocco has more to earn from an increasing tourist trade than tax income at this moment in time.This article was written by Adam Samuel of Nubricks.com an overseas property blog where you can find more articles about Morocco properties.

Portugals little Floating Garden

The beautiful island of Madeira is part of Portugal. It lies in the Atlantic Ocean, 470 miles to the west of Morocco and 300 miles north of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

It therefore enjoys a wonderful warm climate the whole year round. For centuries, it was a particular favourite amongst British aristocratic travellers wishing to escape British winters, long before travelling and winter breaks became the norm for less wealthy folk.

Madeira, or Portugese for wood, is often described as a the Floating Garden due to the luxuriant greenery and abundance of wild flowering shrubs that can be seen there.

It is a rugged, extremely mountainous, highly picturesque island, roughly rectangular in shape and measuring about 30 miles in length by 10 miles wide. The highest mountain on this extinct volcanic isle is Pico Ruivo, which is 1862 metres, or 6060 feet, above sea level.

Coaches can carry visitors up very winding mountain roads to over 5000 feet. It is not an experience enjoyed by those of a nervous disposition. Although the views from the mountains on a clear day arebreathtakingly spectacular.

Due to the hight of the mountains, their peaks are sometimes shrouded in mist or low cloud. This provides Madeira with valuable water for irrigation, as well as everyday household use.

The hard working Madeirans have, over the centuries, created a fantastic network of Levadas or irrigation channels alongside narrow paths, to carry valuable water from the highest peaks to the much drier valleys and coastal villages way down below.

The levadas are a fantastic feat of engineering and a tribute to the Madeirans dogged determination to make the best of their island. It is quite humbling to think of the heroic effort that must have gone into the creating of these levadas on the most difficult steep terrain imaginable, using the simplest of hand tools to break up the volcanic rock.

The Madeirans of old must have been as nimble as mountain goats and very tough, Today, the levada walks are amongst the favourite tourist attractions of Madeira, and one of the prime reasons that thousands return, year after year, to this gem of an island.

The scenery of the Madeiran mountains and rugged coastline is truly spectacular, particularly when the shrubs and trees are in flower.

The beautiful Bird of Paradise flower, or strelitzia is a firm favourite with visitors, who buy them in their thousands from the colourful flower shops.

Investment Property in Morocco

Morocco represents an anagram of different cultures/civilizations and boasts of being one of the most picturesque countries on the planet. Located in the Northern half of the African continent, this paradisiacal country is in close proximity to Europe and the Middle East, which enriches the Moroccan landscape with different traditions and cultural wealth from three different continents.

The coastal backdrop and miles of unspoilt sandy beaches add to the glory of this African Kingdom. Thanks to its natural riches, the country commands the place of pride among world’s who cut across different trades. No doubt, a nation with tonnes of natural beauty and a willing government is bound to be a global real estate powerhouse.

Tourism and Its Influence on Moroccan Property

One thing that stands out in favour of the Moroccan property sector is the demand created by country’s tourism potential. The picturesque locations of Morocco have left many popular figures speechless and some of them, including Sir Winston Churchill, have historically vouched for Morocco’s natural beauty.

With miles and miles of pristine beaches dotting the country’s landscape, Morocco has emerged as a dream destination for holiday visitors looking to just take a break from their routine lifestyle. This makes investment in holiday property, like holiday resorts and rental apartments, in the towns and villages along the coastline, a wise decision. The scope for regular rental income is extremely high in the Moroccan holiday property.

Many European tourists have also elicited considerable interest in making Morocco their second home due to the country’s proximity to the western part of the continent. The government has also supported moves for regular cheap flights to and from the country to the major European cities and other international destinations.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has expressed profound desire to optimally exploit the country’s tourism potential by roping in the government in the construction and promotion of ‘Plan Azur’, which is a combination of six mega coastal resorts. The facilities include championship golf courses, marinas, sports facilities, shops and restaurants. These will be located near the town of Oujda and alon the Atlantic coast at Port Lixus near Tangiers, Mogador near Essaouira, Taghazout near Agadir, Mazagan near Casablanca, and at Plage Blanche in Guelmin. The country aims to attract 10 million tourists annually by 2010 primarily through the successful completion and promotion of Plan Azur alone.

It goes without saying that property around any of these resorts are selling like very quickly. A wise investor will buy a property around these resorts before 2010 to reap maximum rental income from the unprecedented tourist influx expected from that year onwards. Moroccan holiday property is also highly traded among the property investors here, which means you get maximum value for your property within no time, as the property trends have really been positive over the last few years.

With prices starting from as little as £21K, you can land yourself luxurious apartments and townhouses in resort towns of Saida, Tetouan, and Asilah. Of course, the prices vary according to the dimensions of the property.

Besides the coastal townships, the mountainous ski resort of Oukaimeden is also attracting lots of property inquiries from the European property investor.

The Moroccan property market also gets a periodic boost from government initiatives, like a proposed Morocco Tunnel under the sea to connect the country with Gibraltar in Europe.

Property Scenario in Other Moroccan Locations

Tourist resorts are not the only investment hotspots in Morocco. Other Moroccan towns and cities enjoy a good amount of goodwill among European investors, especially the French property investors, due to past colonial ties with the country of France.

The portfolio of investors in Morocco is diverse, ranging from rental apartments to second home luxury villas and residential homes. And since the commercial activities in the country are on the upswing, investors have struck gold in commercial and industrial property too. In addition to the built-up property, cheap off-plan property is also in the peak among investors.

The major attraction as far as Moroccan property investors are concerned differs to the tax-free rental income for the first five years. And if you hold the property for ten years or more, no capital gain tax is deducted when you resell. Another attractive feature is the exclusion of local inheritance tax in Morocco.

The most popular cities in Morocco from the property viewpoint include the modern Marrakech, commercial centre of Casablanca, capital city Rabat, and ancient cities of Tangier and Fez.

Of course, as with almost every other country, Morocco also has its own laws, rules and regulations regarding the ownership of property by the foreigners. A wise investor will do well to verify from the authorities or some reliable real estate agent about his eligibility, and ways and means to acquire diverse properties in Morocco. However, the rules for the ownership of property are not as stringent in Morocco as in other European countries.

The Apes Of Gibraltar

The Barbary Apes of Gibraltar ,Macaca Sylvanus, are actually tail-less monkeys and are an unusual and delightful attraction for anyone visiting Gibraltar or the Costa del Sol.

No one is really sure how the only wild apes in Europe arrived in Gibraltar and legend has it that were they to leave The Rock then it would fall to the Spanish. The two most popular explanations as to the appearance of the apes of Gibraltar is either that they crossed via a subterranean tunnel from their native Morocco or British sailors introduced them having picked them up on their travels. Whatever the explanation they readily adapted to their new habitat and have lived, bred and been an integral part of Gibraltar for some centuries now.

During the second World War their numbers went into a decline and Sir Winston Churchiil, taking a personal interest in the Gibraltar Apes, arranged to have some more imported from Morocco.Since then their numbers have steadily increased and today, in addition to the pack readily seen around the Apes Den, there are five other packs living wild on the steep slopes of the Rock.

The apes of Gibraltar that the visitor sees are very tame and quite cheeky, often climbing on unsuspecting tourists and onto the taxis that bring the tourists to the top of the rock to see them. Most of the taxi drivers know the individual apes and can often tell you quite a lot about them.

The tour of the rock can either be undertaken by taxi or you can take the cable car up and then enjoy a very pleasant walk taking in the wonderful views of the Mediterranean to one side and the Atlantic to the other.You will see lots of Gibraltar apes this way and can stop and enjoy their company and take plenty of photos. The walk will take you down past St. Michael’s Cave, which you should definitely visit, before carrying on and picking up the cable car again at it’s mid-way stage.

The welfare of the Barbary Apes is now in the hands of the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society and the R.S.P.C.A.

Travel to Morocco for Exciting Holidays Abroad

Morocco is a wonderful Country with some majestic mountain ranges, great coastline and some of the most intriguing Cities on the Continent. Many travellers end up in the Country to sample life in the famous Cities of Casablanca, Marrakech and Rabat and most are not disappointed by what they find. The people are very friendly as well and the infrastructure is very good for the region and it is getting better with the current Government aiming to increase tourist numbers to the Country.

The best time to visit Morocco is during the spring and autumn when it is cooler and more comfortable. The summer can be a good time to visit the coastal areas, but the interior of the country will be uncomfortably hot. The winter can get quite cold in the north though the further south you go, the days will get warmer, however, night time will still be chilly.

Health wise – There is a small risk from Malaria in the extreme south of the Country, but many do not believe it is worth the effort of taking anti-malarial medication. Consult your doctor before coming to this conclusion, it is better to be safe than sorry! Altitude sickness can occur in the mountains and you should be prepared for this. The medical services in Morocco are average and serious injuries and illness may lead to evacuation by air to Spain.

Visas and Documents – Most visitors to Morocco will be able to visit the Country without a visa and be able to stay for up to three months on arrival. Israeli citizens will have to apply for a month long visa before departure. If you are coming from a country or region that is affected by yellow fever or cholera you will need to prove that you have been vaccinated, most clinics or doctors issue certificates with the vaccination.

Cost – Morocco is relatively inexpensive to travel around, though the popular tourist destinations like Casablanca and Marrakech will be slightly more expensive. A budget of $25 a day should suffice, if you are not bothered about eating in restaurants and dont mind staying in guesthouses. Travel around the country is good value, but you should be careful when dealing with taxi drivers, especially in tourist hotspots.

The Sights – There are so many things to see and experience in this wonderful Country and the fact is that you will not have the time to visit them all and all though this is a shame, remember it is important to enjoy this visit and that you can visit again in the future.

Obviously, some of the most well known attractions of the Country are some of the best with the Imperial Cities of Fez, Meknes, Marrakech and Casablanca, all amazing destinations with plenty to do and see. Walking through the bazaars and backstreets has got to be one of the highlights of visiting Morocco – Morocco also has some splendid hiking opportunities, with the most popular being the High Atlas with the impressive Jebel Toubkal. What should be remembered is that there are alternatives to this popular destination, with the Anti Atlas to the south and the rarely visited and wilder Rif Mountains near Tangiers and Chefchaouen.

The mighty ruins of Volubulis are the largest Roman remains in Morocco and it is now a World Heritage listed site. It is one of many ruins across the north of the Country, but none are in the magnitude of this site which lies close to Meknes.

While some may not consider it a highlight, travelling down the Western Sahara to Mauritania is an adventure and a must for many overland travellers making their way to West Africa. It may be an uncomfortable ride, but think of all the fabulous anecdotes you can tell your friends.

African Safaris from East to South – Vacation Tips

If you are a novice in African safaris, you probably might find yourself overwhelmed with the Array of choices that will arrest your sight. If you have already gone there, you might as well know how to plan a tour so as to delve into the deeper wonders of the African safaris. Remember, some solitary locations are far more marvelous than those, which already became traditional destinations.

The safaris, though more famous for the games and wild animals, were not created solely to do just that. You might be busy collecting stones while discarding wonders such as sightings of intriguing insects, varieties of smaller animals and multitudes of panoramic sights.

One of the more indispensable equipments in any African safari vacation is the binoculars as they allow you to see visions even from afar. Though travel companies normally provide binoculars, you might as well bring your own sets as you may prove them more convenient than risking your chance of sharing the tool with another person.

Your exposure to mosquitoes in African safaris can cause you myriad of mosquito diseases which in most cases, deprive you from more enjoyable experiences. To ward off uninvited guests during the night, make it a point to apply mosquito repellants and expose parts of your body as little as possible.

Any self-respecting African safari vacation operators knows that guests are susceptible to certain ailments due the natural elements in wild Africa. Therefore, they are well-equipped with treatments, medications and procedures that will create lesser chances of being affected by one. However, you must still bring with you personal medications such as anti-diarrhea medicine and anti-malaria pills in case you might need them.

You surely would want to reserve memories of experiences that you have undergone during your African safari vacation. If you were to bring a camera, your best bet would be the digital ones. However, for types that make use of films, be careful that you have some good reserve of batteries and films.

Go. Plan a different route. Seek places that you haven’t scoured before and experience wonder that you should not miss.

You can’t off course explore the whole of African safaris on a few days of trip. There simply are too many sights to feed your spirit and too many places where you may see the real and seldomly seen creations.

This is what an African safari may look like-

A spot may feature a snow-capped mountain while another site will let you witness the miracle of aquatic reefs. And there are definitely desserts and endless selections of wildlife. On another spot, you may even see a remarkable waterfall that will let you experience African safari the different way. Not to mention the diversity of culture and traditions, people and norms that form Africa.

It simply has got it all! Even the most amazing wonders that you can imagine may be found lingering in its rich and vast African safaris.

East and Central Africa
Mount Kilimanjaro Ngorongoro Crater countless plains animals prides of lion along with other predators are all found in these African safari regions. It is strange how these two regions harbor the diversity of animals that feeds on its earth. Its amazing how animals like impala, hartebeest, cheetah, buffalo and others coexist harmoniously in African safaris.

South Africa
Though southern African safaris lack the famous wonders that east and central Africa offer, it still has other things to present to its guests. This is the sight most films of life in the safaris are made.

Zimbabwe is often deemed to be the most marvelous place in African safaris. Why not? It is the honors the mighty Victoria Falls.

One of the African safari favorites is the Zambia. It harbors wilderness camps that may be found in national parks such as Kafue National Park and South Luangwa.

To finish your African safari trip, you may find pleasure in the Indian Ocean islands, which cover Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius and Seychelles Islands. The waters that cover these places are great havens for marine life.

Africa safari leads conservationists to cheetah and cubs – BBC wildlife

Get More Of Your Travel Dollars From An East Africa Safari Tour

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