A large proportion of Tanzania's land is taken up in national parks. National Parks are large expanses of land which are protected by the government or other environment preservation agencies, leased out to safari companies to generate some revenue. Out of these, one of the most famous is the Serengeti.
Located in North Tanzania along the Tanzania-Kenya border, the Serengeti is a 14000+ sq km expanse that houses an equally diverse range of plant and animal species and physical features. From the extensive grasslands that seem to go on till the horizon to the "black cotton" trail and the hills and woodlands, the Serengeti offers a variety of sights and sounds for travelers in each of its little sections.
Wildlife in the Serengeti varies according to location and season. In the winter and spring, the rolling, treeless plains house wildebeest - who breed in that period of time. Once the rains arrive, other ungulates (hoofed animals) e.g. the zebra, impala, topi, hartebeest, buffalo, waterbuck and gazelle also appear in herds.
The Serengeti grasslands boast of a unique geographical feature called the kopje. A kopje is a floration of granite, which can be used as a sy-post by predators, and also as shelter for reptiles from the hot equatorial sun. The highly endangered Black Rhino can also be found near these kopjes, as can the hyrax and python.
The above mentioned "black cotton" corridor lies in western Serengeti, covering swampy savannah grasslands. Grumeti river, which passes through the area, is inhabited by Nile crocodiles, with martial eagles and colobus monkeys also present nearby.
Northern Serengeti deserves an article all to itself, with its vast and open woodlands, the beautiful and sparkling Mara river, and the hills near the centre of Serengeti. Here, the migrating wildebeest and zebras are found in July, August and November, accompanied occasionally by giraffe, dik dik or elephants.
The Serengeti also possessed a healthy number of carnivores - hunters and scavengers - to keep the herbivores in check. The majestic African lion thrives in the Serengeti due to the large amounts of prey, while "lesser" predators like the wily leopard or the elegant cheetah are also present albeit in lesser numbers.
Out of the 500+ species of birds found in Serengeti National Park, some of the most prominent are the ostrich, the Kori bustard, the secretary bird, the marabou stork and the crowned crane.
The best time to visit the Serengeti is undoubtedly the winter or spring, when the herds of wildebeest pass through the park. Watching the wildebeest with their accompanying herds of Plain Zebras, though, is always a treat. The two animals live and migrate together in near-perfect harmony, indulging in a symbiotic relationship whereby the wildebeest form a circle around the zebras to help in withstanding outside attacks together and the zebras chew up the taller, low-nutrition grass to help the wildebeest reach the shorter, high-protein grass below.
As Serengeti is located in an equatorial area, even the winter there will seem warm to people living in temperate climates. So if you are at a loss for Christmas or spring vacation plans, book yourself a safari to Tanzania's Serengeti!
Thursday, 12 November 2009
Birds Worth Watching In The Serengeti
The Serengeti is famous mostly for animals that are large in size, weight or herds - predators like the regal lion, large animals like the majestic elephant, or amazing natural phenomena like the migration of the wildebeest.
For bird-watching enthusiasts, however, a Serengeti National Park safari is an exciting opportunity to grab binoculars and cameras, and head out into the wilderness. There are a few birds to be found here that are not easy to find elsewhere in the world, especially in their natural habitats.
Some of these birds are:
1. The ostrich. The tallest, largest and among the most majestic of birds, the ostrich is found to roam free and solitary on the grasslands of the Serengeti. Standing at nearly 6 feet high and weighing nearly 150 kilograms, this flightless bird is prized in the wild for its beauty, and in domestic areas for its meat, feathers and leather. The male ostriches usually have black plumage, with white (vestigial) flight feathers and tail feathers. Females and males that are yet to attain maturity have grayish-brown plumage.
2. The marabou stork. This bird, found in swamps as well as deserts, is also called the "undertaker bird" for its cloaked-skeleton appearance and perhaps for its scavenging habits. Nearly 5 feet tall and weighing 9 kilograms, the bird also has the joint largest wingspan of any land bird - a staggering 3.2 meters. The appearance of the marabou stork is distinctive, with dark plumage on wings and back, soft white chest feathers and a bald head. The bird also has bald legs, and a huge bill with a neck ruff and pink gular sack beneath it. You may also picture the marabou in flight, with its neck tucked into its body and legs folded beneath it.
3. The secretary bird. If you picture an eagle on stilts, you will have a fairly accurate description of what this bird looks like. Standing in at about 4 feet tall, the secretary bird has an eagle's head - with quill-like crest feathers - with rounded wings and a crane's legs. Adult specimens of this bird of prey have a red featherless face, black outer feathers, and inner feathers that are grey or occasionally white. The bird's elongated legs, long tail and 2 meter wingspan make it the longest, tallest daytime bird of prey in the world.
4. The Kori bustard. Along with the Great Bustard, the Kori bustard is the heaviest flying bird in the world. Found in large numbers throughout Africa, this bird has grey feathers that enable it to camouflage almost perfectly in the grasslands, with black crest feathers and yellow legs. Standing at 60-90 cm high and over 100 cm long, the male Kori Bustard is indeed a magnificent specimen. Females are usually lighter than males - averaging 5.7 kilograms as opposed to 12.4 - as well as about 20cm shorter. The sight of the Kori Bustard with a bee-eater (another small bird) wandering on its back is a rather cute example of symbiosis, with the smaller bird thriving on the various insects that fall onto the bustard's back during its voyage across the grasslands.
So arm yourself with a quality pair of binoculars, an SLR and a few hours in the dawn. The thrill of seeing these birds as they move about in full ownership of the Serengeti is one that you will not get anywhere else.
For bird-watching enthusiasts, however, a Serengeti National Park safari is an exciting opportunity to grab binoculars and cameras, and head out into the wilderness. There are a few birds to be found here that are not easy to find elsewhere in the world, especially in their natural habitats.
Some of these birds are:
1. The ostrich. The tallest, largest and among the most majestic of birds, the ostrich is found to roam free and solitary on the grasslands of the Serengeti. Standing at nearly 6 feet high and weighing nearly 150 kilograms, this flightless bird is prized in the wild for its beauty, and in domestic areas for its meat, feathers and leather. The male ostriches usually have black plumage, with white (vestigial) flight feathers and tail feathers. Females and males that are yet to attain maturity have grayish-brown plumage.
2. The marabou stork. This bird, found in swamps as well as deserts, is also called the "undertaker bird" for its cloaked-skeleton appearance and perhaps for its scavenging habits. Nearly 5 feet tall and weighing 9 kilograms, the bird also has the joint largest wingspan of any land bird - a staggering 3.2 meters. The appearance of the marabou stork is distinctive, with dark plumage on wings and back, soft white chest feathers and a bald head. The bird also has bald legs, and a huge bill with a neck ruff and pink gular sack beneath it. You may also picture the marabou in flight, with its neck tucked into its body and legs folded beneath it.
3. The secretary bird. If you picture an eagle on stilts, you will have a fairly accurate description of what this bird looks like. Standing in at about 4 feet tall, the secretary bird has an eagle's head - with quill-like crest feathers - with rounded wings and a crane's legs. Adult specimens of this bird of prey have a red featherless face, black outer feathers, and inner feathers that are grey or occasionally white. The bird's elongated legs, long tail and 2 meter wingspan make it the longest, tallest daytime bird of prey in the world.
4. The Kori bustard. Along with the Great Bustard, the Kori bustard is the heaviest flying bird in the world. Found in large numbers throughout Africa, this bird has grey feathers that enable it to camouflage almost perfectly in the grasslands, with black crest feathers and yellow legs. Standing at 60-90 cm high and over 100 cm long, the male Kori Bustard is indeed a magnificent specimen. Females are usually lighter than males - averaging 5.7 kilograms as opposed to 12.4 - as well as about 20cm shorter. The sight of the Kori Bustard with a bee-eater (another small bird) wandering on its back is a rather cute example of symbiosis, with the smaller bird thriving on the various insects that fall onto the bustard's back during its voyage across the grasslands.
So arm yourself with a quality pair of binoculars, an SLR and a few hours in the dawn. The thrill of seeing these birds as they move about in full ownership of the Serengeti is one that you will not get anywhere else.
Sunday, 8 November 2009
Buy a Travel First Aid Kit
The first aid kit is one of the most important piece of accessory that everybody has used at some time in their life and is definitely something you would need while traveling as it will help you cope with any health problems that you might face. The first aid travel kit is something you must carefully arrange and have ready with you before setting out to travel. Travel first aid kits are easily made and can inexpensively be put together to be either basic or comprehensive depending on your medical training and how far you expect to be from professional medical help.
Let us look at how to prepare a functional travel first aid kit.
Though you can carry items of your preference, there are some common travel first aid kit items that you should not do without.
You need to carry along antacids, anti diarrheals, aspirin, anti allergic creams, cough syrups and pain killers to deal with indigestion, pain, breathing issues and any untoward allergies.
Your own personal medication - always ensure that if you have any personal medical problems, that you include medication for this, especially if you are prone to allergic reactions to things such as bees, peanuts, etc...or if you have diabetes and require a boost should your blood sugar levels fall. Carrying along medicines that help you cope with any asthmatic attacks or throat problems is highly recommended.
Regular first aid kit components - Aside from the medicinal and drug related items of a travel first aid kit, you should also include things like adhesive take, sterile gauze pads, antiseptic (even a small bottle of liquid soap, so that you can clean your hands or wounds), bandages/band aids of various sizes, examination gloves, safety pins, scissors, tweezers (in the instance that you would have to remove anything, such as a bee stinger).
Extra care and caution - Part of having a travel first aid kit, is being prepared should any sort of emergency come your way.
Make sure that the mobile is charged and items like flashlights, lighters are taken along.
Please also carry along telephone numbers for easy communication.
Let us look at how to prepare a functional travel first aid kit.
Though you can carry items of your preference, there are some common travel first aid kit items that you should not do without.
You need to carry along antacids, anti diarrheals, aspirin, anti allergic creams, cough syrups and pain killers to deal with indigestion, pain, breathing issues and any untoward allergies.
Your own personal medication - always ensure that if you have any personal medical problems, that you include medication for this, especially if you are prone to allergic reactions to things such as bees, peanuts, etc...or if you have diabetes and require a boost should your blood sugar levels fall. Carrying along medicines that help you cope with any asthmatic attacks or throat problems is highly recommended.
Regular first aid kit components - Aside from the medicinal and drug related items of a travel first aid kit, you should also include things like adhesive take, sterile gauze pads, antiseptic (even a small bottle of liquid soap, so that you can clean your hands or wounds), bandages/band aids of various sizes, examination gloves, safety pins, scissors, tweezers (in the instance that you would have to remove anything, such as a bee stinger).
Extra care and caution - Part of having a travel first aid kit, is being prepared should any sort of emergency come your way.
Make sure that the mobile is charged and items like flashlights, lighters are taken along.
Please also carry along telephone numbers for easy communication.
Cheap flights to Bangkok, reminiscing budget holidays
Bangkok is such a fascinating place which holidaymakers and travel lovers won’t want to miss. You would love to reminisce your holidays in Bangkok, as it offers a lot to do, see and explore. Being the capital of Thailand, it is also the largest city and the gateway to other cities in Thailand. It is an ideal destination for your vacation.
With cheap flights to Bangkok, you would love to reminisce the time you spent in this beautiful city. It is a place of great culture and diversity. Experience relaxation is the finest level while enjoying and exploring a new cultural experience. An ideal visiting time to Bangkok is between August and December, as April is the hottest month so avoid going there during this time.
If you are visiting Bangkok for sightseeing then the must see place is the Grand Palace which is home to the Wat Phra Kaeo, the country’s largest temple. With low airfares, it will be a wonderful experience of holidays, as you can save a good amount of money. You will find each and every thing in one single city. There are various historical sites, beaches, parks, gardens, amusement parks, beaches, etc.
Take Cheap flights to Bangkok, you will love the charm of this unique and magical city. People travelling from UK have a number of options of cheap flights, as there are many airlines are scheduled to this city from UK. Airlines like Qatar, Swiss Airways, Etihad, British Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, etc. are offering cheap airfares to Bangkok.
A little bit of guidance and research can make your an easy way and save your money. If shopping is your pleasure, then you can't go past the Weekend markets at chatuchak/Jatujak. Bangkok is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the East due to its beautiful canals and rivers. Reserve your flight online and have the great experience of visiting the beautiful temples in Bangkok.
Bangkok is mainly famous for its Thai style residences and Buddhist Temples, but its royal palaces are also some of the special attractions in the city. You will find some of the most dazzling temples, hotels of every budget and size, eclectic markets, gleaming palaces, ritzy shopping malls, a famous nightlife and many other things. Treat yourself to a Thai massage and you'll never regret it. Stroll around ancient city, watch elephant shows and have banyan spa, you will love all these things.
With cheap flights to Bangkok, you would love to reminisce the time you spent in this beautiful city. It is a place of great culture and diversity. Experience relaxation is the finest level while enjoying and exploring a new cultural experience. An ideal visiting time to Bangkok is between August and December, as April is the hottest month so avoid going there during this time.
If you are visiting Bangkok for sightseeing then the must see place is the Grand Palace which is home to the Wat Phra Kaeo, the country’s largest temple. With low airfares, it will be a wonderful experience of holidays, as you can save a good amount of money. You will find each and every thing in one single city. There are various historical sites, beaches, parks, gardens, amusement parks, beaches, etc.
Take Cheap flights to Bangkok, you will love the charm of this unique and magical city. People travelling from UK have a number of options of cheap flights, as there are many airlines are scheduled to this city from UK. Airlines like Qatar, Swiss Airways, Etihad, British Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, etc. are offering cheap airfares to Bangkok.
A little bit of guidance and research can make your an easy way and save your money. If shopping is your pleasure, then you can't go past the Weekend markets at chatuchak/Jatujak. Bangkok is sometimes referred to as the Venice of the East due to its beautiful canals and rivers. Reserve your flight online and have the great experience of visiting the beautiful temples in Bangkok.
Bangkok is mainly famous for its Thai style residences and Buddhist Temples, but its royal palaces are also some of the special attractions in the city. You will find some of the most dazzling temples, hotels of every budget and size, eclectic markets, gleaming palaces, ritzy shopping malls, a famous nightlife and many other things. Treat yourself to a Thai massage and you'll never regret it. Stroll around ancient city, watch elephant shows and have banyan spa, you will love all these things.
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
What is a Realistic Budget for Traveling?
One you can afford – seriously.
Look at how much you earn. What can you put aside for a trip? What are you prepared to sacrifice to make your trip a reality? Maybe you’ve been saving for a while and have a few thousand dollars in the bank. You do? Great. Well that’s your realistic budget. If you want to fly to Europe tomorrow and you only have ten dollars in the bank then you are not being realistic. But it might be enough to get you in to the local museum for a few hours escape.
When you are setting your budget, be practical. Everyone has different needs for their travel experience and if your travel plans include overseas flights, you will need to budget accordingly. Sure you can find great deals and get there cheaper than you might have expected, but make sure you have enough money in your budget to not only get you there but to travel around, find a place to sleep, oh and have enough money to be able to eat!
So how do you go about setting a budget? Following these steps might help:
1. Draw up a table with two columns.
2. Column A is for Expense Items. Column B is for Approximate Costs.
3. In column A write down all the things you can think of that will cost you money while traveling. These might include: air flights, car hire/fuel allowance, travel passes, sight-seeing tours, accommodation, food, insurance, immunizations, and souvenirs.
4. In column B write an estimate of how much you think these things will cost while on your trip. You can research your travel costs quite easily on the Internet. Food allowance might be a bit more difficult. If you are traveling alone, as a couple or in a family you will need to budget food costs accordingly.
5. Now add up the costs. This will give you an estimate of how much your trip will cost. Can you afford it? Yes – then this is a realistic budget for you. If not, then you may have to rethink your destination and the type of travel experience you want.
Remember that this table will only be an estimate of your travel costs. You must also budget for incidentals and prepare yourself for things to not go to plan. For example, have you got enough money in your budget to buy new clothes if your luggage goes missing? A realistic travel budget will have extra built in to it to cover emergencies. Setting yourself a budget of about sixty-five dollars a day, if traveling alone, is a reasonable amount. If you are traveling as a family or in a group, this number will be vastly different.
Also consider if you will be traveling and working. If this is the case, then you may not need as much to start with, just enough money to get you to your destination and a place to live while you look for work. (And enough money to buy you food until you begin earning a wage.)
Start making your travel plans with your budget in mind. Don’t exceed your budget, always keep a little in reserve so you can buy that fantastic Italian leather handbag or go jet-skiing in Hawaii if the desire takes you!
This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru
Look at how much you earn. What can you put aside for a trip? What are you prepared to sacrifice to make your trip a reality? Maybe you’ve been saving for a while and have a few thousand dollars in the bank. You do? Great. Well that’s your realistic budget. If you want to fly to Europe tomorrow and you only have ten dollars in the bank then you are not being realistic. But it might be enough to get you in to the local museum for a few hours escape.
When you are setting your budget, be practical. Everyone has different needs for their travel experience and if your travel plans include overseas flights, you will need to budget accordingly. Sure you can find great deals and get there cheaper than you might have expected, but make sure you have enough money in your budget to not only get you there but to travel around, find a place to sleep, oh and have enough money to be able to eat!
So how do you go about setting a budget? Following these steps might help:
1. Draw up a table with two columns.
2. Column A is for Expense Items. Column B is for Approximate Costs.
3. In column A write down all the things you can think of that will cost you money while traveling. These might include: air flights, car hire/fuel allowance, travel passes, sight-seeing tours, accommodation, food, insurance, immunizations, and souvenirs.
4. In column B write an estimate of how much you think these things will cost while on your trip. You can research your travel costs quite easily on the Internet. Food allowance might be a bit more difficult. If you are traveling alone, as a couple or in a family you will need to budget food costs accordingly.
5. Now add up the costs. This will give you an estimate of how much your trip will cost. Can you afford it? Yes – then this is a realistic budget for you. If not, then you may have to rethink your destination and the type of travel experience you want.
Remember that this table will only be an estimate of your travel costs. You must also budget for incidentals and prepare yourself for things to not go to plan. For example, have you got enough money in your budget to buy new clothes if your luggage goes missing? A realistic travel budget will have extra built in to it to cover emergencies. Setting yourself a budget of about sixty-five dollars a day, if traveling alone, is a reasonable amount. If you are traveling as a family or in a group, this number will be vastly different.
Also consider if you will be traveling and working. If this is the case, then you may not need as much to start with, just enough money to get you to your destination and a place to live while you look for work. (And enough money to buy you food until you begin earning a wage.)
Start making your travel plans with your budget in mind. Don’t exceed your budget, always keep a little in reserve so you can buy that fantastic Italian leather handbag or go jet-skiing in Hawaii if the desire takes you!
This article is brought to you by: Stuart S. Travel – Your Online Travel Guru
Party Cruise
As the name suggests, a party cruise is a party on a boat or ship. What an innovative way to party, right? Everyone loves cruising as much as they love partying, so it makes sense to combine both of them and have a good time. Besides, it's a change from the ordinary, so why not?
" Types of party cruises: These parties can be of several kinds. Perhaps you want to party with friends and have a whale of a time, or you want an outing with your family, or are celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary, or even an engagement. Well, then, a party cruise becomes an event to remember. These parties can go on from a few hours in the evening to a whole day. You can hire a boat and tailor it to your needs or just take a party cruise that's readily available.
Among theme party cruises, there are pirate parties, casino party cruises and costume party cruises, apart from nightclub cruises. Others include the following:
" Music parties: You can have a hip hop cruise, a country Western cruise or any other distinct music party cruise, and can fit the food to it. For instance, if you have a country Western cruise, perhaps you might like to serve salsa and barbeque and salsa.
" Murder mysteries parties: Here, a guest or crew member is "murdered" on the boat and other guests play detectives and must find the killer.
" Ghost cruise parties: Here, the ship is haunted and guests spend time solving the mystery of the ghost and haunted ship.
" New Years Eve parties: These are three-hour parties and are held on New Year's Eve in those spots where the ship can give views of spectacular fireworks or other celebrations.
" Contest cruise parties: The host organizes contests such as dancing, karaoke or something like American Idol which guests can take part in. Winners are given prizes.
" Chartered cruise parties: Sometimes, pleasure boat companies offer their boats to business houses or individuals who want to celebrate important events on board a ship.
" Where you can find party cruises: Browse cruise companies and arrange your time on the cruise with them. You can also approach big hotels or bars that have access to a river, beach or marina, or charter companies that give out their ships on tours. If the city you're in is on a beach, it's sure to offer these cruises.
" Costs: This would depend on the theme of the cruise party, the number of guests and the kind of ship you book. Fares start at $20 and can go up to $100 per head. You need to book well in advance.
The party cruises are generally accompanied with a lot of singing, dancing and fireworks. Provisions are made in advance, and the volumes are raised while the ship sails away on the sparkly waters of the Harbor, Ocean or river.
" What to wear: This depends on the kind of cruise you're taking. If your cruise party starts in the afternoon, you might like to wear casual wear, but if it begins in the evening, you will be expected to dress as if you were going to a nightclub.
" Types of party cruises: These parties can be of several kinds. Perhaps you want to party with friends and have a whale of a time, or you want an outing with your family, or are celebrating a milestone birthday or anniversary, or even an engagement. Well, then, a party cruise becomes an event to remember. These parties can go on from a few hours in the evening to a whole day. You can hire a boat and tailor it to your needs or just take a party cruise that's readily available.
Among theme party cruises, there are pirate parties, casino party cruises and costume party cruises, apart from nightclub cruises. Others include the following:
" Music parties: You can have a hip hop cruise, a country Western cruise or any other distinct music party cruise, and can fit the food to it. For instance, if you have a country Western cruise, perhaps you might like to serve salsa and barbeque and salsa.
" Murder mysteries parties: Here, a guest or crew member is "murdered" on the boat and other guests play detectives and must find the killer.
" Ghost cruise parties: Here, the ship is haunted and guests spend time solving the mystery of the ghost and haunted ship.
" New Years Eve parties: These are three-hour parties and are held on New Year's Eve in those spots where the ship can give views of spectacular fireworks or other celebrations.
" Contest cruise parties: The host organizes contests such as dancing, karaoke or something like American Idol which guests can take part in. Winners are given prizes.
" Chartered cruise parties: Sometimes, pleasure boat companies offer their boats to business houses or individuals who want to celebrate important events on board a ship.
" Where you can find party cruises: Browse cruise companies and arrange your time on the cruise with them. You can also approach big hotels or bars that have access to a river, beach or marina, or charter companies that give out their ships on tours. If the city you're in is on a beach, it's sure to offer these cruises.
" Costs: This would depend on the theme of the cruise party, the number of guests and the kind of ship you book. Fares start at $20 and can go up to $100 per head. You need to book well in advance.
The party cruises are generally accompanied with a lot of singing, dancing and fireworks. Provisions are made in advance, and the volumes are raised while the ship sails away on the sparkly waters of the Harbor, Ocean or river.
" What to wear: This depends on the kind of cruise you're taking. If your cruise party starts in the afternoon, you might like to wear casual wear, but if it begins in the evening, you will be expected to dress as if you were going to a nightclub.
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