The allure of an African safari is unrivalled, offering the opprtunity to spend time in the natural habitat of animals many of us know only from children’s storybooks or television. But it can be hard to feel immersed in the wildness of your surroundings when you’re in a queue with dozens of other vehicles on a game drive.
“Many don’t realise the experience can go beyond this,” says Terry Moohan, head of the Africa and India division at travel specialists cazenove+loyd. “You can walk, canoe, ride horses or admire views from the sky. Each option brings a unique perspective on the landscape and wildlife that you might not get on a traditional safari.”
There has been a surge in demand for immersive safari experiences post-Covid, observes Ben Malasai, managing director of Kenya’s Zaruma Safaris. “Rather than just passively viewing game,” he says, “the traveller actively participates and goes off the beaten track to serene places almost untouched by human activity.”
“Look, over by that rock: it’s a lioness and her cubs.” South African photographer Guy Stubbs lowers his camera and hands me a pair of binoculars. “See those thorn trees? Just to the right of them.”
There is warmth on the side of my face — but it’s not coming from the sun, which is only just beginning to rise from behind the mountains that surround the volcanic valley of Pilanesberg National Park. The heat on my skin is coming from the metre-high flame that’s gently roaring beside me. Because, as I focus my binoculars on a lion cub licking its belly, I’m not in a safari Jeep. I’m in a hot-air balloon.
We’d got up in the dark at 3am to head to the South African reserve, which is a two-and-a-half- hour drive from Johannesburg. As we entered the park, colour was just beginning to be painted into the sky. And on the hour-long drive from the gate to the centre of the reserve, where the hot-air balloon safari begins, we spotted a couple of rhinoceroses and an elephant.
But now, watching this lioness and her cubs from 1,000 metres is completely otherworldly. We’re drifting hypnotically above the plain in nothing more than an open wicker basket, with swathes of brightly coloured parachute silk billowing above us. The air on the other side of my face feels slightly dewy with the cool of the morning
This is the only hot-air balloon safari to launch from inside a park in South Africa. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience and — at R6,000 (about £262) for a one-hour flight — it’s a relatively cheap way to potentially spot the ‘big five’ (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard) that lurk among the 7,000 creatures in Pilanesberg. In a hot- air balloon, you don’t disturb the animals and get a bird’s eye view of their behaviour. It’s also a more
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Even among the many extraordinary islands and countries that make up the Caribbean, Jamaica stands out. Its beaches are a dream. Its food is a point of national pride. Its forests and rivers are exotic and otherworldly. And its cultural influence on the world stage far outweighs its diminutive size, from Rastafarianism to Reggae, Bob Marley to Usain Bolt, Sensimilla to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce. Despite its global renown, you’ll never get the true beat of its rhythm until you visit.
This decision equips coach tourism drivers, passengers, and operators with favorable prospects for the forthcoming trilogue negotiations in January 2024, ultimately providing coach drivers with regulations tailored to their specific profession.
A significant aspect of this collaboration was the unwavering support extended to Greek SMEs, nurturing their growth and empowering them to embrace sustainable practices. This support will lead to the further development of services that prioritize sustainability, ensuring a positive impact on both local communities and the environment.
Veganuary was inititated by a UK non-profit organisation ten years ago to encourage people worldwide to try vegan for January and beyond. Millions of people have signed up to their one-month vegan pledge since 2014 and the number of vegan food products continues to grow. To make things easier, the organisation offers to send anyone willing to take the challenge their celebrity cookbook, meal plans and recipes – all for free. And here are 15 new food and drink products recommended for anyone going vegan this month and beyond.
When in Jaipur, it’s imperative to dine with a great view—the city affords some of the best backdrops with monuments and markets. At outdoor restaurants in Jaipur, these panoramas come with good food and great vibes.
Hot springs are thermal wonders that promise not only warmth but also breathtaking scenery that captivates the soul, and adds some magic to your feed. From the picturesque landscapes of Iceland to the serene valleys of Japan, here are some of the world’s most beautiful hot springs.
From towering Himalayan peaks to vast expanses of grassland and the steamy hills of the Western Ghats, India offers a diversity of hiking experiences like nowhere else on Earth.
Miami and Orlando are the two most visited cities in Florida. Miami is nicknamed the Magic City and known for its white-sand beaches, pastel-hued tropical Art Deco architecture, dynamic nightlife, and Latin vibes. Orlando is home to the Magic Kingdom and the world’s most famous mouse. Until recently, out-of-towners who wanted to experience both sides of the Sunshine State either had to hop a flight between Orlando and Miami and then take a taxi or ride-share to their destination or rent a car, navigate the oft-congested interstate, and endure the hassle of finding (usually pricey) parking during what’s supposed to be a relaxing vacation.
For many travelers, a Florida vacation means one of two things: white-sand beaches or Mickey Mouse. But if you drive north of many of Florida’s most famous coastal resorts, and continue on past Disney World, you’ll find Ocala, where streets are lined with majestic oak trees draped in Spanish moss, and rolling farmlands are edged with gleaming white ranch rail fencing. Everywhere you look, there are reminders of the area’s biggest business: horses.
If you have your eyes set on island-hopping throughout the Lamu Archipelago or venturing on some of the most thrilling wildlife safaris in the New Year, we have good news for you: travel to Kenya is about to get a little bit easier.