Posts Tagged ‘Africa’
Are you a travel lover? Do you love seeing new places and discovering new things? Are you particularly interested in checking out northern California and seeing the sites near the San Francisco Bay Area? If so, Oakland, California, might be worth a visit. In this article, you can read about why this city is becoming more and more of a tourist destination and what some of the things you can do there are during your stay.
Why Travel to Oakland?
If you do not think that Oakland is an obvious tourist destination, it is high time you think a little more. As it turns out, Oakland has many attractions to offer tourists. Firstly, its location is excellent. Right next to San Francisco, it is a great place to stay when visiting San Francisco. Not only does it offer more affordable lodging and housing, but it offers its own particular tourist sites for you to add on to any San Francisco adventure.
What are some of the things to do if you travel in Oakland?
Food tops the -best of- list in Oakland, and there is nothing better than finding some of the scrumptious cuisine at highly reviewed restaurants in the downtown, Emeryville, or Rockridge areas – some of the most popular areas of the city. Most famously, Oakland specializes in Asian and Mexican food, and a number of both family and upscale places can give you an excellent dining experience. While in Oakland, you also want to check out the Oakland Zoo, which is a fantastic zoo well known throughout California for its approach to wildlife preservation. The Oakland Zoo is particularly known for its Africa exhibits, and you can find a wide variety of different species living in the Oakland Zoo. Another thing to do in Oakland, of course, is to check out the thriving downtown area to do some shopping. Oakland has good bargain shopping for the big shopper, and you can find some excellent deals at all the common brand-name stores you might find in any other large metropolitan city.
So – should you go to Oakland?
The next time you are thinking of venturing out to northern California for a visit, consider visiting Oakland. Whether staying there while you visit San Francisco or making Oakland your prime destination, you will not doubt your interesting stay in this unique city, and will find a host of interesting cultural things to do while there.
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If you are enthusiastic about travel, then you probably know that Africa is one of the best holiday destinations in the world. While to some people, Africa travel is only about wildlife safaris, those truly in the know are aware that Africa has so much to offer that, once you visit the continent, you will want to come back again, and again, and again.
The range of holiday activities you can engage in in Africa includes adventure travel, sightseeing tours, wildlife safaris, cultural tours, luxury beach vacations, and much more. In this article, I highlight some tips that will help you plan and actually have a memorable vacation in Africa.
Travel Tip #1: Decide on what you want to see
Remember that, no matter how much time you have for your trip, it will still not be enough to sample everything that Africa has to offer. Decide on one or two important things, leave the rest for another trip. It is only when you know what you are interested in, that you can research on, and pick an appropriate destination(s).
If you are a first time visitor, a safari may be your easiest choice. I guess you would want to see the big five animals and other wildlife in the true African wild. Your best options for the safari are Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, or Zambia.
If you are more interested in historical sites than in a safari, your choices include Egypt and Ethiopia. Seychelles Islands, Zanzibar and Mauritius would be ideal if you want a relaxing beach holiday.
Travel Tip #2. Pick one (or a few) select destination(s)
Each African destination differs, slightly or substantially, from the others offering similar attractions. For example, you can see the big five animals both in Kenya and in Botswana. Botswana is however better suited for the more -up-market- traveller seeking exclusive safaris, while in Kenya even the budget traveller can still enjoy a great safari. Another example, Zanzibar may be cheaper than the Seychelles islands for a beach holiday, but you will find more luxury in Seychelles.
If you want to combine two or more destinations in one trip, you should gather basic knowledge on how easy and convenient it is to travel across all of them. For example, it may be more sensible to combine Egypt, Kenya, and Zanzibar in one tour than, say, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Seychelles.
Travel Tip #3. Research Your Chosen Destination
You definitely do not want any unpleasant surprises when you arrive at your destination. It is important you know in advance any prerequisites like visa requirements, mandatory vaccinations, etc. Weather and health-related information is also crucial for your planning. If you can also get some information about language and culture in your Africa destination, it may help you in your social interactions.
Travel Tip #4. Work With a Knowledgeable Travel Agent
Make use of travel experts, especially if you are travelling to Africa for the first time. They probably know about your destination than you do. They can negotiate better rates for you with hotels, airlines, and other service providers. If anything goes wrong with your airline or hotel, a travel agent is better placed than you, to make sure you get suitable alternatives or appropriate compensation.
Travel Tip #5. Tie All Loose Ends Before Departing for Africa
Make sure that your travel agent has given you satisfactory information about the holiday activities and places they have reserved for you. Also ensure that you have received all the necessary airline tickets, receipts for any payments you have made, and accommodation vouchers for the hotels or lodges you will stay in. You will not be asking for too much if you insist on seeing photos of the places you will be staying in, or being given the website links and contact addresses of those places.
Travel Tip #6. Pack Only What is Necessary
Strike a balance between carrying all stuff you deem essential, and travelling light. One thing you don’t want to leave behind is a good camera, what with the myriads of perfect photo opportunities in Africa. Unless you are a professional photographer, a small but high resolution digital camera should serve you well. For some great tips on what else to pack for your vacation, see this packing list (http://www.go2africa.com/africa-travel-tips/what-to-bring) by Go2africa.com.
Travel Tip #7. Use Common Sense and Apply Caution
Some safety rules are universal. In any city in the world, there are streets where you would not venture out alone at night. Whether in Africa or in Australia, you would obviously not engage in indiscriminate unprotected sex with people you are not well acquainted with, unless you don’t fear contracting HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. The same logic applies in Africa. Mind your safety, health and property.
Travel Tip #8. Be Courteous and Polite
Treat the people with whom you interact with respect. Like most of us, you may have some prejudices and opinions, but keep them to yourself as much as possible. You may not understand some local cultures, respect them any way.
Travel Tip #9. Remember to Have Fun
Step out of the fixed travel plan your agent made for you, and try to get a local feel of things where possible. Most African people are very amiable and full of life, interact with them. In the cities, it is OK to sample the night-life if you desire. You are likely to see another -real face- of Africa if you step away from your fixed schedule. As long as you bear travel tip #7 in mind: use common sense and apply caution.
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There are many new and exciting things to see in Africa. There is no way anyone could possibly see everything there is to see in one trip. This is why travelers need to decide exactly what they want to see before taking their trip so they can book the appropriate safari. There are many animals to choose from, chimpanzees, gorillas, the Big 5 (lions, rhino, buffalo, leopard, and elephant), crocodiles, and birds to name a few. There are many things to prepare for before going, and travelers should be prepared if for no other reason than their safety.
There are different types of safaris travelers can choose to take. There are safaris where you can hike, mountain bike, take a balloon trip, canoe, hunt, ride a horse, or even ride a camel. You will also need to decide on just how much luxury you will want on your trip. Traditional tented safaris are luxurious with camp set up for you, hot showers and gourmet food. Then there are guided safaris where you travel on four wheelers or trucks and a guide will stay with you wherever you go. Package safaris are like guided safaris except you will not travel with a group. Then for the more daring travelers there are independent safari where you rent your own vehicle and plan your own trip
Many people think that Africa is an extremely dangerous place to visit, but it is no more dangerous than any other place you might go if you go prepared. The most common crime you will run across is probably petty theft. No matter how much money tourists in Africa have, they probably still have more than the natives. Wearing flashy jewelry, expensive cameras, and expensive watches just draws attention and is probably not a good idea to carry around. Try not to look lost and try not to travel alone if you can help it. Also never carry all of your cash on you at once so that if you are mugged you wont lose everything that you have.
Another safety issue when traveling to Africa is your health. Tuberculosis (TB) is traveling through the African air and affecting hundreds of people. To avoid catching TB try to avoid people who are coughing and sleeping in crowded areas. Another health hazard in Africa is the Putzi fly, which is a native to the country. The flys lay their eggs on human clothes that are hanging out to dry then hatch when contacted with human skin. The simple solution to avoid these flies is to always iron your clothes before wearing them. Travelers should always watch for mosquitoes as well because they can carry yellow fever and malaria.
Even with the disease in Africa it is still at the top of most peoples wish list of places to go. There are many beautiful sights and sounds and if correctly planned and the right precautions are taken can be a spectacular experience.
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Africa is more than just an exotic travel destination. Its a world apart and one of the most unique and special travel experiences you will ever have. The continent has so much to offer and with the rich and diverse natural beauty you are bound to end up in some rural parts that is not always as safe as what you may be used to in a first world country. There are a lot of things you need to be careful of when traveling to Africa and although there is no need to be paranoid, being cautious is very important to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
Here are 3 things that you must pay particular attention to.
1. Medical Precautions
Before you travel to any part of Africa you need to check which pills you need to drink before you leave. Malaria is a very real and present danger all through the continent and if you are traveling to certain parts you are required to finish certain courses of prescription pills well in advance of your travel. This is crucial to keep you safe from the treat of diseases that can be life threatening.
2. Personal Security
In Africa, local police and security is not at all what it is elsewhere in the world. There is a lot of issues with tourists being targeted for petty crimes and sometimes even more serious attacks. In most cities you will be fine, but when you go off the beaten track into more rural areas you need to pay particular attention to never walk alone – especially in deserted areas. Always check with your local embassy on the current political climate of any region you are traveling to and make sure that you avoid areas where there is conflict.
3. Insurance
When it comes to security at airports and hotels, then you’d be surprised at some of the stories. At certain airports and in certain countries airport personal routinely raid passenger’s luggage and help themselves to whatever they feel like. Its really important that you have adequate insurance – especially for stuff like cameras, laptops and other valuables. Its also good practice to keep your travel documents on you at all times and try and carry as little cash on you as possible. Keep valuable jewelery at home as it will only attract pick pockets.
Read more about Kenya vacations at http://kenyavacationsite.com.
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Zimbabwe’s biggest draw is undoubtedly the majestic Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. But the country also has other natural and historical advantages to captivate travellers and beckon them to return. Wildlife, fish and birds abound including a number of unique, rare and endangered species making game viewing, bird watching, fishing and hunting popular activities.
Home to four World Heritage Sites, Zimbabwe has a rich history of ancient civilisations that makes its friendly people stand proud, despite hardship. From the refreshing spray of the Falls on your face, to a Lake Kariba sunset, a lush mountain escape to a river rafting adventure on the Zambezi, Zimbabwe is sure to leave you with memories as indelible as those of Livingstone and Rhodes when they witnessed the country’s riches.
CAPITAL: Harare
CLIMATE: Subtropical. The best time to visit is Apr-Oct when weather is mild with little rain. Winter (May-Aug) is dry and sunny. Rainy weather is Nov-Mar/Apr.
CURRENCY: 1 Zimbabwe Dollar = 100 cents. You may take 15000 Zimbabwean dollars out of the country. There are no restrictions on foreign currency brought in. If you don’t declare the foreign money you bring in, you’ll only be able to take out 500 US dollars. You may be asked to account for foreign currency exchanged/spent in country. Hotel bills must be payed for with credit cards or in foreign hard currencies e.g. US dollar.
Users of credit cards are subject to a surcharge of about 3 percent on the total value of goods purchased. US dollar traveller’s cheques are recommended. Avoid street money changers who promise “no commission, best rates”, but then cheat on delivery. There are strict penalties for illegal foreign currency trading. Several of the city’s large stores don’t accept American Express cards; travellers’ cheques are the most convenient means of payment.
HEALTH: Yellow fever immunisation is essential if you arrive from an infected country or area. Visitors are also advised to take pre-arrival precautions against hepatitis A, polio, typhoid and malaria (depending on the area visited especially those outside of towns). Other health concerns include bilharzia (don’t swim in the rivers/dams or drink the water from them as it may be infected), sunburn, limited medical facilities and supplies outside of towns, AIDS and influenza (risk extends throughout the year).
LANGUAGE: English is the official language. Chishona and Sindebele are widely spoken.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
1 January New Year’s Day
12 April Easter Monday
18 April Independence Day
1 May Workers’ Day
25 May Africa Day
11 August Heroes’ Day
12 August Defence Forces Day
22 December Unity Day
25-26 December Christmas
SHOPPING: Shona soft-stone carvings; woodcarvings; T-shirts; safari clothing; pottery; leather goods; basket ware; sculptures; textiles. Nail polish and old clothes can sometimes be swopped for carvings.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: Christianity is the main religion, but in rural areas people have traditional beliefs. Western/European courtesies are observed. Return invitations are appreciated. Handshaking is the common form of greeting. Dress is casual, but most hotels require more formal wear, e.g. tie and jacket; business meetings require suits.
TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT+2
TIPPING: Ten-fifteen percent is common.
TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:
Victoria Falls:
Called by locals “Mosi-oa-Tunya” – the smoke that thunders, Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and undoubtedly the most majestic waterfall in the world; popular activities include walking through the rainforest, white water rafting, bungi jumps, flights over the falls, river cruises, and much more.
Lake Kariba Unique scenery of dead trees rising from the depths of this huge man-made lake is especially beautiful during sunset; a popular way to enjoy the lake is on a houseboat with friends viewing the large numbers of crocodile and hippo, going game viewing at the Matusadona National Park or Tiger fishing – the largest Tiger fish ever was caught here and weighed 15.5kg.
Harare:
The capital city offers sightseeing at the National Gallery; National Archives; Queen Victoria Museum; Queen Victoria National Library; National Botanic Garden; Mbare Market; Chapungu village; tobacco auction floors; Mukuvisi Woodlands; Museum of Human Sciences; Harare Gardens; Cecil House; National Handicraft Centre; Africa Unity Square and The Residency.
Kame Ruins:
22 km west of Bulawayo is Kame Ruins, one of southern Africa’s magnificent Late Iron Age ruins, now a World Heritage Site showing the area was the seat of government of earlier civilisations.
Great Zimbabwe National Monument:
Ruins of an ancient African city, believed to have flourished between the 13th and 15th centuries AD, is the only one in existence south of the Sahara and a World Heritage Site; the country has taken its name from it and the famous Zimbabwe birds found at the site has become the national bird and been incorporated in the flag; visit the museum on the site, the Kyle recreational park and do game viewing by car or horseback nearby.
Hwange National Park:
The country’s largest national park, both in size and variety of wild game and bird life; also one of the few remaining elephant sanctuaries in Africa, with herds of up to 100 strong seen; the only area in the country where gemsbok and brown hyena occur in reasonable numbers and where the population of wild dog is thought to be the largest surviving in Africa today.
Mana Pools National Park:
Part of the Middle Zambezi Valley, Mana Pools is host to some of the biggest concentrations of large mammals to be seen in Zimbabwe; it is also renowned for its varied and colourful birdlife and forms one of the last remaining strongholds of the black rhino; game viewing, hunting and canoe safaris are popular.
Bulawayo & Matobo:
Zimbabwe’s second largest city which stands on the site of the royal kraal of Lobengula, last of the Ndebele Kings; view the Natural History Museum, Railway Museum, Mzilikazi art and craft centre, Centenary park, central parks and National Art Gallery; 30 km from the city is Matobo National Park, a unique area of some 2000 square kilometres of gigantic wind-sculpted rock formations. Cecil John Rhodes’ burial site and thousands of ancient rock paintings can also be found here.
Eastern highlands:
Luxuriant natural surroundings characterise this region with mountains, grassy plains, streams, waterfalls, mountain flowers, rare birds, etc. contributing to panoramic views of exquisite beauty attracting nature lovers, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts; visit the Nyanga National Park, Mutare, Mutarazi Falls, Bunga Botanical Reserve, Bvumba Botanical Gardens and the wilderness of the Chimanimani National Park.
Gona-re-Zhou park:
This park adjoins the Kruger National Park in South Africa and is home to some of the rarest bird and animal life in Africa. The bat-eared fox, suni, Liechtenstein’s hartebeest, nyala and roan antelope are to be found along the famous African elephants of this park, which are unlike any others in the world.
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