Many of us have been fortunate enough to have been on safari in Africa - some of us more than once. An African safari is something that should be on everyone's bucket list. I have been fortunate enough to have been on a hot-air balloon over the Masai Mara - truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But all safaris, safari lodges, and games reserves are clearly not all alike. Once in a while you just have to live like a star.
But even if you're not Brad and Angelina, but just have three friends wi
ecotourism (372)
Legend tells that when God made the world, after he finished painting the sky a brilliant pastel blue, he washed his brushes in a beautiful Costa Rican river, coloring the river the same intense sky blue.
Rio Celeste (Sky Blue River) is still revered as a sacred site by the indigenous Maleku tribe who live in this Northern Costa Rica region near the Tenorio Volcano. The river begins its journey as crystal clear water tumbling and flowing down the lush rainforest of Tenorio Volcano National Park;
One of my absolute favorite scenes in the 2012 movie Life of Pi is when a huge glittering whale jumps out of a sparkling night sea behind Pi’s raft, everything around them glowing from amazing bioluminescence. Another favorite is the illuminated neon forest in the movie Avatar.
Bioluminescence is most common in the tropics. Walking along a tropical beach at night or sea kayaking after dark, especially the closer you get to the equator, you often can see sparkling lights in the water. It seems
by Atila Ximenes
Nowhere is nature wilder and more striking than at South America’s southernmost reaches, its dense forests and Andes mountains cinematically spectacular and crammed with wildlife including llamas, pumas, and grey foxes, its beaches and frigid waters teeming with penguins, whales, and sea lions.
Just over 402,000 square miles (1,043,000 square kilometres) in size, Patagonia straddles two countries, covering Argentina’s provinces of Neuquén, Chubut, Santa Cruz, Río Negro and th
The next time you get tired of winter, book a flight to La Paz or Los Cabos, in Baja California Sur, Mexico. During the months of January through April, the weather in La Paz is absolutely perfect, and it is a wonderful time to take the opportunity to get up close and personal with gray whales and their calves.
Getting There
La Paz has its own airport, but the bigger Cabo San Lucas airport about 100 miles south has more flights and services.
When we arrived in Cabo, we took a taxi for the almost th
When one thinks of paradise, Panama has to be near the top of the list.
In the 90s Costa Rica fast became the chic eco destination for Americans, Canadians and Europeans. Many expats started buying land and relocating. In the last ten years, a new nirvana was discovered, Panama.
Countries with both beach and jungle are especially appealing. The world is full of small countries where you can view nature and perhaps surf in the same day. Panama fits the bill.
No, You’re not in Miami
The best means of
The year was 1998. There was a very small flow of visitors coming to Costa Rica, about 100,000 according to the official numbers. A decade later, that number has increased up to 2 million tourists per year. This $1.9 billion industry is mainly based on Eco-tourism and has been driven by the green buzzword.
As congested beaches and theme parks continue to lose their novelty and decline into the inevitable "fad" categorization, the world's natural attractions are thrust into the spotlight, front an
Whether you had a good year last year or not, it’s important to kick off any new year’s resolutions for 2015 on a positive note. A great challenge to set yourself for 2015 would be to travel and explore more, with the offerings that the USA have on hand there will be no shortages of adventures to experience!
1. The American Prairie Reserve
• Known as "America’s Serengeti," this reserve in northeastern Montana is a must for all adventure seekers.
• The reserve is buying back private land as
Something unique you can’t miss when you visit Dominical Beach.
Bahía Ballena (Whale Bay) is located in the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, within the canton of Osa. It’s only 15 minutes south of the town that is very well known for surfers: Dominical. Surrounded by a majestic natural splendor of the southern Pacific region, Dominical town offers its visitors this God’s breathtaking and exclusive nature’s spot.
The main reason for this given name comes from the giant sandbar whale- like tail
This past weekend I took advantage of the break in the weather to join some friends on a winter hike in Starved Rock State Park. The park is located along the Illinois River, about 100 miles southwest of Chicago, just outside Utica, IL.
I remember going there as a kid. My family would take a picnic lunch and we would hike the trails. I remember the canyons and I remember climbing to the top of the Rock. My mother, fearful of heights, never let me near the edge. These days, it’s a lot safer.
Just the word Jordan captivates the mind and soul. An open and welcoming nation allowing the traveler to experience both culture and adventure, combined with the vibrant capital of Amman. No matter what your passion is, you will find it in the Kingdom of Jordan. Afwan! A warm welcome to Jordan.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, which once captivated ancient travelers, continues to enthrall a whole new generation as a modern, vibrant nation. From the haunting, primeval starkness of Wadi Rum, to the
Are you looking forward to an exciting and extraordinary experience on your next holiday? then don’t hesitate to visit Africa for great Kenya adventure trips and Tanzania camping safaris among other activities. Quite a number of tourists prefer adventure camping safaris because of the various environmental, physical and personal changes that it brings to their lives. It actually breaks the monotony of the usual smooth and predictable daily routine in their lives. Anybody of course preparing to g
In the African bushes, Each and every species of animals have been found to have its own social organization. While some like the wildebeests would like to live in big herds, others prefer taking their time alone leading solitary lives. However, the zebras and elephants live in stable family groups and respect and maintain their strong family ties. Sometimes in this environment where survival is always for the fittest, several herbivores come together to form one big herd of mixed families. Duri
Just like Maasai Mara game reserve, Lake Nakuru national park also receives a big number of tourists most of whom happen to be lovers of bird watching safaris. Covering an area of about 188 square kilometers, Lake Nakuru forms one of the most famous Rift valley lakes. It is known worldwide for its abundance of flamingos and other over 400 different species of birdlife.
Lake Nakuru national park was created two years before Kenya gained its internal independence, 1961. Its water is alkaline just l
The Great Rift Valley was first recognized by a Scottish geologist, Walter Gregory early 1890s around Lake Naivasha, it is believed to have been formed millions of years ago as a result of continental drift processes. These strong underground forces led to the pulling apart of the earth crust causing the falling of the land between parallel fault lines. It is actually part of the 6000km long Afro-Asian rift system that runs from up north in Jordan, down to Mozambique in south Africa.
The floor of
Is there a better way to kick off spring than taking a trek through an ancient petrified forest or going butterfly watching on a mangrove island? Yes: Go there for free!
National Park Week starts this Saturday, April 21, and lasts through April 29. During this time, admission is free to all 397 U.S. national parks.
Some national parks never charge entrance fees. For example, admission to Great Smoky Mountains National park costs zilch. But at parks that do charge to get in, you could save a nice c
Kayaking (or boating) through the Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is an exciting experience. You never know what animal or bird you’ll suddenly come upon next. Maybe a snowy white egret. Maybe a giant, toothy American Crocodile. Maybe a curious howler monkey lazily lounging in a tree.
The refuge spans 953 acres and is located between the Guanacaste surf town of Tamarindo and Playa Grande, which is part of the Las Baulas National Marine Park, one of the largest Leatherback
Ethiopia has so much to offer visitors: the Historic Route, covering the ancient town of Axum, with its amazing carved obelisks, Christian festivals and relics, including the Ark of the Covenant; Gondar, with its castles and palaces; Lalibela, with its remarkable rock-hewn churches: Negash, one of the earliest holy Muslim centres from the Prophet Mohammed Era with the NegashAmedinMesgid; the walled Muslim city of Harar and LegaOda, near Dire Dawa where you can see cave paintings considered to be
The Pantanal is one of the most prominent nature destinations in Brazil. It is one of the largest tropical wetlands in the world, an enormous stretch of land which extends into the Brazilian states of Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, as well as into Paraguay and Bolivia. Contrary to what its name suggests, the Pantanal is not a large pantano, or ‘marsh’. It is a hugely extensive alluvial plain which is partially covered with water during the rainy season and exposed during the summer. The ri
Coming face to face with a giant manta ray is the thrill of a lifetime. They are amazing and curious creatures. People are fascinated by their opposite-seeming natures - ominous looks, but sweet dispositions.
The Sheraton Kona Resort on the Big Island of Hawaii pays homage to these gentle giants by providing a viewing area for visitors at the resort’s Rays on the Bay restaurant.
From the restaurant’s lookout, the magnificent and mysterious creatures can be seen gliding in the night ocean far bel
