A Life of Adventure

When we talk about safari holidays, it is obvious to talk about South Africa – the land of safari parks. If you are a safari lover and are in search of an exciting safari destination, you can plan your tour to Botswana. This part of South Africa has to offer lot many exciting things and experiences to wildlife and safari lovers. During your visit to Botswana you will find lot many things to explore, right from art, culture, people to wildlife.

If you love bird watching, you should definitely plan safari programs to this part of South Africa. One can simply not stop admiring the wonderful birdlife present in Botswana. This place has more than 600 species of birds, which include many rare and unique species of birds as well.

When the annual rains fill the Makgadikgadi, thousands of waterbords which migrate to Botswana further enhance the colorful view of this place. In Botswana, the safari lovers not only see the huge numbers of resident and migratory birds but also witness the wide array of raptors and other species of animals and birds.

The Chobe National Park being one of the best wildlife reserves of South Africa attracts huge volumes of safari lovers on luxury travel tours every year. This reserve is known to have the largest population of elephant in the world. This place also boasts of greater rainfall than other parts of this dry country and the tropical vegetation it is blessed with.

When we talk about luxury adventure travel in Botswana, we can definitely not miss mentioning about the Kalahari Desert. This desert covers most of Botswana and is known to display a wide variety of game within its natural boundary.

The Makgadikgadi and Okavango Delta are the other destinations in the country which are worth a visit if you are interested in exploring the wildlife, birds and other wilderness attractions in this part of South Africa completely, during your African safari holidays.

Botswana is well known throughout the world for having a rich tribal art and craft tradition. It also possesses a rich wealth of ancient rock art. The Tsodilo Hills situated west of the Okavango delta is known to have the site richest in rock art in South Africa. It is known to have more than 4000 catalogue paintings.

Botswana also has a rich history of culture which includes the stone wall ruins, Stone Age tools and patterned pottery. This place continues to preserve its local traditions and very carefully protects the ancient human culture.

Between many options, uncertainty, expectations, consensus and many other factors people end falling into the convenience of the last year destiny, and do this every year. People do not consider an easy opportunity of known new destinies and almost enjoy experiences that are going to be a good memory life for everybody.

Make changes about a new destiny it doesn’t have to be a load, today we have virtual operators, which are very credible and also have all the necessary information to choose an adventure trip before going a travel agency. This supports brigs you specialized and organized content about places and activities, elements that will help you to invest in less time a new planning vacation. As well too, you have the opportunity to read testimonials and experiences of other people, who were experimented places and adventure activities.

People, who are planning adventure trips, must have to consider the group interests, experiences and also the budget. Here are some tips for finding the most ideal adventure vacation for you:

Get a feel for the different adventure options: there are many operators on internet which have all the information that you need. If you are a person who are challenged experiences to see the world, to climb and reach the summit of mountains, to find the perfect skiing place to ski you must visit Adventure Vacation sites. In change if you want more specific information.

Destiny must have something for everyone: the main goal is that all members of the trip have the opportunity to enjoy, this wants to mean looking for a place that fit on everyone.

An activity for each: choose a place that offers many things to do; for example if all likes to cycle, maybe a mountain destiny will be perfect. For any kind of adventure sport there is an outfitter, you have to make sure that everyone have it.

Select the best travel agency, now you have all the information about the place and activities that you want to do, you just have to choose the best travel package. You can make a comparison, you have to be consensus about your budget, don’t waste your money and find the best vacations spending less.

Therefore, choosing the right adventure vacation can be the difference between fun and misadventure! Maybe your dream is an Africa Safari to get closer to the exotic flora, fauna and wildlife; also you can find it, just have to surf the net.

It’s your money and life, use them wisely. That’s the only guarantee to enjoy new things every year.

If you are visiting Borneo for an adventure vacation, then conquering the mystical Mount Kinabalu is not really an option – it is ‘the’ priority.

The mystical Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak in South East Asia, is strategically located at the Kinabalu National Park, a designated World Heritage Site. Kinabalu National Park is just about two hours drive from the city of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo.

Mount Kinabalu, which stood at around 4,095 meters above sea level, is an icon for Sabah as well as for Malaysia tourism. Therefore, it is of no surprise that every year, thousands flocked to climb or rather, trek up the mountain. Although the traditional route up Mount Kinabalu is via the Kinabalu Summit Trail at Kinabalu National Park, there is an alternative route on the other side of Mount Kinabalu called the Mesilau Summit Trail, a newer and more challenging route. This trail is definitely one for those who are more adventurous to consider seriously.

The Mesilau Summit Trail at the Mesilau Nature Park on the Mesilau plateau is about 30 minutes by road away from Kinabalu National Park or about 108 km from Kota Kinabalu.

It is advisable to stay a night at Mesilau before starting your ascent up Mount Kinabalu as the journey from Kota Kinabalu will likely to leave you rather exhausted. Take a rest and acclimatize with the higher altitude at the eco-friendly Mesilau Nature Resort, which is nestled amongst the trees at the foot of the mountain at about 2,000 metres above sea level within the Park. The resort has a total of 22 lodges and 96 resthouse beds.

As for the climb up to Mount Kinabalu, the Mesilau Summit Trail is definitely more rugged, about 1.5km further than the trail from Timpohon Gate at Kinabalu National Park. But it offers more opportunities for viewing flora and fauna. The Mesilau route is still relatively new, but some shelters and toilets have been built along the trail for the convenience of trekkers. The route is also less crowded than the old summit trail. You won’t bank into many mountain climbers on the way up.

The first ascent of the Mesilau Trail does involve a climb up, then a drop into the Mesilau valley, and then another ascent to regain the lost height. You will get to see both the Kinabalu and Mesilau routes at higher ground. The trail is also more “jungle” than the traditional Kinabalu Summit Trail. When trekking uphill, it is fortunate that the trail is well laid with steps cut into the earth and thus, making walking easy.

Layang-layang (Place of Swallows) is where the Mesilau Trail meets the Kinabalu Summit Trail at 2,740m. From there onwards, you will notice that the vegetation zone is like a forest of bent and twisted silvery-grey trunks with peeling bark.

A short hike after the sixth shelter, you will reach the mid-summit (i.e., Laban Rata). Conservatively, it should take a normal fit person an average 6-7 hours to reach Laban Rata, where you will be required to stay a night at Laban Rata Resthouse or at other nearby accommodations (i.e., Mountain Huts and VIP Lodge). From there, the second and more grueling ascent will follow the traditional route all the way to the summit (i.e., Low’s Peak), which will start early morning the next day at around 2 am to 3 am

The ascent should normally take a few hours but it is much more challenging than the initial ascent as the trail gets more tiring with each step up the slope as the air gets thinner and thinner. On top of this, you have to battle the freezing cold temperature (sometimes below zero degrees Celsius). If its rains and windy, it will be doubly challenging.

But once you get to the summit and catch the truly magnificent glimpse of the sunrise, you would have forgotten the tough climb. You will feel on top of the world looking down at the tiny villages and small islands off the coast of Kota Kinabalu.

For those who had climbed Mount Kinabalu before via the Kinabalu Summit Trail or for those who are searching for a more challenging trek, the Mesilau Summit Trail definitely offers a fuller Mount Kinabalu climbing and adventure vacation experience. To quote an avid climber: “You have not truly conquered Mount Kinabalu if you have not conquer it from both sides of the mountain”.

If you are worried about there being any luxury hotels and resorts when you plan a Belize Adventure vacation, then if your plans include the amazing area of San Ignacio, please don’t worry, because the great pleasure of the Ka’ana Boutique Resort could well await you. If your Tour Operator doesn’t have this lovely boutique hotel and resort on your list then make sure you make them put it on!!

Ka’ana Boutique Resort can be described very well in one syllable and that has beautiful and immaculately kept grounds. It sits in a valley surrounded by the Mayo Mountains in the Cayo district which is the local name for San Ignacio. This is the boutique resort of choice for travellers and adventurers with taste and the money to go with it.

There are a lot of things to do, places to see, and adventures to have, based on the Ka’ana Boutique Resort. It sits virtually slap bang right in the middle of some of the best cultural, historical attractions Belize has to offer. You can choose from Mayan ruins, Caves to explore, jungle tours, zip lining, canoeing, being just some of the sights and activities you will take part in. It is important to go and talk to the tour guide at Ka’ana Boutique Resort, whose name is Wilbert. Just tell him what you want to see and do, and then he will plan your days for you. He is very knowledgeable and visiting places like the Xunantunich ruins, and the Jaguar Paw he will be a joy.

On the other hand if all you want to do is to lie around and relax, then Ka’ana Boutique Resort is very well designed for you to do just that. In fact each casita is very private for each guest who sits outside on the terrace

Just imagine what awaits you after a day out in the surrounding countryside. What you will find here is absolutely top class dining, a lovely swimming pool to relax beside and great spa services.

There are only fifteen rooms, but there are all luxuriously furnished, extremely comfortable, and have real state of the art accompaniments such as LCD Flat Screen TV’s, IPod docking stations, even coffee makers.

You’ll find huge bathrooms, huge beds, air conditioning, and ceiling fans often preferred to the refrigeration caused by air conditioning, although when it is hot and humid and you have been in the jungle all day it is just amazing to step into an air conditioned room.

To return to the dining, you will have your taste buds, and visual senses blown away by the amazing food, and great menus.

Overall the Ka’ana Boutique Resort will be everything you hoped it would be. If you are planning on back packing in Belize, then what you have in wait is some good old fashioned pampering in a resort where the personal touches are quite outstanding.

If you plans are somewhat more luxurious you will still feel you are being pampered and spoilt in what must be amongst the top couple of luxury hotels and resorts in up country Belize

Gap Year Travel Insurance Cover

Be it the school leaver, fresh graduates or the professionals; every year thousands of people out from each category takes an extended holiday to explore the new and unexplored vistas around the world. But it is really unfortunate that there are very few people who apprehend the risk factors involved on an adventurous travelling around and takes a travel insurance policy to repress the hazards. Many inexperienced youthful travellers usually set out on their adventurous trip without taking the proper coverage shield and later on make regret over it. According to the latest report it has been revealed that merely 30% gap year travellers carry travel insurance protection with them.

Policies available on Gap year cover:-

There are exact policies available for gap year travellers. For those aged up to 36 the policy is called backpacker insurance cover and for the above class it is known as long stay travel insurance. Although the policies within do not vary and remain same as far a coverage and other things are concerned. For a person taking in a Gap year cover, it is very important to keep down the point that the holiday will be longer than the usual and thus it is essential to carry a protective measure along with to reduce the trauma and the heavy expenses in case things go wrong between the trips.

Sometimes due to lack of proper guiding people take some other policy instead of taking a gap year insurance cover, which is not suitable for such an extended holiday. Let’s take an example of Annual-multi trip insurance plan which usually have a limit of 35-40 days and thus not at all suitable for a gap year traveller. So just availing an insurance cover is not enough, it is also important to get the right option to make your safety foolproof.

Coverage offered under the policy:-

• Coverage for medical assistance including all medical repatriation, hospital advantage, funeral overheads overseas, etc

• Emergency cancellation of trip or cutting it short.

• Cover for loss of important belongings like important documents, baggage, etc.

• Personal liability- Financial security if something goes wrong with the person while in abroad.

• Personal accident or injury assistance.

Generally, every travel insurance company provides you with the above mentioned covers but sometimes it may differ slightly. So before taking any cover do remember to read the documents and also specify all your exact requirements to the insurance provider.

Things to consider while taking a policy:-

• Make sure that you are covered for the entire period of your trip. In someone also intends to work while in abroad then don’t forget to check whether your policy will also cover it or not.

• Read every small print present in your document.

• Buy the travel insurance policy before you leave for the trip. Do not forget to evaluate the prices and polices of different insurance companies online.

• During your Gap year, if you wants to visit your home once or twice. Ensure that the policy you are taking in have this provision with it or not.

• Don’t forget to carry all the important visas of countries, which are important on your lists.

Buy your gap year travel insurance cover with insurancebookers.co.uk on your gap year trip.