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Tunis: The Historical Gem of North Africa

admin — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 17:37:15 +0000

Tunis is the capital of the North African nation of Tunisia, a country full of historical wonders and relics of all the empires that have passed through it. Two focal points exist in the capital, those being The Medina, and the ruins of Carthage on the coast just north of the city. These two sites will give you an insight into the richness of Tunisian history and appreciate its cultural heritage.

The Medina (which means “town” in Arabic) is the Old City of Tunis that was established in the seventh century AD. It remained the city center until the beginning of the twentieth century when the French colonial power built a new city center. The Medina was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, because of its historical significance. The Old City is surrounded by city walls with covered alleys and streets, tunnels, shops
and street merchants hawking their wares, while the scent of Arabic spices fills the air. Some of the major sites to see within the Medina are the Great Mosque, Bey’s Palace, Ziadib-Allah II al Aghlab Palace, and the Bardo Museum housed in the Hasfid Palace. The museum contains a large collection of antiquities from the Roman and Greek periods, and from the nearby ruins of Carthage. In all, the Medina holds over 700 historical
monuments. You might go crazy if you attempt to find all of them, but needless to say that you will encounter something historical at every turn.

The ruins of Carthage lie just north of Tunis on the Gulf of Tunis, in a town called Carthage. The great military general of Hannibal was based here, and it was later rebuilt by Julius Caesar and became the second most important city in his empire after Rome. It was late captured and largely destroyed during the Muslim conquest in AD 698. Due to being repeatedly pillaged, not much is left of ancient Carthage except for ruins. But archaeological digs have unearthed a number of historical antiquities at the site. These provide an interesting experience to history buffs, and the beauty of their seaside location makes for a pleasant excursion from Tunis.

Tips for Africa travel

admin — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 21:45:43 +0000

Three Common Questions

The following are the three most common questions that arise and that need to be answered before embarking on a trip to any part of Africa:

1. What is the best time of year to go on safari? You can travel to Africa at any time of the year; there will always be somewhere where the game viewing is good. The high season is generally considered to be July, August and September, but this certainly does not mean that this is always the best time to visit a particular area. Certain events, like the annual wildebeest migration, may dictate when you should visit a particular area or, in areas like the Luangwa valley, the safari season may only start in May and end in November.

2. How much will a safari cost? This is almost impossible to predict. One thing that must be said about a safari to Africa – it is certainly not the cheapest holiday around! You will need to budget from around US$350 to $650 (and upwards) per person per day as a minimum (but this does include all your transfer costs, accommodation, meals, park fees and activities).

3. Why use an African travel specialist? A very simple answer: experience. There is no way in this world you can experience all the flavours a continent like Africa has to offer if you try to do it all by yourself. Thus, it’s a very good idea to get a specialist.

African Safari Experts

If you are planning to go to Africa, the first thing you will need (apart from the tips and advice given above) is a reliable tour operator. African Encounter is a small, dedicated team – they like to think of themselves as the Africa safari experts! They are passionate about Africa and dedicated to making your safari to Africa an experience like no other. They have lived and travelled in Africa for many years and have been planning safari itineraries since 1994. For many years they ran their own safari operation in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe and understand what makes a good safari operator (and what does not). They have maintained a great many contacts throughout the industry and have associate offices in nearly every country they send their clients. You are always assured of a local contact and a smiling face when you arrive in Africa and wherever your itinerary takes you. They can plan your safari itinerary with as much care, thought and attention as if it were their own. To know more about African Encounter and the destinations and safaris they are offering, please log on to their website at www.africanencounter.com.

Travel To Egypt: Miles Of Nile And Worlds Of Wonder

admin — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 22:03:35 +0000

Egypt is consistently the top destination for world travel each and every year – and not surprisingly so. The country uniquely bridges the African and Asian continents across the Suez Canal by possession of the Sinai Peninsula. This key positioning has guaranteed Egypt a major role in the strategic and historic relationships between the east, west, north and south of Africa, Europe, Asia and the more direct Middle East beginning more than 5000 years ago when the first Kingdom of Egypt was unified. In addition to a most remarkable past, Egypt offers the eager traveler thriving international cities, lavish Red Sea resorts, fabled oases and literally hundreds of miles of ancient pharaoh monuments along the Nile River Valley.

Water, Torch and Tomb

When Muslim Arabs introduced Egyptians to Islam in the 7th century, much of the already weary monuments of the native dynasties became even less central to national heritage. Luckily, a renewed interest in archeological preservation over the past few centuries has kept these ancient wonders intact for the world to continue to enjoy. The ideal place to begin is Cairo, where the Egyptian Museum boasts hundreds of thousands of artifacts and will give you an opportunity to catch up your knowledge of ancient Egyptian history from the 4th grade. Nearby are the breathtaking Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx, cut from a single slab of stone over 4,000 years ago, which can be viewed more peacefully beyond the crowds from horseback. South of Cairo, Upper Egypt offers a string of exciting temple towns between legendary Luxor and Aswan, including the Valley of the Kings. Although King Tutankhamen’s Tomb rests here, it is not nearly as impressive as the surrounding royal tombs, particularly the general-kings of the Ramesses Dynasties.

A Little Ocean with your Sand?

Aside from the Nile River Valley, Egypt is largely made up of the Saharan desert to the south and west; however, Egypt also happens to be a first class resort destination with nearly all (500 miles) of its eastern edge bordered by the tranquil azure waters of the Red Sea Coast. Visit the lively town of Harghada where traditional Egyptian life intermingles with international resort luxury. This area is extremely popular for scuba diving and snorkeling with its numerous underwater shipwrecks, sea caves and exotic fish. There are a multitude of islands to which you can escape by ferry or paddle boat and many small fishing towns for a little peace, quiet and local flavor added to your vacation.

The Mediterranean coastline also provides a nice break from the rolling sand dunes. Alexandria is Egypt’s busting port city with more Greek and French flare than the rest of the country. The city’s history is extremely eclectic, making a stroll through the streets feel like a wander across cultures and time periods. Alex the Great staged his resistance against the Romans from Alexandria, bringing a large population of Greeks with him, and for a short period Napoleon had managed to gain control of the ancient city.

Remember that Egypt is both ancient and modern. Travel to Egypt is not only about the archeological wonders and bone-chilling tales but also about the experience of a nation that is geopolitically and economically central to its larger surrounding region, a nation that is just as crucial to the identity of North Africa as it is to the Middle East and the Mediterranean. Egypt is justifiably as monumental today as the Giza Pyramids that symbolize the nation’s heritage.

Shots For Africa – What Are The Recommended Africa Travel Immunizations?

admin — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 21:45:37 +0000

If you are going to volunteer abroad in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Mozambique or any of the other countries of the region you are going to need to ask your doctor which shots for Africa you need. Occasionally someone decides to travel without the proper vaccinations but it is certainly not recommended. At worst, getting immunized requires a quick jab. If you catch any of Africa’s less pleasant diseases you will almost certainly end up being very sick indeed and they will probably not let you fly out until the condition has cleared.

So what are the recommended African travel immunizations and how do you get them?

Your local medical practitioner is the best place to start and you should get in touch at least six weeks before you travel. They will be able to give you up-to-date advice for whichever African country or countries you are intending to travel to but in general you will probably want shots for Tetanus, Tuberculosis, Polio, Cholera, Hepatitis A and B and Typhoid. Although that little lot makes it sound like you’ll be looking like a pin-cushion they’re all quite swift and relatively painless so don’t be put off!

Many people have tetanus jabs at some point in their life but if you haven’t had one for a few years make sure you ask your doctor whether you need a top up. Although tuberculosis is rare in the west it is still quite common in Africa. In fact never take for granted that you won’t be at risk. Get proper, professional advice and get all the shots for Africa that are recommended. It’s true that some might cause mild discomfort for a day or two but that’s a lot better than the devastating, potentially life-threatening effect that full-blown Hepatitis will have on you.

The one common African disease that we haven’t mentioned so far is Malaria and you’ll be pleased to know you don’t need a shot for it, just some tablets. There are a number of these available and they have to be started some time before you travel in order to be effective. Some have side effects and lately Larium has been associated with hallucinations and Doxycyclene has been reported to give bad sun reactions – not something you want in Africa! In all cases this is something you should discuss with your medical practitioner – don’t take the word of some article you read on the internet – and definitely don’t buy your Malaria medication online – you might well be buying a tablet of chalk!

Seriously though, your African travel immunizations are important to your health. While we have experience to share with you, medical advances and changing conditions in the country you are traveling to mean you should always consult a suitably qualified professional. African volunteer organizations want you fit and well so they can get the best out of you and you can get the best from an incredible experience. The last thing you want is to be spending weeks in a sick bed – especially when your first objective might have been to help other people in theirs!

International Travel Insurance to Africa

admin — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 21:45:52 +0000

Despite plans being flawless and preparations made to the hilt, circumstances still can crop up out of nowhere. Many unpredictable things can happen when you are on safari. You can expect these ‘unpredictable things’ to force you to call off your vacation to return home, or to deal with the emergency immediately while on holiday.

Can anything be done to prepare for these instances? Yes! Purchasing Travel Insurance will ensure that most, if not all the costs for these unforeseen circumstances will be covered. Travel Insurance is purchasable prior to making any significant steps towards your planned African safari. It will definitely serve as a safety net for you and the people you will be traveling with. Getting an insurance cover is important when traveling to Africa; in fact it is a requirement for your own good.

Before you start searching for a company which can assist you with africa travel insurance, there are things that you should keep in mind. You should ask the following

- What kind of insurance do you need?

- Do you travel around the world frequently?

- Are you planning to make trips to other locations besides Africa?

If you answered yes to most of the question, try considering an International Travel Insurance Plan. As the name implies, this insurance plan would ensure that you are given sufficient “International Coverage” wherever you go. The policies set in these plans should cover you well when you travel to Africa.

Here is another thing to keep in mind. Say that a situation arises during your stay in Africa, and as a result, you or someone with you needs emergency medical treatment. After the medical treatment, you have to shoulder the bill for the meantime. In this light, try to check the insurance policy that you are interested in, and make sure that your insurance plan covers reimbursement for medical expenses.

You should also make it a point to look over the said policy to see if it covers one of the many activities you may participate in when you get to Africa. Does your Insurance Policy cover any injuries you might get when you take part on a wild and unpredictable safari?

Would the company cover you when something happens during white water rafting, bungee jumping, quad biking, dune boarding, or camel riding? The policy should be able to answer your questions in detail. Take note that there are certain programs and activities in Africa that you may not be able to take part in if you do not have travel insurance in the first place.

Be prepared to shell out a few extra bucks for premium payments for addendum to your policy to cover those unique activities that you plan to do in Africa. A few extra costs and effort is quite inconvenient, but you will see how vital they can get if something ever happens.

Keep in mind that the insurance company should provide you with a comprehensive policy. You will need this document in case there are problems on your repatriation when returning to your home country. A comprehensive policy should contain specific details surrounding unexpected circumstance: medical expense coverage, treatment services, and trip interruption, to name a few. These details will help in determining the extent of coverage of your travel.

The Insurance policy document is apparently as important as your passport in many cases. Before leaving for Africa, make sure to leave it at home and/or with somebody that the company can contact in case of emergency. While traveling or in certain situations, have a copy of the Travel Insurance Policy for the crew you are with, state clearly who to call when emergency happens.

Checking the coverage limits of your travel insurance is very important to find out how you are covered in case something happens. One other factor that you should not overlook in the same policy would be the rules regarding reimbursement in case something happens. Getting money back means more to spend on other vacations in the future.

Whenever you plan on an African Safari for business or pleasure, do not forget to consider purchasing travel insurance. It isn’t just for you, it is also for what you have with you. It’s bound to give you the peace of mind that each and every traveler deserves.

Africa Travel Guide

admin — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:45:28 +0000

Africa

Africa is the land of magic charms, tribes, mysterious voodoo, wild animals, gold and diamond mines etc. It is a paradise for hunters as well as animal lovers. Africa has famous Sahara desert, river Nile, Mount Kilimanjaro. If one side of Africa is desert, the other side compensates with amazing greenery and waterfalls. Africa definitely quenches the adventure thirst in you. Experience the legendary tom-toms and exotic smells in the land of Africa.

Travel to Africa

The airlines that serve in and around Africa are TACV (Cape Verde) that has weekly direct flights to Boston also fly to South America and Europe, EgyptAir (Egypt) that has domestic services and also flights to Europe, the Middle East, India and Thailand, Ethiopian Airlines (Ethiopia) that serves Europe, Middle East, Asia, US and 20 countries in Africa.

Attractions

Africa is the best destination for those who dare to explore. What attracts tourist to Africa is mostly the safari. The Best safari destinations are Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. You can get real close to the wild animals and take plenty of photographs. You are most welcome to taste some rare meat prepared in traditional African style. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda have much developed tourism oriented facilities. Africa has lots to see like pyramids, ancient architecture, mountains and places we heard from The Holy Bible.

Language

Almost 2000 languages are spoken in Africa. The languages like Swahili, Arabic, Hausa and Yoruba are the main languages spoken in Africa. Other languages spoken are Laal, Shabo and Dahalo. English is spoken by the minority in the southern tip of Africa.

Shopping

The happy news is that you can barter and bargain while shopping in Africa. Give away your old sneakers and you can get good wooden carvings. But just make sure not to buy anything illegal like ivory products, hide or even tortoise shell products. Africa is the only place where you can get souvenirs at lower prices. You can also buy Swakara-hand-crafted gold,diamond and semi-precious stone jewelry aswell as coats,leather, suede, ceramics and crafts.

Destinations in Africa

Cameroon

Cameroon is a miniature of Africa offering tourists to see desert, golden beaches, mountains, rainforests and even volcanic mountains. The wildlife is scattered throughout the country. The Maroua plain fringed with beautiful Mandara Mountains from which river Benue flows, bamboo forests and small villages here and there is a picturesque view.

Egypt

Egypt always excited travelers with its huge pyramids and ancient monuments. A cruise over river Nile can show you the style of living in Egypt and a peep into the past. There are few diving resorts near Red Sea, which opens underwater wonders to you. The pyramids of Giza, ancient palaces and enchanting temples of Karnak, though built more than 4000 years ago can still be seen in its glory. The camel trains of nomads are a common sight in Egypt with sturdy stature of Mount Sinai in the backdrop.

Kenya

Kenya has plenty of wild life and surprising greenery. Kenya means safari and it has lots of national parks and reserves. It has 6 marine parks in Indian Ocean and 50 parks and reserves. Have you heard of Masai tribe? Clad in red robe, they still follow a traditional lifestyle and can be seen in Kenya. Kenya’s tourism infrastructure is much developed.

Seychelles

One cannot describe the enthralling beauty of Seychelles. Its beauty is beyond imagination and it is better to visit Seychelles to know how it is. Seychelles Archipelago has mind-blowing beaches with warm weather. A sun bath, sipping coco-de-mer (sea coconut) and listening to the birds’ songs and rustling of coconut leaves is an ecstasy you may not get anywhere else. Seychelles is rich in both rare plants and birds. Water-skiing, windsurfing, sailing, fishing and scuba-diving are possible in this enchanting island.

South Africa

In South Africa you can find both penguins and elephants. It is the most populated and most refined African country. The attractions in South Africa are The Western Cape, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth etc. The Winelands are well-known for its vineyards and orchards.

Tanzania

Tanzania that boasts of its huge Mount Kilimanjaro is a home for Masai tribes and Swahili people. One gets to see coral reefs to Crater Highlands here and spotted animals to stripy animals. Small wonder, Tanzania is a tourist destination now. Other attractions in Tanzania are Selous Game Reserve, Dar es Salaam, fishing village of Msasani, Lake Manyara National Park etc. The Ngorongoro Conservation Area is so unique, where Masai tribes live along with the wildlife.

Zimbabwe

Though Zimbabwe is economically down, it is rich in natural beauty. The eye-capturing view of Victoria waterfall in Zimbabwe is a jewel added to the ornament. There are few safari areas which offer controlled hunting. A pride of lion and a herd of elephants are a common sight. Harare, the ‘Sunshine City’ has museums, botanical parks and lakes. Visit Bulawayo to see Khami ruins and huge granite boulders.