The first time I ever saw elephants in a national park, it was a life-changing experience. Africa offers some of the best places in the world to encounter these giants up close. As a travel expert with 10+ years on safari all around Africa, I’ll guide you through where to see elephants in Africa, why these national parks are special, and when to visit them (some times are better than others). By the end, you'll know where to find them in … [Read more...]
Why Now is the Right Time to Visit Zimbabwe
When people think of a holiday in Africa, chances are Zimbabwe hasn’t been top of mind for most. But my recent return trip to this beautiful southern African nation refreshed my perspective. I was last here twenty years ago as a backpacker, and I often think back fondly of that adventurous trip. And while the country has come a long way, it’s also kept many of the things that make it such a neat experience. There’s far too much to see for … [Read more...]
The Best Time to Go on Safari in Africa by Month
Africa is an amazing continent. One of the things that every traveler should do on a safari is to hunt for the sensations and impressions. An African safari is a unique place where you can observe safari animals without any of them being harmed. There are many safaris in different parts of Africa, where different types of animals live. If you are going here, then, first of all, you should find out what national parks and reserves there are, as … [Read more...]
Interview with Tobias Hägg, Photographer and Aerial Artist
Q. I remember when I was on an airplane for the very first time. I was so excited that I asked to be seated next to a window. The view from the plane window was just breathtakingly amazing. The bird's-eye view provides a different perspective on the land below. You have produced a collection of cinematic drone masterpiece. Tell us what drew you to aerial photography in the very beginning? I think my fascination for the aerial perspective began … [Read more...]
Tales of a Silver-Haired Volunteer by Carole Howard
The Silver-Haired Volunteer and her husband see the world through their volunteer efforts post retirement. This book chronicles their experiences in some rather lesser visited destinations including Senegal, Uganda, Namibia and in Ghana (working with sex workers). Outside their scope of Africa is a volunteer stint in Thailand - where they worked with gender idenity. Life overseas is certainly different then at home. Details of their … [Read more...]
Lessons From A Near Death in Namibia
Clutching my throat, I asked my guide Hans, “Do you know what plant this is?” “That’s not a good plant. It’s poisonous, and you shouldn’t touch it. You need to wash your hands thoroughly.” “But, I put it in my mouth.” Blank stare, followed by Hans’s eyes growing wider. “I took a bite of it and now my mouth is burning. Really burning. It’s like I’m gargling with carbolic acid,” I managed to explain in a hoarse voice, as my throat … [Read more...]
Everything is impossible, until it happens
In late 2013, I decided to ride a bicycle through Africa in an attempt to turn my life around. My parents had passed away back home in Ireland but, to tell the truth, it was not their memory that had dislodged my equilibrium, it was me indulging in self-destruction. It all seemed so impossible on the airplane as I sat reading a beginner’s manual about how to repair punctures, but after a year spent riding through deserts, mountains, remote … [Read more...]
2 Awesome Places I Got To Tick Off My Bucket List
I’ve had an overseas bucket list since I was 18 years of age and I’m still nowhere close to completing the list, though I figure If I get to have 15 countries under my belt I’d be a very happy guy. So far I have visited 8 countries (Peru, Mexico, Philippines, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Mongolia, UAE and Brazil)…my highlights of those trips were: Trekking the Inca Trail in Peru Staying in a Yurt in Mongolia Sand dune boarding in … [Read more...]
Jetting from Chennai to Bangkok
We jumped on our Air Asia flight last night from MAA-BKK. The route opened up earlier this year and we immediately seized the opportunity to buy severely discounted tickets during Air Asia's promotional period. We paid £89 per person for the round trip ticket - about 3.5 hours each way! Course with Air Asia you get a basic flight - no food or drink, seats that are agonizingly tight for tall people and most of the time a middle or window seat … [Read more...]
Travel Writer’s Toys and Technology
The benefit of being a travel writer is that you can mix pleasure and work. If you love traveling and writing and moving - then your work is not really "work". In today's travel writing world - there are many technological trappings to ensure that one can maintain a certain type of nomadic lifestyle. Merely fifteen years ago nearly all of these items and services did not even exist! When shopping for items, I look for the following … [Read more...]