Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007), the hillside of red sandstone boulders (petrified sand dunes) of Twyfelfontein hold around 2,500 rock engravings, depicting various animals, footprints and patterns, and is one of the largest collection of its kind in Africa. Artefacts found at the site, dating back around 6,000 years, suggest the long-term … Continued
Covering nearly 31,000 hectares, Uda Walawe National Park was created in 1972 as a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Uda Walawe reservoir. Mammals present include elephant, leopard, fishing cat, sloth bear, wild boar, golden palm civet, three species of mongoose, tocque macaque, tufted grey langur and wild buffalo. Renowned as … Continued
Separating KwaZulu-Natal from the tiny independent Kingdom of Lesotho is the dramatically beautiful Drakensberg Mountain Range – named the ‘Dragon Mountains’ by European settlers and ‘uKhahlamba’ by the Zulus (translated as ‘Barrier of Spears’). It comprises massive basalt cliffs and sandstone buttresses ranging in altitude from 1280m to 3446m at Mafadi Peak, the tallest mountain … Continued
The coco de mer is the world’s largest seed, the fruit of a rare, endemic palm found only on Praslin and Curieuse. The nut, which has a curious shape resembling human anatomy, is highly prized and its sale is strictly regulated with permits required for its removal from the Seychelles. It was once believed to … Continued
First settled in 1542, Valparaiso is a centuries old port city spread over 42 sprawling hills which descend to the sea. Prior to the construction of the Panama Canal (1914), the Port of Valparaiso was the most important in the South Pacific as ships from around the world called here once they crossed Cape Horn … Continued
One of Canada’s most vibrant and diverse cities.
Located only 64 Kms from Bhavnagar, the park has the highest concentration of blackbuck in the world. The only tropical grassland in India to be given the status of a national park, the Velavadar Blackbuck National Park is a 36 kms patch of savannah-type scrubby grassland well suited to the requirements of these lovely animals. … Continued
One of the Seven Wonders of the World and is the largest sheet of falling water on earth – a spellbinding and mesmerising spectacle.
Bordering Uganda to the north and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west, the 13,000 hectare Volcanoes National Park is the centre of one of the world’s greatest wildlife highlights. Made famous by Dian Fossey, the habituated mountain gorillas enthral visitors with their gentle power, intelligence and playful antics. The gorilla trekking operation is … Continued
Bartholomew Diaz was the first European to sight this, the only deep water port in Namibia, in 1487. The port became popular with American whaling ships in the 18th Century, when it was given the name Walvis Baai (Afrikaans for ‘Whale Bay’). The British annexed Walvis Bay in 1867 having realised its potential for fishing … Continued
The beautiful Waterberg region, with its imposing 150m high sandstone plateau complete with 200 million year old dinosaur tracks, provides a 41,000 hectare haven for endangered species such as roan and sable antelope, tsessebe, black and white rhino. Predators such as leopard, cheetah, brown hyena, black-backed jackal and caracal can also be found, with the … Continued
The malaria-free Waterberg Savanna Biosphere Reserve was designated by UNESCO in 2001 and an area marrying conservation with the benefits of tourism. It includes the Lapalala Wilderness Area, Marakele National Park – both offering simple accommodation – and Welgevonden Reserve with more luxurious options. The extensive Waterberg Massif reveals deep valleys, grassy hills, majestic mountains, … Continued
