Small intimate lodge, with excellent service, Stanley Safari Lodge is a uniquely designed resort offers couples a luxury safari experience. Bordering the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and Victoria Falls (that has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO), Stanley Safari Lodge is an ideal spot for a couple to begin exploring Africa.

Stanley Safari Lodge has just 10 private African-style cottages, each with its own plunge pool. It is able to give you an unmatched level of entirely personalized service. You can feel the breeze when you wake up in the mahogany bed or relax in your private stone hot tub – best way to make your stay a memorable one. You can dine outdoors under the stars, in the privacy of your suite, in the wine cellar or even in the infinity pool.

Stanley Lodge is a perfect starting point to discover the nature with your own African safari. The Victoria Falls and its surroundings offer a wide variety of activities. From bungee jumping, jet boating, safari, canoeing, fishing, photography birding, and day tours to elephant back rides or walking with lions. The Zambezi offers some of the best Rafting in the world. A lunch cruise or a sunset cruise is a more relaxing way to enjoy the beauty of the mighty Zambezi River. And most importantly – the helicopter flight over the breathtaking gorges of Victoria Falls – don’t forget the camera.

The nearby Chobe National Park is home to the world’s largest elephant population, which represents a third of all African elephants. Only very few places in the world offer you the possibility to ride on the back of an African elephant, offers a unique way to interact with the largest mammals on earth.

 
 Price Range  -  per person per night from $330 to $590.

If you approach Porto Santo by air, the whole island seems a glorious-golden yellow against the glistening cobalt blue sea. The island is known as ‘painting made by god’ and is 46 km to the northeast of Madeira in the Atlantic Ocean. The island tending to remind of North Africa, rather than Europe – a starkly beautiful desert landscape of palm trees and cacti, dotted with pine groves and small wheatfields. Photo by: Tiagoto

The island is only 14 km long and 5 km wide with an incredible golden san beach, stretching 9 km along the south coast. Photo by: fernangar

The islander survive largely by fishing, subsistence farming and goat-herding, using donkeys for transport and oxen to tresh the grain. The main town Vila Baleira on the sout coast is a beautiful cluster of white-washed houses with medieval monuments, and small cafes, where you can hide in the shade of palm trees watching the fishing boats. This is one of the least developed beach resort in Europe – an unspoilt island paradise. Photo by: ctcsherry

When to go: February to October but if you taking children avoid July and August when the island is invaded by families. Population: 4,474. Getting there: Daily car ferry or fly from Madeira. You should know: The golden sand of Porto Santo is said to have therapeutic treatments. Photo by: f_araujo_abreu

Photo by: PLSeabra

Pristine white beaches, breathtaking views overlooking the blue waters of the warm Indian Ocean, natural beauty, sandy dunes, solitude…this is a true island paradise. Indigo Bay is an exquisite resort, situated on the largest island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique. The resort offers world-class island accommodation providing the perfect island holiday. All resort’s chalets are constructed of natural materials to blend harmoniously with the surroundings.

Bazaruto is one of premier scuba diving destinations in Africa. The coastline is home to five of the world’s seven marine turtle species and the world’s largest roseate terns. Divers are able to see over 100 species of coral, thousands of tropical fish species, five kinds of dolphins, four whale species and sharks. Activities include island walks, horse back riding, and islands drives in a Land Rover to explore this intricate eco system. The water sports including: diving, fishing, snorkeling and sailing.

The Museum of Quai Branly is a hybrid museum mixing post-colonial and postmodern. The museum is an attempt to merge art and ethnography. It is neither the Louvre nor the Musée de l’Homme. Quai Branly plays a role in transmission not only of knowledge, but also of testimony and emotion, offering visitors a choice of possibilities for taking part in a dialogue of cultures.

The museum boasts with an unusual profile from Jean Nouvel’s sienna-toned cubes piercing the postured exterior to the anti-gravitational plant wall by Patrick Blanc,. Entering through a Jurassic garden, the visitor commences on a winding tour through Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas.

Shows, music salons, master classes… the museum of Quai Branly is ready to transport you to all four corners of the world, from Morocco to Brazil, from India to Mexico, to discover other cultures and unique artists. As well as a school for documentary filmmaking in the tradition of the direct cinema of Jean Rouch, Richard Leacock and Fred Wiseman, Varan proposes an evening of screenings every three months at the museum.

The gallery installation (one critic dubbed the spotlit cases “monster lighting”) can be disorienting, swiftly shifting between tribes and continents with hidden text panels and interactive stations. That said, the 3,500 objects (out of a total 30,000) on permanent display are incredible. With a little perseverance, you might actually learn about them.

Getting there: The location of the museum Rue 37 Quai Branl 75007 Paris and there is easy access to the museum, by car/metro/bus. Entry to the museum is via rue de l’Université or via Quai Branly.

Lying in the Gulf of Guinea, Bioko is a mountainous volcanic island still populated by Bubi people, who speak a Bantu language brought over from mainland Africa. Set in tropical rainforest, this boot-shaped island is 70 km long and 32 km off the coast of Cameroon. Bioko has more species of rare monkeys than any other place in Africa; of seven species living on the island, four are among the continent most en dangerous island. Photo by: John & Mel Kots

The Bubi clans still account for most of the human population, but given Bioko’s colourful past this is now mixed with Spaniards, Fernandinos and immigrants from Rio Muni, Nigeria and Cameroon. In colonial times it was known as Fernando Po, and under the Africanization policy of dictator Masie Nguema Biyogo, it was renamed Masie Ngueme Biyogo Island. Photo by: ianmichaelthomas

The capital city of Bioko is Malabo, which sits at the northern end of the island on the rim of a sunken volcano. Despite being a capital of Equatorial Guinea, this is a pretty poorly developed place with limited paved roads. There are few tourist attractions, but on the densly forest slopes a new world awaits. Photo by: John & Mel Kots

When to go: Average temperatures of 25 degrees and annual rainfall of 2,900 mm make this an onerous climate. To avoid the rainy season go between November and April. Population: 130,000. How to get there: Fly to Malabo. Ferries to Malabo from Douala and Bata. Photo by: Podknox

Off the eastern shores of Lake Malawi lies Likoma Island and its smaller neighbour Chizumulu, making up a tiny piece of Malawian territory in Mozambican waters. Likoma has remained largely untouched since Scottish missionaries discovered in the 1880s and it became the headquarters of the University Mission to Central Africa – Livingstone’s mission. This led to the islands being retained by Malawi when the lake was divided politically after World War II. Photo by: Jondice

Likoma commands breathtaking views of the mountains and wilderness of Mozambique, just kilometers away. Likoma’s main town is overshadowed by the mighty Cathedral of St Peter, built in 1903 with elegant stained glass and carved soapstone. The rest of the island is simpler – mainly grassland scattered with mango and baobab trees. Photo by: firesika

Lake Malawi covers a fifth of the country’s total area – about 590 km long and 85 km wide. Usually gentle by nature, winds from the north and south can whip the lake up into a frenzy. Below the surface the lake bubbles with fish and fishing villages along its shores reap the benefits. The best and easiest way to get around Likoma is on foot. At the southern tip of the island, beyond the boabab plains, lies a crescent – shaped beach of the finest golden sand, framed by mango trees. The island is rich in history and also in silence. Photo by: Jondice

When to go: Best to visit in the dry season from late April to November. Mat to August are cooler and dry, but September and October can get hot and humid. Population: 9,000. How to get there: Flights from Lilongwe or boats from the port of Nkhata Bay. Dhows cross between the two islands. Photo by: Jondice

Africa’s least-populous sovereign state is the Republic of Seychelles, another of the Indian Ocean’s fairly numerous island nations. Officially there are over 150 islands in the Seychelles, comprising of a mix of granite and coral islands located 1,500 km to the north east of Madagascar. Other neighbours include Mauritius, Reunion, Zanzibar, Comoros, Mayotte and the Maldives. The Seychellian people are often described as the world’s friendliest people. Photo by: rokbeat

Mahe is the largest island, in the north of the archipelago. It has the capital city of Victoria and has 90 per cent of the country’s population. Settlements are concentrated in the north and east, while the south and west are occupied by the Baie Ternay Marine National Park and Port Launay Marine National Park. Some visitors who pass through Mahe on the way to resorts are missing something – the place is breathtaking, with towering mountains, abundant tropical vegetation and empty awesome beaches. Photo by: mojo621

Victoria is the world’s smallest capital city, and its quaint streets and old harbour can easily be explored on foot. The market is often six days a week and local crafts are on sale alongside a wide range of fruit, vegetables and fish. It is possible to take a boat tour of the St Anne Marine Park from Victoria Harbour, covering six offshore islands that features an important nesting site for hawksbill turtles. Photo by: bodji

When to go: All year round – the climate is evenly hot and humid. Even during the rainy season (January and February) there is plenty of sunshine. Population: 72,000. How to get there: Various international carriers fly to Mahe. Photo by: angrydentist

The Smithsonian Museum in Washington is the largest museum in the world with a huge variety of exhibits. It hosts 19 museums and galleries such as the National Museum of American History, National museum of African art, National Zoological Park, Anacostia Community Museum and etc. The exhibits rang from insects and meteorites to locomotives and spacecraft. You can not see everything in one visit – the museum’ collections offer more than 137 million objects, works of art and 9 research centers with special programs. There truly is something for everyone.

The collections include 30 million insects carefully pinned into tiny boxes; 4½ million plants pressed onto sheets of paper in the Museum’s herbarium; 7 million fish in liquid-filled jars; and 2 million cultural artifacts, including 400,000 photographs housed in the National Anthropological Archives. The National Museum of Natural History is dedicated to inspiring curiosity, discovery, and learning about the natural world through its unparalleled research, collections, exhibitions, and education outreach programs.

Admission to all of the Smithsonian museums is free and they are open from 10:00am-5:30pm every day.

Near San Agustin one finds some of South America’s greatest, and most mysterious, archaeological sites. The remains of a mysterious civilisation are found there. There are eagles, snakes, men with clenched teeth and fists, monkeys, salamanders, women giving birth and men worshipping the sun.

The area is dotted with freestanding monumental statues carved of stone left behind by a mysterious pre-Colombian civilization.About 500 statues can be found spread out in groups in the region.

These beautiful sculptures, carved as far as 3000 BC at the Valley of the Statues. San Augustin is actually a collection of ceremonial and burial sites scattered over an area of 250 square miles.

These huge statues are characterized by their great design and dimensions, some measuring up to 5 meters. Most of the statues share a mixture of man and animal features.

There are various Asian and African influences in some of the sculptures – for example statues of Gorillas, statues showing African Elephant, statues wearing Indian head-pieces statues with clearly Asian eyes – which has led the academic community to believe that this culture was so advanced it had extensive contact with Africa and Asia.

Archeologists have uncovered a mere 10 percent of the statues and ruins, and it is theorized that huge mayan-like pyramids and other structures remain buried throughout the area. There is a small museum at the park headquarter and it provides information like literature and maps.

Durban is the 3rd largest city in South Africa. Blessed being right on the warm Indian Ocean it is surrounded by miles of golden sandy beaches. The subtropical climate provides more than 200 sunny days a year, which offers a huge variety of outdoor activities such as canoeing, surfing, diving and sailing.

Durban is one of the most surf world-class spots cities in the world. The city also hosts to many international sporting events, ranging from golf, and surfing world champion shops, to cricket world cup. Home to South Africa’s only surfing museum, Durban also got Kings Park, which is a large stadium where many big rugby matches are held.
 

Cultural attractions: Zulu cultural villages to visit, township tours and visits to mosques or the beautiful Temple of Understanding. Durban has number of fantastic shopping complexes that offer a wide variety of options. Visit the bustling Victoria Street market to pick up a bargain or head for the city hall which houses an art gallery and natural science museum. Durban is also very cosmopolitan and after dark, offers range of nightlife activities, ranging from elegant restaurants and bars to trendy nightclubs.

This guest post has been written by Nick Ball, editor of Lanzarote Guidebook, the free tourist guide to Lanzarote.

Lanzarote is the most easterly of the Canary Islands.  The seven specks of Spain which are located off the coast of Morocco in the Atlantic Ocean.  The archipelago has long had something of a reputation as a package tourist destination.  Not unjustifiably so –  as this is the second most visited region in Spain after Catalonia.

Yet the Canaries are not all birds of a feather.  As whilst the bigger islands such as Tenerife have long since been buried beneath a sea of hotels and apartment complexes little Lanzarote has managed to remain relatively unspoiled.

High rise buildings were banned during the 1970´s – along with advertising hoardings.  Whilst the three main tourist resorts of Playa Blanca, Puerto del Carmen and Costa Teguise are all well contained.  Leaving the bulk of the island much as nature intended.

This is just as well – as Lanzarote boasts some of the most surreal scenery in the world.  The island was rocked by a series of huge volcanic eruptions during the 1730´s and again in 1824.  Which remodelled the south of Lanzarote, wiping out villages, destroying farmland and carpeting hundreds of kilometres of land in lava.  Creating a twisted new terrain in its wake that is often likened to the surface of the moon – and which is now Lanzarote´s most popular tourist attraction.

Elsewhere on the island these arid, volcanic vistas give way to more verdant scenery.  Especially in the north of the island in and around the aptly named Valley of 1000 Palms.  Here locals used to follow a tradition of planting a Canarian palm tree for every new born child.  Creating a breathtaking sight reminiscent of an African oasis – as the crowns of countless giant palms sway gently in the breeze.

Mchenja Bush Camp is a seasonal luxurious bush camp on the banks of the Luangwa River, Zambia. Mchenja means ebony tree and is definitely one of the perfect destinations to enjoy a walking safari. The camp has combined stays at the true safari experience with the ultimate in luxury. Set amongst massive ebony tress with lovely views of the river the Luangwa Valley has been regarded as one of Africa finest wildlife reserves.

Mchenja consists of five stylishly designed tents on raised platforms under thatch. The central area is focused around a large plunge pool, looking over the Luangwa River, which houses the bar and lounge. The rooms are incredibly luxurious, with free standings baths, outdoor en suite shower and inside bath. 

The setting of the camp is incredibly spacious offering guests the opportunity to stroll around camp or simply relax under the shade of a tree, right on the banks of the Luangwa. Game drives and walking tours safaris are offered. Days are punctuated by succulent lunches and dinners as well as tea just before the evening safari. They are generally lasting between 3 and 5 hours and are led by a fully qualified guide. Then unwind with some South African wines, or even some of the rarest champagnes.

2009 Rates: $600 – $700
2010 Rates: $580 – $650
Closed 10 Nov to 31 Jan & 1 Apr to 20 May

Ischia is the largest of the islands in the Bay of Naples, and many people consider it to be more beautiful even than Capri to its southeast. Ischia is a volcanic island 10 km long and 7 km wide that rises to 788 m  at Monte Epomeo, which divides the island into two zones. The south and the west takes the brunt of hot dry winds from Africa, and cacti, agave and palms thrive in the sub-tropical landscape. In the northern shadow of Monte Epomeo, chestnuts flourish among the typical Mediterranean trees like holm oak, cypress, cork, almond and olives. Citrus groves scent the whole island. Despite of its high population and million of tourists, Ischia still has dozen of deserted beaches and coves for chillin’.People come for its thermal springs and volcanic mud treatments. Ischia has lots its jet-set exclusively since the 1960s when it epitomized the fashionable nation of ‘La Dolce Vita‘, but that has been replaced by a new kind of participatory glamour that draws in visitors. The island matches its towns and resorts to a wide variety of visitors’ expectations. Tranquil countryside walks, cafe-crawling, white sandy beaches, or 24-hour fashionable clubbing co-exist without tears. Ischia really is a holiday paradise.

When to go: March to November. Come at the end of the summer for two weeks of parades, concerts and general carousing. Population: 60, 335 (and six million visitors each year). Getting there: By hydrofoil from Naples Beverello or by ferry from Naples Beverello or Pozzuoli, to Ischia Porto. Photos: Google search.

Tristan da Cunha Group is an archipelago of fairly small islands in the middle of the South Atlantic Ocean. It is a territory of the United Kingdom and consists of the five islands of Tristan da Cunha, Inaccessible Island, Nightingale Island, Middle Island, and the Stoltenhoff Island. Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited island in the world – to be exact, it lies 2,430 km from its nearest land (St. Helena) and over 2800 km to the nearest continent Africa -Cape of Good Hope.

The island of Tristan da Cunha forms a circular-shaped volcanic cone with a circumference of 34 km with avarage10 km in diameter and total area of 98 km². The central peak of the island, rising to 2,060 m, is the summit of an active volcano that rises over 5,700 m above the ocean floor. Situated in the South Atlantic, summer on Tristan da Cunha falls between December to March. During the winter months the central peak, rising to a height of 2010m, is covered in snow. Tristan rises out of the ocean, its volcanic peak crowned with an almost permanent cap of white cloud.

Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming an undoubted symbol of Cape Town, South Africa. Table Mountain is an important tourist attraction offers great hiking trails and stunning views over the city and its surroundings. The highest point of Table Mountain is Maclear’s Beacon at 1,086 m above sea level. It is a great destination for both young and old. There’s a cafeteria where you can enjoy a mile-high meal.

The Table Mountain Park is recognized globally for its extraordinarily rich, diverse and unique fauna and flora – with rugged cliffs, steep slopes and sandy flats – is a truly remarkable natural, scenic, historical, cultural and recreational asset both locally and internationally. Botanists estimate that more than 1,000 plant species are found here, ranging from Regal Protea to ground-hugging ferns.

There are numerous trails for the hiker to walk up the mountain. However, most visitors take the aerial cable car to the top. The car is quite different than most, as it has a floor that rotates 360° as it ascends the mountain. With a strong desire to gain easy access to the top of Table Mountain, the Cape Town City Council commissioned an engineer to investigate the various options of transport to the top.

In 1926 the Norwegian engineer – Trygve Stromsoe, presented plans for a cableway to the top of Table Mountain. The idea that an easy route up would finally become a reality drew them together, forming the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company to finance the construction. Since it’s opening in 1929, over 16 million people have taken the trip to the top of Table Mountain.