Lavinia Woolf | The Adventure Travel Site

Unforgettable Whale Watching in Africa

An experience you are bound to cherish for a lifetime, the sight of humpback whales swimming wild and free in the ocean is not to be missed on a visit to Mozambique in Africa.

Key Destinations

The Quirimbas and Bazaruto archipelagos are amongst the best places to visit in Mozambique for those looking to enjoy this activity. You will find accommodation at islands here and some properties including those belonging to brands such as Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas even offer whale watching excursions which add to the convenience factor.

Image Credit: **Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas**

Best Time to Go

When it comes to whale watching in Mozambique, the best time to plan your holiday would between July / August and October. It is during these months that humpback whales make their way to warmer tropical waters from the Arctic.

What to Spot

Depending on the day and some luck, it is not unheard of to spot up to 30 whales! These marine mammals which can grow to lengths of around 60 feet, migrate to these waters to mate and subsequently give birth to young; one may spot them arching over the water, expelling air via their blowholes or leisurely swimming in protected waters.

Other Species

It is not just whales one can observe when here, but bottlenose dolphins, endangered dugongs and from April to July, whale sharks too. The waters are ideal for snorkelling and diving to spot diverse marine species including giant manta rays, while from October to April you can witness turtles visiting the islands to nest as well.

Mozambique Wildlife Safari

Mozambique isn’t the typical urban country where high-rise buildings are all you see. The country and its people are very much in tune with nature ad attempt to protect their wildlife. This is exactly what makes a safari here so exciting.

The abundance of wildlife

The Limpopo National Park in Mozambique is one of the most impressive parks which has been merged with South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Now wildlife in the two regions roams free. A safari here is one of the top things to do in Mozambique.

Gorongosa National Park

This was the regions most abundant national park in the 1960s. But once the civil war began, animals were poached for ivory and meat. Now projects have begun to bring the park back to its former brilliance and visitors get to see it all.

Moving to water

When it comes to wildlife, Mozambique is also blessed with rich marine life. There are many diving and snorkelling opportunities available to witness it all.

Tours and places to stay

Now that the country has recovered from the civil war, there are many hotels belonging to large chains like Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas that have decided to set up here. They may even organize your tours.

How COVID – 19 will change the travel industry?

COVID 19 both as a life-threatening disease and as a fast-spreading pandemic has caused so much of damage to the world – it has resulted in the death of many individuals as well as it had made a huge impact in the economies of almost all the countries around the globe. Read on to know how it would affect the travel industry in particular in the coming months and even years.

Overview

The COVID 19 Panedmic has indeed taken the world by a dark and ominous storm. It has claimed the lives of over 0.9 million people by the time of this writing and it has crippled the economies of a great many nations. Numerous industries have been highly affected as imports and exports have come to a complete standstill. Among the many industries, travel and tourism is the one which has been hit the hardest and countries which GDPs greatly rely on tourism are struggling to surface back to where they were financially before the calamity.

Personal Hygiene

As we are now moving towards embracing the ways of new normal – learning to live amidst the spread of the pandemic, numerous precautionary measures and safety practices are being implemented and adapted into the daily routines of people around the globe. Hygiene practices such as washing hands occasionally, wearing a mask all the time when you are out in public places, maintaining a distance of at least a meter from others, are being followed by many and they are already being instilled on to people’s daily routines.

Laws and regulation

Travel laws and regulations are being changed drastically to ensure safety and to curb the spread of the virus. Many countries now request a COVID 19 report during the visa approval process and tourist destinations around the globe have decided to not offer visas on arrival. Some nations have also gone to the extent of enforcing hygiene practices for if a person fails to follow them would be fined or face other types of penalties and punishments.

The future

The scene of the future of travel, although seems a bit bleak during this time, there are occasional glimmers of victory in the news media of nations succeeding in the battle against the pandemic. Some countries have already opened their gates for tourists and numerous resort establishments are already preparing to receive guests with upgraded health and safety practices. For example, Oman Resort properties the likes of Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort now use enhanced cleaning technology and have digitalized most of its operations so that you won’t have to interact with others directly. There is now a lot of hope that things would return to normal very soon.

Dambulla in One Day

Located close to many Sigiriya hotels the likes of Aliya Resort& Spa, Dambulla is a significant city of the Central Province in Sri Lanka. Due to its central location, Dambulla is also used as a major vegetable distribution point in the country.

Visit Dambulla Cave Temple – Morning

Dambulla Cave Temple or the Golden Temple of Dambulla is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. It is one of the mostextensive and best-preserved cave complexes of the country.

Explore Ibbankatuwa Prehistoric Burial Site – Afternoon

Within a three-kilometre radius of the Dambulla Cave Temple lies an ancient burial site of the country called the Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Tombs. Many ancient tools and goods along with cremated remains have been found during excavations.

Hike the Rose Quartz Mountain Range – Evening

Not many know that there is a Rose Quartz Mountain Range in Sri Lanka, which is the largest of its kind in Asia. At the very top of this mountain, one may come across a gleaming white statue of Lord Buddha. The legends say that Emperor Shah Jahan used rose quartz from this place to build his masterpiece, the iconic Taj Mahal.

Relax in NamalUyana – Late Evening

Spread over 260 acres of land is a forest of Ironwood trees in Dambulla. It also houses the Rose Quartz Mountain Range and contributes to an ecosystem of various birds and mammals.

The Whistler Essential Guide to Ski

If you are someone who enjoyed the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, then you will just love to have a ski vacation in Whistler for so many reasons. This guide will help you realize your dream.

Where to spend your ski vacation?

Choosing any of the Whistler ski resort establishments is what you need to do to have a great vacation. Many resort options the likes of Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre are available for your consideration.

Image Credit: Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre

The ski area

The ski area linked by two mountains Whistler and Blackcomb covers a huge area of 8171 acres. This area has a lift-served vertical drop of 1,610 m and that serves 37 lifts.

Plan your day

Start your day from the Whistler Mountain because it’s generally sunnier in the morning there. Enjoy the Blackcomb peak in the afternoon and this is what that most of the visitors do.

Getting to know the ski area

If you are a beginner, note that the Whistler Mountain is very beginner-friendly. There is a learning area in which you can undertake confidence-boosting green runs and some lifts as well.

Adventurous guide to Oman

While most travel aficionados might not think of Oman as a great vacation destination, it is in fact full attraction see and experiences to be had. In particular, if you’re a thrill-seeker, the region has a number of great options for you to choose from.

Desert Camping

A massive portion of Oman’s land actually belongs to the Great Oman Desert. This wilderness of heat and sand covers an area of over 64,000 square kilometres, and it’s the perfect destination for an overnight camping trip. Spread across this vast sea of sand are several camping sots for you to choose from, so pick one and get this adventure started.

Dolphin Watching

If you prefer some fun out on the open waves catching sight of some fascinating marine mammals, consider a dolphin watching tour off the coast of Oman. Certain Oman hotels – say, for example, the Al Falaj Hotel – will most likely recommend this activity on their itinerary, so don’t miss out!

Taking a Hike

If you prefer a bit of quiet seclusion and some alone time with nature, a hike up the Jabal Akhdar Mountains will offer the best mix of excitement and tranquillity. If you’re into rock climbing, some of the cliffs face present out here will surely get your blood pumping.

Sinkhole Diving

Many stories try to explain the origins of the mysterious pool that lies right next to the main highway near Wadi Shab– some even state it was caused by an ancient meteorite. Whatever the case may be, put on a pair of shorts and dive right in to escape the searing midday heat!

Scuba diving in the Maldives

When compared to freediving, scuba diving is much more practical if your goal is to take in the underwater world at a slower pace. It is a highly-sought activity, especially among first-time divers or amateurs in the field.

Diving Lessons

For some of us, scuba diving can be an unnerving task. But with professional training, you will be able to swim like a pro alongside the colourful inhabitants of the sea. Check with the Maldivian resort you are staying at, such as Saii Lagoon Maldives and they are sure to recommend a place that provides diving lessons.

The Equipment

If you can see yourself becoming a regular diving enthusiast, having your own equipment would be a lot easy on your wallet. A regulator, a BCD, and a wet suit are what you need when diving. If you don’t want to carry these around, you can always rent the equipment. Just be sure to check some of the best and the exclusive Maldives offers before opting for a particular resort.

Diving Sites

Reefs, Kandus, Thilas, and Giris, are some of the fascinating diving sites around the Maldivian atolls. You could even explore a wreck and discover something from the past. All these sites will offer you mindblowing experiences of a world that transcends time.

The Experience

It isn’t that surprising that diving is one of the best attractions of Maldives. From being transfixed by vibrant reef fish to getting up close to a gorgeous manta ray, it offers an exhilarating feeling that would last for a lifetime.

Interesting facts about the Kalahari Desert

Exploring the Kalahari Desert is simply a magical experience. The main reason is that it’s unique in its features and travellers can’t feel the same enjoyment at any other desert in the world.

Ragnhild&Neil Crawford from Sweden, Otoptera burchellii-0792 – Flickr – Ragnhild & Neil Crawford, CC BY-SA 2.0

The Okavango River runs through here

Did you know that Papa Falls- one of the most favourite attractions among guests holidaying at Botswana resorts is a part of the Okavango River? This river is considered the 04th longest river in the world and it runs through the Kalahari Desert.

There is a higher rainfall

Bringing in good news for everyone hoping to visit the desert during their stays at hotels such as Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino, there is the hope of rain here! Yes, it’s strange, but this desert receives 5-10 inches of rainfall every year.

There is a rich plant life

Particularly in the Northern parts of the desert, the plant life is rich. This is because of the special feature in the desert soil as it can retain water much better than the other desert soils.

The dunes have a permanent landscape

If you have ever visited the Namib Desert, you must have noticed that its sand dunes are shifting with the wind. But, the Kalahari dunes do not change and their shapes are more or less static.

The Must Know Ski Guide

Rushing down white peaks with wind billowing past, as your shift your weight from side to side with laser focus is a thrill that is wished by many but known to few, so buckle up for an experience of a lifetime.

Are you ready?

While it may be disheartening to some, it is a taxing sport, so it is worth mentioning that you should focus on some strength building exercises before attempting any major slopes.

Image Credit: Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside

Accept Falling:

Going hand in hand with skiing is falling, so learn to embrace the odd tumble as you fight for balance. If you are at a Whistler hotel the likes of Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside, try some skiig at the wide expanse of snowy mountains here.

Yes, you can get sunburnt in the snow. So be sure to pack in enough sunscreen so that you do not have to spend the rest of the time wincing at every step!

Learn to wear ski boots:

These contraptions are a must when it comes to skiing so it is best to under select the boots that fit you best in order to be able to truly appreciate the experience on the slopes.

Dig into the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya

Once a safe haven for a king with an artistic turn of mind, Sigiriya rock fortress is an intriguing historical site.

Time your climb

You should plan to climb the rock as early as possible to avoid the heat of the day. Book a Sri Lanka resort nearby and make your way to the site early in the morning. For example, from Habarana Village by Cinnamon, you can reach the site under 30 minutes by car.

A little bit of history

King Kashyapa, who loved art and fine living, built his palace complex atop a monolithic rock pillar in the 5th century. He sought to escape potential enemies and live a life of indulgence. Engineering feature of the palace complex is just as fascinating as its art.

Explore the gardens

This amazing structure was once full of beautiful gardens. The water garden on top, in particular, had been laid out with immaculate precision to consist of various ponds and fountains.

Check out the frescoes

Subject to much controversy and dispute amongst archaeologist, Sigiriya frescoes depict exquisite, bare-chested damsels carrying bunches of flowers.

The mirror wall and its poetry

In its heyday, the mirror wall would have been a gleaming surface for poets and visitors to scribble their snippets in admiration of the genius of the rock fortress.