Desert Safari

Morocco with Kids

Are you dreaming of an exotic family adventure that combines culture, history, and stunning landscapes? Look no further than the scarlet haze of Morocco. Here is a list of essential tips and family-friendly activities to make your Moroccan trip unforgettable.

Explore the Imperial Cities

Start your journey in the captivating cities of Marrakech, Fes, and Rabat. These cities are a treasury of history and culture, with bustling souks, stunning palaces, and vibrant street performances that will captivate both parents and children. You can also find the best places to stay in Marrakech, including properties such as Riad Elegancia, which are perfect for the family.

Sahara Desert Adventure

A desert excursion is a must for families. Set off on a camel trek into the Sahara and spend the night under the starry desert skies in a traditional Bedouin camp. It’s an unforgettable experience that will leave kids and adults alike in awe.

Embrace Moroccan Cuisine

Moroccan cuisine is a delight for the senses. Encourage your kids to try authentic dishes like tagine and couscous. Don’t forget to indulge in treats like Moroccan pastries and the iconic mint tea. Exploring local flavours is a fantastic way to immerse the family in Moroccan culture.

Souk Shopping Fun

Moroccan souks are a vibrant, colourful, and bustling shopping experience. Encourage your kids to engage in the art of bargaining for souvenirs. Teach them to appreciate handmade crafts, from leather goods to intricate ceramics.

Photography Safari

There’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that the country of Kenya is beautiful. Filled as it is with natural wonders, flora or fauna, it’s plain to see that it’s blessed with bounties of many different kinds. It’s things like this that lead the stray wildlife photographer, or nature enthusiast, to chase after these simple pleasures of life and capture them on analogue or digital film, immortalizing them as part of the planet’s history at a given point in time. Well-known for nature experiences and safaris, what better place to chase after nature than the very country of Kenya?

Amboseli National Park

As many might agree, there is something especially calming and special about seeing one of the Earth’s most majestic creatures, the elephant, in its natural herd, roaming around the brown-green plains that it loves. At Amboseli Park, that’s exactly what you get and more – on clear days, you’ll also have the mighty Mount Kilimanjaro providing an especially impressive backdrop to these lovely animals.

Nairobi National Park

The only park in the world situated within a national city, this option provides any avid photographers with some things to think about! If you’re interested in taking a few shots of Nairobi and its natural environs, consider the convenience of such a short drive in comparison to many other camping safaris in Kenya, and the great numbers of 400+ bird species to capture here!

Maasai Mara National Reserve

The most popular wildlife reserve in Kenya, consider touring this place with reputed tour companies like SkySafari if you’re contemplating a visit! It’s home to one of the most awe-inspiring spectacles, the Great Wildebeest Migration, and is one of the great Wonders of the World. It’s a great place to visit at all times of the year and provides a unique landscape that we have become so familiar with thanks to popular culture.

Samburu National Reserve

Our final choice on the list – the Samburu Reserve. Situated in Northern Kenya, it is home to the “Special Five” – the Somali Ostrich, Gerenuk Antelope, Grevy’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, and Beisa Oryx – excellent species to capture on your camera. It’s also home to other less unique species, although no less enjoyable to capture, such as leopards, cheetahs and other big cats that make their home here.

Trekking adventures in East Africa

Allowing for effortless weaving between gorgeously diverse ecosystems, from whimsical yellowwood forests and snow-capped meadows to dizzying gorges shadowed by breathtaking peaks, there’s no place like East Africa for the beauty-loving adventurer.

Take on Mount Kenya

From sighting tree-climbing lions in colonial-inspired national parks, snorkelling in with multi-coloured reef fish off Lamu island, racing 4WDs down ragged volcanic craters to scaling alpine vistas, immersing in equatorial wildflower meadows, and watching the mighty tide of migrating wildebeest, the African wilderness brims with exhilarating experiences. While climbing gigantic, glacier-topped Mt. Kilimanjaro isn’t for everyone, the gentler routes and breathtaking medley of terrains of Mount Kenya make it a must-have on your itinerary.

Dive into Ngorongoro Crater

Whether it’s thrillingly intimate wildlife encounters, decadent tropical beach antics, or eye-opening heritage escapades, East Africa warmly presents a rich mosaic of meaningful moments. An essential bucket-list safari destination, this staggering national park, with its beautiful crater lake, misty blue heights, and yellow-flowering forests, is home to a wonderous number of intriguing animals, from Africa’s majestic ‘Big Five’ to gazelles, wildebeest, zebras, and black rhinos.

Explore Volcanoes National Park

From adrenaline-high night safaris amid mysterious swamps to navigating bizarrely beautiful volcanic topography like the Danakil Depression, East Africa has many extraordinary excursions to compete for your attention. However, gliding through the rainforest and spending some one-on-one time with enormously endearing gorillas should be high on your list! For an all-inclusive African Safari proffering outstanding amenities, venture no further than SkySafari.

Hike Simien Mountains

If you’re looking for a UNESCO-listed heritage sanctuary complete with cinematic scenes ranging from blooming tropical gardens and rustic rural enclaves to ragged peaks, undulating pastures, and rare fauna, set your sights on the Simien Mountains National Park.

Dhow Cruise in Doha

Considered a rite of passage for first-timers, embarking on a dhow cruise around Doha can be an unforgettable experience. Here’s what tourists can expect to experience on this excursion.

Timing the Tour

Depending on the duration of your stay in Doha, it is possible to schedule a dhow cruise for the daytime or in the early afternoon or evening. The advantages of signing up for a daytime tour are that you will be able to gaze upon the city’s biggest landmarks in the light of day and be able to distinguish the many iconic structures lining the shoreline. The night-time or evening tour is suitable for the romantically inclined as the veil of night lets one admire the city when it is lit up to the nines.

Duration and Tickets

Dhow cruises are at least 4 hours long and can be considered the perfect way to explore Doha for those who are travelling to the city on business or only visiting for the weekend. As various resorts and private tour operators organise dhow cruises, it is best to book your tour tickets online. Those based at Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels By Tivoli and other reputable hotels in Doha can also purchase tickets through their accommodation provider.

Cancellation Policy

If you cannot take part in the dhow cruise for any reason or due to unforeseen circumstances, you can ask for a full refund if you inform the tour operator 48 hours before the tour departure time.

Meals on Board and Other Activities

Dhow cruises in Doha also include a BBQ or buffet meal while also offering travellers the chance to go snorkelling and swimming during the excursion.

Best Adventure Sports in Qatar – For that much needed adrenaline pump

Doha is an interesting place to visit offering stunning attractions that will make all leisure travellers from around the world to stay in this wonderful city. Here are a few exciting sports to try out.

Image via Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli

You’ll miss a major part of your Qatar trip if you don’t go on a desert safari tour. The best time to enjoy the thrills and spills of a desert safari is in the evening since during the daytime it’s quite difficult with the scorching heat. Feel thrilling moments of a dune bashing session as you go by a 4×4 land cruiser. You’ll say ‘Do more!’

A game of golf

You might have known Qatar for its epitome of modern living and vibrant culture but now it comes as an appealing destination for the most discerning of golfers. Want to discover its incredible golf courses? Savour your stay with a host of social events, numerous leisure activities and dining options. If you are in search of one of the many best hotels in Doha close to the famous Doha Golf Club, try out an option such as Al Najada Doha Hotel by Tivoli which is located 25 minutes away from the club.

Watersports

You’ll find no better place to try out some coastal adventures other than Oman’s huge coastline. There are many environmentally friendly beaches where one can try out diving, jet skiing, snorkelling, kayaking, stand-up paddle boating and sailing.

Beach fun

If you are not fond of any of these water sports activities, you can simply choose a deserted beach like Bimmah Beach to have a fantastic camping adventure. Have you ever heard of ‘Norway of Arabia’? Excited to know and explore it during your holiday? It is worth a visit!

Doha Quest

Doha Quest is the newest addition to the list of theme parks in Qatar. The high-tech indoor amusement park includes roller coasters, interactive games, and brightly lit kids’ rides.

Doha skyline from the Marriott Hotel, Qatar | Image by David McKelvey via flickr

Details

Located in Doha Oasis, Doha Quest is the recent most attraction added to the list of attractions in Doha. It is a location that has attractions for everyone, so no one has to stay behind in any hotels in Doha while the others go have fun. Quest is open from Monday to Saturday from 2 in the afternoon to 10 in the night, but it is closed on Sundays.

Highlights

Opened only in 2021, Doha Quest has already made history as it is home to the tallest indoor roller coaster known as EpiQ Coaster and the world’s highest drop water ride, which is known as Magma Blast.

Family attractions

Another speciality about Doha Quest is that it is separated into three different times, the past, the present and the future. The rides and the attractions are dedicated to each of the three themes giving them a story and a unique experience.

Adventures

Not located too far from Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels By Tivoli and the city centre, Doha Quest has something for everybody varying from rides, games, food and shopping.

Adventures in Abu Dhabi – Safaris in the desert

After reading this informative guide, your experience on the Abu Dhabi desert safari will be so much better. Discover the ideal time to visit, how to pick the finest excursions and advice on how to dress for your safari.

Image via Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara

What is a desert safari?

The desert has always fascinated travellers, but many were put off by its harsh weather and lack of water, not to mention the potential for getting lost among the endless miles of sand hills. A desert safari is an expert-led tour of the desert where you can engage in a variety of activities that the native Bedouins of the area enjoy, examine the desert’s natural habitat, engage in exhilarating desert activities, or unwind by watching a desert sunrise or sunset.

When to go?

The best time for desert adventures in Abu Dhabi is during the winter, which lasts from October to April. To ensure that your trip is enjoyable, the weather throughout the winter months is neither overly humid nor overly hot. Visit the country during its summer months, which are between May and September, if you want to get more reasonable hotel prices.

What to wear?

Before pre-dawn, the weather can be a little chilly, so you should bring a light cardigan. After sunrise, the temperature rises. Dress in long trousers made of fabrics like cotton or linen with t-shirts or tops made of the same materials to be able to manage between both temperatures. The temperature starts to fall in the evenings, so it’s not as hot. You can bundle up against the cool that starts to set in about sundown by dressing in trousers and shirts and carrying a lightweight jacket or sweater.

Where to click nice pictures?

Locations such as Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara will look stunning on your Instagram profile whether you enjoy sharing travel photos there or just want to showcase your gorgeous vacation in the desert. The Abu Dhabi desert offers fantastic photo opportunities everywhere.

Dhow Cruise Doha: Sail Through the Teal Water of The Arabic Gulf

Are you wondering how to make your holiday in Doha extra memorable? Why not take a traditional cruise through the waters of the Arabian Gulf? Read on to find out more about this unforgettable experience!

1024px-Doha_Skyline_Nacht_night — FLASHPACKER TRAVELGUIDE, Doha Skyline Nacht night, CC BY-SA 2.0

Where Can You Stay?

Are you looking through all the hotels in Doha wondering which of them to check in to? Resorts such as Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels By Tivoli and many others offer guests unparalleled comforts as well as central stays. So, pick your hotel based on your budget, itinerary and your preference of location.

What is a Dhow Cruise?

It is a traditional wooden boat which was steered by sailors, which is unique to Doha. Apart from its wooden frame, what set it apart was the two triangular sails which had pointed ends for the bow and the stern. However modern designs have one large sail which has been proven to be more powerful and efficient.

Dinner on the Dhow

Set off at dusk and enjoy watching the sun dip into the still waters of the Arabian Gulf. Dinner cruises are a wonderful way to take in the views of the city skyline from a unique perspective as well. Admire the glittering skyline from the waters while you make some unforgettable memories on your holiday in Doha.

Top Reasons Why You Need to Visit Qatar

The nation of Qatar offers an array of alluring attractions for visitors. Seekers of sunny weather, shopping enthusiasts, and adventure lovers will all enjoy experiencing the attractions of this country.

The great weather

Qatar Sunny climate | Image via *unsplash*

If you seek a holiday destination with sunny weather, Qatar would be a great choice. You will find that the weather here would generally be pleasant. Winters in this country will be very mild, and the coldest month would be January. Meanwhile, summers will be warm and humid, with July being the hottest month, though there are plenty of air-conditioned comforts too!

The shopping opportunities

Qatar offers a splendid selection of shopping options. If you seek large modern malls you will not be disappointed here, with the Mall of Qatar being a highlight. On the other hand, for a traditional shopping experience, there is the historical Souq Waqif as well as Souq Al Wakra beside the coast; an accommodation choice to consider located next to the latter would be Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli which also offers a spa in Doha Qatar.

The blend of modernity and tradition

The nation of Qatar inherits a rich cultural heritage as suggested by its architecture, museums, marketplaces, and World Heritage Sites certified by UNESCO like the Al Zubarah Archaeological Site. However, this nation has also embraced modernity, as shown by its impressive skyscrapers, contemporary amenities, and modern infrastructure.

The outdoor adventures

Adventure seekers will be in their element in Qatar as this nation offers an array of exciting escapades. Outdoor adventurers will enjoy skydiving above the Arabian Gulf, ascending sand dunes, scuba diving off the coast and so on. You could also embark on an ATV desert safari, ride camels, go kayaking and more!

Best attractions in Doha

The capital of Qatar, Doha attracts visitors from across the world on a daily basis. If you’re planning a trip to the city, then here are some of the star attractions to explore while there.

Islamic Art

An architectural gem, the Museum of Islamic Art is hands down one of the best places to visit in the city. Here you will be able to take in an extensive collection of artworks, metal work, ceramics and textiles that span over 1400 years!

The Corniche

There is no doubt that The Corniche is one of Doha’s best-loved attractions. The waterfront promenade hugs Doha Bay for over seven kilometers. Consider heading there for a relaxing stroll or better yet to catch a sunset. The entrance is free, and the Corniche can be reached easily from hotels such as Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli with ease.

The Gate Mall

Offering a luxurious shopping experience, the Gate Mall is definitely a great place to visit. The mall is home to numerous designer brands, high-end restaurants, cute cafes and many a spa in Doha, Qatar.

Barzan Towers

The Barzan Towers is located in Muhammed, Qatar, and is considered to be a must-visit tourist attraction in Doha. It’s a great place to take in stunning views of the city. No entry fee is required.