This is one of my favourite Med cities - but not during the peak of high season in July and August when the streets are crammed full with people. If you have a choice of when to travel, try May, June, September or even a winter break. The old medieval city is intoxicating - on my last visit I did a walk around the city walls at sunset stopping for a sundowner en route - a great way to appreciate the old city.
"We thoroughly enjoyed our stay in your beautiful cottage and will definitely return one day"."Lovely place, we've enjoyed our stay very much"."I was amazed at the variety of circular walks available from the cottage, and access to the National Park right from the doorstep - fantastic!" "Nearly everything in the cottage felt new, yet it still felt very authentic at the same time - the PC was a nice touch and proved to be very useful". "I never imagined we would be able to unwind so quickly after arriving from a long drive, but as soon as we lit the log fire and switched off the wall lights, we knew this would be a great week."
I stayed in this tented camp for 2 nights on a 10 day adventure holiday in northern Sudan. Staying here was memorable - the tents were comfortable, not luxurious, but ideal considering the overall lack of infrastructure in this part of the world. Italian influenced dinners were very tasty - followed by a full sky of stars and an early morning rise to explore one of the greatest pyramid complexes south of Aswan!
I visited the Faroe Islands in 2001 on a trip organised by the Faroe Island Tourist Board - 5 days and 4 nights long. It was a wonderful trip despite a couple of days of rain and often cloudy skies. What struck me about these islands was the dramatic mountainous/volcanic scenery. Although the hills are quite bare in many places, when it rained, numerous gushing waterfalls formed cascading down to the sea and sounds - breathtaking. The cost of living wasn't too cheap but the people were very friendly and delighted to welcome visitors. Island hopping on the local ferries was fun, as was hiking from village to villagem, seeing 1000's of puffins and witnessing almost day-long sunlight. I'll return one day - perhaps island hopping north from the Shetlands next time!
Compared to other African 'big game' destinations Botswana stands out for its pristine, diverse and vast wilderness and waterways where safari seekers can get a true feel for the vastness of the African bush. Wildlife is abundant in many locations - particularly Chobe, Moremi and certain concessions in the Okavango Delta. Sightings of lion, elephant and buffalo are frequent. Birds are abundant. Boat safaris can be enjoyed in the Delta, on the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers, walking safaris are often possible and game viewing by vehicle is often a private affair.
Trish & David – England – Leopard Safari – Jan. 08We had a wonderful time on safari - despite the rain and the change in itinerary it really was a fabulous trip and it certainly exceeded our expectations. We greatly enjoyed the company of Gabriel - our guide and Malaki our camp assistant - they were superb. The food Malaki prepared in particular was excellent. We saw some fantastic game - leopards, cheetah and lions so we were very lucky. On a bush walk in the Okavango we also saw a python eating a bird - very rare I think. The birdlife in both the Okavango and the Moremi was 2nd to none - we really enjoyed that experience. All in all we felt we had a really warm welcome to Botswana and I think we'll be back! Thill Family – USA – Buffalo Safari – Oct 07This is to let you know how much we enjoyed our Safari! Our guide was terrific, as was our cook. We were lucky to have several French speakers on our Safari, which meant that Merapelo also joined the group as translator. She went beyond translation and not only helped in myriad ways around camp, but was a great travelling companion as well. We were very impressed by the level of organization, from the way the vehicles were outfitted to the meal planning, to making sure that we all made our travel connections after the Safari was over. Our guide is both a great guide and a superb driver! How he managed to always find the right route, and to spot game at the same time was a marvel to us all. Last, but not least, thank you, Bush Ways, for your attention to the numerous details that made our participation possible. We couldn't have done it without you, and I'm sorry that, having arrived late on Friday evening, we weren't able to thank you personally. If asked, we certainly will highly recommend Bush Ways to anyone contemplating a future safari.Marina, Giuseppe and Alessandra – Italy – Fish Eagle Safari – Oct 07Hi!!! We are just turned back home from a Bushways' safari (we did the FISH EAGLE TRAIL that started in Maun on 17th October and finished in Livingstone on 27th October); we're writing this e-mail just to thank you for the wonderful experience we lived in this journey: not only because we were so lucky to see a lot of wild animals (lions, elephants, hippos, buffalos, fish eagles, wild dogs, Leopard and much more!!!!...) but, above all, because we've met a lot of nice people.... first of all our guide Gideon and our camp-assistant Gabriel (and we like think to them like friends now!); they took care of us in an excellent way: we've learn a lot of interesting "things" about Botswana and about animals we've seen; they were very professional and we always felt safe and protected, especially in the nights when elephants came to visit our camp!!! :-) :-) :-) We miss to talk and joke with them... we really had a lot of fun with them and the other guests!We know italians are famous because they are a little bit "noisy", and we apologize if someone was disturbed from this... but usually italians are "noisy" when they're enjoying themselves, they're well, so... they laugh and joke... in few words they feel like at home!!! ... just like us in this safari!!!! That's why we want to thank you for this great adventure, the other guests that have passed these 10 days with us and "supported" us, the guys that "escorted" us in the Okavango Delta with their mokoros, and last, but not least, Gideon and Gabriel. We enjoyed so much that we're thinking to come again to Botswana and visit another part of your suggestive country... maybe in some years!!!!Brian & Sally – New Zealand – Elephant Safari – Sept. 2007My wife and myself recently completed (8-22nd September)the above and we enjoyed every minute of it. We were guided by “Misty “ and “Wireless” who did a fantastic job. The only problem was they were worried that their employer would give them the sack(jokingly)because we saw everything and we would not have any reason to come back. We assure you if we don’t come back it will only be because of time and distance from N.Z.We really enjoyed our safari and pass on our regards to “Wireles”Michael – Germany – Elephant Safari – July 2007Four weeks back from the elephant trail with Betta and Viktor I have just now checked my pictures of this trip. It was my fourth stay in Botswana and my second trip with bushways (two years back I have made the Hyena Trail with Neil and Wireless 1 ). This trip was the best one I have made in Botswana. Betta with his fantastic eyes ( who has better eyes ? him or an fisheagle ) saw more animals I would ever see. Never before I had the chance to make pictures of the leopard close by the car and lots of other pictures. What`s luck? Luck is to be at the right time at the right the place. Because of Betta we had a lot of luck. The organization of the trip was well done, the transfers from the airport to lodges and back to the airport always were in time. An excellent journey and I`m absolutely sure, that I will come back again to Botswana and I will make another trip with your company. Thank you very much for all! Varrwaere Family – Belgium – Lion Safari – July 2007If you ever want to experience a real vacation, this is the way to do it! Nan – USA – Elephant Safari – June 2007"Though I've been to Africa before, this trip was extraordinary, and I commend you both and your company for the quality and thought put behind each phase of planning, from the guides, to the food, to the Land Rover, to the bush showers - at every step of the journey, I was delighted with the experience. For the basics, first - the truck was perfect for viewing, the tents great and easy to put up, the bush showers and toilets much more dignified than I expected, and the food was terrific. The itinerary was well thought out, lots of variety, and gave us such tremendous exposure to the natural world, in these wilderness settings. If the guides would have been great, I would have been more than pleased with everything.But what I experienced with these three men, was beyond great, it was truly exceptional……” –
“In Tanzania we especially experienced the service of Hippotours as really outstanding. We have warm memories of the very friendly en personal service of Gilbert and Judith, who accompanied us on every transfer in Dar es Salaam. Besides, Gilbert drove through the country with us. He has not onlybeen an excellent and safe driver, but also a reliable and knowledgeable guide, a patient teacher of Kiswahili and above all a nice and dear friend. He played an important role in the success of our journey.” Chris and Jacqueline.
Not really... at least not in the city itself. I wouldn't recommend a visit to Nouadhibou just to experience the city. But a stop-over en route north to Mauritania or south from Mauritania, is certainly worthwhile - shops, markets, cyber cafes and supplies are plentiful. Attractions not so. The big highlight for me was Cap Blanc, located south of Nouadhibou - a dramatic place with a rusting beached ship, white sands, lighthouse and seabirds. Don't build your hopes up for spotting the monk seals though - you'll have more chance of winning the national lottery than seeing them !!!
Having just returned from 2 weeks travelling through Mauritania and Senegal, my experiences reminded me of some of my previous travels to this underestimated part of Africa. Although there is little wildlife on offer, what West Africa does offer is a real buzz and vibe for life. With colourful local markets, a warm and welcoming people, ancient mosques, rainforest, ancient desert trading settlements, fabulous beaches, impressive colonial forts, volcanic islands, mountains to climb and nomads to encounter - West Africa has a huge amount to offer travellers with a sense of adventure and yearning to see the 'real face of Africa', often untainted by western commercialisation. Exotic and challenging, welcoming and thought-provoking - I'd urge you to visit West Africa as soon as you can - you won't be disappointed!
Possibly underestimated by many, Dubai is a fantastic city for travellers looking for fun, sun, relaxation and shopping in a relaxed Arabian setting. Perfect for a long weekend - the city certainly has the 'wow' factor - not least because of its amazing architecture, ambitious future-world plans and sheer buzz and vibrancy. With a great choice of top-notch hotels, lively clubs full of beautiful people and restaurants for every tastebud, near-guaranteed sunshine and a range of exciting desert day trips available, I can't rate Dubai highly enough. I'll be back there soon!!!
I remember these lakes from my last visit here a couple of years ago - a great place for a picnic with some good game spotting and birdlife. A visit here makes for an interesting day trip from Moshi.
I visited this place in 2005 and found it to be well worth the detour. Nice and relaxing with waterfalls, fishermen and small beach. A hidden gem!
I've visited Krakow several times over the past 5 years. Although it is now busy with low-cost flight travellers, it is still a magical city at all times of year - particularly if you are lucky enough to be there in winter in the snow! Summer is just wonderful sat in a streetside cafe lapping up the sun. If on a long weekend go for 4 nights, there are many attractions worth a look outside the city.
Excellent location and wonderful views - super spot. I even had a hippo outside my tent at 2 in the morning!
