Destinations

I specialize in modern, unusual, and traditional travels which have currently become the most popular kind of travel for celebrities. It has become popular because hotels are now more than a place to sleep, they are part of the experience. Europe is now a common vacation spot so for those who are looking for something different South America, Africa, and Asia are the new hot spots. And contrary to what you may think about these countries vacations to these exotic areas can be very luxurious.

For vacations South America I suggest Argentina and Chile. Argentina is where the Iguazu Waterfall is found, it is one of the most magnificent natural wonders of the world. This is a great location for those looking for outdoor adventure for one can walk right through the falling water, or take a boat to the mouth of the fall, or explore the National Park that surrounds it. In Chile one can explore any and all kinds of natural landscapes. One of the most stunning views of Chile is from the The Explora Hotel in Patagonia, Chile. This is a remarkable hotel tucked away in a biosphere reserve containing waterfalls, glaciers, forests, and granite pillars all more than 2,000 meters above the Patagonian steppes. Both of these locations will leave you in awe at the natural beauty this world has to offer.

Cambodia and Vietnam are some of the up and coming vacation spots in Asia. The hotels are very chic and modern with the highest quality service. In Cambodia the The FCC Angkor is found in the heart of Siem Reap and overlooks the Siem Reap River. The hotel is also only minutes away from the striking and remarkable Angkor Wat temples. In Vietnam the Six Senses Resort, located on the Ninh Van Bay overlooking the China Sea, is a prefect hideaway when you’re looking to get away from it all. With white sand beaches in front of you and mountains surrounding you, the stress of life will just melt away.

Africa now has some of the top hotels in the world. The Royal Malewane, is for those looking for a place to escape, located deep in the South African bush one is surround by wild splendor. This kind of experience is for the more adventurous traveler who wants to experience Africa in its natural state. In Botswana the Sanctuary Lodges and Camps are a great way to experience Africa. Sanctuary has four locations in Botswana all luxury, all set in the heart of Botswana’s wilderness. If your looking for where luxury meets adventure Africa is just the place.

It took me 6 days to hike to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, also known as “Africa’s Roof.” The Marangu Hotel in Moshi, the closest town to the mountain, was our Outfitter and we spent three nights there taking care of jetlag and getting ready for the trip. By choosing the longer Machame Route, and not the popular Marangu Route, we had more time to acclimatize and a greater chance for success.

We hiked from the equatorial rain forest, moors and beautiful high alpine desert to finally reach the frigid summit, Uhuru Peak at 19,340 feet.

On summit day at 15,000 feet we woke up to a blizzard. So instead of hiking in the scree we hiked in snow the whole way! It was an arduous adventure. So for something different - I highly recommend it. And going on a Safari after the climb would be an added treat when visiting beautiful Tanzania.

From guest blogger Wayne Suttie of Tintswalo Safari Lodge.

This month just when we thought the bush couldn’t possibly become thicker, more lush, and beautiful, we found ourselves pleasantly surprised! The grass and trees have become almost impenetrable and the bush is vibrant and green. Our small dams are turning into lakes and our normally dry drainage lines have flowed with gushing water on a few occasions throughout the month. The game viewing has been splendid as usual, despite the thick bush. If anything, it’s helped viewing, because much of the game is choosing to use the roads instead of wading their way through the thick bush.

Our southern pride of 14 lions has been frequenting the area around Tortoise dam and we have had good viewing of the cubs. It’s an amazing sight to see such a large pride in action. The three lionesses that stay in the area around the lodge have been hiding from us, and it seems that they have been covertly operating in the wilderness south of the lodge.

The north of the reserve has also been very productive this month. Cheetah, lions and leopard have been seen frequently in the area around Wilderness, Skybeds, and Khoka Moya. We had an especially memorable sighting of a relaxed male leopard, which we were able to sit with for some time on an evening drive as he posed for some brilliant photos.

Several elephant herds have been moving through the area, and as a result, we’ve also had several sightings of bulls. The bulls have been delighting us with visits to the small pan in front of our deck, whilst we sit having breakfast with the guests. These huge animals have also been enjoying the new, thick vegetation and wet weather.

Our old resident hippo has moved into Ingwe Manzi, a dam not too far from the lodge. One evening, we sat with him after dark as he grazed around the water’s edge. At the same time, a rhino bull was coming to the water for a drink. It was quite a unique occurrence to be able to observe both giants at the same time.

The days are slowly getting shorter as we move closer to the end of summer, and with the changing seasons, we are excited to see what new adventures come our way!