Australia Travel

African Travel Tips when visiting Namibia

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:10:41 +0000

Namibia’s name was derived from Namib desert, which is believed to be the oldest desert in the world. This unique geological feature is renowned for the pristine and haunting quality of its landscape. It’s this feature that characterizes the country most, and is home to some of the country’s top tourist destinations, notably Sossusvlei, Sandwich Harbour and the Skeleton Coast Park.

Far from being lifeless and barren, the desert features an unusual variety of desert-adapted flora and fauna, including a large number of endemic plant, bird, reptile and insect species. Many of these species are of particular scientific interest and attract scientists from all over the world.

CAPITAL: Windhoek

CLIMATE: Namibia has a dry climate typical of a semi-desert country where droughts are a regular occurrence. Days are mostly warm to very hot, while nights are generally cool. Average day temperatures in the summer vary from 20°C – 34°C and average night temperatures in the winter vary from 0°C – 10°C. There are vast differences between the arid southern desert and semi-desert areas and the tropical north-east with its abundant summer rains. The best time to visit Namibia is Apr-Oct.

CURRENCY: 1 Namibia Dollar = 100 cents. Rands are accepted as legal tender. Traveller’s cheques are accepted almost everywhere. German Marks, USD or Swiss Franc traveller’s cheques are recommended. In general, credit cards are accepted by most hotels as well as in Namibia Wildlife Resorts where MasterCard, Visa, (Diners Club and Amex not always), Namibian Dollars, Rand traveller’s cheques and bank guaranteed cheques are accepted. Credit cards aren’t accepted for fuel.

ELECTRICITY: 220 volts, 50Hz. Plugs are 3-pin round.

HEALTH: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age coming from infected areas. Visitors are advised to take pre-arrival precautions against malaria (risk exists Nov-Jun in the northern regions such as Ovamboland and the Caprivi Strip as well as in Omaheke and Otjozondjupa and throughout the year along the Kavango and Kunene rivers), hepatitis A, polio and typhoid. Tap water is safe.

LANGUAGE: English is the official language. In shops, hotels and restaurants, Afrikaans and German are often spoken.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS: New Years’ Day (1 Jan); Independance Day (21 Mar); Good Friday (9 Apr); Easter Monday (12 Apr); Labour Day (1 May); Cassinga Day (4 May); Ascension Day (20 May); Africa Day (25 May); Heroes Day (26 Aug); Goodwill Day (7 Oct); Human Rights’ Day (10 Dec); Christmas Day (25 Dec); Boxing Day (26 Dec).

SHOPPING: woodcarvings; basketry; pottery; fur coats & jackets, especially Swakara; gold jewellery; individually-designed hand-woven carpets and wall hangings made from karakul wool; Namibian semi-precious stones and diamonds; Herero dolls.

SOCIAL CONVENTIONS: There is a Christian majority. Western customs and courtesies are observed. Business suits are worn in winter; in summer, safari suits are acceptable.

TIME DIFFERENCE: GMT +2 (GMT +1 during Apr-Aug)

TIPPING: 10 percent of the bill is customary.

TOP TEN ATTRACTIONS DESCRIPTION:

Windhoek:

The capital; a small, bustling city with a ‘continental’ atmosphere; many sights including the Gibeon Meteorite Fountain, National Art Gallery of Namibia, Tintenpalast, Namibia Craft Centre and National Botanical Garden; shopping.

Fish River Canyon:

One of Namibia’s most spectacular geological phenomena; contains Ai-Ais Hot Springs, rugged mountainland, Fish River Canyon (second largest gorge in Africa) and Huns Mountains with isolated and otherworldly landscape and wealth of interesting xerophytic plants; seasoned hikers regard the 4-5 day trail as one of southern Africa’s major challenges.

Sossusvlei-Namib:

Naukluft Park Monumental dunes lie at the end of an erosional trough formed by the Tsauchab River; they are star-shaped.

Etosha National Park:

Namibia’s first conservation area and one of the largest game reserves in Africa; its definitive feature is the Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression of approx. 5000km²; elephants here are reputed to be of the largest in Africa; of the 114 mammal species found in the park, several are rare and endangered; bird life is interesting during rainy season.

Skeleton Coast Park:

An aura of mystery and impenetrability surrounds this park with its many shipwrecks, dense coastal fogs and cold sea breezes; of special interest are the clay castles of the Hoarusib, the salt pans near Agate Mountain, the seal colony at Cape Frio and the remains of shipwrecks along the coast.

Caprivi Strip:

Lush riverine forests and seasonal flood plains; some of southern Africa’s top birding spots, especially the Caprivi Game Park; known also for its arts and crafts e.g. pots and baskets with their distinctive beauty and symmetry; shop at Lizauli Traditional Village and variety of craft centres; other activities include angling e.g. tiger fishing and game viewing on boat cruises.

Luderitz-Kolmanskop:

Namibia’s most famous Ghost Town, situated in the Sperrgebiet approximately 10km from Lüderitz; the museum recounts the history of this abandoned mining community.

Swakopmund:

Popular because of its old-world charm and relaxed atmosphere; distinct German colonial character; historical buildings and modern aquarium; renowned for kudu leather shoes.

Cape Cross Seal Colony:

Home to the biggest and the best-known of the 223 colonies of Cape fur seals which breed along the coast of South Africa and Namibia; during Nov/Dec breeding season as many as 150,000 seals gather here; off the coast are protected bird islands.

Epupa Falls:

One of Namibia’s prime tourist spots; a series of cascades where the Kunene River drops 60m over a distance of about 1,5km, dividing into a multitude of channels and forming a myriad rock pools; it is possible to swim in these pools, but keep a lookout for crocodiles.

By: Gerald Crawford

Perth Australia travel guide and information

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 22:10:52 +0000

If you are longing for a great holiday which has some difference, then you may like to visit Perth.is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. With a population of 1,650,000 (2009), Perth ranks fourth amongst the nation’s cities, with a growth rate consistently above the national average. The Western Australia offers a very warm welcome to the guest and a great climate too.
Perth is an isolated place which is far and diverse enough to give a great place to rest away from the busy life. Although, it is an isolated city but it has numerous things to offer. It has superb attractions which has been attracting millions of tourist each year from all over the world. Here are few Perth information which can help you to know about this place better.
Perth offers numerous activities to carry out for the visitors. These Perth activities enable a great holiday and loads of fun. Some of the most adventures and fun-filled activities include swimming, sunbathing, snorkelling, tennis, scuba diving, golf and a lot more.
Not merely the Perth activities are amazing, but the Perth events are also something which is a must to see and experience.
Here are few recognized Perth events which are very famous in Perth:

Perth Fashion Festival
Crafts and Antique and Collectors Fair
Stewart Park Music Festival
WA Wine & Food Festival

These Perth events are the best events which any person can experience. It includes huge gathering and great food. The music festival is also a superb event especially for those who are very fond of music. Food and wine festival can be great for the food and wine lovers as it offers a huge range of wine list from all over the world.
The holiday inspirations website is recognized and trusted home for information on holiday destinations. The website gives you the detailed information about the destinations. A Perth Holiday can be a lifetime experience. If you are planning your holiday trip to Perth and looking about the details then you can find the same on the holiday inspirations website. The website provides you information on Perth Activities, Perth Events and all other Perth Information.

Well Support the Preparation of Last Minute Holiday

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:46:24 +0000

Holiday is a time for most people to have fun; enjoying the free days by having some vacations to kinds of beautiful tourism destinations and enjoying all of the pleasing things there. Holiday must be prepared well before so that all things can be ok and it can be more enjoyable. The preparations may belong to tickets and lodging reservation, documentations, and all things needed while enjoying the vacation.

Flights tickets and hotel reservation is something that should be booked long time before the departure. It is because the prices are commonly fluctuating based on the season and also how many people having the trips. That is why last minute holidays are always more expensive; because most flights prices are increasing in the last minutes before departure time. It is also about hotel prices; it will be more expensive moreover in the high seasons or holiday.

In Latedeals co uk you can find all late holidays needs in all categories for all destinations surround Europe or worldwide. This is a site where you can find special flights booking in last minutes times that are in the special prices too. It will help you prepare a pleasing and perfect holiday; even it is in the last minutes. Just visit the site now and see all you can get to prepare a perfect last minutes holiday.

Travel Immunization and Vaccination Advice for Safe Travel

admin — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:29:00 +0000

If you are planning to travel abroad, you may need certain travel immunization. Which vaccinations will be required will depend on your travel destination, the length of your stay, and whether or not you have already been inoculated against particular diseases. Consult a physician or travel medicine clinic at least four to six weeks before your departure in order to allow the recommended time for vaccinations to be effective. This is especially important for those whose travel destinations include tropical areas or developing countries. Immunizations against diseases such as hepatitis, typhoid, and cholera, as well as drugs that protect you against malaria are vital to your health. Here is some travel vaccination advice obtained from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Showing proof at customs

Immigration officials in some countries may ask you for immunization certification as proof that you have had vaccines against cholera and yellow fever; you may also have to prove to certain overseas employers that you have had your childhood vaccinations, such as those for chicken pox, measles, and polio. Because different countries have different diseases, you should consult the federal government’s health department to get a current list of countries and their prevalent diseases, as well as the mandatory inoculation for those countries. If you are uncertain of your immunization record, ask your current, past, and childhood physicians for a list of vaccines you have received.

Malaria

If you are traveling to an area where malaria is prevalent, you will need to purchase a sufficient supply of anti-malarial drugs which you must begin to take one full week before departure, for the entire duration of your visit, and for the continuing four weeks after leaving the malarial area. The actual medication prescribed will depend on the particular strain of malaria present in the country you are visiting. Moreover, travelers must take personal protective measures to reduce the risk of mosquito bites. It is wise to consult a physician or travel medicine clinic in order to obtain travel advice with regards to malaria.

Yellow fever

A vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory for entry into certain countries in Central Africa and South America. Travelers to these countries must possess an international certificate of vaccination that certifies that they have had yellow fever vaccination. An additional 102 countries require this certificate if there has been a stop-over in a region where yellow fever exists.

Travel vaccination advice

Ensure that your vaccines against illnesses such as diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, measles,chicken pox, mumps and rubella are up-to-date Consider immunization against typhoid and hepatitis A if travel includes areas where sanitary conditions are poor Inform yourself on the particular risks involved when traveling to remote areas where immunization against meningitis, Japanese encephalitis, European tick-borne encephalitis,hepatitis B or rabies is required

Although most vaccines can be administered on short notice, four to six weeks prior to departure is recommended in order to maximize your protection as it takes time for your body to build immunity. Travel immunization provides protection, but it is not a substitute for proper personal hygiene, mosquito precautions, and careful selection of food and water sources. A health professional will be able to assess your personal travel immunization and preventative medication needs, depending on your physical health condition, previous immunization history, and travel itinerary.

By: Anna DeGaborik

The Necessity of International Travel Insurance

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:00:03 +0000

Everyone has an innate desire to travel abroad and go to places they’ve never been before. It certainly would be an exhilarating experience worth remembering for life.

Indeed, traveling abroad is exciting but there are things you need to brace yourself up with before you fly. These include international travel insurance. It isn’t a scam. Actually, it can be considered as a life saver in some ways. You’ll fully understand its importance once you get to your destination.

Basically, if you have international travel insurance at hand, you will never be anxious instead, you’ll have peace of mind. This is not a sales pitch. Take note, you are traveling to another country. You don’t know what to expect, right? Driving your way to a different state that has unfamiliar symbols and signs around with different names and places can be very disorienting. Good for you, if they speak the same language as yours or at least know how to speak the language you speak of.

Being in a foreign land can be discomforting as well as alarming at times. But with international travel insurance it will make it less so. Therefore, never hesitate to apply for international travel insurance before you leave the country.

Aside from having peace of mind, international travel insurance can also grant you safety. You can be spared from many paradoxes you may encounter along the way. For example, you are looking for a doctor and since let’s say, you are in Portugal, it would be easy if you speak Portuguese. Now, what if you can speak Portuguese, would you still need an English speaking doctor?

Another example, let’s put it in this case, if you happen to lose your passport, the easiest solution would be to go to your Embassy. Now, how are you going to do that when you can’t get inside the Embassy without showing your passport?

This is where International travel insurance serves its purpose. It provides solutions to these paradoxes and helps you get away from these difficult situations. Aside from that, it helps youin recovering nonrefundable costs in delays and cancellation as well as it aids you with emergency medical care.

Indeed, going to places you’ve never been can be an exciting experience. Seeing the world’s best tourist destinations such as France and Italy will certainly be a memorable experience. You may bump into some unexpected and unwanted events, like what was above mentioned; having international travel insurance will be your guarantee for a safe and worry-free trip.

By: Ileana Limon