Archive for category: Travel Blog

      

Before visiting the Seychelles, I had heard a great deal about these alluring tropical islands. A remote island archipelago located in the Indian Ocean north east of Madagascar, the Seychelles has attracted visitors from all over the world for over 40 years – mainly due to the islands many beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain scenery, lush vegetation, and unique flora and fauna. After sending many travellers to the islands for honeymoons, family holidays and beach breaks, it was high time that I visited the Seychelles myself. And who better to visit with than my husband and my 18 month old daughter. It may come as a surprise that the Seychelles not only offers luxury resort accommodation (out of the budget range for most travellers), but also plenty of mid-range guesthouses and self-catering apartments & chalets. Since we were travelling with an infant, we opted for self-catering allowing us to be flexible and to fit with her schedule.

   

Our arrival on Mahe Island was in the evening so we missed the chance to see the stunning scenery en-route to our accommodations on the south east coast, Chalets D’Anse Forbans. But upon waking the next morning, we quickly discovered that we were indeed in paradise. Palm trees line the pristine beach of Anse Forbans and, heading down to the beach for our first swim of the holiday, we did not see another footprint in site! Anse Forbans is quite possibly one of the most beautiful beaches and bays that I have ever seen….and hardly a soul around! The bay is perfect for swimming when the weather is calm and there is great snorkelling just off the beach. If that’s not enough, during the months of October to January Hawksbill turtles come to the beach to lay their eggs, and a couple of months later they eggs hatch with hundreds of tiny turtles scuttling to the sea.

The owners of Chalets D’Anse Forbans are hospitable and friendly and they went out of their way to help us plan our few days on the island. They suggested renting a car for a day so that we could explore what the rest of Mahe Island has to offer. Setting out in the morning we ventured up the west coast stopping along the way at the many incredible beaches and bays to take photographs and have a quick swim. The island changes so much from the South to the North that it’s well worth exploring by car – we found lots of hidden coves with nobody in site; we drove up through the spectacular mountain passes; and we enjoyed a sundowner drink on one of the islands most scenic beaches, Anse Intendance.

                          

Our journey in the Seychelles took us to the island of Praslin next. Off we headed by local ferry, an efficient and easy way to travel between the islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. An hours trip on choppy seas (don’t forget the sea sick tablets!) and we arrived at the port. It seemed that we were in a totally different country. Praslin revolves almost completely around tourism and all the people of the island are very laid-back, the population a fraction of what it is on Mahe. Less mountainous than Mahe, but just as gorgeous, Praslin is easy to get around on the local bus network so travellers can explore the many stunning beaches and hidden coves by local transport and on foot. Travelling with a toddler, we decided to rent a car explore the island by car. As on Mahe we were struck by the beauty of the island and also the lack of people on so many of the beaches. It was easy to get away from the ‘crowds’ and find our own private beach were we spent the day playing in the waves, snorkelling, catching crabs and building sandcastles. Many of the beaches are wild and remote, while others are line with resorts….but even on these ‘resort lined’ beaches, it’s easy to find a private spot. Locals stay pretty much to themselves and, unlike in other African island destinations, tourists don’t get hassled by hawkers trying to sell over-priced but cheaply produced souvenirs.

Praslin has its share of resorts and luxury hotels catering to the rich, but just as on Mahe Praslin has plenty of locally run guesthouses and well-equipped self-catering apartments. We spent five wonderful days at L’Hirondelle directly opposite the well-known white sand beach of Cote D’Or.  This area is the tourist hub of Praslin lined with shops, restaurants, and dive centres. Day trips to the nearby islands of Curieuse, St Pierre, Cousin, and Aride can also be arranged. We decided to visit Cousin Island, a nature sanctuary and one of the most important nesting sites for hawksbill turtles in the western Indian Ocean. The island is also home to Aldabra giant tortoises, skinks, an indigenous green gecko, Fairy terns, lesser noddies, Frigate birds and plenty of other birds. A one hour boat trip from Praslin and we arrived on Cousin – we enjoyed a fascinating two hour guided tour. Definitely one of the highlights of our trip being able to experience an island that is completely devoted to nature and inhabited by humans, apart from a handful of researchers.

     

The Seychelles is without a doubt a destination that suits any type of traveller – it lends itself to exploratory travel as much as the more conventional resort stay. And it attracts nature lovers, golfers, hikers, divers, honeymooners, romantics, and those looking to relax and get away from it all. The laid-back people, the all year round warm weather, the white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters, the ease of getting around, and the huge range of accommodations available make it the perfect island getaway!

For more information about Janine’s holiday and the Seychelles islands please contact Janine on info@inspired2explore.com

 

As we headed towards the Pilanesberg National Park, I was reminded of how close it is to Johannesburg and Pretoria. Only a 2 hour drive and one leaves behind the hustle and bustle of the city and enters a wildlife haven. The main attraction of the park, apart from the wildlife of course, is the fact that it is quick and easy to get to, making it an easy add-on to any itinerary for those who do not have time to visit the Kruger Park or one of the other wildlife reserves further afield. It is also a short drive from the famous Sun City Resort which attracts hundreds of visitors each year.

The park has a rich array of southern African wildlife including lions, elephants, black & white rhinoceros, African buffaloes, leopards, zebras, hyenas, giraffes, hippos and crocodiles. And it is home to over 360 bird species. On our recent visit there, we kept our eyes open trying to spot the big game – we saw plenty of elephant, zebra, giraffe and other small game, but the predators eluded us that day. So, we decided instead to focus on the smaller things, of which there are many. A great way to enjoy the reserve and spot some of the smaller creatures is to stop at one of the many hides in the park.  Many of the hides overlook the vast lake in the middle of the park, and these hides create an excellent vantage point to view wildlife without being noticed. Upon arrival at one of the hides, we noticed a hippo snoozing in the water below the hide – nothing unusual about that. But on further inspection we saw that terrapins were using the hippos back as a resting spot, as if it was a huge stone! That’s something I have never seen before…..when one terrapin moved off, another popped its head out of the water, swam towards to the hippo, and climbed aboard. Astonishing!

Another fascinating sighting was a pied kingfisher that had caught a fish that was almost the size of his entire body. The kingfisher perched on a branch of a dead tree in the lake nearby to the hide, and we watched for about 30 mins while, fish in beak, it ‘smacked’ the fish on the tree branch over and over again, until finally it swallowed it whole, and flew off. The only guess we had as to why it ‘smacked’ the fish for so long was that it was trying to remove its scales before eating the fish. Nature has its reasons.

The amazing sightings reminded me that no matter how often I have visited this and other wildlife reserves, there is always something new and incredible to see. If you would like to visit this small, but beautiful reserve, there are a number of fantastic lodges in the area – ask us to recommend one that will suit you. To learn more about the Pilanesberg National Park, please contactJanine@inspired2explore.com

Uganda is a country with incredible natural scenery and a rich variety of ethnic tribes and cultures. Travelling through Uganda, you will be captivated by its beauty, abundant and diverse wildlife, and its people. The friendliness of Ugandans, and of course a chance to see some of the last remaining mountain gorillas in their natural environment, is the reason why so many people visit this beautiful country.

Trekking through the lush virgin forests to try and get a glimpse of the mountain gorilla was without a doubt the main reason for my visit to Uganda. But what I was not expecting was how much more the country had to offer. My first introduction to the forests of Uganda was an incredible walk in the Kibale forest. Located in Western Uganda, not far from the mysterious ‘mountains of the moon’ or Rwenzoris as they are more commonly known, Kibale Forest has a thriving population of Chimpanzees. Not knowing much amount about Chimpanzees in the wild, I had no idea what to expect from this experience. From the moment we entered into the forest, we heard the ‘piercing’ cries of the chimps, used to warn other chimps of danger, the danger being us! As the chimps got closer however, they ‘recognized’ our guide and were no longer so vocal (every day the local forest guides and rangers spend time walking in the forests with the chimps in close proximity to try to habituate them so that visitors can view these incredible animals from a safe distance without fear of an attack). I was amazed at how close we got to one family group of chimpanzees – there were about 15 of them and one minute they were up in the trees above our heads, the other they were on the ground moving fast through the forest and we practically had to run to keep up. At no point, however, did we feel threatened…….although the guides always made sure that we maintained a safe distance!

Trekking through the Kibale forest with the chimpanzees is one of the most memorable experiences I have had in all my Africa travels and I recommend including it to anyone visiting Uganda. Combine this activity with a stay at theKibale Forest Lodge, offering ‘rustic’ luxury and with outstanding views of the distant Ruwenzori Mountains, and you will not be disappointed.

Seeing the mountain gorillas in their natural environment was the next stop on our Ugandan adventure, and this activity is something I have been dreaming of experiencing for as long as I can remember.  As we headed further towards the mountainous region of the Bwindi reserve, the forests got thicker and the roads got steeper! Thank goodness we had a good guide as the roads in Uganda are not roads that you would want to negotiate on your own…..muddy at times and steep, with crazy drivers overtaking on blind corners along the mountainous passes. Safely we arrived at our beautiful lodge in the forest, Bwindi Volcanoes Lodge, ready for our strenuous trek into the mountains the next day.

Early in the morning we set out with our ranger and our small group of 8 people into the forests in order to find a particular family group of mountain gorillas. Viewing time with these animals is limited to only one hour so we made sure we were in the front of the group so we could get as close as possible. After only one hours walk (which is very unusual and can take up to 5-8 hours to find the group) we stumbled upon the group we were looking for, and luckily for us they we right in the open and lazing about, the little ones clambering over each other playing and swinging from branch to branch.  Mesmerized, I sat watching their interactions with awe until out of the thick brush from my left came a crashing sound that made me almost jump out of my skin! The silverback gorilla & head of the troop had appeared out of nowhere, his main role to protect his family from danger….again that being us! But as quickly as he appeared, he disappeared again under a ticket of tangled branches and shrubs and fell soundly asleep secure in the knowledge that we were not going to pose any threat. So we had the rest of the hour to enjoy our time with the females and their offspring…..an hour that I will never forget for the rest of my life.

To find out more about Uganda and trekking with the mountain gorillas and chimps, please contact Janine@inspired2explore.com

Being adventurous travellers, my husband and I always said that we would wait until having a child before we visited Mauritius. In our eyes Mauritius has always been one of those destinations for the ‘all inclusive resort’ package holiday traveller. We have never travelled this way because we really enjoy the freedom of being independent and travelling from one destination to another within a country, whether by self-drive, or local transport. But having a child this year made us realise that the type of holidays that we usually choose would not work when travelling with a baby, and it was now time to try out a resort package holiday. And what better destination to try it out than Mauritius known for its hundreds of world class package resorts offering amazing food, 5* service, and located on some of the most beautiful beaches in the Indian Ocean!

We chose the resort hotel Le Canonnier, located in the north west of the island a few kilometers south of Grand Baie, one of the main tourist hubs. Le Canonnier Hotel is a 4* hotel that is perfect for families offering a range of activities for the kids at the dedicated kids club (for kids from 3 yrs); baby-sitting facilities for toddlers and babies; family rooms; and plenty of land & water sports for the older kids from tennis to pool tables, waterskiing to snorkelling. The hotel has a large pool with an adjoining kiddie’s pool, and the ocean is flat and crystal clear making it very safe for swimming for kids of all ages.

Our days in Mauritius were spent lazing on the deck chairs by the beach, swimming, snorkelling, water skiing, and windsurfing. Each day the hotel arranges three snorkelling trips to the nearby reef and I was quite surprised at how plentiful the fish life is. We also tried out the glass bottom boat trip…which didn’t quite compare to snorkelling….but is a great option for those who don’t swim well, or those with small kids. Waterskiing and windsurfing were new experiences for us as we had never tried these before. We both managed to get up onto the skis after a couple of turns…with a bit if coaching from the water sports centre staff. But we were not quite as successful at windsurfing, both of us managing to sail all the way to the reef, but not being able to turn back! Needless to say the boat had to collect us and take us back to shore, windsurfer in tow!

Of course after all the activities we did plenty of eating and drinking! The big advantage of booking a fully inclusive package is that we could indulge in the buffet breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks; and enjoy all of the delicious cocktails without having to worry about any additional costs. Food and drinks are expensive at the hotel so it is well-worth choosing the fully inclusive option.

We had such a fantastic week in Mauritius and will not hesitate to go back. So for anyone that thinks that an inclusive resort package holiday is not for them, think again!

The Hop-on Hop-off City Sightseeing bus is definitely the best way to see Cape Town in two days. The busses run daily and there are two main bus routes which you can choose – The Blue Mini Peninsula Tour and The Red City Tour. We decided to do the Blue Tour beginning at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens situated at the base of world famous Table Mountain. From Kirstenbosch the bus takes you along Rhodes drive towards the bustling town of Hout Bay. Rhodes drive is a beautiful scenic road which winds along the mountain side giving you breathtaking views of the mountain above and valley below. Although it was a cool winter’s day the sun was shining bright and there was not a cloud in the sky, so we decided to sit at the top of the bus and enjoy the wonderful views.

As the bus makes its way towards Hout Bay you have the opportunity to hop off at the change point at Constantia Nek, where another bus waits to pick you up. From here the bus takes you to the Constantia Valley Wine Farms and you can choose where you would like to get off. We decided to visit Jonkershuis Wine Farm which is nestled in the middle of the Groot Constantia Wine Estate. The area is surrounded by old oak trees and the famous Groot Constantia Vineyards. After a little tour of the Wine Estate we treated ourselves to a coffee at the quaint bistro set in the gardens of the farm. The bistro is set in a brilliant position with panoramic views of the whole peninsula. We sat enjoying the peaceful surrounding and spectacular views before we had to make our way back to the bus.

From Jonkershuis Wine Farm, you will be taken back to the Constantia Neck change point to get onto the bus travelling onwards towards Hout Bay. Before you enter the main town of Hout Bay you will see signs for “World of Birds” which is the largest bird park in Africa and it is definitely worth visiting if you have not been there before. There are over three thousand birds (and small animals) of different species which are kept in spacious walk through aviaries, allowing you to feel close with nature. We had visited the bird sanctuary before so we continued our way through to the main town of Hout Bay. The next stop is Mariners Wharf, which is based at Hout Bay Harbour. It is a marvellous little hub made up of restaurants, shops, markets and where locals and tourists come to enjoy a good meal, shop or take a stroll down the peer to look at the old fisherman ships.

From Hout the Bay we continued towards the coastal road which takes you to Camps Bay. This coastal road allows for breathtaking views of the ocean and is also a good place to spot whales or dolphins. As the bus makes its way towards Camps Bay, you will pass the little beach town of Llandundo. Llandundo is renowned for its magnificent houses, spectacular views and unspoilt beaches. I would definitely recommend spending a day here soaking up the sun or simply enjoying a sundowner on the beach watching the sun setting over the ocean. If you feeling adventurous you can also take a walk to Sandy Bay – a nudist beach just a ten minute stroll from Llandudno.

Our next stop was Camps Bay – one of Cape Town’s most favourable destinations. With its long stretches of white sandy beaches and streets lined with palm trees, it has become a very a very popular spot for the young & trendy and rich & famous. We decided to jump off the bus here and take a gentle stroll along the beach before having a bite to eat at one of the little restaurants located just off the main beach road. It was a beautiful sunny winter’s day and we enjoyed a delicious meal as we watched the waves gently breaking on the white sand.

Our last stop was the V&A Waterfront. We had been to the waterfront many times so we decided to take the City Sightseeing Canal Cruise, where you will get the opportunity to see the waterfront from a completely different angle. This is a hop-on hop-off cruise, so you might decide to spend some time at any of the stops along the way and rejoin a boat later. The cruise includes a trip through the V&A Waterfront’s beautiful canal and stops at the One and Only, the City Lodge and the Harbour Bridge before arriving at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. While you cruise along the canals you will also enjoy seeing the many luxury apartments rising above on either side of the canal, owed mainly by the rich and famous. Don’t miss out on this exciting Cape Town experience!