Zambia Safari Top Five National Parks
December 15, 2007
Zambia is Africa’s best kept secret as far as safaris go. The country is a virtual unknown in comparison to other more traditional destinations but a Zambia safari can be every bit as good and in some cases even better.
This top five list of the best national parks and game reserves in the country gives you a taste of what to expect. It has been compiled from zambia safari reviews at the African Safari Journals website, forums, travel magazines, industry expert opinions and my own twenty year plus African safari experience.
Some experts have branded the Luangwa National Park as one of the greatest wildlife sanctuaries in the world because the density of game you can find here mixed with the isolation and pure unadulterated wildness of it is almost without compare.
Because it is reasonably undiscovered except to the locals in the know and a select few foreign visitors, it hasn’t been overrun by masses of tourists yet and you can experience a safari here as it should be and some say that is the best Africa has to offer.
Botswana Safari Top Five National Parks and Game Reserves
December 14, 2007
A Botswana safari is an excellent trip to undertake because the setting is as unique as you will find anywhere in Africa, the game viewing is exceptional and the accommodation is top notch.
By using travel journals submitted at the African Safari Journals website, my personal experience of over twenty years, forums, magazines and the general consensus in the travel industry this is the list of the five best national parks and game reserves to go on a Botswana safari in…
1. Okavango Delta and Moremi GR
The Okavango Delta must qualify as the most unique and varied safari area in Africa.
The delta lies in the North of Botswana and it consists of narrow water channels lined by papyrus, floodplains covered knee deep in water, hippo filled lagoons, forest glades and savannah grassland.
You can go on outstanding wildlife viewing expeditions here on foot, using a 4×4 vehicle, a mokoro (dug-out canoe) or a motorised boat.
Vast herds of buffalo, elephant, gazelle and zebra roam this rich ecosystem which is fed by the Okavango river which has its source in the Angolan highlands and floods the delta every year.
How Do You Bring The Freshest Fish to The Table?
December 13, 2007
Fish is one of earth’s natural wonders and has satisfied our palates since the beginning of man. Their flesh is light and delicate, lean and is packed with protein, the anti-oxidant vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids. All play a role in keeping our hearts and immune system functioning as it should. The most popular fish we consume is tuna, salmon, flounder, Pollock and cod. But considering there are about 25,000 species of fish, there is enough variety of edible fish for the most discriminating taste. But how do you know when you are bringing the freshest fish to your table?
When you approach the fish market, let your nose be your guide. Really fresh fish has a very light smell. If it has a strong fishy smell pass it up. It may have been processed incorrectly after being caught. If the fresh catch from the fishing boat has equipment to flash freeze the fish, when it arrives to you it will not have that strong smell. You should also check the date the fish was packaged (especially if you are purchasing at your local supermarket). Fishy smell will permeate even through plastic. Don’t buy it.
South Africa Safari Top Five National Parks and Game Reserves
December 12, 2007
A South Africa safari is the ideal wildlife trip to go on because the infrastructure and accommodation is superb in all the wildlife parks there and it is still highly affordable in comparison to other African countries.
But given a choice some of the national parks and game reserves are better than others.
Here is a top five list ranking them according to travel reports received at the African Safari Journals website, my safari experience of twenty plus years, industry forums, magazines and the general consensus of the experts.
1. Kruger NP
The Kruger National Park has to rank as one of the best South Africa safari destinations, only slightly behind the Masai Mara and Serengeti when it comes to wildlife viewing because the vegetation in Kruger can be dense and sometimes mars the ability to see longer distances.
But the variety of animals, birds and ecosystems that you can experience here are unparalleled anywhere else in Africa and the accommodation, roads and facilities are top notch and all at a very affordable price.
It’s not unusual to see lion, leopard, cheetah, a pack of wild dog, rhino, elephant, buffalo and a whole host of antelope, crocodile and hippo in the course of a single trip including a variety of insects and reptiles.
Ever Said: We Should Have Caught Bass By Now?
December 11, 2007
Have you ever been on a lake and thought to yourself or said to your fishing partner, “We should have caught some fish by now”? Well, maybe it’s time to downsize. One reason to downsize is when the bass are going through the stages between spawn and postspawn like they are now in Ohio. We all have heard big lures catch big bass and that is true but there is a time when large lures just don’t cut it. When the bass are in the spawn to postspawn transition find the warmest water on the lake and try downsizing your lure.
When you’re fishing a lake and know what the bass are eating, try to match it. Why throw a 10″ worm when they are eating 4 inch shad? That just doesn’t make sense. So if you know what the old bass is eating then match the size of your lure to the prey.
Cold Fronts-This can be the worse fishing of all, especially if the front stalls. Bass become homebound, they don’t move far from cover for sure. Now is the time to downsize and/or drop-shot that small lure.
San Francisco Beaches
December 11, 2007
When you are planning a vacation to Maui or Rio de Janeiro you may put beaches on the top of you list of things to see. However, when planning a trip to San Francisco, you may have heard of North Beach, but North Beach doesn’t have any beaches (though the neighborhood was named after a beach that used to be on its north shoreline). If fact, San Francisco has several beaches that provide diversions for residents and visitors alike.
Make no mistake about it, San Francisco is not Los Angeles. Unless it’s an exceptional day, San Francisco beaches tend to be a little chilly, windy and foggy. However, this should not deter you from enjoying a nice afternoon at the beach. Many San Francisco beaches have beautiful panoramic views of the Marin Headlands, Point Bonita Lighthouse and the Golden Gate Bridge. Just be prepared with a sweatshirt or jacket in addition to your shorts or swim suit. Because of the latitude of San Francisco, the waters may be too cold for swimming (unless you brought your wet suit). Bring your beach towels, a sand bucket, a good book, a kite and a Frisbee to make the best of your afternoon at the beach.
What You Need To Know Before You Sell Your Boat
December 10, 2007
As the owner/operator of a full service boat detailing-yacht maintenance business I can’t help but chuckle sometimes at seeing the extremes that otherwise bright, intelligent, successful, people will go to in a misguided attempt to save a few dollars.
One of the biggest mistakes that we see is that people will decide to sell their boat without first having her completely detailed.
According to Rob Scanlan, a well known and respected Master Marine Surveyor;
“Detailing a boat is the single most important investment of time, energy and money a seller can make because a clean and shiny boat sells faster and for a lot more money. I strongly recommended that a seller enlist professional assistance to do a quality job.”
yacht1ship@aol.com (Email)
www.mastermarinesurveyor.com (Web site)
We at BoatDocs1, do a lot of work here on the Emerald Coast with local yacht brokers and know what the standards are for a “ready to show” boat. These professionals know that the cosmetic appearance says everything to the prospective buyer as to the overall care and maintenance that the previous owner has given the yacht. Add to that the universal wisdom about first impressions and it’s not hard to see the importance of this vital first step.
Tanzania Safari Top Five National Parks and Game Reserves
December 9, 2007
Ask about perfect wildlife destinations and a Tanzania safari will be at or near the top of the list every time.
But what about the national parks and game reserves within the country itself? Which are the best to visit because they can’t all be equally good.
Well, the top five list below provides the answers to that. It’s been set up by using objective travel diaries at the African Safari Journals website, my twenty years of safari experience, forums, travel magazines and general consensus within the safari industry…
1. Serengeti NP
One of the best safari parks in Africa bar none. The wildlife viewing on a Tanzania safari here often borders on the spectacular aided by the fact that the vegetation is predominantly grassland which makes spotting animals from a distance considerably easier.
The grassland is also able to sustain a multitude of herbivores like wildebeest, zebra and gazelle which in turn sustains a large population of predators to feed on them so it’s no surprise that the Serengeti is often referred to as “big cat central”. In the Masaai language Serengeti means “endless plain” which is very close to the truth.
Lucky Hat
December 8, 2007
Do you have a lucky hat?
It was a beautiful warm day in the mid 70’s. Typical of what we get in Colorado during September. I started out by checking the stream flows on the stream flows page at fly-fishing-colorado.com. The South Platte below Cheesman Dam was just perfect running 250 CFS. The water should be clear and not too much moss yet.
I was fishing the bridge pool where CO 67 and a Jeffco Highway come together. The water was crystal clear. The pool had just enough moss in it to offer fish protection and challenging fishing for the fisherman. After two hours, I had only had a couple of strikes but could not get hooked up.
So I headed to the car for my secret weapon. The “Lucky Hat” or in my case “Lucky Cap”. Mine is old and dirty. I purchased it in 1990 on a trip to Cancun, Mexico. How long it has been my lucky cap, I rightly can’t remember. Probably some 12 years or so. It has a logo on the front that says “Hard Rock Cafe”. It is not even a fishing cap. Yet when I wear it, I almost always catch fish.
Kenya Safari Top Five National Parks
December 7, 2007
The Kenya safari circuit is one of the best in Africa containing national parks and game reserves that consistently provide great wildlife sightings and experiences coupled with high quality accommodation.
But within the country itself there are certain areas that are better than others to safari in.
So, according to the trip reports received at African Safari Journals, forums, my twenty plus years of personal safari experience and the general consensus in the safari industry, these are the top five national parks to visit on your Kenya safari…
Along with the Serengeti in Tanzania, this is without a doubt the premier game viewing destination in Africa because of the quality and quantity of wildlife sightings to be found here.
This sometimes works against it because in certain places it can be overrun with tourist in safari vehicles all jostling for the best position around a bemused lion pride or leopard in a tree.
But if predators are what you seek from a Kenya safari then this reserve will deliver them in spades in the form of lion, cheetah, hyena and even regular leopard sightings if you know the right areas.
