Gap Adventures is currently running a competition to design your own dream adventure. There are a number of requirements to be met and as I’m all for the adventure, dream, travel destinations, I set to work to create my custom design tour. The tour I have created takes in Senegal and Mali in the heart of West Africa, an area I’ve been longing to visit for many years, especially the amazing Djenne Mosque.
“Enjoy the sounds, colours and aromas of exotic Dakar, the home to the famous ‘Dakar Car Rally’. Take in Dakar’s markets, nearby ocean beaches and tropical rainforests. Enjoy a Senegal drumming class. Visit the first French settlement of Saint Louis, and like Île de Gorée, both were fortified collection points for slaves bound for the Americas…” – PLEASE READ MORE & VOTE
Situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea and 130km east of the capital Tripoli, lies the ancient Roman ruins of this once beautiful city of the Roman Empire.
Leptis Magna was enlarged by Septimius Severus who later became emperor. There is evidence of public monuments, a busy harbour, market place, storehouses, shops and residential regions. Some of the buildings are beautifully preserved all these years on. Leptis Magna gained UNESCO inscription during 1982.
Unfortunately, when I travelled throughout North Africa during the late 1980′s, the borders to Libya were closed to foreigners and I was unable to visit Leptis Magna. This travel destination remains on my Bucket List to this day!
The Amhara Plateau incorporates the ‘Simien National Park’ which is a World Heritage Site and was inscribed by UNESCO during 1978 – one of the first localities to receive inscription.
It is located in northern Ethiopia, 120 km north-east of Gondar. Erosion over the years of the Great Rift Valley, has created an amazing landscape of majestic peaks and deep valleys. Ras Dashen, at a height of 4620m, is the fourth highest peak in Africa.
The Gelada Baboons, Simien fox, Ethiopian wolf and the Walia Ibex (a goat) are found nowhere else in the world. Sadly, these species are diminishing. Consequently, during 1996 the park was added to the UNESCO register as a ‘World Heritage Site in Danger’.
The 5th Edition ‘Ethiopia Bradt Travel Guide Book’ comes highly recommended
One great reason to visit the Amhara Plateau and Simien National Park is to watch the fascinating Gelada Baboons negotiate the steep cliff-sides and manage it successfully!
Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve is found some 500km north-east of Johannesburg in a small area of the Kruger National Park. Sabi Sabi was established during 1979 and offers luxurious accommodation and safaris to view the park and hopefully see the Big 5 animals of Africa – the lion, leopard, rhinoceros, buffalo and elephant. There will be plenty of opportunity to see many smaller species of wildlife and some quite close to the accommodation surrounds.
Sabi Sabi Game Reserve’s luxurious accommodation includes the Selati Camp, Little Bush Camp, Bush Lodge and Earth Lodge. Each of the sites include a number of suites and each with a presidential suite (with a private pool) other than the Little Bush Camp. Relax on the verandah and enjoy the views. Dine under the African night skies. Absorb Africa.
Fodor’s ‘The Complete African Safari Planner’: South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia & Tanzania
One great reason to visit Sabi Sabi Game Reserve is without a doubt for the wildlife. Sabi Sabi can boast one of the highest concentrations of the big 5 African animals, so there’s a very good chance you will see them all!
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