Africa - Goodtrippers

Dive in with the world’s largest shark in Tanzania and Mexico

Growing up to 11m long, the whale shark is the world’s largest fish – and you can get up-close and personal on a responsible diving trip to see these incredible creatures

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Some diving or snorkeling trips to some of the world’s best marine spots can feel like a feeding frenzy. The multitude of tourists and boats can be overwhelming for wildlife and the marine habitat, but many tour operators are working differently.

One such company, wilderness travel outfit Aqua-Firma, leads adventure tours that support whale shark conservation, as well as giving thrill seekers and wildlife fans the opportunity to come face-to-face with these formidable fish.

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Two key spots to swim with these sharks are in Tanzania and Mexico. Both Mafia Island, off Tanzania, and the world’s second largest barrier reef, along the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, offer optimal opportunities for sighting whale sharks and witnessing their migration.

Marine Biologist, Dr. Simon Pierce says, “The most whale sharks I have seen from our research vessel in Mexico is about 180, with as many giant manta rays to snorkel with beneath the water.”

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Aqua-Firma offer a number of snorkelling and diving trips around the world. Other shark encounters include: walking beside white tip reef sharks and scuba diving with schools of a hundred or more hammerhead sharks in the Galapagos, Malpelo and Costa Rica’s Cocos Island; glimpsing even larger schools of Silky Sharks in Mexico’s Socorro; and finding Ragged Tooth Sharks whose teeth litter the floor at their popular hangouts in South Africa.

While the travel group helps explorers experience some of the world’s greatest diving locations, conservation of the marine environment is a priority. The company contributes directly to marine protection through whale shark tours. In the Galapagos, divers have the chance to learn about marine life conservation and see it in action as donations go directly to the Galapagos Conservation Trust. On Mafia Island in Tanzania trips can raise a whole year’s funds for whale shark research.

The tours pay homage to all areas of the environment they touch. From preserving the sea and land, to respecting the culture and heritage along the coast, explorers not only get an in-depth view of the countries they visit, but significantly contribute to the well-being and conservation of the life that inhabits them.

Whale shark trips start from £1,590 with departures in July/August (Mexico) and November (Tanzania). For full details of each tour visit http://www.aqua-firma.co.uk/countries/Tanzania/ or http://www.aqua-firma.co.uk/countries/Mexico/.

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5 of the best…Luxury wellness holidays

From educational eco-forest walks in Bali, to dining on nutritious organic cuisine grown in New Zealand, Paul Joseph, co-founder of wellness holiday specialists Health and Fitness Travel, picks five healthy eco-friendly holidays to make you feel more connected to yourself and nature…

These luxurious wellness retreats boast superb eco-design and green-friendly awards, meaning you can travel abroad happy in the knowledge that these retreats actively support sustainable tourism.

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Italy: Lefay

Situated on the shores of magical Lake Garda, this eco-friendly holiday destination values the connection between personal and environmental wellness. From the heat insulation and local natural materials used in the eco-designed architecture, to the use of renewable alternative energies, Lefay actively promotes eco-sustainability. Begin your holiday boosting your health and fitness by personalising your stay with activities from personal training to Pilates and Tai Qi. Ideal for a singles holiday, make the most of complimentary group fitness classes from yoga to circuit training, before unwinding with a relaxing spa massage.

New Zealand: Aro Ha

Encircled by New Zealand’s stunning Southern Alps, luxury wellness retreat Aro Ha fuses eco-friendly accommodation with self-sufficient cuisine, using locally produced organic ingredients from their on-site garden. Enhance the connection between yourself and the environment around you with sub-alpine hiking and kayaking across the lake to the natural bird sanctuary of Pigeon Island. Complement TRX, yoga and meditation sessions with daily therapeutic spa massages and unlimited use of the water therapy suites, to ensure you return home in optimal wellness from this breath-taking eco-friendly holiday destination.

Bali: Zen

Escape to this luxury holistic and eco-friendly wellness holiday destination in Bali, surrounded by pristine tropical gardens. This green retreat offers a range of healthy cuisine, using only the freshest ingredients, with fish caught in the nearby sea and fresh fruit and vegetables grown at the on-site farm. Get closer to nature with a sunrise dolphin sail, rice field trekking and educational eco-forest walks to learn more about local wildlife, flora and fauna. Escape the stress of everyday life with sunrise yoga, sunset mediation and holistic spa treatments.

South Africa: Karkloof Safari Spa

Working with environmental and wildlife professionals to restore the region to its natural splendour, the surrounding eco-system of the eco-friendly Karkloof Safari Spa in South Africa, is happily once again home to a diverse range of indigenous fauna, flora, wildlife and birdlife. The perfect destination for a luxury spa holiday, enjoy indulging with unlimited spa treatments using natural ingredients, from a Maldivian black pepper scrub to a coconut body polish. Explore your natural surroundings by hiking, fishing, mountain biking and spotting local wildlife with private guided safaris.

Greece: Porto Carras

Make a healthy getaway to the white sandy beaches of northern Greece where this eco-friendly holiday destination boasts Blue Flag beaches and respected awards such as the Green Key Eco Label. Using natural ingredients for relaxing therapies, such as mud and clay treatments, pamper yourself at a choice of two luxury spa centres. Ideal for a fun-filled activity holiday, relish in the variety of sports and activities you can enjoy from tennis to windsurfing and meditation. Take advantage of complimentary group fitness classes, including yoga and aerobics, to improve your fitness levels and leave you feeling renewed and revitalised.

For advice, guidance and booking visit www.healthandfitnesstravel.com or call 0203 397 8891

About the author: Paul Joseph is co-founder (with Adam Heathcote) of Health and Fitness Travel, the leading experts in tailormade healthy holidays worldwide. He searches for the rare and hidden gems around the world and puts together exclusive and trend-setting holidays for those who would like to improve or maintain their health and fitness whilst on holiday. As well as a love of all things travel, Paul’s other love is exercise, cycling and yoga. Paul also contributes to the travel pages of various high-profile newspapers and magazines where he offers his expert advice on wellness holidays.

Go wild for volunteering in Madagascar

Guest blogger Caroline Edwards, of NGO Frontier, profiles an exhilerating volunteering holiday in exotic Madagascar…

Madagascar – the fourth largest island in the world and home to plants and species found nowhere else on the planet. The country has been isolated for over 165 million years which makes it a magical place for those wishing to experience a unique culture in stunning natural settings.

Frontier’s Madagascar Teaching, Wildlife and Diving project gives volunteers the chance to help out the local community as well as working towards protecting and conserving the island’s pristine wildlife and marine life.

Life as a volunteer on the project

The project offers a varied experience for travellers keen on experiencing life in Madagascar from a more local perspective. Upon arrival in Nosy Be Airport (I almost read that as ‘Be Nosy Airport’! – Ed) you will be welcomed by Frontier’s staff who will take you to the project site followed by a two day orientation.

Most volunteers start off on the Frontier beach camp where they take part in the marine project, learn to dive in the clear Indian Ocean and see various marine species as they work on surveys with the team. After exploring the sea, volunteers move on to forest surveys and wildlife conservation. Here you get the chance to spot rare species whilst trekking through a remote environment.

After life in the forest volunteers move on to the town of Hellville to help teach English to local people. As a teaching assistant your help is highly valued as the schools generally suffer from a lack of foreign language teachers in the rural communities.

Accommodation

The best bit about volunteering on the Madagascar Teaching, Wildlife & Diving project is the fact that you get to explore living in beautiful natural settings as well as in a vibrant town like Hellville. During your marine and wildlife conservation projects you will be living with other volunteers on a cosy camp near sea and forest and later on you get to experience the volunteer house in town.

Food

Volunteers are provided with three meals a day throughout the programme. Like many other developing countries, Madagascan cuisine is nicely flavoured but basic with a lot of rice and beans to fill you up!

Recommended for… Anyone who is keen on immersing themselves in a different culture and help out local communities as well as wildlife.

Beware that… It’s important that volunteers are ready to live under basic conditions, as well as being ready to contribute with a positive attitude throughout their stay. If you wish to take the PADI open water qualification and additional fee of £250 is needed.

For more information, including a full programme, prices, departure dates and booking, visit www.frontier.ac.uk

About the author: Caroline Edwards is an Online Media Intern at Frontier, an international non-profit volunteering NGO. Check out Frontier’s blog ‘Into the Wild’ for more gap year ideas to help make your time out meaningful. For more information about travel and volunteering opportunities available please visit www.frontier.ac.uk.

Experience big cat conservation in Namibia

Guest blogger Jack Plumb, of NGO Frontier, profiles a wildlife project where two African deserts collide in Namibia…

On the south west coast of Africa where the Namib and Kalahari deserts collide sits Namibia. As one of the newest and most sparsely populated countries in Africa, Namibia is a wildlife lover’s dream. Endless desert skies, sweeping sand dunes and densely wooded bushveld set a pristine backdrop to nature’s finest displays.

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Despite its apparent harsh climate, Namibia is home to two of the world’s most expansive national parks: Etosha National Park and Namib-Naukluft Park. Living amongst its endless beauty is a rich melting pot of cultures and traditions.

Frontier operates the Namibia Carnivore Conservation project which gives you the chance to work alongside biologists tracking and monitoring cheetahs and other big cats in the wild. Track and capture the world’s fastest land mammal in a truly wild and breathtakingly beautiful country.

Life as a volunteer on the project

You will spend the majority of your time assisting biologists and conservation workers in tracking and monitoring cheetahs and leopards. When based at the main reserve your tasks may include: game counts, box trap checking, carnivore capture and immobilization, camp maintenance and data analysis. When spending time at the remote field site your tasks may include: GPS tracking, night observations, birds of prey monitoring and data entry. Additionally you will occasionally be caring for animals at the rescue and release centre, giving you hands on experience of wildlife and animal rehabilitation.

When you’re not assisting in essential conservation work, Namibia is a stunning country to explore. For any budding photography or wildlife lover, you’re in for a treat!

Accommodation

You will be staying in a large volunteer house with shared bedrooms in the wilds of Namibia, close to Windhoek. There may be limited running water, and during storms there is the possibility of power outages. Phone signal and internet access is limited, but available in certain areas of the camp.

Food

Three basic meals are provided from the camp stores, comprising meats, vegetables and staples such as rice and pasta. Dinner is typically a hot meal and occasionally a braai (barbeque), and vegetarian options can be provided.

Recommended for… Adventurous conservation inclined travellers interested in contributing to important scientific research. This project would be especially enjoyable for anyone looking for a truly wild and natural experience of Africa and a desert climate.

Be aware that… The placement lasts for three weeks with the option to extend by one week, and departures take place monthly from March to October.

About the author: Jack Plumb is an Online Journalism Intern at Frontier, an international non-profit volunteering NGO. Check out Frontier’s blog Into the Wild for more gap year ideas to help make your time out meaningful. For more information about travel and volunteering opportunities available please visit www.frontier.ac.uk.

New wildlife film calls for action to protect Rwandan gorilla

A new wildlife documentary, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, aims to boost support for the critically endangered mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

The 15-minute film, Hope by award-winning film-maker Peter McBride, can be viewed for free online (see below). The producers want to inspire viewers to support those working on the ground to save these majestic creatures, as well as help raise awareness via social media using the hashtag #gorillahope.

The film takes a behind the scenes look at the work of the charity The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International and their dedicated team of trackers and anti-poaching patrols – their job is to monitor the mountain gorilla population 365 days a year (an estimated 20,000 hours a year), often in the dangerous and difficult terrain of Volcanoes National Park.

Hope also follows the local people who live next to the gorilla’s habitat and the work that is being done to change attitudes to these great apes. Years ago, mountain gorillas were hunted by poachers wanting to sell infants to zoos, or gorilla hands and heads as tourist trophies; children today are now growing up with a new found respect for these creatures.

47 years after Dian Fossey began her life’s work in mountain gorilla conservation, there are some facts to celebrate – the gorilla population has doubled from 250 to 480 (at the last census in 2010) – but this still represents small numbers and the situation remains extremely fragile with the great ape still on the critical list. The 120 people who now work for the Fossey Fund are the mountain gorilla’s only hope of survival – a message which Hope makes desperately clear.

Clare Richardson, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, explains: “Our research over the last 40 plus years has shown that simply having a protected area like a national park is not sufficient to save a species like the gorilla – which takes a long time to grow to adulthood and reproduces very slowly. Instead, extreme measures are needed.

“The Fossey Fund is all too aware that the survival of the mountain gorilla, and the safety of its habitat, is intertwined with the growth of a country in recovery since atrocities of the Rwandan Genocide of 1994. The work we do is unique, challenging and costly but we are seeing results. The population has grown and while this is encouraging, the mountain gorilla is still critically endangered and without extreme conservation work could face extinction.”

Outdoor clothing brand Craghoppers, who funded the film and sponsor the Fossey Fund, has launched a campaign T-shirt to help raise much needed funds for the charity. The 100% cotton T-shirts are £12 and available to buy at www.craghoppers.com – £5 from each sale goes directly to The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International.
http://youtu.be/hRfcdVQkmQA

Volunteer for PoD’s new community football team in Ghana

Volunteer organisation PoD has launched a women’s football team in rural Ghana – and you could join them!

The ladies football team, which started in March 2014, involves up to 30 women between 13 to 35 years old getting together on the village football pitch for fun sports sessions every week.

They, and the community’s men’s football team, would love to have more sports coaching volunteers around the year to help them increase their skills. The community is keen to learn other sports too, so if you are more interested in netball, cricket, volleyball, rugby or anything else they would love to learn.

Gemma, from the PoD UK office who has just returned from her African visit says “It was fantastic to watch the ladies team develop while I was on my recent project visit; everyone was keen to learn new skills and proudly posed post match in their new football kits. It was great to see the community supporting the first ever ladies football team in their first match against the neighbouring village – especially against the spectacular backdrop of the red setting sun!”

The football kits for each player are kindly donated to the charity by a past volunteer, but donations are more than simple hand-outs – the time given by volunteers helps the women and girls develop skills beyond the classroom. The women have lessons with a teacher from the secondary school before the volunteers run football sessions for the squad.

These sessions help them to increase their in confidence in everyday situations. It is also a great way to encourage team work and inspire increased school attendance by having fun in a relaxed environment, since many girls drop out of school early to start a family or help their family income.

A confidential weekly women’s health group run by the community nurse has been established to compliment the training and allow the women to ask questions they may not want to ask in a regular clinic.

If you would like to get involved in coaching football or any other sports in Ghana find out more about how you can get involved on the PoD volunteer website – visit www.podvolunteer.org

Go behind the scenes helping rhino on a South African safari

Ever wondered what it’s like to work on a rhino conservation project? This new trip, supporting the charity Helping Rhinos, not only offers the excitement of a safari but also allows you to go behind the scenes with rangers in the Kruger National Park region.

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Poaching of endangered rhino is a big problem in South Africa. The charity Helping Rhinos runs a community project to help combat the problem in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve on the edge of the famous Kruger National Park. The project is involved in the tagging and tracking of rhino, training rangers, and working with local communities to raise awareness of wildlife conservation. On this safari trip guests will get a fascinating insight into life as a conservation ranger, learning bush skills and following their work as they monitor rhino out in the field. With every booking of this trip, tour operator Native Escapes will make a donation to Helping Rhinos.

Alongside the awesome rhino, you’ll also get the chance to spot the ‘Big Five’ on various drives, day and night, and walking safaris. Timbavati has been dedicated to conservation since 1962 and is now characterised by strong populations of cheetah, lion and leopard, as well as large herds of elephant, buffalo and wild dog. The region is also home to the famous ‘white lions’ known only to occur in Timbavati.

Accommodation

Over the nine day trip you’ll be staying at two different safari camps. The Tandu Tula Field Camp in Timbavati is relatively luxurious but has the style and feel of a bygone-era camp of the old explorer days. The non-permanent camp has been designed for minimal environmental impact with its four custom-designed tents and communal mess tent hosting a total of eight guests. Each tent has military-style camp beds, open-air bathroom with hot water bucket shower and eco loo – all part of the ‘out in the field’ experience!

The next half of the trip transfers to the Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge in Kruger National Park, where real safari luxury awaits. Six stunning ‘beehive’ style air-conditioned suites house king-size beds, en-suite bathrooms and outdoor showers. The stylish interiors, fabrics and artworks have been sourced from the local Tsonga community. From the lodge deck, you can watch animals gather at the nearby watering hole or as night draws in exchange stories around the communal campfire.

The Helping Rhinos Exclusive Safari runs from 31st August to 8th September 2014 (inclusive).

For full details, including full itinerary, prices and booking, visit www.nativeescapes.com

Eco chic at the new Riad Sapphire, Marrakech

If you’re looking for a super stylish city break this Spring, the Riad Sapphire boutique hotel in Marrakech is now open…

This luxurious new hotel boasts oodles of eco chic along with its gleaming and tasteful decor – and at Goodtrippers we can’t wait to be sipping a fresh mint tea from its stunning roof terrace! Described as a modern twist on colonial chic, Riad Sapphire combines classic Moroccan architecture with plenty of space and light. But it’s the hotel’s responsible tourism ethos that it really impresses.

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The owners, Barbara and Beryl (who have already overseen the successful opening of two other hotels in Marrakech under the Chic Riads brand), are proud to have employed only local, highly-skilled artisans in the design and build of Riad Sapphire – a process that barely used any electricity due to materials being delivered to the site via donkey, and craftspeople creating woven fabrics, plasterwork and woodwork by hand (take a look at this video of some of the extremely skilled Morrocan woodturners). Continuing its commitment to alternative energy use, solar panels are now in place to heat the riad’s water, the spa and hammam, and the larger than average swimming pool.

Accommodation

Riad Sapphire has eight suites, one with a spectacular domed ceiling, and another with a modern pyramid roof. En-suite bathrooms are stocked with organic toiletries sourced from responsibly-run companies in the local area.

Food

Local people are employed in the kitchens to create some delicious delicacies for guests. It’s worth noting that your breakfast bread will have been baked at a local bake house that is heated by the hammam, that in turn is powered by wood shavings (from local carpenters) brought to the bakery by donkey. Now that’s low carbon – if not quite low carb!

Facilities

Relax in the spa, traditional hammam or swimming pool. Alternatively, kick back in the one of two dazzling marble courtyards or take in the city sights from the roof terrace.

Special offer: Riad Sapphire is offering a fantastic 50% discount on bookings from now until 31 August 2014 (min. 3 nights; does not apply to extra beds), so no excuse not to treat yourself! Visit www.riadsapphire.com for booking and more information.

‘Good’ credentials:

Solar panels heat the riad’s water, spa, hammam and swimming pool
Minimal electricity used in hotel’s construction
Local people employed
Organic toiletries in bathrooms
Other responsible companies and tourist attractions recommended to guests, including the local organic perfumery

Touring with The Township Sisters in Cape Town

Guest blogger Rachel Watson takes a walking tour of Cape Town’s townships with new guides The Township Sisters…

The township name Masiphumelele means “we will succeed” in Xosha (one of South Africa’s 11 official languages) and the residents are doing just that. From the corner barbershop to the ice cream store, the library to the township pub, Masi (as it’s known for short) is a bustling, welcoming community waiting to be explored.

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I toured Masi with The Township Sisters, friends Ali and Mandy who have come together to help visitors to Cape Town experience a township tour through local eyes. They offer walking tours, guided by local people who have grown up in Masi and therefore give visitors a unique insight into the township – telling stories, introducing you to members of the community and leading you around as only a local can.

We met girl friends perfecting a Beyoncé dance routine in the community hall, teenagers catching up on homework in the internet cafe, a lady hand printing cotton tablecloths to be sold, children playing in the street… and all had a smile and a wave, a friendly greeting for the visitors to make us feel instantly at home in their community.

The Township Sisters’ tours are on foot, meaning that you’re right in the heart of the action – no soulless tour bus here, no peering out of a window and passing through without getting a true feel of the place. The comparison between here and the five star waterfront area of Cape Town couldn’t be more stark, but the friendliness and warmth in Masi shines through the comparable harshness of the living conditions. Taking a tour with The Township Sisters was a highlight of my time in Cape Town, and a unique experience.

Recommended for… Anyone who wants to experience a township tour in Cape Town, from a local perspective.

Be aware that… It’s a leisurely stroll so no particular level of fitness is necessary, but as the tours are on foot people with mobility issues may struggle.

‘Good’ credentials…

Touring on foot rather than in a vehicle makes the tours much more eco friendly
The Township Sisters support community projects in Masi – such as the local crèche – by arranging sustainable donations such as blankets, furniture and uniforms.
Tour guides are recruited from local people, providing jobs for members of the Masiphumelele community

For more information about The Township Sisters, visit their Facebook page here

About the author: Rachel Watson caught the travel bug during her gap year in 2002, and has no plans to stop exploring! She works in Customer Operations and blogs about her travel experiences in her spare time. Visit Rachel’s blog at http://dancing-like-no-ones-watching.blogspot.co.uk/ or follow her on Twitter @RacheyRoo183

5 of the world’s best wildlife experiences

Imagine sitting in a safari hide at the crack of dawn, silence all around…then a lioness and her playful cubs come sauntering into view, oblivious to your presence. Or picture snorkelling on a coral reef, dipping your head underwater and seeing a technicolour marine world swimming around you.

Some of travel’s most memorable moments involve witnessing the world’s most incredible wildlife. Sadly, with the endangered species and habitats list growing ever longer, we are all too aware of how precious this wildlife is. Going on a wildlife holiday helps increase our understanding and respect for the natural world, but always remember to use a responsible tour operator for your trips.

Here are some of Goodtrippers’ ‘world’s best’ wildlife experiences:

Cruising the Galapagos Islands – This archipelago has attracted explorers for centuries. Its remote location and unique wildlife inspired naturalist Charles Darwin to write his theory of evolution. A trip today will bring you face-to-face with whales, dolphins, penguins, vast colonies of sea lions and birds, and real rarities such as the Galapagos tortoise, marine iguana and flightless cormorant. Flora includes mangrove, saltbush, cacti and carob trees.

Tiger watching in India – These beautiful and majestic big cats used to be found all over Asia in their hundreds of thousands. Today, there are barely over 3,000 left in the wild thanks to the destruction of their natural habitats and the illegal trade in tiger skin. However, a visit to some of India’s National Parks may reveal a rare and unforgettable sighting of species such as the elusive Bengal Tiger.

The ‘Big 5’ African safari – There are several countries, and several National Parks, where you can spot Africa’s ‘Big 5’ (i.e. lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard). South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the most well-known for a traditional safari experience – camping under the stars, exploring the bush and plains by Jeep, and keeping a pair of binoculars (and your wits about you!) at all times. The Big 5 are an awesome sight, but don’t bypass the rest of Africa’s natural wonders – watching a pack of wild dogs at night, bird-watching on a lake at dawn, or getting up-close to insect life are all unforgettable safari experiences. Try other spots including Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park and the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

Diving on New Zealand’s Poor Knights Islands – Two-thirds of the Earth is ocean so an underwater experience has to make this list! There are countless top dive sites – Australia’s Great Barrier Reef and Thailand’s Similan Islands being just two – but I’ve included one you may not have considered (even though the great Jacques Cousteau named it one of his top ten dive sites in the world). As the 11 million year-old landscape is volcanic in origin, the cliffs, caves and tunnels harbour a unique biodiversity making New Zealand’s Poor Knights Islands an outstanding Marine Reserve and Nature Reserve.

Spotting orangutans in Sumatra and Borneo – These gentle red-heads are only found in Sumatra and Borneo, albeit in rapidly decreasing numbers as the animals are still hunted and their habitat destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations. Support local efforts to help protect these wonderful creatures by booking a trek through a National Park with a responsible tour operator, or volunteering at a rehabilitation centre. There’s nothing like looking up into the trees and spotting a flash of orange swing high over your head and catching your first glimpse of a wild orangutan!

The world is rich with wildlife experiences and our list barely scratches the surface! If you have a great wildlife experience to share, let us know. (This post by Goodtrippers was originally published on Frontier’s Gap Year Blog)

If that’s inspired you, browse our Amazon Affiliate store for some of the best wildlife books (buying via these links won’t cost you a penny more than using Amazon your regular way, but commission earned by Goodtrippers helps keep our site ticking along thanks to you!).