Posts Tagged ‘southern Africa’

Here you will find the best accommodation near Johannesburg airport. Nearly all travelers who safari in southern Africa pass through Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport and as a result many visitors select to overnight en route to other destinations – whether it be Cape Town, Namibia, Botswana, or Victoria Falls, there are a number of reputable choices of accommodation near Johannesburg airport to choose from.

With stories of high crime rates dominating the news, Jo’burg isn’t high on the list of peoples top places to visit.  Nevertheless, there are a number of comfortable and safe places of accommodation near Johannesburg airport we do recommend if Jo’burg becomes part of your scheduled travel itinerary.

3 places of accommodation near Johannesburg airport

The Safari Club S.A.

Centrally located in the economic heartland of South Africa, the Safari Club offers a luxurious and homely ambience for accommodation near Johannesburg airport.  Relax after your long flight in the lounge, enjoy a drink at the bar, or dine in the breakfast room.  During the summer months enjoy a swim in the pool.

The 17 en-suite rooms are uniquely decorated to represent a theme of southern Africa’s different regions – the Kalahari, Etosha, or Okavango rooms.  Each room is equipped with a television, air-conditioning, and tea and coffee facilities.

Visitors can expect to be tailored according to their needs.

Only a 4 minute drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport, the busiest airport in Africa.  The Safari Club offers its guests complimentary transfers to and from the airport.

The InterContinental

Located directly opposite the international arrivals hall (terminal 3) at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport, and approximately 12 miles from the city center, this place of accommodation near Johannesburg airport makes for sheer convenience for an over-night stop.

The hotel has 138 rooms, 26 executive rooms, and 2 presidential suites.  Decorated with African art, natural colors, and furnished with king size beds.  All rooms are en-suite, have tea/coffee facilities, satellite TV, and wireless internet access.  The windows are sound-proof due to the hotel’s close proximity to the airport, ensuring a peaceful nights rest.

Enjoy access to the fully equipped gymnasium, a spa offering massages and beauty treatments, and a heated indoor pool.

Eat at the hotels, on site, The Quills Restaurant, located on the ground floor known for its local specialties – springbok, warthog, and crocodile.  An extraordinary selection of wine is also available and the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Airport Grand Hotel

Only a short drive from Johannesburg O.R. Tambo International Airport, the Airport Grand Hotel is a reasonably priced option for an overnight stop.

The hotel has 151 rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, hair dryer, television, telephone, safe, and air conditioning.  There is also a restaurant, cocktail bar, terrace and swimming pool.  A gym is available opposite the hotel and visitors can easily utilize the shuttle transfer service to and from the airport.

Book your accommodation near Johannesburg airport with the rest of your holiday by contacting us today!

Where to go after South Africa?

Safari Botswana – http://wildsafariafrica.com/destinations/safari-botswana/

Safari Namibia – http://wildsafariafrica.com/destinations/safari-namibia/

African wildlife safaris to East and southern Africa offer exceptional photographic opportunities. However safaris between these two regions are quite different when it comes to how you photograph wildlife from the vehicle.

Game drives in East Africa are in vehicles with pop-top viewing roofs and sliding glass windows as opposed to southern Africa’s open-sided vehicles. In East Africa it is easy to stabilize your long lens with the use of sandbags on the roof, but how do you stabilize your lens in open-sided vehicles if the roof option isn’t available? If your lens has image stabilization that will help. African wildlife safaris are in a vehicle, but the vehicle will be stopped when photos are being snapped. Another popular trick is to brace your elbows against your body, and if this isn’t possible, depending on how many people are in your safari vehicle, you can sit in the middle seat and use your camera bag on the empty seat with or without a beanbag to act as a perch.

Mono-pods are also another popular option, but if you find mono-pods to be too cumbersome, a working alternative is a skimmer pod. This is designed especially for ground-level bird and wildlife photography, and can be used in addition to a bean bag. Though both are great alternatives, which one is the most preferred is difficult to argue as it depends entirely on preference. Mono-pods may prove to be the better option for walking safaris, as the single staff is easy to set in the ground and quickly set your stance for that perfect shot, while a skimmer pod may prove to be better for the game drive. Again, it’s entirely preference.

Beanbags can also be placed on the open-side windows of African wildlife safaris vehicles, however this does give you a bit of a twist in your spine to get your eye to the viewfinder, but if you can manage, it works just fine. Two beanbags will save you time switching them from side to side. Try sitting next to the driver for a great low perspective. This seat also allows greater maneuverability and you can use the beanbag with relative ease. If this seat isn’t available, a number of vehicles will have rails in front of the seats where you can attach a Manfrotto super clamp, a ball head to that, and you’ll have an excellent tripod on your African wildlife safaris.

Combine your photographic experience with a WALKING safari. Get started planning your safari today!

Join Us on One of Our 2012 Photo Safaris

You can expect big cats and fast prey on a Botswana wildlife safari. Game drives in Botswana are like no other found in Africa. The regions of northern Botswana support high densities of diverse game populations and with the ability of safari vehicles to drive unrestricted -off road, treading virgin paths, drives at night, with few (if any) other vehicles -make a visit to Botswana the absolute best destination for a top quality all around original Botswana wildlife safari.

The wildlife is exactly what you would expect to see on the savannah plains throughout southern Africa, however, what makes this country unique is the sheer number and frequency that you come across sightings this extraordinary. On a Botswana wildlife safari pride of lions patrol the land, the same land leopard lounge in trees patiently waiting for easy prey, hyenas scavenge with might, elephants maraud in large numbers (the largest herds on earth!) next to suspicious grazing antelope, whom have all congregated around the life pulse of the Okavango Delta.

What animals can be seen on a Botswana Wildlife Safari?

Because of the Okavango and Chobe Rivers, nearly all southern African species can be found in northern Botswana. Even the rare puku, red lechwe, mountain reedbuck and sitatunga antelopes thrive in Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. Other wildlife rarities include the African wild dog (thriving in good numbers), pangolins, and aardvarks.

A Botswana wildlife safari is virtually like stepping into the old and wild Africa

An Africa where an incredible collection of animals dwell in natural environments. This is the chief reason why Botswana is cherished by animal lovers. The chance to see, within yards, the Big Five -lion, leopard, elephant, black rhino and buffalo, amongst giraffe, zebras, wildebeest, and hippo. Botswana has wildlife in abundance!

Combine your game drive safari and add some real excitement with a WALKING safari! Get started planning your safari today!

What’s Africa’s hottest new tourist destination? Namibia has been described as the last frontier, a wild and rough country, exposed to the elements like no other southern African nation. Sandwiched between two of the world’s oldest deserts, the Namib and Kalahari, the landscapes are weathered, desolate, and exposed to some of the harshest conditions on the face of our planet. From the rolling hills of Kaokoland, to the Skeleton Coast and the misty cold blanket of the South Atlantic, to the diamond rich area of Sperrgebeit, Namibia is a diverse and contrasting place to experience, luring in the mysterious frontier for explorers to mark a hot new tourist destination.

So with all this excitement why has it now only become a new tourist destination?

As a journalist in 1980 noted…

“South Africa has mobilized thousands of military reservists to reinforce army units in northern Namibia, where one of the biggest operations in the 13 year war against nationalist guerillas is said to be underway. Hundreds of trucks, troop carriers, and armored vehicles have been moved north through Windhoek in convoys often several miles long.”

With the coming of Independence and peace only the most intrepid travelers whole-heartedly jumped into a newly independent Namibia in the early 1990’s and pioneered this new tourist destination.  Since those early days, the word has spread and continues to excite the traveling masses with extraordinary visions.

The Hottest New Tourist Destination in All of Africa

What was it exactly people were saying about Namibia?  And why were their words creating a contagious buzz?

From the days our ancestor’s left Africa and ventured out into the frontiers of Asia minor and what is now Europe, to the Vikings of Scandinavia sighting Greenland for the first time, and even with the curiosity of a great philosopher himself, Thomas Jefferson willingly sending two men on a secret expedition to collect knowledge about the North American continent, human hearts have always discovered purpose and a rejuvenated living spirit in venturing to the unknown.

In an area half the size of Alaska…

Populated by only a measly 2 million people (Namibia is the least populated country in the world, second to only Mongolia) nature reaches to the far horizons, obstructed by nothing.  Wildlife flourishes in what could easily be categorized as some of the earth’s harshest environments, giving life to endemic species such as the Desert Adapted Elephant and the Welwitschia mirabilis in the Namib Desert.

And with each year that passes…

The native peoples of Namibia are being understood and sought after.  The San Bushmen of the Kalahari are treasured and marveled, placed upon the same pedestal as one of Africa’s last remaining semi-nomadic tribe –the Himba.

But even past the sights of an older world, the Herero , Kwangali, Damara, Lozi, and Owambo peoples spark curiosity and inspire compassion.  Namibia’s rich diversity allows for new cultural activities and foods to be discovered and no trip shall go without delving into the ancient Bantu and Bushmen traditions… adding to the allure of a new tourist destination.

You may want to take a seat for what I’m about to tell you.  What I’m about to share is going to get you very excited.

Are you ready?

I’ve been spending my nights and early mornings fostering a relationship with a very special lady.  Her heart is so filled with love it makes me jump with joy.  Her passion so drowning it makes me cry.  I swear, since meeting this beautiful woman, the birds and bees are still buzzing in my lovely garden.

This is why I have to ask you this:

Have you ever wanted to travel abroad and spend a portion of your vacation participating in activities centered on furthering a charitable cause?

http://wildsafariafrica.com/budget-safari/owambo-volunteer-etosha-n-p-safari/

Voluntourism was born when one Volunteer spiced up their travels by intimately placing themselves into a unique culture and/or environment offering their services.

Gain more by giving more.

A Colorado veterinarian, and experienced traveler to Africa, recently contacted me about how she could donate her skills, vet supplies, along with her time to further help Namibia’s big cat populations.

She shared stories of treating lions in Zimbabwe; working with South African’s on the project and when I heard about the personal fulfillment she received from her work, it turned me into a believer.

Her enthusiasm and commitment for animals got me jazzed.

And this is exactly one, of many, forms of voluntourism.  She utilizes her time, talent, and treasure and in turn, she receives gratitude, recognition, and a transformative experience that ultimately continues to change her foundation.

That is why I’m so pumped about my new partnership with Oonte OVC Centre.  It allows you, the traveler, an easy path to give a little –to take home A LOT.

Do you have the skills to:

Be flexible?

Reach out to children spiritually, physically, or pshyco-social support?

Teach health, personal hygiene, goal setting, and leadership?

Help in the garden?

Aid with the preparation and cleanup of meals?

Do you have the desire to:

Connect intimately with a foreign community?

Learn a new culture?  A new Language?

To utilize your skills and talents?

To feel enriched?  May I dare say…Spiritually Elevated?

If you’ve answered yes to the majority of these questions, then my new, EXCLUSIVE, Lend a Helping Hand and Dip Your Toes Safari is just for YOU!

http://wildsafariafrica.com/budget-safari/owambo-volunteer-etosha-n-p-safari/

Get groovy and give back to gain much more,

Jeremy

P.S. I will donate US$100 to Oonte for every person who goes on this safari with me.

P.P.S.  My special lady is Meme Petrine who manages Oonte.

Not too long ago, I received a phone call from a traveler on her way to Namibia.  She had spent months planning, booking, and figuring out the logistics – car hire, the ideal lodge, tours, activities, game drives, cultural experiences, restaurants, etc. – it takes to have the PERFECT Namibian Safari.

This was a family affair.

I asked her where her family planned to visit; what they planned to do.  I pumped her up about the Cheetah Conservation Fund (a place she booked an overnight) and shared the histories of the Bushmen people (also another planned activity).

Although there was one problem.  A kink needed to be worked out.

No one could help her.

That is until she called me and I offered her an alternative.

Through the telly I could hear her google the name of the township I mentioned.  When it came up on her computer, her excitement was radiant.

Only days prior to the family’s departure, at the finish of our conversation she said, “I wish I had found you earlier.  I have spent countless hours working with several different travel agents who didn’t really know what they were talking about.  I ended up planning most of it myself.  Talking with you, I know feel more secure with our little adventure!”

What a compliment!

This is how I made her life easier AND how I’ll make your life easy:

I’ll work with you directly, discussing YOUR thoughts and ideas.  Our casual discussion will look at the ‘big picture’ to be sure not to miss any important details.  Then, I’LL begin the initial preparation; create the safari schedule, and most importantly…

Keep in constant contact with YOU, during all of the planning before I receive the ‘go-ahead’ and book what you’ve decided.

This is how I’ll save you time:

You’ll deal with ONE expert.  Don’t waste your valuable time and energy with people who aren’t intimate with the country/region.  That was the MISTAKE the family in the story made.

Or for the ultimate time saver choose one of my ALREADY planned and prepared escorted portfolio safaris.    http://wildsafariafrica.com/budget-safari/

Why work with me?

This is solid proof AND my personal guarantees:

I lived in Namibia, learning the culture, wildlife, nuances of southern Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer.  I intentionally extended my time in Namibia to research and write my 300 page travel guide, covering the logistics and culture of Namibia.

A safari planned or lead by me is guaranteed to make the ENVIRONMENT and CULTURAL sensitivity a top priority, ensuring authentic safaris to continue on through the ages.

But don’t take my word for it, read what past clients have said: http://wildsafariafrica.com/testimonials/

Why throw your hard earned money at professionals who aren’t experts?

Let’s talk safari.  Call me and you’ll hear the highly experienced safari consultant you were looking for, to collaborate YOUR tailored made safari.

To being pampered with peace of mind,

Jeremy (Jermibia)

P.S. Call me, 720-272-0828, let’s talk.

P.P.S. Seriously.

Read the following:

Food Crisis in Niger, AIDS in Uganda, Somali Journalists Are Assaulted and Jailed, Shaky Rule in Madagascar Threatens Tress.

These are the top New York Times news headlines for Africa.

Pretty depressing huh?

Did you notice that none of them are about Namibia?  So why is Namibia never in the news?

Here are just a few of the more obvious reasons:

• In many respects, colonialism was a huge benefit to modern Namibia.  Colonialism built many of the SCHOOLS children are taught in today.

• Colonialism built many of the ROADS, paved and gravel, both of which are in excellent condition and regularly maintained to the point the Fishing Industry’s main port at Walvis Bay links with the Trans-Caprivian Highway connecting with Central Africa and its many countries (Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, to name just a few).

• The WATER is potable, thus can be drunk in over 90% of the country, a huge benefit in maintaining a healthy population.

• ELECTRICITY is prevalent and powered by Namibia’s own power plants.

• Crime is LOW.

• Located between two of the world’s oldest deserts makes the arid environment a perfect ingredient to MINIMIZE diseases such as cholera, typhoid, malaria, and yellow fever – Again helping maintain a healthy population.

• Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate the PROTECTION of the ENVIRONMENT into the constitution, thus eliminating future issues in that topic and making it a place home to more animals than people!

• Since its Independence in 1990, the country has remained stable, GROWN productive, and peacefully elects heads of state every five years.

• The government HAS A GOAL properly named “Vision 2030” in which it aims to have Namibia’s Industrial sector competing with the 1^st world, its population increased to 3 million, and its population educated and skilled in the work force.

So I ask again, why is Namibia never in the news?

An old wise man once said “plan for the future by first building a solid foundation.”

To building that solid foundation,

Jeremy

P.S. What are people saying about Wild Safari Africa? Read for yourself – http://wildsafariafrica.com/testimonials/

An African marathon. This is not your typical safari.

The pitter-patter of bare feet slapped against the paved two lane highway.  The cool blanket of fog hung low in the sky.  To their left were the fiercely cold waters of the south Atlantic.  To their right mountains of sand, drifting and scurrying across the highway; it was the Namib Desert and they were running an African marathon.

The number “041” was printed beneath the Lucky Star logo.  The boy ran next to a taller girl whose stride was longer than his.  Another man drifted off the two bare footed runners; he wore cross-training shoes, a hat with a small brim, sunglasses, and his nose was covered in pasty-white sunscreen. It was both their dreams to run in an African marathon.

Together, the three strangers pushed and pulled each other closer to the finish line.

Once I had volunteered at a track meet in the town of Tsumeb, Namibia.  African’s competed against the whites.  The whites had shoes and starting blocks.  Only some of the African’s wore shoes.

The advantages of one group were the disadvantage of the other, yet the races were close.

At another time a student of mine in the village had talent.  The first race I saw Maria run, was on a make-shift track, around a few trees, a pile of stones, and finishing past a line drawn in the dirt.  She dodged herds of goat and went around the stray cow; all without shoes.

Her talents got her on the Namibian national team.  She joined the Namibian team in Botswana to compete.  She came home with a Bronze.  She was disappointed by her performance, she knew her speed was quicker, however they made her wear shoes that slowed her down.  She was much faster without shoes, sprinting across the ground in bare feet, her everyday “shoe.”

At today’s African marathon,

these kids came from the far corners of their country, from the deepest of villages, to the town of Swakopmund to run a marathon.  Some were lucky to have shoes, some fit while others were a size too large or too small, yet they were still worn.

Annually, Etosha Fish hosts the Lucky Star Marathon between Namibia’s coastal towns of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. It’s the best African marathon I have ever seen. Open to the public, hundreds of Namibian students flock to the event and compete against other Namibians and foreign nationals from across southern Africa, Europe, and America.

It is an incredible opportunity to experience, whether you’re running or casually relaxing and cheering on the athletes.

I had recently read a quote simply saying “life is a marathon, not a sprint.”

Namibia, Africa is a place that follows this motto better than anywhere else on earth.  The athletes run with passion and celebrate with ease.  No hurries, no worries.  Namibian students study hard in hopes of a better future, a future where one day they may be able to buy their own shoes. Perhaps to compete in another African marathon.  Winning is recognized, yet it’s the travels and new journey’s these young Namibians experienced that sprouted the most smiles.

For many of these athletes, this was their first time visiting Swakopmund and the ocean!  Their collective spirit was contagious.  Our bus ride home, back to the village, was filled with joyous stories, stories that continue to be relived each and everyday.

However, that was their story. This is your story:

http://wildsafariafrica.com/budget-safari/namibian-marathon-wildlife-safari/

Will your story fill the room with contagious joy?

To running without shoes,

Pass the baton, and forward this story on to all your friends who run. Especially those adventurous ones who might be interested in running an African marathon.

And remember “life is a marathon, not a sprint.”

A Namibia travel guide written by a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer. Experience Namibia like a local, off the beaten path, eco-friendly, responsible travel and great tips to making the most of your journey.

The Namibia travel guide story…

The moon shined down upon the homestead like a large spot light.  I dug my feet in the sand watching the shadows dance off the fire’s glittering glow.

A sharpened high-pitched ululation sang out into the night’s air, “lelelelelelelelelelelele.”   I remembered the first time I heard this distinctly African trait.  It had put chills down my spine, just as it had done once again.

Women howled between the choruses they sang, during moments of happiness, in brief spurts of joy, and in times of celebration.

Tonight, the women’s “lelelelelelelelelelele” rose, then fell wavering in a long sweet sound to celebrate the union between a man and woman.

For the next three days we celebrated honking our kazoos, singing into the open skies, and dancing the night away.  The men and I slaughtered the bull, as the woman prepared the feast.  We drank.  We laughed.  We celebrated!

In the village, there were many reasons to celebrate.  A child came home with good grades and a chicken was slaughtered.  Birthdays, the long anticipated visit from an old friend or surprise stopover from family, we would celebrate. The birth of a child, or a wedding, the celebrations were bigger and longer.

However, when my Namibia travel guide was published last Friday I could already see the men congratulating me with a hug and the woman throwing their hands up in the air and letting out their cry of happiness “lelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelelele.”

And when a good Owambo friend of mine said “Owa longa nawa tate Jeremy.  Kalunga ne ku yambeke” I knew she flicked her tongue in ululation.

It was great to have a Namibian, an Owambo, approve of my book and celebrate with me.  Worlds apart, I responded “Ito ligola, ito li!” or “if you don’t sing, you don’t eat!” simply meaning if you don’t join in the celebration than both of us will starve.

You see there are many reasons to celebrate life.  It just so happens this week I celebrate because after 10 long months of tackling a task so daunting, such as writing this book, it was finally published and caused reason to celebrate.

To travel the world had been a goal of mine since I was little.  When I finally stepped out into the world, I found myself evolving, discovering new dreams, and one of those dreams was to write a book.

I have now both circled the world and wrote a Namibia travel guide.  And guess what?

Just because my goals have been completed, doesn’t mean the dream is dead.   I will never stop traveling to distant lands and am in the middle of writing another book, continuing to live the dream.

They say the first time is always the most difficult and I would have to agree.  My first trip overseas was overwhelming.  I didn’t know how to communicate to people who couldn’t speak my language, or how to listen and learn to speak theirs.  I was fearful of getting lost, even when I was lost.  I had fears of getting sick, of being robbed, and the list went on.

However, the second time around it made more sense.  The third, much easier; and now a distant land thousands of miles away, such as Namibia (a place I now call my second home), is only five minutes away inside my head.

If we never challenge ourselves, how will we ever fully develop as an inspirational human being?

To making life a Safari “journey,”

Jeremy

P.S. My Namibia Travel Guide is full of detailed descriptions of the many clans of Namibia, cultures, traditions, histories, geography, and much more!  Even if you’re not planning to visit, this is one book that will inspire the dream!  Get your copy today – http://www.otherplacespublishing.com/namibia.html

P.P.S. Safari is a Swahili word meaning journey.

Good day!

The 2010 World Cup is only four months away.

On a continent where soccer is a daily activity, played by all ages, and held high in the hearts and minds of all Africans, I cannot think of a better place for such a grand tournament to be hosted.

From the villages, to the townships, into the heart of the nation’s capital, soccer is a daily activity.

Deep in the northern Namibian bush of Uukwaluudhi, the village in which I lived for over two years, soccer was a daily activity.  Creativity thrived with the groups of children and the most important thing was never if they had an actual soccer ball to play with, rather the MOST important thing was the game itself.

Whether the ball was the size of a tennis ball, made of several wrapped plastic bags, or old rolled up socks, the game played on.

Mothers and grandmothers fought the children to take a breather from the game to complete their daily chores of herding livestock. All the boys wanted to do was play soccer.

Fields were abstract.  Goal posts were wooden sticks gathered from the forest.  Very few shoes were worn, and the idea of shin pads and green fields –well forget about it.  Yet the passion and spirit for the game could not be broken.

Between classes, before and after school, in the mornings and afternoons, after a meal or while hungry, the kids found a way to play the game.

Where there is a will, there is a way and in that way there was purpose to be found.

The 2010 World Cup in South Africa could perhaps be the most energetic, exciting places to host this international event.  Thousands from around the globe will attend, celebrate, and mourn, the loss, or win, of their home teams.

African children will be kickin’ a makeshift ball in the townships imagining they were Ronaldo playing in the large stadiums and being cheered on by thousands.  They will be creating their own celebrity.

These children are inspiring and this is motivating.

If there is anything that shines upon the World Cup 2010, it’s that it will continue to allow young African children to run with their imagination and create their own reality, inspired by the best soccer players in the world.

Be inspired by the World Cup’s future stars and be inspired to be thankful for what you have, as you’re never too old to quit imagining and creating.  If you don’t somebody else will!

To finding that something in your life that brings you zest and passion for life,

Jeremy

P.S. Many aren’t just attending the games but also have plans for safari in South Africa or nearby countries.  Even if your safari isn’t this year but next, you got to watch this!