Climbing Mount

When you arrive at Cape Town International Airport and set off along the N2 towards Cape Town you can normally see a large cloud bank directly ahead of you. Once you get closer, Cape Town’s most famous land mark looms ahead of you larger than life. The question most visitors to Cape Town ask is, “is it that flat at the top?” The answer is yes, and it is all open to hikers and visitors from the Cable Car. How you get to the top is up to you, and there are many different scenic walks up.
The most popular walk, which takes you right to the top of Table Mountain, goes up Skeleton Gorge and comes down Nursery Ravine. This walk takes you across the table top, and to Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point on the mountain. Unfortunately, this walk is not for beginners. With nearly 10,000 rock and wooden steps to climb, and a whole lot more walking besides, this trip should take you the better part of five hours and be rather hard on the knees. Remember to take a lot of water and relax to rub your calf muscles often on the way down. Lactic acid build up can cause your legs to give way, and the steps are often very steep!
For a gentler walk up to the top of Table Mountain, you might want to take the Cecilia Circuit. This begins in the stunning indigenous Cecilia forest and will also take all afternoon, but is far easier. It is also easy to customize any of these walks to take you to the Cable Car station, if you don’t feel like walking down. There are also a number of walks that do not go to the top, such as anywhere on the Silvermine Nature Reserve and the Twelve Apostles.
If all of that sounds a bit too much like hard work, there is always the magnificent cable car. First ask yourself if you could handle being in a London Eye capsule, except eight times higher and suspended by a cable. If the answer is yes, a shuttle or taxi from the V & A Waterfront can take you there, or you can take Kloof Nek Road and follow the signs. The ride up is stunning, with a panoramic Cape Town and Table Mountain view. Remember to bring a jacket, because even if you can fry an egg on Long Street, it will still be chilly up there. The Cable Way costs $9 for an adult return, $5 for a child return and $21 for a family return (Prices in 2007).
A word of caution: the only wildlife you are likely to encounter at the top of Table Mountain are ‘dassies’ – a local rock rabbit. These creatures do not understand why these people are on their mountain, and if you try to pet or feed them they will bite. They have been known to keep fingers as trophies, so children should not leave the restaurant, gift shop and sight-seeing area alone.

So school is over and its time for you to conquer the world by backpacking. Or if the thought of Joe Paperclips and Mike Eraser starts to climb Mount Monitor in Republic of Cubicle starts appearing to you, then you also want to think about discovering diversities of the universe outside that box. What should you do before going backpacking for the first time?

1. Start learning some basic languages of the country you’re going. It helps a lot by making it easier to purchase and bargain goods, order foods, and most of all, this knowledge saves you from being cheated. Your trip will go easily if you accept some of the notion of learning some of the language.

2. Make a point of trying to embrace new things. Leave the usual western bars later, and go local. Make the point of going somewhere new a life changing experience. You traveled a long way, so you might as well adjust. Embrace the local taste.

3. Bring a few keepsakes from home – your favorite music, family photos, souvenirs, and such. Not only that will help you to cope long – distance traveling, but the people you meet will be curious to learn more about you, and the connecting will be much easier. Pictures are one of the best swaps you can exchange for lifetime friendships with new people you encounter.

4.If you like to keep a journal or diary, bring one along. If you can play an instrument reasonably good, and it’s not too heavy, you might wish bring that too. You could be the night’s performer at your hostel or campfire, and makes it easier to meet and connect new people.

My travel blog dedicated in sharing tips in traveling : www.bargainkl.blogspot.com

Africa is home to some of the best adventure travel destinations in the world. So whether you’re after a full-on adventure holiday, or just want to chuck some adrenaline-inducing activities in with your volunteering, Africa is the perfect place to do it.

Ever since Chris Moyles, Cheryl Cole and a bunch of other celebrities climbed Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro for Red Nose Day 2009, the mountain’s been getting a lot of coverage. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to take on the tallest mountain in Africa. And getting to the summit of this awe-inspiring mountain is a real challenge, so this is one trip that will be big on satisfaction.

Of course, there’s no need to push yourself that hard though! Slightly more laid-back travellers can opt for a little hiking instead. The views are almost as stunning, but you don’t have to put quite so much effort in. The Ngorongoro Crater is certainly a good place to start, offering fantastic trekking and unforgettable wildlife.

South Africa is undoubtedly one of the best adventure travel destinations in the entire world. The coast is ideal for all kinds of water sports, so whether you’re a surfer or a scuba diver, a sailor or a water skier, this is the perfect place for you.

This incredible country certainly caters for the adrenaline junkies too. South Africa boasts both the highest commercial bungee jump and the highest commercial abseil in the world. At Bloukrans Bridge those with a seriously adventurous side can bungee jump off the bridge, plummeting a massive 216 metres towards the Bloukrans River below. While at Table Mountain, travellers can take in spectacular views as they abseil 112 metres off one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks.

It’s odd, you wouldn’t really think of Uganda as a top adventure travel destination – but it is. You should head to Jinja, a city that has become known as the adventure capital of East Africa, offering bungee jumping and even the chance to zip wire across the Nile.

Or for something that will really get the adrenaline pumping, why not try white water rafting? This is one the best places to do it in the entire world and you can take a short half-day trip or a full on three-day one, depending on how much time you’ve got. There’s something for every level too – so whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s something to suit.

Finally, it’s worth taking time to try the local quad biking. It’s not one of those activities that travellers tend to plan for, but it’s more than worth a go. And aside for getting your pulse racing, it’ll also show you the spectacular countryside.

Victoria Falls isn’t just famous for Sherlock Holmes-related reasons – it’s also the perfect place for a spot of adventure. You can try your hand at bungee jumping, river boarding, canoeing, abseiling and speed boating – and that’s only the beginning. So if you’re travels are taking you through Zambia, make sure the Victoria Falls are high on your to-do list!

For something even more vertigo-inducing, Kenya offers fantastic climbing. And as challenging climbs go, Mount Kenya is a pretty impressive adversary! It’s the biggest mountain in the country, offering magnificent views from its three main summits and loads of exotic wildlife on the way up. Just be sure not to rush – while any strong walker can take on Mount Kenya, going up too quickly can cause altitude sickness.

Or, for something that will allow you to cool off and set your pulse racing all at the same time, travellers should head for Mombasa and the coast. Its miles of white sandy beaches offer everything from surfing to jet skiing and scuba diving to snorkelling, making Mombasa a great place to unwind, with a dash of adventure thrown in for good measure.

Thrill seekers in Ghana are advised to head for the Kakum Canopy Walkway – a set of seven bridges that look down on the lush rainforest canopy of the Kakum National Park. The dramatic walkway starts off at ground level, but the rainforest below gradually drops away to leave you suspended 100 metres above the ground, swaying precariously in the wind as you walk. The Kakum National Park is home to hundreds of species of butterflies and tropical birds, which are difficult to spot from the forest floor, but from the walkway you can clearly see them dotting the forest canopy with vivid splashes of colour.

1. MOUNT KILIMINJARO – TANZANIA
The highest mountain on the African continent, ‘Kili’ measures an astounding 19,340 feet at her highest point. The challenge to climb this majestic mountain has lured many to scale her heights, a demanding but worthwhile ascent by most accounts. Kili, which has five distinct ecological zones, is an extinct volcano.
2. OKAVANGO DELTA – BOTSWANA
The champagne-coloured waterways of this famous floodplain form the basis of a pristine Wetland of International Importance (RAMSAR). With some of the most fantastic birding globally and a wild dog population, the largest inland delta in the world is often called Africa’s most beautiful destination. The region can be explored by land, boat and air. Enjoy the spectacular diversity of flora and fauna species.
3. THE EGYPTIAN PYRAMIDS
Easily the most recognizable of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Egyptian Pyramids have long held fascination for thousands of people. Recent resurgence of interest Egyptology has made trips to this alluring destination more popular than ever. The majority of visitors view the pyramids at Giza. The origins of these majestic structures continue to be a source of lively debate, while the stories of ancient curses and grave robbers delight us all.
4. PONTA DO OURO – MOZAMBIQUE
With around 100 Bottlenose and Spinner dolphins making the sheltered waters of Ponta du Ouro their home, this region is definitely worth visiting. Dive the reefs to 40 metres in depth; they are teeming with a rainbow of marine life. Dolphin dives are a popular while in winter the haunting call of the humpback whale can be heard.
5. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – SOUTH AFRICA
The oldest, most established reserve in Africa, the Kruger boasts an amazing variety of game and bird life throughout its numerous habitats. The fantastic opportunities to view the Big Five draw many visitors to the park, hoping to spot lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and black rhinoceros. Game drives and guided walking trails offer great animal watching opportunities in the African bush.
6. DJEMAA el FNAA SQUARE – MARRAKESH – MOROCCO
A tapestry of colours, smells, sites and wonderful local characters make a visit to this bustling marketplace an unforgettable experience. Be entertained by fortune tellers, street performers and henna women. The Municipal Market sells local fresh produce. Take a ride in a Horse-drawn carriage and enjoy the spectacular sunset. More performers come out in the evening and entertain till midnight. Enjoy the famous local orange juice or mint tea!
7. THE SERENGETI – TANZANIA
The Serengeti National Park, covering 14,763 sq. km, is named ‘endless plains’ in Masai. Here are 35 species of mammals, including wildebeest, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant and giraffe, and over 200 species of birds.
The annual wildebeest migration is possibly the most spectacular natural event in Africa.
8. THE VICTORIA FALLS – ZIMBABWE
From either Zimbabwe or Zambia you can experience the world’s largest sheet of falling water. The spray can be seen up to 30 kilometres away – hence the local name ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – “The smoke that thunders”.
Apart from the spectacular views including permanent rainbows arcing across the face of the falls, one can experience the waters along the river at closer quarters with white water rafting.
9. LAKE MALAWI
The 3rd largest lake in Africa is a tropical paradise. The tranquil waters lap against shores lined with palm, mango, banana and avocado trees. Here you can kayak, while snorkeling offers access to the colourful kaleidoscope of endemic cichlids found at this UNESCO world heritage site.
10. TABLE MOUNTAIN – SOUTH AFRICA
This iconic landmark stands in the centre of the beautiful city of Cape Town.
Climb, or experience the wonders of the revolving cable car. Either way a visit to one of the most recognizable mountains in the world is a must for your trip around the great African continent. And while you’re there, enjoy the wonders of Cape Town -beaches, winelands, Robben Island – each one a ‘Top 10′ in its own right!