Safari: conservation in action

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts, safariadventureholidays     Africa, eco-holidays, eco-tourism, safari, safari hoidays, tanzania

Each hostel New York has will have people staying who have travelled all over the world. It’s part of the hostel experience to mix and share stories, reveal travels far and wide, and soak up the experience of others. And one common theme or sensitivity comes through when socialising with well-travelled people: a love of nature.

Zebra in Tanzania Image: Flickr/ David Berkowitz

Our appreciation of the planet’s fragility is a relatively new thing. Until recently, surprisingly few people realised what impact we were having on the environment. Happily things are changing. One noticeable move is the interest in conservation holidays and eco-tourism. If there is one way to see nature up-close while directly supporting its protection, it’s by taking safari holidays.

Conservation, however, is not complete protection: animals on wildlife reserves are not hidden from natural predators, nor are they shielded from the worst nature can throw at them – just from the dangers we can pose to their survival.

Keeping animals in zoos helps breeding programmes for those truly endangered species, but to better understand how eco-systems and natural environments are preserved, it’s always best to get to the countries where these animals originate and see what’s being done.

Previously people went on game safaris to collect trophies; today tourists prefer to shoot animals with cameras. By going on safari your money goes into the local economy and helps create jobs. Well-trained guides help find you the best picture opportunities, and thanks to funding and international initiatives, some of the most precious habitats on Earth are helped. When managed properly, the safari offers real-time conservation and unforgettable travel experiences.

Round The World in Two Ways

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Africa, budget adventures, Egypt, Europe, France, gap year, multi destination, north america, Peru, rtw trip, South America, tailor made holidays, united states

Having spoken to friends and having had a good look around the Internet, there appears to be two distinctly different ways of approaching a round the world (rtw) trip: the tick-box method, and the scattergun approach.

Now, while neither is exclusive, each has its own benefits and pitfalls, so let’s take a look.

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Shark Diving: Should we be afraid?

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Africa, cape town, Danger, kitesurfing, ocean sports, Risk, Safety, Scuba Diving, shark, shark dive, shark diving, sharks, south africa, Surf, Surfing, water sports, watersports

Another Shark Week has concluded on one of the major networks. No matter how many times it’s explained that sharks rarely attack, there’s always a moment, a worry that passes over watersports fans as we paddle out into the waters.

Sharks: even the smallest look intimidating. But is this because we are conditioned to fear them, or based on a genuine threat? Surely kitesurfers are safe? Or are they?

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Rainbow Nation: Adventure Sports Destination

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Adventure Sports, Adventure Travel, Africa, botswana, extreme sports, mozambique, namibia, south africa, World Cup

In case it escaped your attention, South Africa is currently hosting the World Cup. With all eyes on the footy, it’s easy to forget the opportunities this country provides the adventure sports fan.

It has always been a place of adventure, and one of real significance in the history of exploration. The Cape of Good Hope, battered by the colliding Indian and Atlantic oceans, was always a landmark for sailors. read more

New Watersports Holidays & Courses!

Lianne    New Adventure Travel Ideas     Africa, Kayaking, kitesurfing, Sailing, Surfing, Windsurfing

Kitesurfing Course

We have some new adventures listed on the site and it’s all water related! Whether you would like to try something new or improve on your skills, we have a lot of courses & holidays on the site…

If watersports tickles your fancy, check out the latest adventures for this week below:

Surf Guiding in Morocco

IKO Kiteboarder Course in Egypt

RYA 2 Day Skipper Practical

Windsurf Course in Corralejo

Kayaking in Iceland