Going to South Africa

Follow the accommodation and tour links to find and book your dream South Africa travel destination. South Africa is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries to travel in the world. Aptly nicknamed the Rainbow Nation, its spectacular and varied land and its friendly people never fail to captivate those who travel in South Africa.

As one of Africa's top three safari destinations, the Kruger National Park offers visitors the iconic African safari - a dramatic production rich in lion prides, elephant herds and thousands of other animals, played out against shifting backdrops of savannah, forest, river and mountain.

Travel in Central Africa

Have you heard of a land locked country that is doing well in the tourism industry because of its beautiful sites and sceneries. Take a trip to the Central African Republic and this could make your holiday one of the best you have ever experienced. Central African Republic is a country that borders Chad in the north, Sudan to the east, republican of Congo to the west and Democratic Republic of Congo to the south. Bangui being its capital city, this country has a population of approximately 4,216,666 people where the official language is French.

The best time to visit the Central African Republic is from November to March, thus avoiding most of the rain. If you stay long enough, you can catch the March 29 celebration of Barthelemy Boganda’s death. Typical dishes in the Central African Republic are based on staples and sauces. Western food is only available in the capital, Bangui. Pop in into one of the top class hotel or restaurant that is affordable and order rice, bananas or cassava served with okra. Other foods include Muamba de Galinha, which is chicken with palm oil and okra. Chicken and cumin stew, Palm butter soup, Spinach stew, which might also include tomatoes, peppers, chilies, onions and peanut butter, Shrimps eaten with boiled yams or sweet potatoes, Beer, ginger beer, palm wine and banana wine are all common drinks throughout the area. The few hotels in Bangui have expensive clubs catering for tourists and businessmen; local nightlife is centered on the district known as ‘Kilomètre Cinq.

This is where you can dance all night to the slow music that is produce by massive sound systems that are found in these clubs and bars. Are you a fan of live music; then this is place to visit. As you are visiting the various tourist sites, why not book a 3 star hotel in the Central African Republic that will accommodate you as you travel. This country has reasonable hotels that provide a good level of service. These hotels will provide the best services and have facilities like hair driers, private bathrooms and toilets, beauty parlours, colour TV with satellite channels, shaving mirrors, hairdressing salon, daily laundry and a doctor on call. This is the best place to visit as there are experienced staff on hand to assist in planning meetings and tidying rooms. Central African Republican has various physical attractions including rivers, lakes and mountains among other features that have contributed to the tourism industry.

How about visiting Bangui? It is located on the Oubangui River and offers great photo opportunities of the landscape from the Grande Corniche. Before you head off to the rest of the country, stop by the Central Market, where local tribal art and handwork is available, and is best visited during the day. The wildlife parks and nature reserves in the Central African Republic can literally take your breath away.


The Dzanga-Sangha Reserve guards virgin rain forests, jungle elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees, and visitors can take comfort that the park entrance fee is funneled back into the reserve, the Saint Floris Park, in the country’s northeast, is open from December to mid-May and has one of the better concentrations of wild animals, including cheetahs, elephants, leopards, giraffes and other African animals. This is an interesting country. Why not pay a visit and experience it.

Flyin' with Kids

Are you a parent who needs to fly with your young children? If so, you need to look for ways to save money. Unfortunately, parents often pay full-price, if not more for their children to fly. Realistically speaking, it should be the other way around. So, how do you, as a parent, find cheap airfare when traveling with children?

Do not get a seat for a child under the age of two. Most airlines allow children under the age of two to fly on the lap of a parent. If you have a child under two, don't pay full-price for a ticket. Depending on where and when you are traveling, this seat could cost $400 or more! Some airlines do charge a fuel charge for lap infants, but it is still cheaper than a single seat.

Right about now, you may be thinking it is too uncomfortable to fly with a child on your lap. It is best if you are traveling with your spouse or another adult. You can alternate between holding your child. This is ideal for long-distance flights, ensuring both parents get to relax on the flight at some point. Do not let an airline charge you extra for a car seat. If an infant under the age of two gets their own seat, most airlines require you to have a car seat. This car seat is for safety purposes. Although some airlines require infant car seats, they have no problem charging you extra. Don't let this happen. If you must have a separate seat for your infant, contact the airline directly and bargain. Let them know that if they do not waive the fee for the infant care items, you will opt for a lap arrangement instead. Once again, this can lose the airline up to $400 or more!

Ask for a discount. If you have a small child who is over the age of two, you must buy a seat. As previously stated, that seat could cost $400 or more. What you need to remember is that your child weighs less than an adult, they have less luggage, and most have few travel needs. They aren't calling the attention of a flight attendant every ten minutes. Technically, it costs less for your child to fly, so try to pay less.

When seeking a child airfare discount, these discounts are rarely offered online. In fact, they are rarely offered at all. Parents need to seek them. Before making your airline reservations, contact the customer service department of your preferred airline. Outright ask about a discount. Mention the fact that your child does weighs less and will not have as much luggage. Be very polite, but clearly state your point. You should get a discount.

The best way to reduce the cost of flying with kids is to focus on airfare. However, don't discount other money saving areas on your family vacation. It is cheaper to fly with layovers than take a direct flight. Unfortunately, that leaves you and your kids hanging out at the airport. We all know how expensive airport meals, snacks, and drinks are. Eliminate this added expense. Give your kids a full meal before leaving, pack lots of dry snacks, and share drinks bought at airport stores.

If you are traveling with one or two children, they may want their own suitcases. As cute as they may look dragging this suitcase along, it may cost you at least $30 extra. Now, many airlines charge for not only second suitcases, but the first one too. Save money by condensing luggage with your family. Will your daughter's clothes fit into your suitcase and your son's clothes fit into your husband's suitcase? If your airline charges you $15 each way for a checked bag, you save $60 total! As you can see, there are many ways that you can save money when flying with kids. Whether you have one child or three, don't let the cost of flying ruin your finances.

Typhoon Lagoon

This summer, you can cool off at Disney Worlds Typhoon Lagoon. This water park which first opened in 1989 is still attracting a lot of visitors with its centerpiece, the 100 foot Mount Mayday where the parks 2 speed slides, 4 twisting body slides and three tube slides are all located. You won't have a hard time finding it because you will notice Ms. Tilly, a shrimp boat situated on top of the mountain.

Beneath the 100 foot man made mountain, the theme park spreads out to a 2 + acre lagoon that is surrounded by white beaches. If the weather gets to you, there is plenty of shade around thanks to the lush vegetation.

Some of the other attractions at the theme park are Ketchakiddie Creek, Typhoon Lagoon Surf Pool, Castaway Creek, Humunga Kowabunga, Storm Slides, Gang Plank Falls, Mayday Falls, Keelhaul Falls and Shark Reef.

In case you need anything, you can head down to Singapore Sal's Beachwear, Gifts & Sundries. If you have to store some stuff, you can rent a locker for $5 or $7 for a larger one. There is a refundable fee of $2 when you turn in the key.

Guests can borrow towels for $1 each. For those that need a life vest, you can get these for free since you are not allowed to bring other floatation devices into the park.

When you feel hungry, you can get some snacks at Leaning Palms, Typhoon Tilly's, Lowtide Lou's Snacks and Lets Go Slurpin.

If you need some medical attention, you can go to the First Aid Station that is located near the Leaning Palms Snack Bar.

There are certain regulations that should be follow when inside the park.

1. Swimwear that has exposed metal is not allowed to be worn inside the park.

2. Children under the age of 10 should always be accompanied by an adult.

3. Although the park is open from 10am to 5pm, this may change depending on the weather conditions.

4. If you have made reservations beforehand and the park is suddenly closed, you will not be given a refund.

5. Even if you buy a ticket to enter this water park, you cannot use this to enter any of Disney's other water parks.

The park is closed for one month every year for repairs and maintenance. Adults pay $35 plus tax while children the age of 10 to 4 will pay $29 plus tax. Anyone under three is free.

Contemporary Hotel in Disney World

Disney Worlds Contemporary Hotel is one of three that is a Monorails ride away from the theme park. In fact, this is one of first to be built. It has just undergone a facelift.

This 15 story hotel has over 655 rooms and you are sure to enjoy your stay while enjoying the stunning views of either Bay Lake or Cinderella's Castle.

The Contemporary Hotel has 3 types of rooms. There is the Standard guest room, the Tower and the Suites. Both the Standard and the Tower can have a maximum of 5 guests while the Suite can handle from 3 to 8. All of them have a balcony or patio.

Each room has two queen size beds or one king size bed, an ergonomic work station, remote control flat screen TV, high speed internet access, a ceiling fan, telephone with a separate data port, in room safe, bathroom, hair dryer, iron and ironing board.

Some of the things guests can avail of include nightly turn down service, a refrigerator, coffee and coffee maker. If you are hungry, there are three restaurants to choose from. These are namely Chef Mickey's, Concourse Steakhouse and California's Grill. There are 2 snack bars and 3 lounges to visit if you want to grab a snack.

For those who want to have some fun, you can jump in one of the two swimming pools near the marina or work on a tan by the white sand beach. You can play volleyball here as well as tennis. Just be sure to bring your own equipment. Those who only brought their running shoes can go for a run through the jogging trial.

People who prefer to stay indoors and still work up a sweat can go to the Olympic Fitness center that has state of the art exercise equipment and then end it with aromatherapy, deep tissue or Swedish massage.

Guests who love the water can borrow a Canopy boat, Pontoon boat or Sea Racer. There are also instructors on hand to teach you how to use them for an extra fee.

As for kids, they can hang out at the Arcade located at the Food & Fun Center or the playground that is open 24 hours.

Room rates at the Contemporary may be as low as $230 during the off season to almost $3,000 during the peak season if you decide to use the Concierge service.

Disney World Vacations

Disney world vacations are indeed the ultimate stress relievers for any person young and old. Here, the chance of dreams filled with fun and excitement turning into reality is higher because of the amenities you can use and the activities that you can do.

But, if not planned properly, Disney world vacations can be quite a hassle. Aside from spending a huge sum of money, there is a possibility that you won't enjoy it because of the loopholes that may come along the way.

To ensure that you have an enjoyable Disney world vacations, it is a must that you plan it very carefully. Aside from ensuring that you and your family have a good time, it also lessens the possibilities of you spending too much money.

What You Can Do

Just like in any vacation, Disney world vacations require a lot of preparation to ensure that it will be an enjoyable and memorable event not only for you but also for the people you are with. To ensure that you have enjoyable Disney world vacations, here are some of the things that you should do:

1. Getting Disney world vacations help and tips online. With the aid of the Internet, Disney has created some sites where people especially families who plan to go on a Disney vacation can get help and some tips in making the vacation worthwhile with less expenditure. Disney has created a Disney family club for people who wants to have a Disney vacation can get immediate access to the site. Since a Disney vacation costs so much, Disney also created the ultimate Disney savings site where people can save more on their total trip. Through this site, people who are planning and who are saving some bucks for the most-anticipated Disney vacation can learn more about discounts on tickets, foods, Disney merchandise, hotels and much more.

2. Check out the services and amenities available. If you want a successful vacation at the Disney world, check out the services and amenities available. You can do this by asking friends who have been on a vacation or surfing the net. Many links can connect you to the official sites which have been around for years and has been helping a lot of families to have fun and affordable Disney vacations.

3. Look for great deals and discounted offers. Vacations will surely be nicer if you can use discounts and limited offers. Make sure that before you book anything for your vacation, you have checked the sites because there might be great deals offered by Disney. Some of the tempting deals include low prices on Disney rooms, tickets, dining, souvenirs, cruises, and Disney vacations.

After doing these simple steps, you can now start plotting and planning your vacation and dream about all the fun that awaits you and your family during Disney world vacations.

Cheap AirFare

Most airlines sell their tickets cheaply at midnight because it is that time that seats booked but not taken during the day are sold. You can get cheap airfare by calling up your preferred airline at midnight to purchase a ticket at a cheaper cost.

The most effective way to obtain cheap airfare is to shop around. Get a list of airfare rates on the Internet and start your search for cheap airfare by eliminating all of those rates that do not fall into your price range.

Usually, cheap airfares under a hundred dollars are round trip tickets. You can get a round trip tickets for less than a hundred dollars. A good cheap ticket for a one-way trip can be gotten for sixty-nine dollars.

The airline industry has periods of high demand and low demand like other businesses. During peak periods, airfare tends to be more expensive. Save airfare costs by traveling during off peak periods.

As a student, you are entitled to a discount in airfare prices. A discount in airfare is a reduction of normal air charges. You can still search for cheaper airfare even if you are a student.

You can get cheap airfare by asking your travel agent to book for ticket for you. Make sure that you let your travel agent know that you are on the lookout for cheap airfare when you hire him or her in order not to get booked on an expensive flight.

The kind of schedule you keep for flying determines if you will get cheap airfare or not. A flexible flying schedule implies that you can change your flying plans to accommodate a change in the cost of airfare. If you have a tight flying schedule, what you are charged is what you have to pay and cheap airfare may not be obtainable.

You can expand your financial confines by opting to patronize any way you can find to get cheap airfare tickets. And what better way to broaden your options than the internet, a tool without limitations?

Lost in Another COuntry

Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures. But especially for trips to another country, where everything is new and strange, traveling can be quite a drag.

And if worse comes to worst, being lost in another country could be the most horrible nightmare of your life. That is when learning the skills to survive when lost in another country helps.

Here are some tips to help you endure the consequences of being lost in a strange place and live through the means of survival until you can go back to your homeland.

1. Presence of mind

Being lost in another country is one thing, but not having presence of mind is another and could be the worst thing that could happen to you.

It is still understandable that you might get lost in another country because the place is totally strange to you. The only way to survive being lost in another country is to have presence of mind so you can think of ways to get a ride back home.

Or if luck permits it, you can possibly discover your way to your exact destination without having to spend more than what you can afford.

2. Stay where you are

If you think you are lost, without the slightest idea where you are, or if you do not have any clue how to head back to where you have come from, stay where you are. Attempting to move further or trying to discover ways to go back will only make matters worse.

Besides being a complete waste of energy, according to statistical reports, nearly 70% of people who are lost cannot find a way to return to where they came from.

3. Learn to provide your basic needs

If you really cannot think of a way to find your way back home, maintain your basic needs by carrying an ample food and water supply as well as clothing before you leave your place.

You never know what will happen next once you have arrived in another country. So it is best to carry your basic needs with you in case something goes wrong, such as getting lost.

Keep in mind that traveling to another country is not all play. You have to keep your senses with you and your mind clear to anticipate the necessary things that you have to do in case something occurs, such as being lost in another country.

Light a Match

Summer is usually the time when your kids or teenagers start going on camping trips. This is the time when they can practice their independence and gain knowledge of the basic survival skills.

One of the basic skills being taught for every camping activity is to learn how to start fire without matches. Of course, many people would be smart enough to take extra matches and fuel just to be sure that they can start cooking whenever, wherever.

One can never be too sure whether having a match can always guarantee a nice lit bonfire beside the shore or a fire for cooking.

So the best way to ensure the presence of fire is to learn how to start it even without matches. Generally, there are two ways to start a fire without a match. First, you have the stick method. The other method is known as the stone method.

To know more about how to use these two methods of starting fire without a match, here are easy steps to follow:

1. Find a good location

One of the main reasons some people find it difficult to start fire without a match is wrong location. What more can you expect in a place where there are the elements of nature?

Water and the wind are two of the greatest enemies of fire so it is best to try in a place away from these elements.

2. Collect your materials

Learning how to start a fire without a match is possible, but not without the other essentials such as dry leaves, twigs and dry wood.

Collecting these things is the very first crucial step in learning the skill.

3. Choose your means

As mentioned earlier, there are two methods of starting a fire without a match. Either way, you can readily start fire because both the stick and the stone methods use the same principle of friction.

Briskly rubbing these two materials (either the sticks or the stones) will produce heat and after a series of rubbing motions, fire will be developed.

With stones, you need to rub them near your twigs or dry leaves. It is important that when a spark is created, the leaves are readily available to catch the flame.

It is easy to start a fire without a match. Just remember not to play with fire as this may cause serious accidents

Travel with Food

Are you one of those busy people who never has time for a good, home-cooked meal? Do you tend to grab a burger or taco instead of a real meal because the fast food joint is "on the way"? If you're one of the millions of people who never seem to have time to cook, a repertoire of quick and easy recipes and a single great appliance can make a huge difference in your life. The GT Xpress 101 is an indoor grill that bills itself as a sandwich maker, dessert maker and meal maker. The ads for the countertop grill say that it will revolutionize the way that you cook. For the busy, on-the-move individual, that claim is not far from the truth. Here are just a handful of recipes for busy people who skip breakfast, eat fast food for lunch and pull a microwave meal out of the freezer for dinner. Just wait till you see what you can do in just eight minutes. Breakfast - the most important meal of the day Too many busy people skip breakfast in the rush to get out the door to work in the morning. The GT Xpress can make it easy for you to eat a healthy, nutritious breakfast to fuel your workday the right way. Because there's no need to stand over a skillet to flip pancakes or stir eggs, you can preheat the grill, add ingredients, and hop in the shower. By the time you get out, breakfast will be ready to eat - and you'll still be out the door on time. Parmesan Bagel Bake Much tastier than the usual fast-food breakfast bagel - and a whole lot less expensive

1 mini onion bagel
1 egg
salt to taste
pepper to taste
½ tablespoons tarragon
1 teaspoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoons shredded Provolone cheese


Preheat the GT Xpress. Place one half of the onion bagel in one well in the GT Xpress. Scramble egg and beat in salt, pepper, tarragon and Parmesan cheese, then pour over bagel. Top with Provolone cheese and cover with other half of the bagel. Close top and cook for 10 minutes. Take the opportunity to put on your makeup or run a brush through your hair - it's easy to multi-task. Breakfast Burrito 1 egg, beaten 2 pre-cooked breakfast sausages, sliced or broken into pieces 1 slice American cheese ¼ cup diced peppers ¼ cup diced onions 1 flour tortilla Cooking spray Spray top and bottom cooking surface with non-stick spray. Fit tortilla into one well in the GT Xpress allowing half the tortilla to lap over the side. Add onions, peppers and sausage. Pour egg over vegetables and sausage. Top with cheese slice. Fold tortilla over. Close cover and cook for 8 minutes. Take-along Lunches Instead of running through a drive-through for lunch, take a few minutes to make a quick sandwich in the GT Xpress to pack and take along. Or get a little fancy and bring something to heat in the office microwave. Try one of these recipes for something special at lunch. Chicken Cordon Bleu Wrap ½ boneless chicken breast 1 slice Swiss cheese 1 slice baked ham 1 tortilla wrap Cut a slice into the side of the chicken breast to create a pocket.


Fold swiss cheese and slice of ham into the pocket. Press the chicken breast together and fit into one well in the GT Xpress. Close top and cook for twenty minutes. When done, wrap burrito style in tortilla wrap and pack for lunch in insulated lunch bag. Bacon and Swiss Stuffed Baby Bella Mushroom Caps 2 slices cooked bacon ½ ounce of shredded Swiss cheese 1 finely chopped scallion 1/8 tsp ground pepper 1 tablespoon Ranch dressing 6 Baby Bella mushroom caps Combine everything but the mushroom caps and mix well. Place 3 mushroom caps in each well. Top with bacon mixture. Close cover and cook for five minutes. Open and allow to cool before wrapping for lunch.


Add a six ounce cup of yogurt and a bottled water or juice for a gourmet lunch at the office. Gourmet Dinner on the Fly How often do you skip dinner or order a pizza because it takes too much time to cook something fancy? The GT Xpress makes it easy to cook delicious, fresh dinners for one, two or a crowd - without heating up your kitchen or dirtying pots and pans. Next time you're in the mood for something healthy, fresh and delicious, try one of these recipes. Seafood Stuffed Salmon 2 salmon fillets 2/3 cup shredded crabmeat or chopped shrimp ½ cup shredded spinach salt and pepper to taste Slice partway through each salmon fillet to create a pocket for stuffing. Mix crabmeat and spinach together. Season with salt and pepper. Fill each salmon pocket with stuffing mixture. Brush the well and top surface of grill with olive oil and fit one salmon fillet into each one. Cook 6 to 8 minutes.

Travel to Rwanda

Rwanda, the land of one thousand hills and 'hundreds attractions' is an extraordinary place where serene scenery and placid people greet you at every juncture. Rwanda is safe and secure with an overwhelming renaissance of Rwandese national pride and cultural reconstruction. It is full of sights and delights, waiting to be explored. If Rwanda is on your travel list there is no better time to runaway to Rwanda...visit today you would want to stay!

The country is well known mostly because of its horrible recent history and you might think that Rwanda should therefore be more the scope for No governmental organization than for travelers. Nowadays, nothing is less true. Rwanda has wonderful people, breathtaking beautiful lakes, challenging mountains, stunning scenery, perfect climate, rare species of apes, excellent roads, express buses, good and cheap food and beer, various accommodation options, fast internet, only few tourists outside the gorilla-homes, you will found it all in Rwanda, a safe and yet to be discovered backpackers haven!

Because of its small size, Rwanda attractions are near each other and can be reached quite easily and safely.

1. KIGALI CITY: A NICE PLACE TO EXPERIENCE AN AFRICAN CAPITAL

Kigali is an interesting mix of rural and urban town overflowing on juxtaposed hilly terrain. New construction is everywhere and large mansions stand side by side with mud brick huts and lean roads. It has a peaceful feel and the center is located upon the hilltop expanse. It feels safe and getting around is easy on foot or minibuses...many and new. For a bit more taxis can whiz you anywhere without breaking the bank. Kigali is a nice place to experience an African capital.

2. KGALI GENOCIDE MEMORIALS CENTER IN GISOZI

During the genocide in Rwanda in 1994, over a million people were murdered. Some 250,000 perished on the streets and in the houses, churches and hospitals of Kigali alone. The Kigali Genocide memorial center contains ten mass graves- a site of burial for almost victims, who were killed in the Kigali region. After the genocide, as mass graves were being discovered around the city. It was decided that a single monument/ burial place should be created, where the victims could be laid to rest with dignity, this is now their final resting place. The memorial houses a children’s section, a particularly powerful experience to read about the children- how they lived, and how they died. Amongst other things, it traces how things came to being so bad, how the ideology of genocide emerged, how the tragedy could have been averted, and how the world ignored the signs and warnings repeatedly. Some of the survivors of the genocide have been trained as guides at the center. Open 10am to 5pm daily. Entrance is free but at the door there is a box for donation. The place is really heart breaking!

4. MOUNTAIN GORILLAS TREKKING

A Mountain Gorilla Trekking is the pinnacle of all the wildlife experiences available in Africa and Rwanda is with no doubt the best place for this. People are limited to spend only one hour with the Gorillas and expect to hike for two to four hours to see them. These incredible primates are divided into four groups that have been habituated over the decades; it’s a thing not to miss in Rwanda. Don't miss spending an hour with these magical creatures. It does require planning in advance, and contacting the National Park or a local tour operator to check what the latest system they have implemented with regards to how you get a permit - but it is all worthwhile. Also, don't be put off by the price - a high price is needed to ensure that protecting the gorillas is economically sustainable for the local area.

5. MOUNTAINS CLIMBING

The National park office offers guided climbs to the top of 2 volcano among the 5 of the Virunga chain, Visoke (3711m) and Karisimbi (4705m -the tallest).

The climbs to the summits are not technical and can be done by fit hikers. The scenery is great! However, the trek to Karisimbi's summit is an overnight trek and should be prepared properly.

6. NYUNGWE FOREST NATIONAL PARK

This national park is a preserved part of rain forest which houses 13 species in all, including humankind's closest living relative the chimpanzee, as well as the handsome L'Hoest's monkey and hundred-strong troops of the delightfully acrobatic Angola colombus. The most important ornithological site in Rwanda, Nyungwe harbours almost 300 bird species of which two dozen are restricted to a handful of montane forests on the Albertine Rift. Please come with your car or book a tour with a local tour operator otherwise it is very hard to reach the place and get away. You can camp there and pitch a tent but you have to consider bringing all food and water with you as facilities are limited. The entry fee has recently been increased so check up the actual fares.

7. AKAGERA NATIONAL PARK

Akagera is the best national park of Rwanda - very helpful park-ranger help to find you all animals in park - mainly, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, baboons, buffaloes, hippos and crocodiles.

8. RUSUMO FALLS

Rusumo is a Marvelous and spectacular falls of the Akagera River, a part of the most distant headwaters of the river Nile. The falls is located in the Eastern part of Rwanda at the border with Tanzania.
If you happen to cross the border with Tanzania at Rusumo don't forget to see the Rusumo falls.

9. THE BEAUTIFULLY LAKE KIVU

The beautifully Lake Kivu is a large deposit of fresh water that marks the western border with DR Congo and one of the Great Lakes of Africa. The lake is in the Albertine Rift, a part of the Great Rift Valley. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. Beneath the lake lie vast reserves of approximately 55 billion cubic of dissolved methane gas which have not been exploited. Lake Kivu is a tourist center, safe to swim (but just ask locally to be completely sure). There are nice beaches, gorgeous landscapes and the sunsets are regularly stunning. There are some excellent places to stay on the Lakeside such as Kibuye and -especially-Gisenyi near the DR Congo border.

10. BUTARE CITY IN HUYE

The most popular tourist attraction in Butare is the superb National Museum, which houses perhaps the finest ethnographic collection in East Africa. The rooms are spacious, without the excessive clutter of distracting memorabilia. This makes the well-labeled exhibits easy to appreciate and enjoy. Absorbing displays of traditional artefacts are illuminated by a fascinating selection of turn-of-the-century monochrome photographs, providing insight not only into pre-colonial lifestyles, but also into the subsequent development of Rwanda as a modern African state. Here the Intore dancers can be commissioned to perform, but this is not a good deal for a single traveler. If a group is present the price would definitely be worthwhile as shows are few and far between.

mountain gorilla tour .

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Fact about the Nyiragongo volcano in Goma Congo

Nyiragongo volcano is located in Virunga National park in the Democratic Republic of Congo DRC, At around 19 kilometers of Goma, very close to Rwandan border, in a safe and easily accessible area. The Nyiragongo is one of Africa 's most dangerous and the most famous for its semi permanent lava lake. The volcano is also known to the people of Congo as a sacred mountain where an angry spirit is trapped, The volcano is still active and it has erupted several times throwing lavas toward the town of Goma and other neighboring villages.

Any body knows about how long the volcano has been erupting, but since 1882, it has erupted at least 34 times, including many periods where activity was continuous for years at a time, often in the form of a churning lava lake in the crater. The volcano partly overlaps with two older volcanoes, Baratu and Shaheru, and is also surrounded by hundreds of small volcanic cinder cones from flank eruptions.

Volcanism at Nyiragongo is caused by the rifting of the Earth's crust where two parts of the African Plate are breaking apart. A hot spot is probably also partly responsible for the great activity at Nyiragongo and Nyamuragira.

The lava emitted in eruptions at Nyiragongo is often unusually fluid. Nyiragongo's lavas are made of melilite nephelinite, an alkali-rich type of volcanic rock whose unusual chemical composition may be a factor in the unusual fluidity of the lavas there. Whereas most lava flows move rather slowly and rarely pose a danger to human life, Nyiragongo's lava flows may race downhill at up to 60 miles per hour (up to 100 km/h). This is because of the extremely low silica content. Hawaiian volcanic eruptions are also characterized by lavas with low silica content, but the Hawaiian volcanoes are broad, shallow-sloped shield volcanoes in contrast to the steep-sided cone of Nyiragongo, and the silica content is high enough to slow most Hawaiian flows to walking pace.

The last known eruption was in 2002. The Volcano erupted and ajected a large cloud of smoke and ash high into the sky and spewing lava down three sides of the volcano. One river of lava flowed right through the center of Goma and into Lake Kivu , effectively bisecting the city. Hundred of people were burnt to death . At least 400,000 people fled their homes when the lava swept down the flanks of Mount Nyiragongo and through Goma's main street before pouring into Lake Kivu on the Rwandan border. The thousands of displaced, came back after three days and tried to rebuild their lives by erecting wooden huts on top of the lava. Somewhere beneath lay the remains of their homes.

The lava had set like concrete. It was impossible to dig trenches for water supplies and drainage. Even to sink a hole for the simple African drop toilet wasn't possible. The sharp irregular stones made walking difficult and slashed the tires of cars and motorbikes.

Lava dictated everything. It was the foundation for people's homes, their yards, the building blocks for yard walls and the surface of the roads. Buildings that had survived were submerged and set fast one story deep in it.

Even if the 2002 eruption was described by many Congolese as the worse; But the 1977 was many times than it. The difference is that the first didn't destroy houses like the last one, but its burnt many peoples. On 10 January 1977, the crater walls fractured, and the lava lake drained in less than an hour. The lava flowed down the flanks of the volcano at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour on the upper slopes, overwhelming villages and killing at least 2000 people. Some reports quote much higher figures of up to several thousand people. The hazards posed by eruptions like this are unique to Nyiragongo. Nowhere else in the world does such a steep-sided stratovolcano contain a lava lake containing such fluid lavas.

Efforts have been made to level the lava on the way to the lake, so that it can be used as a road. "I visited several volcanoes with different grades of activity before, but never saw its destructive powers in a way like this. The landscapes that it created are amongst the most bizarre I've ever seen" says one traveler. Let's hope the people of Goma, will finally reach a life without natural disasters and equally disastrous effects of political struggle!

Cochs Pensjonat, Oslo, Norway: Traveler Reviews

Booked the Cochs for a weekend break in Oslo for four of us. Emailed in advance to request a best room with a double bed and a two best single rooms. I should mention that they make you pay up-front when you arrive - before you see the room

Arrived very late after our flight was delayed to find that the room we'd specifically requested a double bed in had two singles. Didn't feel it was too much of an issue as the room looked clean and everything worked. . The gentleman on reception when we arrived was chewing gum and when my card wouldn't go through (due to being a problem with the card machine) he very rudely handed it back to me saying "your card is no good'. A nice welcoming touch.

On going to bed it became clear there was another issue with the room - the bar downstairs. Noise from the bar was literally making the floor of the room vibrate and it was virtually impossible to sleep. My husband complained immediately and we were told we could move the following day.

The following day we returned to the hotel in the afternoon having left early in the morning. The room had been cleaned or should I say - half the room had been cleaned. Quite literally they had made one bed and left the other as it was when we left in the morning.

Again my husband went to reception to make them aware and ask for it to be put right. The girl on reception, to our absolute disbelief, said that this was not possible and the "solution" to our problem was to speak to the manager on Monday (we were only staying until Sunday morning and live in the UK so we're not sure how this was an appropriate "solution"). Her original explanation was that "they only made the bed that had been slept in". As I pointed out even if only one bed had been slept in and they made this, that would make two fully made beds.

We also asked about the change of room and were told that in order to have done this, we would have to have checked out of the hotel at 11am "so they could clean and re-sell our old room" (well I hope the new people wouldn't have minded one bed not being made...) and that because we had not done this, we could not change. At no point when my husband asked on Friday night were we told this.

The girl on reception was incredibly rude and became rather aggressive. We asked to speak to the manager and were told "you can't speak to him it's Saturday afternoon". We were both astounded at the way we were being treated as paying guests. Her constant response to our (very reasonable) requests and questions was "this is not a five star hotel". That was quite evident and we booked fully aware of this but at a minimum you would expect the place to be clean. On leaving this morning there was a person asleep on the sofa in the communal reception room and an underlying smell of stale alcohol and vomit.

I should also mention that one of our party was also woken and kept awake from 5.30am by a person in a room above returning from a night out with a noisy "companion".

All in all you would have to pay me to return. While I am fully aware that this is indeed not a five star hotel and am perfectly accepting of that fact and even believe it could be good value at the price it charges, I have never, ever been treated so rudely in any hotel or in fact in any customer-facing business and I would not recommend staying here.

This TripAdvisor Member:
Liked — Leaving
Disliked — The attitude of the staff


http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g190479-d206482-r22727735-Cochs_Pensjonat-Oslo.html

How To Be Cheap

In recent years, air travel has grown at phenomenal rates every year. Whether it is travel for business or leisure purposes, more and more people prefer to fly than use any other means of transportation.
However of late most consumers' budgets are tight and everybody is looking to cut down on unnecessary expenses wherever possible. People continue to take their vacations, however on a reduced budget; and companies are also restraining their business travel budgets for corporates.
In such a scenario it is important to plan your trip in advance so that you prepare yourself and take advantage of great travel deals that are available online.

Most people generally land up buying regular cost flight tickets, however if you search online and on the right sites you will most likely find much cheaper air flights and save significantly.

There are mainly 2 key tips to finding cheap air flights:

1. Book your air flight early

If you have sufficient time before your planned departure and search online, you can always find deals and cheap air flights to virtually any destination. Most often, the earlier you book, the better are your chances of getting an even better deal. As time nears to the departure date, the same flight tickets you may have purchased earlier at a discounted price become much more expensive.

2. Search for exclusive deals on popular travel search engines and consolidator sites

Look for travel search engines that search different sources including airlines and travel agency sites and allow travelers to compare and find the lowest fares for their chosen air flights. It is usually best to use search engine sites that search the Internet, find the best deals and then connect travelers directly to airline and online travel agency sites to purchase the tickets they want. Some sites like http://www.cfares.com also provide additional rebates to members as well as offer helpful tools that filter and sort results, so travelers can easily find the best flight for them.

If you are selecting a cheap flight from a "no frills" airlines, keep in mind that these flights usually have strict terms and conditions. It may be tough to change plans or get a refund, so be sure to check the exact terms prior to booking.

If you're a frequent flyer, make sure to sign up for newsletters from such travel sites so that you can read up and be abreast on the various exclusives and deals that are available from time to time. With the average airfare increasing almost every year in the last decade, it's important to recognize a good deal and that's where such newsletters come really handy and keep you up to date on the current fares.

So start monitoring airfares closely and use these strategies and popular tools that make it possible to find the best deals any time of the year and its more than likely (if not quite guaranteed) that you'll be spending a lot less for your ticket than the person seated next to you on your flight!

Top 2009 Destination

Every year the Frommer's editorial team puts its component heads together to determine what destinations travelers should be considering in the months ahead. This list is neither "hot" nor "on-the-verge" or anything like that. It's a mix of value picks that'll still wow you, cities that are sprucing up for big events, smart alternatives to overrun spots nearby, and destinations that are justifiably hyped.

This year, we've selected the following 12 domestic and international places for you to consider:

Cartagena, Colombia

After years of strife and violence owing to the drug cartel wars, Colombia has begun to emerge as a safe and vibrant travel destination (Crime rates in major cities are now no higher than what you'd find in an average large American city like Philadelphia or Milwaukee). Cartagena has a highly developed tourist infrastructure, and it's just a short hop from the U.S. -- only a 2.5 hour flight from Miami. Cartagena sits on the Caribbean coast and is a wonderfully picturesque, walled-in fishing village of pastel-painted buildings, fine cathedrals, and plenty of Spanish colonial architecture and 17th-century forts that allow you to steep yourself in history. The white-sand beaches are sublime, the restaurants are excellent, and lodging comes in all styles and prices.

Cape Town, South Africa

South Africa is gearing up to host the worlds best football (or soccer, if you're from the U.S.) teams during the 2010 World Cup, and Cape Town promises to have one of the grandest venues for the event. Get here before the crowds do to take advantage of a spruced-up city. Truthfully, though, the city has one big advantage: Cape Town, the oldest city in southern Africa, is regularly heralded as one of the most beautiful on earth. The massive sandstone bulk of Table Mountain, often draped in a flowing "tablecloth" of clouds, forms an imposing backdrop, while minutes away, pristine sandy beaches line the cliff-hugging coast where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. You can visit African Penguin colonies at Boulders Beach along False Bay or take the ferry to Robben Island, the former prison home to political prisoners such as Nelson Mandela.

Saqqara, Egypt

Just 30 miles south of Cairo, you'll find the site of the recently discovered 4,300-year-old step pyramid of Queen Sesheshet, mother of King Teti I, the founder of the Sixth Dynasty. In fact, the site of this huge necropolis, which was attached to the ancient city of Memphis, is believed to be the birthplace of the step pyramid -- designed and constructed by the ingenious Imhotep (whose innovations are responsible for the later Giza constructions). You also find multiple other tombs, stunning wall paintings, carvings and the Serapeum, where the Apis bulls -- believed to be the god Ptah in corporal form -- are mummified and interred. The whole site is worth a day trip by taxi out of Cairo, and your driver should be able to introduce you to knowledgeable on-site (but unofficial) tour guides to the grounds.

Washington, D.C., United States

Change has come to the nation's capital, and the influx of new blood and governing energy isn't the only reason to visit. Wait till after the millions leave on January 21, and you'll discover one of the world's great budget cities. Almost every major attraction Washington has to offer -- from the Smithsonian Museums to the National Monuments to the National Zoo -- is free and transportation via the city's Metro system is fast, clean, and easy. Leisure travelers are ideally situated to snag great deals on hotel rooms on weekends, when business travelers (those dreaded lobbyists and contractors) clear out and hotels are eager to fill rooms. New for 2009: the National Museum of Crime and Punishment.

Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada

Tucked neatly away in the southwest corner of the province, Waterton is the least-traveled of Alberta's Rocky Mountain Parks, and quite possibly the most spectacular. That's saying a lot: the other two, Banff and Jasper are among the world's leading international tourist destinations. But Waterton is positively otherworldly, with its abrupt shift from prairie to mountain terrain, as well as its icy-blue lake that fills an ancient gully surrounded by mountain and glaciers. Given the fact that its quaint, tiny town site vanishes a few steps down any of the many trails here, it's one of the only places in the Canadian Rockies where you can feel apart from the modern world. Plus, its relatively sparse traffic means most things are as much as 30% cheaper than Banff.

Civil Rights Trail from Selma to Montgomery in Alabama, United States

What happened forty years ago between Selma and Montgomery -- the antecedent for the Voting Rights Act -- is why the U.S. will welcome Barack Obama into the White House this year. It's additionally important because the U.S. southeast is rich both historically and culturally, and the Trail provides a very accessible window to an often overlooked region by tourists. The Civil Rights Trail captures a moment in history through its many small museums -- both in Selma and Montgomery -- and also in the journey visitors take to travel from place to place. For families, it's a well-marked trail that offers changing views, numerous stops, and the type of generational discussions that great journeys are made of. Highlights include the Edmund Pettus Bridge, the Slavery & Civil War Museum, the Rosa Parks Museum, and the Maya Lin-designed Civil Rights Monument.

Lassen Volcano National Park, California, United States

There are hundreds of parks in our system that are thankfully protected but may not get the acclaim they deserve. Lassen is one of the oldest -- Teddy Rosevelt dedicated two monuments in 1907 that ultimately became this park -- and least-visited parks in the system. Hot springs, heat vents, sulfur ponds, and dormant volcanoes help set it apart from more pedestrian parks. (Before Mount St. Helens blew in the 1980s, Lassen Peak's eruption in 1915 had been the most recent eruption in the lower 48 states.) Visitors come for 150 miles of hiking trails, swimming, and boating and fishing (there are dedicated fishing and boating lakes). The park's open year-round, but road closures do occur due to snow. When snow hits, some areas get "snow algae" which manifests itself in snow that takes on a blood-red color, adding to the already spooky atmosphere of geothermal activity. There's only one place to stay within the park that's not a campsite, but B&Bs and chain motels surround the park and you're unlikely to pay above $100 to stay, even in high season.

Berlin, Germany

It's been hyped as a haven for artists and musicians for the last decade, but Berlin hasn't gone stale yet. By day enviously green Berlin has the vast Tiergarten with lakes, canals, palaces, and the eco-aware zoo at its heart. Green-fingered globetrotters stroll the oriental gardens at Marzahn. Berliners don't let a lack of sea stop them: chill on the beach at Wannsee, Strandbad Mitte, or (when it rains) Tropical Islands. There's plenty to eat, too. Whether it's pan-fresh falafel and ethnic color on Mehringdamm or Michelin-starred finery in Mitte, the German capital tastes better than ever. And almost 20 years since the fall of the Wall, Berlin is still riding the waves of Ostalgia (nostalgia for former East Germany). Tour Karl-Marx-Allee in a bone-shaking Trabant, walk the remaining stretch of the Wall at the East Side Gallery and find your own chip off the old Bloc in souvenir shops. The Stasi Suite at Ostel promises sweet Communist dreams.

Belfast, Northern Ireland

In little more than a decade, Belfast has been transformed from fractured city into a hot city break destination, moving fast towards its 19th-century accolade of Paris of the North. Premier Victorian landmarks such as the City Hall, Ulster Museum, and Ulster Hall are reopening in 2009 after being given a makeover. But towering above the city, it's the glass dome of the sophisticated new Victoria Square shopping centre that's the real emblem of the city's renaissance. The army check points that encircled the city centre during the Troubles are a thing of the past; today you can amble along the Golden Mile for relaxed drinks or enjoy Irish music in Cathedral Quarter bars. Try the Laganside for orchestral concerts at the riverfront Waterfront Hall and international cuisine from Teppanyaki at Harbour View to seafood at Tedfords. Or, for the ultimate treat, stay at the luxury Merchant Hotel, sip bubbly among the chandeliers in Cafe Vaudeville's champagne bar and savor Michelin-starred dining at Deanes.

Istanbul, Turkey

The European City of Culture 2010 has already started its build-up with street theatre, art, and music galore, representing Istanbul's upcoming and thriving arts scene: Everyone knows of its Ottoman mosques and mammoth markets, but newly-opened santralistanbul has brought a 19th-century power station, converted into a modern art gallery, firmly into the future. Want more art? Head to Misir Apartman, once an apartment block in funky Beyoglu, now chock-full of bijou galleries exhibiting local artists and sculptors. After the splendors of Ottoman mosques and frescoes in the Byzantine churches, the Jewish Museum showcases the significant role that the city has played over the centuries for European Jews fleeing persecution. Take a walking tour around neighborhoods of Balat and Fener to discover its Greek, Armenian, and Jewish history among wooden houses undergoing EU-funded restoration. Forget flea-bitten hostels from the 1960s hippy trail: Istanbul's new W Hotel and Witt Istanbul Suites have put boutique hotels firmly on the city map. And you can throw off that old image of a kebab-laden diet, with sushi bars that would do Tokyo proud, and cocktails perfect for chic rooftop bars.

Cambodia (But Not Angkor Wat)

For people who have "done" Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia seems like the next natural step. Tourism is taking off as a countrywide industry, and most people who contemplate Cambodia do so for a visit to Angkor Wat, the famed ruins in the jungle. But Angkor's tourist infrastructure is growing faster than the site itself can support it, and travelers now must be mindful of the impact they are having on the site (for more, see our new book 500 Places to See Before they Disappear). We recommend casting a net beyond the limits of Angkor Wat and seeing a bit more of the country. Among the highlights are boat trips up the Mekong River and through the jungle to catch a glimpse of the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins; or perhaps spending some time in vibrant, energized Phnom Penh. Though the city's population was decimated during the brutal genocide and repression of the Khmer Rouge, it slowly rebounds, with a disarming, and sometimes troubling, frankness about confronting the horrors of the recent past. No one leaves the Tour Sleng Genocide Museum -- housed in a former Khmer Rouge prison and interrogation center -- unaffected. The Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda (the latter named for the 5,000+ silver tiles that cover the floor) are more uplifting stops, and the National Museum has an impressive collection of sculpture, relics and other artwork dating as far back as 6800 BC.

Waiheke Island, New Zealand

Just a ferry ride away from cosmopolitan Auckland sits the quaint Waiheke Island. It's a favorite summer holiday spot for Kiwis, the secluded shores dotted with baches -- the equivalent of a summer cottage. If the beach isn't your thing, no worries, Waiheke is a hot spot for New Zealand's massive wine and olive industries. Growers of both grapes and olives have caught wind of all those traveling foodies and responded by building sleek and modern accommodations amongst the vines, providing high-end creature comforts, menus offering food for the sophisticated palate and spectacular views of the bay and distant Auckland.