Latest news with #safari
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Looking For A New Adventure? Let This Award-Winning Travel Company Create Your Dream Trip
Timbuktu was founded just over ten years ago with a clear goal: to make even the most remote destinations accessible to adventurous travelers. Timbuktu can take relatively complex and slightly amorphous travel plans and transform them into a well-organized, perfectly tailored trip. They do so by offerings specially curated journeys that can be put together like puzzle pieces so that clients wind up with their dream holidays. Each trip is developed with one of the company's extremely well-qualified travel experts. Enjoy a private tour of Varanasi How does it work? If you and your friends have determined that its time for an exotic safari in Botswana, you can browse through several options. If you find an itinerary that you like, you have the choice of a luxury, mid-range or 'shoestring' place to stay. Some travelers like to end their trips in more deluxe accommodations, others might prefer a five-star experience throughout their journey. You can choose to go for the cheaper option for a few nights in Khawai, but then decide between the luxurious Duma Camp (about $2,000 a night) or the mid-range Linyanti Bush Camp (about $600 a night). Your travel expert can advise you on the best lodges for honeymoons, family trips, fishing or walking safaris. A five star retreat in Botswana Guests can also customize a trip based on whether they prefer a more 'classic' trip or one with a more off-the-beaten track feel. And in fact, you can include both in your itineraries in destinations that include Sri Lanka, Antarctica, Indonesia and India, among others. Try a horseback riding safari Timbuktu has also developed its own specialty tours. On a recent trip to Thailand, our travel expert included all the classics, such as Wat Pho, the temple that houses the 45 meter reclining Buddha, but also made sure to include a bike trip to Bang Krachao (known as Bangkok's Green Lung). Since one of my sons was obsessed with Muay Thai, our guide somehow managed to include a boxing lesson in a local outdoor ring in the middle of the jungle. Our guides were all local experts who escorted us to some terrific and lesser-known lunch spots and were more than willing to make last-minute special requests. A prayer ceremony One of my favorite parts of taking a Timbuktu trip is the organization's commitment to the communities where they send guests. In Africa, the company makes a donation for every trip booked to a variety of charitable endeavors. For example, Timbuktu supports CAMFED, which provides schooling and educational resources for young women in some of the most disadvantaged communities. In South America, Timbuktu supports Rewilding Chile, a group that protects wild spaces through the creation of national parks, ecosystem restoration and community engagement. In Thailand, Timbuktu only sends guests to elephant sanctuaries that their teams have personally visited and that are committed to safe and sustainable practices. Wildlife in Antartica Timbuktu's unique approach to customized trips, expert guidance and extremely knowledgeable advisors makes it easy to experience an ideal adventure in almost any location in the world.
Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Times
23 of the best places for summer sun
Ah, summer: that long-anticipated season when city life decamps into the streets, cocktail hours migrate to rooftops and long, golden beach days work their slow magic. Whether you soak up the rays from a river raft in Slovenia — where pit stops to sample the country's superb orange wine are practically obligatory — or with a barefoot dash into Bali's sparkling surf is entirely up to you. Now is also the time for meandering road trips through Oregon's Cascade mountains and wild swimming jaunts in South Jutland, and when conservation-led safaris promising front-row savannah seats to Kenya's great migration come into their own. For adventurers, there are whale sharks off Mexico's Isla Holbox and for India-bound romantics, a magnificent Rajasthan palace (at off-peak prices). Spanning waterfalls in Guyana to seafood-fuelled odysseys that make the most of the northern hemisphere's seemingly endless hours of daylight, this is our pick of the best places to find reliable summer sun in spades. This article contains affiliate links, which may earn us revenue In Guatemala's highlands, an hour's drive west of the capital, Antigua is a place to swap beach-lounging for Spanish-colonial splendour — and volcanoes. The city is home to several and taking a snap of the 3,760m (12,336 ft) Volcán de Agua through the custard-yellow Santa Catalina Arch is a rite of passage for first-timers. July is 'green' season, when you'll get bursts of tropical rain, yes, but also cooler evenings, fewer crowds and plenty of sunshine. Stroll cobbled streets lined with candy-coloured façades, shop for vibrant, handwoven textiles or tour a coffee finca, before toasting the day's adventures with a local rum and a stack of empanadas. Late July is festival time, when the streets fill with floats, music and the scent of syrupy, deep-fried buñuelos (fried dough fritters). Consider the tranquil Hotel Museo Spa Casa Santo Domingo for your base: the former convent boasts six permanent museums and two art galleries for culture fixes between spa treatments and dips in the gorgeous pool. Come summer, skis make way for flip-flops in Italy's largely German-speaking far north, when serpentine roads flanked by fragrant pines take on a golden, Med-like glow. Follow the South Tyrolean wine route through biblical landscapes dotted with vines and cypresses to Lake Kalterer See, the province's warmest Alpine lake, where the sight of Castelchiaro towering over water dotted with pedalos and windsurfers is not one you'll forget in a hurry. Ditto picnics of village breads, cheeses and charcuterie, best paired with a ruby-red local schiava. For something more high-octane, you've got mountain bike trails galore, or head to Merano 2000, above the spa town of Meran, where the 1.1km Alpin Bob summer toboggan run proves that sledding thrills are a year-round affair. Check into the five-star Hotel Chalet Mirabell, whose 6,000 sq m spa has luxurious pools, saunas and hay baths; there are also guided hikes and other family-friendly activities (including options with the resident llamas and alpacas). Located at the border of France and Germany, Basel is the sort of place that allows you to visit three countries in a day, all on public transport with Swiss efficiency. The annual Art Basel fair kicks off the summer season in June, after which the banks of the Rhine suddenly erupt with activity. The quintessential pastime here is to drift down the river with a Wickelfisch, a waterproof swim bag that stores all your belongings. But if that sounds too daunting, you could try a refreshing dip in the city's many water fountains — it's not just acceptable but actively encouraged here. Elsewhere, the cobbled streets of the old town provide an interesting contrast to the stunning array of modern architecture, while attractions such as the Museum Tinguely will change your perception of the Swiss identity for ever. The historic Krafft Basel is right on the river, with alfresco dining that overlooks the water and steps that lead down to the banks of the Rhine. • Read our full guide to Switzerland Split in two by the Danube, Novi Sad makes for a budget-friendly break thanks to a favourable exchange rate and the fact that it's largely a university city. The right bank of the river feels medieval and is dominated by the 18th-century Petrovaradin Fortress, the unlikely setting of Serbia's biggest drum'n'bass and techno event, the Exit Festival. Come at any other time of the year and you'll find a peaceful spot with unobstructed and breathtaking views of the river, plus walks that extend into the Fruska Gora mountains. The left bank is comparatively modern, with lively bars and restaurants tucked between quite magnificent baroque and neo-Byzantine architecture. There's also a small beach, known as the Strand, that gets packed out in the warmer months. Book an apartment and take your time — the nature trails around the city are particularly lovely in summer. Once known for its raves and sunrise parties, the Greek island has gone glam in recent decades. Supermodels, superyachts, designer boutiques and cabana-lined beach clubs are now the norm, although that sense of decadence remains. Summer is peak posturing time but, for all the absence of subtlety, there's something addictive about it all. Beyond a sugar-white, oh-so-Cycladic old town, it's also easy to find the natural beauty that pulls everyone here — wondrous beaches and brilliant light. The hotel scene here has never been hotter. Among the newbies is the arty, all-vegan Koukoumi Vegan Hotel. • Best things to do in Mykonos• Read our full guide to Greece Although it's a bit more 'discovered' these days, Albania's long seaside remains attractive — aided by the olive grove hills overlooking those golden bays — and it's sensationally affordable in European terms. Its two main resort towns are Durres and Sarande but in peak summer, make for Ksamil and its offshore islands to escape most day-tripping Tirana families. Very close by is Butrint, an ancient, Unesco-listed city and just one historical marvel you'll find along this coast. Others include Gjirokastra's giant hilltop castle and Durres's ruined Roman amphitheatre. Overlooking Ksamil's gin-clear waters, the Utopia Hotel has white cabanas on its private beach 2km away. • Best things to do in Albania Italy's Amalfi coast is rightly renowned, but mamma mia does it get busy in summer. About two hours south from there, the Cilento coast is infinitely quieter — even at the height of July — and has plenty of blue-flag beaches. Instead of Pompeii, there's Paestum: the sprawling remains of an ancient Greek city with splendidly complete Doric temples. You'll also find affordable, attractive towns such as gently chichi Castellabate and healthy-living Acciaroli, famous for its many centenarians — plus some of the finest buffalo mozzarella in Italy. Take a private tour that offers plenty of free time: the solo travel specialist Just You has an eight-day itinerary starting and ending in Naples. • Best villas in Italy Jutland is Denmark's continental peninsula and its southern section shares a border — and occasional cultural echoes — with Germany. Although Legoland charms children, this is chiefly an area of wild places and open spaces. Hills rise from rivers as castles crown forests and moors cede to marshlands. Surprisingly warm in August, the coast yields a series of fine sandy beaches, especially on islands such as Fano or Romo. One worthy man-made addition to all this natural finery is Ribe, the oldest town in Denmark, famed for its half-timbered houses. Stay at its original base, the Hotel Dagmar. • Safest countries in the world The most fêted French Riviera locales — Cannes, Nice, Antibes and St Tropez — are as certain to be overcrowded during sun-soaked summers as locals are to be sipping chilled rosé. Even so, their unique brand of glam is unmissable, as are all the palm-lined beaches, bars and boutiques. One solution is to visit such places on people-watching, tan-maintaining day trips, but otherwise hole up in a still-authentic and less expensive Côte d'Azur town. Framed by plunging peaks and possessing the prettiest of Mediterranean harbours, tree-lined Beaulieu-sur-Mer is one such charmer. Beaulieu's Le Havre Bleu boutique hotel occupies a blue-shuttered, belle époque villa, just a few minutes from the beach. • Read our full guide to France As the Turquoise Coast — Bodrum, Marmaris et al — got busier and busier, savvy Turkey fans preserved their summer breaks by relocating north to the sunkissed Cesme peninsula. Even now, a laid-back innocence survives, with aniseed fields or olive groves between hot-spring spas and pretty beaches (albeit more suited to windsurfing than swimming). As for the towns, none rivals Alacati for romance: its bougainvillea-scented cobblestone streets host cafés, folksy restaurants and a growing cluster of boutique shops. In Alacati, Warehouse by the Stay has a big pool, a bigger art collection and its own beachside deck. • Best all-inclusive hotels in Turkey The Dalmatian coast is no secret these days and summers here are predictably heaving. Far better, then, to ditch Dubrovnik or Hvar in favour of a quieter corner. Brac fits the bill. Best known for Zlatni Rat, its remarkable V-shaped beach, the third-largest island in Croatia also brings great variety: pine forests, vineyards, orchards and ancient cliff monasteries — all accessed by the Via Brattia long-distance path — segue into sleepy fishing villages and quietly stylish resorts such as red-roofed Bol, where cocktail bars face colourful fishing boats. Stylish yet affordable, the Bluesun Hotel Borak is equidistant from Bol and Zlatni Rat, and has an outdoor pool for cooling off in. • Best things to do in Croatia August is a canny time to visit Rajasthan in northern India. It'll be hot — averaging 28C — yet much less so than May or June. You'll likely have to endure some showers, but bargain-priced accommodation and crowd-free sightseeing soften the blow. Far fewer tourists will interrupt your photos of the Pink and Blue Cities, Jaipur and Jodhpur, named for their singularly coloured buildings, nor those of desert forts, finely carved temples and lakeside palaces. Perhaps most pleasingly, you'll even have the tiger-patrolled Ranthambore National Park much more to yourself. The 15-day Rajasthan Experience tour from Intrepid Travel includes visits to Jaipur and Jodhpur, as well as taking in the spectacular Taj Mahal in Agra. • Best places to visit in India Curiously, Isla Holbox's drawback is also its greatest asset. Reaching this slender slice of land involves the faintest of faffs: a 30-minute ferry from the Yucatan peninsula's tip after a two-hour drive from Mexico's Playa del Carmen or Cancun. Hardly the stuff of great explorers, but enough to dissuade most. Consequently, Holbox remains a blissed-out holiday destination of hammocks, barefoot beach cafés and unpaved roads. That's even true in summer, when whale-shark pods gather offshore to gorge on plankton. Promoting ethical whale-shark swimming tours, the eco-boutique Las Nubes Holbox has a spa and neighbours Yum Balam's nature reserve. • Best hotels in Mexico For some, summer holidays aren't summer holidays unless they involve a villa with its own swimming pool. And mellow Menorca, one of Spain's lower-profile Balearic islands, has plenty of those. Nor is that the only perk: there are more than 100 beaches between two elegant, atmospheric old ports in Mahon and Ciutadella. Shops sell the isle's hip avarca sandals and the A-list gallerist Hauser & Wirth has converted an offshore naval hospital into its most surprising contemporary art space yet. Pool villas along Punta Prima bay put you within easy reach of that gallery as well as Mahon's shops and restaurants. • Best hotels in Menorca• Read our full guide to Spain Tiny Slovenia has handsome cities — led by Ljubljana, whose centre is a car-free web of art nouveau lanes — yet its countryside tempts most. That's thanks to plentiful pine forests and Lake Bled, where peaks and a castle loom idyllically over the pointy-roofed island chapel. In nearby Triglav National Park, activity-lovers can hike, cycle or river-raft. Slovenia's gastronomy is equally diverse, swearing by local fodder and pairing well with some of Europe's best orange wines. At this time of year a 30-mile coastline also comes into its own. Start at Barbara Piran Beach Hotel, a sophisticated property with a spa and alfresco restaurant serving up Mediterranean flavours. Now served by a direct British Airways flight, Portland's youthful attractions range from a high-calibre food and beer scene to the sustainable music festival Pickathon each summer (July 31 to August 3 in 2025). The remainder of surrounding Oregon, one of America's Pacific Northwest states, is a riot of nature: snowy Cascade mountains and their aquamarine Crater Lake here; river gorges and forests there. Protected against development or private ownership, its 363-mile coastline contains various fine beaches. Those in the milder southern 'banana belt', such as Lone Ranch, are ideal to conclude a perfect summer break. Explore at your own pace with a fly-drive tour roaming the state. British Airways offers packages in partnership with Avis and Budget. • Best road trips in the US Between July and September, the unceasing great migration reaches an apogee as its 1.5 million wildebeest and accompanying zebra and gazelles come to cross the Mara river — while hungry lions or leopards prepare an ambush. With everything at stake, this is nature-viewing at its most elemental and dramatic. After bouncing around the Masai Mara National Reserve in 4x4s, recuperate on Kenya's palm-fringed coast. It'll be warm and dry along the mainland's Diani Beach, 11 miles of white sand offering dives, dhow boat tours, swims and spa treatments. A classic 'bush and beach' break feels like two holidays in one; Tourhub has a range of tours that take in the Masai Mara and other highlights. • Best Kenyan safaris While most of southeast Asia is deluged by monsoons, Bali stays hot and dry during summer with eight to ten hours of daily sunshine on average. While this does mean that south-coast resorts around Kuta will be busy — including their vast beaches, whose choppy waters better suit surfers than swimmers — there's still many a languid, leafy hotel to be found hidden between rice paddies in this Indonesian island's interior. Ubud, famous for its wellness options, is an essential day trip, as are Mount Agung's 80-plus ornate temples. One such secluded rural retreat is Wapa di Ume, close to Ubud, a boutique hotel with two picturesque pools. • Best hotels in Bali In tourism terms, this French-overseen island's greatest asset is its flexibility. A holiday here might purely revolve around white-sand beaches — those of the Agriates Desert in the north, or southerly Palombaggia. It could involve scenic trains, historic towns such as fortified Bonifacio or natural wonders including the rouged Calanques de Piana rock spires. Or it can be exploring the beautiful, cooler, more rugged interior of Corsica, where hiking, cycling, canyoning, ziplining and a zillion other activities are possible. All of which means there's room for everyone — especially in late August, when France's school holidays draw to an end. The island's accommodation scene is no less rangy, with great self-catering stays and hotels for all budgets. Few of the latter type are as stylish as beachside Le Pinarello, which opens seasonally from the spring. • Best beaches in Corsica The west coast of Sweden is renowned for the quality of its seafood — langoustines and oysters in particular — which often finds its way to Michelin-starred restaurants in the capital Stockholm. But it could hardly be more delicious and fresh than if you eat it plucked straight from the sea. In Bohuslan, you can couple this seafood odyssey with a road trip that takes in the region's many islands and scenic villages. Fjallbacka and Marstrand are among the most picturesque, with those classic rust-coloured wooden huts and sail boats off the coast. Fly into Gothenburg with British Airways and hire a car for the scenic trip north. • Best things to do in Sweden Leave the Algarve to summer's hordes and try the beach-studded, family-friendly Comporta area instead. Ninety minutes' drive south from Lisbon, this is the chicest destination in Portugal. Its namesake village gives onto a nature-reserve coastline; discreet villas proliferate, many observing the classic Comporta style: a fisherman's hut-type façade and whitewashed, wood-beamed interiors. Also prominent are yoga classes, horse rides through rice paddies or pine forests and fine dining in shack-style barefoot restaurants. Be sure to visit Carrasqueira, where an old port is stilted over the Sado river estuary. Stay in a luxury villa: Oliver's Travels has a number of options with pools that would be great for a multi-generational getaway. • Read our full guide to Portugal Malawi remains an unsung safari destination despite the efforts of African Parks. This non-profit has rejuvenated the country's wildlife reserves — working to prevent poaching, restore game, improve accommodation and empower locals — including forested Majete and riverside Liwonde, one of the continent's most photogenic national parks. In summer, with water scarce, it's easier to see elephants, lions and honking hippos on walking, boat or classic 4×4 safaris. Just north begins Lake Malawi, with the season's sultry temperatures suiting its sandy beaches, diving, snorkelling and kayaking. Malawi is a key feature of a 16-night tour of east Africa with Intrepid, which starts at Victoria Falls and ends in Stone Town. Game drives are included. As rainforest covers most of Guyana, this small South American nation abounds with jungle camps whose expeditions look for giant anteaters, caymans and jaguars. In addition to treks to remote Kaieteur Falls, the world's longest single-drop waterfall, a growing number of offerings also allow visitors to support indigenous Amerindian communities. But don't neglect the English-speaking country's coast, whose beaches and British-colonial capital Georgetown relish the dry season in late August. Trailfinders has a brilliant seven-night tour that ticks off Guyana's best bits, including visits to rainforests, remote communities and buzzy Georgetown. Additional reporting by Qin Xie
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Lion Kills Wealthy Businessman in Bathroom Trip Gone Wrong
A wealthy philanthropist on an overnight safari in Namibia was mauled to death by a lion as he ventured to use the bathroom. Bernd Kebbel, 59, was killed 'almost instantly' on Friday morning as his wife Conny, 57, listened in horror from their tent, the Daily Mail reported. Kebbel was reportedly sleeping in a tent with his wife above a 4x4 on a campsite when he stepped down in the middle of the night and met his end at a camp in Northern Namibia. Investigating police added that there was not much Kebbel could have done to fend off the attack. 'Thankfully, it would have been quick as a human is no match for a lioness that is in its prime,' a Namibian lion expert told the Mail. 'There are only about 60 desert lions in this region of Kunane where the attack happened and, in this particular area, around the Hoanib Camp, maybe a dozen at the very most.' A lioness locally known as Charlie is suspected of carrying out the attack. Authorities said the lioness will most likely be hunted and killed to prevent further attacks. Kebbel, an avid outdoorsman and businessman, owned the Off-Road-Centre in the Namibian capital, Windhoek, for many years, which bought and sold 4x4 safari vehicles and other accoutrements for wildlife ventures. Kebbel was also known as an avid supporter of wildlife in the area, donating large sums of money to protect the area's lion population, The Sun reported—so much so that an adult male lion was named in his honor. The lion later had to be killed due to becoming a 'problem animal' and attacking local wildlife. Kebbel is survived by his adult children, Dieter and Heidi, both in their late twenties, who are reportedly flying home to Windhoek to be with their mother.
Forbes
7 days ago
- Forbes
You Can Go On An African-esque Safari Looking For Jaguars In This Remote Region Of Brazil
Sunset on safari in Brazil's Pantanal. The safari vehicle pushes through the bushes on a barely visible four-wheel drive road, the vegetation shooting up over the top of the vehicle on either side. Last summer, a series of fires broke out in this area—more than 700 individual fires in the month of June alone—burning thousands of acres and killing untold animals. Looking at the dense terrain, I find it amazing that, in just about six months, the forest had recovered so significantly; a first-time visitor like myself might even be tempted to say it had recovered completely. The only remaining signs of the fires are the burnt trunks of certain trees, but they are usually blocked from sight by the new-growth vegetation, which has already reached overhead heights. A jaguar and her cub hide in the bush in Brazil's Pantanal. Can you spot them in the photo? This area is known as the Pantanal, and it is considered to be one of the largest wetland regions in the world. It's mostly located in Brazil, where I am now, with small segments belonging to Paraguay and Bolivia. It was traditionally a cattle ranching region and still mostly is today. However, the Pantanal is also a growing eco-tourism region, with several ranches offering African-esque safari experiences. The main prize? Wild jaguars. When the vehicle comes to a halt, we are fully under the canopy of trees. The guide begins pointing to something in the bush, right at the base of the tree trunk. It's not until I pull out my binoculars that I can see the female jaguar sprawled out—and her cub just beside her. Moments like these, and others—the Pantanal is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including its own 'Big 5'—are beginning to put this place on the world tourism map. But none of it would be possible if a big cultural shift hadn't taken place. Not too long ago, here in the remote interior of Brazil, jaguars were a different kind of prize. Jaguars and ranchers have traditionally clashed due to the former's impact on cattle ranching. Now, safari experiences in the Pantanal are putting a new spin on the relationship. As the sun moved directly overhead and the day grew hot, we huddled up under some trees for shade. My guide, Louisa, pulls a thermos from her pack and begins pouring water into a tall, cylindrical cup filled with erva-mate leaves, or mate. She lets it steep briefly, places a metal straw with a filter inside, and passes the cup. 'The first [cup] is always the strongest,' she said. In other parts of South America, like Aregentina, mate is drunk as a hot tea. But here in the Pantanal, where the temperature is often close to or above 100, it's much better as a cold refreshment. Referred to locally as tereré, Louisa explains how what we're doing is a social event of sorts here in the Pantanal, where multiple people share a thermos of cold water, relaxing in the shade on a hot day, taking turns with the cup, the tea getting progressively weaker with each refill. When it's my turn, I sip it down. It's a small amount, maybe a few ounces, enough to wet your whistle. It's cold and refreshing, and for a few moments, the heat of the day subsides, and we all feel refreshed. As we share the mate, other guides join in on the circle. One of them begins telling this really sad story, about how when he was younger, he was hired to kill the jaguars. Amongst he and other hunters, knowing the number of jaguars you had killed was a point of pride, and competition. Then, one day, something changed. After killing a jaguar, he bent down to collect the body, and in that moment, touching the pelt, he saw for the first time—for whatever reason—how beautiful the animal was, and how tragic its death. He was overcome with regret and decided to change his ways. Flash forward a decade or two and he is now a wildlife guide, drinking mate with us under the trees. Luiza tells us later that this story is common here in the Pantanal. Not too long ago, jaguars were enemy number one in this area. It all sounds similar to the battle between ranchers and wolves in North America. The ranchers don't like the jaguars because they sometimes kill the cattle. But this age-old battle has taken a turn, thanks in part—or maybe in full—to tourism. The financial potential of visitors coming to see the jaguars gives ranch owners a reason to let them live. Today, there is a whole generation of wildlife advocates, including ranch owners and safari guides, who are working to protect the jaguars. The Caiman Lodge in Brazil's Pantanal offers an African-like safari experience. Thus far, the way tourism is designed in the Pantanal is very similar to what you find on a classic African safari. Remote lodging in natural areas, daily game drives, and a sense that you're completely away from it all. Caiman Ranch Owner Roberto Klabin said that tourism in the Pantanal has been inspired by what has happened in Africa, citing the benefits of wildlife tourism, including reduced poaching and future economic interest in maintaining a healthy, thriving animal population. While many game drives in Africa take place on public land (such as within the national parks), most tourism in the Pantanal is happening on private land. And most of them are still ranching and raising cattle simualtaneously—they've just added in the tourism component. Brazil's Pantanal is one of the largest wetland regions in the world and home to a variety of wildlife, big and small. Klabin's Caiman Lodge, for example, is still raising thousands of heads of cattle per year. Right now, ranching still pays the bills, but there's hope that will change as the region grows, and then the footprint of cattle ranching can be reduced, he said. The daily rhythms of the day and the experiences are set up the same way as in Africa, although that's due more to animal behavior than far-away admiration. The morning game drive takes place during sunrise, and the afternoon game drive during sunset, the times of day when the animals are most active. In between, one hangs at the lodge during the heat of the day, enjoying whatever amenities there may be. At Casa Caiman, those options include a pool, gym, scenic sitting areas, and, of course, food and drink. PANTANAL, BRAZIL - 2024/09/24: A Red-and-green macaw or green-winged macaw is flying at the Buraco das Araras (Macaws Sinkhole), near Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. (Photo by Wolfgang Kaehler/LightRocket via Getty Images) Like Africa, the Pantanal has created its own 'Big 5'—that is, a (subjective) list of the five flagship animals that one can see in the area: The jaguar, the giant anteater, the marsh deer, the tapir, and the world's largest rodent, the capybara. But interesting wildlife goes beyond the Big 5. Two of the most beautiful birds I have ever seen—the toucan and the red and green macaw—call the Pantanal home, as do the many caimans, foxes, and rheas that you'll see on game drives. Because this biome is special (one of the world's largest wetlands) and in this point of transition, there are many animal organizations doing research in the Pantanal, and some offer tourism opportunities. For example, Caiman Lodge partners with multiple organizations: Onçafari (jaguars), the Hyacinth Macaw Institute, the Tamanduá Institute (giant anteaters), the Tapirapé Project (tapirs), and more. Each organization offers guests a chance for a ride-along to learn more about their conservation work as part of the ecotourism experience. Located in the deep interior of Brazil, the Pantanal takes several days to reach from North America. The Pantanal is extremely remote, and accessing it is half the battle and quite the journey. From the United States, one must first fly to Sao Paolo, Brazil, and then catch a domestic flight to Campo Grande. From there, it will depend on exactly where you are going, but it's more or less a three-hour shuttle ride to reach the Pantanal. If you can somehow manage to accomplish this all in one day, I tip my cap. But most likely, an overnight stopover will be necessary, or at the very least, an overnight flight. Brazil is the 5th largest country in the world, home to many amazing natural biomes. The Amazon has long been a wonder of the world. Perhaps someday the Pantanal will be seen as one too.
Travel Weekly
26-05-2025
- Travel Weekly
Natural Selection sets date for a Namibia safari camp debut
Natural Selection is developing Nkasa Linyanti, a six-room safari camp set to open in May 2026 in Namibia's Zambezi region, situated within a critical wildlife migration corridor. The property will occupy a private concession on Nkasa Island within Nkasa Rupara National Park, a conservation hot spot central to the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area. As the only accommodation on the island, the camp will operate in a region known for supporting significant elephant migration routes and hosting Namibia's largest concentration of buffalo. For the bird-lovers Guest activities will include game drives, night drives, guided walks, mokoro safaris and boating excursions through the wetland ecosystem. The region's status as Namibia's premier birding destination, with more than 430 recorded species, makes it a particular draw for bird enthusiasts. Cultural interactions with local communities will also be offered. The contemporary under-canvas camp will feature six tented suites raised on wooden stilts above the floodplains, connected by pathways to a central lounge and dining area. Each tent will feature canvas walls that open to panoramic views across the wetlands, with both indoor and outdoor showers in the en-suite bathrooms. A vital role in conservation Jennifer Lalley, co-founder and chief impact officer at Natural Selection, said: "This park provides a crucial corridor for regional elephant movement and supports breeding herds of buffalo, the full carnivore guild and an incredible diversity of species within its savannah, riverine and wetland habitats. Its position in the very center of an important transboundary conservation area means that it's protection, or lack of protection, has cascading effects on all surrounding areas. It is for this reason that we are investing here and devoting a significant portion of our conservation funds to support the park's warden and rangers." • Cover story: A safari for every budget Seasonal flooding from Angola creates ecological conditions similar to Botswana's Okavango Delta, transforming the landscape into a network of reed-fringed channels and lagoons. The unfenced nature of the park enables wildlife to move freely across national boundaries. The camp's facilities will include a fire pit, swimming pool and bar area. Solar-powered with water treatment systems, Natural Selection said the camp's operation reflects the company's sustainability commitments. Access options include FlyNamibia connections from Windhoek to Katima Mulilo with light-aircraft transfers; road transfers from Katima Mulilo, Kasane and Victoria Falls; and self-driving to the park entrance followed by a game drive transfer to camp.
