A Young Nation in Ancient Lands

By: Ralf Korbner, SITA World Tours

*View from the crater rim-based Serena Ngorongoro*

Our modern jetliner lifted off the runway and gently climbed into the African sky. To the left Dar es Salaam slowly disappeared in the pink evening light and soon we would cross Zanzibar on our return to Doha and Los Angeles.

During the prior week the northern part of Tanzania had been explored. The city of Arusha is arrival and departure point for many of us interested in Tanzania’s flora and fauna and impressive parks. We visited Manyara National Park, the famous Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. The Serena Lodges we spent nights in were impressive. The rooms and tent accommodation were beautifully decorated. Common areas are well presented, and breakfast and dinners left nothing to be desired. The usually young Tanzanian service personnel at our lodges were attentive, friendly, well trained and always helpful. My favorite lodge was the Serena Ngorongoro located on the rim of this ancient crater. Standing on the balcony of the room watching the night sky’s Milky Way impresses anyone living in light-polluted American metro areas. We explored the caldera below during the day. Many animals make it their home. Whether there or while driving through the Serengeti, animals are plentiful and often very close. A photographer’s dream.

Many animal species live inside the Ngorongoro dormant caldera

Yusuf, our driver not only crisscrossed the Serengeti safely with us but also looked after our wellbeing. His vehicle was new. At night he would somehow manage to clean it, inside and outside. While the public roads from Arusha to the parks were in excellent condition, driving inside the parks on unpaved tracks can occasionally feel rough. The vehicles handle these challenges well. The Serengeti presented us with gorgeous cloud formations and a couple of times with rain showers which gave the landscape a special atmosphere.

Not too far from Ngorongoro lies the Olduvai Gorge with its visitor center and museum, a gift by the European Union. The gorge represents one of the most important paleo-anthropological sites in the world. It is here that Louis Leakey found evidence relating to human evolution long before modern man. The view into the gorge is breathtaking and a studied young Tanzanian gave us a lecture taking us through the human development stages as currently understood.

*Entrance to the Olduvai Visitor Center*

This lecture at the Olduvai Gorge Museum together with our participation in a Catholic service in the town of Karatu caused me to look a bit deeper into Tanzania’s current statistics. But first: one of my travel companions had expressed interest in the church service. It was the last Sunday of the month, and it happened to be ‘children’s day’. The rather large Catholic church was filled. Many did not find seats inside the building and participated in the outside plaza in front of the church. Children were numerous, so many as I had not seen in a long time. We were the only white folks. Overwhelming friendliness and warm, open curiosity confronted us. When tithing time came, we moved to the middle, walked to the altar, deposited the donation into a small bucket, got a blessing with the sacrament from the priest and then moved back along the sides of the church facing row after row of children, many smiling and high fiving us. A delightful experience. An experience reflected in Tanzania’s population statistic.

As of 2020 42 percent of Tanzanians were under 14. With a total estimated population of 69 million, this translates to just under 29 million children under 14. If we have 330 million people in the USA, imagine our country with 138 million children under 14 years old.

Children require services, and that’s where tourism is poised to provide significant help.

The World Travel & Tourism Council assesses that Tanzania’s Tourism sector currently experiences significant growth. It made up 9.5 percent of the economy last year. Tourism employment climbed to I.4 million with just under 100,000 jobs added. Over the next 10 years strong growth projections indicate that almost one in 15 workers will find employment in the sector, a most welcome development for this highly desirable East African safari destination. And that growth will provide meaningful employment for many of the young Tanzanians soon coming of age.

Data from CIA Worldfactbook; UN Data; World Population Review; World Travel & Tourism Council

About Ralf Korbner – SITA World Tours

Growing up on a horse ranch in Germany with a younger brother, two cousins and lots of animals, travel was part of our annual family rhythm as long as I can remember. Summers were spent in Italy or Spain, winters in Austria for skiing and there were trips to the Baltic Sea or along the Rhine and Mosel with visits to castles and towns along those rivers. After graduating from high school on an island in the North Sea and while a university student in Germany, friends and I drove all over Europe during summer vacations. Those trips also included Turkey, Morocco and several of the countries then still behind the Iron Curtain. I became a member of the travel industry community after completing my studies at a California university. Visits to countries in Asia, Africa and travel in Australia and New Zealand have since broadened my geographic and cultural knowledge

About SITA World Tours

With 91 years of exemplary service in travel, SITA remains as the go-to tour operator for exotic destinations worldwide. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SITA is renowned for its highly experienced team of international specialists and is dedicated to travel excellence in every element of its programs. As a deluxe, luxury tour operator specializing in Packaged, Independent, Customized and Groups travel, SITA has become a key source for both the Consortium and Agent network nationwide. SITA’s well-planned tours focus on a destination’s culture, history and unique geography providing the greatest value to clients.

Experience Aromatic Adventures in the Amazon Rainforest

By: Visitbrasil.com

The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most impressive and biodiverse natural wonders on the planet. Considered the largest tropical forest in the world, it harbors an incomparable wealth of wildlife, unique ecosystems, and ancient indigenous cultures. Spending six days immersed in the Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve, departing from Manaus, is a great opportunity to reconnect with nature and explore new horizons. Those who embark on a journey like this return home transformed. It’s an experience that goes beyond a simple trip; it’s a journey for the senses, mind, and soul.

What is an Aromatic Tour?

Led by an aromatherapy specialist, this six-day adventure takes you deep into the Amazon Rainforest. Travelers you will visit fairs with oils, coffees, chocolates, and local spices; practice the distillation of white breu essential oil – a resin extracted from the tree of the same name, native to the Amazon; extract copaiba oil-resin, and much more.

Explore the everyday life of the forest by participating in a typical party in the Caribi community, engaging in roundtable discussions, listening to stories and legends with the river dwellers, visiting a forest recovery agroforestry system, observing the night sky from canoes, and even taking a river bath.

Six-days of immersion

Your 6-day immersion in the Amazon Rainforest is a blend of cultural encounters, sensory experiences, and deep connection with nature

On the first day, the acclimatization begins. You will stay in a hotel in downtown Manaus and can take the time to visit places like the Amazon Theatre, one of the most important in Brazil and the main postcard of the city. You will be dazzled by its architecture, grandeur, and pink color! Don’t miss exploring the Mercado Municipal, where you will have the pleasure of tasting regional food, learning about herbs and typical products, and buying crafts, decorations, and souvenirs from the Amazon. In the evening, you will enjoy a delicious dinner with regional cuisine.

The second day starts with a two-hour boat trip. You will stay at a lodge in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest. The entire tour takes place in the Uatumã Sustainable Development Reserve. Enjoy the regional lunch because it is divine. At night, you will experience a unique and indescribable connection with nature: aboard a canoe, you will contemplate the sky directly from the Amazon. It’s thrilling.

The more intense activities begin on the third day. You will witness the release of tracajás – famous freshwater turtles – and learn about Breu trees. In the late afternoon, you will experience cultural immersion in the Caribi community. The experience includes roundtable discussions with forest stories and legends and lots of music. End the day with a delightful river bath. It’s incredibly relaxing.

This tour wouldn’t be complete without a hike. On the fourth day, you will walk through the Amazon Rainforest to understand the entire process of extracting copaiba oleoresin, a typical Amazonian tree, carried out by the river dwellers living in the region. Additionally, you will learn about several ancient trees along the way. An incredible sensory experience. Later, choose a spot by the river to enjoy a beautiful sunset and update your travel photo album.

The fifth day will be full of activities. In the morning, a visit to an Agroforestry System will give you an insight into the work of recovering Pau Rosa – a native plant that was exploited inadequately and is now undergoing sustainable management. You will meet the forest guardians who will talk about 16 years of recovery of a degraded area and teach the difference between predatory and sustainable management.

In the afternoon, you will accompany the distillation of Breu essential oil at the oil cooperative. It’s a very fragrant and educational class. Afterward, you can enjoy some time at the Amazonian products fair and even buy souvenirs from your trip. The day ends with a facial spa using clay and Breu hydrate, incredibly relaxing.

This experience comes to an end on the sixth day. It begins with breakfast at the lodge, followed by a river and road journey back to Manaus. Lunch in the city center is guaranteed in this experience. Check into the hotel and enjoy your last night in the capital of Amazonas.

Stay Updated!

A tour like this happens all year round, but departures are scheduled. It’s ideal to keep an eye on available dates to organize your trip. Another important point is safety. So, hire tours that follow safety standards and provide necessary equipment. It’s worth noting that this 6-day tour can be adapted for English speakers, giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy this incredible experience.

Curious about what you can experience in the Amazon Rainforest and other Brazilian destinations?

Follow Visit Brasil on social media to learn more – @visitbrasil.

About Visitbrasil

Our mission is to present Brazil to the world as a country of incredible and sustainable destinations, fostering local economic and social development.

6 local moments that connect you to the heart of Southeast Asia

By: Jamie Gallerani for EF Go Ahead Tours

If Southeast Asia guarantees anything, it’s to welcome you—and then to wow you, in that order. Here, wonder shows up as bowls of piping hot pad thai and plates of skewered satay, served by street food vendors at energetic markets. Or in the quiet of remote landscapes that only locals know about (but that you can visit if you know where to go). It’s a dynamic, intriguing part of the world, and the red thread of it all is the people who call it home. Here are six moments that bring the spirit of Southeast Asia to life.

1. Seek out dragons and coral-dusted beaches on Komodo island in Indonesia

The intrigue of Indonesia hits a high note on the island of Komodo, where pink-sand beaches unfurl around rugged hillsides and tropical forests. Here, in the UNESCO-listed expanse of Komodo National Park, you can glimpse the largest species of lizard in the world: Komodo Dragons. In fact, this is the only spot on Earth where travelers can see these famed reptiles in the wild. It’s a place fit for a bucket list—and a swim, since the coral-rich, turquoise waters off the coast are magical, too. Pair dragon spotting with sun soaking on Pink Beach, and you’ll return home with memories of two uniquely Indonesian experiences.

The beckoning landscapes of Komodo island in Indonesia
*Photo Courtesy of Mitch Hodiono*

2. Contribute to local livelihoods at an innovative dairy farm in Laos

Authentic moments are easy to come by in Laos. Very few tour operators visit this off-the-beaten-path destination, so if you get the chance to go, grab it with both hands. You’ll be rewarded with some of the best community-centric, cultural experiences in Southeast Asia. One of them? Stopping at the Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm, which is the first place in the country to sell buffalo milk dairy products. Expats started this sustainable, ethical enterprise in Luang Prabang after realizing that Laos had an abundance of water buffalo that weren’t being used for milk. So, they began renting female buffalo from local farmers, and the rest is history. Responsible travel and animal welfare are the name of the game at the farm—and visiting is a do-good, feel-good dance, since you’ll be supporting local livelihoods in a direct way.

A responsible travel moment at the Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm
*Photo Courtesy of EF Go Ahead Tours*

3. Weekend like a local in Ninh Bình, Vietnam

Vietnam is a stunner no matter where you go, but seeing places that the locals themselves seek out is a treat. Cue: Ninh Bình. While most people have Hạ Long Bay on their can’t-miss-it list, not everyone goes to this hidden gem. Vietnamese travelers make their way here on weekends to boat down rivers that wind past limestone mountains—and if anybody knows the best places to go in Vietnam, it’s the locals. Take in all the beauty, and then soak up even more at Bich Dong, a temple-style pagoda that’s surrounded by lotus flowers and vines.

The beauty of Bich Dong pagoda in Ninh Bình, Vietnam
*Photo Courtesy of  Giau Tran*

4. Step into the storied traditions of Mae Kampong in Thailand

See rural Thai life in vivid color at Mae Kampong, a village that’s sitting pretty in the mountains east of Chiang Mai. Here, an indigenous hill tribe farms for coffee, mushrooms, and bai miang, a type of tea that has flourished in the area’s fertile soil for more than 200 years. There are scenic cafes that offer bird’s-eye views, and the villagers also collectively own and run an eco-tourism experience that centers around welcoming visitors for homestays. It’s a balanced, beautiful dynamic that guarantees an authentic look at local traditions, and directly benefits the locals who share them. That paired with all the greenery and scenery of the landscape makes for a memorable visit.

A view of Mae Kampong village, which is nestled into the lush hills of Thailand
*Photo Courtesy of Salinee Chot*

5. Gain historical context at the Landmine Museum in Cambodia

Impactful history seeps from every corner of Southeast Asia, and understanding the region’s story starts with stepping into the past. That’s especially true in Cambodia, where decades of conflict have left an unforgettable mark on the country and its people. Traces of the Khmer Rouge regime and Vietnam War are still felt, and some of the darkest moments are laid bare in the Cambodian Landmine Museum. Former Khmer Rouge child soldier Aki Ra founded the organization, which is dedicated to removing landmines and unexploded ordinance (UXO) from the country. Cambodians are still impacted by these dangerous remnants for war, and the entrance fee for your visit supports the UXO’s continued removal.

Reminders of war at the Landmine Museum in Cambodia
*Photo Courtesy of EF Go Ahead Tours*

6. Wind through famous hawker markets in food-centric Singapore

Energy buzzes in what’s known as the Lion City, where futuristic architecture, neon art installations, and chrome skyscrapers sidle up next to orchid-dotted greenspaces and meandering rivers. Even with all those marvels, some of the most culturally rich places are the famous hawker markets. These open-air foodie havens have colonial roots and offer up a diverse culinary scene, which reflects the influences of Chinese, Indian, Malaysian, and Indonesian immigrants. Stalls sizzle with Singaporean staples like Hainanese chicken rice and fried carrot cake, diners chat elbow-to-elbow at communal tables, and daily life ticks along in a whirlwind of shared stories, chess games, and busker performances. Visit for an inside look at social life in Singapore—and discover just why these hawker markets have earned a spot on UNESCO’s list for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

An inviting food stall in one of Singapore’s famed hawker markets
*Photo Courtesy of Annie Spratt*

About the author

As a Senior Copywriter for EF Go Ahead Tours in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Jamie Gallerani has been sharing the magic of seeing the world with others for more than nine years. Her love of travel took root during a homestay in Mannheim, Germany, and has since taken her to 20 countries and counting. From studying in Florence to sipping corn beer with Peruvian Highlanders in the Sacred Valley, she’s found inspiration and connection around the world—and strives to capture the wonder of experiencing new cultures in her work. When she’s not writing about guided group travel, she’s looking for her new favorite memoir, visiting her family on Cape Cod, and reminiscing about how blue the water on the Amalfi Coast is.

About EF Go Ahead Tours

EF Go Ahead Tours offers more than 200 guided trips across six continents. Every tour is carefully planned with a maximum group size well below the industry average and has the perfect balance of guided sightseeing and free time to explore. EF Go Ahead Tours is a division of EF Education First, the world’s largest international education company, which was founded in 1965. The company’s mission is to open the world through education, and they have more than 600 offices and schools in 50 countries.

10 Amazing Lion Facts

By: Lion World Travel

Nothing represents the essence of Africa more than the symbol of the lion.

Lions are one of Africa’s most recognizable animals in the wilderness. Lions signify courage, strength, and power. Spending up to 20 hours a day sleeping or resting, they are the laziest of the big cats.

1. LIONS ARE SOCIAL

The most sociable of the big cats, they live in prides of related females and their offspring. The typical pride consists of ten to fifteen lions, with adult females, their cubs, and a few males.

2. LIONS NEED TO EAT EVERY DAY

Lions can go up to four days without drinking water, but they need to eat every day. Adult lionesses eat about 11 pounds of meat each day, while adult males eat 16 pounds or more. They prey on large herbivores like zebra and wildebeest, and occasionally feed on smaller animals like mice, birds, hares, and lizards.

3. LIONESSES DO THE HUNTING

Lionesses are the primary hunters. They are smaller, more agile than males and use teamwork to bring an animal down. After a successful hunt, all the lions in the pride share the meal. There is a pecking order, with adult males eating first, followed by the lionesses and finally the cubs.

4. LIONS ARE SUPERB HUNTERS

Lions hunt by ambush. Fanning out, they form a semicircle, with the smaller lionesses herding the prey towards the center. A lion’s vision is roughly six times more sensitive to light than humans, giving them a distinct advantage when hunting at night.

Lion Jumping
*Photo Courtesy of Desert & Delta*

Lion’s claws reach up to 1½ inches in length, allowing for incredible control when going in for a kill. Lions can reach speeds of up to 50 miles/hour and can jump up to 36 feet. 

5. LIONS DO NOT LIVE IN JUNGLES

Although lions are known as the “king of the jungle”, lions in Africa do not actually live in a jungle. Their primary habitats are Africa’s grasslands and plains. Three of the five largest lion populations are found in the savannas of Tanzania.

Lion and Lioness
*Photo Courtesy of Frans Hakkenberg*

6. HOW LIONS COMMUNICATE

Lions communicate by using roars, growls, moans, and grunts. A lion’s roar can be heard up to 5 miles away as a warning to other predators and to protect their territory. Also, by leaving scent markings and through visual signals, such as the darkness of the mane. They rub their heads on one another as an act of bonding and to spread the “family scent.”

7. RAISING THEIR CUBS

Females in the pride tend to give birth around the same time, allowing for multiple litters to be raised together. Lionesses take care of their cubs until they are two or three. The mother then goes through estrus (heat cycle) and carries another litter. During this time the pride forces the male lion cubs and some female lion cubs out.

Lioness and Cub
*Photo Courtesy of Ruvan Grobler/Lion Sands*

8. LION CUB FACTS

When they are born, the cubs eyes are closed, opening when they are three weeks old. This is when they are vulnerable to attack from large birds, and even male lions. A lioness will keep her cubs hidden for six weeks until they are old enough to follow the pride.  The cubs are full of life and grow up playing with the other youngsters in the pride building strength and family bonds.

9. LIONS ARE THE SECOND LARGEST BIG CAT

Only slightly smaller than the Siberian tiger, the lion is the second largest of the big cats, with a muscular deep-chested body. Unlike other big cats that are solitary hunters, lions are social hunters. Male lions can weigh up to 550 pounds, while female lions weigh up to 390 pounds.

Lion Skirmish
*Photo Courtesy of Sabi Sabi*

10. LIONS CAN CLIMB TREES

Tree-climbing lions can be found in Tanzania, with, Lake Manyara National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park, and Tarangire National Park being the best places to see them. They have also been spotted in the Serengeti. The reason why lions climb trees is to get away from flies and insects on the ground, and they have a higher vantage point to see if any other animals are nearby.

Tree Climbing Lions
*Photo Courtesy of Elewana Pioneer Camp*

At Lion World Travel, our love for Africa is embodied in our name and mascot – Lionel.

About Lion World Travel

Lion World Travel has been in business for 60 years. Lion World Travel is one of North America’s largest tour operators to the African continent, specializing in group and individual tours to Southern and East Africa and Egypt. Lion World Travel is a member of The Travel Corporation (TTC) family of brands, the largest privately owned travel company worldwide, which includes Trafalgar Tours, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection to mention a few.

Clients continue to benefit from Lion World Travels’ Africa destination knowledge, expertise, and emphasis on customer service. With their Africa Specialists all having first-hand knowledge of Africa, Lion World Travel confidently assists clients in creating an African adventure that fits their interests and budget with enjoyable, enriching travel experiences. Extraordinary service, affordable luxury and value for money are what keep clients coming back to Lion World Travel.

Places In New Zealand That Don’t Feel Real

By Katie Manly, Swain Destinations

New Zealand is for adventure seekers of all levels.

Its Māori culture is renowned for being welcoming and wise.

The adventure on offer ranges from mild to high octane. 

Its landscapes have become immortalized thanks to the many films it has set the backdrop for, including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, because of its otherworldly natural formations. Here are just a few amazing places in New Zealand that will make you feel like your life is a movie…

On the South Island, witness the pristine wilderness of the Fiordland National Park. Experience the unspoiled beauty of the Southern Alps with a helicopter tour of Fiordland National Park’s breathtaking wilderness. A landing at Milford Sound, where you can indulge in a delightful picnic lunch, will be an absolute highlight of your time in New Zealand as its beauty is so legendary, that it is almost folklore.

There’s no place quite like Queenstown for adventure seekers. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, it’s no wonder that it is considered the adventure capital of the world – who wouldn’t want to see this iconic destination from every angle? Take a leap from an airplane or bungee from the iconic Kawarau Bridge for a bird’s eye view. Prefer to keep your feet closer to the ground? Get the adrenaline pumping from a more reasonable height; try jetboating or whitewater rafting on the Shotover River. But, if your stomach does somersaults at the thought of it all, you can still enjoy Queenstown’s picturesque scenery from aloft by scenic helicopter flight, ATV, cycling, or hiking the countryside.

After an action-packed adventure in Queenstown, an escape to blissful seclusion in the Ahuriri Valley, a destination truly off the beaten path, is a must-do. Home of the Ahuriri River, a legendary spot for world class fly fishing, it is considered to be in the top five best places to cast a line across the planet. If fly fishing isn’t your area of expertise, there is still plenty of adventure on offer. Hiking, horseback riding, and star gazing all top the list as must-dos in this beautiful part of the country.

After recharging your spirit in the expansive wilderness of the Ahuriri Valley, put your explorer boots on and hike the estimated 16,000-year-old Tasman glacier and marvel at the beauty of Mount Cook. Spot dolphins, whales, seals, and adorable little blue penguins at Marlborough Sounds before traveling through the rolling hills of the Marlborough wine region in search of your favorite Sauvignon Blanc.

Stay a few nights in the cultural and architectural capital of the South Island, Christchurch, a city on the sea with a small-town feel. Christchurch also serves as the gateway to Akaroa and Kaikoura. Kaikoura is a seaside settlement renowned for its variety of marine mammals, including the giant sperm whale and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins. Kaikoura is overlooked by majestic, snow-capped mountains. Experiencing this stunning alpine scenery while swimming with dolphins is a memory which will stay with you for a lifetime.

On the North Island, visit the ancestral home of the Te Arawa, a Māori tribe whose people came by canoe and settled the area more than 600 years ago. This is Rotorua, famous for its geothermal springs, bubbling pools of sulfuric mud, and geysers. Allow the locals to show their Māori history and hospitality in all its glory, sharing a meal cooked from the steaming ground, a traditional Haka performance, and indulgent spa therapy.

A couple hours’ drive away through dairy farms and kiwi fruit orchards, Waitomo Caves are subterranean limestone caverns with something unique deep within. Arachnocampa Luminosa, or glow worms as they’re lovingly called, are found exclusively in New Zealand and light up the Waitomo Caves as though they were decorated for the holidays.

This is just a small sampling of the awe-inspiring destinations in New Zealand that don’t feel as though they belong to this planet. Well worth the trip, these places will have you wondering how you’ve lived this long without bearing witness to these otherworldly vistas for yourself.

About the author:

Katie Manly, VP of Sales & Marketing at Swain Destinations

As the VP of Marketing and Sales at Swain Destinations, I craft the communications and advertising that represent a truly knowledgeable and purpose-driven team of master designers of luxury travel – a responsibility that I am honored to have been given. As part of my job, I am lucky enough to travel to our destinations all over the world, just as our clients do. Traveling as a Swain Destinations client would is a privilege of my job and also part of what makes Swain Destinations so successful, as we experience what our clients experience – whether on safari, snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, or even taking my family to meet the real Santa Claus in the Arctic Circle. I truly believe that travel has the capacity to create personal connections and fulfillment so strong that it changes us for the better, which is why I am so passionate about what we do here at Swain Destinations.

About Swain Destinations

Swain Destinations are Master Designers of luxury travel. Our Team has been meticulously planning personalized vacations to Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific Islands, Africa, and the Middle East for over 35 years. Nothing we ever do is cookie-cutter. We have access to places and excursions that can only come with time, relationships, and experience. It is our culture of integrity, value, and personal service that makes us the luxury traveler’s choice and is why our philosophy is “luxury with heart”.

The Plight of the Forest Person

By: Ralf Korber – SITA World Tours

Wake up is at 3am. Breakfast. At 4am we get into our two boats, ten of us in each simple, open craft to go down the lower Kinabatangan River to the Bornean village of Sukau where a bus will be waiting returning us to Sandakan airport. The river is wide here. It is dark and low fog is hanging over the water. The stars and half-moon are beautiful, but we cannot see the riverbank. A strangely delightful experience. The remoteness of this place is palatable. And how do the boat drivers navigate safely in this foggy darkness?

Our small group had spent three days in a rainforest lodge at the Kinabatangan, Orangutan and other wildlife trekking. We were folks in our 60s, 70s and three of us were octogenarians, all nature and animal lovers. Most of us visiting were aware that the world we had entered was under threat. Three days earlier on our two-hour ride from Sandakan to the tiny hamlet of Sukau, where the boats were waiting to take us upriver, we had transited a landscape of rolling hills with palm oil plantations. These palms lined up in orderly rows to the horizon. A man-made landscape. Impressive and at the same time ominous. The home of the Orangutan no more.

The rainforest the Orangutans call home today is a relatively narrow stretch of secondary forest along the river. Primary forest lands here had been logged decades earlier we learned. Classroom style information shared with us at the rainforest lodge was honest and thorough. Informative maps highlighted the remaining wildlife space in comparison to the vast surrounding palm oil lands truthfully.

Patches of rain forest along the river, a few square miles each and not all connected to each other. “Does this mean the Orangutan population cannot cross breed to keep the gene pool healthy”? “Do they cross over the palm oil plantation space to the next forest patch”? Those were questions we had. They were met by euphemistic answers. “The government is aware”, we were told. And “Orangutans are the slowest breeding mammals and inbreeding issues would earliest become a challenge in 100 years”.

Nevertheless, trekking through these forests is a rewarding adventure. The nature guides we had contracted were phenomenal and much needed. All of us were from US metro areas and therefore had developed urban sensory expertise. Useless here. The guides saw things we would not. The trekking itself is not always easy. One must cross creeks and ditches and while it is fun to slide down a muddy embankment, try to climb up on the other side. Some of us needed help, a push or pull. The nature guides performed well in this, too. It made for good laughs as did the ever-present leech avoidance efforts. The lodge sells leech-socks at a nominal fee, a garment most were unfamiliar with, but all added quickly to their wardrobe. And one can rent rubber boots.

With the help of the guides, we found orangutans in the forest including a mother and son duo. Magic moments. For a minute the thought of danger confronting these amazing animals is forgotten.

Some of us also took boats to travel to the forest. Ideal for older visitors. There are plenty of natural side channels to the Kinabatangan, some of them narrow. It is easy to meet a variety of rainforest creatures. During one such moment, we came across a 23-member troop of Long-Tailed Macaques. The sun was setting; bedtime. The adults were already resting on various branches of a large tree right at the water’s edge, yet one juvenile couldn’t settle down and visibly annoyed the seniors by jumping around. We lingered for a while watching the spectacle. An Asian elephant family delighted with considerable noise a few moments later.

The touristic service part of our visit was impressive. Nature guides enhance the experience. The river lodge was well done, built on an elevated wood frame construction to keep distance to the forest floor. There were two-bedroom units to each chalet. The units were air conditioned. The power is solar cell generated with traditional generators as emergency backup. Daily fresh food. Malaysian cuisine is fusion cuisine by cultural default, a mixture of Malay, Chinese, Indian. Very tasty.

We learned a lot. A question remains: how will the Orangutan, a creature with about 97 percent of our own DNA, survive man’s relentless expansion into their habitat? Or will they?

About SITA World Tours

With 89 years of exemplary service in travel, SITA remains as the go-to tour operator for exotic destinations worldwide. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SITA is renowned for its highly experienced team of international specialists and is dedicated to travel excellence in every element of its programs. As a deluxe, luxury tour operator specializing in Packaged, Independent, Customized and Groups travel, SITA has become a key source for both the Consortium and Agent network nationwide. SITA’s well-planned tours focus on a destination’s culture, history and unique geography providing the greatest value to clients.

About Ralf Korbner – SITA World Tours

Germany’s Wood Wide Web

By: Ralf Korbner of SITA World Tours

About 30 percent of German lands are tree covered. Germans have long had a mythological identification with their forests.  In German literature, the forest has often been portrayed as a place of happiness and contentment where people feel protected from social pressures and the chaos of everyday life.  

Hermann Hesse comments: “A longing to wander tears my heart when I hear trees rustling in the wind at evening. If one listens to them silently for a long time, this longing reveals its kernel, its meaning. It is not so much a matter of escaping from one’s suffering, though it may seem to be so. It is a longing for home, for a memory of the mother, for new metaphors for life. It leads home.”  

Prussian poet Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff expressed how the forest embodied freedom and the idea of home: “Gentle rustling in the treetops – Little birds flying afar – Springs bursting from silent peaks – Tell me where my homeland lies.” 

Towards the end of the 18th century, Romanticism became a dominant theme in poetry, painting and music including in the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. The forest is the stage: Little Red Riding Hood meets the Wolf, Hansel and Gretel are abandoned, four mistreated animals become the Town Musicians of Bremen. German Romanticism also stylized the forest as a symbol of unity. The forest is more than the sum of its trees. It is a central part of German identity and culture that today is becoming a defining symbol of a sustainable future.

Fast Forward:

Wood Wide Web is a term Canadian research scientist and professor of forestry Suzanne Simard first coined twenty-five years ago. Simard tells us that trees communicate with each other. She describes how they are interconnected, send each other messages and she speaks about the prominence of all important mother trees.

Simard and the German forester Peter Wohlleben are on the forefront of a much-needed new understanding of how trees live, and forests thrive. A few years ago, Wohlleben described the Hidden Life of Trees in his New York Times bestseller.

Modern Germans understand that the mystical and religious connection of their long-ago forbearers, who believed their Gods resided in tree groves, is today the very practical knowledge that healthy forests are needed for our survival.

Four experiences of many available:

Sixty miles south-east of Berlin is the Spree Forest, a water meadow setting that has managed to stay largely natural in spite of centuries of human activity. The UNESCO World Heritage listed Spree Forest Biosphere Reserve mixes a mosaic of meadows, fields and forests with waterways. Ideal for a variety of plant and wildlife, a visit also highlights the customs and traditional costumes of the Slavic Sorbs minority living here. One-day or multiple-day visits can be included in any itinerary. The area and waterways allow for bikes, canoe or very enjoyable, traditional Spree Forest barge travel.

Some fifty-five miles south-west of Cologne (35 miles from Bonn) we will find the Waldakademie (forest academy) Wohlleben in the small town of Wershofen. The aforementioned Wohlleben is Germany’s tree whisperer. His academy provides guided tours and overnight adventures in the protected, adjacent forest reserve familiarizing the visitor with the emerging understanding of how trees communicate with each other through their root- network, warn and protect each other from danger, and look after their off-spring. 

The town of Neuschoenau, some thirty-five miles from Passau, puts you at the center of the Bayerischer Wald. Munich is under three car hours to the south. Here the woodland of beech, spruce and fir is densely packed with tall trees, wild and ancient. However, it is accessible offering many hiking paths and even a treetop walkway with gorgeous views of the surrounding Bavarian landscape.

The UNESCO World Heritage site Hainich Forest, twenty miles from Eisenach of Luther and Wartburg fame, features the last remaining central European beech forest. The forest offers miles of hiking paths, a canopy walk and horseback riding. During winter one can take horse drawn sleigh rides. And there are guided tours available, explaining every aspect of the forest and how care is taken to safeguard its continued health.

Find your dream vacation to Germany with a USTOA tour operator here https://ustoa.travelstride.com/trip-list/germany

About the author: Growing up on a horse ranch in Germany with a younger brother, two cousins and lots of animals, travel was part of our annual family rhythm as long as I can remember. Summers were spent in Italy or Spain, winters in Austria for skiing and there were trips to the Baltic Sea or along the Rhine and Mosel with visits to castles and towns along those rivers. After graduating from high school on an island in the North Sea and while a university student in Germany, friends and I drove all over Europe during summer vacations. Those trips also included Turkey, Morocco and several of the countries then still behind the Iron Curtain. I became a member of the travel industry community after completing my studies at a California university. Visits to countries in Asia, Africa and travel in Australia and New Zealand have since broadened my geographic and cultural knowledge.

Best Wildlife Experiences with African Travel, Inc. That Go Beyond Your Big Five Bucket List

By Chelsea Todaro of African Travel

Wildlife in Africa is so vast and plentiful, it’s sometimes hard to choose where you can find the best animal encounters.

Whether it’s the big five, exotic birds, desert roamers, or aquatic life you’re searching for, an African safari will deliver for any wildlife preference. You can still enjoy sundowners, culinary delights and other luxury experiences while on safari, but there’s also extraordinary wildlife encounters that will check off your big five bucket list and also contribute to sustainability.

African Travel Inc.’s safari experts curate wildlife experiences tailored to any traveler’s desires, and do so sustainably with their not-for-profit partner, TreadRight Foundation.

Below, African Travel Inc. breaks down the top wildlife safari experiences in Africa.

Help Save Rhinos in South Africa

At Shamwari Game Reserve you’ll learn about the important conservation work done to help save rhinos and big cat species. Shamwari is one of the largest conservation initiatives in Southern Africa, and every guest participates in the conservation story – whether it is a through a donation made for each guests’ visit or their own experience with the animals. Learn about the balance between wildlife and plant life from the rangers or meet the veterinarians and ecologists at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. If conservation is your passion, consider a two-week volunteer program with the Shamwari Conservation Experience.

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See the Greatest Show on Earth from Your Treehouse Balcony

In Tanzania, the Great Migration is a must-see as millions of Wildebeest, zebras and gazelles– to name a few–come together for the largest animal migration in the world. If you’re staying in the Serengeti, you can have your own private showing from your treehouse balcony at Tarangire Treetops. These luxury elevated suites are perched on platforms in the branches of age-old Baobab and Marula trees. It makes for some of the best panoramic wildlife viewing from a high altitude!

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Close Encounters with Gorillas and Chimpanzees

To discover Rwandan wildlife, get your outdoor gear and camera ready as you hike into the rainforest mountains in search of the magnificent, and critically endangered, Silver Back Mountain Gorilla. Any fatigue from your mountain trek at Volanoes National Park will fade away with your first close glimpse of the gorillas while they forage and move through the forest. While visiting Nyungwe National Park, expert rangers will guide you during a chimpanzee trek deep in the rainforest. You’ll observe them playing wild and free, hooting and dashing through the trees—this is their home after all!

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Take Wildlife Photography Lessons in Botswana

Botswana offers one of the most diverse game-viewing in Africa with land and water safaris. At Botswana’s new Xigera Safari Lodge, travelers can relax for a night in the new Baobab treehouse experience and join the lodge’s wildlife photography expert Mike Myers on a private safari perfecting their photography skills. You’ll spot wildlife all over from the Okavango Delta’s diverse ecosystems—ranging from hippos, crocodiles, lions, leopards, elephants, wild dogs and a myriad of birds. Designed to frame the breathtaking floodplains and riverine forests, the Xigera’s spacious suites look out onto lily-filled lagoons, providing a front-row seat to the theatre of the African bush.

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Take a River Cruise at the Mighty Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is hailed as one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders and attracts many wildlife species to its large water source. Sail upstream the Zambezi River on a sunset dinner cruise for a wildlife photographer paradise. Use binoculars to zoom in on the hippos cavorting in the river and look out for the elephants as they make their way to the riverbank for their last drink before settling down for the night.

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Discover Pristine, Desert-Adapted Wildlife and Track Black Rhinos

On Namibia’s Skeleton Coast, you can discover desert-adapted animals that live in this harsh environment, like the unique lions, and the conservation efforts to try and ensure their survival. You’ll also see one of the greatest concentrations of desert elephant, along with Hartmann’s zebra, oryx, giraffe, springbok, and even lion and brown hyenas. Dramaland is recognized for having the largest free-roaming black rhino population in Africa. Enjoy the thrill of tracking these rhinos with expert rangers and learn about the work being done by Save the Rhino Trust.

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Chelsea Todaro is a Communications Specialist and Writer for The Travel Corporation, where she promotes family-owned travel brands across the globe. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a B.A. in Journalism and Multimedia Studies. Chelsea Todaro is also an opinion columnist for CEO World Magazine. Follow her on LinkedIn.

About African Travel, Inc. - ”We Know Africa” 
African Travel, Inc. is the longest established luxury safari operator based in the US focused exclusively on the African continent. With a team across North America and in Africa, the luxury safari operator creates unforgettable tailor-made journeys. Each trip also has a positive impact on the people, place and wildlife through their #AfricanTravelCares program and partnership with The TreadRight Foundation. African Travel is one of the most awarded safari companies, including a Travel +Leisure 2020 Top 10 World’s Best Safari Outfitter, and a proud member of The Travel Corporation (TTC), a family-owned company with more than 100 years of expertise in luxury travel.

5 Questions to Ask: Make Your Next Trip Animal-Friendly

5 Questions to Ask: Make Your Next Trip Animal-Friendly

By Dana Santucci, EF Education First, and Ben Williamson, World Animal Protection

Travelers increasingly seek unique experiences that they couldn’t get anywhere else. However, many tourists, whether they’re with a group or adventuring on their own, choose activities that put animals and wildlife at risk, even if they don’t do so intentionally. Younger generations tend to be more conscientious of animal welfare when making travel decisions, but there’s room for improvement among travelers of all ages.

Travelers and travel providers alike have a responsibility to leave destinations just the way – or better than – they found them. In the context of animal tourism, this means understanding that there’s more power in proactively protecting, promoting and facilitating animal welfare than there is in holding, petting or otherwise exploiting an animal.

In 2018, EF Education First (EF), became the first international education company to launch a global collaboration with World Animal Protection, a leading international nonprofit dedicated to animal welfare. We’ve worked together to remove activities from our travel experiences that don’t meet these animal welfare standards, including shows that involve animals and excursions that involve activities such as riding, petting, holding, feeding or swimming. We’ve also committed to educating our staff, Tour Directors and travelers about the importance of animal welfare, common misconceptions and how to recognize violations.

There are plenty of ways to see the world while contributing to its resiliency. For example, you can visit responsible elephant sanctuaries in Thailand and meet with “mahouts,” or elephant caretakers, to learn about their role in Thai culture; protect sea turtle habitats and vulnerable eggs in Costa Rica; or learn about overfishing and track endangered dolphins in the Amazon River.

*Instead of swimming with dolphins, volunteer to help with reef restoration, as this* *EF Educational Tours* *student did in the Dominican Republic. Photo Credit: EF Education First*

Whether you’re participating in an operator-led tour or are venturing out on your own, here are the top five things we at EF ask ourselves to make sure our trips are animal-friendly, and that you can use to make sure yours are, too:

What is the venue’s intent? A good rule of thumb is that if a venue offers guests direct interaction with animals, it doesn’t have wildlife’s best interest at heart. Look for venues dedicated to conservation, rehabilitation and ending mistreatment.

Are the animals well cared for and comfortable? Reputable venues will abide by the Five Domains of Animal Welfare, which state that animals must be given positive experiences and be free of pain and suffering. Animals have good lives under human care when they enjoy good physical and mental health; have balanced and varied nutrition; and are in an environment that allows them to express the widest possible range of natural behaviors.

Training elephants to accept humans on their back is a cruel process that breaks the animals’ spirit. Instead, consider visiting a sanctuary where you can help with their care and learn from local experts. *Photo Credit: EF Education First*

Are guests allowed to pet, ride or take selfies with animals? Prioritize venues that allow animals to exhibit natural behavior (such as grazing and wandering) and do not rely on exploitative animal entertainment such as animal shows, riding, petting or holding. People participate in these activities out of a love for animals, but don’t see the extreme mistreatment and abuse that go into them..

Is this activity an ethical gray area? Some venues, such as aquariums and zoos, run the gamut on animal care and facility standards. If you can’t see animals in a more natural environment, compare the facility against the Five Domains of Animal Welfare and prioritize venues whose conservation and rehabilitation efforts have been thoroughly vetted.

Have you done your research? Just because a venue says it’s a sanctuary doesn’t mean it’s an animal-friendly destination. Look beyond the venue’s website and do your own digging, such as looking for references to chains or petting activities in past customers’ reviews.

It has been an honor for our organizations to collaborate and develop these industry-leading standards, and we hope other travel organizations will adopt comprehensive animal welfare standards too. We all have a role to play in making sure our travels do not harm the animals that live in the destinations we visit. Before you book your next trip, make sure you check out additional resources, such as World Animal Protection’s guide on how to be an animal-friendly traveler and elephant-friendly tourist guide. By researching, educating ourselves and changing habits, we can make the world a better, safer place for all its inhabitants.

About EF Education First

Dana Santucci is Vice President for EF Education First and has worked for EF in a variety of capacities over more than 25 years. She has held senior positions in EF Go Ahead Tours, the organization’s adult travel division, as well as with EF Educational Tours and EF Explore America, both of which cater to educators and student travelers. Currently, she sits centrally and oversees a variety of special projects related to EF’s mission of opening the world through education. She serves on the executive board of directors for the USTOA and is the recent former Chairperson of the USTOA.

EF Education First (EF), founded in Sweden in 1965, provides culturally immersive education through language, travel, cultural exchange, and academic programs in over 100 countries around the world. EF’s mission is opening the world through education. Learn more by visiting https://ef.com.

About World Animal Protection

Ben Williamson is the U.S. Programs Director of World Animal Protection, a global animal welfare organization with offices in fourteen countries. Its mission is a world where animals live free from suffering. Ben oversees World Animal Protection’s five U.S. campaign areas (Wildlife. Not Entertainers; Exotic Pets; Pigs; Chickens; and Meat Reduction), and his areas of expertise include animals in entertainment, exotic pets, factory farming, vegetarian/vegan issues, cruelty to animals and humane education. Ben has nearly a decade of experience working for animal protection in both the U.S. and the United Kingdom.

World Animal Protection has moved the world to protect animals for more than 50 years. World Animal Protection works to give animals a better life. The organization’s activities include working with companies to ensure high standards of welfare for the animals in their care; working with governments and other stakeholders to prevent wild animals being cruelly traded, trapped or killed; and saving the lives of animals and the livelihoods of the people who depend on them in disaster situations. World Animal Protection influences decision-makers to put animal welfare on the global agenda and inspires people to change animals’ lives for the better.

Top Five Wildlife Encounters Off the Beaten Path

Top Five Wildlife Encounters Off the Beaten Path

By: Kelsi Auld, TCS World Travel

Nothing compares to the thrill of seeing animals in the wild. From encountering loveable lemurs only found in Madagascar to witnessing the epic Great Migration across the African savanna, first-hand animal experiences create unforgettable vacations, cherished memories and a deep appreciation for nature that lasts long after returning home. Discover how you can venture off the beaten track with TCS World Travel, who has been taking guests on incredible around-the-world journeys for over 25 years, to encounter extraordinary wildlife and enjoy adventure along the way.

Photo Courtesy of Karine Aigner

1. FOLLOW THE TRACKS OF TIGERS IN RANTHAMBORE NATIONAL PARK

On TCS World Travel’s upcoming Wildlife and Natural Wonders expedition, explore Ranthambore, once the royal hunting grounds for maharajas and the ideal destination for observing wild tigers in their natural habitat. Ranthambore National Park works hard to protect the diverse wildlife within its borders, including some 80 Royal Bengal tigers who rule their own dedicated sanctuary. Accompanied by an expert naturalist, embark on an early-morning game drive amid the dry tropical forests, scenic lakes and open grasslands for your best chance to follow the tigers in their daily routines.

Photo Courtesy of Karine Aigner

2. COME FACE-TO-FACE WITH MOUNTAIN GORILLAS IN RWANDA

Take the trek of a lifetime into the Rwandan rain forest and discover one of the most moving animal experiences: to observe the highly endangered mountain gorilla in the wild. These peaceful and powerful giants live in groups of up to 30 individuals and make their home in only three places in the world. Hike through the thick forests of Volcanoes National Park with knowledgeable local guides in search of a mountain gorilla family, and watch in awe as they munch leaves, groom each other and play.

3. WITNESS THE WILDLIFE OF THE MASAI MARA FROM ABOVE

Observe one of the world’s most ancient migration rituals from a hot air balloon. Every year, more than 30 species of herbivores and nearly 500 species of birds make the perilous trek across the Masai Mara plains, following the rains in search of lush feeding grounds. With a breathtaking bird’s-eye view, watch as the sun rises over the golden African savanna and witness millions of migrating wildlife—including wildebeest, zebras and gazelles—pour over the seemingly endless horizon.

4. SPOT ENDEMIC LEMURS IN MADAGASCAR

Due to its geographic isolation from Africa’s mainland, Madagascar is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth. Some 80 percent of the island’s plants and animals exist nowhere else on the planet. And of all Madagascar’s impressive inhabitants, the most famous may be the lemur—60 species of this big-eyed mammal call the island home. From ring-tailed and wild black to Hawks’ sportive and Sifaka, see how many lemurs you can spot as you traverse the lush Lokobe National Park or Canyon des Singes (Canyon of Monkeys) with an expert naturalist guide.

5. ADVENTURE ACROSS LAPLAND BY DOG SLED

Explore Finland’s rugged frontier on TCS World Travel’s Winter Wonders expedition, offered during “Northern Lights season” when conditions are just right for spotting this astounding natural light display. Experience how Laplanders traveled before the arrival of snowmobiles by embarking on a snow safari by dog sled. Listen to the skids hissing softly as the dogs reach speed and the sled glides across the snow-covered wonderland. Set out on a nighttime ride to float underneath the breathtaking sky, or make the most of the precious daylight hours and opt for a daytime ride where you can get the chance to drive the team of huskies through snowy fells and forests with a dog sledding expert.

Want to learn more about these immersive wildlife experiences? Check out TCS World Travel’s upcoming journeys and discover how you can encounter some of the world’s most incredible creatures by private jet.

TCS World Travel has been enriching lives through jet expeditions and custom itineraries for over 25 years. With over 300 luxury jet expeditions to more than 200 destinations, TCS World Travel is the most experienced jet expedition company in the world. This expertise has led them to be named a top Tour Operator by Travel + Leisure magazine three years in a row.