Safaris dec2013

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World

THE WILD SIDE

This winter, venture out into the wilderness with bq’s picks of the most interesting safaris around the world

By Shereen D’Souza, Doha

Kruger National Park Safari, South Africa Home of Africa’s big five, Kruger National Park is South Africa’s most exciting wildlife safari destination. Besides witnessing the elephants, white rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopard, the park also is one of the most spectacular and diverse conservation areas on the planet with over 147 different species of mammals, 500 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles, 49 species of African indigenous fish, 34 types of amphibians and 300 different species of trees. The Kruger Park luxury lodge safari package offers a memorable experience. The luxury selfdrive safari is best for its seclusion, in the middle of nowhere, while the luxury fly-in safari is a great excuse to laze around and soak in some wilderness.

Get in touch with: Siyabona Africa: + 2 7 2 1 4 24 1 0 3 7

www.bqdoha.com

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Panda Safari, China Discover China by experiencing wild pandas in their natural habitat in Sichuan Province and just over the boundary line in Gansu and Shaanxi Provinces. You can also track and view them in the reserves of Foping and Changqing. Visit the Chengdu Giant Panda Base, home to around 100 pandas, and the Bifengxia Panda Base. Extend your trip to catch a glimpse of the highly endangered Asiatic black bears, snub-nosed gold monkeys and other wildlife. Accommodation options include The Peninsula Beijing, which is a five star luxury landmark, Shangri-La Hotel, Hongzhu Hotel, Tangjiahe Guest House and Sheraton Jiuzhaigou Resort, China’s first five star resort. The panda safari including accommodation on a double occupancy basis for 13 days will cost approximately QR36,000.

Get in touch with: Natural Habitat Adventures: +1-303-449-3711

Royal Chitwan National Park Safari, Nepal This world heritage site was established in 1973 and is located in the lowlands or Inner Terai of southern central Nepal, on the international border with India, providing protection to the one-horned rhinoceros’, tigers, leopards, sloth bears and the gaur (wild bison) and over 400 species of birds.

There are several lodges and hotels located in the area like Hotel Riverside, Hotel Sapana Village Lodge, Chitwan Village Resort and Royal Park Hotel with rates starting from QR70 per night. The nearest airport is Bharatpur Airport which is around 20 kms away, and the Kathmandu Airport is 170 kms away.

Get in touch with: Chitwan Jungle Lodge: +977 1 4442240; info@chitwanjung l e l o d g e.co m

Komodo Dragon Safari, Indonesia These dragons are named after the dry island on which they were discovered. On this island, the dragon is king and eats any and all of the other large animals if it can, including wild boar, deer, water buffalo, dogs and goats. See the activities of these giant monitor lizards which are up to three metres in length and weight up to 150 kilograms. The total number of these lizards is estimated at 5,000 - 7,000 inhabited in Komodo, Padar, Rinca Island and Western Flores. Take the komodo dragon safari cruise with Floressa Tours for QR 1,050 per person on a twin sharing basis which starts from Flores Island. All amenities are provided on board, besides the air-conditioned cabins and bathrooms.

Get in touch with: Kem Travel: +62 21 788 46874; kemtravel@kemtravel.com www.bqdoha.com

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Sea Safari, Pembrokeshire, Wales Pembrokeshire is well-known for both its seabirds, its plants and a wealth of other wildlife, from cetaceans and seals along the coasts and bats and butterflies inland. This exhilarating high-speed safari can be one of the best wildlife experiences in Britain.

There are sea cliffs, moorland, pastures and ancient woods to explore plus the island of Skomer, where puffins, razorbills, guillemots and other seabirds dwell. Accommodation around includes Pittingdales; Broadside Bed and Breakfast; Richmond House; The Clock House and Fields Lodge.

Get in touch with: Dale Sailing Company: 01646603123

Bear Safari, Piatra Craiului Mountains, Romania With Romania having the largest bear population in Europe, Piatra Craiului Mountains, a mountain range in the South Carpathians, is possibly the best place to catch bears in their natural habitat. Besides bears you can also find wolves, lynx and chamois’. There are 270 butterfly species, amphibians, reptiles plus 110 bird and 17 bat species.

The tariff excluding flights is QR4,800 per person.

Get in touch with: Wildlife Worldwide: +44 1962 302 086

Ngorongoro Crater Safari, Tanzania The spectacular landscape of the world renowned Ngorongoro Crater makes for a truly unique safari experience. It forms part of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA) within the Serengeti ecosystem and the Crater itself is home to more than 25,000 large mammals. Animals in this 9.3 mile wild caldera are less shy of safari vehicles. Herds of zebras, wildebeests and antelopes roam the permanent grasslands and flamingos are frequent visitors to Lake Magadi at the crater’s base. The Crater floor has abundant water, which provides excellent grazing for resident herbivores, while the Crater walls are covered in lush vegetation, forming protection for the large numbers of game.

Some of the recommended places to stay include Ngorongoro Crater Lodge (which is easily one of the world’s top ten hotels) perched on the rim of the crater with the most breath-taking views; Ngorongoro Serena and Sopa Lodge (which are the more affordable options).

Get in touch with: And Beyond: +27 11 809 4300 www.bqdoha.com

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Camel Safari, Oman Experience true Bedouin culture in the rolling dunes of Oman. The Wahiba Sands, located north east of the Empty Quarter is home to several species of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. This desert safari can last between 1-14 days and you can rent a 4x4 to drive across the desert. Meet and live with the Bedouin families and ride a camel across the shifting sands, or atop a dune to witness the sunset. Make sure to visit Wadi Bani Khalid, one of the most picturesque wadis in Oman. Accommodations are available in a range of options, right from a one man tent to four star accommodation.

Get in touch with: Bediyah Safari Tours: +968 9947 4972

Jim Corbett National Park Safari, India Explore this vast wildlife sanctuary in India with Jim Corbett’s jungle safari, elephant safari, bird safari, horse safari, fishing safari and jeep safari. The wildlife safari is perfect for wildlife photographers and adventure lovers with views of several species of deer, sloth bears, wild boars, fresh water dolphins, leopards, gharial crocodiles, the royal Bengal tiger and over 450 species of birds. Accommodation is available in tents, mud huts, camp cottages and wildlife resorts like the Corbett Hideaway and The River View Retreat, if you choose to stay inside the park. A four hour wildlife safari in a jeep will cost approximately QR150.

Get in touch with: The Corbett Hideaway: +91 5947284132

Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve Safari, Costa Rica This wildlife sanctuary is home to more than 400 species of birds, 100 species of mammals and over 1,500 plant species. Take a walk on trails in forests draped in orchids.

Keep an eye out for the quetzal, sacred bird of the Mayas and Aztecs, distinctive for its long green plumes along with the three-wattled bellbirds, howler monkeys and more. There’s also a butterfly garden, with a greenhouse and netted flyway. Visit the suspended bridges and walkways or zoom through the treetops on a zip-line.

The Cloud Forest Lodge can host up to 47 guests in their bungalow style bedrooms with all amenities including facilities for disabled patrons.

Get in touch with: Terra Incognita Ecotours: 1-855-326-8687

www.bqdoha.com

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