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When To Go...
When you plan a trip, weather often plays
a major role. It is not always possible to travel at the "best
time" so bear in mind that while your experiences may be
different according to when you travel, the rewards will
be many.
Here are some suggestions of when (and when not) to travel
to certain areas:
| Place: |
Best Time:
(and when NOT to go) |
Average Temperature: |
| Argentina |
December and January |
June: 14C/58F
January: 29C/84F |
| Bahamas |
December to April.
(Hurricane season: June to November) |
26C/78F - 31C/87F |
| Cuba |
December to April.
(Hurricane season: June to November) |
26C/78F - 31C/87F |
| Egypt |
October to February.
(Sandstorms: March and April) |
Cairo: 19C/66F to 23C/73F |
| Guatemala |
December to April. |
26C/78F (year round) |
| India |
October to March.
(Monsoons: June) |
Delhi: 21C/69F to 40C/104F |
| Kenya |
December to March.
(Rainy season: April and May) |
21C/69F to 31C/88F |
| Mongolia |
June to August. |
0C/32F to 22C/72F |
| Peru |
May to September. |
19C/66F to 28C/82F |
| South Africa |
September to April.
(Kruger National Park: July to October) |
21C/69F to 30C/86F |
| South Pacific |
April to November.
(Cyclone season: December to March) |
29C/84F |
| Thailand |
November to February.
(Monsoons: May to October (west) and October to April
(east).) |
Bangkok: 31C/87F to 35C/95F |
| Vietnam |
November to February.
(Rainy season: May to November)
(Typhoons: July to November) |
22C/72F to 35C/95F |
| United Kingdom |
June to August. |
London: 21C/70F |
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| Before You Go...
So, you've bought your ticket and booked
your hotel. You're all ready to go, right? Wrong! Here
are all the other things you still need to consider before
you leave home.
| Insurance: |
Don't leave home without it! Imagine you are in the
jungle in Borneo or the wilds of Africa when you slip
and break your leg. How will you continue your trip?
How will you pay for the extra seats on the plane that
you will need to keep your leg raised? Never fear -
insurance is here! Whether you are traveling near or
far, accidents can (and will) happen. Take the worry
out of travel for about a dollar per day. |
| Visas: |
Please make sure you verify all visa requirements
before you leave home. Trying to enter a country without
the correct documentation can be costly and frustrating.
Some visas may take two to three weeks to issue so
make sure you allow sufficient time when booking your
flights. |
| Currency: |
Some countries regulate the amount of local currency
that can be brought in and out. Certain currencies
may not be available overseas but where possible, purchase
local currency in advance and in small denominations
for immediate expenses such as taxi fares and tips. |
| Medical: |
Health regulations change frequently so please contact
your local traveler's medical clinic for the most up
to date information. Some countries require proof of
vaccination for entry. |
| What to Pack: |
Not sure what to take with you? www.travelite.org will
give you ideas on how to pack light but still have
enough clothes to see you through all possible scenarios. |
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| How to Pick a
Safari...
There are many things to consider when
selecting a safari. For instance, how much time do you
have for your trip, and what is your budget? In order to
pick the perfect tour, some other points that should be
considered are:
| Where |
do you want to go? The main safari areas are East
Africa (Kenya and Tanzania), South Africa (Kruger National
Park) and Southern Africa (Botswana and Zimbabwe).
If you are planning to extend your vacation after your
safari, this will be a factor. From East Africa, several
tropical islands can be reached, whereas from South
Africa you may wish to go on to Madagascar. |
| What |
do you want to see? The Big 5 are best seen in savannah
regions such as the Masai Mara of Kenya and the Serengeti
of Tanzania. On the other hand, the dry woodlands of
the Kruger National Park are home to these plus more
of the big cats. The desert areas of Namibia provide
great viewing of the big cats and ostrich. Bear in
mind, too, that the annual migration of the wildebeest
and zebra from the Masai Mara south to the Serengeti
occurs around October or November, with the animals
returning in May or June. July through September is
breeding time in the Masai Mara. |
| How |
do you want to travel? Overland truck, small 4x4
vehicle or private plane? The large, customized vehicles
used for overland travel are equipped with all basic
essentials but are not designed with comfort as their
main priority. The smaller vehicles are able to get
closer to the animals as they are less noisy and threatening.
Private plane is the ultimate way to see the animals
and may allow you to cover a wider area in a short
space of time, but can take away the thrill of seeking
out the animals. |
| What |
kind of accommodation would you prefer? Safaris can
generally be broken down into 3 categories: camping,
lodge and hotel-based. Camping can be full participation
(erecting one's own tent), limited participation (traveling
with a team of crew who perform all camp duties), or
luxury (permanent tented campsites.) The limited participation
sites generally include camp beds and may offer shower
facilities. The luxury tented camps offer fine dining
and private hot shower facilities. |
| When |
will you travel? The best time to travel to East
Africa is January/February or June through October.
March to May is the rainy season and best avoided.
The Kruger in comparison is cool and dry from July
to October, with rain and thunderstorms prevalent November
to March. |
How |
much do you want to be involved with the daily running
of the camp? Full participation camps mean just that. Everyone
erects their own tent, and assists with other camp duties
such as washing dishes and preparing meals. Most camping
trips will involve some degree of participation, with the
exception of the luxury permanent tented camps where meals
are fully catered and waiter service is provided. |
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