Alternative gap year ideas

Elephant Holi in Jaipur, India

Holi is the Hindu festival of colours and one of the most exciting times to visit India. Celebrated in March of every year and characterised by vibrant colour and festivities, it is given particular spice in Jaipur, Rajasthan, where it combines with the Elephant festival to give an unforgettable travel experience. Elephants are decorated spectacularly from head-to-toe and take part in races, polo matches and even a tug-of-war with men, as they entertain excitable crowds in the famous Chaugon ground of Jaipur. Music, dancing and festivity are abound throughout Holi making this a hugely entertaining Indian festival.

Flying Fox Neemrana in Rajasthan, India

Located 2 hours drive from Delhi on the Jaipur highway, Flying Fox Neemrana offers an exhilarating travel experience in a spectacular setting. The Flying Fox itself is a 2km long zip-wire that passes high over Neemrana fort, giving riders breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The ride is certainly not for the faint hearted but those interested in Rajasthan’s rich heritage will find plenty to satisfy them as they explore the 15^th century hill-fort.

Via Via café-bar in Arusha, Tanzania

Via Via is building a growing reputation as the place to socialise in Arusha. Set in lush forest scenery within the grounds of an old German fort, Via Via offers a relaxing and fun atmosphere for either a casual drink or a big night out. Frequented by a mixture of expats and locals, it’s a great venue for discovering upcoming Tanzanian music, with live bands and DJs filling the dancefloor every week. Thursday nights are particularly popular, as are the bar’s range of cocktails, making it a great place to unwind and meet fellow travellers.

Feeding giant turtles in Zanzibar, Tanzania

Roughly 30 minutes boat ride from Stone Town, Zanzibar lies the private tropical paradise of Changu Island. Although its historic role in the slave trade has given the island the colloquial name of Prison Island, nowadays its most famous inhabitants are its Giant Tortoises, which can be found nowhere else in Eastern Africa. In fact, along with the Galapagos Islands, Changu Island is one of the few places in the world where Giant Tortoises exist, making it a ‘must-see’ for nature lovers. Visitors to the island can feed these lumbering giants and explore the stunning scenery and rich history of their stunning home.

More details on Volunteer Abroad .

Safari Destinations

 Safaris are an increasingly popular activity for adventurous travellers and casual holiday-goers alike. Ever since David Livingstone discovered the African heartland in the mid 1800s, travellers have been captivated by the romance of exploring nature’s wilderness, which is no longer the realm of only the rich and the brave. With so much choice now available, there are a lot of things to consider when planning a safari.

Where to go

First and foremost you should consider where you want to go on safari. Every location offers a different experience, so it’s worth researching the wildlife, climate, safari style and accommodation available in each destination.

African safaris

Africa is the most popular destination for safaris and is home to some of the world’s most spectacular natural scenery and wildlife. Safari goers can witness the ‘Big Five’ in their natural environment, as well as hundreds of other rare and exotic species, including cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes and hippopotamuses. Although tourism remains a threat to the continent’s ecosystems, Africa retains its allure and mystery, and is one of the few remaining places in the world where travellers can witness exotic animals in their natural habitat.

Of course, not all African safaris are the same. Some locations, such as South Africa, lend themselves best to first-time safari visitors, while more seasoned safari enthusiasts may seek more challenging experiences and rarer species elsewhere. Accommodation and services can also vary wildly, with countries such as Botswana being renowned for their luxury lodges, which are sold at premium prices. Package deals and self-drive safaris can offer much more affordable options, so it’s important to consider what kind of experience you are looking for.

Top destination

Tanzania

Tanzania gets only 20% of the number of safari tourists that visit neighbouring Kenya, allowing it to offer a much more natural safari experience. Amazingly, Tanzania is home to three of Africa’s top five natural wonders; Mount Kilimanjaro, the Serengeti and Ngorongoro, which combine to provide a stunning backdrop for safari travel. Lake Tanganyika offers a further attraction and its wildlife-rich waters constitute over a third of all fresh water on the planet.

Alternative safari destinations

For those seeking something a little different from the classic African savannah safari, there are a number of exciting alternatives:

• Mountain gorilla safari in Uganda – trek through dense jungle to witness imposing mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
• Chitwan National Park safari in Nepal – explore the Ganges river plain where one quarter of the world’s endangered Asian rhinos live, alongside tigers, otters, crocodiles and a myriad of birdlife.
• Polar bear safari in Canada – traverse frozen tundra landscapes to spot polar bears, arctic foxes and snowy owls

When to go

Deciding when you go on safari is another important consideration. Many locations offer seasonal highlights that can make your safari truly unforgettable. In Tanzania, for instance, the ‘Great Migration’ takes place on the Serengeti between December and January, when swarming herds provide a sensational wildlife spectacle. Another highlight is the calving season in February, when safari goers have the opportunity to watch excitable lion cubs stalking their prey.

You should also research seasonal and climactic variations in your chosen safari location. In Africa the best time for a safari is during the dry season, when animals congregate around water holes, improving your chances of a successful safari. The lack of vegetation also makes the animals easier to spot. In East Africa the dry season takes place in January-March and July-October, while in the south of the continent it occurs in May-October.

Before you go

The most important thing to do before you go on safari is to research your chosen destination and find out exactly what you’ll need to enjoy your wildlife adventure. In terms of clothing, you should bring outfits that let you blend into nature as much as possible; greens, browns and khakis are best. Depending on the climate you may also need to buy waterproof or lightweight clothes, to cope with both unsettled and hot weather. Other essentials would include a camera, binoculars and insect repellent, but your packing list will depend heavily on your chosen safari location.

More info http://www.i-volunteerabroad.co.uk/destinations/tanzania/tanzania-wildlife-safari/