SA: Kruger National Park – Biyamiti Camp

Wooded, cosy and luxurious, Biyamiti lies close to the old trade-route where Ox-wagons once cut their way through the bushveld on their way to the coast. Comprising of family and guest cottages and situated along the Biyamiti River, the Biyamiti Camp in Kruger Park has been developed within the natural bush, for a comfortable wildlife vacation.Biyamiti Camp in Kruger Park offers ample opportunity to witness game with various suggested itineraries including game drives, bush walks and night drives. Some of the animals to be seen in the area are Giraffe, Kudu, Duiker, Impala, Steenbok, Elephant, Black and White Rhino, Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog and Hyena. There is also the chance of seeing the elusive Cheetah, or a pack of Wild Dog. Be sure to book these activities when confirming accommodation and lodging booking. Access to Biyamiti Camp is along a 'private-residents only' road that follows the Biyamiti River, which means that it is restricted to holiday visitors who have reserved accomodation in Biyamiti safari camp in Kruger Park, ensuring you an opportunity to enjoy relaxed privacy and safety.

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SA: Timbavati Game Reserve – Simbavati River Lodge 2011

In the heart of the Timbavati Game Reserve, the Simbavati River Lodge offers the chance of a face-to- face encounter with Africa’s incredibly varied wildlife from the lodge’s private viewing decks. Simbavati River Lodge combines the rustic appeal of an African game with stylish modern interiors. Choose from 2-bedroom family suites or luxurious Safari Tents, all feature air conditioning private outdoor decks overlooking the Nhlaralumi River. The spacious family have a large bathroom twin wash-basins, a shower and deep, free-standing bath. Each morning and evening, Simbavati Lodge offers game drives conducted by experienced rangers and trackers, providing the opportunity to photograph some of the reserve’s incredible array of wildlife that includes the 'big 5' - lions, leopards, rhino, buffalo and elephant. Afterwards you can sit around the campfire and enjoy traditional African cuisine often prepared on the 'braai'. Famous for the 'White Lions' - which we were lucky enough to spend time with!

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Japan

The crazy toilets topped our list and gave us an hour of unparalleled laughter and fun! In sharp contrast, is the tea ceremony: Apart from the all-important matcha tea itself, other key aspects of the tea ceremony include those quintessentially Japanese features such as traditional calligraphy on a hanging scroll, flower arranging, and clothing. The many rules and steps involved in chanoyu embodies what today is known as “slow living”: an intensely aesthetic, artful experience where food and drink are savoured slowly, objects and interiors are admired thoughtfully, and people behave respectfully and reverently. There’s no better way to experience classic Japan than by staying in one of the country’s thousands of traditional Japanese inns (ryokan). Shibuya is a sea of childlike pastel clothing and nostalgic toys...bowing is performed when you’re saying hello and goodbye, thanking someone, apologising, congratulating and asking for a favour...not to bow is considered impolite not to return a bow to the person that has bowed to you. A fascinating country....

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Australia: Heron Island (2011)

Heron Island is a coral cay located near the Tropic of Capricorn in the southern Great Barrier Reef, 80 kilometres north-east of Gladstone, Queensland, Australia, and 460 km north-north-west of the state capital Brisbane. Green and loggerhead turtles have chosen Heron as their nesting place from February to March, when female turtles can be seen laying their eggs whilst hatchlings continue to emerge from their nests. From June to July migrating humpback whales can be spotted from the beach, and the dense pisonia forests are home to thousands of curious noddy terns.

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Australia: Bribie Island and Gympie (2011)

Bribie Island is the smallest and most northerly of three major sand islands forming the coastline sheltering the northern part of Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. The others are Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island. Bribie Island is 34 kilometres long, and 8 kilometres at its widest. Gympie is a city and a locality in the Gympie Region, Queensland, Australia. In the Wide Bay-Burnett District, Gympie is about 170.7 kilometres north of the state capital, Brisbane. The city lies on the Mary River, which floods Gympie occasionally.

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