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Matusadona National Park

Matusadona National Park is situated on the southern shores of the magnificent Lake Kariba and has got to be one of Zimbabwe’s best kept secrets. Being relatively unknown and undiscovered makes this park a true safari wilderness highlight. Within the boundaries of this national park, on the vast lush plains of this incredibly diverse area, is a mountain range called the Matuzviadonha Hills – meaning ‘falling dung’ – which is believed to be named so unglamorously because it looks like Elephant droppings.

Matusadona National Park is ideal for superb game viewing with over 1 400 sq km of unspoiled wilderness, offering both walking safaris and game drives. It can also be explored by houseboat or canoe from the lake, making it a versatile and excellent safari location. The park is easily accessible by boat from the town of Kariba but it is also possible to enter from the gravel Karoi-Kamativi road, south of the escarpment. A 4×4 is a definite requirement as roads can prove to be harsh in some places. Both Lake Kariba and Matusadona can be visited at any time as weather conditions are surprisingly pleasant all year round.

This national park is one of the last remaining sanctuaries to home the black rhino, one of the Big Five as well as one of the largest concentrations of wild lions in Africa. Wildlife is abundant in Matusadona from small creatures like the scrub hare, vervet monkey, caracal, bush squirrels, dassies and mongooses to larger and possibly more impressive mammals like Leopard, Buffalo, Zebra, Warthogs, Hyenas, Cheetah and Hippopotami. Vast numbers of antelope roam the park, among them Duikers, Waterbuck, Bushbuck, Kudu, Sable and Eland – not to mention the luxuriant birdlife with over 240 species being recorded. From time to time, Elephants can be seen swimming between the shore and islands of Lake Kariba, a sight which is perhaps unique to the area.
Matusadona National Park combines the beauty of a lake-setting, with a rising wall of mountains that serves as the backdrop to a picture perfect place where one can observe magnificent wildlife under the African sky.

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Alaska’s Floating Adventure

Alaskan cruises offer almost everything a traveler could want. They are relatively inexpensive, have majestic scenery, offer family friendly, solo traveler, and romantic couple options, allow for a wide range of activities, and customer service can be directed to be either extremely doting, or hands off.

From the moment you leave port, your floating adventure begins. Whether aboard an intimate sized vessel of 100 guests, or on a traditional sized cruise ship holding 2000 passengers, the ship’s start thru the waves as you stand along the rail waving goodbye to those on shore, fills you with a sense of expectant excitement.

For those who have never experienced a winter environment or its attributes, Alaskan cruises offer a chance to do so. The sense of wonder as you watch huge chunks of ice float pass you, or see the sun sparkling off the blue tinted ice surface of a glacier, blue since that is the only color of the spectrum that is reflected after the red and yellow spectrum colors have been absorbed) is magnified by being a first time event.

As you float along in quiet stillness, the sheer beauty of watching a lush evergreen covered shoreline flow by reflected in the dark glossy surface of black colored water, is nearly unmatched. And suddenly viewing a whale emerge out of those murky depths, or spying an eagle gliding above, or spotting a bear hunting salmon along the shore, only increases the awe.

Staying aboard as others go on shore excursions is another aspect to your floating adventure. The smaller customer base allows for all kinds of advantages. Quiet time at the pool, space in the gym, spa appointments (sometimes at a discount), available casino machines, easier ship exploration, and short lines at the shops. It also allows for an educational opportunity to see a “behind the scenes” view of various ship processes as employees prepare for the next phase of your Alaskan cruise.

So make now the time you embark on your own floating adventure, and join those who have discovered how truly life enriching and memorable an Alaskan cruise can be.

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Enjoy Winter Carnival Staying In Luxury Cottages In Manali

Every year Manali draws a huge influx of tourists from all over the world and the winter carnival time is the best time to come to Manali.

What can one look forward to being in Manali during Winter Carnival?

The first Winter Carnival dates back to 1977 and was a thoughtful product of the then founder of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports, Harnam Singh. The institute was looking for growing prospects then. It was a tourism initiative with water and snow sports as a main attraction with these resources ample during winter in Manali.

Solang slopes get ready for open skiing contests and these draw young and enthusiastic skiers, professional and amateurs. Not just skiing, Manali hosts a variety of cultural events. However, it is in recent times that culture and winter sporting events have gone hand in hand at the Winter Carnival of Manali. Events such as carnival parade which show parade of participants dressed colorfully reflecting the ethnicity of the state of Himachal Pradesh is a sheer delight to the eyes. The cultural extravaganza has many contests that reflect Indian culture while not removing the fun element from it.

These include folk dance contest, winter queen contest, personality contest, film dance contest, fancy dress, classical dance, western dance, street play, talent show, so on and all of these draw huge crowds. The contests are open to youth clubs across India for a small entry fee. While the state derives benefit through the carnival in terms of tourism revenue, it’s a great opportunity for youth clubs to showcase their talent at the country’s national level foreign visitors get a sneak peek into the culture of the state and India in general. The first National Manali Winter Carnival is scheduled to be held from January 9th through 13th 2013 and the hill station town is gearing up for the big show in the coming month.

If you have plans to visit Manali, Winter Carnival is the time to visit. There are many staying options to suit everyone’s taste and if you are not on budget constraints then luxury hotels in Manali that epitomize luxury and comfort are waiting to treat you to your delight. Known to be the resplendent staying options these are known for providing par excellent hospitality. There are many luxury cottages in Manali that record one of the highest occupancy rates of the country; they can be good option to stay and enjoy the carnival.

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