Find out more about the fantastic destinations you can experience with Active Travel here >
Botswana is the premier wildlife destination in Southern Africa. The rustic, remote atmosphere of Botswana's wildlife areas offer real adventure. Open 4 wheel drive game drives in Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti and Chobe National Parks are the experience of a lifetime.
The fabled Kalahari Desert covers roughly two-thirds of the country. At the northern edge of the Kalahari lies the Okavango Delta known as the “Jewel of the Kalahari”, a secret oasis in an otherwise water-starved land. Some of the largest herds in Southern Africa roam free in this unspoiled wilderness and the wildlife is spectacular and varied.
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Namibia is a land of wide open spaces, never failing to enthrall its visitors. Namibia is known for its contrasting landscapes. The Namib Desert is the oldest in the world, with its high dunes and awe-inspiring sense of space. The views over the Fish River Canyon, the delicate balance of wildlife in Etosha National Park. The German heritage is very noticeable in Swakopmund and Windhoek.
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A land of untamed rivers. The mighty Zambezi River forms southern boundary crossing over the Victoria Falls and through Lake Kariba into the Lower Zambezi Valley. A canoeing trip on the Zambezi gets you close to the wildlife as you paddle with the current through Mana Pools and the Lower Zambezi National Parks. Zambia is a thinly populated country, sharing the spectacular Victoria Falls with neighboring Zimbabwe. A large percentage of its land is wildlife reserves with open unspoiled woodland and floodplains attracting large numbers of wildlife. For a taste of the real old-fashioned safari experience enjoy a walking safari in Zambia.
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Known affectionately as the “warm heart of Africa”. Malawi is one of the friendliest countries in Southern Africa, offering a true African experience in terms of scenery, wildlife and people. It is long and narrow, dominated by the great blue shining Lake Malawi.
The Great Rift Valley cuts into Southern Africa creating the magnificent fresh water Lake. Along this beautiful expanse of water - stretching approximately 560 kilometers - lay thatch roof fishing villages, sugar and cotton farms and a profusion of mango and baobab trees. In the high country on plateaus above dramatic escarpments, tea plantations abound. There are plains and marshlands and mountains, so there is no lack of imposing and dramatic scenery.
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Palm trees line the tropical beaches. Crystal clear water, snorkeling and scuba diving, fresh seafood. Marry this with a unique mish mash of cultures with Arab and Portuguese influences and a safari in Mozambique is an experience not to forget!
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The unique “Rainbow Nation” in Southern Africa. A melting pot of culture wildlife and wonderful scenery. South Africa's historic emergence from the Apartheid era has created a country with wonderful spirit. With eleven national languages and many more cultures.
South Africa's wildlife destinations rival the best in the world, with the Kruger National Park being a must for all visitors along with Mkuzi Game reserve and Addo Elephant National Park. The Zulu and the Xhosa cultures portray a intense history of survival and exploration of the country before the arrival of the Dutch Settlers.
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Zimbabwe is a country full of friendly smiling people, green lush landscapes, ruins, rock art of the Matobo region, baobab trees and game reserves rich in birdlife with a variety of game.
Zimbabwe offers both cultural and natural attractions. Highlights include Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park - Zimbabwe's largest, Matopoa National Park and its massive rock formations and Lake Kariba & Matusadona National Park.
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Known fondly as KK as by the locals, Kota Kinabalu is the capital city of the state of Sabah. This ethnically diverse city is set against a backdrop of lush green tropical hills and faces the luminescent emerald green waters of the South China Sea. KK is the gateway to Kinabalu National Park and Mt Kinabalu and the beach and diving resorts located to the north of the city.
When to go...
Sabah is a tropical country, it is either hot from March through to November or hot and humid late November through to early March, which is the wet season. Cities tend to have higher temperatures than the jungle and river communities as they tend to soak up the passive heat. Even if you are intending an adventure to up river communities, it is recommended that you book a hotel with air conditioning in the cities. It is commonly believed that in the wet season it rains constantly. This is not true, instead the humidity tends to build up during the day and late afternoon/early evening there is a cloud burst or a spectacular thunderstorm which cools everything down again. You have never seen rain until you see a Borneo rain.
Mt Kinabalu
If climbing Mt Kinabalu during the wet season you should remember the authorities may close the mountain in bad weather because of flash floods.
Sabah is filled with rare and exotic wildlife and Sandakan is the gateway to its fabulous experiences. Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre is where Orang Utans are reintroduced back into the wild. Turtle Islands are home to giant green turtles that come ashore each night to lay their eggs, leaving baby hatchlings to make their desperate bolt to the sea. This area has the largest concentration of wildlife in Malaysia - the rare proboscis monkey, orang-utans, macaques, hornbills, crocodile, civet cats, otters and countless birds.
When to go...
Sabah is a tropical country, it is either hot from March through to November or hot and humid late November through to early March, which is the wet season. Cities tend to have higher temperatures than the jungle and river communities as they tend to soak up the passive heat. Even if you are intending an adventure to up river communities it is recommended that you book a hotel with air conditioning in the cities. It is commonly believed that in the wet season it rains constantly, however this is not true. Instead the humidity tends to build up during the day and late afternoon early evening there is a cloud burst or a spectacular thunderstorm which cools everything down again. You have never seen rain until you see a Borneo rain.
Kuching is Malay for cat and is a beautiful city with fabulous well preserved colonial buildings, one of the best museums in Asia, and a superb waterfront. Home to the more intimate Semmenggoh Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, it is also a great base for cultural encounters, long house stays, a visit to Bako National Park or just relaxing on a unspoilt white sandy beach.
Miri’s charm lays in its potpourri of tribes, races, culture and languages. Miri is a unique cosmopolitan town yet distinctly “Borneo”. Mulu National Park is a short flight from Miri. Home to the largest cave system in the world, the climb up Mt Api (The Pinnacles) and the start of the Headhunter Trail to Limbang, Mulu is the centre of Borneo Adventure.
When to go...
Sarawak is hot and humid late November through to early March, which is the wet season. Cities tend to have higher temperatures than the jungle and river communities as they tend to soak up the passive heat. Even if you are intending an adventure to up river communities it is recommended that you book a hotel with air conditioning in the cities. It is commonly believed that in the wet season it rains constantly this is not true, instead the humidity tends to build up during the day and late afternoon/early evening there is a cloud burst or a spectacular thunderstorm which cools everything down again. You have never seen rain until you see a Borneo rain.
Mulu and river travel
During the dry season if travelling by longboat be prepared to get wet feet. Boats often bottom out on the shingle beds and need to be pushed. In the wet season the opposite can happen, with flooded rivers making it too dangerous to travel. Best not to have fixed plans or tight airline bookings if travelling in the interior.
Located in north-west Cambodia, Siem Reap is defined by its cluster of villages, Chinese-style shop houses, French-colonial architecture and the gateway to Angkor. Angkor Archaelogical Park is more than just the vast temple complex of Angkor Wat with about 100 temples covered with fantastic carvings still standing today.
Central Vietnam has its own charm. Experience Hoi An's famous tailors, the history and culture of Hue and the beautiful white sandy beaches of Nha Trang. Central Vietnam is a destination in itself.
Vietnam has fabulous beaches. Combine relaxation on the beach with fabulous culture and of course food. Primary beach destinations include Nha Trang, Phan Thiet and the remarkably undeveloped Phu Quoc Island.
Where to go and when...
Central Vietnam destinations such as Nha Trang and Hoi An are best enjoyed between February and August, Phu Quoc Island October to May and Phan Thiet December to June.
Mongolia lies at the heart of Asia, between Eastern China, and the vast wilderness of Siberia in Russia. This huge, sparsely populated land encompasses a fabulous array of pristine landscapes and a nomadic people whose lives are in many ways unchanged from the days of Genghis Khan and the mighty Mongol Empire.
Active Travel Co run from our Cromwell office: Self Guided Otago Central Rail Trail Tours, where we organise everything, but you cycle or walk Rail Trail independently. Or why not join one our our Small Group Supported Otago Rail Trail Cycling Tours - where you see and do more in 5 days than is possible on a self-guided tour. Even better almost everything is included...all you do is pedal!
Active Travel Co is the only bonded member of TAANZ (Travel Agents Association of NZ) operating tours on the Otago Central Rail Trail protecting your investment in your holiday. We offer a completely independent service (we don't own accommodation, bikes etc) using our local knowledge to ensure we design the perfect itinerary for your holiday.
Cromwell had its beginnings in 1862 when two miners, Hartley and Reilly, discovered gold just below the junction of the Clutha and Kawarau Rivers. The rush that followed brought miners in their thousands to Central Otago. Geographical Features.
The town was originally located at the junction of two of New Zealand's largest rivers – the Kawarau (draining Lake Wakatipu) and Clutha (draining Lakes Wanaka and Hawea). With the formation of Lake Dunstan behind the Clyde Dam the town is now surrounded by Lake Dunstan. The surrounding landscape has also been changed with the planting of vineyards and now over 70% of Central Otago's famed wines are grown in and around Cromwell.