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Abi’s South African Safari Adventure

When I was offered the chance to experience a Safari in South Africa of course I jumped at the chance however as this would be my first Safari I wasn’t sure what to expect but was certainly ready for the adventure!

After a comfortable flight with South African Airways to Port Elizabeth via Jo’Burg we were taken by road to Kariega Game Reserve 4*  to stay for 2 nights then on to Shamwari Game Reserve 5* for a further 2 night stay.

A Safari is a unique experience and generally the itinerary would start with a wake up call at 5am off for the first Game Drive of the day followed by breakfast at 10am then leisure time until 4pm and the next game drive until the sun sets when it is time for a Sundowner before heading back for dinner.

Accommodation on a Safari is usually in a lodge with all the home comforts and a ranger allocated to you for your entire stay their knowledge and expertise is amazing and you really get to know and understand the wildlife in depth, if you have a particular interest they are keen to focus on that for you and want you have the best experience possible.

On our first game drive, I immediately saw Giraffes wandering across the plains what a sight for tired eyes, my goal was to see Giraffes and Elephants and on that one afternoon I was lucky enough to come across both. At Kariega the reserve is split in to two with the predators on one side and the non – predators on the other, the landscape is quite unique with the flat plains for the Impala, Giraffes and Antelope to graze on then the dense bush perfect hiding place for the Rhino and Lions.

Shamwari is home to the Big 5 – Lion, Elephant, Leopard, Buffalo and Rhino and I was able to see all except the Leopard who tends to be spotted during the night so quite rare to find, the reserve was much larger and all Animals together so a very natural environment with the opportunity to watch the Lioness hunting the Warthog.

Once we arrived at Shamwari Game Reserve it was clear to see that conservation is key, this is the home of the charity Born Free, they have their own rehabilitation centre for orphaned and injured Animals the staff are very passionate to their cause and it was extremely sad to hear the plight of the Rhinos and the awful poaching situation that if continues at this rate the Rhino will be extinct in the wild by 2021.

I had an amazing time and this really is a once in a lifetime trip that I would highly recommend. If you are considering a Safari please do get in touch with Abi at Deben Travel tel: 01394 615620.

Christmas Getaways

By Deben Travel • August 28, 2024
It’s come to that time of year again to start thinking about booking a festive getaway, and Deben Travel can help you do exactly that. Every year, hundreds of Christmas Markets pop up over the festive period, and there are plenty of options across Europe to choose from. One of the most popular destinations is just a short flight away, in Germany. There are plenty of markets to choose from in Berlin, Hamburg and Dresden. Indulge in the sights, smells, and tastes of the German Christmas Markets, which include traditional Christmas carols performed by local musicians, delicious German food stalls and authentic German crafts sold by the locals. Each Christmas Market is different due to the architecture of the surrounding buildings, so visiting more than one ensures a different experience each time. Companies such as Newmarket Holidays currently have exclusive offers for escorted tours, and Deben Travel can help you make a booking.

Everything Nova Scotia Has to Offer

By Deben Travel • July 13, 2024
They say to get to where you’re going, you need to know where you came from... This is evident in Nova Scotia where the locals take great pride in preserving the history and tradition of their past, with the influences of Mi’kmaq, Acadian, African Nova Scotian, Celtic and Gaelic cultures still present to this day. On the Atlantic coast of Canada less than 7hrs flight from London to Halifax, the province of Nova Scotia is a year-round destination. Spring and Summer is the ideal time to take a fly drive and explore this fascinating coastline maybe stay in a Lighthouse at the Bay of Fundy, visit the famous Peggy's Cove, explore Cape Breton National Park's rivers, canyons and walking trails or spend time relaxing on one of the picturesque beaches.

Classical Spain...

By Deben Travel • July 13, 2024
If you look beyond the traditional package holiday resorts you will find the wonderful region of Andalucía in Southern Spain. Simply one of the most beautiful areas with more than 800 kms of coastline, three National Parks and the cultural hotspots of Granada, Seville, and Cordoba all of which blend with the modern day Spain. The best way to experience Andalucía is with a small group as you will benefit from the knowledge of a tour guide, most tours will range from a week to ten days with travel by coach and train included. Highlights will include a visit to the Moorish Alhambra Palace a collection of stunning buildings and gardens situated in Granada, the Alcazar Fortress in Cordoba, a city tour of Seville the final resting place of Christopher Columbus, the mountains of Ronda, wine & Flamenco dancing in Jerez and visit the home of Picasso in Malaga.

The Beauty of Malta

By Deben Travel • July 13, 2024
With more than 300 days of sunshine per year, 11 Blue Flag beaches, and the archipelago being a short three-hour flight from the UK, Malta is a great year-round destination. Walking trails, sandy beaches, quad biking, rock climbing and jeep safaris make the most of its undulating topography, while kayaking and paddle-boarding are top options for getting out on the water. Those keen to dive deeper into the destination can try scuba diving – Malta is widely known as one of the best places in the world for this. A visit to Valletta is a must.

40 Years of Riviera Travel

By Deben Travel • July 13, 2024
As Deben Travel move into their 12th year the team wanted to put the spotlight on another travel business who are celebrating, Riviera Travel are 40 this year. As a trusted tours and cruise operator recognised by Which? for the previous 12 years as an esteemed recommended provider and an impressive 96% of guests saying they would travel again, Riviera have a lot to celebrate. But what makes Riviera different? Handcrafted holidays with authentic experiences. A range of 5-star river cruise ships, carefully selected hotels and experienced tour managers. Add to that the option of a door-to-door service, dedicated solo traveller tours, flights using local airports and a selection of holidays by rail, that’s the Riviera difference.

Magnificent Madeira

By Deben Travel • July 13, 2024
If you would like to enjoy some warmth and spectacular scenery in our winter months head over to the North Atlantic Island of Madeira that has an average temperature of 21C. This beautiful destination is Portuguese but with its own unique identity. It is a food and drink paradise with the delicious local Madeira wine and freshly caught fish being the most popular choices. Funchal is the capital city and the most popular place to reside on this magical island. This resort is backed by stunning hills and is known for its harbour, bot anical gardens, many museums and the famous Sao Tiago Fortress overlooking the sea front. A tour of the Island is a must, these tours are mainly taken in 4x4 vehicles making it easy to reach the waterfalls and tropical scenery.

Cruising from Tilbury

By Deben Travel • July 13, 2024
Ambassador Cruise Line’s first ship, Ambience, made her maiden voyage last spring. 12 months on and we are looking forward to the launch of Ambassador’s second ship, Ambition. Ambition will carry a maximum of 1200 passengers within 680 cabins, 125 of which have balconies and 113 suites with a huge 62m2 living space.

Thai Elephant Encounters

By Deben Travel • July 13, 2024
Combining the camp idea of African national parks with the Thai tropical rainforest, Elephant Hills are Thailand’s first luxury tented jungle camps and highly recommended. Tucked away in the jungle of Khao Sak National Park are the Elephant Camp and floating Rainforest Camp. Both are within easy reach of numerous beach resorts, making it easy to detour into the wilderness. In addition, the newly opened Bush Camp Chaing Mai in Northern Thailand provides another option for those in search of a little adventure, and Elephants. Set in a remote area beside the Ping River, the Bush Camp gives you a taste of Northern Thailand’s fascinating nature and culture.

Sail Away - Croatian Cruises

By Deben Travel • July 13, 2024
Set sail on the Adriatic with our small ship summer cruises. Why cruise? By cruising, you get the convenience of travelling on board port to port, a comfortable en-suite cabin, plus breakfast and lunch served daily. Explore 7 destinations in 7 days Discover idyllic islands, classic cities and UNESCO sites Mix swim stops with lounging on the sun deck Great for solo travellers, couples or as a group On board facilities: 19 air conditioned en-suite cabins Sundeck with loungers Free Wi-Fi Bar and lounge area

Enchanting Towns of the Rhine, River Cruise

By Deben Travel • July 13, 2024
Tessa from Deben Travel was lucky enough to embark on a Rhine River Cruise, hosted by Titan Travel: Any trip with Titan Travel begins with their VIP door-to-door travel service which collects you from your home & takes you to the Airport – it’s an amazing start to your holiday! After our short flight to Dusseldorf we transferred to Cologne & embarked on our River Cruise Ship, MS River Discovery, which is rated a 4*. Titan include the cost of many Excursions & visits in their River Cruises, plus various meals which include unlimited wine, beer & soft drinks.
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