Samburu: Where The Sun Is Always Faithful

Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya is one of Kenya's most interesting national reserves. Samburu is about 330 kms north of Mt. Kenya and lies in a warm low land occupied by the Samburu tribe. This reserve is relatively small but has so much to offer.

This reserve lies north of the equator and here, you will find some of the animals that are only found in the northern hemisphere. These are the Reticulated Giraffe, the endangered Grevy Zebra, the Somali Ostrich and the long-necked Gerenuk. In addition to this one finds the long-horned Beisa Oryx in Samburu.

In spite of the reserve been small, you will be astonished at how many animals you will see in a single game drive. Life in Samburu obviously evolves around the Uaso Nyiro River which is a seasonal river. During the dry seasons, all the animals gather around the winding river in search of water. Samburu also has large herds of elephant and a big groups of impala. One also finds lions, leopards, cheetahs, waterbucks, guinea fowls, mongooses, gazelles, elands and a wide species of bird life.

Due to its low altitude, Samburu is hot most of the year. Even in July when most of the country is experiencing low temperatures, the sun will still shine in Samburu. Most of the lodges and tented camps are located along the Uaso Nyiro River. These are the Larsen's Tented Camp, Samburu Game Lodge, Samburu Serena Lodge, Samburu Intrepids Tented Camp and Samburu Sopa Lodge. There are also several camp sites.

Samburu is one of the must-see national reserves on your visit to Kenya. One can get to Samburu by daily schedule flights or by road. It is possible to depart Nairobi in the morning and make it for lunch at Samburu Nat. Reserve. The first 280 kms from Nairobi is tarmac road. The dust road begins at Isiolo Town.

Samburu has a beautiful landscape with rolling hills sparsely spread across the reserve.

While at Samburu, it would be prudent for you to visit one of the local Samburu villages. This gives you an interesting insight of the cultural lives of the Samburu folks. Their cultural beliefs are similar to those of the Masais who are in the same tribal grouping. They still live in mud houses and still depend on their cattle and goats as the main source of livelihood. They dress in beautiful red outfits and always carry a club and probably a spear during their daily chores.

In the summer, Samburu is pretty dry, hot and dusty. Short pants and light clothing is advised. Due to the hot sun, always carry with you a hat and a pair sun glasses. Most of the lodges and camps in Samburu have swimming pools, so it will be a good idea to carry with you your swimming suit and a packet of sun-cream.

About The Author
Felix Koskei is the editor of http://ww.safariafrika.com and an experienced tour operator offering safari vacations to various African countries. Travel Connections has provided hundreds of travelers with highly personalized safari packages. For more details visit Travel Connections Ltd http://www.safariafrika.com.
info@safariafrika.com

Asia Travel - Malaysian Cities, Truly spectacular

Malaysian Tourism Board promotes the country as Truly Asia. The fascinating fusions of tradition and modernity, Malaysian cities' have unique multi-cultural heritage, cuisine, arts and architecture make them ideal cosmopolitan getaways. The mix background of Chinese, Malay, Indian and colonial heritages constantly amaze western travelers with the cultural richness and harmony, knitting a truly Asian spectrum of variety on sights and sounds.

Kuala Lumpur City Center

Travel to Kuala Lumpur city and you will be awestruck by the ultra-modern Petronas Twin Towers at the Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC). The Petronas Twin Towers are 452 meters tall, contain 88 stories, & are the world's tallest twin structures.

Situated on the previous site of the Royal Turf Club in the heart of the capital city, the Kuala Lumpur City Centre is truly a spectacular Architectural sight. Here, the 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers, the world's tallest twin structures, soars to a dizzying height of 452 metres. Cesar_Pelli was the Architect of this masterpiece. Inspired by the Five Pillars of Islam, this gleaming mega-structure was designed by the Argentinian-American architect in earlies 90s. Below the towers, lies a beautifully landscaped fountain park designed by prominent Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. KLCC is also home to the world-class Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Suria Shopping Centre and Petronas Philharmonic Hall.

Kuala Lumpur Railway station

Take a short taxi ride from KLCC and let yourself be charmed by the classic Moorish-style of the old Railway station. Kuala Lumpur Railway Station is located at Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. It is a very beautiful building. It has a Moorish-style which was designed by architect A.B Hubbock. Built in 1910, the building is about 80 years old. I am sure it is built long before you and me were here. In 1986, the station went under extensive renovations, upgraded to have air-conditioned waiting hall, snack kiosks, tourism information booth and many more. In the past, it used be very quiet but since the city commuter service started, it is a very busy station now. All the Intercity train services do not stop here anymore because there is a new railway station opened called KL Sentral, less than 1KM away from the old railway station.

Shopping Extravaganza

Shop in some of world's most luxurious malls at Kuala Lumpur shopping precincts like Bukit Bintang, Damansara Utama, Ampang, Mid valley, Subang Jaya, Sunway City, etc.

Every year, Malaysia has six weeks of great shopping promotions, bargains and discounts of up to 70% on a wide range of products and services at all major shopping precincts, malls and retail outlets nationwide. Check on www.tourism.gov.my for the yearly Malaysia Megasale calendar periods.

Be part of the festivities when you drop-in at your favorite malls and enjoy fantastic prizes as you take part in the fun contests and activities lined-up for you and your family. Get instant redemption and gifts when you charge with Master Card and be in the running to win your dream holiday at Malaysia's premier resort destination, The Four Seasons, Langkawi.

Know that your shopping experience doesn't stop at the malls. Do check out the countless bargains and offers from hotels, travel agents, entertainment outlets, spas and restaurants around town. With the whole of Malaysia celebrating this major sale event, you and your family can shop to your hearts' content and have a great fun time chilling out too.

Malaysian Nightlife

Experience a bargain with a trader in a bustling night market. Whether you sample a succulent stick of satay at a roadside hawker stall or spicy chilli crab at a Chinese restaurant, you will revel in the many alluring attractions. The Night Market is a nice place to visit as the atmosphere at nightfall always makes for a different experience. Here, you will get a chance to dine al fresco under the stars and moon. There are food stalls set up near the main bus terminal. These stalls are open from 6pm onwards till about midnight, serving up some truly delicious dishes. This is your chance to enjoy good Malaysian food, the Malaysian way!

More articles on Asia Travel experiences at www.1asiatravel.com and www.tropicalcaribbeantravel.com.

About The Author
Subert Kiing who works and travels Asia for the past 30 years, writes for www.1asiatravel.com and www.tropicalcaribbeantravel.com. This article can be used provided the URL links inluded above are kept unchanged.

A Quick Guide To Prague Public Transportation

Prague has a reliable and convenient public transportation system, which consists of metro, trams and buses. It enables local people and visitors of Prague travel around Prague quite easily though at peak hours one might find it too crowded.

Fares

You can use just one ticket or pass for all three vehicles. If you stay in Prague for a short time (a few days), you will probably use single tickets.

You can either buy a transfer ticket or a non-transfer ticket. A transfer ticket is for three zones and can be used for 75 minutes on weekdays and for 90 minutes at weekends. You have to buy a ticket before you get on and you have to validate it first time you enter one of the vehicles. The time counts from the validation. With a transfer ticket you can change metro, trams and buses and combine them. The cost is 20 CZK (about 0.8 EUR). A non-transfer ticket can be used for 20 minutes and doesn't allow change. The cost is 14 CZK (about 0.5 EUR). These tickets you can buy in vending machines installed in each metro station and at some tram and bus stops. Tickets are also available in many tobacco shops and newsagents'.

There are also season tickets (passes) available - 24 hours ticket (80 CZK/3 EUR), 3-day pass (220 CZK/8 EUR), 7-day pass (280 CZK/10 EUR), 15-day pass (320 CZK/12 EUR). Residents and long-time visitors buy long-term passes – monthly, quarterly, annual. These tickets can be bought at tickets offices located at several metro stations (e.g. Mustek, Florenc, I.P.Pavlova).

Metro

Prague metro has a good reputation not only among local people but also among visitors of Prague. There are 3 lines designated by letters A (green line), B (yellow line) and C (red line). Metro is in operation daily from 5 am till midnight. It is reliable, convenient and fast way of getting further from the center. You can also use it within the center but to move around the center trams might be more convenient if you do not like walking. Prague metro is clean and quite safe. However, you must beware of pickpockets like in most big cities.

Trams

Those who don't like metro can use trams. Going by tram around the center is a very convenient and easy way of traveling. Trams in the center get quite crowded due to the high concentration of tourists. There is again the danger of pickpockets especially at the busiest places of the center. Trams operate from 4.30 am till midnight. After midnight you can use night trams operating from 00.30 am till 4.30 am.

Buses

Buses are mainly used to get further from the center, to and within suburbs. Buses operate from 4.30 am till midnight. After midnight night buses operate.

Ticket inspection

The validity of tickets can be checked any time during your trip by ticket inspectors. Tickets inspectors are entitled to ask passengers to show valid tickets and in case of traveling without a valid ticket give passenger a penalty fate in the amount of 800 CZK. Ticket inspectors have to prove themselves by an inspection badge Ticket inspection /Prague Public Transit Co. Inc.

About The Author
Radka Konigsmark lives in Prague, Czech republic. She owns and runs a company providing Prague airport transfers - www.prague-transfers.cz

Hawaii Vacation in February? Don't Miss These Local Events

If you are traveling to Hawaii in February, here are a few annual local events for you to consider adding to your itinerary.

When you are on the Big Island make a stop at Hilo, home of The Hilo Mardi Gras. Also known as The "Hula Capital of the World", Hilo loves to put on a parade. This is their annual New-Orleans style parade, festival and party all wrapped in one. The streets are full of elaborately costumed dancers, festive music and local foods.

One of the longest running events in Hawaii is the Punahou School Carnival. This annual Honolulu event is a high school fundraiser that started in 1932 and now it attracts upwards of 50,000 people. The carnival is known for its local delicacies that includes malasadas, Hawaiian plates, Portuguese bean soup and gyros. This is a wonderful opportunity to participate in the local Hawaiian culture.

Visit the spot in Waimea, Kauai, where famous explorer Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii. The Captain Hook Festival commemorates the event with entertainment, canoe races, games, and food. The highlight is the mini-marathon race.

The Carole Kai Bed Race brings participants from all over the world to race down the streets of Lahania in Maui, Lihue in Kauai and Honolulu in Oahu. This two-day fundraising event feature wildly costumed bed-racers for the amusement of over 100,000 onlookers.

Watch top rated longboard surfers in the two-day Buffalo's Big Board Surfing Classic at Makaha Beach, Oahu. This is traditional Hawaiian surfing, long boarding, and canoe-surfing.

About The Author
Peter Shannon is a writer and author of the popular http://www.1001VacationIdeas.com – a Web site born out of his passion. Perhaps you have a passion or hobby that you would like to write about. Discover how to turn it into a profitable Web site like Peter has. Visit http://www.UseYourPassion.com to learn more.