Tag Archives: Responsible Travel

Top 5 Places in Namibia

Top 5 Places in Namibia

TOP 5 PLACES IN NAMIBIA

Africa holds a very special place in my heart and after travelling through almost every other part of Southern Africa, Namibia has to be my favourite.  Its ruggedness reminds me of the harshness of my own desert state, yet it has everything else that the rest of Africa has in terms of wildlife and a rich culturally diverse nation, but more importantly I felt completely 100% safe.  On this trip I went solo, but it’s a place I would not hesitate to take young children or teens.  It’s easy to hire a car and stay in cheap accommodation or hire a 4WD with all the camping gear and hit the road.  The following top 5 places in Namibia are in my favourite order. Continue reading

Walking With Lions

Walking with Lions

You could be forgiven for assuming the main attraction in Victoria Falls is the waterfall itself. While the thunderous might of the falls certainly are impressive, it’s no comparison to experiencing my lifelong dream whilst in town. At the tourist centre on the main street, the staff offer a variety of adventure tours ranging from bungy jumping off the Victoria Falls bridge to rafting the Zambezi River. My ‘adventure’ days have been and gone and I am hoping there is something more sedate. Adorning the walls are posters of cute lion cubs and immediately I flash back to my favourite childhood movie Born Free. It’s based on naturalist, Joy Adamson’s love of working with lions and in no time I excitedly rush back to camp clutching a Walking With Lions brochure. Continue reading

Orphanage Tourism in Cambodia

Orphanage Tourism in CambodiaIf you love travelling on a budget, then third world countries are often on the hit list, especially Asia.  Incorporating responsible travel into your itinerary and seeing local communities benefit from tourism and generally improving lives is wonderful.  I’m retelling my story of guilt upon discovering I may have unwittingly contributed to the exploitation of children on a trip to Cambodia.  My journey commences from simply being a tourist looking at temples to delving further beneath the surface, revealing a dark side to Cambodia’s burgeoning tourism industry.  In hindsight, I am providing some helpful advice on how people can make a positive difference when visiting Cambodia and avoid the orphanage tourism in Cambodia trap. Continue reading

Meeting Mondesa: Swakopmund’s Hidden Township

Colonial German Architecture in SkakopmundSome of the best preserved examples of German colonial architecture in the world are a striking feature of Swakopmund. This Namibian desert oasis clings to the western edge of southern Africa as the last bastion of German heritage. Along a spotless, peaceful beach dotted with palms and quaint villas, I meander through perfectly manicured and well watered green parks toward the centre of town. In the shopping precinct, quaint shops line the immaculate paved streets and through a charming shop window I admire souvenirs. I try to enter but it is locked with a prison style barricade, so peering through the window I check to see if the shop is open. Continue reading