Make My Trips Train

For reasons that are not clear (this is Egypt!) The fast hydrofoil ferry Hurghada to Sharm el-Sheikh we use en route to Dahab, a not being running for a few months and there no sign it will resume in the foreseeable future.

We have always used the ferry on our Egypt tours to prevent tedious bus ride really 12:00 Hurghada to Dahab (that most other companies use) and so continue to include a faster and more comfortable journey, we are now flying from Hurghada in Sharm el-Sheikh instead. This means that we had to increase the cost of each trip £ 25 , despite the absorption of most extra cost us.

Chilling in Dahab

Travellers Oasis Egypt on previous trips that were not able to use the ferry were happier to pay that little extra "upgrade" to the flight and save the long bus ride . With this return light in mind and account of ongoing issue with the ferry , we decided to add the supplement to the price of the trip and include theft in the itinerary standard.

We increases rarely our travel expenses, once they are published and when absolutely necessary . We estimate that the extra £ 25 for the inclusion of the flight is amazing value and we know of no other tour company that includes it.

The following regional Explorer visits to Egypt include flight and the new prices are displayed:

Pyramids & Sinai 10 Days: £ 420

Egypt encompassed 14 Days: £ 515 / £ 545 (low / high season)

Egypt Jordan 14 Days: £ 870

Egypt and Jordan 18 Days: £ 970 / £ 1020 (low / high season)

Egypt and Israel 15 Days: £ 1,015

Egypt and Israel 19 Days: 1115 £

remember! We have always 10% discount on all regional Egypt Explorer rounds if you book by April 10. Unless all our departures that may have already £ 100 off

Ramadan is a holy Islamic month during which time Muslims fast during the day as well as spend more time in prayer. Some people are put off traveling to Egypt during Ramadan, but here are some reasons why it is a good time to go

All the main sites are still open - you definitely won 't miss to see the pyramids and the Sphinx, the valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple and the like. Your visit Oasis Egypt itinerary will take into account any change in the opening hours of

Come evening time, the locals celebrate and there is a great atmosphere. - Remember if you are offered something to eat, it is well accepted and in fact, the one offering will likely be disappointed if you do not.

If you are keen to find somewhere to have a beer in the evening, don 't worry. It can be harder to find than usual, but there will be a bar in most places.

This year (2013) Ramadan lasts from 9 ^e Juy 7 ^e . August

Visit our turned to Egypt and Jordan and visits to Morocco

Oasis Operations Director, Mark recently traveled where few others have ... north Pakistan:

"Oktoberfest, Munich 2014 - We spoke for almost 8 years and never really had the time, and we were both very aware that a security point of view, it was probably not the place to go for now ...... or was it just hype? After several large Bavarian beers, a plan was loosely did and it was left to chance if we both keep our word and make it happen.

Dressed in shalwar chemise

Islamabad in July 2015 - Dressed in a Shalwar Babydoll, local Pakistani clothes, and both large amounts of facial hair sport, my friend and I hopped on a former military jeep in 1970 and the north. Due to the potential instability of the region and the delicate crops that we were visiting, we decided to do a tour of all kinds. Local knowledge can not be truly defeated, and our driver and guide proved valuable for all sorts of things, what areas we could reasonably achieve, what to say and how to behave in the company of each ethnic area. Remember that we not only in one area of ​​potential terrorism, but more dangerous in many ways were landslides, flooding and the very real issue of an accident of traffic. These are all good reasons to invest your money into people who know the region and dangers and who have up to minute information and vehicles to deal with the ground.

Ehsan Our guide us, ready to explore

Gilgit was our first major stop - it's a hustling city in the heart of the far north, and is a kind of hub for travelers in all other areas - and it would be if there were other travelers! Ehsan our guide, who lives in the city, announced that we were his 2 ^e and 3 ^e Western guests this year! It became very apparent more we traveled, that since 9/11 and the disappearance of tourism in the region, local people are really struggling to survive. We were told that tourism is arrested as "turning a switch off 'in 01 and he has not returned. Pakistanis are venture north on vacation, but it seems that people much prefer "foreign" because of their friendliness and appreciation of their country and experience, certainly not for their potentially largest portfolios! Once there, Pakistan was a very cheap country to travel, with great food, friendly people, and in fact very little to spend money! If wild party nights are your thing, then this is not the place for you!

Ferry on Lake Attabad

Venturing north on Karakorum Highway (KKH) we went to Karimabad, where 2 strong Tibetan style of there are nearly 00 years sit atop a high rocky outcrops, surveying the valley below. Landslides are a real danger to the region and can quickly change travel plans, so that our route was quite fluid and all who travel this area should take this as part of the adventure. For example, there is a slide 5 years on a biblical scale blocked the road south of Passu, flooded several villages and created Lake Attabad. Entrepeneurs in the region had quickly wooden boats transported to Karachi, matched with boards for transportation vehicles, and started a ferry service on the route by 45 minutes on the lake! So this was to be our turn also - I must say that my heart was in my mouth as Matu inched the Jeep on the boards, and came to rest with a stone behind each wheel through the boat with two front axles and pasted back on the water!

Our initial plan was to travel all the KKH in Kashgar in China, but the two issues of visas and weather were making life difficult. Looking back, our time was well spent in Pakistan itself and it gave us more time to enjoy the people and landscapes. You can not believe you're sitting 4000mtrs and many peaks around you are another 3 to 4000mtrs higher!

Driving through northern Pakistan in our jeep open top

We finally make the Khunjerab Pass on the Chinese border to 4700mtrs, one day he opened, and just before the river completely taken on the road! As I said, it's all part of the experience of Pakistan!

On reflection, cycling down from that height at just under 3000mtrs on a local bike with a wobbly wheel brakes and traditional "non-disc" was a bad idea. Think hairpin bends, Chinese oncoming truck driven at full throttle, rocks the size of small bungalows sitting on blind corners, and you have an idea of ​​the next 45 minutes of our lives!

Besides freefalling down the Karakorum range on a bicycle, one of the greatest memories I will take with me was our trek to base camp Rakaposhi. It was quite a chore carrying our equipment 1400mtrs the elevation Minapin to 3800mtrs in an afternoon, but once there, I really can not believe I've never sat in a more impressive landscape. Our guide Ali, who said he was "the best", has proven its value to our 2 ^e channels day, as he took us through several kilometers of glaciers, winding its way around crevasses and melt water that were spilling down the peaks of 7000mtr Diran and Rakaposhi, and all without any climbing equipment or crampons!

As with all great adventures, this time in Pakistan had come to an end, but I have certainly only amazing memories. Of course we can not forget the terrible things have happened in this area, and others parts of the world, but unfortunately, in my opinion, they were dramatized in the media, mainly due to human being in the crosshairs of the United States. So I would say that if it was on your 'to visit' list as long as my colleague and I, do not wait - go now "

We now offer two routes to this spectacular part of the world, our 15 days Pakistan Karakorum Highlights and our 21 days Pakistan Karakorum Highlights and Chitral Valley.

Call us or write us if you want a little more information about these trips to Pakistan.

Taking a gap year in Africa is one of the most rewarding experiences you could ever have. The continent is full of amazing people, amazing cultures and scenery breathtaking. While the beauty of this continent fascinates most people, it can be a frightening prospect to take a gap year in Africa alone. The vastness of the continent and unstable areas can be dangerous for a lone traveler. - Fortunately, there are options for those looking to explore Africa in a year

A gap year in Africa with Oasis Overland

Oasis Overland offers a variety of shore excursions Africa and provides the perfect way to explore Africa during a sabbatical. The Oasis trips are flexible travelers per year gap and offers the ideal combination between the freedom to explore and structure with the added benefit of security and peace of mind that travel in the context of a group brings. Traveling the continent on purpose built shipping trucks is not only spacious and comfortable but also allows travelers to get to those hard to reach places they could never get otherwise.

Trans Africa Oasis Overland travel can take up to 40 weeks and is the perfect way to spend a year in Africa. Labelled as a true African expedition , this journey through the deserts and rivers, cities and playgrounds and you will be expected to live up to every step of the way. Travelers help with shopping, cooking and camp establishment and experience Africa in a way that nobody else -. From the ground

Prepare your Gap Year in Africa

A gap year in Africa can be intimidating if you are not well prepared. While the continent is full of beauty and hope, it is not free of problems. It is best to be prepared and responsible and not add to the problems of Africa.

• A gap year in Africa can make you travel through some very remote areas without adequate waste disposal facilities. Try and avoid carrying unnecessary packaging you would need to take along the way.
• Water is often not potable, so bring a water bottle that you can fill with boiled water as you travel.
• Many remote areas you visit on your gap year in Africa have no electricity, so try to provide elements that are liquidation or solar .
• If you have a space to try bringing with some books or pencils to give children that you encounter along the way. You will be overwhelmed by their enthusiasm and gratitude and you'll continue on your journey knowing that you are giving back to a continent that gives so much to its visitors.

Book your gap year in Africa with Oasis. Overland today

From 9-16th June 09, Julie and Nev-two of our crew worker Africa gave up to a week of their time to take the children to the house of Hupenyu Hutsva children in Harare, Zimbabwe on a series of day trips. The week was a great success. All 130 children and staff were taken on a truck at Oasis Shiri Kuimba Bird Park about 30kms outside Harare. There they were given a guided tour of the park, wildlife and the lake. A cooked breakfast was provided and the afternoon was full of games, face painting and cricket! According to the staff, children and crew of the week was a great success, but we are not sure who had more fun for the children, staff, or our crew! We ran a similar event a week of day trips last September and this, too, was a great success. Many children rarely leave the compound they live on and little change in their daily routine at home, so it was nice for us to break the routine and show them a small part of the wonderful sights country has to offer. We hope to do the same thing next year.

The money for the week was raised by Oasis UK office staff who organized a comedy fundraising evening in March this year. We raised over £ 700 for Hupenyu Hutsva (and a similar amount for a local charity in our office in the UK).

Oasis would like to thank Julie and Nev to give up a week of their time to run the event and Gary, Elcine, Jess Thompson and Shiri Kuimba Bird Park for their support and enthusiasm

Carol realizes after completing his stint as a tour leader on the Philips Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow ...

"Oasis Overland is proud to be supporting Philips Lighting in the delivery of their new solar products in Eastern and Southern Africa. Philips have created a series of promotional roadshows in over 8 countries and a meeting with ministers, groups NGOs, distributors and local people to show them how to prolong their day with sunlight. the majority of people in rural Africa lack access to electricity and rely on costly kerosene lamps for their study and working after sunset, which can be both costly and damaging to their health.

Oasis has provided logistical support to transport equipment and roadshow of sun exposure with Philips equipment Philips team and generally keep "the show on the road."

We were joined by some Dutch footballers who were running football clinics and competitions in solar energy. Along with that, we had some impromptu events, including an inter-terrestrial volleyball truck competition (won by African Trails - Oasis unfortunately could not enter a team due to provide substantive support) and a game netball with local ladies in Malawi (Oasis / Philips team is 3rd - 3 !!). For more information visit the Philips Cairo to Cape Town Roadshow website up and our big yellow truck Oasis !!! "

Mark, our logistics manager is now leading the Philips team on their last leg to Cape Town. Check out her 'one day Tweet SA' on Twitter.

If you want travel through Cairo overland to Cape Town, see our Nile Trans Expedition

We have previously released details of Serengeti View on the road proposed by the Northern Serengeti and often retweet their bets update on Twitter . Recently, the nonprofit organization has critisized the Tanzanian President "of the statement that the road construction will go ahead , but it will not gravel an asphalt road. Serengeti shows claim that the road surface was never question , either as President of appearing to make concessions to those who oppose it and they have said since the beginning that even a gravel road will be detrimental. Follow the links to hear both sides of the story.

Read the press release of President Kikwete

Read Serengeti Watch response on Facebook

For more information on Serengeti See

All of us at the Oasis congratulate the recently retired President Banda and President-elect Sata. Not only Zambians elected a new president (5th since independence there are more than 40 years), but also the political opposition party

Outgoing President Rupiah Banda said in his speech of farewell. "MY GENERATION, GENERATION OF INDEPENDENCE BATTLE - MUST NOW GIVE WAY oF NEW IDEAS, oF IDEAS fOR THE 21ST CENTURY"

"view of incumbent President Rupiah Banda with the first Republican President, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda which accompanies the president elected to stand to be sworn in, surrounded by tens of thousands of cheering spectators, was something to see. Zambians are now extremely proud that this country is a beacon of democracy and peace in an otherwise troubled world. "

peaceful and democratic change of Zambia government contrasts sharply with neighboring Zimbabwe Who is the older generation of independence fighters and veterans stubbornly cling to power.

here at Oasis our only big disappointment is that successful and peaceful elections in Zambia were barely reported and published in most British and Western media. Is showing Africa in a positive light too much of our western media? Or are we being too cynical

This is the next update of Nev and Kristy our team during execution of the expedition Oasis Trans Africa and some group members to their stories and tales of their adventure

NIGERIA -. by Kristy
We arrived in Nigeria with some trepidation given the recent violence in the country. We spent a little over four hours at the small frontier outpost, with just a guy in uniform working at half-step in the intense heat. The process was so slow that in the end I dragged a pen from my bag and began filling the official details myself. And when it was finally done, Nev and I were taken to the house honchos from head to meet her, his chest supercharged shirtless and lying on a sofa upholstered in velvet. Not exactly the image of bureaucracy. Yet the inappropriateness continued as he asked us to confer with him a gift of his suggestion, namely the large yellow truck parked outside, and me as a concubine! His tone and limited authoritive humor meant that once again Nev husband was roped a resident, although I seriously considered Garrret slide forward, our robust Canadian for the visually forebodings honor!

When we were finally allowed to take off the dusty outpost, though less a liter and a half each in sweat, and with several more bites mosquitoes with which we entered, we just rolled over 10 minutes on Nigerias dirt roads potholed before we arrived at several uniformed and again had to endure the tedious task of passport and the yellow verification fever by a team also half the pace of government employees . This farce continued every 25 meters on and off for the next two days, the curly road by fallen trees, rocks, tires, and even pieces of dead axle trucks recovered! And the ridiculous part is that most of these officials brandishing machine guns could actually see us as at previous roadblock!

At the end we had 5 days of driving and 4 nights of sleep in the forests and disused quarries down bumpy dirt bush tracks to get to Abuja. Nigerian roads were a mess. Young men shoveled dirt and stones in the gaping holes in the palm then spread them wide tarmac to be rewarded for their efforts as the trucks rolled past. Entire sections had melted by the hardness of the sun where the trucks had rolled ruts that were ankle. There were large sections of potholes to dodge, and even larger sections where the potholes were all raised together to form a bed of undulating tarmac disintegrated, interspersed with a few odd kilometers of freshly rolled asphalt seal. Some roads were so bad that the pilots had chosen to create their own track next to it. Sometimes we tipped the speedometer at 80 km / h, but there were certainly a lot of time when the needle was sitting well below 15 km / h, and even a few times when women and children traveling foot, and carrying bundles of wood over their heads cracked a rate higher than ours! And then there was the carnage - car after truck after truck, crushed, mutilated, burned and left to rot and to remind the wayside. Not only the roads a mess, but they were also overwhelmed by the manic drivers that Buck and give equal and exceed blindly on the hills and turns, and that speed and overload their vehicles, which often were death traps held together by a rope, tape and a prayer of Allah! Metal frames do not really have to have provided such a surprise.

However, arriving in Abuja was a breath of fresh air. As a new city and a capital even newer, everything seemed in good order and well maintained. Maybe even a little sterile. In urgent need of human feeling again, we have taken one of the flashiest establishments in town - the Sheraton. Well at least on the football field at the rear Sheraton Hotel where we were allowed to camp. however we were told by the manager to take a shower and wash our clothes before joining in close to other customers! What we dirty overlanders a show must have been.

While in Abuja, we picked up the Congo visas. We tried to Angola, unfortunately without success. But we had a wonderful time nonetheless, and wear our clothes poshest made the most cold beer at happy hour at the Sheraton.

To the south of Abuja countryside was lush and green, with sugar cane, bamboo and banana plantations as far as the eye could see. He was also populated with a village often merging into the next. Rural housing was unlike most we had seen elsewhere in West Africa - the primitive round mud huts nowhere to be seen, replaced by square log buildings or cement rendered brick and trimmed corrugated sheet metal in various stages of rust, no doubt a remnant of the British colonial era. The traffic was often slow. Dead bodies littered the main city streets, next to the garbage pits, and sometimes mosquitoes infested open sewers. Amid this chaos were small huts roadside selling these goods varied as mobile phones, firewood, bread and coffins! The young men were walking among traffic hawking small plastic cards wrapped mobile phone credit, while girls in slow motion, balancing buckets of boiled eggs or fat balls of dough on top of their head and attached small babies in their lower back. And as we crossed rivers on the outskirts of the cities, it was hard to ignore the joy that children frolicked naked in the cold water, while their mothers watched with one eye banks, their attention the arduous task of scrubbing the clothes of the family or dishes or body infants in buckets and in the shallows.

Time and again we were stopped by the police, the military and the traffic police who demanded to see our "documents". We produced these, so they wanted to see our extinguishers, reflective triangles, cylinders, and when we have also produced those they were disappointed. Meanwhile, there were several empty cars muffler, with catches of empty lighthouse, even the intruder lacks a windshield, which hooned before us that we were arrested. They persisted in vain to find fault with our vehicle, which in fairness was probably the safest vehicle on the road. And when they could not find fault they decide that it should be illegal to have a steering wheel on the right side. And would therefore begin an attempt to extort money from us. Agghhh! But you see my Nigerian friends; we know your rules.

The next stop was Calabar city hall Paradise. Apparently, according faded sign at the front, your first step toward heaven. We do not do a lot to explore here. The mission to obtain visas for Cameroon the group took a lot of my time, but the girls and I found time to have tailored skirts whipped for us in local markets, and we have our hair braided in preparation bush camping for the next section and the potential mud digging our way to Cameroon.

With some Nigeria out of bounds by the FCO, our last stop was the drilling Ranch Afi, a conservation program for endangered monkey drill, where we enjoyed those shows like chimpanzees throw their shit on us, and male exercises boldly enjoying the foreign girls in shorts Shorty! We left Afi red spotted from head to foot, and crazy with the itching of a thousand bites sweat bees

CAMEROON - By Katie ... ..
in 00 and something meters, in an infested rat shack with a corrugated metal roof, with hay on a large flat wooden board for a bed and the wind whistling through every tiny opening, I wonder if my decision to climb Mt. Cameroon was good. This is the night of the 3 days, 2 nights trek up the highest mountain in West Africa, and 4095m is the highest I know. I snuggle into my sleeping bag with my 4 bedmates and try to get some rest before the climb to the top of the morning.

After an uncomfortable night and a breakfast a can of beans cooked in the can over an open fire, we left. The path is steep and immediately field unforgiving volcanic rock. Our group of 11 spreads rapidly along the path that we have not our own. Breathing becomes labored as altitude and months of inactivity take their toll. It is with relief that we are at the final hut that marks the start of the final climb and the end of the really steep section. It is very cold until the sun comes out for a fleeting moment and we lie on the pilgrim grass in his heat.

One hour later, we are on top in a swirling fog and wind vibrations which makes it difficult to bear. When the cloud disappears for a few minutes, the view is spectacular, but we did not linger for long because there is nowhere safe and the wind is relentless. Going down is much faster than the way up the steep scree first part is that we can run down. This leads to a lava flow from the eruption in 101, which is hard on the ankles to walk on and look almost like coral as covered with colorful lichens. It quickly becomes tiring and the lava gives way to savannah and we wonder if the end is anywhere in sight.

Fortunately, we are near the end of the 10 hour hike as there are some creaky knees, weak legs and feet covered with blisters here. We are all drained and it's all we can do to cook instant noodles, cup-a-soups and accidents in our tents about 19 hours.

The next morning we are up at 4:30 am to begin the long slog back to civilization. It is not black and we were all tripping over tree roots that we find our way through the forest. As the first light of the approach of dawn, we cross several streams of lava and finally reach the edge of the forest.

After hiking the arduous drop through the forest, we approach the wooden houses that mark the edge of a village and see a group of people crowded outside the front of one . We wave to them and they invite us over. They drink palm wine and want to share with us - it's 11 o'clock! We gladly participate in a few sips before walking the last 100 meters to the end point - a bar of course! We all have some festive beers waiting for the rest of the group to arrive. On the tiny TV on the bar of the Race of Hope is on. This is an up and down race course Mount Cameroon happens every year. What we managed to struggle through in 3 days the winner completed in 4 hours!

The next few days are very painful for everyone who climbed as we deal with altitude-induced hangover, sore muscles and blisters.

is our final destination Kribi in Cameroon This is a relaxed seaside town where we celebrate the 100th day of the trip and a huge party with 2 succulent spit roasted piglet. On our last night in Cameroon on the way to the border with Gabon, a tribe of pygmies turns up. Friendly at first, they soon begin to demand payment in cash first and then in food and alcohol. We flummox them by packing everything and say we're going to bed -. At 18 pm

Look out for the next episode and many other tales and adventures ahead of Africa soon

Episode VI Cade on our Trans Africa Expedition - for those who find large groups of children a little scary!

With a very recent history of political unrest, violent uprisings and rates consistently high crime across the country, it is not surprising that the Democratic Republic of Congo is considered a bit of a black hole in the continent of Africa. The name itself immediately evokes images of darkness, mystery and violence. Although she has the ability to petrify people a sense of fear, DR Congo (or "The Doctor" as I call it playful) also has the ability to tickle the loins of excitement to those who are quite venturous to set foot on its soil. Although our "necessary Voyage" by the doctor was to include only three frontier days, our veins were invaded by the nervous electricity the day our passports were stamped entry.

It was not a simple matter of hours from the time of entering its territory for us to treat our first damaging blow at the hands of the physician. The harsh and unpredictable road conditions as they took their toll on our truck, and a cracked rear spring stop us dead in our tracks. In the scorching heat of the beginning of the day, he took a number of hours and many buckets of sweat to get up and running again. It was then that we were able to breathe a deep sigh, but temporary relief.

Three days passed and after our return spring and the rough road conditions that we had not covered much ground as we had hoped, and had taken late. We rode in the city of Matadi tired and weary and in desperate need of a rest. We decided to recover and sought refuge in the security grounds of a convent.

polite, kind and friendly nuns were all too happy, we welcome a e take us as their guests. While we were at first thankful that we were free to use their showers and toilets, the fact that there was no running water put this to an abrupt end. Religious assured us that we would be safe within the walls of their enclosure and were free to set up our tents in the courtyard. As they were women of the church and we were people in need, they gave us a discount and charged us' mates rates of $ 5 per person. Since the signing of an act of a haunted house, it was not until an agreement was reached that a simple warning was given '. Come the morning, come children

While many of us enjoyed the afternoon in the city, the night ended up falling Matadi and a degree of nervousness and anxiety about what the night would bring. Our group all returned to intoxicated reasons but safe and took to set up their tents in the courtyard as indicated. As a security means, I created my screen next to our truck.

After sleeping in a mosquito most nights since my first earthly journey there about five years, I like to think that my years of experience gave me a sixth sense as regards safety issues, security and to predict the most important time. Know when to hold my ground and when to run for cover has become a vital instinct in the endless quest for a peaceful sleep.

Thus, when the sun rose over the hills of Matadi end the night , it meant that we had endured a night to sleep safely without incident. It was then that the first children appeared. I woke up, I quickly identified the non-threatening and treated them just like I would have a few drops of rain; I turned around and went back to sleep thinking he had nothing to fear.

When a little droplets arrived dressed in full school uniform , I opened my eyes to see them standing on my net, smiling. I just waved to them, I closed my eyes and assuming it was a light shower that would soon blow over, again drifted to sleep.

It must have been a deep sleep, I had fallen in because when I finally awakened, it was certainly not because of my sixth sense alarm had been sounded for a certain time. It was not red codes call that resonates in my head. I sat to the attention of discovering a crowd of children had surrounded my net and were laughing, singing and playing in total disregard of my will to sleep. Following the formation of crisis Oasis Overland, I instinctively thought of the group.

In the distance, the direction of the court, I could hear what I thought singing and feared the worst. I jumped out of bed like our lives depended on it and crossed the ocean of chaos in the yard. It was there that I found my worst fears had come true.

A flash flood had torn the convent and an ocean of children singing and dancing in unison were taken around the court with nothing but religious themselves. Our group unsuspecting remained tempered by fear and surprise, back to the wall with looks of bemusement total slapped on their faces. Their tents which until now had resisted a variety of extreme conditions were unable to take the raw power of the storm, and was quickly packed up and left. We were left wet, scared and homeless.

For about an hour chaos reigned we look on, comforted each other and wondered when, if ever the storm would pass. It was only when all the damage had already been done as the bell rang for the start of the class and the storm gradually began to subside. The children slowly began to make their way to their classrooms and with the exception of a few remaining droplets, the court was soon clear. Like a stubborn old ship captain I had greatly underestimated the severity of the storm oncoming and realized the error in my ways when it was too late. My boat had sunk and so too had my sixth sense that I had believed for so long.

The Democratic Republic of Congo as I now respectfully refers to his certainly had no trouble exceeding its reputation, a mistress of icy composure. The use of children as a form of ammunition and a disguised school nunnery provide a false sense of security to the travelers proved to be the deadliest since ingeniously combining sleeping pills and alcohol. The Democratic Republic of Congo has proved beyond doubt that its soil is certainly not for the timid; and for three days is barely enough to scratch the surface, we learned that it was more than enough for us scar for life

Following on from my last blog, deserts & Gameparks - (! For those who missed it) Part 1

I had left Botswana with the group and have now entered Namibia. And our first stop was to stay at a campsite on the edge of the Okavango River, which feeds into the Okavango Delta. Where instead of a pool, you can jump into a "pool" in a cage in the river to cool off, while being kept safe from crocodiles and hippos! The views in this campsite is just amazing, and if available you can always upgrade to one of their tree houses, which are just lovely!

from there we parties to the Etosha National park, and I really loved this park, as we have seen so much. The heat was incredible and it was amazing to think that any animal to venture into these temperatures. At our campsite we all relaxed and chilled in the pool before we did a game drive late in the afternoon, hoping to have more chance of spotting animals ... and we were so lucky, as we were treated to many elephants in a water hole, giraffe and even a rhinoceros and zebras and jackals. Once back at the campsite we headed to the flood lit water hole where we got a rhino to install a rest in front of a beautiful sunset. The next day we again left for another game drive, we saw more elephants, rhinos, hyenas, mongooses, vultures, oryx, springbok, lions and even a lioness comes shortly after killing a zebra trying to move the rest of his kill in the shade and out of the opening and away from all the Jackals trying to get a snack! And once again the illuminated water hole at the campsite, we were in for a treat as 6 rhino took to drink and in full, as did 2 hyena, a lion, a giraffe and an elephant herd . In just a really great place to see the wildlife of Africa.

Cheetah Park was next, where a family has some Cheetahs tamed, and some too wild on their land. These cheetahs were captured by other farmers nearby and would be shot because they kill their cattle, and are considered a nuisance. With nowhere legally to move the family took a few of them to save them. Some were rescued from a very young age and therefore have been so high hand why "tame", while others roam freely around 7000 hectares. Being able to touch the tame cheetahs purr and hear was amazing, and it was lovely to meet a family who clearly cared for them so much.

There's such a mix of stunning scenery in Namibia it is just mesmerizing to watch as you drive through it. Our next stop was a Himba village and a walk for those who wanted, the guide was interesting and you give an overview of their lives and the tribe, I distracted and ended up playing with one of the children, who kept going in to the crazy attacks laugh as I was driving his toy car and along his arms - his smile was contagious

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We continued to Twfelfontein, where in the valley are paintings / prints dating from 00 and there 2500 years rock. Some of them were still so clear that it was strange to think that someone had carved / painted there these many years. The day we were there, the heat was extreme, and there is no shade while watching them, so it was a case that we made a very brief overview of them taking photos, before returning to the shadow of the truck! quickly as possible

Tonight we had a bush camp, which for me has always been my favorite things - like a little child, I had the chance to camp in some really amazing places with my family, such as along the Nile in Sudan (now northern Sudan). And that bush camp did not disappoint, we were really in the middle of nowhere, away from city lights, and so you can see the stars clearly as we sat beside the campfire, and through the mesh of my tent (as I did not need to cover the full tent), others as just slept beside the fire in their sleeping bags to get the full impact - which needs to a shower when you get to have a beautiful night like this

there, we made our way to Skeleton Coast, seeing the empty desert on one side of the truck as the ocean appeared on the other side created a beautiful setting. We all had the truck and headed down to dip our toes in the South Atlantic Ocean, and oh my God was the cold water - no surprise that none of us went for a swim! He did get very windy on the beach, but I always felt like there was cold English summer, but our driver Kenya Often thought it was cold! After a few obligatory pictures and check a small wreck, we continued on our way.

the next step was given away by the smell, oh my God, he hummed! Cross Seal Colony where you can feel and hear them before you see them. No wonder you saw how many there were too many people in this region - the figures were just crazy! Curiously, I do not seem to get used to the smell, but maybe because I'm used to being surrounded by farms back in the UK!

We left the coast for Spitzkoppe, an outcrop of mountains in what seems like the middle of nowhere, where we had our next bush camp. Although this is a bit of a cheat 'bush camp ", as there was a piece of falling into a hut, rather than not having any facilities. For those who wanted you to explore the rocks and walk as high as you can get, or you can take a guided tour, anyway there was no way out to see rock hyrax ( a bit like guinea pigs very big!), who seemed to be everywhere! Another night sleeping under the stars was just perfect.

Swakopmund was our next port of call, which was not a city like any other, I had seen on this trip because it was so I had myself transported to Germany because there was no doubt the German influence here. After Victoria Falls, this is the next opportunity for this trip for the next adrenaline rush - so once again, I crammed in as much as possible! In about an arrival in Swakopmund I signed for some activities, and was already on my way in the middle of nowhere to make a tandem jump! I really, really loved it (even though I'm really afraid of heights!) The adrenaline rush you get when you fall is just crazy, even while wearing the most ridiculously hideous combination ever, and give Harold Bishop your best impressions wind contorts your face oddly shaped, you can not help but look around and take it all in - the view from up there was just incredible - the South Atlantic on one side, the desert of the other and the outcrop Spitkoppe away ... I was so glad I made the move here.

I also did a dolphin and seal cruise for a morning, you step out of Walvis Bay, on the road and the boat we stopped to take a flock of flamingos along the shore. Once on the boat, it was not long before we were joined by a large pelican pink, then a gasket! As we moved away from the pier, it was only minutes before we saw our first group of dolphins. On this cruise we saw many seals, and those who loved swimming in the wake of the engine, we also could see hundreds of oystercatchers and hear about how they are raised - to crown the morning we were given delicious snacks with champagne (there was also beer and soft drinks included) and oysters, so I feel very glam and we laugh dimly lit by the time I got off the boat! I also managed to drive a quad later that day in the desert, that I find scary as jumping from a plane!

More natural settings were next to our adventure, watching a sunset over a gorge to climb Dune 45 to see the sunset (oh my God walking up sand is really, really work hard!), and the visit of Sossusvlei, then head to Fish River Canyon and its impressive views ... I'll let the pictures you what it shows is like!

We then entered our final country on this trip, South Africa, where we head to Stellenbosch, where we all made a rather amusing turn and yes watered wine through 4 different wineries, all with beautiful places, before heading to the finish of our trip to Cape Town. If you have time, I would highly recommend staying in Cape Town for a little longer because there is so much to see and do.

Our routes vary slightly with each trip, but it gives you hope good idea!

and if you want to watch or book the trip, then you can! Victoria Falls to Cape Town or Cape Town to Victoria Falls

Oasis Overland believes that travel should not just be a rewarding experience for travelers, but should also benefit local communities encountered along the way . In addition, a more ethical way travel means more opportunities to meet the Egyptians and see some traditional lifestyles and traveling with a small group of like-minded people, far packets Egypt tourist groups.

Travel Oasis in Egypt with

on [voyagelelongduNil felucca two days, part of the trip encompassed Egypt, is a perfect example. Feluccas are small sailing boats, originally developed by the Romans and used to sail on the Nile by the Egyptians since. They use only wind power (and time rowing in time!) And you slide along the longest river in the world, you can take in the villages on the banks of the river or chat with your captain on life on the Nile. Using feluccas Oasis are owned and run by Ahmed Fauzi and his extended family - their small business felucca was supported by Oasis of departure. They recently succeeded in extending to 3 small sailing boats that fully support their large extended village family.