EXPLORING AFRICA WITH AMA WATERWAYS

Jul 20, 2023

Now is the time for exploring Africa with AMA Waterways. Chobe National Park is in the northern part of beautiful Botswana and is home to Africa’s largest elephant population and one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in the world. Embark on a safari of Chobe National Park on the ZAMBEZI QUEEN.

Explore Africa with AMA Waterways on the Zambezi Queen

Your luxury home on the Chobe River

An All-Day Safari

After a full day of exploring the park through the Chobe River, AmaWaterways takes guests along other parts of the park via open-top 4×4 vehicles (the open-tops offering a chance for optimal, unobstructed photographs).

Each method of safari will give you a distinctive perspective and all-around feel for the park. Naturally, driving through the park allows the safari to search a wider span and more easily follow game in motion. It also gives closer consideration to the flora and fauna. The park is so massive it is usually categorized into four subdivisions. The Serondola area of the park, also known as the Chobe Riverfront, is flush with a dense woodland of mahogany, teak and other hardwoods – along with the lush floodplains near the Chobe River.

Another fun feature of this trip is enjoying a delicious picnic-lunch served up under the trees. And you never know, perhaps a few small local guests may be seen nearby or overhead!

Exploring Africa with AMA Waterways on a land safari

Imagine yourself being this close to the magnificent animals of Africa

While Exploring Africa on AMA Waterways discover A Rich Culture

AMA Waterways is well-known for providing it’s passengers with the cultures and traditions of the country they are cruising through. This is especially true on your Africa cruise, where you will get to know and interact with a crew that has a rich culture and is eager to share it with you. With a ship that only holds 28 passengers, you will have the opportunity to interact with every member of this remarkable crew.

Exploring Africa with AMA Waterways and the rich culture thee

Your friendly and knowledgeable crew is waiting for you.

Exploring Africa with AMA Waterways through Food

So much of how we experience a destination comes through culinary experiences and some of
the best engagement with clients comes from sharing recipes from the regions we sail. The culinary staff on the AMA Zambezi Queen will astound you with their knowledge of the regional cuisine.

• Plenty of Potjie for Everyone – Potjiekos – this traditional South African stew cooked
over an open fire – connects family and friends with savory comfort food. The literal
translation to potjie is simply “small-pot food” and it can be prepared in numerous
ways.

Exploring Africa with AMA Waterways and enjoying native cuisine

After a full day of adventures-how can you resist?

Marvelous Malva Pudding – This traditional South African delicacy forever
remains a local favorite as one bite of this pudding summons fond memories from
childhood for many in the region. When sailing on one of our Africa Safari and Wildlife
cruises, our expert chefs prepare this scrumptious treat on board.

What a great way to end a traditional meal.

Your Bucket List is Calling

As a river cruise specialist, I will put together the best itinerary and the best date for you to realize the dream of exploring Africa with AMA Waterways. You can find all the exceptional itineraries on my website: https://www.amawaterways.com/agent/uniquejourneys/

If Covid taught us anything, it’s not to put off important things in our life. Being with family and friends is precious and the connections need to be preserved. Travel is another important piece as shown in my previous article: https://unique-journeys.com/travel-is-important-for-your-mindset/

Now is the time to start making plans because we have all learned the lesson that putting things off doesn’t work. Call me and we can get started.

EXPLORING ALASKA – THE GREAT LAND

Jun 29, 2023

EXPLORING ALASKA – THE GREAT LAND

If exploring Alaska – The Great Land is on your bucket list, and it definitely should be, here a few examples of how you can plan a trip that fits your schedule and how you like to travel. The season is short and runs from May through September, so you will need to do your research and planning to get the most out of your trip. Alaska is so vast that no matter how, when or where you choose to go, you will find extraordinary sights beyond anything you have imagined.

CRUISING

ADVANTAGES

The major cruise lines send some of their ships to Alaska for the summer. Two of the most well-known are Holland America and Princess. They have been cruising Alaska for many years and have a variety of itineraries.

Depending on your time frame, they have cruises for 7 days, 10 days and even longer. The obvious answer to why take a cruise is the fact you pack once and stop at many of the favorite stops in Alaska. You take your hotel with you. You can choose a basic cabin or one with a balcony. There are different levels to fit all lifestyles.

There are multiple venues for meals and snacks, so you can find something at almost any time of day. If you choose not to ashore, there are options for things to do on the ship also. There are pools, both for everyone or adults only. Some ships have climbing walls, basketball courts and skating rinks.

DISADVANTAGES

Your time in every port depends on the ship’s schedule. If you don’t want to take their shore excursions, you must be disciplined enough to be back on the ship when you are told to do so. The ship will not wait for anyone who doesn’t conform to this and will leave at the appointed time.

While it is mostly like an all-inclusive resort, you will still have to pay for your individual drinks (unless you sign up for one of their drinks packages).

There is a charge for wi-fi and depending on the package, you will have to pay for each device.

In making phone calls from the ship, I learned this lesson personally. When you are in international waters, the cost for a phone call is extremely high.

Did You Know – Juneau is the only state capitol in the United States you can’t drive to. Taking a cruise that includes this stop enables you to visit this isolated state capitol. It’s also your opportunity to see Mendenhall Glacier. While you are there you can see a real result of climate change as it is pointed out how far the glacier has retreated. It gives you pause as to how we have altered nature.

Visit the Mendenhall Glacier and explore the Visitor Center

View from the Visitor Center to the Mendenhall Glacier

Even on a rainy day as it was the day I visited; you can’t help but be in awe of something as magnificent as what nature has created.

SMALL SHIP CRUISING

ADVANTAGES

There are also cruise companies who specialize in more educational cruising. They don’t feature all the activities of the larger cruise ships, but specialize in getting up and personal with wildlife. They go ashore in zodiacs and explore areas the larger ships can’t access. An example of this type of experience is https://www.nationalgeographic.com/expeditions/destinations/north-america/ocean/alaska-cruise/

DISADVANTAGES

They don’t have the facilities of the larger ships with activities for all ages. This is a cruise more suited to older children and adults who won’t miss the multiple food venues, pools, etc.

CRUISING AND LAND PACKAGES

These are the longer cruises which incorporate some type of 7-day cruise with land packages including Denali, The Yukon and other places in Alaska. These cruises are not round trip as the shorter cruises. You will depart from say Vancouver and return from Anchorage. These itineraries enable you to see more highlights since you will not have to return to your embarkation point.

They are, by definition, longer. If you have the time, these cruises are excellent options to see more of The Great Land, both from your ship and from travelling on land.

Did you know – Denali is the highest peak in North America at 20,310 feet and the northern most mountain over 19,685 feet in the world.

Alaska - The Great Land home of wonderful sled dogs

Sled Dogs of Alaska

LAND-BASED PACKAGES

If setting sail doesn’t float your boat, there are land packages out there to give you a great Alaska experience. Two of the best suppliers who have been doing this for years are Tauck and Collette.

Making memories with family

Tauck has many different programs in Alaska, but one of the most popular is a program geared for families called Bridges. On their Alaska tour, they guarantee:

“Alaskan family fun sunrise to sunset… meet champion Iditarod sled dogs… take a flightseeing tour over Denali National Park… go jet boating, wilderness hiking, kayaking… take a rail trip… spot Alaska’s magnificent wildlife…. learn about native Alaskans and their rich cultural heritage…”

This adventure can be shared by multi-generations and the memories will last a lifetime, especially for your children sharing this experience with their family.

Collete, while they don’t have tours geared toward families, they have their exclusive Small Group Explorations. These tours are limited to around 16 passengers, so you can Access places you’ll never forget – like destinations that larger groups can’t always reach. You will stay in culturally reflective accommodations. There is also the promise built-in free time.

I have done the cruising and land options. Every port or stop held numerous opportunities to explore and learn about our largest state. On my next journey, I will be able to choose different options and get to know Alaska that much better. I guarantee when you go once, you will want to return. I DID!

Contact me at https://unique-journeys.com/ and together we can start you on a path to your next great adventure.