All nationalities traveling to India must have an VISA prior to arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL), even for airline transits. Travel destination India is pretty strict issuing visa’s and has multiple requirements which count for all travelers. For price inquiry please contact the embassy, a basic tourist VISA to India for 3 months costs €65 in Europe and $80 in North America, while Students, Business, Journalists or Family visa’s start at €99 ($120).
Munich (München) is the capital city of Bavaria, Germany. It’s situated on the banks of the River Isar north of the Bavarian Alps. Munich is the 3rd largest city in the country, after Berlin and Hamburg. As of latest measurement the city of Munich has a population of 1.35 million people.
Benin City, not to confuse with Benin is the capital of the Edo State in the south of Nigeria. The city is situated approximately 25 miles north of the Benin River and 200 miles east of Lagos by road. Benin City is the center of two Nigerian industries including processing palm nuts for oil and the rubber industry. As of latest measurement the city has a population of 1,3 million people.
Walcheren is a peninsula in the province of Zeeland in the Netherlands, enclosed by the Nord Sea, the Westerschelde and the Veerse Meer. The coastline consists of dunes and made up dykes. Walcheren counts 113.000 residents, on a area of 216 square kilometers, it’s the densely populated area of Zeeland. In 1953 Zeeland was caught by a flood disaster, but Walcheren had almost no damage. To prevent such a catastrophe, the Netherlands started in 1958 the Delta works.
Situated in Kuala Lumpur‘s best and most popular nightlife area Jalan P. Ramlee, up market Golden Triangle and nearby KL’s landmark attractions Suria KLCC and Petronas Twin Tower lies the 30,000 square foot and three and half story high Ahola nightclub, bistro, restaurant and exclusive VIP Lounge. The club is famous for it’s interior design style including modern lounge couches, large bar, ambient lighting which changes according to moods and a friendly staff. The club is opened every night till 3 AM, with the busiest nights being Friday and Saturday. Ahola has no cover charge.
Jalan Bukit Bintang is a famous, some locals even say premier street in the capital city of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The street begins at the Pavilion Shopping Centre running all the way down to the junction with Jalan Pudu, another parallel running street which is active 24 hours per day. The street is especially famous for it’s high quality malls and hotels located at the far end of the street. Though the street also has a cheap side right after walking by KFC, this area can also become rather shady especially during the night with a few souvenir stalls and hustlers offering massages or sex.
Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia with a population of 7,2 million people. Although the city center of KL is pretty compact, and it’s possible walking from one to another sightseeing in about 30 minutes it may leave you feeling drenched, exhausted and like getting a shower. As most travelers would agree, walking isn’t really the option, what are the options?
Jalan P. Ramlee street is the most popular nightlife area in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. For obvious reasons, every night the clubs are more packed than any other nightlife destinations within the city such as Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown and Changkat Bukit Bintang. Besides the strategically location which just around the corner from KL’s landmark attractions Suria KLCC and Petronas Twin Towers and due to the fact that all bars on Jalan P. Ramlee have a license to be open till 3 AM even on Fridays and Saturdays. There’s another simple reason, Beach Club.
A visit to the Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre is an unforgettable experience. Its known from National Geographic Channel. Moholoholo is located at the base of the Drakensberg in the Limpopo Province. Hoedspruit is the nearest town, about 20 miles away. On a Game Farm owned by wildlife enthusiast Mr. Strijdom, the center was started in 1992. Brian Jones was managing the place with a crowned eagle. One day people brought a old zebra, who needed special care. From there word got out that Brian was able to care and release animals and birds which is how the rehab center started.
The center provides a home for many of South Africa’s abandoned, injured and poisoned wildlife animals and is a highly regarded contributor to wildlife conservation in the country. From all corners of South Africa wildlife is brought to the center, and once healthy enough re-introduced into their natural environments. Those creatures who cannot be returned to the wild due to the nature and extent of their injuries, are cared for at the center and are used to educate the many tourists who visit the center each year, both from across South Africa and abroad. The aim is to get to the public awareness of the plight of the Environment in Southern Africa. The rehabilitation center has birds of prey, lions, wild dogs, hyena’s, cheetah’s, rhino’s, a leopard as well many other different species.
Another important function of the center is breeding. Moholoholo runs a successful breeding program, over 150 of these cats have been bred and released back into natural areas. Some of the females have since mated with wild males in the area, so was reported. They also have successfully bred and released into the wild the endangered crowned eagle, Moholoholo is for now the only facility in South Africa which can do that. The taita falcon, one of the rarest falcon species in Africa, is also part of the breeding program. The conservation efforts of Moholoholo make a huge difference to many species, including raptors.
The Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre is a non-profit organization, relying completely on the support of the public. At first donations where welcomed, but as the rehab grew, the costs have been high, so they decided to also ask an entrance fee. The money is used for medicines, keep up of the cages and the expense of feeding. The management and staff are very committed to the preservation of wildlife. Their knowledge of the animals, they so lovingly care for and protect, is nothing less than impressive.
The tour guide shows all the animals they have and explains the conservation efforts they are pursuing. Almost all of the animals are close enough to touch. You can get in the cage whit the vultures to feed them. That’s is really a exiting experience, they are quit heavy and large when they are sitting on your arm. Last year (2009) they had also little rhino’s which you could pet, little baby’s weigh 200 pound, but so charming.
The entrance fees are for a child 45 rand (about $6.00 US) and for grownups 95 rand (about $12,70 US).
Balule nature reserve is situated in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Southwest of Phalaborwa, and north of Hoedspruit. The Balule Private Nature Reserve was created when a few enterprising farm owners decided to drop the game fences between their farms. This has grown into a 40 thousand hectare Private Nature Reserve, with the Olifants River flowing for about 12.5 miles through the center of the reserve. Balule nature reserve forms a part of the 2 million hectare Greater Kruger Park ecosystem, the fence between the two has been removed. Because all fences are dropped the animals are allowed to roam freely between the Kruger Park and the private reserve on its western boundary.
Large numbers of lion, cheetah, leopard as well elephant, buffalo and rhino now move freely between Balule and the eastern border of the Kruger Park. A game drive experience is very exciting. Search for animals on a game-drive, conducted by a qualified guide. Experience nature from an open vehicle and enjoy the African bush. Your guide will give you information about animals, birds and more. At sunset there is a stop for a sun-downer after which the safari continues in the dark, looking for nocturnal animals such as civet, genet, bush baby and owls. A game drive can be arranged by the lodge where your staying.
In Balule there are several accommodations, we stayed at Amukela Game Lodge, located deep in the African bush. Amukela means ‘welcome’ in the local language Shangane. Amukela is ideal located to explore the diverse sightseeing and attractions in the region or for a self safari in Kruger park. They have a nice terrace to relax, covered in shade by 2 large trees. There’s a small swimming pool to cool down. Both have a view on the small waterhole which is lit by a spotlight at night. Then there is the Mercury star deck from where you can see the Milky way in all of its glamor. The southern hemisphere is perfect for star gazing and the owners of Amukela can tell you a lot about it. More information about the Amukela Game Lodge you can find at www.amukela.com
From Johannesburg it’s a beautiful drive to Balule, you take the N12 towards Witbank, here it becomes the N4, follow this road until Belfast. At Belfast you take the R540 towards Dulstroom and Lydenburg. In Lydenburg follow the R36 leading to Ohrigstad then take the R527 to Hoedspruit. In Hoedspruit you follow the road until you have reached a 4-way stop , turn left here towards Phalaborwa on the R40. After 16 km you see on your right-hand side the sign Balule – Olifants West Gate, turn right here. You are now at the entrance gate of the Balule game reserve.
The main entrance gate of Balule is situated just 10 miles. north of Hoedspruit. An entrance-fee of R60 per vehicle is payable at the gate. There is also the possibility to take a plane to Eastgate Airport, near Hoedspruit, then it’s just a half an hour drive.
