Amazing African adventure tips

At the 54,000-acre Kwandwe Private Game Reserve in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, a “Guest Safety” sign just outside the restaurant at Ecca Lodge seems fairly innocuous at first glance, sort of like the rules posted at the neighborhood pool.

But take a closer look, and various warnings quickly capture your attention: The lodge isn’t fenced off, and lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo and other large mammals can wander around the area; guests are strictly prohibited from walking unaccompanied by a staff member at night; guests enter the reserve “at their own risk.”

Indeed, the thrill of seeing exotic wildlife up close is a large part of the draw of an African safari, an extraordinary adventure for any traveler. But for first-timers, the prospect can feel intimidating and even downright scary, from deciding which country to visit and finding a reputable tour operator, guide and accommodations, to imagining yourself as lunch for a hungry lion.

With all that in mind, here’s a primer, from the planning process to making the most of your trip once you arrive.

Do your homework. For many travelers, a safari is a bucket-list trip that requires significant saving – and planning. As with other types of travel, you can tailor a safari to fit your tastes and budget, but selecting a country and the time of year you want to visit is a good first step. “You want to check climate, safety, malaria, political stability, etc.,” notes Graeme Mann, Kwandwe’s general manager, who also has extensive experience as a safari guide. “This will narrow your list initially, and then decide on what animals you want to see.”

For most travelers, that’s the Big 5 – lions, elephants, leopards, rhinoceroses and buffalo, which can be found in several countries. Wildlife migrations (Serengeti National Park’s wildebeest and zebra, for example) are seasonal and dependent on weather. Ideally, it’s best, though more expensive, to travel in the dry season, which corresponds with the region’s winter, generally from June to September.

For recommendations on accommodations and tour operators, consult friends who have been on safari before, as well as sites like TripAdvisor. And read up on prospective guides and specific safari destinations at www.rangerdiaries.com, where guides post photos and write about their experiences.

Self-guided or all-inclusive? Budget-minded travelers can opt for self-guided safari tours or overland trips, which generally refer to a moving safari at various campsites where travelers may be required to help with chores and tasks (Intrepid Travel and Acacia Africa are two reputable providers of these kinds of trips). For a smart splurge, private game reserves like Kwandwe are pricier but offer the appeal of fewer tourists and vehicles vying for viewing positions, highly knowledgeable guides and a more intimate, upscale experience. It’s not uncommon to have a drink with guides after a game drive and listen to their harrowing tales from the bush.

Allow enough time to enjoy your experience. Wherever your destination in Africa, it takes a while to get there. If you’re doing a self-guided tour or staying at an all-inclusive property, factor in at least a half-day of downtime to get accustomed to the time change and recharge for game drives. This also offers a buffer in case your luggage gets lost or there’s a flight delay. Plan to stay at least two nights at each destination.

It’s OK to bring the kids. But they should be well behaved and able to follow directions (i.e., no shrieking upon seeing an elephant or lion). According to Mann, kids should be at least 7-years-old so they can fully appreciate the experience. “It can have a life-changing effect on a young mind to experience the beauty and complexity of the natural world,” he says. Some travel outfitters also offer game drives, nature walks and other excursions and activities tailored for children.

Don’t forget your binoculars and zoom lens. If there’s one time you’ll really want both of these, it’s on safari. There are times when you’ll be able to see wildlife only from a distance, and you’ll enjoy learning to hone your wildlife-spotting skills, so bring the binoculars (even a cheap pair is better than none at all). And the weight and bulk of a long lens is a small price to pay for the photos you’ll take home. (If you’re traveling super-light, some operators that specialize in photography, such as Cape Fox Tours & Safari, offer equipment rentals, notes Cape Fox owner and guide Jaco Powell.) 

Play nice with your fellow safari-goers. Just like at a dinner party, stay away from divisive topics like religion and politics, especially while on game drives. Keep the area around your seat in the vehicle tidy and make sure your belongings don’t spill over into others’ space. Powell also suggests rotating seats every day.

Watching Animal Planet is nothing like seeing the action live. It’s impossible to prepare a first-time safari-goer for what it’s like to witness a lion or cheetah stalk and take down its prey. “The sights, sounds and smells, combined with the fact that sometimes the animal being killed [doesn’t die] for almost an hour, make a real-life kill a seriously memorable experience,” Mann says. “Some people love it, some can’t watch.” He recommends that guests communicate with their guide ahead of time about comfort levels so that everyone has the most fulfilling experience possible.

Remember who’s in charge. That would be the guides, who have extensive knowledge of the bush and animal behavior and whose main responsibility is to keep guests safe. Some general rules include staying seated while in the vehicle and exiting only when you have the guide’s permission (such as when you need a bathroom break), talking in low voices and wearing neutral or khaki-colored clothing while on game drives. As Mann notes, “A safe safari is very simple to achieve if a few basic rules are followed, but there a million ways to get into trouble if you ignore the basics.”

One of his cautionary tales is about a guest who decided to leave the vehicle while the guide and tracker went to look for a lioness, then found himself in serious trouble. “Were it not for quick reaction and fair bit of luck, that guest would have been mauled by an angry lioness with cubs,” Mann says. “Fortunately, the guide managed to get himself between the charging lioness and the guest. He stood down the charge, backed out and then returned the guest to the lodge for the remainder of his three-day stay. No more game drives for people who can’t follow the safety rules!”

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China says Japan PM not welcome after war shrine visit

December 26, 2013: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, followed by a security police officer, left, walks at Yasukuni Shrine to pay respect for the war dead, in Tokyo. (AP)

BEIJING –  China's Foreign Ministry on Monday accused Japan's prime minister of hypocrisy and said he would not be welcome in China after he visited a shrine honoring Japan's war dead.

Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the Yasukuni shrine in central Tokyo had seriously hurt relations between the countries and shut the door for dialogue between their leaders.

"Abe's hypocrisy in his claims of prioritizing relations with China and hopes for dialogue with the Chinese leaders has been fully revealed," Qin said at a regular briefing.

"The Chinese people do not welcome him. Now, Abe needs to admit his mistakes to the government and people of China, cut loose from the past and make a new start," he said.

Japanese politicians' visits to Yasukuni have long caused friction with China and both Koreas, because the 2.5 million war dead enshrined there include 14 class A war criminals from World War II -- national leaders who were either executed or died in prison or during their trials. Japan colonized Korea and occupied parts of China, often brutally, before and during World War II.

It was the first visit to the Shinto-style war shrine by a sitting Japanese prime minister since Junichiro Koizumi went in 2006 to mark the anniversary of the end of World War II. Abe, a nationalist who advocates revising Japan's pacifist constitution, had previously visited Yasukuni while out of office.

South Korean President Park Geun-hye on Monday also urged Japan not to impair bilateral ties by opening up past colonial wounds.

"I hope that there won't be any act of breaking down country-to-country relations ... by digging up the wounds of the past," Park said during a regular meeting with her aides, according to South Korean media pool reports posted on the website of her office.

Park didn't cite Japan by name but Park's office said she was referring to Japan.

Also Monday, North Korea's state media said that Abe's shrine visit was tantamount to a "declaration of war" against people in Asia and the rest of the world.

"Japan has now turned into a war state deviating to the right and fascism," the official Korean Central News Agency said in a commentary.

Abe has previously said criticism that visits to Yasukuni are an act of worshipping war criminals is based on a misunderstanding. He said he did not intend to hurt the Chinese and Korean people's feelings and expressed conviction that Japan must never wage war again.

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California counties in push to withdraw from the state

Spurred by disaffection with urban culture, federal control and the increased state regulation pressed by the Sacramento government seated to the south, a growing number of northern Californians are pushing for secession from their state.

At least two counties -- Siskiyou and Modoc  --  have already reportedly voted for withdrawal; officials in another, Tehama County, recently voted to put a referendum for secession on the ballot in June of 2014; and seven other northern California counties now claim popular committees in support of the long-shot measure, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"We are staking our futures on our ability to live and thrive in this area," Kayla Nicole Brown, a 23-year-old from Redding who is now a leader in Shasta County's secession movement, told The Times. "And if we can't, we have to leave."

The Times reports majority votes in both the state Legislature and the U.S. Congress are required for secession to actually occur.

But The Times cites the growing prevalence of what is called the State of Jefferson Flag around the Golden State’s northern reaches.

Sporting a gold pan with two X’s to signify the double-crossing dealt the residents of the rural area by the state legislature far to the south in Sacramento, it proudly flies outside the Palace Barber Shop in Yreka, the seat of Siskiyou county.

"I think we should do it," Isaiah Solus, a 14-year-old Yreka resident and descendant of Siskiyou County pioneers from Portugal, told The Times. "We're a whole different part of the state. We need our own water, we need our own rules.... We need a whole different set of things than the city people."

The push for secession in northern California is not new.

The Times reports a Los Angeles assemblyman pushed with some success for a split of the state at the Tehachapi Mountains -- located north of Los Angeles -- in 1859, but the Civil War soon diverted the nation's attention elsewhere.

War intervened on the movement again in 1941, just as it seemed to be gaining some traction. The matter was once more revisited in 1993, but ended then without change despite 27 counties across California voting in favor of separating the disparate regions.

Punky Hayden, a 72-year-old from the Marble Mountain region, located just south of the Oregon border, railed of late at the indifference to the specific demands of his rural existence by urban-centric politicians in Sacramento. “We’re governed by Los Angeles and San Francisco,” the former logger told The Times. “We live by their rules, and we don’t like living by their rules.”

Still, Hayden is a realist, and reportedly added of the potential success of any secession plan, “I’m an optimist, but I’m not that much of an optimist.”

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Health law to put calorie info on vending machines

Office workers in search of snacks will be counting calories along with their change under new labeling regulations for vending machines included in President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law.

Requiring calorie information to be displayed on roughly 5 million vending machines nationwide will help consumers make healthier choices, says the Food and Drug Administration, which is expected to release final rules early next year. It estimates the cost to the vending machine industry at $25.8 million initially and $24 million per year after that, but says if just .02 percent of obese adults ate 100 fewer calories a week, the savings to the health care system would be at least that great.

The rules will apply to about 10,800 companies that operate 20 or more machines. Nearly three quarters of those companies have three or fewer employees, and their profit margin is extremely low, according to the National Automatic Merchandising Association. An initial investment of $2,400 plus $2,200 in annual costs is a lot of money for a small company that only clears a few thousand dollars a year, said Eric Dell, the group's vice president for government affairs.

"The money that would be spent to comply with this - there's no return on the investment," he said.

While the proposed rules would give companies a year to comply, the industry group has suggested a two-year deadline and is urging the government to allow as much flexibility as possible in implementing the rules. Some companies may use electronic displays to post calorie counts while others may opt for signs stuck to the machines.

Carol Brennan, who owns Brennan Food Vending Services in Londonderry, said she doesn't yet know how she will handle the regulations, but she doesn't like them. She has five employees servicing hundreds of machines and says she'll be forced to limit the items offered so her employees don't spend too much time updating the calorie counts.

"It is outrageous for us to have to do this on all our equipment," she said.

Brennan also doubts that consumers will benefit from the calorie information.

"How many people have not read a label on a candy bar?" she said. "If you're concerned about it, you've already read it for years."

But Kim Gould, 58, of Seattle, said he doesn't read the labels even after his choice pops out of a vending machine, so having access to that information wouldn't change what he buys.

"People have their reasons they eat well or eat poorly," Gould said.

Standing with his 12-year-old daughter near a vending machine in a medical clinic where he bought some drinks last week, he said he only makes purchases at the machines when he's hungry and has no other options.

"How do we know people who are buying candy in the vending machines aren't eating healthy 99 percent of the time?" he added.

As for the new labels, Gould said he wasn't sure what the point would be, and that they would just be "nibbling around the edges of the problem."

The FDA also is working on final rules for requiring restaurant chains with more than 20 locations to post calories information, something some cities already mandate and some large fast-food operations have begun doing voluntarily. A 2011 study in New York found that only one in six customers looked at the information, but those who did generally ordered about 100 fewer calories. A more recent study in Philadelphia found no difference in calories purchased after the city's labeling law took effect.

"There is probably a subset of people for whom this information works, who report using it to purchase fewer calories, but what we're not seeing though is a change at an overall population level in the number of calories consumed," said Brian Ebel, the study's author and an assistant professor at New York University's department of population health and medicine.

Ebel said he wouldn't be surprised if the vending machine labels end up being equally ineffective, but he said it's possible that consumers might pay more attention to them for a couple of reasons. In some locations, a vending machine might be the only food option, he said. And reading a list of calorie counts on a machine will be less overwhelming than scanning a large menu at a fast-food restaurant with other customers waiting in line behind you, he said.

"It could go either way, but I think there's at least some reason to think it could be slightly more influential in vending machines."

Even without the calorie counts, consumers already have ways to make healthier choices from vending machines. The vending machine industry group launched its "Fit Pick" system in 2005, which includes stickers placed in front of products that meet healthy guidelines for fat and sugar content. The program is used by nearly 14,000 businesses, schools and government agencies, as well as all branches of the military.

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Remote escapes for 2014

Saffire Freycinet

Paddy Barry/Fogo Island Inn

Palacio de Sal

Posada de Mike Rapu/Explora

Aman Resorts

Hotel Arctic

Banyan Tree Ringha

Wolwedans

iStock

Casa Andina

Do you need some time away? Far, far away? Look no further than Gayot's top 10 remote hotels worldwide, featuring top accommodations from the fjords of Greenland to an island in Tahiti. Whether you hike across steep inclines, glide in via floatplane or drive for hours off the beaten path, each of these far-flung gems promises to be well worth the effort. One of them is even in the USA, while another is built almost entirely out of salt. Enjoy the top 10 remote hotels around the world.

Saffire Freycinet

Tasmania
Coles Bay
Saffire Freycinet

Breathtaking and utterly unique, the avant-garde Saffire Freycinet was inspired by the coastal contours of Tasmania's east coast. Local timber, stone, leather and glass create a tactile experience that is designed to bring guests closer to nature. Accommodations include suites and private pavilions, the latter with plunge pools. In the lounge, guests can enjoy evening canapes amid the dramatic sixteen-foot tall fireplace and original 1950s furnishings from designers such as Charles and Ray Eames. The day spa emphasizes Tasmanian ingredients, and Palate Restaurant serves as a showcase for seafood from local fishing villages and wines grown in the area's Mediterranean-like climate. While this hotel is to die for, Mother Nature provides stiff competition for guests' attention — complimentary outdoor activities include canoeing and bird-watching in Pelican Bay and nature tours of the Freycinet Peninsula.

Paddy Barry/Fogo Island Inn

Newfoundland
Fogo Island
Fogo Island Inn

More than just a hotel, Fogo Island Inn is a trust with a federal mandate to contribute to the economic well-being of the local community. The result: a marvel of modern geometric design that maintains traditions through partnerships with local artists, designers, geologists, architects, fishermen and chefs. Located off Newfoundland's northeast coast, this property has just 29 guest suites, named for the islets, rocks and shoals that can be seen from their floor-to-ceiling windows. Every textile and piece of furniture was locally made, from the quilts to the wallpaper patterns — all of which offer subtle, elegant accents in the light-filled accommodations. On the menu at the house restaurant, island produce such as caribou moss and pine mushrooms prevail. Those who want to explore the hotel's dramatic surroundings can participate in marine encounters led by knowledgeable fishermen or embark on a guided tour of the subarctic landscape.

Palacio de Sal

Potosi
Palacio de Sal

This is one hotel that's worth its salt — literally! Located in southwest Bolivia in the majestic Salar de Uyuni, the world's largest salt flat, Palacio de Sal is built almost entirely out of salt. Walls, floors, tables, beds, sculptures ... you name it and salt is its main ingredient. Even the billiards table has a salt-block base. Not surprisingly, salt is showcased at the house restaurant, and along with a sauna, steam room and whirlpool baths, the property has a saltwater pool. As for what you can and cannot do here, licking the walls is against house rules. And if you think this place is too quirky for you, think again. Its beautiful ghostly presence in a vast salt desert makes it an experience not to be missed.

Posada de Mike Rapu/Explora

Easter Island
Posada de Mike Rapu

Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, Easter Island is one of the remotest inhabited islands on the planet, but that hasn't stopped intrepid tourists from turning up to view the haunting monolithic stone figures (moai) whose mysterious origins have made this out-of-the-way place famous. That said, the island is not overrun with tourists, and although its location is isolated, it still manages to offer an exceptional degree of luxury in the form of Posada de Mike Rapu. This eco-friendly resort offers 30 rooms with sweeping ocean views rather than TVs, an infinity-edge swimming pool, a solar-heated Jacuzzi and a massage pavilion overlooking the water. Rates include meals, and the menu emphasizes healthy cuisine for visitors planning to spend their days in the great outdoors. To this end, the hotel features fifteen custom-crafted excursions, including a trek past toppled moai and an ancient stone quarry to the edge of the Ranu Raraku volcanic crater.

Aman Resorts

Utah
Canyon Point
Amangiri

Located in southern Utah, in a region that is the ancestral home of native Navajo and Hopi tribes, Amangiri is tucked into a protected valley with views that span all the way to Escalante National Monument. In this secluded setting, guests can escape in high style. Views of dramatic rock formations are featured throughout the property, from the glass-walled Living Room to the outdoor Desert Lounge to the swimming pool built around a natural rock formation. The 34 suites were designed to blend with the landscape and feature entry via private courtyards with their own dining tables. Area hiking trails incorporate ancient sand dunes, cactus gardens and sandstone towers. While exploring, keep an eye out for fossils and the endangered California Condor. For the ultimate in relaxation, head for the spa, where you can savor Navajo healing rituals on a serene outdoor treatment terrace.

Hotel Arctic

Ilulissat
Hotel Arctic

In the Kalaallisut language, the word "ilulissat" means icebergs. That should give you an idea how cold this place is, not to mention how remote. After flying all the way to the settlement of Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland, you will board another 45-minute flight to the town of Ilulissat, where dog sleds are a common sight outside local houses. Reaching this lodging requires a serious commitment, but rest assured, it's worth it. The hotel sits on the edge of majestic UNESCO-designated Ilulissat Ice Fjord, and though the town and harbor views are charming, make sure to ask for a room with an iceberg view — after all, you've come this far. The menu at house restaurant Ulo includes Greenlandic specialties using fresh local ingredients.

Banyan Tree Ringha

Shangri-La
Banyan Tree Ringha

True, this destination isn't James Hilton's legendary Shangri-La from his novel Lost Horizon. It was in fact given the designation by the Chinese government. But that doesn't detract from its utopian atmosphere. Snow-covered mountain peaks, pine forests, meandering rivers and clear lakes embrace the Tibetan valley setting of Banyan Tree Ringha. The hotel's architecture and decor take their cues from Tibetan culture, so much so that the suites and lodges are actually decades-old farmhouses that have been painstakingly reassembled on the property and given a glamorous facelift. Along with tea in the Jakhang lounge and hotpots and steamboats at Chang Sa Bar & Restaurant, foodie highlights include a horseback ride to a private gauze-draped dining room overlooking the Shudugang River on the Tibetan Plateau. You can also take excursions to see rare black-neck cranes in the upper Yangtze Gorge and the stunning White Water Terraces at the foot of Haba Snow Mountain.

Wolwedans

NamibRand Nature Preserve
Wolwedans Private Camp

Situated in the peaceful NamibRand Nature Reserve and surrounded by striking red sand dunes and mountain ranges, Wolwedans is a satisfying payoff for making the long trek to Namibia. Among its unique collection of accommodations is the isolated Wolwedans Private Camp. Up to four guests (and only four) may stay in the wood-framed structure, crafted so that canvas flaps open on three sides to take full advantage of the panoramic surroundings. The "camp" has two spacious en-suite bedrooms, decks and a central lounge, which includes a study, living room, dining area and fully equipped kitchen. If you tire of simply taking in the breathtaking landscape in an atmosphere of immense solitude, you can sign up for guided activities including hot air ballooning, nature walks or scenic drives. This is a perfect honeymoon getaway or a relaxing vacation retreat for close friends looking for a quiet, one-of-a-kind retreat.

iStock

Tahiti
Motu Tetraire
Moto Teta

With cell phones and social networking taking over the world, it can feel as if life is in your face 24 hours a day. But it's still possible to escape — we promise! Simply catch a flight to Tahiti and make your way to the Rangiroa Atoll, where your own private nine-acre island awaits. Powder white sand and clear blue waters surround a main villa and guest residence, both of which have been crafted in classic Tahitian style with hardwoods and open beams. A dedicated chef is on hand to create dishes using local seafood and French techniques. This makes it easy to never leave your secluded stretch of beach. That said, there is plenty to do both on the island and a short boat ride away: lobster fishing, outrigger canoeing, snorkeling, ocean reef exploring and shark watching, to name just a few of the activities included in your stay. You can even visit a unique South Pacific vineyard in the middle of a coconut plantation.

Casa Andina

Isla Suasi
Casa Andina Private Collection Isla Suasi

The pinnacle-of-privacy Andean Cottage is part of the solar-powered Suasi Island Hotel. Situated 12,500 feet above sea level and surrounded by the waters of Lake Titicaca, the property is accessible by a four-hour speedboat trip across the lake. The two-bedroom cottage is built entirely out of traditional materials including stone, wood and totora reed, and it includes a bathroom, living room and kitchenette. Furthering the indulgence level are private butler service and a pier for soaking in the lake views. For exploring, there are plenty of trails in the area, and excursions include visiting Andean farming plots and canoeing around the island.

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British government will reportedly declassify Bush-Blair discussions from Iraq War run-up

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Former U.S. President George W. Bush

The British government is reportedly in the process of declassifying more than 100 documents detailing discussions that took place between then-U.S. President George W. Bush, then-British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and then-British Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown in the weeks and months leading up to the Iraq War. 

The Independent newspaper also reported that among the items to be published are a cache of notes written from Blair to Bush, records of telephone conversations and meetings, and up to 200 minutes of Cabinet-level meetings. The documents are believed to provide a fuller picture of the decisions and discussions leading up the beginning of the Iraq War in March 2003. 

The documents will be released as part of a report into Britain's involvement in the Iraq War that is expected to be published sometime in 2014, five years after the Iraq Inquiry was set up by then-Prime Minister Brown. A British government source told the Independent that "good progress" had been made toward declassifying the records, which some worried would be blocked by Blair or U.S. officials. 

The paper also reported that the documents in question are likely to be made available to the public, either by the British government itself or by the inquiry, with redactions only made "where absolutely necessary."

Publication of the documents would reportedly allow the Iraq Inquiry, headed by longtime British civil servant Sir John Chilcot, to contact those due to be criticized in the report and offer them the chance to put forward a defense. Chilcot has already had access to the material in question,

Click here for more from The Independent

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