54 BUCKET LIST 2013
Dangers in the Deep
For avid divers looking for the ultimate adventure, luxury scuba travel company Original Diving will team up with Louis Van Aardt – the BBC’ s underwater guide on the acclaimed Oceans series – to capture the annual – and brutal – sardine run from a unique underwater perspective. In June, Van Aardt will track the millions of silvery sardines as they swim north from the cold southern oceans of South Africa. Visible even by satellite, this massive migration captures the attention of plenty of predators, from birds and whales, to dolphins, game fish and of course, sharks. The 11-night diving itinerary offers a true insight into this unique event and includes cage diving with great whites, makos, blues and sevengills, as well as accommodation in a beautiful safari lodge. The itinerary also raises funds for Bite-Back, a charity dedicated to shark conservation. From GBP4,900 per person, inclusive of accommodation, domestic flights, meals and diving. www. originaldiving. com
Primate Perfect
Madagascar is one of Africa’ s hottest destinations at the moment after years of political instability kept the island, and its unique wildlife, firmly off the travel radar. Kensington Tours’ Madagascar Lemur Fever journey is a four-day wildlife odyssey that delves deep into the island’ s ancient rainforest in search of its most famous residents. Guests arrive in the island’ s capital, Antananarivo, where they can explore the Tsimbazaza Zoo and the Queen’ s Palace. From here it’ s on to the Andasibe & Mantadia National Park, the mecca of lemur conservation, with stops at the Pereyras Reserve and the Chameleon Sanctuary along the way. In the Park, guests shack up in the Vakona Forest Lodge, an authentic Malagasy retreat, before visiting waterfalls and following jungle trails searching for tropical birds, Nile crocodiles, and some of the 100 species of lemur that call the island home. After active days of wildlife watching, spend warm evening listening to stories of the jungle over authentic Malagasy cuisine, and experience the bush coming to life as the sun sets on this truly unique landscape. From US $ 1,120 per person; www. kensingtontours. com
Light’ Em Up
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis as they are scientifically known, have to be on most travellers’ bucket list and scientists are already predicting a sensational viewing season this year due to increased solar activity. One of the best spots from which to gaze at the heavens is Iceland, because of its clean air and northern latitude, but also because the devalued local currency makes the trip far easier on the wallet. Experiential travel specialists Black Tomato offer a unique perspective on the lights from Iceland’ s Hotel Rangá. Set amongst the southern landscapes of this dramatic country, and straddling a river bulging with jumping salmon, Rangá is in the perfect location for the best sightings of the elusive yet equally spectacular Northern Lights. Spend days quad biking over this surreal landscape before warming up in the comfort of your private hot tub and filling up on innovative gourmet cuisine in preparation for a night’ s star-gazing. The best time to travel is between September and April. www. blacktomato. com
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