Latest news with #safari
Times
15 hours ago
- Times
Chinese hotel ordered to stop red panda ‘wake-up call' service
A hotel in southwestern China that allowed residents to wake up to the pitter-patter of a red panda's footsteps has been told to stop its unusual wake-up call offer on safety grounds. The Lehe Ledu Liangjiang Holiday Hotel, which is situated in mountainous countryside near the metropolis of Chongqing, advertised 'red panda-themed holidays'. At many safari experiences in China, close contact with the animals is promised. At the hotel, staff went one step further, allowing a red panda to visit tourists in their room, at least until its publicity proved too successful. After an article in a Chinese magazine and consequent social media discussion of the ethics of the 'red panda wake-up call', the local forestry bureau stepped in, sending inspectors to find out what was going on. In a statement the bureau said it had ordered an immediate halt to all 'close contact' activities with animals, and would report back on any further findings it made — often a threat of prosecution or fines. The red panda, despite its name, is part of the extended raccoon family. It is not a bear and its only relationship to the giant panda is that it lives in the same part of China and is similarly photogenic. Close-contact activities — paying to be photographed holding a cub — has been banned in giant panda breeding centres in China since 2018. Before that, it was a regular form of income. That seems to have been interpreted by the Liangjiang Hotel as a special case. Since it started the practice of taking a red panda, one of four kept at the hotel for the purpose, around the rooms last year it has become a popular feature. A British couple, Ben and Reanne Ridger from Portsmouth, who are keeping a YouTube video blog of their tour of China's provinces, enthused about the red panda experience two months ago. 'Everyone watching at home, they've never had anything like this,' Ben Ridger said, almost certainly correctly. The panda was brought to the room by staff. How long it stayed, they said, 'depended on the red panda's mood that day', China Newsweek reported. The Global Times, a Communist Party newspaper, issued a severe warning that the practice might be an abuse of animal rights. The hotel responded to concerns that the pandas might be unhygienic or dangerous to children by insisting that they had all been vaccinated, and that children were not allowed to enjoy the experience without the presence of an adult.
BBC News
16 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Longleat Safari Park welcomes hippo sisters
Two young hippo sisters have arrived at a safari park after a 780-mile (1255 km) journey from the Czech Matylda and three-year-old Manon were delivered to Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire on are the first hippos the park has acquired in more than 40 park's two previous hippos - Spot and Sonia - both died at the age of 49 in 2024 and 2023 respectively. Matylda, who weighs 990kg, and Manon, who weighs 750kg, were transported across Europe in specially-designed it will not just be the two sisters at Longleat, as they are to be joined in the next couple of weeks by mother and son Lola and Hodor. The park hopes to set up a breeding "pod" to boost conservation Beasley, Longleat's head of animal operations, said: "We are all over the moon to have hippos back at Longleat."We have all missed having this species on the estate after the deaths of Sonia and Spot, who had lived here for decades."Mr Beasley said Matylda and Manon would spend the next few weeks getting used to their "state-of-the-art" enclosure and new keepers. He said visitors to the park may spot them in their paddock during this time."The sisters have lived together all their lives, and we will slowly be introducing them to Lola and Hodor when they arrive with us shortly," Mr Beasley added.
Travel Daily News
2 days ago
- Travel Daily News
Botswana voted Africa's Best Safari Country 2025
This year's research analyzed over 3,100 reviews – 1,763 user reviews gathered by between January 1, 2024 and April 9, 2025 and 1,342 reviews written by 26 reputable guidebook authors who work for a variety of publishers including Lonely Planet, Rough Guides, Frommer's, Bradt Guides and Footprint. Despite fierce competition among African nations renowned for offering unique wildlife encounters, Botswana emerged as the clear frontrunner. The country's appeal lies in its dramatic natural contrasts – from the arid expanses of the Kalahari Desert to the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's premier wildlife habitats. Botswana's safari experience is deeply rooted in conservation. Its low-impact, high-quality tourism model emphasizes sustainability, which continues to resonate with both first-time and repeat visitors. Notable highlights include opportunities to spot the elusive African wild dog, guided canoe trips through the delta's winding channels, and ancient San rock art sites that add a cultural dimension to nature-based exploration. The comprehensive nature of the survey, combining insights from tourists and seasoned safari experts, reinforces Botswana's standing as a leader in delivering high-caliber, responsible safari experiences on the continent. SafariBookings is the largest online marketplace for specialized safari tours in Africa. More than 1,500 specialized safari operators from around the world offer their safari tours on the SafariBookings platform. Every year more than 4 million people visit to find their perfect safari.
Travel Weekly
3 days ago
- Travel Weekly
Contiki expands its roster of African safaris for young travelers
Contiki, a tour operator specializing in trips for travelers ages 18 to 35, is expanding its Africa portfolio with four new itineraries. Contiki says itineraries in South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and Eswatini deliver "the classic safari experience with added adrenaline and cultural immersion, without the premium price tag." The tour operator said there's a rise in demand for travel to Africa, with year-over-year bookings up 11% for Tanzania and 46% for Eswatini. "One of the standout features of these trips is that the entire group travels together in a single custom safari vehicle, which adds to the game-viewing experience, helping travelers see over the long grass for full views," said Kyle Junkuhn, a safari guide and Contiki's operations manager in Africa. The "Kenya & Tanzania Adventure" itinerary covers five national parks in 11 days, including the Maasai Mara and Amboseli. Travelers will take a hot-air balloon ride over the plains. The trip begins in Nairobi and ends in Arusha. The "Kenya Adventure" itinerary begins and ends in Nairobi, taking travelers to five cities in six days. Itinerary highlights include game drives to see the "Big Five," mountain biking, a hot-air balloon ride and whitewater rafting. The "Tanzania Adventure" itinerary visits six cities in six days and includes exploring the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara. The trip includes daily game drives, and travelers can go on treetop walks, cultural village visits and a night safari to spy big cats after dark. The itineraries include a custom overland vehicle and premium campsite accommodations. Tents will be pre-assembled by the team with amenities taken care of, the company said. The itineraries will be led by trip managers who are trained safari guides. There also will be a driver and a chef. Contiki also launched a new version of its "Cape, Safari & Falls" itinerary called "Cape Town, Kruger & Bushfire Festival." This version includes the MTN Bushfire Festival, one of Africa's biggest music events. The nine-day itinerary features game drives in Kruger National Park and three nights at the Bushfire Festival.
Travel Daily News
7 days ago
- Travel Daily News
Wilderness Usawa Serengeti adds new camp sites
Wilderness Usawa Serengeti expands with new mobile camps in Grumeti and Lamai, enhancing guest access to the Great Migration experience. Wilderness Usawa Serengeti announce the expansion of its acclaimed luxury mobile tented camp operations, strategically situated to align with the movement of the Great Migration across the Serengeti. As peak safari season approaches, Usawa – Kiswahili for 'balance' – will introduce two new locations to its mobile circuit: Grumeti in the Western Corridor and Lamai in the Northern Hills. These additions further reflect Wilderness' commitment to providing guests access to the Great Migration and enhancing their chances of witnessing one of Africa's most awe-inspiring wildlife spectacles. Since July 2023, Wilderness Tanzania has focused on placing its camps in proximity to the migratory herds across the Serengeti, offering exceptional flexibility by setting up in areas that have historically hosted large wildlife concentrations during specific seasons. As part of its 2025 expansion, the tented camps will be positioned in two new locations – Grumeti and Lamai – selected through a careful study of animal movements, seasonal conditions, and long-term migration trends. These placements are intended to improve the likelihood of guests being close to the migration while preserving the hallmark adaptability of the Usawa experience. Grumeti, set in the Western Corridor, is characterised by the meandering Grumeti River and a mosaic of woodlands, riverine forests and plains. This area plays a crucial role as a gathering point for the million-strong herd between May and July, with a year-round presence of wildebeest and dramatic predator-prey interactions. Lamai, situated north of the Mara River, remains one of the Serengeti's most untouched regions. From mid-July, vast herds typically pass through during the rutting season, while the escarpment's streams provide shelter for lion prides and leopards. With fewer camps than the well-known Kogatende area, Lamai offers a more secluded migration experience, far from the crowds. 'While we can obviously take guests to the renowned river crossings, the Great Migration is much more than this singular spectacle. The Ndabaka Plains, located north of the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor, are a significant gathering point between May and July, with large herds frequently moving through the area. Unlike other regions of the Serengeti, the Western Corridor supports a resident wildebeest population, ensuring consistent wildlife activity throughout the year. This area is also home to thriving lion populations, elephant herds and other iconic species, making it an excellent safari destination even outside of peak migration months', said Jean du Plessis, Wilderness Tanzania Managing Director. Though wildlife activity intensifies during the migration season, the Grumeti and Lamai areas remain remarkably unspoiled and serene year-round. With very few seasonal camps and low tourist traffic, guests can experience the raw beauty and stillness of the Serengeti in a truly immersive way. 'Just like the herd, we adapt. This flexibility ensures our guests are well positioned to enjoy extraordinary wildlife moments – whether it's the thunderous river crossings of the Western Corridor or the tranquil remoteness of Lamai. It's a rare balance of raw wilderness and refined comfort. True to our guiding ethos, our camps are entirely mobile, leaving no permanent trace on the land. With a minimal footprint, fully solar-powered infrastructure, Wi-Fi and continuous hot water, the camp offers a sophisticated soul safari in the heart of the wild', continued Jean. With the addition of these new locations, Wilderness Usawa reinforces its commitment to delivering exceptional safari experiences that bring guests as close as possible to the magic of the migration – wherever and whenever nature allows.
