Year: 2018

As an avid traveler, visiting the Great Bear rainforest in Canada was at the top of my bucket list; and with good reason.  You get a chance to not only get in touch with nature, but you also get to enjoy hiking, birding, and photography all in one setting. The rainforests created such a beautiful canopy, which got me thinking of how much I’d want to recreate this in my own home.

Once I was back home Tree Services Annapolis did an amazing job in guiding me on what to do, since I didn’t know how to go about it. This has been such a great project, and I cannot wait for the beautiful landscape that will be as a result of all the trees they are planting in my backyard.

Have you been meaning to go hiking in a rainforest but don’t know what to carry? We highly recommend packing light for such adventures, to avoid your backpack slowing you down. Here are the top essentials that you will need.

Clothing

The rainforests can be quite chilling, especially in cold weather. You should wear heavy clothing, to keep the cold at bay. To begin with, we recommend having a base layer of clothing. This includes mid-weight top and bottoms and synthetic t-shirt, sports bra and briefs, depending on your preference.

This should then give way to the outer layer, which should include waterproof clothing such as jacket, gaiters, and pants. Opt for breathable fabric as well to maintain your body temperature at optimum. Go for synthetic material when it comes to your hiking pants and shorts.

Gear

Hiking in the rainforests is not a one-day affair. Therefore, you may need to bring along items that you will need for cooking and accommodation purposes. A three-season tent would suffice in this case, because it’s designed for use even in harsh weather conditions. Opt for a down sleeping bag that’s at least 10 degrees to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Such sleeping bags are designed to excel in overly cold and dry conditions. They are also lightweight and easy to compress, thus perfect for backpacking. You may also consider carrying an inflatable sleeping pad to give you extra warmth during the night.

Other essential items include a first aid kit, water bottles, and suitable water treatment options. These can either be tablets, drops or a filler. Fuel canisters and waterproof matches for cooking, with a headlamp to provide light at night. We also recommend packing a pocket knife, compass and trekking poles for slippery terrains.

Footwear

Hiking requires that you put on proper footwear which will allow you to cover long distances with ease. Do you love camping? We highly recommend using your camping footwear for this. Additionally, pack two pairs of liner socks and about three pairs of woolen or synthetic socks alongside your hiking boots.

Health and Comfort Related Items

There are tons of mosquitoes among other insects in the rainforest.  As such, you need to pack your insect repellents and insect bites relief products in case of any itches. Sunscreen, moisturizer and lip balm are also essential items since you would want to keep your skin protected at all times. During my trip, I learned that it’s wise to carry medication for fever, colds, bites and altitude sickness in case anyone falls sick. If you are a light sleeper, do not leave your earplugs at home because of the noises wildlife make at night.

These are just the basic items that you will need for your trip. You may need so much more depending on the destination and how long you will stay. The number one tip? Always be prepared.

Safari, exotic animals, rugby, football, extreme sports, incredible beaches and quality restaurants are just a few of the ingredients that transformed a country that was associated with street fights into one of the most important tourist destinations of the world. Mark from www.belairstairsrailings.com just came back and said it was beautiful. Of course, he enjoyed the ironwork and metalwork on many of the older buildings. Here’s seven beautiful attractions of South Africa.

1. The National Park Kruger

The place is considered a true heaven for South African hunters. The park has a length of 360 kilometers North-South and 64 kilometers East-West. It’s a huge park where the tourists can see real wildlife shows. It is one of the most popular natural reservations in the world.

2. Here you can see the world’s biggest baobab

The South African natives believed that this tree offended the Creator, and he planted the tree upside down. The tree that we’re talking about today is located in the small town of Modijadjiskloof from the North of the country and it’s age is over 6000 years. It is older than Egyptian pyramids and it lived before the Sahara became a huge desert.

3. The Sudwala Caves

Located in the Mpumalanga province they are considered the oldest caves in the world, with an age of 240 million years. Also, the rocks of the caves date since Precambrian era, being formed 3.8 billion years ago. The caves are one of the most important touristic attractions of South Africa.

4. The Durban Beaches

Palm trees, golden sand, huge waves and five star hotels are waiting the tourists at the shore of the Indian Ocean. The locals call the beaches the Miami Beach of Africa and the tourists that have visited them can confirm this name is not exaggerated. The Durban is one of the biggest ports in the world and a true paradise of the tourists that are willing to relax on an exotic beach.

5. The Robben island

This island doesn’t have any amazing beaches or luxurious hotels, there’s no historic sites or anything of this kind.  On the Robben Island you can see a huge jail. In this jail was locked the president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and many other political prisoners. Another interest point on the island is the colony of penguins and seals that live on the island. The Robben island is a true cemetery of Dutch and British ships from the past few centuries.

6. The Blyde River Canyon

It is one of the most beautiful canyons in the world. A true jewel of the South Africa it is the third largest canyons of the world. It is the only green canyon on the planet. There’s no less than 60 kilometers of wild nature, cascades, unique geological structure and almost 40 kilometers caves and caverns.

7. Garden Route

Garden route is one of the most spectacular images of the southern African nature. It is a sample of what a trip to south Africa can show you. It is formed where the Indian Ocean meets the Tsitsikamma Mountains and Outeniqua Mountains. Garden Route is a true proof of the beauty that nature can create.