A string of pearls scattered over the deep blue Indian Ocean – The first glimpse you get of this fascinating atoll- formation confirms two unique aspects of the Republic of Maldives.Not only does it consist of the most beautiful tropical islands, but 99% of its 90.000 km² is covered by the sea. 1190 islands are spread over 26 atolls, ringlike coral formations enclosing a lagoon, which gives the Maldives its unique paradise-like appearance. They stretch for about 820 km from North to South, 130 km at the widest point and do not exceed a length of 4.5 miles or an altitude of 6 feet above sea level. No more than 200 islands are inhabited, the rest includes the 87 tourist resorts and uninhabited islands, some of which are used for drying fish or other agricultural activities. The capital Malé, the seat of government and the centre of trade, commerce, business, health and education, is located in the middle of the atoll chain, a small island buzzing with the sounds and activities of about 75.000 people which is about one third of the population.

Southwest of Sri Lanka, on the equator
1,190 coral islands, forming an archipelago of 26 major atolls. Stretches 820 kilometres north to south and 120 kilometres east to west. 202 are inhabited, 87 are exclusive resort islands.

Generally warm and humid. Sun shines all year through. Average temperature around 29 – 32 degrees Celsius.

A proud history and rich culture evolved from the first settlers who were from various parts of the world travelling the seas in ancient times. The Maldives has been a melting pot of different cultures as people from different parts of the world came here and settled down. Some of the local music and dance for instance resemble African influences, with handbeating of drums and songs in a language that is not known to any but certainly represents that of East African countries. As one would expect there is a great South Asian influence in some of the music and dancing and especially in the traditional food of the Maldivians. However many of the South Asian customs especially with regard to women – for instance the Sub Continent’s tradition of secluding women from public view – are not tenets of life here. In fact women play a major role in society – not surprising considering the fact men spend the whole day out at sea fishing. Many of the traditions are strongly related to the seas and the fact that life is dependent on the seas around us.

The Maldivian currency is the Rufiyaa and Laaree.
The US Dollar is the most commonly used foreign currency. Payments in the resorts and hotels can be made in most hard currency in cash, travellers’ cheques or credit cards. Commonly used credit cards are American Express, Visa, Master Card, Diners Club, JCB and Euro Card.

GMT + 5 hours

Seychelles’ 115 granite and coral islands extend from between 4 and 10 degrees south of the equator and lie between 480km and 1,600km from the east coast of Africa in the western Indian Ocean.

This Indian Ocean republic occupies a land area of 455 km² and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.4 million km². It represents an archipelago of timeless beauty, tranquillity and harmony that is famous for its world-beating beaches and for its great diversity which rolls from lush forests down to the warm azure ocean.

Of these 115 islands, 41 Inner Islands constitute the oldest mid-oceanic granite islands on earth while a further 74 form the 5 groups of low-lying coral atolls and reef islets that are the Outer Islands.

Seychelles is home to no less than two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the legendary Vallée de Mai on Praslin where the wondrously shaped Coco-de-mer nut grows high on ancient palms and fabled Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atoll, first seen by early Arab seafarers of the 9th century A.D.

Seychelles, one of the world’s very last frontiers, promises adventure and breathtaking natural beauty in pristine surrounds still untouched by man.

Seychelles’ enviable climate is always warm and without extremes. In this tropical haven the temperature seldom drops below 24°C or rises above 32°C. All but the remotest southern islands lie comfortably outside the cyclone belt making Seychelles’ a year round destination for sun worshippers and beach lovers.

Madagascar VISA

When visiting Madagascar it is essential to decide how best you want to utilize your time here – Bumming around the beaches and enjoying watersports – hiking pristine rainforests in search of Lemurs – Climbin bizarre rock formations or canoeing down a river. You’re spoilt for choice here. MAYBE ENJOY A BIT OF ALL – SEE THE PLACE !!!!!!! Madagascar is so large, it experiences several different climates simultaneously. The best time to travel in most areas is APRIL and OCTOBER / NOVEMBER. The time to avoid Madagascar is January to March when heavy rain can make most roads muddy and impassable, and when there is a high risk of cyclones in the East and Northeast.

CURRENCY: Madagascar Ariary MGA

International and Domestic FLIGHTS come into Ivato Airport just north of ANTANANARIVO. The airports in Mahajanga and Toamasina both handle flights from Reunion, Mauritius and the Comoros.

Mauritius is synonymous with the turquoise sea and the pristine, serene beaches. The azure sky, the palm fringed beach, the gleaming sands constitute the exotic beauty of Mauritius.

Some of the important beaches of Mauritius are Blue Bay, Flifc en Flac, Belle Mare, Le Morne and Tamarin, Grand Bay, Preybere. The beach also provides a plethora of opportunities to the tourists to partake in adventure sports like scuba diving, snorkeling, skiing, windsurfing, etc. The tourists can also indulge in trekking, biking in the terrains of Mauritius. The coastal region in the south eastern part of Mauritius is littered with the forests, rivers and forests. Even mountains are there in Mauritius which has the rarest species of plants and flowers exhibiting a riot of colors. The fauna consist of stags, wild boars, etc.

The cozy climate of Mauritius augments the beauty of the place indirectly and is partly responsible for the popularity of Mauritius as a tourist destination.

Mauritius has a tropical climate throughout the year and is favorable for the tourists to visit it throughout the year. The best months to visit Mauritius are from May to early December. January and February, the peak cyclone months, are best avoided by water-sport enthusiasts and divers.

On the coast, temperatures range from 25°C to 33°C (77-91°F) in summer and 18°C to 24°C (64-75°F) in winter. On the plateau, it will be somewhat cooler. The highlands are also the wettest part of the island – it rains here throughout the year and, even if it’s not raining, there will often be low cloud.

Currency: Mauritius Rupee. MUR

The Victoria Falls has two main ‘viewing seasons’ and depending on the time of year, you may fall anywhere in between these two. The peak flood season takes place during March and April and is ideal if you’d like to see the falls in their full glory. Masses of water cascade down into the river below creating a magnificent cloud of spray around the area. During the height of the flood season, this cloud can be seen from 80km away! As a result, the full magnitude of the falls cannot be viewed in its entirety from afoot. We therefore recommend you take a helicopter ride or, if you’re really brave a microlite flight for breathtaking aerial views.
As we approach the dry season between November and December, the amount of water that passes over the falls decreases until only small rivers of water can be seen, but as a result the view from below becomes increasingly impressive. One can really begin to appreciate the scope and magnificence of the falls during this period.

Zimbabwe’s and Zambia’s seasons fall on very similar months, give or take a month. Zimbabwe’s winter lasts a month or so longer (May to September/October vs. Zambia’s May to August), while its rainy season starts and ends a month earlier than Zambia’s (November to March vs. Zambia’s December to April).

Travel and Wild life
The Zimbabwean winter months are much more pleasant than the hot summer months, making them ideal for travelling and game viewing. But don’t be deceived – the winter nights can become surprisingly cold (temperatures can drop below freezing). Make sure to pack a jersey or jumper for early mornings and evenings. The days are ideal for game viewing as the animals tend to congregate near water holes and are therefore more easily observed.

Water sports
For river rafters and other water sport enthusiasts, the best time of year falls between August and December when the levels of the mighty Zambezi River are low.

Crowds
During the South African school holidays (mid-April to mid-May and mid-July to mid-September) the tourist sites and national parks are quite crowded. December and early January are slightly better (Namibian school holidays) but the best time is in June when the weather is also pleasantly cool.

KEEPING OCCUPIED

White Water Rafting (day trips and expeditions)
River Cruises (Breakfast, Lunch, Sundown and Ornithologist’s cruises available)
Tandem Kayaking
River boarding
Jet Boating
Canoeing (upper and lower Zambezi)
River Safaris

Victoria Falls Bridge
The world’s highest free-standing bungee jump
The Zambezi Swing (For about $100, this South African group lets you abseil, rap jump, do a zip line, and — the highlight — a gorge swing. While Bungi Jumping is over in a few minutes, these guys let you play all day).
Abseiling, high-wiring, rap-jumping and gorge-swinging
Game drives (half and full day, night drives)
Tours (Traditional, Cultural, Zambezi Nature Sanctuary, Falls Tour)
Aerial trips (microlight, ultralight, helicopter and fixed-wing flights)
Hiking trails and nature walks
Horseback and Elephant Trails
Steam Train Rides
Snake Park
Mukuni Victoria Falls Craft Village (Curios )
Adventure Centre in Livingstone Town
Livingstone Island (where David Livingstone had his first glimpse of the falls).
Victoria Falls Field Museum.
Railway Museum
Mosi O Tunya National Park
Mukuni Village (authentic tribal village)
Quick access to Namibia, Botswana and Zambia.

Zanzibar is located in the Indian Ocean, about 25 miles from
the Tanzanian coast, and 6° south of the equator. Zanzibar Island
(known locally as Unguja, but as Zanzibar internationally) Zanzibar is
characterised by beautiful sandy beaches with fringing coral reefs,
warm clear blue waters, idyllic islands, excellent reefs for
snorkelling and diving, fantastic deep sea fishing and water sports
activities.

Along
the coast the climate is tropical, with high humidity and temperatures
averaging 25-29°C (77-84°F). From December to March, temperatures can
exceed 30°C (86°F). Throughout most of the country there are two rainy
seasons, with the ‘long’ rains (masika ) drenching Zanzibar from mid-March to May, and the ‘short’ rains ( mvuli ) doing their best from November to January.

CURRENCY: Tanzanian Shilling. Tsh

A visit to St. Helena on the RMS St. Helena is unique

She is the only ocean-going vessel in the world still to carry the venerable title of Royal Mail Ship, held in the past by so many famous British passenger liners, the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary amongst them.

A voyage on the RMS is an unforgettable experience: a blue water voyage on a working ship to lonely and remote tropical islands.
Quality, comfort and peace of mind

Traditional values, service with a smile.
Compared with today’s giant cruise liners, RMS St Helena is a small ship. There are no theatres, no casinos, no golf ranges.
On the other hand the emphasis is on relaxation. Life on board is far from frenetic. You can bask in an atmosphere of sun, sea and relaxed, friendly efficiency. Almost nothing is too much trouble for the officers and staff who believe that one of their responsibilities is to ensure you have an enjoyable voyage.

There are all the traditional ocean-going pastimes of beef tea, the sun deck and swimming pool, deck games, films, discos, bingo, race nights, quizzes and many other ideas from the fertile minds of the Pursers and their staff. Sometimes there is even cricket!

There is plenty of time to do just what you wish. Lounge on the sun deck by the swimming pool with a cool drink and a book (the ship has a well-stocked library of books, videos and audio tapes). For the interested, RMS St conducts visits to the Bridge and these are organised by the bureau.

For the more energetic, the deck games; for the really dedicated or over indulgent, there is an exercise room.
Perhaps, most significant of all, the chance and time to meet new people, converse and make good friends.

The Royal Mail Ship St Helena was built in 1989 specifically to supply the island of St Helena, the British Overseas Territory deep in the tropical South Atlantic. She is British registered, 6,767 gross tonnes and has berths for a maximum of 128 passengers plus 56 officers and crew.
She has all the most modern facilities; stabilisers, air conditioning and for those who worry about being too remote from their normal humdrum existence, fax, telephone, email and satellite communications.
She also carries a doctor and has well equipped medical facilities. Classified as A1+ at Lloyds and sailing under the British flag means that RMS St Helena is subject to some of the most rigorous safety regulations in the world. Her repeatedly high classification in the Berlitz Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships is a sure indication of the high quality of her facilities, crew and standards.

RMS St Helena Gone A Bit Green (However, for the RMS St Helena it’s quite normal !)”

The passenger/cargo liner RMS St. Helena operates in some of the cleanest, most pristine seas in the world. With voyages from Cape Town to the South Atlantic Islands of St. Helena and Ascension Island via Walvis Bay and, on to Europe. These voyages take her through waters containing some of the most delicate and undisturbed ecosystems on the planet, areas of natural aquatic beauty, teeming with ever interesting and intriguing marine wildlife. Even some the seabirds here are unique and can be found nowhere else. These are the trademarks of an environment well worth preserving.
Bearing all this in mind, the dedicated ship’s crew is always actively involved with protecting the environment for the benefit of all. Many of the everyday shipboard activities, which may appear routine enough, are all carried out with an Eco-friendly mindset. Our passengers are encouraged to see Mother Nature at her finest. Guided excursions with a ‘Green Flavour’ are offered in many of our destinations. All this seeks to increase everyone’s awareness of the Environment and what is currently being done to protect.

Sail to and from St Helena on the RMS St Helena
“An island of contrasts… from wind-eroded desert to lush pastures”

St Helena has a fascinating history – on the island, the evidence is all around you. Discovered in 1502 by the great Portuguese navigator, João da Nova, it changed hands a number of times and came finally under the control of the British in the middle of the sixteenth century. There is even a disputed theory that the island was the inspiration for Daniel Defoe’s story of Robinson Crusoe.
At one stage it was a busy and vital staging post for British East India Company ships on their long, slow voyages between England and the Far East.

But things change. The opening of the Suez canal dramatically reduced the island’s importance to world trade and, while the Union Castle liners on the South African run to Cape Town continued to call at the island until 1977, now it is a quiet backwater dreaming, perhaps, of a busy and exciting past.

Geographically, the island is a mere 47 square miles in area, situated about 1,500 miles north-west of Cape Town and well within the Tropic of Capricorn. The island has no natural harbour and no airport, though plans are afoot to build an airport by 2011-2012.

Because of its position, the weather is warm all year round, varying between 32°C (89°F) in April and May, to 21°C (70°F) in October and November. However, higher up in the centre of the island, it can get quite cool at night.

Geologically, it is an island of contrasts. In part, a wind-eroded desert with multi-hued ridges and 1,000 ft-high cliffs of bronze-coloured volcanic rock; part, green pastures and lush, vegetation filled valleys. There are a number of unique, endemic plants and wildlife and considerable efforts are being made to restore these to their former eminence in the face of imported species such as the New Zealand flax which the islanders once grew as a cash crop but is now a problematic weed.

The ‘Saints’ themselves are a happy mixture, descendants of the British East India Company workers, Boer prisoners of war, African and Chinese servants, amongst others. They are friendly, cheerful and helpful. They want to make your holiday a pleasure and you are always very welcome on their island. There are about 3,800 permanent residents but many Saints need – and wish – to work away from the island to make the most of the wider opportunities offered in the outside world. Many work in the UK and on Ascension Island but, although they may remain away for many years, they inevitably return to their home in the south Atlantic. Sailing aboard RMS St Helena ensures you will be travelling with them – and many tales they have to tell!