A Trip to the Everglades National Park

Recently I had the pleasure of visiting one of the places that Florida is most famous for - the Everglades. I have lived in Florida over half my life and yet I had never been to the Everglades itself so I was very excited. First let me tell you a little about the Everglades.

The Everglades are subtropical wetlands that stretch down the southern half of Florida from the Kissimmee River near Orlando through Lake Okeechobee to Florida Bay at the southern tip of the state.

In the wet season the water forms a slow-moving river that is 60 miles wide and over 100 miles long the giving the Glades their 'River of Grass' nickname. The Everglades has several different ecosystems this diversity makes it possible for many different species of plants, animals and birds to call the Everglades home.

One of the places I visited in the Everglades was Everglades National Park. The Park was established in 1947 and covers the southern 25 percent of the original Everglades. It's the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States, and the third-largest national park in the lower 48 states. This year, I was one of the over a million people who visit the park annually.

The Wet Season, May through November, is very hot and humid, the animals take cover and the only things flying around are mosquitoes. Most people stay away during his time of the year, but not me this is when I was there. Don't get me wrong I had a great time when I went and can't wait to go again but I wasn't exactly the best prepared. First I wore a bright yellow shirt, not the best choice of colors, I might as well have put a bug target on my back, and then I didn't put bug spray on right away - big mistake. I know no one likes to bring this up but, folks, it is a swamp and swamps have bugs, please take and use bug spray.

Air boat tours are popular in the Everglades; we went on the Gator Park tour which was great. Again we saw many gators, birds and greenery and after the air boat ride we went to their animal show which included alligator wrestling, now before you think they are just being cruel you have to understand their purpose for demonstrating this. Back in the old days the native people would sometimes hunt for food days away from their villages but then they had no way of keeping the meat fresh until they got it back unless they kept it alive. They used the 'gator wrestling' technique to subdue the alligator, tied it up and take the fresh meat back to their village. This was important to their very survival which is why is it demonstrated.

Speaking of the 'native people' the Miccosukee Indian Tribe make their home in the Everglades and have for many years. They have a great village with a museum, and an area where they showcase members of their tribe weaving and making things, a gator show where you learn about the tribe and of course there is a gift shop where you can buy things like handmade necklaces, clothing and blankets.

I spent a great few days in the Everglades and can't wait to go back again during the Dry Season. Even though I saw many animals and birds I know when I go back I'll see even more, maybe different kinds, that's the great thing about the Glades, it's constantly changing so even if you've been, go back and by all means do not forget your camera.

About the Author

The wildlife and habitat of the Florida Everglades make it one of most popular National Parks in the US. Millions of tourist visit Florida every year and have found the everglades a great experience.

Going On An Unsurpassed Safari Holiday To Tanzania's National Parks

Tanzania is a mesmerizing nation and gives a large variety of points of interest for travelers and issues to try and do. This country delights in an incredible landscape. A wildlife tour of Tanzania is a glorious expertise that will go away you with several astounding recollections.

In case you think you have observed everything and you may have been at all the action Tanzania wildlife tours is the next thing difficult the adventure-lover in you. The nation boasts of over 13 animal sanctuaries exactly where it has been preserving a fascinating blend of varied species with numerous ecosystems and enchanting flora. Tours to Tanzania wildlife are for amateurs who desire to appreciate fundamental jungle safaris below expert supervision; it is also for the photography fans eager to seize incredible sights inside their camera and even for normal nature lovers, bird watchers and wildlife fans who would like to go raw and rugged with the wilds. To sum all of it these excursions are for all those seeking up for some significant motion and want to go actual close to be able to really feel the pulse of the jungle.

The country is blessed with unique topography and therefore from rarest of flowering plant species to mammalian, avian, reptilian species these jungles are laden with surprising vary of flora and fauna. In your Tanzania wildlife excursions the parks and reserves really worth a check out are:

Selous Game Reserve – On Selous safaris, visitors are guaranteed sight of lions, elephants, buffalo, crocodiles, hippos, giraffes, zebra, wildebeest; sable and greater kudu. Some of the birdlife to spot include fish eagle, kingfishers and the beautiful lilac-breasted roller. Selous is the only park in Tanzania where game viewing can be done by car, on foot or by boat.

Tarangire National Park - Tarangire wilderness area offers the visitors a rare treat, excursions into the bush on foot. The best times are between mid June to February.

Lake Manyara National Park - home to millions of flamingos, pelicans, storks and other bird life, as well as many hippos that can be observed at close range, the park is also famous for tree-climbing lions as well as the largest concentration of baboons in Tanzania.

Serengeti National Park - Over 2 million wildebeest, about 250,000 gazelles and 500,000 zebras and a huge number of lions inhabit the Serengeti Plains. The annual wildebeest migration more popularly has made the Park more famous as travelers from the world over come to witness this spectacular wildlife show.

Arusha National Park - Set between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Arusha Park is as outstandingly beautiful as it is small and can be visited easily from the nearby town of Arusha. The highlands of this park are forested with the peak of Meru rising above the forests to dominate the area.

All the above wildlife locations of the country are wonderful destinations to excite, enthrall and enchant visitors with their magnificence and wildlife variety.

About the Author

Edward is an enthusiastic traveller who has spent over six years travelling on and off around Africa. He has authored many travel and destination articles on tour guide for Tanzania wildlife and honeymoon in Tanzania. For more information on destination guides, visit his site at http://www.ugandasafariholiday.com/

How Much Does It Cost to Visit the Skywalk Grand Canyon?

No trip to Las Vegas is complete without a visit to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. When compared to the cost of other Vegas attractions, the bridge is a consummate deal. But only if you purchase the right package.

I have been covering the Skywalk for a long time, and I will be the first to acknowledge that figuring out how much it costs can be a bit of a mystery. I've just investigated prices and they've changed again! But in a good way.

Here's the Latest Menu of Prices

The last price update simplified costs. It was an unfathomable mish-mash before. Here's where things stand now:

Hualapai Legacy Package

$43.05 per person

Legacy Silver

$55.83 per person

Legacy Gold Package

$86.81 per person

These prices include all taxes and fees.

The Packages

My thought is that if you make it out to the West Rim, you've got to do the Skywalk. To be fair, there are many people who are happy to stand at Grand Canyon West and savor the stunning views. Fortunately, there's a package for all kinds of visitors. Here's a quick breakdown:

Hualapai Legacy

This option does not include the Sky Walk. It does give you unrestricted admittance to the Grand Canyon West, wherein you can use the hop-on-hop-off shuttle to see Guano Point, Eagle Point, the Hualapai Ranch, and the Native American Village.

Legacy Silver

Same as the Hualapai Legacy Package but includes a BBQ lunch and a $5 souvenir shop voucher.

Legacy Gold

The best for last! Includes unlimited access to the glass bridge, plus everything in the Silver Package,

Location is Everything

The Glass Bridge makes for a great tour from Las Vegas. It's only 120 away from Sin City. You can drive yourself there but understand that the final 10 miles to the West Rim are on rough unpaved dirt road. Rent a sport utility vehicle with four-wheel-drive. Or purchase a trip and leave the driving to a skilled guide (at the time of writing, there are accounts that GPS units are inaccurately delivering directions to the Grand Canyon West).

Grand Canyon Glass Bridge from Las Vegas

I've run the numbers on self-driving to this attraction and it's too high (insurance, SUV rental, gas, parking, Park fee, etc.). Tours from Vegas are by far the most inexpensive. There are lots from which to choose:

Chopper

It takes a helicopter less than an hour to reach the rim. Plans range from just the Skywalk to flying 4,000 feet to the bottom and boating down the Colorado River (my favorite).

Airplane

Planes take just 25 minutes and are the quickest way to get there. Includes same side-trips that are available with chopper tours.

Tour bus

Perfect for travelers on a budget. Takes 2.5 hours to get to Grand Canyon West. Expect to spend half a day or more on this tour (it's worth it!). Same add-ons that come with chopper rides.

Getting There is Half the Fun

The great thing about Sin City trips to the West Rim is the journey over. Highlights include Lake Mead, the largest man-made reservoir in the nation, historic Hoover Dam (spectacular from the air; bus trips include a photo stop), the new Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge, the Colorado River, Black Canyon, and an ancient stand of Joshua Tree forest.

Best Prices? Go on the internet!

If you drive yourself, there are no promotions. You turn up at Grand Canyon West and you pay fixed prices. Tours are a different story. The Glass Walkway is very popular and travel specialists in most cases are getting a high price. Don't be that person. Browse the Internet. There are some awesome offers on the Web. I personally use a broker who saves me up to 35 percent It's a fact that tour operators and brokers post their very best prices online. Make sure to apprise yourself of them.

Ready to Walk the Glass Bridge?

Don't let Grand Canyon Skywalk's price hold you back from enjoying this wonderful outdoor attraction. The only misstep here is to take the cheap package (or self-drive). Tours from Vegas, for me, are the best way to do this trip. They come with everything and you don't have to deal with that dirt road. No matter how you get to Grand Canyon West, just make sure you skywalk the canyon before you leave Las Vegas. The experience is worth it.

About the Author

Mr. Kravitz is a professional travel writer who review trips to the Grand Canyon. Here's his list of the top Grand Canyon Skywalk deals. New specials posted daily.