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Nick

Voluntourism is still one of the major buzzwords when it comes to holidays, but according to Acacia Africa, a softer version where charitable pursuits are juxtaposed with adventure is winning out with today’s travellers. The tour operator’s new 9-day Cheetah & Kruger Combination Voluntour is the perfect example.

Heath Ashcroft, Marketing Director of Acacia Africa, comments: “A growing number of travellers are looking to give something back to the host country they are visiting, hence our decision to launch a dedicated voluntour section late last year. However, adventurers still want to experience the destination as a whole, whether that’s enjoying the traditional African safari, participating in village visits or travelling off the beaten track on a overland journey.”

A “hands on” experience, Acacia Africa’s new itinerary includes opportunities to be directly involved in the care and rehabilitation of animals at the “Race Against Extinction Project; volunteers working in close proximity with the brown hyena, suni antelope, wild dog, cheetah, and a wide variety of vulture species. Adventurers can also enjoy Big Five safaris in the Kruger National Park, two days of game viewing completing the tour.

An established venture, the project, which is set in the foothills of the beautiful Magaliesberg Mountains, is one of the oldest conservation volunteer schemes for the African cheetah and has been in operation for 37 years.

£1,085pp (based on two sharing) + local payment from £94pp.  The price includes all tour highlights, transport, accommodation, park fees, sleeping mat, road tolls and taxes, meals as indicated, camping and cooking equipment and services of driver and tour leader. Excludes, visas, travel insurance, flights, departure taxes, airport transfers, tips, sleeping bag and items of a personal nature. Accommodation is based in single, twin, triple and quad rooms with shared bathroom facilities (5-nights), twin share rondavels at a private lodge (one-night) and pre-erected two person dome tents (two-nights).

Departures Monday, Wednesday & Saturday year round..

Contact Acacia Africa on 020 7706 4700, email info@acacia-africa.com or visit www.acacia-africa.com for further information

One of the best ways of experiencing the Finnish Arctic is by going what they call a husky safari. This holiday offers a stay 230kms north of the Arctic Circle, in a “wilderness” hotel combining Scandinavian style accommodation with a great range of activities designed to take you to the very heart of Lapland’s winter wilderness.

Typical day

The huskies will pull your sled through the beautiful winter scenery close to the Pallas-Ounas National Park in Western Lapland. You will pass through  forests, across hills and over frozen lakes and rivers covering up to 40km per day. Only the “swish” of the sled’s runners breaking through the snow will disturb the perfect silence and you very quickly realise that you have well and truly left behind the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

More here

Cyprus is a Mediterranean island - the third largest, after Sicily and Sardinia.  It belongs to the European Union but geographically it’s part of the Middle East: the nearest neighbour is Turkey, 75 km away and clearly visible from Cyprus’ north coast, currently under Turkish dominion.  Syria and Lebanon lie just over 100 km to the east.

The weather of Cyprus can be summarised in one word - sunny.  It has a typical Mediterranean climate, with long hot summers and mild wet winters.  Nevertheless, thanks to its topography and position, it has some interesting climatic idiosyncrasies.

Geography

Described simply, Cyprus has two mountain areas - the Troödos range in the south west, and the Kyrenia massif in the north.  In between lies the Mesaoria plain.

This bowl-like shape accounts for the very high summer temperatures recorded in Cyprus.  As the mountains block the mitigating effect of the sea, the interior can reach the mid-forties, which is surprisingly high for a Mediterranean island.

Cloudless skies

Between April and September, Cyprus has a daily average of 11 hours of bright sun. Even the cloudiest months of December and January have an average of 5.5 hours a day.  Understandably, tourism is the island’s main activity. Cyprus is also one of the leading countries in the world in using solar water heaters.

Snow

The Troödos range, whose highest peak is Mount Olympus at 1,952 metres, is covered in snow every winter above 1000 metres, between December and mid-April. In spring you can choose between sunbathing on the beach or skiing in the mountains, as tourism promoters never tire of observing.

Little rain on the plain

Most of the precipitation in Cyprus falls in the higher regions: the top of the Troödos massif gets over 1000 mm annually, while parts of the Mesaoria only 250 mm.  Baking under the relentless sun, in the summer the plain looks more like parched inner Arabia than a fertile Mediterranean island, with dust devils whirling up at noon.  Yet this is the agricultural heartland of Cyprus, depending on winter rainfall and irrigation.

Winds

The strong winds of the eastern Mediterranean are known as the Etesian winds (from Greek etos, “year”, since they are annual) or Meltemi.  They are activated by the deep low pressure over Asia that causes the Monsoon in India, and extends into the Mediterranean.  Since they come from overland, the northern Meltemi are dry winds.

By the time they reach Cyprus, the Meltemi have picked up some humidity from the sea and blow as south-westerlies.  These winds can be very persistent, reaching maximum force in the afternoon and penetrating the baking Mesaoria, which gives some respite to the residents in the capital city of Nicosia.

The contrast between sea and land temperatures in Cyprus ensures the coast enjoys refreshing sea breezes.

Winter instability

While summers are characterised by endless blue skies for weeks on end, winters are changeable.  Cyprus lies on the route of frequent small depressions crossing the Mediterranean from west to east, but periods of rain are usually short.

Climate and vegetation

The Troödos mountains, the coolest and wettest part of the island, are thickly covered with pine forest and provide a retreat from the summer heat.  The endemic and endangered Cyprus cedar (Cedrus brevifolia) is found here in Cedar Valley.

The limestone Kyrenia mountains to the north are far more arid.  Although lower (highest peak is 1,024 metres) than the Troödos range, they rise dramatically from the Mesaoria plain.  Only drought-resistant plants grow on the south-facing slopes, but the northern side bursts into flower every spring with cyclamen, anemones and turban buttercups. Over-grazing and forest fires are problems.

Cyprus is well-known for its fruit, produced in the orchards in the south of the island.  The climate allows fruit to ripen well before other parts of Europe, and subtropical species are cultivated like avocado, tomatoes, peppers and aubergine, citrus and pomegranate.

Climate change

The amount of rainfall has been decreasing over the last 30 years, and there are concerns about the island’s supply of drinking water.

Some statistics

Info for travellers

December-January: expect rain, but also plenty of sun.  In a Cyprus winter heavy clothing isn’t necessary and weather is fine for outdoor activities.

February: first signs of spring appear, with the occasional warm day. It’s still changeable, with some rainfall.  Evenings remain cold.

March: temperatures are mild. Pack medium winter clothes.  Good month for walking and appreciating nature.

April-May: days are warm, but nights can still be cold, so long-sleeves will be required for evenings. The ideal time to visit if you are interested in nature, as the Cyprus countryside is transformed by flowers and migrating birds are passing.

June-July-August: beach weather.  Only very light clothing needed for these hottest months.

September-October: days are warm, even hot, but evenings begin to cool down.  The sea is still warm after heating up all summer, so it’s a good time for the beach.

November: days are comfortably warm.  Light jumpers and long sleeves are required. Good period for outdoor activities.