‘Once in a lifetime' holiday experiences
Bailey Robinson excels in offering memorable experiences to over 60 destinations around the globe, but some experiences are quite literally 'once in a lifetime' as they happen very rarely or are extremely unusual.- Join the bushmen's initiation hunt in Africa's Kalahari Desert
- Canoe Botswana's Selinda Spillway for the first time in 30 years
- Get close to over a Million Fruit Bats in Zambia
- Become one with the Buddhists in Ladakh
- Air cruise to Antarctica
San Bushmen Initiation Hunt is a 'once a year' opportunity to witness and participate in a rapidly disappearing ritual of the Kalahari San Bushmen. The ritual marks the rite of passage from boyhood to man, sanctified by the successful hunt of a large antelope. This exclusive Botswana safari is led by one of Africa's best guides, Ralph Bousfield. Ralph grew up in the Western Kalahari and has an incredible and unique relationship with the San Bushmen. The trip offers a fascinating insight into the traditions associated with an initiation hunt, and is run in conjunction with the Bushmen people.
The eight-night hunt can be rounded off with two nights of luxury at Jack's Camp with its Persian rugs and cotton sheets, and four nights at the enigmatic Tsodilo Hills, one of the most rewarding destinations in Botswana famed for its Bushman rock paintings and rare artefacts.
The eight-night Initiation Hunt, which takes place only once a year and is next scheduled for 28 April 2010, costs from £6,240 per person based on two people travelling and includes international economy flights with South African Airways and connecting flights with Air Botswana. Additional nights at Jack's Camp can be booked from £490 per person.
Selinda Canoe Trail - Due to a summer of exceptional rains, this four-day canoe safari is a 'once in 30 years' event. The Selinda Spillway that connects the Okavango Delta to the Kwando/ Linyanti/ Chobe river systems of northern Botswana is flowing again, making a four- day/three night camping safari possible. Wildlife spotting highlights may include herds of elephant and buffalo crossing the water, rare sable and roan antelope and the chance to see leopard, lion and cheetah, amongst other species.
This four-day/three-night safari costs from £1,035 per person, based on two people sharing, excluding flights. Set departure dates until the 9th October 2009 only.
Get close to over a Million Fruit Bats in Zambia - There are only few wildlife phenomena that stand out as extraordinary events - the wildebeest migration in East Africa; the monarch butterflies arriving in Mexico. This event is certainly one of those top events in the wildlife calendar, which takes place in November each year. Over a million "straw-coloured fruit bats" converge upon Kasanka National Park in Zambia as the fruits of the local trees ripen. These bats roost in a specific woodland and literally cover the trunks of the trees like thick icing. Then at sunset they all take off and fly out to forage. The sky is literally thick with bats. You can view all this from the 60 ft high hide, in a tree top, next to the woodland.
From £3,599 per person sharing including international flights with BA and taxes, seven nights on safari plus one night in Lusaka at the end.
Become one with the Buddhists in Ladakh - Located on the border of India, Ladakh is a land of gentle Buddhists filled with turquoise glacial lakes, a high altitude desert and lush green valleys back-dropped by snow capped Himalayas. Though Ladakh has long been on the map for backpackers, it is has not yet come on the radar of the adventurous luxury traveller. This authentic 'village house' experience avoids the over commercialisation of Leh and takes you out, off the beaten track, offering a rare opportunity to discover remote regions of the Indian Himalaya that few, if any foreigners, have visited.
A seven night itinerary enables guests to stay in authentic Tibetan village homes that have been renovated to offer more sophisticated accommodation, without compromising on the original charm. Visitors will journey between the houses on foot, by river raft and by vehicle with stops at un-spoilt Buddhist monasteries en route. The itinerary can be rounded off with a two-night stay in Delhi at Saubhag, an Incredible India homestay.
Prices start from £2,400 per person for 10-nights. The price includes return economy class flights from Heathrow to Delhi, seven nights in Village Houses on a fully inclusive basis, three nights at the Saubhag Delhi on a bed and breakfast basis, all activities including two raft trips, accompanying English speaking guide, cook, support guide and porters in Ladakh, car at your disposal and a local guide in Delhi.
Air Cruise to Antarctica - The perfect escape from the British winter, fly south to the Chilean summer and visit the beautiful vineyards of the Chilean Central Valley before travelling south to Antarctica. The Antarctic Air Cruise flies to King George Island in the South Shetlands before a six-day sail along the Antarctic Peninsula seeing towering icebergs and glacial valleys, as well as hosts of penguins, whales and sea lions.
This trip costs £8,595 per person sharing a double cabin during November and December, with all international and internal flights and one night in Santiago de Chile included.
For more information, visit Baileyrobinson.com.
