Off the Radar: Adventure, Ecotourism and Voluntourism Travel Newsletter from Christina Heyniger - Masai Mara's Wildebeest and Horseback Riding in Kenya

Past editions Off the Radar can be found at www.travelofftheradar.com. If you have a great company you'd like us to consider for Off the Radar, send an email to editor@traveloffthveeradar.com.

Last month’s photo contest was a close one, and in good faith we had to call it a tie between Lisa Greissinger from People magazine and Robert Volpe who quickly identified the tagine from Morocco, also used in other North African countries. For fun and a couple nice recipes you might also check out the Fat Expat’s blog on tagines.

Since it’s Christmas and we’re feeling generous this month’s contest is also easy:

Name This Plantation

Think you recognize the type of low bushes growing on this plantation pictured here in the Northeast Indian state of Assam? Be the first to send your email with the correct answer to editor@travelofftheradar.com and we’ll happily mail you a great piece of gear from Eagle Creek.

808 Juniper Drive,
Sante Fe, NM 87501

“Awe-inspiring.” “Humbling.” “Astonishing.” “Crazy.” These are all words we’ve heard used to describe the annual wildebeest migration in the Masai Mara of southwestern Kenya. Definitely a little crazy looking, the wildebeest however is certainly not the only beautifully strange looking animal you’ll see in Kenya’s Masai Mara. Known for its gently rolling hills, forested woodlands and acacia trees, the Masai Mara is divided and nourished by the Mara River and also provides wildlife lovers with the chance to see lions, cheetahs, and the elusive leopards as well as rhinos, giraffes, crocodiles and a vast array of birds drawn by the Mara River.

Travel with our Santa Fe, NM –based neighbor Uncharted Outposts in July-August 2008 to witness the massive migration and lodge in the elegant Cottar Camp, established in 1919 and still operated by the Cottar family. Known for its classy trips, Uncharted Outposts’ Cottar Camp guests can try tracking with local guides on foot through the reserve as well as enjoy game drives. On the luxe side: massages and the quintessentially British “sundowner” tradition.

As the U.S. representatives for the Tusk Trust, a U.K.-based non-profit, Uncharted Outposts has been active in sustainable and conservation-oriented adventure travel for many years. Through Tusk they support more than 30 conservation and community development projects in 15 African countries.

For More Information visit: www.unchartedoutposts.com/overview.php or call Toll Free 1-888-995-0909.

Eco-Resorts has found a beautiful way to blend active adventure activities into traditional game park safaris in their Adventure Safari which leads guests cycling through the salty plains of Amboseli and horseback riding in the Laikipia region of Northern Kenya.

Cycling through the ancient Rift Valley on excellent off-road tracks you’ll enjoy an up-close-and-personal experience of bird and other wildlife viewing, as well as have the opportunity to meet the variety of local tribal people. In Laikipia don’t miss a one-of-a-kind experience of the African plains - riding on horseback you’ll be able to literally become part of the natural flow as you move through the herds of giraffe, zebra and antelope who seem not to notice your approach.

Guests enjoy the full range of accommodation, from igloo style camp tents to private homestays and luxurious lodges.

Highly recommended to us through our colleagues and friends working in international development for its commitment to local people and the environment, Eco-Resorts is known to promote and market the best of small, unique East African camps and lodges involved in assisting their local communities and protecting their local environment, and also provides a percentage of profits to local community and conservation projects.

For More Information visit: www.eco-resorts.com or call Toll Free 1-866-326-7376.