Adventure Calls

Think adventure is a calling for nut cases? Well, you can blame your thirst for adventure on your parents. A study published in Nature Genetics reported that people who are prone to be exploratory and excitable have a longer version of a gene called D4DR found on chromosome 11. The gene helps regulate dopamine which controls pleasure and emotion in the brain. Although the research is not conclusive, the researchers believe that finding this gene may help identify thrillseekers.

If you indeed possess that extra gene, you will find that there is no one perfect source for information on travel or adventuring to far-flung places. This is only a sampler of what is out there. We encourage readers to send in any sources they have come across to expand our list and to report on the experience.

Everybody has a different idea of adventure. It could be bird-watching or it could be parachuting into jungles to fight with rebels. So don't assume that there is only one flavor of adventure.

A few things to keep in mind when dealing with folks who offer adventurous travel: Tell them why you are calling. Ask them for more information. Ask them to describe the typical member, client etc., and then ask for references. Do not take brochures or PR material at face value.

There is no one way to join or organize an expedition. By definition, all you have to do is walk out your door. Most expeditions have goals, structure, deadlines, budgets, and so forth, and require more planning than execution. Most are scientific in nature. Many are adventurous or exploratory, with little of the painstaking information recording required of expeditions in the old days.

Expeditions are simply formalized trips. Like any great endeavor, they should have an objective, a unique sense of purpose and maybe a dash of insanity. A lot of people dream about doing great things and being lauded for their superhuman status.

An expedition is a way to say "Here is what we said we would do, and here is what we did." There is little to no reward for climbing Mt. Everest blindfolded or swimming the Atlantic while towing a barge. There is far more reward in being an actor portraying the adventurer. Sigourney Weaver (as Dian Fossey) and Patrick Bergen (as Sir Richard Burton) put more in the bank than their real-life counterparts ever made in a lifetime-a sobering thought. Fame does await the bold. And after that fame comes an endless procession of rubber chicken dinners and outdoor store openings. The more literate of them will write a book that will grace remainder lists for years to come. So consider an expedition as a good use of your skills and talents, with the only reward being the satisfaction of fellowship, a job well done and a better understanding of our world. Along the way, you will enter an elite club of men and women who have tested themselves and found themselves to be comfortably mortal.

Now a warning to the adventurous who view expeditions as an interesting way to see the world. All expeditions have some hardship involved. In fact, more and more of them seem to feature physical discomfort. Rannulph Fiennes' jaunt to the pole on skis is an example of this craziness. He could have flown, but he wanted to do something that had never been done before. Other expeditions like the recent attempt to climb Mt. Kinabalu in Borneo the hard way turned into a fiasco because a group of men decided to do whatever they felt like and got lost. They were found later, close to starvation on a mountain that is routinely climbed by schoolchildren. Expeditions are usually led by tough, experienced men who think there is nothing unusual about forcing physical and mental discomfort on others. So it is not surprising than many expeditions tend to be run either by emotionless, sadomasochistic, raving egomaniacs-men who were dressed as girls when they were young or questionable characters with overstated credentials-who are forced by their lack of job skills to make their living in godforsaken places.

If you can combine all these characteristics into one person, then you stand the chance of mounting a successful expedition.Why would someone want to walk to the North Pole, bake in the Sahara or pick ticks out of their private parts, you may well ask? The answer is always unsatisfactory. Most expedition junkies are always testing themselves, proving other people wrong and seeking to top themselves in their next hare-brained adventure.

Why do I sound so cynical here? Maybe because I have watched various expedition leaders lose it and seen many of my well-trained friends throw their hands up in disgust. The biggest single enemy of the expedition is bad chemistry, usually caused by the fearless leader's inability to lead men by example rather than brute force.

My more pleasurable expeditions have always seemed leaderless, where the group reacted in unison allowing creative interpretation of directions, deadlines and goals. Also, you must truly know your fellow expedition members. Men and women react very strangely under stress. Some revert to childish whining, others become combative, and still others simply lose it both mentally and physically.

The best way to see if you have picked the right partners in an expedition is to have a dry run that includes at least 48 hours without sleep, in adverse conditions. Sleep deprivation, combined with some mental and physical abuse at the 36-hour stage, will show a person's real mettle. Strangely enough, in my experience, white-collar workers, physical fitness nuts, city dwellers, businessmen, triathletes and sportsmen do very poorly in the ill-defined noncompetitive expedition environment. People with military experience, medical personnel, aboriginals, photographers, blue-collar laborers, and folks with rural backgrounds do very well.

The attributes to look for are experience in hard conditions, physical fitness, a sense of humor, a levelheaded approach to stress, pain and discomfort, and a genuine desire for knowledge and fellowship.

Expedition members should be chosen for specific knowledge, such as medical, language or bushlore; always get references. Members should never be chosen for prestige, ability to provide funding, or university credentials, and absolutely stay away from taking on journalists, relatives of backers and good-looking members of the opposite sex.

Just as Columbus had to sweet-talk Isabella after the banks turned him down, you have to be creative and ever hopeful. Remember, everyone interested wishes they could go with you, and their investment is just a way of saying I am part of this adventure.

The best sources for tough expeditions are the Royal Geographical Society in London and the National Geographic Society in Washington. Local newspapers will carry features on "brave young men and women" who are setting out to do whatever has not been done. In most cases, they will be looking for money (always an automatic entree into an expedition) or someone with multiple skills (doctor, cook, masseuse) to fill out the team. Be careful, since it all comes down to personality fit. Many people have never spent more than a weekend in close proximity to their spouse, let alone a total stranger; shakedown cruises are well advised, and go with your first impression. Things usually only get worse.

The up side is that you can be the first person on your block to pogo-stick to the North Pole, balloon across the Sahara or kayak Lake Baikal. Fame and fortune may await. You will need lots of money, time and the enthusiasm of a Baptist preacher. Remember that 99 percent of your time will be spent raising funds and planning. The best single source in the world is the Expedition Advisory Centre of the Royal Geographical Society in London.

Expeditions are usually funded by universities or governments, and there are no real grapevines other than reading scientific journals, staying in touch with universities or talking to expeditioners and outfitters. Most participants will be scientists and will often bring interns (for a fee) to help defray costs. The best way to find out what is happening is to contact a university directly to see if any expeditions are being mounted.

The National Geographic Society

The august and venerable National Geographic Society has become the best and most popular means for the world to understand itself. Back in 1888, it was simply a group of philanthropists who wanted to increase and diffuse geographical knowledge. Since then, they have funded almost 5000 expeditions and educated and entertained hundreds of millions, and today are the largest geographic group of any kind on this planet. They manage to maintain a rough edge and an accessible front. Unlike the tiny, musty adventurer's clubs, the National Geographic Society has gone global. You can sit in your own musty den and travel to more countries, experience more expeditions and learn more about our world, thanks to their efforts.

Many adventurers were weaned on their yellow tomes. A generation further back was titillated by sights of unclothed natives and exotic locales. If any magazine could be called adventurous, it would be good old National Geo.

National Geographic Society has 9.7 million members in almost 200 countries. Over 44 million people read each issue of the magazine, 40 million watch their documentaries on PBS and 15 million watch "On Assignment" each month. Though not exactly an elite group, being featured in or by a National Geographic publication thrusts you into the mainstream of adventure/entertainment. If you are written up or have an article in the National Geographic Magazine, you can work the rubber chicken circuit for the next decade. If you are featured on any of their television specials, like Jacques-Yves Cousteau ("The Voyages of the Calypso") or Bob Ballard ("The Search for the Titanic"), you can contemplate licensing and even starting your own TV series.

Despite being Valhalla for adventurers, the National Geographic does its bit to generate content. In 1992, the Society awarded 240 grants for field research and exploration. The Nat Geo is also on a mission to create higher awareness of geography among students, because they would have little product to sell if people didn't know the difference between Bahrain and the Bahamas. If you are young and a whiz at geography, you can try to join the 6 million people who take part in the National Geographic Bee.

The National Geographic is probably the biggest and best source for just about any information about the world and adventure. They offer a staggering range of books on everything from the Amazon to Zaire. They now offer World, a kids magazine with three million readers a month, Traveler Magazine with another three million and "National Geographic Explorer" (8 million viewers a month), a radio station (a million listeners a day) and home videos with 5.4 million viewers a year. You wouldn't think there was enough adventure, geography and science info out there, but Nat Geo just keeps on churning it out with CD-ROMs, Geoguides, popup action books, news features, on-line services, globes, atlases, a museum and more. How do they do it? For starters, they pull in about half a billion dollars in tax-free income. Just call (800) 638-4077 for a catalog of what interests you and join today.

National Geographic Research &
Exploration Quarterly

1145 17th Street North West
Washington, D.C. 20036

(800) 638-4077

A quarterly journal with a definitely scientific bent. Better laid out and illustrated than other dry journals.

National Geographic Magazine

1145 17th Street North West
Washington, D.C. 20036
(800) 638-4077

The old standard (requires membership) at $21 a year is still a great bargain. Editorial stance is getting tougher. More articles on pollution, politics and natural threats, in addition to the standard "purdy" pictures. The magazine has launched a small but well-traveled group of photographers who capture the world for a handsome fee.

The Royal Geographical Society

1 Kensington Gore
London, England SW7 2AR
[44] (71) 589 5466

The fabled exploration society that still requires nomination by an existing member to join. When in London, nonmembers can visit the Map Room in their creaky Victorian headquarters on Hyde Park near Albert Hall. They also have an impressive photo archives and reference book selection.

The Royal Geographical Society Magazine

Stephenson House, 1st Floor
Bletchley, Milton Keynes
MK2 2EW
(0908) 371981

A monthly magazine that is a lot drier and a lot less pretty than a Nat Geo publication but much tougher and smarter in its editorial focus. Covers expeditions, environment, travel, adventure-all with a scientific bent.

RGS Expedition Advisory Centre

1 Kensington Gore
London, England SW7 2AR
[44] (71) 5812057

Contact the Expedition Advisory Centre. Don't be shy about calling or ordering any one of their excellent (but very British) books on expedition planning. They have an incredible selection of how-to books, and you can also get listings of past expeditions, contact other people interested in expeditions and get in touch with experts who have been to your area of interest. They do not sponsor expeditions but have a handbook on how to raise money.

All Inclusive Expeditions

The line between soft and hard adventure is the word "expedition." Experienced rafters, climbers, canoeists, hikers and divers usually seek out the small category of hard-core trips that may or may not provide any touristic benefit but push them to the limit. The common goal is to do something first, more intensely or just better than anyone has done before.

Mountain Travel/Sobek Inc.

6420 Fairmont Avenue

El Cerrito, California 94530

(800) 227-2384

MTS is always trying to open up new areas or try new rivers. Usually trips are offered as part of their catalog, or if you call them directly they might have the same idea you have and help you put together a run (at a cost, of course). MTS does the old-fashioned type of expediting and running expeditions.

The Sports Advisory Bureau

Sports Council

16 Upper Woburn Place

London, England WC1H 0PQ

[44] (71) 388 1277

They can put you in touch with the major specialist sport and adventure groups in the UK. From there, you can ask around as to who's climbing what mountain or running what river.

If you would like to do more than wander around a country, try joining an expedition. Americans haven't quite caught on to this method of travel, but Europeans and the Japanese are crazy about it. Accordingly, they offer a lot more variety than some of their Stateside counterparts.

Brathay Exploration Group

Brathay Hall
Ambleside
Cumbria, England LA22 0HP
[44] (53) 9433942

The Brathay Group has launched more than 550 expeditions since 1947. Every year about 125 young people (15-25 years old) in groups of about 20 set off on a variety of scientific trips. There are sponsors for the financially disadvantaged and most members contribute toward the cost of each expedition.

Trekforce Expeditions

134 Buckingham Palace Road
London, England SW1W 9SA
[44] (71) 824 8890
FAX: [44] (71) 824 8892

Trekforce has six-week expeditions to Indonesia between June and November. Trips include four days of jungle training and require the ability to work side by side with scientists at a variety of scientific sites. Some of the projects have included Sumatran Rhino surveys, trips to the Baliem valley in Irian Jaya, grasshopper studies and even restoring a British fort in Sumatra. You must be over 18 years old and are expected to raise the $4000 or however much it takes for airfare and your expenses.

Environmental Careers Organization

68 Harrison Avenue
Boston Massachusetts 02111
(617) 426-4783

Helps find paid, short-term positions for college students and graduates.

Earthwork

The Student Conservation Association
Post Office Box 550
Charlestown, New Hampshire 03603
(603) 543-1700

Provides lists of internships for students in the natural resources area.

Green Corps

Field School for Environmental Organizing
3507 Lancaster Avenue
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
(215) 879-1760

Selected applicants can join annual training programs in environmental studies and campaign organizing.

University Research Expeditions Program

University of California
Berkeley, California 94720
(510) 642-6586

Local and worldwide field research programs are available throughout the University of California network.

Oceanic Society Expeditions

Fort Mason Center
Building "E", Suite 230
San Francisco, California 94123-1394
(415) 441-1106

OSE manages research projects around the world and promotes the collection and analysis of scientific evidence that can be used in the protection of marine and terrestrial natural habitats. Natural history and volunteer-assisted research expeditions are guided by OSE naturalists and use local guides when possible. Encounter the legendary pink dolphins of the Amazon River, help a research team document bottleneck dolphins in Belize, get up close to Costa Rican humpback whales, or study sea turtles in Suriname. More than 30 unique expeditions are offered each year.

Wexas International

45 Brompton Road
London, England SW3 1DE
[44] (71) 589 3315, FAX: [44] (71) 589 8418

A British travel club with members in 130 countries. Its Traveller magazine is a good source for finding expedition members, discounts or travel partners. You can also find deals on airfares, insurance, car rental and hotels.

World Challenge Expeditions

Soane House
305-315 Latimer Road
London, England W10 6RA
[44] (81) 964 1331, FAX: [44] (81) 964 5298

World Challenge Expeditions puts together young people in groups of 12-16 members, and sends them off to foreign lands to conduct an environmental field project. These are not real scientific projects but tasks designed to build leadership skills and self reliance. Each member of the team has a chance to lead at least once during the month-long expedition.

Applicants must be between 16 and 20 years old, and the cost runs about $3000. Applications should be in before February.

 

Australian New Zealand Scientific
Expedition Society

http://www.vicnet.net.au/~anzses/

ANZSES

P.O. Box 174

Albert Park 3206

Victoria, Australia

[61] (3) 9866-8699, FAX: [61] (3) 9866-8044

A non-profit organization which launches scientific expeditions into wilderness areas of Australia.

Cordell Expeditions

4295 Walnut Boulevard

Walnut Creek, CA 94596 USA

(510) 934-3735

http://www.ccnet.com/~cordell/

A tax-exempt, nonprofit research association founded in 1977 that principally explores offshore submerged marine sites that support extensive biological communities.

Earthwatch

680 Mt. Auburn Street

P.O. Box 403,

Watertown, Massachusetts 02272;

(800) 776-0188, FAX: (617) 926-8532

EMAIL: info@earthwatch.org

http://gaia.earthwatch.org/

An international nonprofit organization which offers its members the opportunity to work side by side with field scientists. Since its founding in 1972, Earthwatch has mobilized over 2,030 projects in 118 countries and 36 states. More than 48,400 EarthCorps volunteers have contributed over $34 million and 5,635,300 hours.

Expedition Society

Richard Pierce

P.O. Box 506

West Boxford, Massachusetts 01885

(508) 352-6902

Email:RAP38@aol.com or

http://www.conveyor.com/expeditions/

Planet Earth Expedition

http://www.shasta-co.k12.ca.us/www/telementors/test.html

A pretend scientific web site for 6th grade adventurers.

Scientific Exploration Society

Expedition Base

Motcombe, Dorset, SP7 9PB

Membership & FULCRUM

(01747) 853353,
FAX: (01747) 851351

http://www.wessex.co.uk/ses/

Colonel John Blashford-Snell's organization that mounts scientific expeditions that paying members join for about $3000-$5000 plus air. Four meetings are held each year in London where members and their guests are welcomed to illustrated talks and lectures given by explorers, conservationists and scientists.

South American Explorers Club

126 Indian Creek Road

Ithaca, New York 14850

(607) 277-0488

http://www.solutions.net/rec-travel/south_america/s_am_explorers_club.html

The non-profit South American Explorers Club is a source of travel information about South and/or Central America. With Clubhouses in Lima, Peru; Quito, Ecuador, and Ithaca, New York.

Royal Geographical Society of Australasia,
SA Branch

c/o State Library of South Australia

North Terrace

Adelaide, South Australia 5000

Postal Address:

GPO Box 419

Adelaide, South Australia 5001

(08) 207-7265/207-7266,
FAX: (08) 207-7247

http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/asa/directory/data/301.htm

The Coral Reef Alliance

CORAL

64 Shattuck Square, Suite 220

Berkeley, CA 94704

(510) 848-0110, FAX: (510) 848-3720

e-mail: CORALmail@aol.com

http://www.coral.org:80/Home.html

CORAL is an independent, non-profit membership organization that works to address the worldwide problem of coral reef destruction. They provide links to expeditions and works that look for volunteers.

2111 Foundation for Exploration

http://twenty-one-11.org/exp-link.html

P.O. Box 338

Mountain View, California 94042-0338

(888) 843-2111

e-mail: foundation@twentyone-11.org

Provides links to ongoing expeditions and expedition organizers.

Scientific Expeditions

http://wk122.nas.nasa.gov/NAS/FAST/FASTtreks/index.html

An online, interactive exploration into data. FAST Expeditions allow FAST users to load datasets and scripts into FAST from the World Wide Web. Comes with instructions.

 

The Association for Tropical Lepidoptera

P. O. Box 141210

Gainesville, Florida 32614-1210,
FAX/(352) 373-3249)

http://www.troplep.org/

A nonprofit scientific society and educational membership organization, founded in 1989 to promote the study and conservation of Lepidoptera worldwide, especially in the tropical regions of the world. They also organize expeditions to places like Taiwan, Chile and Brazil.

Odyssey Expeditions

1239 Biltmore Drive

Fort Myers, Florida 33901-8707

(803) 670-8767

http://falcon.jmu.edu/~cabrercm/

A nonprofit organization offering tropical marine biology voyages in the British Virgin Islands to high school and college students. Students can learn marine science, advanced diver training, and practical seamanship skills aboard Beneteau yachts equipped as complete research and dive platforms on three week voyages of discovery. Scholarships and academic credit are available. Cost is between $3000-$3500.

K & J Slavin (Quest) Ltd.

Cow Pasture Farm, Louth Road

Hainton

Lincolnshire, England LN3 6LX

(0507) 313401, FAX: (0507) 313609

e-mail: kjslavin@btb.com

http://www.btb.com/kjslavin/

A family business operating from the rural countryside of Lincolnshire in England since 1979. Ken Slavin supplies Land Rovers, spares and accessories to areas outside Europe where no existing Land Rover dealer operates and also customize vehicles for aid groups and expeditions

Expedition Research

Expedition Research

PO Box 1961

Snohomish, WA 98290

(360) 668-6179, FAX: (360) 668-7137

http://www.expeditionresearch.org

A non-profit membership organization incorporated in Washington State, U.S.A.

Oceanwide Expeditions

Badhuisstraat 148-150,

4382 AP Vlissingen, Netherlands

FAX: (31) 118-418584.

http://www.ocnwide.com/

Travel aboard old Dutch sailing ships or Russian research ships (icebreakers).

 

For those of you who flunked science but still want to do something meaningful with your time, consider volunteering in a foreign region. You can do anything from writing pamphlets to cleaning toilets. In most cases, there will be a "goal" and you will help in "achieving that goal." You, of course, will pay for all the expenses involved and will have to make a donation as well. Once on site, you will be working with motivated people who are trying to change whatever it is that causes problems in the local region. It can be lonely, frustrating and ultimately depressing. On the other hand, there is no better way to understand the world's problems. There are thousands upon thousands of opportunities for people who want to give of their time and skills. There are even more opportunities for people who don't mind paying to volunteer. In some cases, state agencies have replaced paid workers with paying volunteers for maintenance of trails, parks, and so forth. Archaeological digs are popular, as are works projects in Third World countries. The list and choice of volunteer vacations is so extensive that there are over 40 books and directories currently in print on the subject. There are enough of these opportunities to ensure that you will end up in the dangerous place of your choice, whether it's digging ditches in Sierra Leone, working on a Kibbutz in areas occupied by Israel or counting trout in the good old U.S.A. You can choose from mild to wild. If you want to work overseas and get paid contact: Fischer Report, P.O Box 2770 Laguna Hills California 92654 (one year subscription is $400).

An excellent resource is Volunteer Vacations, by Bill McMillon, and published by the Chicago Review Press, Another more cerebral source is:

Directory of Lay Volunteer Opportunities

St. Vincent Palloti Center for Apostolic Development

Box 893 Cardinal Station

Washington, D.C. 20064

(202) 529-3330, FAX: (202) 529 0911

Let's start off the listings with a higher moral tone. You can work with a number of religious organizations like the Mary Knolls missionaries and other groups around the world.

Archaeological Institute of America

675 Commonwealth Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02215

(800) 338-5578, (617) 353-9361, FAX: (617) 353-6560

Call to order their annual listings of digs around the world that are looking for volunteers.

Council on International Educational Exchange

205 East 42nd Street

New York, New York 10017

(212) 661-1414

Field programs and summer academic programs in Latin and South America.

Earthwatch

680 Mt. Auburn Street

Box 403N

Watertown, Massachusetts 02272

(800) 776-0188, (617) 926-8200, FAX: (617) 926-8532

Offers working vacations on 155 field research expeditions around the world. Document the decay in the coral reef off Maui, excavate Mayan sites in Guatemala, or help scientists in Siberia study active volcanoes.

GAP Activity Projects Limited

44 Queen's Road

Reading, Berkshire, England RG1 4BB

[44] (734) 594914, FAX: [44] (734) 576634

The "gap" is a British term to describe the year between grade school and college. The GAP places young people in a variety of work situations in Russia, Hungary, Japan, China and Poland. Positions include business, medical, adventure training, conservation and teaching.

Institute for International Cooperation
and Development

Post Office Box 103-F

Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267

(413) 458-9828

Semester-long programs worldwide that combine cultural and educational experiences.

Raleigh International

Raleigh House

27 Parsons Green Lane

London, SW6 4HZ England

[44] (71) 371 8585,
FAX: [44] (71) 371 5116

Can you swim 500 meters? Can you speak English? Good, you're on. Raleigh International sends eager young (17-25 years old) volunteers to the far corners of the world. The goal is to work on community, research and conservation projects while having a bit of adventure. The charity likes to challenge young people and develop their leadership skills and self-confidence.

UNIPAL (Universities' Education Fund
for Palestinian Refugees)

33A Islington Park Street

London, England N1 1QB

[44] (71) 2267997,
FAX: [44] (71) 2260880

UNIPAL provides teaching and social services to the Palestinians in Israel and Jordan.

Volunteers for Israel

330 West 42nd Street, Suite 1318

New York, New York

(212) 643-4848

Those who want to work on kibbutzim, Israel Defense Fund bases or in hospitals can expect to pay between $500 and $1000 for the privilege. Age is no object, other than you must be more than 18; over 15,000 people have signed up with this 13-year-old agency.

Volunteers for Peace

43 Tiffany Road

Belmont, Vermont 05730

(802) 259-2759

A work camp-type environment with placement worldwide.

Volunteers in Technical Assistance

1815 North Lynn Street, Suite 200

Arlington, Virginia 22209

(703) 276-1800

If you have a specific technical skill that you would like to share or apply with others, contact this group. They prefer to communicate by mail and will ask you some specific questions before referring you to one of the many volunteer groups in their listings.

Volunteer, The National Center

1111 North 19th Street, Suite 500

Arlington, Virginia 22209

(703) 276-0542

If you want to narrow down your choices, make this group your first stop. They will simply refer you to a group of organizations they think will match your interests.

 

Alliance of European Voluntary Service
Organizations

http://www.astro.rug.nl/~grijs/aevso.html

American Friends Service Committee

http://www.afsc.org/

British Trust for Conservation Volunteers

http://www.demon.co.uk/dobx/btcv/inter.html

Earthwatch

http://www.earthwatch.org

Earth Pledge Foundation

http://www.earthpledge.org

EarthWise Research Expeditions

http://www.teleport.com/~earthwyz/volunt.htm

Global Volunteers

http://www.globalvlntrs.org

InterAction

http://www.interaction.org/ia/

International Community Service Resources

http://www.contact.org/comserve.htm

Remote Area Medical

http://www.usit.net/hp/ram/help.html

Trans-Cultural Study Guide

http://www.moon.com/trans.cultural/trans.cultural.html

United Nations Volunteers

http://suna.unv.ch/

Volunteer Opportunities

http://www.gorp.com/gorp/nonprof/main.htm

Volunteer Organizations-Bernd Wechner's list

http://www.aitec.edu.au/~bwechner/Documents/Travel/Lists/VolunteerOrgs.html

Volunteers For Peace

http://www.vermontel.com/~vfp/home.htm

Volunteers in Asia

http://www.moon.com/staying.healthy/travel.health/volunteers.html

Academy of Leisure Sciences

http://www.geog.ualberta.ca/als/als1.html

adventure.online

http://www.adventureonline.com

Alliance for Off Campus Programs

http://www.sound.net/~learn

American Institute For Foreign Study
(AIFS, Inc.)

http://www.aifs.org/

AmeriSpan - Spanish immersion programs

http://www.amerispan.com

Australia Internship Programs

http://205.214.89.2:80/internships/

Bennett School of Travel

http://bwtravel.com/overview.html

Centre For Tourism

http://www.scu.edu.au/ressci/tourism/

Council on International Educational Exchange

http://www.ciee.org/ciee.htm

Cruise Ship Employment

http://www.cruisekat.com

Earthwatch

http://gaia.earthwatch.org

Educational and Cultural Exchanges

http://www.usia.gov/usiahome/educatio.html

Explorations In Travel, Inc.

http://www.xensei.com:80/users/explore/

French language and cultural workshop

http://www.greendolphin.com

The Graduate Tourism Program Home Page

http://www.monash.edu.au/ncas/tourism/tourism.htm

Hospitality Net

http://www.xxlink.nl/hospitalitynet/job

Hospitality Training Management

http://qb.island.net/~htm/index.html

ISTC

http://www.istc.org/default.htm

International Institute Of Tourism Studies

http://www.microstate.com/pub/micros/gwu/

Internships

http://www.advc.com/internships

James Cook University

http://www.jcu.edu.au/dept/Tourism/tourpage.html

Joint Language Training Center

http://www.cc.utah.edu/~coj6886/jltc.html

Laboratory For Leisure, Tourism Sport

http://yoda.ucc.uconn.edu/users/yiannakisa/mylab.html

MayaQuest Learning Adventure

http://mayaquest.mecc.com/

National Center For Educational Travel

http://www2.ios.com/~ncet/

Outdoor Recreation Research

http://sfbox.vt.edu:10021/Y/yfleung/recres.html

Peace Corps

http://www.clark.net/pub/peace/PeaceCorps.html

Programs for Americans Going Abroad

http://www.cdsintl.org:80/fromus.html

Recreation and Leisure Studies

http://www.geog.ualberta.ca/als/rlsres.html

Servas Association

http://www.crs4.it/~gavino/SERVAS/

South Florida Travel Academy, Inc.

http://www.netrunner.net/~academy/

Smoky Mountain Field School

http://web.ce.utk.edu/departments/noncredit/smoky/smoky.html

Stanford University Overseas Studies Program

http://www-osp.stanford.edu

Study abroad

http://www.studyabroad.com

Summer Study at Oxford University

http://www.ostavizn.com/site/Oxford1.html

U.S. National Park Service Employment

http://www.nps.gov/personnel/index.html

University of Surrey, UK, Department of
Management Studies

http://www.surrey.ac.uk/DOMS/wwwdom1.html

 

Working overseas is a lot more romantic than it is financially rewarding. My stepfather pulled down a mediocre wage looking for oil in Canada but managed to get a six-figure tax-free salary with a simple idea. He figured he would find the thing of most value to the wealthiest people in the world. What's that, you ask. Water and the Saudis, of course. Most jobs overseas require training and lengthy job searches. There are some shortcuts: The military, the diplomatic corp, multinational corporations, airline stewards, aircraft ferry pilots, even foreign correspondents all will guarantee you frequent flier miles and broken marriages. On the other hand, the world will be your playground, and you will develop an understanding and enjoyment of the world few people will ever appreciate.

Vacation Work Publications

9 Park End Street

Oxford, England OX1 1HJ

[44] (865) 241978,
FAX: [44] (865) 790885

A British source for publications on summer jobs, volunteer positions and other new ways of travel. If you cover the postage, they will send you their latest catalog about books and specific publications on subjects that cover teaching or living and working in various countries around the world. A small sampling of publications can show you how to teach English in Japan, work on a kibbutz in Israel, choose an adventure holiday, get au pair and nanny jobs, find summer employment in France and much more.

EcoNet and PeaceNet

18 De Boom Street

San Francisco, California 94107

(415) 442-0220

An on-line group that can link you up with like-minded conservationists and possibly a job.

Foundation for Field Research Programs

Post Office Box 2010

Alpine, California 91903

(619) 445-9264

A comprehensive directory of Field Research Programs around the world.

Archaeology Abroad

31-34 Gordon Square

London, WC1H 0PY England

AA puts out three bulletins a year advertising overseas excavations that need volunteers and staff. They are primarily looking for people with excavation experience (grave digging and gardening don't necessarily qualify you).

The Astrid Trust

Training Ship Astrid

9 Trinity Street

Weymont, DT4 8TW England

[44] (305) 761916

Every year the square rigger Astrid offers two 3-month, transatlantic voyages for 26 young people. The seven-week trip heads to the Caribbean from Weymouth in September and from St. Lucia to Weymouth in mid-May. There are also short summer cruises while in England, where the crew can learn to sail and scuba dive and take part in expeditions onshore.

Transitions Abroad

Box 3000

Denville, New Jersey 07834

(413) 256-3414, FAX: (413) 256-0373

This bimonthly magazine is targeted for people who want to live and work in a foreign country. It includes a directory of international volunteer positions and lists job opportunities including teaching and technical positions. $38 for 12 issues.

 

Overseas Jobs Express

Premier House, Shoreham Airport

Sussex BN43 5FF

[44] (1273) 440220,
FAX. [44] (1273) 440229

email: OJE-books@overseasjobs.com

http://www.overseasjobs.com

Job Search Overseas

P.O. Box 35, Falmouth

Cornwall, TR11 3UB

(0872) 870070, FAX. (0872) 870071

A monthly paper which collects international job ads from other sources for the working traveller.

Overseas Employment Newsletter

A newsletter published by Overseas Employment Services, every two weeks, in which they "describe in detail at least 300 currently available jobs for a broad range of skills, careers and positions in many developing nations and industrialized countries around the world." The same group also publish a variety of useful books on the same topic.

Overseas Employment Services

P.O. Box 460,

Town of Mount Royal,

Quebec H3P 3C7 CANADA

(514) 739-1108, FAX: (514) 739-0795

Web Travel Resources: Clever ways to travel for free or little cost

http://www.prairienet.org/~dbrown/travel.html

AESU

http://www.charm.net/~aesu/

Low Cost Airfares Tours to Europe.

AYH Regional (ENEC)

http://www.tiac.net/users/hienec/

AYH National Office

http://gnn.com/gnn/bus/ayh/index.html

Campus Travel

http://www.campustravel.co.uk

College Travel International

http://www.prairienet.org/rec/travel/homepage.html

Council Travel

http://www.ciee.org/cts/ctshome.htm

Hello America

http://www.helloamerica.com/cat-bin/signon/HelloAmerica

ISTC

http://www.istc.org/

INational Center for Educational Travel

http://www2.ios.com:80/~ncet/

STA Travel

http://www.sta-travel.com/

Student and Budget Travel Guide

http://asa.ugl.lib.umich.edu/chdocs/travel/travel-guide.html

T@P Travel

http://www.taponline.com/tap/travel.html

Travelhouse

http://www.cymfony.com/travelhouse

USIA

http://www.usia.gov/homepage.html

Educational and Cultural Exchanges.

Travel Agents and Cheap Airfares

Access Travel (Quality Travel Services)

http://www.accesstravel.com

Air Consolidators-TravelScope

http://www.worldhotel.com/buttons/cheapfares/consolidator.html

Consolidators-FAQ

http://www.digimark.net/rec-travel/air-travel/consolidators

Discounted Air Fares Worldwide On-Line

http://www.etn.nl/discount.htm

Air Brokers Int'l - ('round the world)

http://www.aimnet.com/~airbrokr

AESU Flights-Low-Cost Airfares to Europe

http://www.charm.net:80/~aesu/

Around-the-World Airfares Adventures

http://www.highadv.com/

Avanti Destinations

http://www.teleport.com/~avanti/index.html

Budget Travellers World

http://minyos.xx.rmit.edu.au/~tbmlc/travel/cworld/index.html

Cost Busters Travel

http://www.newmall.com/cbmain.html

Cyber Air Broker

Http://www.airdiscounter.com

DIA Travel and Tours

http://www.diatravel.com/

Diethelm Travel, Thailand

http://www.mnsinc.com/cicm/thailand/diethelm.html

European Travel Inc... online

http://www.european.com/~eurofile/home.html

Global Internet Travel

http://www.globaltravel.com/

MK Ways

http://www.siam.net/mkways

OSky Plus Travel

http://netmar.com/~yoak/

Travel Avenue-A Rebate

http://www.interaccess.com/travlav/trav_web/trav.htm

Travel Bargains Website

http://www.Real-TravelBargains.com/index.html

Travel Discounters

http://www.tagsys.com/Ads/NetSale/index.html

Travel Discounts page

http://www.traveldiscounts.com/discount/index.html

Travel Information Service

http://www.tiss.com/

Travel Travel

http://www.mindspring.com/~travtrav/travel.html

TravelWise Travel Specials

http://www.shore.net/olm/TravelWise.specials.html

Travel World

http://www.omnitravel.com/

Traveler's Net (rebates)

http://www.travelersnet.com

UniTravel Online

http://www.unitravel.com/

Web-ers Travel Service

http://www.transport.com/~rose/web-ers/

Wholesale Travel Centre

http://www.dgsys.com/~airfare/index.html

The World Wide Wanderer Cyberian
Bucket Shop Guide

http://www.dcwww.com/wanderer/WWWanderer_home_page.html

1 Travel

http://www.1travel.com

Campus Travel Web Site

http://www.campustravel.co.uk

 

For the less organized and mildly impetuous, we offer straight shots into the unknown. We all yearn to stuff a few things into a faded knapsack and hit the road. For those who look a little farther down the road, it means a dirt-cheap ticket from a bucket shop and a bunch of needles and expensive pills. Where do you want to go? We have put together a smattering of rough-and-tumble places that will get you started. For those who like a baby-sitter to keep them out of trouble, I have included the addresses of tour packagers and outfitters.

For those who like trendy style, color coordinated yuppie sports check out:

Extreme Sports

http://www.extreme-sports.com/

The Radzone

http://www.radzone.com/

Arctic/Antarctic

We used to say the Arctic was a great place to live if you were a Popsicle. Having been born in Edmonton, Alberta, and having participated in snowshoe marathons in my youth, all I can say is the frozen food section in the grocery store is about as close as I want to get to the colder climes these days. But don't let me stop you if your idea of fun is trying to unstick your private parts from your zipper after relieving yourself in a blizzard.

For cold-weather travelers, the most popular place is Antarctica, where legions of red survival-suited tourists create more photos of penguins and icebergs than ever could be viewed by their warmer relatives; second is Alaska and then the Northwest Territories. Siberia and Kamchatka are a distant fourth, but ripe for development. People who venture to the poles have to be a little crazy, since there is essentially nothing to see. The folks who pay a minimum of 10 grand to get to the North Pole are really sitting over a mass of water. Weather permitting, you get a few hours before you are bundled back on the plane for the long return flight. April is really the only hospitable month that the Pole can be visited with some certainty. There is some awe-inspiring and desolate scenery along the way, and you will be sick of flying as you must first get to Yellowknife, then Resolute, then a weather station on the edge of Ellesmere Island. From there, you wait until the weather clears and off you go. Make sure you know there is a geographic North Pole and a magnetic North Pole. The Magnetic North Pole wanders around like a bedouin looking for an oasis. A visit to the geographic North Pole may be all in good fun, but a visit to the South Pole is a different story. As bad as the weather is up north, it is much worse in the south. The vibes are very different as well. Scientists want nothing to do with the variety of adventurers, tourists and nuts who want to do everything from ski to motorcycle to the South Pole. Most of these people require very expensive and difficult extraction once they come face to face with the harsh realities of Antarctica. Cruise ships are considered a major evil, with their disturbance of animal populations, litter and general disruption of this pristine area.

Is it dangerous in the colder climes? Well, what do you think? You can start with the cold. Hypothermia, exposure, frostbite and plain old freezing to death are the constants. Falling through thin ice, predatory polar bears, crevasses, fires caused by unattended heaters and the list goes on. Being an old hand in the north, I won't bore you with long descriptions of 100-m.p.h. winds, helicopter crashes, drilling through blood blisters with pocket knives to relieve the pain, how flesh sticks to metal, why engines have to be run 24 hours a day and what frostbite can do to your toes. If you want all the gory details, contact the following:

Adventure Canada

1159 West Broadway

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 1G1

(604) 736-7447

OK, you've been there, done that, visited all 235-some-odd countries. What is left to impress your friends? How about a round of golf on the North Pole? You can also claim to visit Greenland, Russia, Canada and the U.S.A. as you whack your ball around the four international zones that meet at the North Pole. The trip costs $10,200 and golf clubs are provided.

Adventure Network International

200-1676 Dranleau Street

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3S5

(604) 683-8033, FAX: (604) 689-7646

Nothing to do in late November or early December? Then the Antarctic is the place to be. Pat Morrow and those crazy adventurers at ANI (founded in 1985 by a group of expedition guides) have put together a two-week ski and snowmobile trip, where an intrepid few can stay at Patriot Hills base camp (the only private base camp in the Antarctic) and then visit the surrounding area on skis or via snowmobile. Flights are available to overfly Mt. Vinson and the Ellsworth mountains. Campers can participate in the two-week ski trip that includes outside camping. If that sounds too tame, how about flying down to the South Pole and driving some Ski-Doos back to the base camp? All you need is $50,000 (that's not a typo) for the three-week stint. If this seems cheap, then get in line for a month-long trip that crosses the Ross Ice Shelf to Cape Evans, where you will be met by an expedition ship. The ticket is $100,000 per person. That's a lifetime of Club Meds for most folks.

Arctic Experience

29 Nork Way

Banstead, England SM7 1PB

[44] (737) 362321

A small outfit specializing in putting together European-based Arctic expeditions for small groups.

Borton Overseas

5516 Lyndale Avenue South

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55419

(800) 843-0602, FAX: (612) 827-1544

Every spring Borton runs eight-day tours of Greenland that include two days of dog sledding. Participants can visit a remote Inuit village as well as tour Ammasalik and Sarfagajik Fjord.

Ecosummer Expeditions

1516 Duranleau Street

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3S4

(604) 669-7741

A neighbor of ANI on picturesque Granville Island, this group is the best kayak outfitter in North America. They will send you to both warm and cold climates to get eye level with the world. Their trips to Ellesmere Island are not strenuous and cover only about five to 20 miles a day, leaving plenty of time to get to see the wide variety of wildlife that becomes visible in the summer.

Special Odysseys

3430 Evergreen Point Road

Post Office Box 37A

Medina, Washington 98039

(206) 455-1960

If you really want to get to the North Pole, it will cost you about eight days and 10 grand just to land, walk around and then get back in the plane the same day. The trip leaves every April, and I am sure can provide you with some type of sporting event other than golf.

Arctic Adventure Aps

Aaboulevarden 37, DK-1960

Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark

[45] (1) 37 12 33

The experts on the massive island of Greenland. They can get you there just about any time you want to go.

Quark Expeditions

980 Post Road

Darien, Connecticut 06820

(800) 356-5699 or (203) 656-0499

Eighteen grand will put you in a nuclear-powered Russian icebreaker with a bunch of prefab living quarters bolted on. The 500-ft. Sovetskiy Soyuz puts its 75,000 horses into crushing through up to 16 feet of ice. Quark puts an ecospin on this trip, so expect to be educated by scientists and come back knowing more about the Arctic than you ever wanted to know. The Soyuz will cut a hole right on up to the geographic North Pole (the magnetic Pole is too flaky).

 

For those who have no particular method of transportation in mind, you might want to contact these groups:

Above The Clouds Trekking

P.O. Box 398E

Worchester, Massachusetts 01602

(800) 233-4499

If you're seeking in-depth exploration of remote lands and exotic cultures, this travel outfit provides expert guides and average group size of eight. Destinations include Bhutan, Pakistan, Tibet, Madagascar, Nepal, Norway, France, UK, Costa Rica and Hawaii. Call for a free brochure.

Adventure Center

1311 EP 63rd Street

Emeryville, California 94608

(510) 654-1879, (800) 227-8747

Since 1976, Adventure Center has offered more than 160 affordable adventure programs worldwide. Programs include hiking, trekking, wildlife, natural history, sea treks, river journeys and cultural adventures. Discover ancient Mayan sites, sail Turkey's Aegean coast, experience the rain forests of Costa Rica.

MIR Corporation

85 S. Washington Street, Suite 210

Seattle, Washington 98104

(800) 424-7289

Discover off-the-beaten-path Russia, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Hungary, Ukraine, Poland and China, including Trans-Siberia rail journeys and Central Asian explorations.

Turtle Tours

5924 East Gunsight Road

Cave Creek, Arizona 85331

(602) 488-3688, FAX: (602) 488-3406

Post Office Box 1147

Carefree, Arizona 85377

For 11 years Irma Turtle has specialized in introducing small groups of travelers to the world's dwindling nomadic and tribal peoples. Starting with trips to the Sahara to visit the Turegs, she has expanded her offerings to cover South America, the Middle East and Asia. If you want to experience the Wodaabe gerewol festival in Niger, the Pushkar camel fair in Rajashtan in India or the Asmats of Irian Jaya, she can provide an existing itinerary or put together a custom trip. Turtle offers a good selection of destinations for groups as small as two. Choose from Trans Sahara, The Empty Quarter, Northern Kenya, Namibia, Ethiopia-all designed to add an element of contact with culture, and peoples that other operators don't offer. Ground costs, per person for group tours run about $3500 for 14 to 18 day trips.

Discovery Expeditions

Expedition Base

Motcombe, near Shaftesbury

Dorset, England SP7 9PB

[4] (747) 54456

Colonel John Blashford-Snell runs a variety of very adventurous and rewarding trips for "active mature adults." There are no age limits or special requirements, but they do ask that prospective team members get together at a briefing weekend (in England) to determine their compatibility and for a briefing on the realities that await them. Blashford-Snell's reputation as a "famous explorer" truly has the credentials to make any expedition interesting and worthwhile.

Other adventure-minded agencies include the following:

Balloons are not really a method of travel, unless you are Richard Branson. Balloons are expensive, vicarious, and sometimes deadly as a method of long-distance travel. As a vehicle for short, breathtaking ascents, they are a blast. Zeppelins have fallen out of favor (and out of the sky), so for now any desire to float through the sky is limited to balloon tour operations, hang gliding and soaring (glider flight). The newest adventure twist is bungy jumping from balloons.

Balloons travel with the prevailing wind, so you can't really determine your path. A variety of balloon safaris are available in Africa. For example, a balloon ride with champagne breakfast in the Masai Mara in Kenya will set you back about $250 per person for the four-hour event. If you are really nutso about starting every day with a balloon ride, then give one of these folks a call. If you are more interested in emulating Tom Cruise in Top Gun, you can sign up to fly a fighter plane at Air Combat USA.

Adventure Balloons

3 Queens Terrace

Hanwell

London, England W7 3TS

[44] (81) 840-0108

A specialist in balloon holidays in Great Britain, France and Ireland.

Air Escargot

Remigny, France 71150

[33] (85) 87-1230

Balloon trips in the Burgundy area with evenings at fine restaurants. Expect to pay about $300 a day per person and stay in luxury accommodations complete with daily balloon rides.

Bombard Balloon Adventures

6727 Curran Street

McLean, Virginia 22101

(800) 862-8537, (703) 883-0985

Where would you like to go? Bombard is the world's largest balloon tour operator and can take you just about anywhere you want to go. They claim to have sent more than 14,000 people on trips over the last 18 years.

Air Combat USA

230 Dale Place

Fullerton, California 92833

(800) 522-7590 or 714-522-7592

If you're dying to use a nickname like "Iceman" or "Maverick" and have always salivated over fighter planes, this is the place for you...if you have the guts and enough big bucks. For $695, you can man the controls of a tactical fighter trainer and engage in simulated aerial dogfighting with other Top Gun wannabes. For your money, you get a one-hour ground course, one-hour of flight time, a videotape of your experience and a one-hour debriefing afterwards. No flying experience is required. An instructor sits next to you the entire time, but even novices get to take the controls. Flights are conducted daily and reservations are needed.

Fly a MIG

Incredible Adventures

6604 Midnight Pass Road

Sarasota, Florida 34242

(800) 644-7382

http://www.mig29.com/mig29/

Just think the Russians spent all this money so that well-heeled dentists and plastic surgeons can fly a real MiG. The rather steep fee includes flying to Russia, lots of training and warning and your choice of a MiG-21, 25 or 29. For a few extra bucks ask them if you can drop bombs on Chechen or Tajik rebels (just kidding).

Military Parachuting Tours

P.O. Box 1573

Olean, New York 14760

DP and SOF contributor Rob Krott puts together parachuting tours around the world with various elite military groups. You get to earn a jump badge from each country and you can into a little of the hot stuff if you pick the right tour. Sort of a Merc-Lite tour. Recommended for ex-special operations soldiers and other para groups. Training and qualification available for non-parachutists.

Vanuatu Land Diving

Vanuatu National Tourism Office

(408) 685-8901

Kiwis claim bungy jumping started in New Zealand, but natives of Vanuatu say they started it all. On southern Pentecost Island, you can take a leap with jungle vines wrapped around your ankles. Vine lengths are custom-cut to fit each diver, and your hair will just barely brush the grass before you are hurtled back into the air. Unfortunately, one unlucky vine clinger bit the dust while land diving for the Queen.

 

Adventure Racing

Racing originated with the marathon, based on the distance a messenger ran from the battlefields of Marathon to Athens. (He died of course). The concept of pushing oneself past the limits has evolved from polite joggers to Triathlons and Ironman competitions where swimming and biking is integrated so that the competitors could tan and have an excuse to buy a $2000 bike to ride through the park on weekends. It seems that when TV and sponsors become involved these simple tests of personal best became more akin to the events held at the coliseum of ancient Rome. Now people who desperately fear aging or being a wimp can travel to exotic lands and do silly things for the benefit of cameras and sponsors. The Camel Trophy (which sells off road vehicles, clothing and subliminally cigarettes), The Raid Gauloise (which sells those nasty Francophone cancer sticks) and the Eco Challenge (which sells anything you want to wear logos for) are the new breed of adventure racing. Of course there is also the Olympics with mountain biking, pentathlon and other rugged sports. The only major difference is that you have to beat out 1. 6 million people to be part of the Camel Trophy and the rest requires a checkbook and a disclaimer.

Adventure Racing News

P.O. Box 15095

Boston, Massachusetts 02215-0002

(617) 266-5637, FAX: (617) 266-7680

http://www.tempestco.com

A web site dedicated to adventure racing

Beyond Adventure Sports

P.O. Box 270862

Fort Collins, Colorado 80527

(970) 484-7485

email: BeyondAS@ix.netcom.com

Eco Challenge

9899 Santa Monica Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90212

(310) 553-8855, FAX: (310) 553-7497

www.ecochallenge.com

The Eco-Challenge is sort of a Raid Gauloise-Lite. Designed to appeal to American Yuppies who buy a lot of brightly colored gear and created by Mark Burnett, the event is a direct, unashamed attempt to sell sponsorship and provide a TV show load of pathos and agony by people who actually pay for the experience. Burnett got the idea after he took part in three Raid Gauloises and despite some rather disastrous setbacks he decided that Americans would pay to be lost in the woods and grimace a lot. Like any new venture the Eco Challenge had its financial setbacks, screw ups, outraged environmentalists and tenuous existence. But now the Eco Challenge has graduated from MTV and has a multimillion dollar deal with Discovery Channel so it should hit the big time soon. You know things are getting a little too Yuppified when you have team names like Team Land Rover, Team Rolex, Team Nike and Team Reebok.

Here's the scoop. You must go from point A to B, a distance of around 350 miles. You must enter as a team of five people with at least one person being certifiably female, (women buy yuppie gear too you know). It costs about $15,000-$40,000 to compete, $10 grand for the entry fee and the rest for travel, gear and training outings. Between points A and B contestants must utlilize a virtual sporting goods store of conveyances: canoes, horses, rafts, mountain bikes and climbing gear. It is expected that about half of the logo-festooned teams will drop out. (If one of your team flakes, you're out.) The race is usually won by Europeans who have been doing these things for years.

In Utah, it took the winning team 7 days, 16 hours and 12 minutes to win. Not bad considering they had a 35-mile horseback ride and run, 25-mile hike/swim through a canyon, a 60-mile desert hike, 30-mile mountain bike ride and a 75-mile raft trip (23-miles of it whitewater), a 24-mile hike through the mountains, a 1200-foot vertical ascent, a 14-mile hike through a canyon, and a final 52-mile canoe trip.

Burnett figures it costs $2.5 million to stage the event and with about 75 teams competing, it should be around for a while.

Marlboro Adventure Team

(800) MARLBORO

A newcomer and somewhat panty-waisted event asks that team members have expertise in four wheeling, dirtbiking, whitewater rafting and horseback riding. An 11-day adventure that covers 600 miles in the American Southwest, the Adventure team event is beautifully photographed be Pete Turner and amply promoted complete with Adventure Gear and plenty of print advertising. This event is open to anyone who can fill out a form and pass the initial knowledge tests.

Applications can be had by calling:

(800) MARLBORO. (Closing date is around April 22 each year.)

Raid Gauloise

470 Waverly Drive

Beverly Hills, California, 90211

(310) 271-8335

www.raid-gauloises.com

Created in 1988 by a French journalist who felt that the Camel Trophy was too easy. Gerard Fusil put together a 300 mile, 10 day torture test that attracts masochists from around the world. Unlike the Camel Trophy which is free, participants in the Raid Gauloise must pay their own way plus the $13,000 entry fee for the privilege of walking, climbing, riding, rafting, parachuting and canoeing themselves to exhaustion. There is no cash prize, little fame and a lot of camaraderie. The event takes place in a different exotic location each year.

Alies Kar, The Adventure Company, Inc.

8855 Appian Way

Los Angeles, California 90046

(213) 848-8685

Everything's clear to this outfitter that can take you on four-wheel-drive tours around Southern California and Baja.

Borneo Safari

P.O. Box 171 888 68

Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

FAX: [088] 426-180

An event that's been around for 6 years winds and grinds through Northern Borneo (Sabah). DP always has a blast but if you don't like mud, very large insects, not sleeping and noodles, forget it. Open to competitors, participants and journalists.

Bush Trek 4WD Services

44 Tulloch Avenue

Maryland, New South Wales 2287

(049) 515815

Garry Walthers will yank you out of a tight spot, train you not to get into a tight spot or set up four-wheel-drive tours.

Four-Wheel Drive

Cape York Guides

Post Office Box 908

Atherton, Queensland 4883

(070) 911978, FAX: (070)912545

Four-wheel drive trips through the top end of Australia. You can bring your own or rent one of theirs. Travelers can rely on good cooking and expert guidance.

Land Rover Adventure Outfitters

McVeigh Associates, 7 12th Street

Garden City, New York 11530

(800) 726-5655

FAX: (516) 742-9103

Land Rover organizes off-road expeditions worldwide with itineraries including a seven-day safari in North Africa, eight days in Colorado's Rocky Mountains, five days on the pioneer trail in the Red Rock canyons of Moab, Utah, a 10 day safari through the dunes and wadis of Oman, nine days in Australia's Outback, and more. Accommodations are ultradeluxe, and the tab isn't cheap, but what price can you put on unforgettable experiences?

The Lost Patrol

Suite 172

11919 North Jantzen Avenue

Portland, Oregon 97217

(503) 731-3030

Billed as the longest, coldest, toughest winter rally in the world, The Lost Patrol is a quick run up the Alcan highway in the dead of winter. Using standard TSD rally methods, the idea is to have the most accurate and consistent times. Sometimes this means driving as fast as the law of gravity and friction will allow and sometimes crawling to make up time. The Rally leaves Seattle at the beginning of February with about 30 entries and ends up in the Arctic about a week later.

The winner might pick up about a grand (depending on who donates the purse) and side bets are encouraged. Economically, the entry fee of $2500 doesn't make this a paying proposition, but what better things could you be doing in the dead of winter?

Richard Petty Driving Experience

6022 Victory Lane

Harrisburg, North Carolina, 28075

(800) BE PETTY

Talk slow, spit far and drive fast in a real Winston Cup stock car. There are five courses to choose from and three locations (Las Vegas, Atlanta and Charlotte). Does not include oversized hat or sunglasses.

Southern Traverse

P.O. Box 410

Queenstown, New Zealand

[64] (3) 442-3660,
FAX: [64] (3) 442-3667

www.southerntraverse.com

The grand daddy of them all, The New Zealand race was the forerunner in covering long distances in short periods and then tossing in mountains, roaring rivers and no sleep to make it interesting.Entry fee for a five member team is NZ$2,750. They also offer a rental and accommodation package. Entries are limited to the first 50 teams.

 

Many people would never think of going to a tropical jungle with a tour operator while others wouldn't think of going without one. Keep in mind that most of these folks will hook you up with local ground operators, so expect to find the same trips offered by many agencies. Top jungle destinations are Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea, Borneo, Sumatra, Vietnam and the Amazon; the most popular are Costa Rica and Belize.

Adventure Center

1311 63rd Street

Suite 200

Emeryville, California 95608

(800) 227-8747, (510) 654-1879

A lower-cost alternative.

Custom Wilderness Adventures

P.O Box 941

Punta Gorda, Florida 33951

(941) 637-4935

Runs La Selva Project expeditions into the Peruvian Amazon. Travel by dugout canoe and learn survival skills from the Indians. Must be physically fit.

Ecosummer Expeditions

1516 Duranleau Street

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3S4

(604) 669-7741

I know you are getting sick of "sea"ing this company in here, but it just so happens that they are one of the best packagers to Papua, New Guinea.

Journeys/Wildland Adventures

4011 Jackson Road

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103

(800) 255-8735

An excellent choice for trips to Madagascar, Brazil and Venezuela.

Mountain Travel/Sobek Inc.

6420 Fairmont Avenue

El Cerrito, California 94530

(800) 227-2384

Although they are primarily a rafting company, they have developed good contacts and a good nose for exotic tours.

SafariCenter

3201 North Sepulveda Boulevard

Manhattan Beach, California 90266

(800) 223-6046, in California (800) 624-5342

An excellent selection of adventure and jungle tours.

 

The Shotover in New Zealand, the Sun Khosi in Nepal, the Rogue River in Oregon and the Cheat, the Upper Yough, the Gauley and the Tygart in the Allegheny mountains in West Virginia are some of the top spots. West Virginia probably offers the widest selection of Class IV to V runs on the continent. Rafters can conquer these rivers with impunity, but kayakers need a healthy dose of Class IV skills before venturing out. Kayakers need look no further than Ecosummers located in Vancouver for the widest selection of kayak trips.

Ecosummer Expeditions

1516 Duranleau Street

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6H 3S4

(604) 669-7741

Ask for their annual catalog of trips along the West Coast of North America as well as some intriguing Arctic and foreign destinations.

Motorcycle

Motorcycle touring comes in four flavors: the classic Harley/Gold Wing big-butt road riders; the leather-clad, bug-splattered BMW crowd; the brightly colored and over-revved sport Tourers, and the sunburnt, trans-Sahara off-road crowd. All can be considered adventurous and dangerous, but the choice is ultimately yours. There is a law of diminishing returns if you are crossing Mali dehydrated, stricken with dysentery and nursing a broken ankle. You will probably dream of cruising the Grand Tetons adjusting the air suspension and the radio on your Gold Wing. There are happy mediums. Usually BMWs are found in scenic places like New Zealand, California and the Alps. If you want to ship your own bike, expect to pay between $1500 and $3000 for the roundtrip. You might want to look into BMWs European delivery plan, where you will pay about what the discounted price is in the States. You then pick up your bike in Munich, drive all over Europe and bring it back to Munich where they will pay for the crating, shipping and taxes. You can also look into buy-back deals, where you sell the bike back at the end of the trip. Stateside, you can arrange rentals through Von Thielman or Western States Motorcycle Tours. Bikes rent for about $500-$800 per week, with insurance extra. If you are interested in touring Vietnam, I should plug Wink Dulles' book Vietnam on 2 Wheels, the best (and only) guide to motorcycling through South Vietnam. Call (310) 372-4474 to order your copy.

You can also "hog it" abroad. Or, if you're into more sedate bikes, that's an option, too. The first step is to contact the companies that strike your fancy and then start packing your leathers:

Alaska Motorcycle Tours

Post Office Box 622

Bothell, Washington 98041

(800) 642-6877, (206) 487-3219

Timothy McDonnel runs shiny new Honda Gold Wings through the summer wilds of Alaska. The tour covers about 1600 miles over seven days. Figure on about $250 a day; that includes your gas, high-end hotels and the bike rental. You pay for your own food.

Adventure Center

1311 63rd Street, Suite 200

Emeryville, California 95608

(800) 227-8747, (510) 654-1879

The Center reps the Australian Motorcycle Touring (011 61) 3 233-8891, where owner Geoff Coat runs eight- and 10-day trips beginning in Melbourne. You can expect a well-serviced BMW R80 and twin share accommodations. Tours run about $120 a day, and watch out for those kangaroos.

Baja Off Road Tours

25108 Marguerite Parkway

Suite B-126

Mission Viejo, California

(714) 830-6569

A former Team-Honda dirt-bike racer will put you on a Honda 250 or 600cc dirt bike and send you off to La Paz (seven days) or San Felipe (four days). You will experience one of the primo desert riding and scenic runs in Mexico. The all-inclusive trips will cost you about $300-$400 a day. You pay the airfare to Southern California.

Beach's Motorcycle Tours

2763 West River Parkway

Grand Island, New York 14072

(716) 773-4960, FAX: (716) 773-5227

http://bma.buffnet.net/

Why not buy your bike overseas? Beach's will set you up on a rental or your very own BMW as you tour the Alps. They have trips to New Zealand, Great Britain and Australia as well. Tours to Europe run $3800 for rider (with a $300 single supplement) or $3000 for a rider. Two week trips in New Zealand will sent you back $2800, ($200 single supplement) or add a passenger for $2050. You can also ship your own bike for the ride. Beach's will handle the crating, shipping and customs involved. Expect to pay about $800-$1800 each way to Europe; New Zealand is about 30 percent more. Tours are longer than most (16-22 days) but are great deals and highly recommended. Costs are about $200 a day, plus about $50 a day for the rental of the bike.

Desmond Adventures

1280 South Williams Street

Denver, Colorado 80210

(303) 733-9248, FAX: (303) 733-9601

One of the best ways to see the Alps is on a 16-day Alpentour devised by the Desmonds. You can choose from East or West. Expect to pay about $4000 per rider and about $500 less for the passenger. It includes roundtrip airfare from New York, meals, bike rental and insurance. The trip is van-supported, so bring lots of camera gear and luggage. You can also choose your weapon, from mighty CBR 1100cc sport bikes to nimble Honda Trans Alps (Beemers, Trans Alps, CBR's Katanas sport bikes or Kawasaki Concours).

Edelweiss Bike Travel

Armonk Travel

146 Bedford Road

Armonk, New York 10504

(800)255-7451, (914) 273-8880

The U.S. agents for Edelweiss Bike Travel (Steinreichweg 1, A6414 Meiming, Austria) can send you just about anywhere, including the CIS. Its homegrown 12-day Alpine ride is one of the most popular (and the best deal) for mountain rippers. They like to stick you on BMW 750s, the rideable but standard for many bike rentals, but larger bikes are available for 10-20 percent more. Edelweiss provides support vans.

Explo-Tours

Arnulfstasse 134

8000 Munich 19, Germany

[49] (89) 160-789, FAX: [49] (89) 161-716

Africa nuts who like chipped teeth and sandblasted eyeballs will love the offerings of Explo-Tours. They arrange tours across the Sahara, through Central Africa and into South Africa on spartan but reliable Yamaha XT350s. Naturally, only Germans are crazy enough to keep this company in business, but most Germans speak English. This is some serious riding, so participants must be physically fit and ready to ride thousands of miles in sweltering heat. The trips are great bargains at about $150 a day, including bike rental. There is a support van if you or your bike conk out, and when you return, you'll know more than a plasterer about mud and sand.

Great Motorcycle Adventures

8241 Heartfield Lane

Beaumont, Texas 77706

(800) 642-3933, (409) 866-7891

If you are looking for a little danger, how about a mix of Mexican roads and fast bikes? Well, OK, how about offroading on slow bikes? GMA organizes off-road trips to Copper Canyon, the Yucatan and the Sierra Madre mountains on dual-purpose bikes. Tour costs include food, lodging, tours, gas and insurance. Trips are about $160 a day, not including bike rental (dual-purpose bikes are only $500 a week). If you really want to do it on a fast road-bike, then expect to pay another $600 a week.

MHS Motorradtouren GmbH.

Donnersbergerstrasse 32

D-8000, Munich, Germany

[49] (89) 168-4888

FAX: [49] (89) 166-5549

MHS offers a wide array of bike tours (including Southern California). You can choose from their popular week in southern Italy tour or any one of the other tours, including northern Italy, Kenya, Sicily, Tunisia, Hungary, the U.S.A. and South Africa. European tours run about $150 a day, with bike rentals (BMWs or Suzukis) costing about $900 a week. A cool idea for Easy Rider-wannabes is the one-way Drive U.S.A. program, where riders can pick up a bike at either coast and drop it off on the other.

Motorrad-Reisen

Jean Fish

Post Office Box 591

Oconomowoc, Wisconsin 53066

(414) 567-7548

The U.S agent for Motorrad-Reisen, Postfach 44 01 48, D-8000, Munich 44, Germany, (011 49) 89 34 48 32, can send you on a motorcycle adventure (we don't use the word "holiday") to Kenya, southern France, the Alps, Italy or Russia. As with most German companies, it offers less expensive tours with less frills. You can also purchase a new BMW, ride it on your trip and ship it back home.

Villa Moto-Tours

9437 E.B. Taulbee

El Paso, Texas

(800) 233-0564, (915)757-3032

One of the few companies that can stick you on a Harley. As you guessed from the name, Pancho Villa specializes in tours through Mexico down to the Yucatan Peninsula. They also can take you through Costa Rica, Baja, the Sierra Madre central coast and the Southwest U.S. Harleys and the Southwest-what a combo. The prices are fair, about $110 a day, with bike rental running about $50-100 a day extra.

Rocky Mountain Moto Tours Ltd.

Post Office Box 7152

Station E

Calgary, Alberta T3C 3M1

(403) 244-6939, FAX: (403) 229-2788

Touring the dramatic countryside of Alberta and British Columbia may be a good second choice to the Alps. Using Honda 600cc dual-purpose machines, RMMT takes you on the remote backcountry routes. Their rates of about $120 a day, including bike rental, are downright cheap. Choose from seven-day tours of the Bugaboos and 10-day trips through Big Sky country.

Western States Motorcycle Tours

1823 East Seldon Lane

Phoenix, Arizona 85021

(602) 943-9030

Western states will put a fire-breathing Harley between your legs and point you in the right direction. You can arrange a buy-back deal if you plan on being gone a long time, or you can rent everything from a Gold Wing to a Harley for about $100 a day.

Von Thielman Tours

Post Office Box 87764

San Diego, California 92138

(619) 463-7788, FAX: (619) 234-1558

If you are a jaded biker and view the Alps and New Zealand as commonplace, then Von Thielman has the antidote. This company has been around long enough to put together tours that bring the jaded back. How about Southern California, Thailand, China, Argentina or even Jamaica? The company has really got its act together. They can send you out alone, help you buy a new bike, ship yours or give you a wide selection of dual-purpose and touring bikes.

There is little argument that the Hindu Kush in Nepal is the ne plus ultra of peaks and trekking. Only about 40 years ago, the ascent of a major peak would put you on the rubber chicken circuit until you grew old. Now, even Mount Vinson in the Antarctica has had 130 successful summit trips. Up and coming places include the peaks of Alaska, Argentina and Pakistan, with the Alps looking like a drive-through window at McDonald's. The Holy Grail is to conquer the seven summits or climb the highest mountain on each continent. Many guides will require that you have proof of your skills before taking you along.

The international UIAGM or the local AMGA provides certification and standards for guides. See the listings under schools in the "Save Yourself" chapter, or to find out more about schools, guides and programs, contact the following:

American Mountain Guides Association

Post Office Box 2129

Estes Park, Colorado 80517

(303) 586-0571

Canadian Mountain Guide Association

Post Office Box 1537

Banff, Alberta, T0L 0C0, Canada

(403) 678-4662

Himalayan Kingdoms

20 The Mall

Clifton

Bristol, BS8 4DR, England

[44] (272) 237163, FAX: [44] (272) 744993

One of the leaders in expedition and advanced quality climbs.

Summits

Post Office Box 214

Mount Rainier, Washington 98304

(206) 569-2992, FAX: (206) 569-2993

 

Although not technically four-wheel driving, you will be sitting in a four- or six-wheel-drive Bedford as you bump and lurch across Africa. Any old African hand knows that you use a Bedford to pull out a Land Rover and you will need a tank to pull out a Bedford.

Overlanding became all the rage in the early seventies when companies could take you all the way from London to South Africa for only $1200 bucks. Today, prices are up around $5000, and the conditions and roads have since worsened. Most overlanding is done on a communal basis. Cooking and other camp chores are usually shared. Most only invite young people along. You can imagine the social dynamics of young people usually on their first or second major trip away from home. Cliques emerge, rebellions soon form, people leave and seats, toilet paper and girlfriends are fought over. In the end, everyone departs firm friends.

Himalayan Travel, Inc.

Post Office Box 481

Greenwich, Connecticut 06836

(800) 225-2380, (203) 622-6777

The agent or Tracks Africa can send you on a 15-week overland trip from Fez in Morocco to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. The route changes or the trip is cancelled, depending on who's killing who along the way. If things are relatively quiet, expect to pay about $4000 per person.

Dragoman c/o Adventure Center

1311 63rd Street, Suite 200

Emeryville, California 95608

(800) 227-8747, (510) 654-1879

Contact the Adventure Center if you want more punishment than Tracks Africa delivers. If you want to do 19 weeks, Trans-Africa will weave you through West Africa as well as hit most countries in Central and East Africa. Dragoman is a British company that uses Mercedes trucks. The 20-year-old company can also take you on a seven-week tour down the spine of South America.

Forum Travel International

91 Gregory Lane, Suite 21

Pleasant Hill, California 94523

(510) 671-2900, FAX: (510) 946-1500

If you want to travel 5000 miles from the headlands of the Amazon to the tip of Patagonia, then mark five months off your calendar and call Forum Travel. Probably a little too much of South America for anyone, so you can bail on any one of the 11 sections, each lasting about 12 days. The cost is $1800 per stage, but do you really want to spend $20,000 bouncing around in a modified Mercedes troop truck?

Trans Continental Safaris

James Road

Clare, South Australia 5453

[61] (88) 423-469, FAX: [61] (88) 422-586

The continent of Australia may look small, but it is very big from the windshield of a Toyota Land Cruiser about to run out of gas. Although there are many operators who will run you around in a four-wheel-drive truck for the day, it is best to stick with a pro who puts together long-distance safaris. TCS will provide one- to 37-day tours of Australia's outback, complete with driver/cooks/guides who know how to fix the air conditioning and also tell you enough dirty jokes to make the long distances bearable. They supply all the camping equipment you will need; all you need is the stamina.

World Expeditions

Suite 747, 920 Yonge Street

Toronto, Ontario Canada M4W 3C7

(800) 387-1483

World Expeditions will show you the most remote sections of the Australian outback on a 15-day trip from Marlin Coast to Cape York. Starting and returning in Cairns, they will introduce you to the aborigines, the Australian rain forest and the rugged scenery of northern Australia.

 

Scuba (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) was invented by Jacque-Yves Cousteau and a partner back in the 1940s. Since then, SCUBA tourism has taken Americans to some of the most beautiful places on the planet.

The highest percentage of underwater species is found around the island of Borneo, decreasing as you get farther away. The U.S. has only about 250 species, Hawaii about 450, Indonesia about 2500. There is much talk about where the best dive sites are. There is always a hard-core crowd that will invariably travel to the next best place. I was on Sipadan in Sabah, Malaysia, during the early years, and it was spectacular. At that time, they were busy creating a new dive site in Indonesian Borneo-Kalimantan. Now that Sipadan is known worldwide, there are many more dive sites waiting to be discovered in Indonesia. The best dive sites in the world for pure color and variety are in Indonesia, followed by Thailand, Malaysia and then the South Pacific and the Red Sea. The adventurous will choose the Sea of Cortez for its amazing proliferation of large fish; others prefer wreck diving in Truk or even the frigid waters of the Inside Passage in British Columbia. Having dived from the Seychelles to Hawaii, my personal preferences are the island of Sipadan and live-aboards in the remote Nusa Tenggara islands of Indonesia. The more adventurous claim that Papua New Guinea has much to be explored and that the Galapagos is the next big place. The top dive sites are Indonesia, Micronesia, Truk, Bajal, Australia, Hawaii and Papua New Guinea.

As you probably already know, you need to be certified to dive (although I was on a dive trip where Mexican dive masters certified the rookies with about 90 seconds of boat-side instruction). Most dive tour companies will link you up with the dive site of your choice. Don't hold high hopes for luxury or gourmet food.

Many people can't decide whether to bring all their shiny new gear or to rent. If you just spent $3000 on all the gear, then you are more than likely going for one reason, so bring the whole kit. Many airlines offer extended luggage or weight allowances if one of your bags is dive gear. If you are going to bring your gear, take a small tool kit, including spare O-rings, straps and batteries.

My experience is that, at a minimum, it is best to bring your mask along with octopus, regulator and gauges. The next level would be booties and BC. Pack your dive knife, tanks, flippers and wet suit for warm water dives. Photographers will want to bring their certification card, logbook, camera, film, flash, batteries and maintenance pack.

There is a caveat. I ran out of air at 90 feet below in the clear waters of the Cayman Islands. The reason? The vibration from the plane flight had loosened my regulator, and, I went through 3000 psi of air in about eight minutes. Speaking of close calls, there is also divers insurance that will make sure you get repatriated or flown to the nearest decompression center. Contact Divers Alert Network, (800) 446-2671, or Divers Security Insurance, (800) 288-4810. Remember to wait that extra day to fly home after diving. To start planning your next great dive trip, contact the following:

Avalon Aquatics

615 Crescent Avenue

Avalon, California 90704

(800) MR-SHARK, (310) 510-1225

All types of diving adventures are offered here, from introductory to instructor level. An all-day shark diving adventure costs $250 per person, which includes transportation, tanks and food.

HydroSphere

860 de Lima Paz, Suite D3

Pacific Palisades, California 90272

(310) 230-3334

This company offers intense shark diving experiences in the world's largest cage, plus the opportunity to assist university researchers with a shark tagging program. Day and night shark tagging and research expeditions are offered, with student prices from $79, adults $99 and special rates for groups. The expeditions to see kelp forests, sea lions and sharks are led by former Cousteau Society team member and documentary film producer, Yehuda Goldman. Programs are also offered for children, snorkelers, nondivers and even nonswimmers.

Innerspace Adventures

13393 Sorrento Drive

Key Largo, Florida 34644

(800) 833-SEAS, FAX: (813) 596-3891

A 20-plus year old dive travel agency that can get you deals as well as great dive sites. Micronesia is a specialty.

Island Dreams Travel

7887 Katy Freeway, Suite 105

Houston, Texas 77024

(800) 346-6116

Specialists in the Western Caribbean.

San Diego Shark Diving

P.O. Box 881037

San Diego, California 92168-1037

(800) 888-SD-SHARK,
(619) 299-8560

If you've seen Blue Water, White Death or Jaws, it might interest you to know that you can dive with live sharks and experience the same feeling as a worm on the end of a hook. The place is called Sharksville, and it's about 20 miles off the coast of San Diego, California. After a rolling, choppy boat ride, you get to sit in a 16' x 8' shark cage about 10 feet below the surface while they throw chum in to attract sharks. The chances are good you will see blue sharks ranging in size from five to eight feet. You may also see mako sharks and albacore tuna. The water is cold, so bring a wet suit. Tough guys get to go outside the cage for more adventurous escorted shark dives. Those with a more scientific bent can take part in a blue shark tagging program. The San Diego dive master also has a chain mail arm that he lets the sharks chew on while you get some great photos.

Sea Safaris Travel, Inc.

3770 Highland Avenue, Suite 102

Manhattan Beach, California 90266

(800) 821-6670, in California (800) 262-6670

An agency staffed by divers that can set you up in Asia, the Caribbean, the South Pacific and the Middle East.

See & Sea Travel Service, Inc.

50 Francisco Street, Suite 205

San Francisco, California 94133

(800) 348-9778, (415) 434-3400

A good choice for more exotic and far-flung dive trips. See & Sea has an excellent selection of live-aboards.

 

Arguably, safaris were the first adventure or ecotour. Back then, travelers would save wildlife by collecting samples for museums by shooting and mounting them. Now, all you hear is the clicking of cameras and whirring of videotapes. Most safaris in Africa today are nothing more than small tours conducted via zebra-striped buses carrying tourists in floppy bush hats brandishing new auto-everything cameras.

Masai Mara and Krueger Parks are glorified zoos without bars. The sight is still spectacular, and the photographs make everyone feel like they were the first one to set eyes on a lion kill or multihued African sunset. Despite the rampant commercialism, there is still a primitive joy in drinking a bloody Mary while watching the sun go down in Africa. I also enjoy the raw fear of camping without a tent in hunting areas of Tanzania and listening to the lions coughing and roaring at the intruders.

It is quite easy to fly directly to Nairobi or Dar es Salaam and book your own safari. You can also rent your own four-wheel-drive vehicle and stay at the various game parks or campsites. In fact, Fielding's Guide to Kenya, the most complete guide to homestays, game lodges and campsites, will show you how easy it is.

The best safaris in the world are private tented safaris to the lesser-visited areas of Africa's parks. In terms of wildlife, South Africa has an overabundance of it, along with clean, efficient facilities. Kenya has the creaky colonial ambience many people expect, and Tanzania is the stronger and more realistic of the two. My personal favorite is the rugged and remote Ruaha in Tanzania.

If you want to get your money's worth, the best way to get around is by air. That way, you can hit as many regions as you want and get a good grounding in geography as you bump and shudder through the hot African sky. Masai Mara has the most wildlife per square foot but has an equal number of tourists. Northern Kenya is plagued with bandits but has more dramatic scenery. Tanzania can be tedious (Selous) or dramatic (Ngorongoro Crater) but is what most people expect Kenya to look like. The Okavongo Delta and Namibia are becoming ideal second safari areas, and regions in Uganda, once the most beautiful country in Africa, are supposed to be coming back slowly. If you want to set up a safari in Africa, we recommend these groups:

Abercrombie & Kent

1520 Kensington Road,

Oak Brook, Illinois 60521

(800) 323-7308, (708) 954-2944

The most famous African Safari and adventure tour operator does tours on the "cushy side" but the Kents run a first-class show. They also can put together custom expeditions, since they know most of the major ground operators on every continent.

American Museum of Natural History
Discovery Tours

Central Park West at 79th Street

New York, New York 10024

(800) 462-8687, (212) 769-5700

One of the best sources for high-end natural history tours. Although the tours are set up using a variety of ground operators, the museum provides stimulating guides and guest lecturers.

Borton Overseas

5516 Lyndale Avenue South

Minneapolis, Minnesota 55419

(800) 843-0602, (612) 824-4415

A ground operator who specializes in Tanzania.

Ker, Downey, Selby

Box 41822

Nairobi, Kenya

(254) 2 556466

The classic tented safari is the