Nature

10-day, family-friendly safari in ZIMBABWE. Highlights: Transfer from Victoria Falls airport to Hwange National Park for game viewing and a “pump run,” assisting with maintenance of wells/in Ngamo Village, interact with community and visit school/view game from Elephant Express railcar from Ngamo siding to Impofu siding/Mandavu Dam/Zambezi National Park/Victoria Falls. Depending on departure, $4,695-$4,995 ppdo (adult or child age 7-12) or $6,495-$7,195 single. International Nature & Cultural Adventures (Emeryville, CA; 510/420-1550, www.inca1.com).

The world’s longest jungle canopy walkway is in Taman Nagara National Park in central peninsular Malaysia. Originally built for research purposes, the 1,700-foot-long bridge, connected to the trunk of a tree at either end, is raised 131 feet over the jungle floor. About a mile from the park entrance, it can be reached via jungle trails or boat and is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily (closed when raining).

In Lapland, Sweden, the Aurora Sky Station (STF Abisko Mountain Station, SE-981 07 Sweden; phone +46 980 402 00, www.auroraskystation.com/en), located in Abisko National Park, north of the Arctic Circle, offers great winter views of the northern lights, when they’re active.

Jack and Elizabeth Kaufman of Lake Quivira, Kansas, wrote, “We would like ITN readers to share their experiences in chasing the northern lights (aurora borealis). Where did you go to see them? Did you travel on your own or take a tour? When did you go (month and year)? To glimpse this marvelous show of nature, how long was your wait? How long did they last?” Additionally, ITN asked what a person could do to increase the chances of seeing the northern lights, about the costs involved and about any gear or equipment that would come in handy.

New in Uganda, the Wildlife Card is a reloadable cash card that is accepted at five national parks — Murchison, Lake Mburo, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest — for both entrance fees and making purchases at park stores.
Cards can be picked up and reloaded with money at any of the parks where they are accepted or at the Uganda Wildlife Authority office in Kampala (Plot 7 Kira Road, Kamwokya, Kampala, Uganda; phone +256 414 355000). The entrance fee at parks that accept the card is $40.

Jack and Elizabeth Kaufman of Lake Quivira, Kansas, wrote, “We would like ITN readers to share their experiences in chasing the northern lights (aurora borealis). Where did you go to see them? Did you travel on your own or take a tour? When did you go (month and year)? To glimpse this marvelous show of nature, how long was your wait? How long did they last?” Additionally, ITN asked what a person could do to increase the chances of seeing the northern lights, about the costs involved and about any gear or equipment that would come in handy.

I have subscribed to ITN for many years but have never written in about my travels. However, I thought my November 2014 tour to South America was a wonderful trip worth knowing about.

For viewing the little (fairy) penguins without disturbing them as they march to and from the waves at Phillip Island Nature Parks, a special platform, Penguins Plus, has been built that blends into the environment. Visitors to the north end of Phillip Island, which is just south of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, Australia, can watch the penguins from a raised platform or observe them at eye level from an underground room. 

A platform ticket costs AUD47.20 (near $34); online, visit www.penguins.org.au and click on “Buy tickets.”

(Part 1 in a series)

Jack and Elizabeth Kaufman of Lake Quivira, Kansas, wrote, “We would like ITN readers to share their experiences in chasing the northern lights (aurora borealis). Where did you go to see them? Did you travel on your own or take a tour? When did you go (month and year)? To glimpse this marvelous show of nature, how long was your wait? How long did they last?”