HERD INSTINCT
THE GREAT AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK CATTLE DRIVE
ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
The Great Australian Outback Cattle Drive has been the inspiration for Baz Luhrmann’s film Australia. Watching Hugh Jackman mustering herds of cattle might not be as thrilling as trying it out on a horseback yourself. The Great Australian outback Cattle Drive, situated in the far north of South Australia Outback, offers an adventurous and memorable cowboy life in the 2.23 million hectares of outback, at the world’s largest cattle station – Anna Creek Station. The location itself creates a laidback atmosphere and mesmerises you with its stunning landscape under a flawless blue sky.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
Guests can be drovers and ride on horseback in the Anna Creek Station. You will be transferred to the herd’s location, matched with a horse that meets your riding ability and finally meet the farrier teams on the first day. Australia’s renowned and experienced cattle-drivers will lead your journey on the second day. Cooperation between the drovers is essential and is perfect for teambuilding or making new friends. Riders will be driving a huge herd of cattle in the day and will be accommodated in camps with hot showers, camp library and a buffet supper at night. Groups can join by flying in to Adelaide and then transfer by special tour bus, the Drovers Express, to the muster site. The trip is for five days and four nights.
CONTACT
tel: 61 8 8463 4695
MEMORY STICKS
SIAM SAFARI
KHAO SOK, THAILAND
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
Khao Sok, located in Surat Thani province in southern Thailand, possesses a virgin forest, much older and more diversified than the Amazon. You never need to worry about getting lost in the middle of the forest since elephants are known for their gifted memory. Relaxing on a cushioned seat on the back of a pachiderm, while looking out for creatures such as gibbons or deer.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
A one-day journey starts with embarking on an inflatable canoe and canoeing down the Sok River. Local guides will help participants in spotting living creatures along the riverbanks.
A freshly prepared Thai lunch buffet at Siam Safari elephant camp will welcome guests in the middle of their journey. The elephants will then be ready to walk guests through the mysterious and pristine jungle, viewing birds, wild monkeys and reptiles that live in the area, as well as the spectacular landscape of the virgin forest.
Siam Safari can accommodate a maximum of 30 people per trip with one week booking in advance.
The nearest airports are Surat Thani and Phuket, land transfers will take around three hours to the camp site.
CONTACT
SAVE THE RHINOS
TABIN WILDLIFE RESERVE
SABAH, MALAYSIA
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
The Sumatran rhino, the smallest rhinoceros in the world, desperately needs help. They are now the most endangered rhino in the world and Tabin is believed to have the largest remaining population. Sad to say, Sumatran rhinos still face huge dangers in Tabin. By staying in Tabin for six days and five nights, visitors can help save the endangered species by gathering data on the rhinos in the forest of Tabin Wildlife Reserve. While the team is cooperating and undertaking the survey, you may bump into a variety of birds, otters, monitor lizards, small mammals and even wild elephants. The alluring environment of the rainforest is a kaleidoscope, offering a great opportunity for corporate groups to participate in ecotourism and at the same time enjoy an adventure.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
Before all the hard work, your group will get a luxurious stay in the Tabin Wildlife Resort, where you can have a private balcony and enjoy hot-water showers in the middle of the forest.
Adventurers will be trekking in the deep virgin forest starting from the second day. The group will have to gather data and look for tracks of the Sumatran rhino. On the third day, the team will spend a few hours to locate and identify rhino footprints. This task might be a bit challenging, teamwork and discussions are crucial to judge whether it’s a rhino footprint or not. At night, you are required to prepare temporary camps and cook your own meals.
After all the hard work, guests can enjoy themselves in the jungle for another two days. Guests need to fly from Kota Kinabalu to Lahad Datu and then transfer to Tabin Wildlife Reserve.
CONTACT
CALL OF THE WILD
VOYAGEUR QUEST
ONTARIO, CANADA
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
The snowy Algonquin Park, nestled between Georgian Bay and the Ottawa River in central Ontario, is ready for sledding in winter into the forest and wildlife tracks. You can feel the speed of the running huskies and the rush of the wind on your face.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
Riders don’t need to have previous experience in dog sledding. Each person will be tutored for 90 minutes on how to hitch sledge dogs into their harness and learn the dog commands. A team of two will share a sledge and five to six huskies. The next four hours will be on your own to steer the sled and experience the purified forest with the dogs, just remember to dress warmly. If riders wish to stay longer, they can get accommodated at the Algonquin Cottage Outpost or join a dog-sledge expedition. The park is 200 km north of Toronto.
CONTACT
REINDEER RIDES
SAFARI HOUSE
RUKATUNTURI, FINLAND
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
You can’t miss out reindeer when it comes to Christmas and Santa Claus. This legend is rooted in every child’s mind. Here is the chance to get in touch with a real reindeer in a reindeer farm in Lappland in northern Finland and learn about them from a local reindeer herder. Your group will also be able to witness a traditional Lapp ceremony. Safari House is a partner to Ruka Conference Center and Rantasipi Rukahovi Hotel, which provide tailored packages from accommodation to special events.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
Safari House provides transport to a reindeer farm. Each guest gets the chance to be Santa and try with their own hands to steer a reindeer sleigh. After such exhilarating journey, guests are then invited to a Lapp indigenous tent called “kota” and enjoy coffee and a Finnish sweet pastry by a campfire. Before you leave, you will get to give a warm goodbye to the reindeer. This programme is guaranteed to bring out the inner child in every one. The is 50km north of Kuusamo regional airport, less than a two-hour flight from Helsinki.
CONTACT
PUKKA CHUKKAS
HARYANA POLO CLUB
GURGAON, INDIA
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
Guests can sit in the shade, listen to the melodious sound of the wooden ball and mallet once a tournament starts. Polo used to be a game for the royals dating back to the sixth century. It is now no longer a privilege for royalty only, but also an opportunity for companies to partake and enjoy themselves with their business contacts. The Haryana Polo Club was founded by the Kalaan family and a group of international polo players. Their facilities include 70 permanent stables, a polo schooling arena, and a clubhouse. The polo club holds friendly tournaments two to three times a week.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
The Haryana Polo Club offers a large variety of activities for members and guests. This includes polo classes, viewing of tournaments in VIP guests boxes and the chance to sponsor a tournament.
The polo season mainly runs from September to April. There are eight cups per year and businesses are welcomed to sponsor them. The sponsorship packages include tournament sponsorship, day sponsorship, product placement and team sponsorship. Companies can have their own company cup for players to compete for and present prizes to the best players. The nearest airport to Gurgaon is New Delhi International.
CONTACT
LUNCH WITH THE LION PRIDE
SINGAPORE ZOO
SINGAPORE
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
There’s no need to end up being the lunch of the lions in safety-conscious Singapore, but this activity does get you as close as you would want to be comfortably.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
With a minimum of 15 people and maximum of 21, the expedition starts with a tram ride to the Wild Africa exhibit and the Tropical Crops Plantation. The group will enjoy an extraordinary welcome cocktail, which is made from a special recipe of blended herbs. Guests will then proceed to the air-conditioned lion-viewing gallery, sit alongside the glass panel and enjoy their lunch buffet with the lions while listening to some commentaries by one of the senior zookeepers about the potentially ferocious animals. After lunch, guests will have a tour through the Fragile Forest.
CONTACT
FLY OVER THE BIG FIVE
THE MASAI MARA SAFARI,
AFRICA EXPLORER KENYA
WHY IS IT SPECIAL?
The “Big Five”– the lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo are the must-see when you are visiting Africa. There’s a way visitors can go as a group and spot the Big Five from the sky easily. Flying on a hot-air balloon and watching the safari at a distance gives visitors a panoramic view. Mara Serena Airport, Musiara Airport and Keekorok Airport are all located in the region with regular connections to Nairobi and Mombassa.
WHAT CAN YOU DO THERE?
The aerial journey begins with an early morning call at your lodge or your tent, depending on where you are staying. The guests will then be taken to the spot where the hot-air balloon will be launched. Excitement will soon override any fear as they peer down to the wild animals on the ground. Guests will be served Kenya’s traditional hot tea and coffee after the adventurous ride.
CONTACT
