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Our Petra tours are always in high demand, simply because this ancient city is truly one of the world’s great marvels.

Photo Courtesy of ctvnews.ca

Travelers visiting this part of Jordan have the good fortune to experience a wealth of archaeological sites along with ancient aqueducts, temples and tombs. Now, thanks to a recent discovery of great historical significance, future tours may include a massive monument that dates back to 150 B.C.

Petra Tours Highlight an Amazingly Rich History

Known as the Rose City, Petra is situated in what is today southwestern Jordan. Although it was established in the 300s B.C., it was abandoned in the seventh century A.D. Consequently, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was not rediscovered until 1812.

Literally carved into the pink-hued sandstone cliffs that surround it, Petra was a pivotal stop on the caravan route that fed the spice trade and served as the heart of the Nabataean empire.

Today, our Petra tours include an in-depth experience of the ongoing archaeological work that continues to unearth previously unseen monuments and historical wonders. Recently, researchers discovered a truly remarkable — but previously unidentified — monument.

Newly Discovered Petra Monument May Be 2,150 Years Old

In June of 2016, archaeologists Sarah Parcak and Christopher Tuttle discovered a massive platform 800 meters from Petra’s central core. Advanced satellite technology provided the detailed imagery that facilitated this discovery.

Measuring approximately 184 feet by 161 feet, the platform is lined with columns and features a giant staircase on one side. An interior platform topped by a 28-by-28-foot structure connects to the staircase.

Pottery found in and around the monument dates back to 150 B.C., almost as far back as Petra’s founding.

What This Discovery Means for Future Petra Tours

Although Petra provides an ongoing source of significant archeological discoveries, this recent find is particularly exciting. Its age and massive scale are unlike anything else that has been found in the area.

Because this discovery is in its earliest stages, it’s difficult to determine when the site will be available for visitation. But Petra is a city of constant discovery, and archeological digs are always ongoing. Consequently, most Petra tours involve visits to key discovery sites.

When you travel with Discovery Expeditions & Adventure, however, you experience these historical marvels from an insider’s perspective.

Our Petra tours are led by a working archaeologist with an active excavation site. Rather than being shuffled along behind a rope hoping to catch a glimpse of their work, you will have the opportunity to become immersed in the discovery process, led by a renowned and well-respected scientist.

This is only one example of the rich experiences that Discovery Expeditions provides to those who travel with us.

Contact us today to learn more about our expeditions and adventure tours. We tour Africa, Egypt, Antarctica, Australia and many more amazing destinations. In fact, our next trek to Petra, Jordan, takes place in October. Only a few spots remain, so contact us today to join us on of our upcoming Petra tours.

Over the years, our many African safari adventures have introduced us to the harsh realities that typify this continent.

The beauty and splendor of Africa’s wildlife and terrain never cease to amaze us, and those who travel with us, through Kenya and the surrounding areas. With the grandeur must come some adversity, however, as we discovered in the Samburu area near the Buffalo Springs National Reserve.

Here, the native Samburu have struggled for decades without a clean, reliable water source.

The Plight of Samburu Area Residents

The Samburu live a nomadic, tribal life, living off the land and their livestock in this remote area. Their access to water has become extremely limited, however.

The Samburu women and their children, tasked with securing water for their families, have had to walk sometimes more than 10 miles to fill their water containers from the Ewaso Ng’iro River. Contaminated with pollution and wildlife, this water is dangerous and virtually undrinkable.

In addition, the trek to the Ewaso Ng’iro is fraught with danger. In 2015, crocodiles killed two Samburu children attempting to collect water.

The crocodiles in this area can reach 21 feet in length and weigh up to 2,200 pounds.

The Quest to Bring Clean Water to the Samburu

When we became aware of the plight of the Samburu people, wanted to help.

As a result, Discovery Expeditions & Adventures established the Maji-Ya-Watoto Foundation. Maji-Ya-Watoto means “water for children” in the Samburu language, and that is exactly what we set out to provide.

Fortunately, through the foundation, we were able to raise enough money to undertake a well project for the Samburu.

Giving Back to the Country That Makes Our African Safari Adventures Possible

When we venture out through Kenya, we do so typically in search of the holy grail of African safari known as the Big Five: the elephant, leopard, black rhino, Cape buffalo and lion. In February of 2016, however, we set out to give back to the land that has given us so much.

We began drilling the Samburu well, and finally, in March, we hit water — 1,200 feet down! We installed piping and a reliable hand pump, finally bringing clean water to the Samburu.

Today, more 1,000 of the region’s people get their clean water from the Maji-Ya-Watoto well. Some travel as far as seven miles to reach the well, but the journey is a safe one that guarantees their containers will be full on the journey home.

Because the lines for water begin before dawn and often extend into the night, we have begun to raise money to drill a second well. This will allow even more of the region’s people access to clean water.

If you can contribute to this important initiative, please contact us. Every dollar we raise goes to the well project, with no administrative fees or costs.

At Discovery Expeditions, we are committed to making the lands we travel and enjoy a better place for those who dwell there. Won’t you join us in this worthy endeavor? We know from experience that helping the Samburu makes the journey that much better when we visit Kenya on African safari!

African safaris provide a unique mix of excitement, majesty and enchantment that call to the adventurer in all of us. But perhaps no beast is as intriguing as the African black rhino.

Poached nearly into extinction for their horns, the black rhinoceros is a holy grail of sorts for many travelers. Unfortunately, due to their dwindling numbers and xenophobic nature, they are a rare sight on most African safari tours.

Today we would like to share an amazing story of one gentleman’s dream to see and photograph a black rhino in the wild.

The Majesty of Kenya’s Black Rhinos

Black rhinos thrived in Kenya through the 1970s. By 2012, however, only about 500 black rhinos were left. The quest to preserve this magnificent species is ongoing and their numbers are increasing, but the battle against poaching and hunting rages on.

Although smaller than the white rhino, the black rhinoceros — also known as the hook-lipped rhino — weighs in at an impressive 1,800 to 3,100 pounds. Adults stand as tall as 71 inches at the shoulder with horns that can exceed 4 feet in length.

These venerable beasts can be quite aggressive when threatened, and can run up to 35 miles per hour. Black rhinos are herbivores, enjoying a diet of fruits, leafy plants, woody bushes and branches.

In the wild, they are a rare sight indeed, especially for the typical African safari tourist.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime African Safari Experience

Because these beautiful animals are quite solitary in nature, it’s rare for tour groups to encounter a black rhino while on African safari. They are difficult to locate and even harder to photograph. Consequently, the typical safari tours that stick to the main roads of fenced wildlife preserves offer little chance of even a glimpse.

When you go on African safari with Discovery Expeditions, however, you’ll have a different experience.

On a recent trip, we had the pleasure of escorting a small party that included an experienced adventurer. He had been on African safari several times, always with high hopes of spotting a black rhino.

Unfortunately, this dream had never become a reality for him.

When we set out on African safari, we never know what to expect, but every adventure is unique and magnificent. For our adventuring friend, this expedition fulfilled one of his greatest dreams; we saw not one, not two, but 18 black rhinos on this trip.

Because they are prone to charging, we had to approach carefully. But as you can see from these photos captured during the expedition, we were able to fulfill his dream and then some.

The Discovery Expeditions & Adventures Difference

Our African safari adventures are unique, in that we take small groups on personally guided expeditions. Our Land Cruisers accommodate only four passengers, so you have the opportunity for a close-up wildlife encounter at every turn. We skip the tourist routes and take you off-road, directly into the places where wildlife roams free.

We endeavor to provide our intrepid guests with sightings of Africa’s “Big Five,” which are the Cape buffalo, the leopard, lion, African elephant and — of course — the elusive black rhino. Along the way, you will see much more, with amazing photo opportunities that you will treasure forever.

At Discovery Expeditions, we take great pride in providing our African safari clients with the opportunity to see — and photograph — all of the Big Five and more, including these magnificent and unusual animals.

We have a few spots left on our upcoming summer expeditions, but don’t delay. Contact us today to book your passage on a magical and magnificent African safari adventure.

Petra Tours May Soon Include Newly Discovered Monument