Exotic pets usually come with more work and time than traditional pets like cats and dogs and not only initially cost a fortune, but can cause your cash flow to wither and die as their exotic needs drain your wallet. Not all odd pets cost and arm and a leg, and often maintenance, housing and feeding costs can be managed on a small budget, but veterinary fees must be factored in too.  Remember to research and obey the laws pertaining to keeping exotic pets and be sure to invest in pet insurance should your beloved pet become ill or injured...no matter how odd your pet is!

Aptly named, the Giant African Land Snail can reach up to a foot in length! They can cause a lot of destruction to a garden, so need to be carefully managed. Giant African Land Snail owners say they make interesting pets, and are sure to cause a sensation in the neighbourhood.

Kinkajous are nocturnal tree-dwellers, also known as honey bears or nightwalkers, and although they resemble monkeys in some ways they are actually members of the same family as raccoons. Their wild populations are declining due to habitat destruction, hunting, and the illegal pet trade, so be sure of the source of your pet Kinkajou. In the wild, they primarily eat fruit and nectar.

Alligators are renowned, alongside pythons and iguanas, as the most “exotic” pet one can own, mainly due to their aura of danger and mystique. While alligators have been called “friendly” and “companionable” by owners, it is important to remember that they are still wild animals and need a lot of space and a warm climate. Owning an alligator is not for the faint hearted.

Hermit crabs may not seem to be the most ideal pet, but owners think differently. There are a variety of websites and pet shops devoted to hermit crab care and ownership and owners insist Hermit crabs are interesting, quiet pets that are relatively easy to care for, as long as they are given a proper environment and food.

Pot Bellied Pigs are becoming as common as household pets that the term “exotic” or “odd” hardly seems to apply anymore.  According to owners, Pot Bellied Pigs are like two year old children - intelligent, curious, mischievous, and, sometimes manipulative. They are sensitive creatures and on the intelligence scale they are only two species away from the intelligence of humans.

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With today’s busy schedules, long commutes and hi-tech lifestyles, more and more companies and individuals are opting to work from home. If you are in a position where working from home is an option, there are many things that need to be taken into consideration before you can settle down to a full day’s work.

The most important thing is to make sure that your home is insured. Losing your life’s work to a house fire or a natural disaster will spell disaster for more than your home. Every company works from an insured premises and a home office should be no different. Check the market for the best home insurance deal.

Furnishing your office is the next important issue. A comfortable chair and a user friendly desk are vital. Then find a dealer who specialises in home computers and software and find a computer and accompanying software that suits your needs, be it a design computer, an accounting programme or one with extra large storage capabilities. Take into consideration that you will need a good printer and fax system. A good internet line is needed and there are many options on the market so be sure to get the best deal possible.

Take into consideration whether or not you will be seeing clients in your home office, and if space for a boardroom may be necessary. Storage space is also vital, for files and folders, books and pens and all the office paraphernalia which follows.  An untidy office gives a negative impression to clients and can also lead to lost or sloppy work.

A clean and well designed home office is a pleasure to all who work in it and to your clients. Now that you are all set up and ready to go be sure that your home insurance is up to date and get to work!

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Africa is a vast and often unexplored continent, and therefore makes for interesting travel.  If you can’t spend a year exploring the continent on foot, take some advice and visit one or two of the top destinations in Africa. Generally speaking South Africa, Egypt, Zambia and the Congo offer the most unique African experiences.

Like so many African countries, South Africa offers a multitude of adventures, but Cape Town in the south of the country offers the most activities in the smallest area. Try hiking up the striking Table Mountain, surfing off the pristine beaches, shark cage diving in the blue waters, world class wines on various wine routes or soaking up the sun on a coastal cruise.

Egypt offers a wealth of historic sites including the Pyramids of Giza, known as the world's oldest tourist attraction, and the great Sphinx, among many other places to visit.  Cruises on the famous Nile River, exotic diving in the Red Sea and shopping in the popular street markets showcase a different side of the Egyptian charm.

The Victoria Falls border both Zimbabwe and Zambia, making this the ideal destination for travelers wanting to see two countries at once.  Aside from that, the Victoria Falls are one of the Natural Wonders of the world and something that should be experienced in one’s lifetime.

Gorilla tracking in the Virunga Mountains along the borders of Rwanda, Uganda and the DRC in East Africa may not be for the faint hearted, but with only about 650 mountain gorillas left in the world, seeing them in the wild is something only a few people will ever have the chance to experience.

All these destinations are fairly easy to reach, but travelers will have to check what kinds of medicines or vaccines they may need before departure. A good travel insurance company will be able to help you with this information, as well as provide you with the very necessary travel insurance.

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