If the conditions are right, you can actually hike out onto the lava flows near the southern coast of the big island of Hawaii. When we were there, conditions were great. We booked a bike rental complete with lights, water and bike locks, and set out in the late afternoon on bike. After a few miles of biking along old lava flows, and new houses built right on the black lava, we parked our bikes and took off on foot.
There was one park ranger near the gate that vaguely pointed us in the right direction, and we set off. I was quite surprised that in a national park, there was no guidance and no precautions taken. We hiked for about an hour towards the hillside, picking our way over huge chunks of relatively new lava rocks. The hiking wasn’t easy, but we took our time and followed the steam coming out of the lava rocks ahead of us.
As it was getting dark, we started walking toward some steam and started to feel the heat coming from below us. I leaned down and felt how warm the lava rocks were below us. I realized that you could see the glow of the hot lava through the cracks. We were walking on freshly cooled lava. Who knows, this could have been flowing lava that would one day become a lava tube! I couldn’t handle it and insisted that we get off that hot lava. I just kept picturing the crust collapsing below us!
We then continued toward what was now a red glow near the hill ahead of us. As we approached, you could see lava very slowly flowing, moving at a turtles pace, but moving! It was the brightest colors and the heat was intense. We took a few pictures, but I tried to keep my distance. The fumes were strong and I was worried about breathing that in.
The hike out was even more adventurous. It was dark, we each had a flashlight and a headlamp but we really had no destination in sight. We knew there was a gravel road that paralleled the ocean and we’d eventually cross that. But other than a dull blinking light, the park really did nothing to make sure people found their way safely off that lava flow.
I highly recommend this hike, but it is not for the faint of heart. The hike was strenuous, you need to have sturdy shoes, and sturdy legs! Make sure you are comfortable walking over large boulders in the dark and that you have enough water and flashlights to last all evening if necessary!
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.