1. Take early morning drives on safari even thought that often means getting up while it's still dark. You'll be very glad you did because your wildlife sightings will improve. The animals are a lot more active in early morning and late evening because it is cooler and nocturnal species are either getting up or going to bed so your chances of spotting them are generally much better.

2. A safari is not only about big game. Take enjoyment from surroundings and all wildlife you see because if you turn it into a "big five" tick list exercise you might be disappointed. There are a multitude of insects, birds and smaller creatures that can be just as interesting if you take time to look and find out more.

3. A pair of good quality binoculars is absolutely indispensable on a safari so make sure you take your own with. Some safari companies do provide them but they might be a little worse for wear after a lot of use and it can be frustrating to have to pass them along to next person when you actually still want to look at that lion stalking it's prey.

4. Wear insect repellent in evenings to ward of those pesky mosquitoes and make sure you leave as little skin exposed as possible by wearing long trousers, long sleeved shirts and socks to cover ankles. During day they are a lot less active so you don't have to worry about them then.

The Cape Cod National Seashore is a 4,308-acre park set aside by an act of congress in 1961 to preserve and protect a unique geological area and wild life habitat of New England. Cape Cod is about 60 miles south of Boston, Massachusetts. It was formed when last glaciers to visit region melted about 12,000-years ago leaving a large lake. Because of special features and material surrounding glacial lake, water drained out exposing sediment and deposits left by glaciers from earlier times. With rising sea level and protection from battering ocean provided by Georges Bank gone, nature started to reshape whole of Cape Cod -- especially Atlantic facing National Seashore area. The relentless shaping of Cape continues even today. But this is place to come to escape. This is place to come to experience nature.

So let’s take a brief Cape Cod vacations trip together. Are you ready?

Nauset Beach…

The first stop on your trip is Nauset Beach in town of Orleans.

The entrance to Nauset beach is located in East Orleans at end of Beach Road, where there’s a large parking lot. The lot is about 2 miles from Routes 6/6A. During summer months you’ll pay to use lot. Protection is name of game at Nauset not just for dunes, but birds nesting in spring. Always pay close attention to beach erosion and bird nesting protection signs anywhere during your Cape Cod vacations. Heeding signs means area could still be here next time you visit.

At entrance to beach you can turn left and walk North, or take South walk by turning right. Both walks offer spectacular views and hidden areas of Cape even many residents haven’t discovered. Time your walks to be at low tide so you’ll be walking on exposed sand bars on North walk, or have a dry crossing to Pochet Island on South walk. In summer Nauset beach is very popular with vacationers, but there always seems to be room even at busiest times. Swimming is good -- but stay close to shore. It’s Atlantic Ocean so it’ll be a little cooler than on Cape Cod Bay side or Nantucket Sound beaches. National Seashore Eastham Visitors Center…

The Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham is your next Cape Cod vacations stop. It'll orientate you to park, and provides short films, a museum, and free maps for hiking and biking trails. Note: The Salt Pond Visitor Center building has been closed for renovations since 2003. It’s due to reopen in 2005 – in fact right about now!

Starting from visitor center is short and easy 1-mile loop Nauset Marsh Trail that follows a path around salt pond and Nauset Marsh before returning to visitor center. It’s a varied terrain of salt marsh grasses, juniper and bayberry bushes, and a great place for bird watching due to proximity of marsh. The salt pond itself is a glacial kettle pond that was once freshwater but ocean has seeped through. The Lighthouse Beaches…