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아프리카: 인류의 요람

When people think of Africa, they think of the big five safari sightings (lion, leopard, elephant, water buffalo, and rhino) or the big five tragedies of the continent (war, genocide, famine, political corruption, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic). But Africa encompasses much more than wildlife and warfare.

Africa is huge. It’s four times the size of the United States. It’s roughly 5,000 miles long and 4,600 miles wide. Africa makes up 20% of the earth’s landmass.

“There’s a whole continent beyond the cliché that appeals to luxury travelers and intrepid adventurers alike,” says Andy Alpine, co-founder of Specialty Travel Index (SpecialtyTravel.com). “The photo safari is still a big draw, of course–where else in the world can you experience the sight of a lion stalking its prey or the magnificent wildebeest migration across Serengeti’s endless plains? You could track wildlife in every country in Africa and still not get tired of it. But there is a rich cache of African experiences that many people don’t discover until their second trip to Africa–and some may overlook it altogether.”

Specialty Travel Index puts hundreds of African vacations from some of Africa’s best outfitters in one easy to navigate web site. Travel agents and travelers can narrow down their choices by country and by type of trip with a couple clicks.

Here’s a look at just a few of the dream-of-a-lifetime African travel experiences from different outfitters that can be found at www.specialtytravel.com and the magazine/directory Specialty Travel Index:

Ghana arts & Culture

Ghana is a kaleidoscope of arts. Palace Travel’s seven day art and culture tour of Ghana gives collectors and culture buffs a unique and up-close cultural experience. Travelers visit a local casket making shop to see a collection of caskets carved in the shapes of various objects depicting traditional beliefs in life after death (the “Fantasy Coffins” of Teshie Nungua have been featured in National Geographic and galleries worldwide).

They take drumming and dancing lessons on Kokrobrite Beach and learn to make fufu, ground nut soup, red red, and palava sauce in a Ghanian cooking workshop. Then its’ on to the Ashanti craft villages–Pankrono, where potters create colorful hand-built vessels; Ahwiaa, known for royal stools, walking sticks and fertility dolls; Ntonso where artisans hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make adinkra textiles worn for funerals and other solemn occasions; and Bonwire where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms, in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. If your suitcase isn’t stuffed with art by then, it will be after the Kumasi Central Market (also known as Kejetia Market), the largest open-air market in West Africa, where more than 10,000 vendors sell just about everything you could need or want - food, fabric, clothing, furniture, beauty products, and handmade crafts.

PALACE TRAVEL

Diving the Red Sea

The Red Sea, where the desert meets the ocean, is one of the planet’s most fascinating natural sea environments. There are about 200 of coral types and over a thousand species of fish, more species than anybody of water its size. Many divers consider the Red Sea is the best diving in the world world. Lotus International’s Deep Down in the Red Sea diving tour starts in Cairo and gives divers the chance to explore the Abou Dabab Reefs, Elephinstone Reef, Dolphin Reefs (3 dives with the dolphins), St. Johns, Marsa Alam, and West Abu Dabab. LOTUS INTERNATIONAL TOURS

Photographer’s Safaris

There can’t be an amateur or professional photographer alive that hasn’t fantasized about the capturing a shot of lions cubs playing in the grass, a leopard in a tree, or a line of elephants. A professional photographer leads small (10 or fewer) photo-hungry groups on daily game hunts–at a photographers pace–in open vehicles and bushwalks through private game reserves and Kruger National Park. Photographers will spot game from above on an ultra light flight and take a boat through the world’s third largest canyon for hippo and croc shots. In the evening, guests compare shots in the tree house style lodge. AFRICA WILD SAFARIS

Explore the Kalahari

Few parts of Africa can match the mystique of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. Its unique and striking environment, and its vastness and isolation, leaves a lasting impression on all visitors. In addition to exploring its fragile ecosystem, Travelers with Mountain Travel Sobek’s Kalahari Desert private adventure can experience the cultural richness of the indigenous San (Bushman) people, who live in complete harmony with their environment. From Jack’s Camp, an elegant, traditional East African–style camp (the best in the Kalahari!), you’ll explore the saltpans on quad bikes, search for the elusive brown hyena, and take a walk with a Bushman and learn how the San people have survived for centuries in this harshly beautiful environment.

MOUNTAIN TRAVEL SOBEK

Tracking Large Game on Foot in Big Five Territory

An environmentally-friendly tented camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Bateleur Eco Safaris is in the heart of Big 5 territory. Forming a part of the Greater Kruger National Park, all artificial barriers between the reserves have been removed, allowing the wildlife to roam free. Sightings of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, cheetah, antelope, and 350 bird species are common. Guides conduct daily bush walks, which teach guests to track large game on foot and provide a fascinating insight into animal behavior. To ensure an authentic wildlife experience, Bateleur Eco Safaris exposes guests to a variety of activities such as bushcraft and survival skills, bringing them closer to nature than ever before.

BATELEUR ECO SAFARIS

Cradle of Voodoo

The Adventure Center offers a journey of extremes through some of Africa’s less-visited countries: Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso. Traveling through three very different nations, travelers experience diverse cultures and traditional religions, amazing natural attractions, unique architectural styles, friendly people and vibrant local music. From the Gulf of Guinea to the remote nomadic lands in the north of Burkina Faso, travelers visit fetish markets and python temples, spend a night in a traditional stilt village, witness fire-dancing and mask ceremonies and explore the vast expanse of the Burkinabe Sahel. Sometimes, they are even granted an audience with King Maiga Belko at Arabinda. Adventure Center

Maasailand Safari

One of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime”, this is the chance to explore the African savanna on foot with Maasai warriors, share stories with elders, discuss world issues of common concern, learn about wildlife conservation and animal husbandry, women’s issues, rites of passage, and discover the fine arts of beading, traditional healing, music and dance, all from a base of specially built guest bungalows in the Maasai village of Merrushi. WILDLAND ADVENTURES

Birding in Egypt

Egypt is a bridge between continents offering migratory species the perfect route for their annual flights from Europe and Asia. A wide variety of Egyptian habitats ranging from high rugged mountains to desert and tropical style jungle along the Nile basin, give it a unique character plus the diversity needed to attract an extremely wide range of bird life– over 430 species of birds are found in Egypt. Travel Egypt, in addition to Nile cruises classic Nile Valley tours, operates a tour during the anticipated peak of migrations to afford birders a vacation with the maximum chance to view and photograph the widest variety possible. Birders visit to important antiquity sites and oasis in both upper and lower Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula with its beautiful beaches, incredible undersea life, and bountiful collection of bird life. TRAVEL EGYPT

Spotting Gorilla and Chimps in Uganda

Uganda’s longest operating Safari provider (operating since 1959), Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris, combines luxury tent camps with real beds, comfortable furniture, thick rugs, and fully stocked dining and bar tents (this isn’t roughing it), with game viewing tin a private fleet of 4×4 Land cruisers. Lake Mburo Camp is set in a beautiful game park that has a wide range of Africa’s wildlife; Bwindi Forest Camp is the base for mountain gorilla treks; and Kibale Forest Camp is the forested base for chimpanzee spotting. Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris

These, and many other African experiences (as well as a myriad of special interest and adventure travel adventures), can be found in Specialty Travel Index and on www.SpecialtyTravel.com

STI is easy to use, on the web site with the “Find Your Adventure” search mechanism indexing tours by both interest/activity (Yacht Charter, Wine Tours,) and destination (Costa Rica, France) and in the magazine using similar choices. Subscriptions to the magazine cost $10 per year (Canada $15; other foreign $25) for two issues: July (Fall/Winter) and January (Spring/Summer). Send orders to: info@specialtytravel.com or order online at www.specialtytravel.com

Change Track In Africa

The latest episode of BBC2’s Tribal Wives featured a 33 year-old teacher and life coach who lives at home with her mum, hasn’t had any luck with relationships and feels stuck in a rut. After living for a month with Africa’s most famous tribes, the Maasai, and learning from their lives, she makes radical life changes…

Get off life’s beaten track and change your own future with Dragoman Overland’s 5-week, life-enhancing Africa East & South journey, experiencing spectacular landscapes, visiting Africa’s best wildlife areas and meeting Tanzania’s Maasai (head shaving and facial scarification are optional), departing Livingstone 22nd September 2008. (Trip code AES38).

The journey kicks off with the stunning sight of Victoria Falls followed by an optional exploration of the Kafue and Zambezi Rivers by canoe, taking in views of broad floodplains and rugged escarpments. Rural Zambia is the Africa of storybooks and the drive through semi-forested mountains, small villages and across cattle ranching country allows for great opportunities to experience its diverse beauty.

South Luangwa NP is perhaps the best place to observe vast numbers of Hippo, Crocodile, Elephant and the only place to see Thorncroft Giraffe, as well as endemic Red Lechwe. During time in the park, visit Kawaza Village Community Project for lunch and traditional dancing. On arrival in Malawi many activities are available, ranging from relaxing on the sandy shores of Lake Malawi to high altitude diving, horse riding to birdwatching walks in search of magnificent Fish Eagles. Next, is the historically infamous tropical Spice Island of Zanzibar, which far from slavery and ivory trades, now offers a warm African welcome amongst its stunning palm-fringed beaches and bustling markets.

Back on the African mainland in Tanzania, further opportunities to see major wildlife species including Black Rhino are on offer during Land Rover explorations of Ngorongoro Crater. Later, travelling through the characteristic rolling grasslands of the Serengeti, wild camping is guaranteed to live up to expectation.

The ultimate in game viewing can be experienced during an optional early morning hot air balloon safari. As well as spectacular wildlife, nights on idyllic Indian Ocean Beaches and a camel trip to traditional Maasai villages, many other aspects of Africa are explored throughout this journey, including getting hands-on at the Kariandusi School Trust’s latest project at Langalanga - a great way to meet local people. Finally, soak up the cosmopolitan atmosphere and stock up on souvenirs in Nairobi, journey’s end.

The overland costs £995 p/p plus kitty of $1,160 (~£578) including transport aboard Dragoman Overland’s customised Mercedes-Benz truck, canoe, jeep and boat, camping and hotel accommodation (85%/15%), all camp meals plus the expertise of Dragoman’s two person crew and local camp master. Flights are not included but are available through Dragoman.

Dragoman Overland
01728 861 133
info@dragoman.co.uk
www.dragoman.com

Zibadianja Camp, Selinda Reserve (Botswana) Transformed

Zibadianja Camp in the Selinda Reserve, one of Wilderness Safaris renowned portfolio, has been transformed from a simple, Classic Camp to a Premier Camp with a completely different style of tent and décor.

Although better known as a renowned National Geographic wildlife documentary filmmaker, Dereck Joubert and his partners in the Selinda Concession, where the camp is situated, brainstormed a completely new architectural direction for Zibadianja, which included moving the camp to a new location some 2km from the original site.

“Zibadianja has the deep flowing lines of canvas that we associate with the glamorous tented camp experience and which we have dubbed ‘marquis style’.

Centre poles and ropes have been used to tension the structure without detracting from its ethereal romance, high roofs and ample space of around 100m² for each ‘tent’ ensures a feeling of indulgence and luxury. Plastic and modern day elements are not to be found here.”

Inside each tent, the décor strives for the style of the bygone days of exploration – such as old-style copper baths (for two), as well as a Victorian contraption called a Needle shower, all from antique bathrooms in South Africa. The campaign-style cupboards and trunks mesh well with heavy brown colouring and leather couches. The decks are made of railway sleepers which give a weathered, historic yet solid feel to the whole camp.

“This is a journey to the time when romance blossomed in the great plains of Africa and emphasis was on fine living,” says Dereck, “but because it was and still is so hard to actually live in the bush and transport all the fineries of life, they and we have made sure that each item has been worth the effort. Many of the old explorers were happy to sleep on the ground but carried crystal glass. For us a great bed, piping hot water, fantastic food and the atmosphere of going back into Africa is what this is.”

The overall outlook of Zibadianja Camp is one where privacy is combined with flexibility – two guides and two vehicles for four rooms is an example of this. In addition, there is a balance between luxury and a lighter footprint, with a solar geyser and inverters used and the generator cut down to a minimum.

The camp’s location on the edge of the Zibadianja Lagoon and floodplain pays homage to a spectacular view with its seasonal ebb and flow and thus each tent and the main dining area of the camp is located so as to emphasise the view and the romantic endless vista over the plains.

Wilderness Safaris
Tel: + 27 11 807 1800
Fax: + 27 11 807 2110
Website: www.wilderness-safaris.com
enquiry@wilderness.co.za

Botswana: Okavango Delta, Chobe, Northern Kalahari, 2nd: The Bradt Travel GuideThe Bradt guide to Botswana concentrates on the prime regions for travelers and safari visitors, with all the essentials on the cities of Gaborone and Maun. Also included  are in-depth coverage of national parks and game reserves and background on the people and culture of the region.

Botswana: Kalahari Plains Camp

Safari & Adventure Co. is excited to announce the November 2008 opening of Kalahari Plains Camps, a rustic tented camp situated in a remote part of Botswana’s Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR). The camp is beautifully situated on a low sandy ridge fringing a typical Kalahari pan in this productive and diverse protected area.

The CKGR offers one of the most remote and unspoilt experiences on the African continent today. Found in the Kalahari Desert biome in the central part of Botswana, this reserve is the largest conservation area in this country and at 52 800km², one of the largest in the world. Guided game drives and walks will unlock the fascinating wildlife treasures found in this wonderful area.

The camp will comprise 10 en-suite Meru-style tents consisting of 9 twin-bedded and one family unit. Guests with 4×4s can self-drive to the camp, which will also have its own airstrip. Sefofane Botswana will operate between Kalahari Plains Camp and Maun, the Okavango/Moremi, Linyanti and Kasane.

The area has vast open grassy plains, seasonal pans and undulating vegetated dunes. During summer, after the rains, the northern part of the CKGR offers what is arguably the best wildlife viewing in Botswana, perfectly complemented by lush green landscapes, floral displays and beautiful skies. At this time the green flatlands are alive with vast concentrations of blue wildebeest, springbok and gemsbok. Predators are then also abundant and include wild dog, cheetah, black-backed jackal, bat-eared fox and legendary black-maned Kalahari lions.

Botswana has an enviable reputation as a world class eco-destination, and Kalahari Plains Camp is an exciting addition to Safari & Adventure Co.’s product offering.

Great African Adventures and Mountains of Africa

Struik Publishers is pleased to announce two new books bringing the adventure of outdoor Africa to readers: Great African Adventures: A Guide to the Mother Continent’s Ultimate Outdoor Adventures and Mountains of Africa. Both are available for your consideration for review.

Great African Adventures: A Guide to the Mother Continent’s Ultimate Outdoor Adventures by Jacques Marais Click photos to order these books.

Africa may rate as uncharted territory to the majority of mainstream travellers, but an advance guard of intrepid adventurers has long been exploring this intriguing continent. If you have yet to experience the countless adventures brimming between Cape Town and Cairo, this D.I.Y. guide contains all the information you need to trip confidently onto the Mother Continent.

Tales of high adventure, in-your-face photography, destination overviews, maps and contact details make this the ultimate adventure primer to Africa. Join the author and a handful of respected contributors as they river-board the Nile, climb Mali’s Hand of Fatima and run the ‘Marathon des Sables’ in Morocco, to name but a few of the adventures. An edgy style, up-to-date content and award-winning photography make this a must-have book for everyone from armchair adventurers to card-carrying members of the outdoor tribe.

Jacques Marais is a respected adventure writer and extreme sports photographer, and was selected as one of only 50 finalists in the prestigious Red Bull Illume Sports Photography Competition. He regularly contributes to premium travel magazines around the world, and this is his fifth book on outdoor adventure. He shares a house on the Cape Peninsula with his wife, two boisterous children, a ragtag of rescue pets and a serious selection of adventure toys.

Mountains of Africa by Duncan Souchan

A visual celebration that takes the reader on glorious visits to Africa’s magnificent mountains:

the holy ones, the prominent and fabled ones, and those we see and hear of all the time … the volcanic highlands of the Drakensberg/Maluti, Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount Kenya, Tsodilo Hills, Mount Sinai, the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, and of course Table Mountain, the jewel in South African tourism.

Mountains of Africa is a journey of both historical and modern travel: walk alongside great explorers of bygone eras while reading about modern-day activities available for mountain enthusiasts.

Also covered are people’s interactions with the mountains from the perspective of the people living in the surrounds, as well as information found in geological, geographical and pioneering history, and substantial reference is made to particular mountains that are natural sanctuary to certain endangered animals, and to the vegetation and protected parks and areas.

Duncan Souchon is a respected South African mountaineer as well as content manager of SuperSport’s SuperClimb web section. He is an adventurer at heart, a storyteller and also a man who is passionate about mountains, their people and creatures living in the area around them.

Mountains Of Africa Mountains Of Africa - A Jetsetters Magazine recommendation. The photography is exquisite, the text outstanding in detail.  You will learn about mountains seldom heard of.  A real delightful read. - Editors of Jetsetters Magazine.

Top-Flight Africa With Free Air

African Travel, Inc. Offers Two Luxury Specials

Glendale, CA- African Travel, Inc. specialists in luxury African safaris, is offering free round trip air fare to Africa — worth more than $1,500 — on a pair of safari itineraries from October through December. Travelers can choose from a 12-day South Africa and Victoria Falls trip or 13 days in Northern Tanzania, both offering topflight accommodations and services. Designed for individual parties, both safari packages depart any day of the week and can be customized with optional extensions and other arrangements. Prices are per person, double occupancy.

The Great Migration, 13 Days Tanzania, from $11,195 per person

This safari combines northern Tanzania’s finest wildlife viewing with luxury lodgings. Highlights include 4 nights in the Serengeti with daily wildlife viewing, the famed Ngorongoro Crater, one of the most unique caldera in the world; Tarangire, one of Tanzania’s “secret” wildlife havens and home to a large elephant population; and Manyara National Park in the Great Rift, with its hippos and flamingos.

Beginning and ending with a night in Arusha, the itinerary spends two nights each at Tarangire and the Ngorongoro Crater, one night at Manyara National Park, and four nights in the Serengeti. Included are roundtrip air fare from New York, luxury accommodations, 29 meals, and daily game drives and other wildlife activities with highly trained guides. Accommodations are “Wildebeest” level, and include Arusha Hotel, Tarangire Tree Lodge, Lake Manyara Tree Camp, Crater Lodge at Ngorongoro and – for maximum wildlife viewing — Mobile Migration, a mobile camp in the Serengeti.

Depending on the month of departure, prices begin at $8,795 per person, based on double occupancy for November. October and December prices are slightly higher. Single supplement begins at $2,595. Round trip economy air fare from New York to Kilimanjaro is free for travel from October through December; Business class air fare is available upon request. Taxes, fuel surcharges and security fees are additional. Travelers can spice up their trip with an optional extension to Zanzibar.

Southern Explorer, 12 Days: South Africa & Victoria Falls, from $9,975

Capetown, Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls combine on this 12-day odyssey. Two days are spent at the legendary falls with three days each in Cape Town and Kruger National Park, plus an overnight in Johannesburg en route from Kruger to Victoria Falls and prior to departure. Two full days touring Cape Town plus a dinner with a Capetonian family are followed by a stay at Singita Private Game Reserve, including morning and afternoon wildlife drives. At Victoria Falls a walking tour and an evening sundowner cruise on the Zambezi provide various vistas of one of the world’s highest falls.

Top-of-the-line accommodations for “Ebony Class” departures are at the Cape Grace in Cape Town, at Singita Boulders/Ebony in the Sabi Sands, the Saxon in Johannesburg, and the River Club at Victoria Falls. Price includes 20 meals, accommodations, all transportation, sightseeing and safari drives in an open vehicle.

“Ebony Class” departures from October – December are $9,975 per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement is $2,875. Economy class air fare from New York to Cape Town with return from Johannesburg is free for departures from October through December (black-out dates apply). Flights to Victoria Falls and Kruger National Park are additional. Business class air fare is available upon request. Taxes, fuel surcharges and security fees are additional. Travelers can extend their trip to savor more of South Africa with optional tours to South Africa’s renowned Cape Winelands or Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve.

About African Travel, Inc.

Since 1976 African Travel Inc, under the leadership of its Founder and Managing Director, Dave Herbert, has designed custom-tailored, luxury vacation experiences to the African continent and beyond for discerning travelers. African Travel Inc.’s offerings stretch from Cape Town to Cairo, the Seychelles islands, Mauritius, Madagascar and Dubai. Travel + Leisure magazine named African Travel, Inc. one of the top ten tour and safari operators in 2007.

In keeping with its philosophy, African Travel encourages preservation and economic development through a number of activities, including donating a portion of profits to wildlife conservation and cultural preservation.

For more information on African Travel Inc.’s custom-tailored trips, see your travel agent, phone (800) 421-8907 or (818) 507-7893. Information is also available at http://www.africantravelinc.com  or by emailing ati@africantravelinc.com

South African Airways Vacations Luxury Special

South African Airways Vacations (SAA Vacations) unveiled a new special to South Africa for December, a nine-day five-star Sabi Sabi In Style package at $2,699 (plus fuel surcharges and taxes) is being offered during Dec. 1-19.

This package includes international airfare from New York or Washington DC on South African Airways, four nights of accommodation at the five-star Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town, and two nights at the well-known, five-star Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge located in the Sabi Sands, adjacent to Kruger National Park. This package also includes a half-day winelands tour in Cape Town, six breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners, game drives, transfers and flights within South Africa.

The luxurious Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa offers ocean views, five-star cuisine, a spa, and is only about 10 minutes from the heart of Cape Town’s Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. After exploring Cape Town, guests will experience the bush at Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve’s Bush Lodge, located in the Sabi Sands, one of South Africa’s oldest and largest private game reserves.

The Sabi Sands is renowned for its rich game viewing, while Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge is known for its luxury accommodation, fine cuisine and top-notch staff. The package is priced at $2,699 per person double occupancy and does not include fuel surcharges and taxes. For more information on this special and other packages, call 888-722-4872 or visit www.flysaavacations.com

Lion World Tours, which furnishes this South African Airways Vacations program, has first hand knowledge of Southern Africa and can assist in organizing a trouble-free trip.

It features fascinating game park excursions whitewater rafting and hot air ballooning, among other exciting activities. Lion World Tours, part of TravelCorp, specializes in individual and group tours to southern and east Africa and will tailor-make full itineraries and conferences. The company’s reservation agents have first-hand knowledge of the region, including Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania and Kenya.

For more information, call Lion World Tours at 800-387-2706 or visit www.lionworldtravel.com

CC Africa Ensuite Safari Tents

Conservation Corporation Africa (CC Africa) introduced new ensuite Expedition safari tents on its 10-day Botswana Explorer Expedition.

The new domed tents have private bathrooms with flush toilets and al fresco hot bucket shower –a first in the mobile safari industry. Journeying through Botswana’s wilderness highspots, including the Okavango Delta, Moremi, Chobe and Savute, the 10-day Botswana Explorer Expedition offers classic African style and comfort in tented travel. Guests can enjoy a linen covered bed.

Accommodating a maximum of just six guests per safari ensures that each guest is guaranteed a window seat on a 4×4 safari vehicle. Each Expedition is accompanied by an expert CC Africa guide allowing for close interactions with wildlife and a unique interpretive safari experience.

The Botswana Explorer Expedition starts in Maun and travels north to Victoria Falls. Eight nights are spent camping, with a final night at Matetsi Private Game Reserve within easy reach of the majestic Victoria Falls.

This exhilarating mobile Expedition forms part of CC Africa’s diverse offering in Botswana, including its existing and well loved lodges Nxabega Okavango Safari Camp and Sandibe Safari Lodge, the soon to be opened Xudum Delta Lodge and Xaranna Tented Camp (August 2008), and Savute Under Canvas and Chobe Under Canvas which opened in March 2008.

For more information, see www.ccafrica.com

Future Vacations New Price Match Policy

Future Vacations launched a new Price Match policy. Under terms of the new policy that will match any competitor’s price on comparable vacation packages within three hours, ensuring that travelers always receive the best value for their vacation dollar.

Travel agents or consumers who book a Future Vacations package and find a lower price on a comparable package elsewhere can call Future Vacations’ new Price Match Hotline – 800-373-7801 – and speak directly to a Price Match Specialist for immediate service.

Comparable packages must feature the same airline, hotel, room category, travel dates and inclusions (e.g.: rental car, ground transfers, theme park/show tickets, etc.). For the fastest service, calls must be made during the following Price Match business hours: Monday to Saturday 9 am to 7 pm EST and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm EST.

Calls made outside of these hours will receive a return call the following business day. If Future Vacations is unable to match the price of a package, travelers will receive a $25 travel credit for future use.

The Price Match Policy is effective now and until further notice on all packages in the Future Vacations portfolio, which spans the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Central America, Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, South America, Africa and the Middle East.

For telephone reservations, call 800-456-2323.

Ever Wanted To Be A Safari Guide?

Action-packed 4 day course introduces guests to the fun aspects of guiding

Tuli Safari Lodge and Okavango Guiding School (OGS) have partnered to offer visitors to Botswana a holiday experience with a difference – a fascinating, action-packed adventure that gives a taste of life as a safari guide. The course is based in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve – a genuine wilderness area with dramatic landscapes, diverse flora & fauna, 350+ bird species, interesting geology and significant archaeological sites – located just across the South African border near Mapungubwe.

This 4 day/3 night course focuses on the fun aspects of guiding such as bush survival; tracking; reading bush sign; predicting animal behaviour; understanding interactions between animals and plants; approaching, viewing and retreating from potentially dangerous animals; navigating using the stars; off-road driving; rifle handling and hot topics in African and global conservation.

Through a combination of game drives, bush walks and ‘lectures’ in an outdoor classroom, the course is designed to boost guests’ environmental awareness and knowledge.

The course trainers from OGS are experts in their field with unparalleled guiding experience as well as being intricately involved with developing the new guiding standards in Botswana. OGS is the only institute accredited to train and assess against these standards. Tuli Safari Lodge is registered as a BOTA (Botswana Training Authority) accredited training centre, and OGS is also registered under BOTA as well as being an endorsed training provider under the FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa).

Course attendees are accommodated in a rustic tented camp, Nokalodi, beautifully located on the banks of the Limpopo River. Accommodation is in Meru-style safari tents with en-suite outdoor bathrooms. Nokalodi is operated and managed by Tuli Safari Lodge.

The rates in Botswana Pula are P6900 (approximately R8720/$1125) per person. Course dates for 2009 are 04/05/09-07/05/09; 08/05/09-11/05/09; 31/08/09-03/09/09 and 04/09/09-07/09/09.

Bookings or enquiries can be made through Tuli Safari Lodge on +267 264 5343 or Okavango Guiding School on +267 680 0363

or email info@tulilodge.com  or ogs@wildguides.org .

For further information please visit www.tulilodge.com  and www.wildguides.org