“As demand for our Entebbe service continues to grow, customers can now enjoy the convenience of a non-stop air link with Dubai. Our new direct service will offer seamless connections to key destinations in the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Asia and the Far East, together with the award-winning in-flight service for which Emirates is renowned,” said Jean Luc Grillet, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Africa.

Starting 25th March, EK 729 will depart Dubai at 0825hrs each day, arriving in Entebbe at 12:35hrs. The return leg, EK 730, will leave the Ugandan city at 1540hrs and get into Dubai at 2155hrs.

“At Emirates, we continually look for new ways to improve the service we provide to our customers. Entebbe is an important market for Emirates in the East African region and we are dedicated to ensuring our customers have access to the highest service standards both in the air and on the ground,” added Jean Luc.

Emirates will operate an Airbus A330-200 on its Entebbe routes in a three-class configuration, featuring 12 luxurious First Class seats, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 183 passengers in Economy Class.

Onboard, passengers can enjoy delicacies from an exclusive menu served to them by Emirates’ cabin crew representing over 120 nations. With a fleet of 168 aircraft and the largest A380 and Boeing 777 operator in the world, Emirates currently serves 20 destinations in the African continent, with new services to Zambia and Zimbabwe starting from February 2012.

Passengers on all Emirates’ flights also have the added bonus of extra baggage allowance with 30 kilogrammes permitted for those travelling in Economy Class, 40 kilogrammes for Business Class and 50 kilogrammes for First Class passengers. To date, Emirates’ Entebbe route has been operated as a linked service with Addis Adaba.

For more information or to book, visit www.emirates.com or call your local Emirates reservations office.

Lion World Tours is offering a special package to Kenya from just USD $2,499* per person including international airfare, taxes and fuel surcharges!

This USD $2,499 “Kenya On Sale” package is valid for March 29th and March 31st departures, and USD $2,699 for all other departures in March, April and May 1-14, 2012. Fly from New York (JFK) or Washington, Dulles Airport to Nairobi, Kenya aboard the award winning Ethiopian Airlines. Ethiopian Airlines was the winner of the 2009 “Airline of the Year” award from the African Airlines Association (AFRAA).

This package also includes six nights in deluxe accommodations in Kenya, game viewing, guides, meals, transfers and more.

The single supplement fee for passengers traveling alone is only USD $250.

At Serena Mountain Lodge guests can awake to the trumpeting of elephant, fall asleep to the symphony of the African night or sit in stillness and observe the fascinating interplay of the animals as they arrive to drink, bathe, spar and forage around the water hole.

Sarova Shaba Lodge is built around natural springs and offers an oasis of green in the midst of this beautiful but harshly arid landscape.

Sarova Shaba Lodge is located high above the Shaba Game Reserve, and it cleverly incorporates the beautiful natural springs as one of its special features.

Lion Hill Lodge impresses every guest with its panoramic view of the pink shoreline created by millions of flamingos on Lake Nakuru. The Lodge is situated within the Lake Nakuru National Park Rift Valley Province and is surrounded by natural flora and fauna in its beautiful grounds.

Sarova Mara Game Camp is set in the African bush but the luxurious tents all have permanent roofs, zip-up fronts, and electricity and en-suite facilities. Relaxing outside your own tent listening to the symphony of rasping Cicadas, croaking Tree Frogs and the intermittent call of birds and monkeys is a memorable experience.

“Kenya On Sale”, starting at just USD $2,499 * per person is a nine-day trip which includes:

Round trip international Economy Class airfare from New York (JFK) or Washington, DC (Dulles) to Nairobi, Kenya, aboard Ethiopian Airlines
All Fuel Surcharges and Taxes
One night at Serena Mountain Lodge
Two nights at Sarova Shaba Lodge
One night at Sarova Lion Hill Lodge
Two nights at Sarova Mara Game Camp
Game drives as specified in the itinerary
Six Breakfasts / Six Lunches / Six Dinners
Lion World Tours representative Meet and Greet upon arrival
Transfers

This package at the price of just USD $2,499* per person is valid for March 29 th and March 31st departures and is USD $2,699 for all other departures in March, April and May 1-14, 2012.

Round-trip add-ons from US cities are available. Please check with a Lion World Tours consultant for add-on fares or on our website www.lionworldours.com

To book your trip, call Lion World Tours at 1-800-387-2706 from the USA or 1-800-668-9968 from Canada, or visit http://lionworldtours.com/tours/Kenya-On-Sale-Special/Specials  to view the full itinerary.

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JANUARY: VIETNAM
TET NGUYEN DAN – VIETNAMESE NEW YEAR 23 January 2012
WHY: Festive atmosphere, street gambling and dragon dances: Tet Nguyen Dan (literally meaning “the first morning of the first day”) is the biggest and the most sacred festival in Vietnam and is celebrated nationwide. An occasion for family reunions, it marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and the arrival of spring, with the Vietnamese taking extreme care to start the new year out right: they buy new clothes, paint and clean their homes, pay off all debts and make amends to rid themselves of all bad feelings!
BOOK IT: Treat your family to the Vietnamese New Year celebrations with World Expeditions’ luxury 13-day Vietnam Family Explorer. Departs on 22 January, from £1,250 per adult (£790 per child).

FEBRUARY: LAOS
LAO ELEPHANT FESTIVAL 17-19 February 2012
WHY: Saddle up – who could pretend to have visited Laos, the ‘Land of a Million Elephants’, without meeting one of these superb animals? The Elephant Festival is organised to raise awareness of the need for action to protect the Asian elephant as part of Laos’ vital cultural and natural heritage. Expect to see colourful elephant processions, elephant bathing, mahout demonstrations, ancient Baci ceremonies, traditional Monk blessings, night markets and of course the prestigious ‘Elephant of the Year’ contest.

BOOK IT: Make sure you are in Laos on time for the Elephant Festival with World Expeditions’ Best of Laos and Cambodia (15 days) that departs on 16 February. From £1,550 per person.

MARCH: INDIA

HOLI – FESTIVAL OF COLOURS 8 March 2012

WHY: Let the spirit of revelry overtake you… Although it is the least religious of Hindu holidays, Holi (“the Festival of Colours”) is probably one of the most exhilarating ones in existence. Celebrated all over India since ancient times, it welcomes the arrival of spring, commemorates various events in Hindu mythology and is a time of disregarding social norms and indulging in general merrymaking: participants hold a public bonfire, spray friends and family with coloured powders and water and go absolutely crazy!

BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ compact Delhi to Kathmandu trip (7 days) will make sure you are in Jaipur, the capital of the desert lands of Rajasthan, for Holi. Departs on 7 March, from £590 per person.

APRIL: HOLLAND
QUEEN’S DAY 30 April 2012

WHY: Europe’s biggest street party! Every year on 30 April the Dutch celebrate their Queen’s Day. It is by far the most widely celebrated holiday in the country (Amsterdam alone welcomes two million party-going visitors) and the entire nation dresses in orange, the royal colour. Grab a bargain at one of the many garage or car boot sales (street trading laws are relaxed for 24 hours), there are street performers on every corner and cafés see their outside terraces in full swing, with live music pulling in the customers.
BOOK IT: Celebrate Queen’s Day in Holland with UTracks’ compact 4-day Tulip Tour. Departs on 28 April, from £430 per person.

MAY: UK
GLOUCESTERSHIRE CHEESE ROLLING 28 May 2012

WHY: For hundreds of years the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling has been taking place on this steep hillside. Although traditionally by and for the residents of the local village of Brockworth, the event now sees people from all over the world taking part. A guest roller starts the race by releasing a 7-8lb round of cheese down a treacherous slope and competitors then hurl themselves down the slope after it. The first person to arrive at the foot of the hill (usually after numerous tumbles) is the winner and gets the cheese!
BOOK IT: Book UTracks’ self-guided A Week in the Cotswolds (8 days, NEW FOR 2012) which departs daily and plan it around the Gloucestershire Cheese Rolling. From £556 per person.

JUNE: PERU
INTI RAYMI – FESTIVAL OF THE SUN 24 June 2012

WHY: Daytime expositions, street fairs, dancing in the streets and live music from the best of Peruvian musical groups: Inti Raymi (“the Festival of the Sun”) is a weeklong celebration marking the beginning of a new year. Originally celebrated by the Incas, today it is the second largest festival in South America, after the carnival of Rio de Janeiro, with hundreds of actors chosen to represent historical figures. The greatest honour? Being selected to portray the Sapa Inca, the Emperor of the Inca Empire, or his wife Mama Occla.

BOOK IT: Book World Expeditions’ Peru – Raft, bike and hike (14 days) that departs on 24 June and get to Peru on time for the Inti Raymi celebrations. From £1,590 per person.

JULY: MONGOLIA
NAADAM – THE THREE GAMES OF MEN 11-13 July 2012

WHY: Inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, Naadam is a true test of manhood in such traditional games as horse racing, archery and wrestling. The most widely watched festival among Mongols, it enjoys special popularity comparable to that of football in Europe, baseball in the US or sumo wrestling in Japan. It is believed to have existed for centuries, although today it formally commemorates the 1921 revolution, when Mongolia declared itself a free country.

BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ special Trans Siberian Adventure Naadam Festival (23 days) departure on 2 July costs £3,690 per person.

AUGUST: FRANCE
CORSO DE LA LAVANDE – LAVENDER FESTIVAL 3-7 August 2012
WHY: Corso de la Lavande (“the lavender festival”) is a significant colourful local affair – and a wonderful excuse to visit Digne-les-Bains, the self-styled “capitale de la lavande” and one of the most visually striking regions of Provence! Here, the local lavender harvest is celebrated during the first week of August in a half-a-century old festival. The town comes alive as parades with elaborate floats and presentations of folklore culminate in a grand ball, all devoted to this abundant crop.

BOOK IT: Celebrate Corso de la Lavande with UTracks’ self-guided Best of Provence (8 days). Departs daily from April to October, from £790 per person.

SEPTEMBER: ETHIOPIA
MESKEL – FINDING OF THE TRUE CROSS 27 September 2012

WHY: Meskel is Ethiopia’s most colourful Christian festival – but even for non-believers, it offers a dazzling excuse to celebrate with bonfires and parties! Thousands of locals and visitors get together to watch priests, nuns and parishioners sing, clap, beat drums and dance as they put on a unique show for the crowd. Meskel commemorates the recovery, 17 centuries ago, of the cross on which Jesus was crucified and the Ethiopian Church still claims to have its own piece, hidden from public view at the remote monastery of Gishan Mariam.

BOOK IT: Make sure you are in Ethiopia to celebrate Meskel with World Expeditions’ special departure of the Ethiopia Explorer (16 days) on 21 September. From £2,220 per person.

OCTOBER: BHUTAN
JAMBAY LHAKHANG FESTIVAL 29 October – 2 November 2012

WHY: A hugely popular religious festival, Jambay Lhakhang takes place every autumn at one of the oldest and most sacred Buddhist temples in Bhutan. Jambay Lhakhang is known for its two special events: ‘Mewang’ (the “fire blessing ceremony”), where locals run underneath a huge flaming gate made out of dry grasses with ambers and piles of burning grasses falling on their head; and ‘Tercham’ (the “dance of treasure”), where dancers with their face covered by a mask perform a dance completely naked.

BOOK IT: World Expeditions’ dedicated departure for Land of the Thunder Dragon – Jambay Lakhang Festival (13 days) is on 25 October 2012. From £1,890 per person.

NOVEMBER: ARGENTINA
FIESTA DE LA TRADICIÓN – TRADITION DAY 10 November 2012

WHY: This is the best opportunity you will have to see the ‘gaucho’ culture and get a feel for country life in Argentina. There are competitions, dances, horse and bronco riding, folk music and asados (“barbecues”), as well as exhibitions of local craftwork including silverware, spurs, stirrups and saddles. The finale involves hundreds of gauchos in their traditional dress – typical bombachas (“baggy jodhpurs”), wide-leather belts, boots and leather hats – parading through the centre of town.

BOOK IT: Book World Expeditions’ 11-day Patagonia Adventure which culminates just in time for Fiesta de la Tradición. Departs on 27 October, from £1,890 per person.

DECEMBER: CHILE
NEW YEAR’S FESTIVAL 29-31 December 2012

WHY: Attracting one million tourists from around the world, this three-day festival culminates with a huge (30,000 explosions!) firework display. Live bands play until the early hours of the morning on Plaza Sotomayor, while local traditions include: eating lentil dishes with 12 grapes to symbolise each month of the year; writing down everything that was bad about the old year and then symbolically burning the paper; going out walking with luggage so that you travel during the year; and wearing ‘lucky’ items, such as yellow underwear.

BOOK IT: Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Chile with World Expeditions: Book Chile End to End (18 days) that departs on 31 December 2012, from £3,290 per person.

For more information and bookings please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk and www.utracks.com  The all-inclusive policy of World Expeditions and UTracks ensures there are no local payments. Prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.

Abercrombie & Kent is offering the opportunity to relive the stories of these epic battles on the very soil on which they occurred. Rob is one of several experts leading trips for A&K in 2012, as part of a new programme for travellers who are looking for a more stimulating and memorable travel experience.

Rob Caskie
Historical Storyteller
Rob developed an interest in Zulu history and culture from an early age, after being brought up speaking English and Zulu and serving with Zulu troops during his National Service in 1984/5.

He started his career in Botswana working as a photographic safari guide and, after extensive globe-travelling, joined Fugitive’s Drift Lodge in 2001 where he was the principal lecturer on the Anglo-Zulu wars under David Rattray. His speaking career came to a peak in September 2010 when he presented his compelling story on The Battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift to a full house at the Royal Geographic Society.

Rob Caskie will be leading trips to:

Battlefields of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

7th April – 13th April 2012
Hear the rumble of the 25,000 Zulu warriors approaching the British encampment at Isandlwana, and how the soldiers at Rorke’s drift clawed tunnels through the walls with their bare hands during their fearful and frantic fight for survival.

Visit the battlefield sites of Isandlwana where you will believe that you can feel the ground move as Rob tells of 25,000 Zulus’ approach

At Rorke’s Drift, learn about the missionary post defended by 139 British soldiers in the face of 4000 Zulus, resulting in 11 Victoria Crosses being awarded

Learn about the crushed hopes of British forces at Spioenkop, when daybreak revealed the disastrous position of the trenches they had dug throughout the night

The Kingdom of the Black Pharoahs, Sudan

14th – 21st October 2012
Trace the footsteps of the outnumbered Sudanese army in their battle against the Ethiopian forces. Feel the heat from the flaming encirclement of thorns around the near-defeated Sudanese and the crushed spirit of the Ethiopian warriors with the death of their mighty emperor.

Visit the Battlefields of Metemma, Jebel Abu Tulayh and Abu Kru

Learn about Nubian culture from these historic tales

Stay in a tented camp in Meroe, overlooking the awe-inspiring floating pyramids of the Black Pharaohs

Justin Wateridge, Managing Director of Abercrombie & Kent, explained his decision to work with Rob on these journeys, saying “Rob is renowned for his ability to bring history to life through his words. He is enormously charismatic and his stories are always profoundly personal and emotional. We’re very excited to be working with such a powerful raconteur.”

So when the might of the British Empire descended on this remote kingdom in 1868 it was the dawn of a new era.

The famed General Sir Robert Napier was chosen for his ruthless tendencies, and typically Victorian determination to glorify Britain by invading Ethiopia after the native Emperor Tewdros II dared to defy Queen Victoria by kidnapping her envoys in the Abyssinian capital.

Napier marched over 35,000 soldiers and camp followers almost 400 miles through lion-infested bush, jungle and mountain from the coast of what is now Eritrea to the mountain fortress of Magdala, where he defeated the Ethiopians in a brilliant stroke of near-perfect military tactics, rescued the hostages, then promptly turned around and marched back!

This was campaign warfare in its purest form and marked the start of British supremacy on the ‘dark continent’.

The modern day expedition will follow the final 140 miles of the route. Starting at Lake Hashengie, a protected eco reserve, the journey will take a ten-man team through deep mountain gorges, across open plains and meeting remote indigenous communities that have seen very few westerners, before finally reaching the mountain fortress of Magdala.

It promises to be a tough but incredible experience for anyone interested in exploration, history or simply a taste of true wilderness in the heart of Africa.

EDITORS NOTES. Secret Compass are currently looking for adventurous people to join the expedition team. Secret Compass is a pioneering expeditionary company. Set up by ex-Parachute Regiment officers, it conducts exploratory expeditions to remote regions following in the footsteps of the original explorers of the nineteenth century.

The BOGO fare allows a party of two to travel round-trip from Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside of Washington, D.C., to Bole International Airport (ADD) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for only $2,200 on travel from Feb. 1, 2012 to March 30, 2012 (outbound travel) with a maximum stay validity of three months. The BOGO offer on this route is not applicable on Saturdays for outbound flights from IAD to ADD, or on Fridays and Saturdays on inbound flights from ADD to IAD.

“This is an incredibly attractive offer which won’t last long,” said Kagnew Asfaw, Ethiopian Airlines’ director for the Americas. “We will have a limited time for this sale, but a tremendous variety of destinations within Africa from which to choose. Our daily non-stop Boeing 777LR planes have allowed us to increase the number of seats available during this promotion. I hope that the traveling public will take this great opportunity and fly Ethiopian Air to Africa.”

Ethiopian Airlines offers daily 777 service from Washington Dulles non-stop to Addis Ababa, the carrier’s home base and hub. From Addis, Ethiopian Airlines offers connecting service to more countries and airports within Africa than any other airline.

With the addition of Ethiopian Airlines, the Star Alliance network in Africa grows to cover major commercial and political cities of the continent particularly in East, Central and West Africa. In total, the 16 Star Alliance member carriers serving Africa offer more than 750 daily flights to over 110 destinations in 48 countries on the continent, with Addis Ababa, Cairo and Johannesburg serving as the main hubs.

Other popular highlights include a visit to Chichicastenango with its vast open-air market and a tour to Ruta de Las Flores where some of the world’s best coffee is produced.

In regard to Africa, SITA’s director of operations, Max Ali, said the company has been able to negotiate reduced rates as much as 20 percent off previous prices. Stability in the political climate and improvements in infrastructure have made it possible to improve SITA’s access to insure that guests get even closer to fascinating wildlife migrations.

A new eight-day program called Kenya in Luxury includes three luxury wildlife camps connected by air, providing maximum time to enjoy the safari experience. Also new is a Uganda and Rwanda in Depth program that offers the opportunity to view the gorillas in both Uganda and Rwanda in two different ecological settings. Other new Africa products include an 11-day Great Zimbabwe itinerary that includes Victoria Falls, marking a return to Zimbabwe. Itineraries to Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia and Egypt are also included in the new brochure.

SITA World Tours has 79-years history of providing travel programs to Africa, India, Asia and South and Central America. For more information, visit www.sitatours.com

While on this captivating safari you will have the possibility of seeing a variety of magnificent wildlife and birdlife, including the ‘big 5′: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhinoceros. With such intense beauty, it’s a nature lover’s paradise. Explore the wonder of the Great Rift Valley and visit some of the most famous wildlife areas in the world including the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, and learn about the intriguing culture of the Masai. With comfortable tented camps, enjoy a true outdoor experience where you will marvel in the sights and sounds of the vast African wilderness.
Price: £2,290 per person
Departures in 2011: 7 November; further departures throughout 2012

Best of East Africa 17 days

This journey follows a relaxed itinerary with vehicle-based excursions that return each night to permanent tented camps and lodges. From Nairobi you have the opportunity to explore Nakuru National Park known for its myriads of pink flamingos, among other wildlife, and make your way to the renowned Masai Mara. You then journey to Tanzania and enjoy Lake Manyara National Park, famed for tree climbing lions, then onto the world famous Serengeti National Park to view the vast herds of grazing animals and the magnificent predators that follow them. You will visit the remarkable Ngorongoro Crater and Tarangire National Park, with the undoubted highlight of the journey being the Virunga Mountains, following the footsteps of Dian Fossey in search of the famous mountain gorillas.
Price: £3,790 per person
Departures in 2011:1 October, 17 December; further departures in 2012

Namibian Explorer 10 days

An ideal short trip exploring the highlights of stunning Namibia – this encompassing itinerary commences in Windhoek and includes game viewing in Etosha National Park, cultural interaction with a Himba Tribe, rock art at Twyfelfontien, spiritual Brandberg Mountain, the coastal town of Swakopmund, the Skeleton Coast and the Namib Desert at Sossussvlei.
Price: £990 per person
Departures in 2011: weekly until 31 March 2012

Botswana Elephant Trail 15 days

The diverse and beautiful wilderness of southern Africa is showcased on this itinerary across Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. You can experience the legendary Okavango Delta with its burgeoning wildlife filled channels and islands. The big game haunts of Moremi and Chobe are home to lions and cheetahs, but provide an opportunity to see large herds of elephants in their natural environment. This itinerary allows for walks amongst World Heritage rock art sites, created by the diminutive bushmen of southern Africa. You complete this journey in Zambia at the Victoria Falls, observing the Zambezi River fall over one hundred breathtaking metres.
Price: £1,890 per person
Departures in 2011:  29 October, 12 November, 26 November; further departures in 2012

Ethiopia Explorer 16 days
Ethiopia is an African enigma, combining a rich history, mosaic of cultures and incredible geographic diversity. From the colourful chaotic sprawl of the capital Addis Ababa, medieval castles of Gondar, to the tranquil island monasteries of Lake Tana, it’s a land of contrasts. This itinerary includes visits to local tribes and villages to experience their fascinating culture and a walk in the Simien Mountains. There’s plenty of time to take in the greatest of the ancient churches and monasteries home to art and religious icons, including the amazing 12th-century rock-hewn churches of Lalibela.
Price: £2,190 per person
Departures in 2011: 18 November, 16 December; further departures in 2012

African Wilderness In Comfort 21 days
This itinerary traverses the greatest parks, rivers and landscapes that Africa’s south has to offer with the added luxury of 3-4 star hotels, chalets and lodges to rest your head. From Cape Town, you head north passing through the Namaqualand region, and witness the Orange River plummet at Augrabies Falls (56m) into the Kalahari, and spend two nights in Kgalagadi National Park, before heading to the boundless Namib Desert. Travelling through the Caprivi Strip and via the Okavango River onto Botswana you can go in search of some of Africa’s greatest wildlife experiences along the Chobe River. Victoria Falls are an inspiring backdrop to a multitude of adventurous options and a fitting end to this amazing journey through southern Africa.
Price: £2,350 per person
Departures in 2011: November, 14 November 12 December; further departures in 2012

For more information on World Expeditions’ trips please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk or call 0800 0744 135. World Expeditions’ all-inclusive policy ensures there are no local payments. Prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.

The second passenger pays the fuel surcharge, the 9/11 security charge and applicable fees and taxes.

Tickets must be purchased by Sept. 10, 2011 for travel beginning from Sept. 12, 2011, through Nov. 30, 2011 These fares are available to many cities within Africa.

According to the terms of the sale, one passenger’s airfare from Washington, D.C. to Nairobi, Kenya, would be $1699.30 for a roundtrip ticket, which includes all charges, fees and taxes.

The second passenger, traveling with the first, would pay $500.32 (fuel surcharge of $416 plus other applicable taxes and fees of $84.32).

The total cost for both passengers’ roundtrip airfare, including all taxes and fees, would be just under $2,200, a savings of more than 35 percent.

Seats will be limited and both passengers must travel together on the same flight.

Ethiopian Airlines offers daily, non-stop 777 service from Washington Dulles International to Addis Ababa, the airlines home base and hub.

From Addis, Ethiopian offers connecting service to more countries and airports within Africa than any other airline. Ethiopian Airlines made its maiden flight to Cairo in 1946. With the recent addition of flight services to Pointe Noire, Ethiopian provides dependable services to 38 cities in Africa and a total of 59 international destinations spanning throughout four continents. For information, call 800-445-2733 or visit www.ethiopianairlines.com