Jetsettersblog

Escape The Crowds & Find Your Own African Dream With TripAfrica

TripAfrica offers a selection of Super Secret Safaris to entice & whet the appetite of even the most experienced Africa ‘old-hand’. The ultimate in wilderness & wildlife with the opportunity to escape the crowds and become truly immersed in your own private Africa makes this selection of experiences a must do special for safari & wildlife enthusiasts.

Small Group Secret Safaris in Zambia
Small group safaris with a maximum of only 8 clients per trip are available to some of the more remote and off the beaten track destinations and offer some truly exceptional wilderness experiences. Zambia is raising its flag as the home of the secret safari with three incredible small group trips available to three very different and remote areas.

Experience the biggest migration that nobody has heard of in Liuwa Plains National Park, Western Zambia. Bordering Angola this little flood-plain park is cut off from everywhere for many months each year. A 5 day fly in safari to the only accommodation in the whole park to search for migrating wildebeest & zebra is from £3,985pp.

North Luangwa National Park sits above and beyond its more famous sister park and with less than a handful of properties within the park boundaries, is virtually exclusive. Conservation is the key here with a healthy & growing population of black rhino. A 7 day traditional mobile safari traversing this pristine wilderness is from £3,885pp.

Every November one of the largest congregations of mammals anywhere in the world occurs in the little known Kasanka National Park, Zambia. Nestled up against the Congolese border this tiny, privately managed park is hidden away well off the beaten tourist trap and home to the annual spectacle that is the straw coloured fruit bat migration. A 5 day safari to experience this amazing wildlife phenomenon is from £2,850pp.

Tailor-made Hidden Mozambique
Those that see Mozambique as purely a white sands & sea destination should think again. This incredible and diverse country is home to two huge wilderness regions, one little explored and one previously little cared for.

Gorongosa National Park, once ravaged by the aftermath of the terrible civil war, has been reborn and is emerging as one hell of a wildlife & wilderness destination. A 7 day safari exploring the diversity of Gorongosa is from£3,445pp.

In the far North of the country lies the remarkable Niassa Reserve, a true frontier, an unexplored wilderness and refuge for wildlife. Here you enter the world of the unknown and head out on pioneering game drives across unchartered territory. A 6 day safari exploring this hidden land is from £3,890pp.

All prices are inclusive of international flights out of London & based on two people sharing.

TripAfrica is an owned & managed by Becx Whitefiled and is a true Africa specialist travel company. With over a decades experience in the travel industry and over 6 years spent living, working in and exploring Eastern & Southern Africa, TripAfrica is able to offer unrivalled passion for the dark continent and an intimate knowledge of wildlife, animal behaviour & culture and even 4×4 driving advice & route planning!

For any and all information please contact Becx directly safari@tripafricatravel.com. TripAfrica currently offers tailored travel in Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana and Namibia. Madagascar, CAR, Mali & Ethiopia are just some of the destinations to be added to the portfolio soon.

Kensington Tours launched private escorted tours to Madagascar, world’s fourth-largest island in the Indian Ocean east of Africa.

The island is the home of 250,000 species, 70 percent of which are found nowhere beyond the island, including 70 species of lemurs. Kensington will sell packages individually designed for each client, with private local guides, drivers, selected properties and internal flights.

“Madagascar promises to deliver that once-in-a-lifetime adventure that travel aficionados seek.

The country is only now really beginning to embrace tourism after years of being off the map so even the most intrepid explorers haven’t visited yet,” said Gabrielle Nijdam, Kensington’s Africa director. “Madagascar is the perfect addition to any Africa safari or makes for a show-stopping standalone adventure.”

Basic packages include a four-day Madagascar Lemur Fever priced from $1,120 per person, which travels through Andasibe-Mantadia National Park and includes day and night hikes to spot red-bellied lemurs, brown lemurs, indri lemurs, ring-tailed lemurs, dancing lemurs and singing lemurs.

Also available are a nine-day Madagascar Highlights from $3,210 per person; a five-day Baobabs and Tsingy Explorer from $1,605; and a 14-day Madagascar Signature from $4,630 per person that includes lemur safaris, island hopping, boat cruises and visits to villages, tropical rainforests, beaches and deserts.

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is offering two expedition trips through Madagascar and Southern Africa, both this December and in December 2013 onboard the Hanseatic and the Bremen.

The Hanseatic will stop at six new ports in Madagascar this December, including Maroantsetra, Nosy Hara, Morondava, Nosy Ve and Toliara, as well as a first visit to Ilea dos Portugueses, Mozambique. The 16-day cruise departs Dec. 3 from Port Louis, Mauritius, and ends in Cape Town, South Africa. Rates start at $7,750 per person for an outside cabin.

On Dec. 1, 2013, the Bremen will depart Port Louis, Mauritius, and sail for Cape Town, South Africa, visiting Nosy Hara, Mahayana, Morondava and Nosy Be on the west coast of Madagascar. The 17-day trip is priced from $7,020 per person for an outside cabin.

GLENDALE, Cali.– Published airfares from the US to Africa are nearly equal with European fares this summer and fall, making this year the best time in recent memory to experience a life changing African Safari.

Great Safaris is encouraging it’s clients, travel specialists, and booking agents to take advantage of these unheard of airfares to Africa.

For comparison, a typical September airfare from NYC to Nairobi is $1100, just $65 more than a NYC to Rome airfare, published at $1035.

For the first time in decades, travelers can experience an Africa safari for the same travel costs as a Mediterranean cruise or European vacation.

For travelers who have never experienced the wonder of an African safari there’s been no more affordable time to book, and travelers that have experienced the most exciting and memorable vacation of their lifetime in Africa have no reason not to go back.

Great Safaris recommends their Classic Wing Safari itinerary (http://www.greatsafaris.com/classic-wing-safari-kenya.html)  for first time Africa travelers looking to take advantage of the low airfare.

This classic 10 day trip showcases the best of Kenya, including the famed Masai Mara, Samburu, and Amboseli.

The trip is offered at three different price points and levels of luxury to differing tastes and budgets. Those traveling on a slimmer budget should consider the 9 day Kenya Adventure (http://www.greatsafaris.com/kenya-adventure.html) , an overland journey through Kenya that visits Nairobi, Samburu, Lake Nakuru and the Masai Mara.

Great Safaris is an award-winning luxury African Safari outfitter offering the convenience of a US booking office coupled with seven fully-staffed on-site offices in Africa.

Destinations include Botswana, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Great Safaris offers luxury programs to help adventurous travelers explore Africa and create enriching life experiences.

For more information please visit Great Safaris’ web site at www.greatsafaris.com.

PlanetWildlife.com, a leading provider of diverse wildlife travel and tours around the world, presents its inaugural brochure containing over 300 exciting safari itineraries and is available at no cost online and in print on request. The brochure comprises over 200 colourful pages packed with itinerary suggestions and travel ideas designed to appeal to a broad global audience of nature lovers and adventure travellers.

The itineraries are categorised by style and level of activity demanded and required:

Premier is for the luxury, five-star traveller who wishes to marry an exclusive wildlife experience with a high standard of accommodation, cuisine and ground transportation

Signature itineraries are essentially those ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ adventures focussing on extraordinary seasonal events and phenomenon in the wildlife world

Portfolio programmes comprise over 300 tailor-made itineraries in over 30 countries including India, Africa, South America, Asia, China and the polar regions

Family itineraries are designed to appeal to young children as well as ‘big kids’ and combine comfort and safety as well as exciting opportunities to get close to nature…most of the accommodation options include swimming pools and brief transfers

Group tours combine quality and comfortable accommodation and facilities with thrilling wildlife experiences, all the more enjoyable when shared with like-minded enthusiasts.

These programmes are mostly all-inclusive from point of departure but do not include international flights and are classed as Basic, Moderate, High or Advanced in terms of levels of fitness and activity demanded and/or required by travellers.

The Asia section comprises itineraries in Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The Africa section covers wide swathes of Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. In the Americas section, travellers can get close to wildlife in Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru and North America*. There are also the perennially popular expeditionary cruise options to both the Arctic and Antarctica regions. Each section includes general information about each country including their national parks, accommodation details, and suggested optimum months of travel. Itineraries range in price and duration, with some itineraries priced as low as £379 (i.e. for five days in India – see the website for details of the Classic Explorer: Rajasthan).

*Specific itineraries are not included but customised programmes are available on request to any of the six global sales and/or market representative offices around the world and online.

For further information, please visit www.planetwildlife.com or contact a PlanetWildlife office (listed on the website). PlanetWildlife is as a leading international provider of diverse wildlife and safari tours with over 300 creative itineraries in 26 countries around the world catering to a wide range of interests and budgets.

About PlanetWildlife:

PlanetWildlife is an international travel company based in India with sales offices in UK, India, Australia, Hong Kong and Sweden. It is backed by highly successful entrepreneurs and managed by a professional team who are passionate about wildlife and have been involved in a variety of nature conservation activities over the years. The www.PlanetWildlife.com website features over 300 itineraries to Africa, India, and South America comprising a diverse range of photography safaris, hiking expeditions and bird-watching adventures, including ocean cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Most tours offer daily departure dates and each is well-organised, competitively priced, environmentally responsible and tailored to suit the requirements of group or individual travellers. In all instances they are led by highly qualified and experienced leaders. Respected travel industry professionals and wildlife experts work in consultation with PlanetWildlife and are instrumental in designing each themed itinerary Via the website, a comprehensive and continuously expanding reference library on species and destinations is readily accessible and is regularly updated to ensure its usefulness to travellers, students, wildlife enthusiasts and bloggers.

PlanetWildlife is committed to responsible tourism, and in particular: minimising negative environmental impact; contributing to the conservation of natural and cultural heritages and embracing diversity; providing rewarding experiences for visitors through meaningful interaction with local communities to the economic benefit of those communities; and promoting a greater understanding and respect for local cultural, social and environmental issues. It is part of PlanetWildlife’s corporate policy to fund selected awareness drives and wildlife conservation programmes and welcomes suggestions from the public in this regard.

PlanetWildlife.com, a leading provider of diverse wildlife travel and tours around the world, presents Wildlife’s Hot Spots for 2012 – a month-by-month directory of what’s happening and when – and itinerary suggestions to inspire nature lovers to experience some of the seminal seasonal events of the natural world. To explore all the ideas and options available, visit PlanetWildlife’s Calendar presented on the website under ‘Travel’…..itineraries are all-inclusive from point of departure but do not include international flights.

January – India
January is the breeding season for the green sea turtles around the Galapagos Islands – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour – is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594 per person (pp)
This is also an excellent time of year to go tiger spotting in India when the clement weather facilitates close study of these rare and endangered big cats – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-kanha-and-bandhavagarh – a six day safari itinerary including elephant rides in Central India priced at £756/US$1,180pp

February – Nepal
February is a good time to go trekking in Nepal with better than usual odds of spotting the famed Bengal Tiger – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/chitwan-explorer  is a nine-day itinerary in Chitwan National Park priced at £1,465/US$2,287pp. This is also an ideal month for tracking the rare and beautiful snow
leopard in nearby Ladakh, India – visit www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/snow-leopard-experience  for a 13-day trekking adventure priced at £2,163/US$3,377pp.

February also sees the gathering of hundreds of thousands of spectacular pink flamingos on Lake Nakuru in Kenya, Africa – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp.

March – the Arctic
When the days start to lengthen and become milder in the Arctic region, this is an ideal time to spot Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights – and a cruise is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience this natural wonder – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/lofoten-aurora-borealis through Norway is an eight-day journey on the schooner ‘Noorderlicht’ priced at £1,979/US$3,090pp.

April – Galapagos
April presents another excellent opportunity to go bird-watching in Galapagos where enthusiasts can spot blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gullies, frigate birds and red-billed tropic birds amongst others. www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594pp).

May – India – Ladhak and Karnataka
In India, the weather is perfect for an extensive trek around Ladhak in the Himalayas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/amazing-leh-community-service-trek – presents an unusual 13-day itinerary and the opportunity to become involved in local community service in the villages of Spango Valley while learning about and tracking the elusive snow leopard – priced at just £569/US$888pp.

This is also an opportune month to visit Karnataka in India and the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, the natural habitat of Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants and hyenas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-karnataka  is a five-day itinerary including the fascinating cities of Bangalore and Mysore and priced at £1,330/US$2,076pp.

June – Rwanda
Head to Rwanda this month to witness a unique baby gorilla naming ceremony, “KwitaIzina” – an annual ceremony attended by hundreds of local villagers but international visitors are also welcome – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/gorillas-wildlife-and-chimpanzees is a comprehensive seven-day adventure through some of Uganda’s best national parks of Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi and is priced at £4,457/US$6,958pp.

July – Costa Rica and Brazil
Latin America is the destination to head for this month to spot the endangered green and hawksbill turtles nest on the beautiful Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The park is also home to manatees, crocodiles, tropical gar, jaguars, sloths and basilisks, amongst other exotic wildlife – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/forests-and-volcanoes-costa-rica  is a 15-day excursion round Costa Rica and the Caribbean priced at £3,662/US$5,717pp.

Alternatively, in Brazil’s Pantanal area this is the best time of year for jaguar sightings and for close study of many other endangered species including the hyacinth macaw and the maned wolf – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/voyage-heart-amazon  is an eight-day voyage to the heart of the Amazon and is priced at £2,940/US$4,590pp

August – Kenya
Head to Kenya this month to be amongst the first to witness one of nature’s greatest shows – the annual Great Migration sees thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras make a dash across the Mara River risking death from predators such as the crocodile – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp

September – Botswana
This is an ideal time to ravel to Botswana and explore the wilderness of Chobe National Park and the Okavango delta and take in the full majesty of the famed Victoria Falls – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/best-botswana-chobe-and-okavango  is an eight-day itinerary commencing in Maun and finishing at the Victoria Falls prices at £2,664/US$4,159pp

October – Madagascar
During this dry month off the coast of Africa, lemurs are particularly active and playful on the island of Madagascar – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/magical-madagascar  is an exciting eight-day adventure combining lemurs and bird-watching as well as interaction with tribal villagers and is priced at £1,713/US$2,674pp.

November – the Falkland Islands

Head to the bottom of the world to the Falkland Islands (classified under the Antarctic zone) to watch five different species of penguins breed at this special time: the King, Rockhopper, Gentoo, Magallanic and Macaroni penguins – the islands also present a chance to spot the rare black-browed albatross – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/antarctic-peninsula-weddell-see-falkland-islands  is a 14-day cruise from Ushuaia in Argentina to the Falklands priced at £8,995/US$14,041pp

December – Sri Lanka
In southern Sri Lanka, this is the best time of year to spot one of the natural wonders of the world – the Blue Whale….nowhere else do they come as close to the land as they do near the coast of Sri Lanka. The www.planetwildlife.com/trave/itineraries/blue-whale-and-leopard-experience  is a nine-day itinerary commencing in Colombo which combines blue whale and dolphin spotting with safaris in Yala, home to elephants and leopards – priced at £2,520/US$3,934pp.

For further information, please visit www.planetwildlife.com  or contact a PlanetWildlife office (listed on the website). PlanetWildlife is as a leading international provider of diverse wildlife and safari tours with over 300 creative itineraries in 26 countries around the world catering to a wide range of interests and budgets.

About PlanetWildlife:

PlanetWildlife is an international travel company based in India with sales offices in UK, India, Australia, Hong Kong and Sweden. It is backed by highly successful entrepreneurs and managed by a professional team who are passionate about wildlife and have been involved in a variety of nature conservation activities over the years. The www.PlanetWildlife.com website features over 300 itineraries to Africa, India, and South America comprising a diverse range of photography safaris, hiking expeditions and bird-watching adventures, including ocean cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Most tours offer daily departure dates and each is well-organised, competitively priced, environmentally responsible and tailored to suit the requirements of group or individual travellers. In all instances they are led by highly qualified and experienced leaders. Respected travel industry professionals and wildlife experts work in consultation with PlanetWildlife and are instrumental in designing each themed itinerary Via the website, a comprehensive and continuously expanding reference library on species and destinations is readily accessible and is regularly updated to ensure its usefulness to travellers, students, wildlife enthusiasts and bloggers.

PlanetWildlife is committed to responsible tourism, and in particular: minimising negative environmental impact; contributing to the conservation of natural and cultural heritages and embracing diversity; providing rewarding experiences for visitors through meaningful interaction with local communities to the economic benefit of those communities; and promoting a greater understanding and respect for local cultural, social and environmental issues. It is part of PlanetWildlife’s corporate policy to fund selected awareness drives and wildlife conservation programmes and welcomes suggestions from the public in this regard.

Abercrombie & Kent celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a collection of specialist group journeys. Founded in 1962 by Geoffrey Kent with the vision of offering the most inspirational travel experiences, A&K introduces its new Specialist Journey Brochure, a collection of expert-led trips which push the boundaries of travel to excite, challenge and inspire.

Mark Carwardine – expert wildlife photographer, outspoken conservationist, award-winning writer and presenter of the BBC’s Last Chance to See with Stephen Fry will accompany two trips:

The Galapagos (24th May – 3rd June 2012) – explore the wildlife of these unique islands with the benefit of Mark’s wisdom and photographic eye.
Spirit Bears in British Columbia (8th – 14th September 2012) – search for the revered Kermode bears of British Columbia with Mark and a local native guide.

Jon Nicholson, acclaimed UNICEF photo-journalist and official photographer for London 2012 Olympic Games, will lead a number of journeys, discovering the true spirit of the destination while instilling technical photographic expertise, an understanding of composition and the confidence to capture the real story.

Burma Photographic (1st – 13th March 2012) – capture the former Royal City of Mrauk U, seeing the Ayeyarwady River on the RV Paukan and exploring rural Burmese life.
Bhutan Photographic (26th March – 8th April 2012) – explore the mountain kingdom, its ancient dzongs, mountains strewn with prayer flags, the vibrant Paro Festival and the farming communities at work in the paddy fields

Jodhpur Photographic (8th – 14th April 2012) – capture life in the ‘blue city’ of Jodhpur and explore Osian on the edge of the Thar Desert, known for its ancient temples.
Varanasi Photographic (29th September – 3rd October 2012) – discover Varanasi’s secrets and the traditions that surround the ghats of the sacred RiverGanges.

Ian Redmond OBE – an expert in gorilla conservation who has been involved in over fifty documentaries about these captivating primates:

Gorillas of the Central African Republic and Congo (September 2012) – Search for western lowland gorillas in Dzanga-Sangha Reserve with Ian Redmond, exploring the forests of the Ba’aka pygmy tribe and the Dzanga Bai, famous for its forest elephants.

Rob Caskie – the principal lecturer at Fugitives’ Drift Lodge under David Rattray, who has achieved eminence through his compelling storytelling to audiences worldwide, Rob has a unique talent of bringing history to life:

• Zulu Battlefields (April 2012) – recreating the drama of the Zulu War, Rob will shine light on the battlefields of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift from Fugitive’s Drift Lodge.

• The Kingdom of the Black Pharaohs (13th – 21st October 2012) – experience the dramatic events and battles of the late 19th century, including the Mahdi, Gordon of Khartoum and Kitchener.

Dr Christoph Schwitzer – an expert in conservation of lemurs and Head of Research at BCSF:

Lemurs of Madagascar (7th – 17th October) – Discover the diversity of Madagascar’s unique flora and fauna, seeking out its many species of lemur, exploring sacred forests, sand dunes, mangroves and beaches.

Michael Jay – the only Westerner to hold a samurai rank since William Adams in 1600, Japanese speaking and fluent in Geisha and Samurai history:

In the Footsteps of the Geisha and Samurai (25th September – 8th October 2012) – explore the enigmatic Geisha culture in Kyoto’s Gion district and understand the honour, traditions and weapons of the Samurai.

Denise Heywood – Asian Art specialist Denise is a lecturer, expert guide, author, journalist and photographer, specialising in Laos and Cambodia:

Artistic Heritage of Laos and Cambodia (6th – 18th January 2013) – explore local markets, Buddhist and Hindu temples and the French Indochinese architecture of Luang Prabang.

1. IF YOU LIKED KENYA…TRY MADAGASCAR

WHY: From ring-tailed lemurs to baobab trees, Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot: over 80% of its plant and animal species are found nowhere else on Earth!

BOOK IT: Unique Madagascar with World Expeditions (10 days) has six departures from May-October 2012, from £1,250 per person.

2. IF YOU LIKED JORDAN…TRY IRAN

WHY: It may not have iconic landmarks such as Petra but Iran is home to one of the world’s oldest continuous major civilizations, with historical and urban settlements dating back to 4,000BC!

BOOK IT: Best of Iran with World Expeditions (11 days) departs on 24 October and 7 November with further departures in 2012, from £1,590 per person.

3. IF YOU LIKED MOROCCO…TRY OMAN

WHY: Traditional souks, Bedouin settlements, rugged mountains, desert dunes and a rich history of wealth and power in a country which as recently as 30 years ago was closed to foreigners.
BOOK IT: Oman Adventure with World Expeditions (9 days) has seven departures until the end of the year, from £1,490 per person.

4. IF YOU LIKED: CAMBODIA…TRY: MYANMAR

WHY: They may not be as famous but the Temples of Bagan in Myanmar are just as iconic as the spectacular Angkor Wat complex.
BOOK IT: Highlights of Myanmar with World Expeditions (12 days) has departures every month, from £1,290 per person.

5. IF YOU LIKED NAMIBIA…TRY ETHIOPIA

WHY: More than a land of natural contrasts (from some of Africa’s highest mountains to some of the world’s lowest points below sea level!) Ethiopia is a mosaic of cultures: one of the first Christian countries yet with evident influences from Islam and tribal African cultures.
BOOK IT: Ethiopia Explorer with World Expeditions (16 days) departs on 18 November and 16 December with further departures scheduled for 2012 to coincide with the Timket Festival, from £2,190 per person.

6. IF YOU LIKED NORWAY…TRY THE NORTHERN RUSSIAN ARCTIC

WHY: Rugged and off the beaten track, the Russian Arctic and Far East is a region that was until recently ‘off limits’ to western visitors.

BOOK IT: Across the top of the world – Northern Russian Arctic with World Expeditions (15 days) departs on 25 July and 8 August 2012, from $7,150 (£4,606) per person.

7. IF YOU LIKED THE AMAZON…TRY PAPUA NEW GUINEA

WHY: Just as Amazon is one of the planet’s enigmas, Papua New Guinea remains one of the world’s least explored countries, both culturally and geographically. With over 850 indigenous languages, it is the world’s most diverse nation linguistically!

BOOK IT: Cruise Papua New Guinea with World Expeditions (13 days) departs on 2 April 2012, from £3,790 per person for a quadruple cabin.

8. IF YOU LIKED ALASKA…TRY PATAGONIA

WHY: A mix of glacial lakes, towering granite peaks, impressive glaciers, secluded lakes, beech forests and rolling grasslands, Patagonia is one of the most dramatic regions of the world.

BOOK IT: Patagonia Parks and Wildlife with World Expeditions (18 days) departs on 19 November and 16 December with further departures scheduled for 2012, from £2,990 per person.

9. IF YOU LIKED CUBA…TRY VENEZUELA

WHY: Buying and selling cars is the latest development in the rapidly changing Cuba; head to Venezuela instead for a better feel of ‘socialist revolution’.

BOOK IT: Venezuela – The Lost World and Angel Falls with World Expeditions (15 days), departs on 16 December with further departures scheduled for 2012, from £1,990 per person.

10. IF YOU LIKED CHINA…TRY TAIWAN

WHY: With frozen relations between the two countries until recently and lack of direct flights for nearly 60 years, Taiwan has maintained a more authentic experience compared to mainland China.

BOOK IT: Hike and bike Taiwan with World Expeditions (10 days) departs on 16 November with further departures scheduled for 2012, from £1,790 per person.

For more information and bookings 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.

Parents will be encouraged to dust off their spirit of adventure when it comes to filling next year’s school holidays with 28 new great-value trips introduced to The Adventure Company’s bumper 2012 Family Adventures brochure and the chance to save up to 15% on holidays.

The UK’s leading family adventure specialist has increased its range of child-focused holidays by a third for the coming year with 113 holidays for the whole brood to enjoy and prices for a week-long break starting from just £639 adult / £599 child.

New family destinations for 2012 include Madagascar, the Maldives, Portugal, Spain and the USA.

Claire Wilson, MD of The Adventure Company, said: “As a mum, I know the key to keeping the whole family stimulated while away is to combine amazing destinations with memorable activities. The educational value of opening children’s eyes to new cultures and learning something new can be enormous.

“This year we’ve therefore incorporated even more inspiring experiences to ensure that everyone returns home inspired by what they’ve seen and done. Families can now choose between learning to spear-throw in Ecuador, searching for Madagascan lemurs on night-walks and capturing precious moments on a photography holiday in Morocco or potentially spend their holiday watching the Icelandic skies come alive with the northern lights, kayaking in Andalucia’s Isla Cristina Nature Reserve or camping in the Rockies. Whatever their style of travel, adventures are the perfect way to really get to know the country you’re in and share the moment together as a family.”

LEARN WITH THE EXPERTS

Amongst the new family holidays, 11 follow a ‘learn to’ style of holiday which are accompanied by experts and designed to make developing new skills fun.

The Adventure Company has pioneered the concept of family photography holidays and will be offering five tours in this category for 2012. Catering for creative children aged five upwards, the trips combine a fun approach with practical lessons as families explore Cuba, India, Morocco, Sri Lanka and Tanzania during the school holidays. Prices start from £949 adult / £939 child for the new eight- day Kids in the Kasbah Young Photographer trip to Morocco including flights, transport, B&B accommodation and expert tuition.

Families will also be able to embark on a series of family astronomy holidays which combine adventure, stargazing and breathtaking landscapes in remote locations. From a five-day Iceland trip to enjoy the northern lights during February half term to the clear summer skies offered by Turkey’s Cappadocia and Egypt’s Sinai desert, the live planetarium shows are designed to keep children entertained. Hosted by the company’s resident ‘Galactic Rangers’ – acclaimed astronomers Dr John Mason and Nick James – the evening talks closely follow the Key Stage Three and Four curricula while days are filled with activities such as camel trekking, horse riding, kayaking and whale watching. Trips designed for children aged eight upwards. Prices start from £1,069pp for the new eight-day Active in the Sinai – Astronomy Kids teen adventure, including flights, transport, accommodation, most meals and two-nights of expert tuition.

With the chance to try new activities and experiences at the heart of every family adventure, next year children as young as six will be able to learn how to catch a wave in the new Portugal Surf Week in the Algarve. The centre-based holiday includes three full days of one-to-one instruction and, with groups limited to a maximum of ten, all levels are catered for. Prices start from £899 adult / £859 child for the new eight-day Portugal Surf Week including flights, transport, accommodation, most meals and three days expert tuition.

The adventure specialist’s range of Hands On Family Adventures, which allow holidaymakers to combine an adventurous break with spending a few days lending a hand on a local community or environmental project, remain popular amongst parents keen to broaden their children’s horizons. With two new wildlife-related Hands On trips for 2012, families can now choose to track lions and monitor elephants on a Kenyan safari experience or help protect both elephants and green turtles in Saadani National Park – the only game reserve in Tanzania where bush meets beach. Prices start from £2,249 adult / £1,749 child for the new 14-day Masai & Lions Hands On Adventure including flights, transport, accommodation, most meals and local experts.

EUROPEAN ADVENTURES

As low-cost airlines continue to make short-haul holidays even better value and destinations outside the Eurozone are expected to increase in popularity next year, The Adventure Company’s European portfolio has been developed most for 2012, with half of its new trips in this region.

The 14 new European trips take the total number of European family adventures to 35 (a 66% increase), with prices for 2012 starting from just £639 adult / £599 child for the new week-long Mallorca Experience trip. Designed for children aged 10 upwards, this active break includes a day spent horse riding before a sunset BBQ back at the ranch, the chance to float down-river over rocks along the island’s east coast as well as canyoning and trekking in the mountains. Prices start from £639 adult / £599 child for the new eight-day Mallorca Experience including flights, B&B accommodation, transport and an experienced local leader.

TRAVEL TAILORED TO EVERY FAMILY

To give families freedom to choose their own adventure, The Adventure Company has also introduced a Created for You ‘modular’ option of activities and experiences within popular destinations. Covering Brazil, India, Kenya, Morocco, Tanzania, Thailand and Turkey, the ‘mix and match’ approach will allow families to create a personalised holiday that works best for them.

Mindful that family trips need to be inspiring but also affordable, the travel specialist hopes that its new Pure and Simple range of holidays will help parents keep costs down while travelling. With flights, transport, B&B accommodation and the services of a group leader included, activities on these trips are selected and paid for locally. This approach will ensure families can choose to do as little or as much as they want and can tailor their itinerary to their needs while abroad, with options varying from an eight-day Active Turkey trip (from £839pp) to a 12-day Thailand Adventure (Tropical Island Paradise from £1,469 adult / £1,299 child).

The 2012 brochure also features a new Tour and Stay range of holidays, which offer families the chance to unwind after an exhilarating adventure and ensure they return home truly refreshed after indulging in an exotic beach extension. Options include a four-day Maldives extension after a Sri Lankan adventure (from £630pp), a seven-day beach extension in Tamarindo on the north west coast of Costa Rica (from £450pp), an eight-day Croatian Coastal Adventure, where the last few days are kept free for families to relax at leisure (prices from £949 adult / £679 child) and a six-day Zanzibar Island Extension while travelling in Tanzania (from £700pp).

TEENAGE KICKS WITHOUT A FIGHT

Teenage adventures continue to prove a popular concept with parents attracted by the opportunity to travel with children of a similar age to their own. The Adventure Company has therefore introduced five new teen trips, increasing the total number of teen adventures to 21. In addition to this, 27 additional family adventures offer departure dates specifically for families with teenage children.

New teenage holiday highlights include the chance to get hands on in the Galapagos, combining the chance to kayak through jungle in search of wildlife, hike up a volcano, snorkel in the clear bays and camp in rainforests with the opportunity to join an eco-tourism project with the Huaorani community and find out through a ‘toxic tour’ how oil exploration has damaged the region. Prices from £2,899pp for the new 13-day Rainforest & Evolution Hands On Teen Adventure including international and domestic flights, accommodation (eight nights’ hotels & three nights jungle camp), most meals, transport and an experienced local leader.

Another new teen trip takes in the diversity of the USA’s western national parks, exploring the Grand Canyon, Yosemite and Zion National Parks on foot and by bike, learning about the Native American culture and camping along the way. Prices start from £2,249 adult / £1,749 child for the new 15-day Canyon Discovery Teen Adventure including flights, transport, accommodation, some meals, activities and an experienced local leader.

Claire Wilson, who is also the mother of a teenage boy, said: “Those turbulent teenage years are hard enough as it is without throwing the thorny issue of who wants to holiday where, with whom and doing what into the mix. Variety and flexibility are both key to holiday success and our teenage adventures combine the best of both worlds, allowing kids to get active with their peers while also building in some time together with the parents and ensuring there are no younger kids to cramp their style.”

SAVE UP TO 15% OFF A FAMILY HOLIDAY

Families can save up to 15% off their holiday with a series of combinable discounts:
- 5% discount on 10* selected new family trips booked onto by 1 December 2011

- Alpine Experience
- Andalucía Adventure
- Canyon Discovery
- Complete Turkey
- Greek Island Hopping
- Indian Wildlife Adventure
- Land of the Lemurs
- Portugal Surf Week
- Spirit of the Incas
- Treasures of Tuscany

- 5% off trips booked up to six months before travel
- 5% off for returning customers
- For more information on this special offer visit www.adventurecompany.co.uk/specials

To find out more about The Adventure Company’s family holidays call 0845 287 1198 or visit www.adventurecompany.co.uk/family

With Emphasis on Educational / Sustainable Vacations

Top Five Recommendations Span Globe for Certified Green Eco Adventures

Eco trailblazer Greenloons http://www.greenloons.com /  guides families to international rainforests that are inclusive of sustainable vacation opportunities. Its top five recommendations spanning the globe offer green eco adventures that are certified by leading third party sources.

Irene Lane, Greenloons founder, believes it’s never to early to introduce children to the “lungs of the planet”, the world’s rainforests covering less than two percent of the earth’s total surface area but are home to 50 percent of its plants and animals.

“Because rainforests are disappearing at a rate of more than 56,000 square miles each year, it’s crucial for kids to learn about how important these environments are to their everyday lives,” Lane said. “Through extensive research, we are able to offer unique family travel experiences where young and old can connect at a deeper level in a sustainable manner with the places they are visiting.”

Greenloons top rainforest destinations for families include Costa Rica, Peru, Madagascar, Borneo and Australia.

Costa Rica – Rainforest Adventure focuses on Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula that protects such endangered species (showcased by a local guide) as jaguar, puma, crocodile, tapir, poison dart frog, scarlet macaw and harpy eagle.

Local beaches are major nesting sites for several varieties of sea turtles. Roundtrip ground transfers are by private taxi from Puerto Jimenez served by daily flights from Costa Rica’s Tobias Bolaños International airport in San Jose. Packages are 5 days/4 nights starting at $690 per person with year-round open scheduling.

Peru – Exploring the Amazon Rainforest showcases the world’s largest tropical rainforest with the world’s second longest river, the Amazon. A motorized canoe down the Peruvian Amazon in the Tambopata National Reserve can reveal, among other wildlife, giant otters.

The Tambopata Research Center has exclusive access to untouched Amazonian forests; a local naturalist introduces ongoing projects that include visiting the world’s largest macaw clay lick. Five day/4 night trips for $999 per person depart year-round with flexible, open scheduling.

Madagascar – Madagascar Experience encompasses an eco-system so isolated and unusual that scientists call it “the eighth continent.”

The rainforests of the Atsinanana encompass six national parks that protect the large Indri lemur, tenrec, fanaloka and aye-aye. The ancient town of Antsirable transitions guests around volcanic lakes from upland rainforests to the semi-arid landscape of Isalo.

The 10 day/9 night packages start at $1599 with monthly scheduled departures year-round.

Borneo – Borneo Family Adventure includes village home stays at Kinabatangan Jungle Camp and rainforest camping in tropical Sabah, part of the rainforests of Asia stretching from India and Burma in the west to Malaysia and the islands of Java and Borneo in the east.

In addition to spotting macaques, proboscis monkeys, crocodiles and perhaps wild orangutans, guests visit Labuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary and meet orphaned orangutans. Elevenday/10 night trips start at $1375 for adults with departures in January, April, July, August, October and December.

Australia – Fraser Island & Reef Experience opens up the underwater world of the Great Barrier Reef and Fraser Island World Heritage Site, the only place in the world where along Yidney Rainforest trails and growing on sand dunes at high elevations are towering pines, rainforest trees with giant girths, rare and ancient giant ferns, eucalypt forests, lemon-scented swamp vegetation and dwarfed heathland shrubs covered in a profusion of flowers.

On the water side in addition to snorkeling guests may see shipwrecks, sharks, dolphins and manta rays at Indian Head. Six day/5 night trips are offered year-round. Call Greenloons for pricing (703.752.6270).

About Greenloons

Greenloons (http://www.greenloons.com/ ) guides families to travel experiences managed by certified third-party suppliers engaged in eco- and sustainable tourism.

Lane founded Greenloons in 2010 for the global community of nature enthusiasts and wildlife conservationists interested in accessing detailed and reliable information about responsible, sustainable and certified ecotourism travel vacations both in the US and abroad.

Greenloons is a first-of-its-kind online resource aimed at answering the growing need for accredited eco-tours and sustainable holiday travel in the tourism industry. Greenloons.com provides ecotourism education, news, comparable certified ecotour and volunteer conservation program listings, tour reviews and booking services, plus a forum for the community to share its personal vacation stories and tips for establishing ecotourism in any corner of the world.