Jetsettersblog

Native Escapes, specialist operator to Southern Africa, has nominated the Against Malaria Foundation as it’s chosen charity, and is pledging to purchase a malaria net for each client booking a trip.

The World Health Organisation estimates that there were nearly 880,000 deaths from Malaria in 2006; of which 91% were in Africa, and mostly of children under 5 years. The supply of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) has been identified as one effective method to combat malaria, however, despite big increases in the supply of mosquito nets in Africa, the number available is still far below the need in most countries.

By donating nets, Native Escapes hopes to achieve a double aim of ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach communities most in need, whilst simultaneously raising awareness of this killer disease.

Director Sharon Holmes comments:

“The Against Malaria Foundation was particularly appealing to us because this dreadful disease is so prevalent in the continent we send visitors to. The purchase of LLINs goes directly towards saving lives: statistically, 20 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets installed save one child’s life.

The charity has a number of benefactors, meaning that any costs are covered, and all monies raised go directly towards the purchase of nets. Perhaps more uniquely, donations can be tracked online:- we can let our clients know which consignment their net is in, and they can track where that consignment is – right through to delivery to local African communities”.

Native Escapes specialises in tailor made and small group trips to Southern Africa, with an emphasis on good quality accommodation, using locally employed guides, and devising itineraries with lots of highly memorable activities, like tracking wildlife on foot, swimming with wild dolphins, and canoeing through the reeves in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.

For more information on trips offered by Native Escapes, see www.nativeescapes.com email info@nativeescapes.com  or call 020 8977 7034. To make a donation to Against Malaria, or for more information, see www.againstmalaria.com

The East African Countries of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have agreed among themselves to market the East African Region as a Single Tourist Destination.

This has been agreed in order to achieve the objectives of the Community to maximise the benefits of tourism and wildlife in the East African Region as set in the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community.

The Five Countries have already started the negotiation process on common Market protocol, upon conclusion of which the road map to adopt free movement of people, goods, services will be agreed upon. This will give the East African region clear way to a Common Tourist Visa.

To date, the Partner States have agreed to undertake and develop a collective and co-ordinated approach to the promotion and marketing of quality tourism into and within the Community. Currently the Partner States have started to co-ordinate their policies in the tourism industry and undertake to establish a framework of co-operation in the sector that will ensure equitable distribution of benefits.

The Partner States have started to establish a common code of conduct for private and public tour and travel operators, standardise hotel classifications and harmonize the professional standards of agents in the tourism and travel industry within the community. The Criteria to classify tourist facilities in the region have been set and agreed upon. Implementation processes are under way.

The Partner States have jointly undertaken a vigorous approach to implement a regional strategy for tourism promotion whereby individual efforts are reinforced by regional action.

Furthermore, the Partner States are planning to develop a collective and co-ordinated policy for the conservation and sustainable utilization of wildlife and other tourist sites in the Community. In particular, the Partner States will:
• Harmonize their policies for the conservation of wildlife, within and outside
protected areas;
• Exchange information and adopt common policies on wildlife management and
development;
• Co-ordinate efforts in controlling and monitoring encroachment and poaching
activities;
• Encourage the joint use of training and research facilities and develop common
management plans for trans-border protected areas;
• Take measures to ratify or accede to, and implement relevant international
Conventions.

The Agency to co-ordinate tourism promotional activities and mobilization of the regional required resources will soon be operational. The East African Tourism and Wildlife Co-ordination Agency will be vested with power to mobilize resources and co-ordinate tourism bodies of the Partner States as well as harmonize required policies to brand the region as a powerful Tourist Destination. In this regard East African Countries will continue to compete and co-operate with each other and therefore bring out quality and efficiency in tourism services.

The East African Community (EAC) will continue to pride itself on being a rich and varied tourist attraction unmatched in many parts of the world. The EAC region’s tourist products range from some of the world’s finest beaches to unique wildlife sanctuaries.

The Scenic attractions of East Africa Include:

• In Burundi

The second deepest Lake in the world, Lake Tanganyika, and wonderful landscapes making the country a real paradise from the top of the mountains which constitute the peak Congo Nile.

• In Kenya

The magnificent Maasai Mara reserve, among 48 Wildlife National Parks and reserves, including the amazing Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks.

• In Rwanda

The land of 1000 hills sits at the hub of Africa and the centre of the Albertine rift, mountain forest and house of the six Virunga volcanoes and the world’s famous mountain gorillas.

• In Tanzania

The world’s famous Ngorongoro Crater, the breathtakingly spectacular Serengeti plains, wildlife conservation areas; Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.

• In Uganda

The unique Bwindi National Park, home to some 300 mountain gorillas; the Murchison Falls and Elizabeth Park; Nalubaale Falls at Jinja, the source of River Nile.

You are all welcomed to East Africa as it is a truly a Unique Tourist Destination offering unique opportunities. Indeed a lion’s share is HERE!

 As the year-end approaches, American travelers inevitably start thinking about next year’s vacation. For travelers looking for a classic African safari experience, East and South Africa are perennial favorites.

But this year tour operators in-the-know, such as Denver based Africa Adventure Consultants, have exciting new safari options to share in the country of Zambia. Long passed over for the luxurious safari lodges of South Africa and the wide-open plains of Eastern Africa, Zambia is now coming into its own as a truly wild African safari destination. The country is home to the famous Victoria Falls, the rugged South Lungua National Park and up-and-coming Kafue National Park, the largest protected park in Zambia, and is predicted to be Africa’s hot new destination in 2009.

“Zambia is one of Africa’s best kept secrets,” says African expert Kent Redding, President of Africa Adventure Consultants, “it is less-charted territory that is still really wild. In the past few years we’ve seen a significant amount of investment in the safari lodges there, so the overall experience is quite comfortable and more importantly, free of the crowds that plague certain parts of Africa. I am confident that my clients are going to be choosing this destination for 2009!”

Leading a collection of new safari programs to Zambia for 2009, is Africa Adventure Consultants’ Animals in Action Safari.

 This adventure brings travelers face-to-face with Africa’s largest hippo concentration. Aside from some of Africa’s best wildlife viewing, travelers spend their days alongside true experts in safari guiding, conservation and African wildlife including Lex Hes: wildlife photographer and author of Leopards of Londolozi and many others, Michael Lorentz: naturalist and elephant conservationist, Phil Berry: former park warden and giraffe expert, Derek Solomon: seasoned safari guide and author, Manda Chisanga: knowledgeable guide and expert on traditional medicinal plants. This unique, one-time-only safari takes place in November 2009.

After returning from a recent assessment of Zambia, Africa Adventure Consultants’ Kent Redding has decided to add Lower Zambezi National Park to several existing itineraries for 2009.

This remote region is not only a great place for game drives but travelers can also take part in fascinating walking and most appealing canoeing, boating and fishing safaris. “With an expert guide and a cooler full of cold drinks, you can float down the Zambezi fishing for tiger fish, which can reach up to 15 pounds or more and are really great fighters. Otherwise, try for the smaller bream,” adds Kent Redding. “The Lower Zambezi is truly an inimitable experience.” Africa Adventure Consultants also plans to launch additional exciting Zambia-based itineraries in early 2009.

 Denver-based African safari expert Africa Adventure Consultants organizes safari adventures throughout East and Southern Africa, with destinations including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Victoria Falls and Ethiopia.

The company sells destinations they know personally and offer guests assurance of strong on-the-ground partnerships with only the best local companies. Africa Adventure Consultants supports a variety of African conservation organizations, community-based tourism programs and humanitarian causes. And now, the company runs a completely carbon neutral office in Denver and is further committed to carbon neutral safaris by automatically offsetting 50% of each African trip they sell as well as offering clients the opportunity to offset the remaining 50%. With an eye on personal service, the principals create carbon neutral safaris and customized trips for individuals and small groups.

To learn more, please call 1.866.778.1089.

Kent Redding, president of Africa Adventure Consultants and one of the leading experts in African travel today, outlined what he sees as key trends in travel to Africa in 2009. “Destinations like Zambia and Zimbabwe are lighting up,” said Redding, “and travelers are increasingly incorporating eco-friendly travel options into their safaris. Our clients are also, now more than ever, looking for ways to stretch their dollar the furthest when planning a safari to Africa.” Redding’s five key trends in African travel for 2009 include carbon neutral travel, in which 2009 will be the moment of truth for carbon neutral travel and carbon offsets. Consumers have proved slow to fully grasp these initiatives, and these trends will either take hold in 2009, or fade away. The other trends identified by Redding are categorized as wild Africa, a second chance for Zimbabwe, competitive prices and value.

Zambia is definitely the rising star of the African travel industry, Redding said. With new properties, remote game reserves and specialist safari guides, in-the-know safari operators like Africa Adventure Consultants can now offer a true wild Africa experience. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe may be coming back on the radar when it comes to African safaris, following word of the power-sharing agreement among the politicians there. Soon the country may be in a position to rebuild and flourish and the entire African travel industry anxiously awaits its rebirth. And as domestic airfare prices soar in 2009, air travel to Africa is still affordable. With new flight routes to Africa being added all the time, prices should remain affordable well into 2009. As the American economy faces some of its greatest challenges since the Great Depression, even luxury travelers are branching out and demanding more value for their travel dollars. Many travelers are seeking out destination specialists, such as Africa Adventure Consultants, who can help them plan an itinerary that is an outstanding travel experience but at less overall cost.

Denver-based African safari expert Africa Adventure Consultants organizes safari adventures throughout East and Southern Africa, with destinations including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Victoria Falls and most recently, Ethiopia.

The company sells destinations they know personally and offer guests assurance of strong on-the-ground partnerships with only the best local companies. Africa Adventure Consultants supports a variety of African conservation organizations, community-based tourism programs and humanitarian causes.

The company runs a completely carbon neutral office in Denver and is further committed to carbon neutral safaris by automatically offsetting 50 percent of each African trip they sell as well as offering clients the opportunity to offset the remaining 50 percent.

With an eye on personal service, the principals create carbon neutral safaris and customized trips for individuals and small groups.

For information, call 866-778-1089 or visit www.adventuresinafrica.com

A Camping Safari in Tanzania is the quintessential African Safari experience. Gone are the days when camping meant tucking into a sleeping bag under the stars. Nowadays, camping in the African bush can include luxuries like four poster beds, hot showers and 5 course dinners prepared by top chefs!

Camping in the bush of Tanzania is the quintessential African Safari experience. To sleep under canvas in the depths of the African wilderness in a self-sufficient campsite, is something that can be enjoyed by all.

Aim 4 Africa http://www.aim4africa.com offer camping safaris for all; young and old. To enjoy the spirit of real Africa it helps if you are searching for a true adventure and love the idea of being challenged in this unpredictable wilderness. It also definitely helps things along if you have a great sense of humour with a willingness to participate and get a little dirty at times!

Camping safaris are designed to get you truly close to nature. Often there is just a piece of cloth between you and the African night. You will be enthralled by chorus of nocturnal birds, insects and a pride of roaring lions in the distance, which will inevitably sound you off to sleep.

Aim 4 Africa offers a range of camping options that makes ’sleeping under the stars’ easy. The view is that camping does not have to mean ‘roughing it’; it is more a case of accessing wilderness areas and getting as close to nature as is possible.

None of the campsites within the Ngorongoro and Serengeti national parks are fenced which means that animals are free to roam wherever they choose, and often do, coming very close to the tent including lions, giraffes and buffalo!

Aim 4 Africa offers 3 types of camping options, starting with basic. Basic campsites are usually public campsites, shared with other groups and most include shared bathroom and toilet facilities.

Semi-Luxury camping means bigger and more spacious tents with shower and toilet tents plus a wider range, of mostly 3 course meals. Most camps are private and for the exclusive use of the group and more often than not, they are in the heart of the wilderness.

Luxury camping is exactly that, permanent or luxury mobile tented camps, complete with comfortable luxury beds, ensuite shower rooms and chemical toilets. 3 or 5 course meals prepared by the most discerning camp chefs and presented by handsome waiters in the warm comfort of a dining tent, followed by liquers by a campfire as you listen to the sounds of hyenas, lions and crickets all arond you are an experience out of this world!

Mobile Camping is particularly ideal for witnessing the Great Migration as the camp moves to where the herds are situated at a particular time of year. Most have the added luxury of campfires with after-dinner drinks and a nightcap served with full service from chefs, waiters and camp attendants.

One thing for sure is that camping in this magical location in East Africa is a truly memorable experience. So if you want to experience real Africa, with the thrill of sitting around an open camp fire with the southern skies bright overhead, listening to the evening song of millions of animals then aim for Tanzania and Aim 4 Africa.

Prices for 2-3 people for basic camping starts at 1,075, semi-luxury camping at 1,370 and luxury camping at 2,100. (prices based on 2008 rates, subject to change) The price is based on a private safari in a 4-wheel drive vehicle with professional English-speaking driver/guide, camp chef, 3 meals a day, camp and park fees, crater fee, visit to Olduvai Gorge and trek with a Maasai Warrior in the Ngorongoro Highlands.

To find out more call 0845 408 4541 or visit http://www.aim4africa.com

About Aim 4 Africa Ltd

Aim 4 Africa Ltd is a specialist tour operator organizing bespoke holidays to East Africa - Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Malawi. All programs are designed with the unique, first hand experience of the founders all of whom are East African. The company’s main ethos is responsible travel, ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism and that nature and wildlife conservation perseveres for the benefit of future generations.

For further information contact us at enquiries@aim4africa.com

Get to meet the locals with Gecko’s Adventures

African overland trips were pioneered by ‘entrepreneurs’ who threw 20 or 30 backpackers in the back of a Bedford truck and battled bad roads and border police for the length of the continent.

The ‘punters’ naturally did the provisioning, the washing up and all the other camp chores. Gecko’s has up-dated the overland epic, catering to the more discerning tastes of a new generation – while retaining the grass roots, budget-minded appeal of the old days.

The Gecko’s style of overland – showcased in the new 2008-2010 brochure – features custom-built vehicles taking a maximum of 24 passengers; a professional driver and cook plus a local leader who provides an insider’s insight into the journey. Better yet, the passengers don’t have to suffer cleaning or cooking duties.

Best of all, Gecko’s goes to many of the key game parks – such as Ngorongoro, the Serengeti, South Luangwa and the Okavango Delta - that other operators miss or charge extra for. Rather than having passengers carrying large amounts of cash to cover game park costs, the company includes these entry fees in the tour cost – yet their tour costs remain some of the sharpest in the market.

Geckos is the only overland company to purchase a complement of gorilla permits – which are limited in number - at the beginning of each season, giving travellers the best chance of seeing the mountain gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda.

The new Gecko’s African overland safaris start with the 25-day African Wanderer which travels between Livingstone (Victoria Falls) in Zambia and Nairobi, Kenya, via the lake and mountains of Malawi; and takes in the laid-back lifestyle of Zanzibar and some of the best game parks in Africa: South Luangwa, Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti.

This trip runs in both north and southbound directions.

The African Wanderer has departures year-round and costs $2695 plus a local payment of US$700, including transport (a combination of custom-built safari vehicle, ferry and 4×4 Land Cruisers); park entry fees, guides and most meals on safari.

At the top end is the epic 60-day Africa Encompassed, which begins in Cape Town and travels north-west through South Africa to the deserts and canyons of Namibia, to the salt pans and Okavango Delta of Botswana. From Livingstone (on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls), the trip continues through Zambia to Malawi and on to Tanzania and Kenya, taking in some of Africa’s best wildlife experiences along the way. The climax of the trip is the gorilla trek, where travellers have the opportunity of spending an hour with our closest relatives in the mountain forests of Rwanda.

The Africa Encompassed safari departs roughly monthly, year-round and costs $5585 including gorilla trekking permit, plus a local payment of US$1750, payable on arrival. This includes transport, park entry fees, specialist wildlife guides in addition to the cook, driver and local leader, camping equipment and mokoros (canoes) in Okavango.

The Gecko’s Africa range also includes overland trips and shorter safaris that can be linked together, as well as time out in Zanzibar and a Mt Kilimanjaro trek. For further information contact Gecko’s Adventures on 1300 854 500 or visit www.geckosadventures.com to download a pdf file of the new brochure.

Explore Egypt with a tourist guide

Hailed as “the travel service innovation of 2008″ by the Irish Times

OurExplorer facilitates with ease the on-line booking of professional tourist guides from all over the world. Save time and money while you explore your next destination with the wisdom and guidance of a local.

Have you ever thought whilst visiting a new destination, “I wonder where the locals eat, drink, fish, ski, shop or party?” OurExplorer suggests its time for us all to stop simply sight-seeing but rather start exploring with the local wisdom and knowledge of a professional tourist guide.

OurExplorer has launched a new travel concept in BETA, a user-rated tourist guide booking tool created exclusively for your personal travel needs.

As the global financial crisis still looms, OurExplorer can save travellers hassle and money by getting the maximum out of their overseas adventure with a private tourist guide.

Enjoy the insight of the best shopping and value for money dining experiences in a city, directly from a native. Some tourist guides are currently offering special discounted rates and free tour hours on OurExplorer.

OurExplorer promote professional tourist guides only. Pre booking, the traveller can view their experience, license, past client testimonials or even chat with the tourist guide.

OurExplorer launched in July 2008 with now over 400 private tourist guides covering more than 80 countries worldwide — making it the biggest professional tourist guide directory in the world and growing all the time!

Make your trip overseas unique and full of adventure.
You book your flight and accommodation on-line, why not your tourist guide?
Get a tourist guide for land (city guide, mountain guide) or sea (diving guide).

Purpose of OurExplorer:

1. To help tourist guides increase their income thereby benefiting the local community - especially those in poor countries e.g. Kenya, Mexico and Cambodia.

2. Increase cross cultural awareness and acceptance via direct connection with locals e.g. people in USA get the chance to understand those in Pakistan and Israel

“Perhaps travel cannot prevent bigotry but it can introduce the idea that if we try and understand each other, we may even become friends,” said Mahatma Gandhi.

“Less than 9.7% of overseas travelers interact in meaningful discussion with a local,” according to the Tourism 2020 Vision reported by WTO.

The IMF concluded in March 2007 that “direct support of independent local businesses when you travel has the most positive results on local economy”.

“Rather than just donating money, OurExplorer is a sustainable long term solution to help low income families globally,” said David Cunningham (Chief Exploring Officer).

VoyageTrek Travel
Cliff Hawk
(206) 695-2915
cliffh@voyagetrek.com
www.voyagetrek.com

SEATTLE—VoyageTrek Travel, the free online travel directory that provides destination match-making services for travelers, announced that it is expanding its program to African safaris and Galapagos Islands adventure cruising. This unique company premiered the AdventureMatch matching service in March 2008. The program has been enthusiastically received by the travel industry.

Current match-making categories include tours to Alaska, select fly fishing lodges, and dude ranches throughout the Western United States. VoyageTrek Founder Cliff Hawk says tour operators are responding well to the new program and the company has had an easy time recruiting top new tour operators. Answering to its initial success and ongoing demand, VoyageTrek continues to expand its travel segments and commitment to helping people find their ideal vacation.

“By adding Africa and Ecuador as travel segments, we provide exceptional value to travelers interested in these areas,” says Hawk. “No one wants to pick the wrong tour operator, and on the other end, the tour operators who are providing the best tours in the business often don’t have a marketing budget or are only known by word-of-mouth so they need an easier way to find leisure travel customers suited to their services.”

As the leading customer referral and match-making program in the adventure tourism industry, VoyageTrek provides multi-category, customized match-making between high-end travelers and suppliers. For adventurers wanting to find their ideal Alaska tour, fly fishing, or rafting destination, as well as a dude ranch, safari or Galapagos cruise, they can do a search at www.voyagetrek.com and click on the “Get Matched Now!” button and program link.

For tour operators interested in the adventure match program, log on to www.voyagetrek.com/operator  or call Hawk at (206) 695-2915.

Baobab’s Nature Expeditions provide adventurous travelers with a passport to the planet’s most spectacular natural wonders.

On these trips, visitors will have enriching and illuminating encounters with nature, allowing them to experience the world from a whole new perspective. Baobab’s team of expert guides will take participants off the beaten path in to wild and wondrous places that are as inspiring as they are educational. With Baobab, people can discover the heart and soul of each destination firsthand.

Whether they dream of seeing the grizzlies in Glacier National Park, crave the experience of a close encounter with a giant polar bear, or desire to reach out and touch a grey whale, Baobab will show travelers the way to a new brand of experiential travel.

Baobab provides access to some of the most knowledgeable guides in the industry, and these Nature Expeditions are led by naturalists who are experts in their field.

Their passion for uncovering and interpreting the mysteries of nature is second to none. Baobab offers trips for those that want to experience the wonders of some of the last truly wild places on earth in areas like Antarctica, Asia, Galapagos, Latin America, and the rugged and remote parts of the northern hemisphere.

www.baobabexpeditions.com

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 si