Jetsettersblog

Delta Air Lines announced limited-time special fares on its new routes to Kenya and Liberia, making travel to Africa more affordable on the only airline with scheduled service between the U.S. and that continent.

Delta is offering a one-way introductory fare of $819 for travel between Atlanta and Nairobi, Kenya (via Dakar, Senegal), from June 2 to Aug. 30, 2009;

and of $989 for travel between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Monrovia, Liberia (also via Dakar), from June 8 to Aug. 30, 2009.

A roundtrip ticket purchase is required and travel must be booked by April 7, 2009.

Additional taxes/fees/restrictions/baggage charges may apply.

Delta’s new flights to Kenya and Liberia are part of the airline’s expanding service to Africa, which already includes service between New York-JFK to Accra, Ghana; Dakar;

Cape Town, South Africa; and Abuja, Nigeria (via Dakar beginning June 10, 2009).

Delta also offers nonstop service between Atlanta and Dakar; and Lagos, Nigeria.

Delta’s existing one-stop service between Atlanta and Johannesburg, South Africa, via Dakar, will become a nonstop flight starting June 1.

Exclusive Service for Discerning Business Travellers

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) has launched a brand new service, Personal Hotelier, across the Crowne Plaza estate throughout Middle East and Africa. Guests staying in Club rooms or on the Crowne Club floor can now enjoy the undivided attention of a hotelier dedicated to catering to their every need.

Crowne Plaza Personal Hotelier is an initiative that provides guests one point of contact, one face, one name and one telephone number to call prior to and during their stay at the hotel. This exclusive service is designed to alleviate the stress of corporate travel, allowing the guest more time and space to think, resulting in making their business trips more efficient and effective.

Commenting on the launch, Haitham Mattar, Director of Marketing Middle East and Africa, said, “Most of our guests are frequent business travellers. While they tend to enjoy travel, it can be exhausting and hectic so we decided to introduce a service to help them get the most of their time with us. “

From the moment a booking for a Club room is made, a member of the Personal Hotelier team will be assigned to the guest, contact them to introduce themselves and then offer them any assistance if required.

A personal hotelier can help guests with everything for business needs, such as updating a presentation, printing documents, making reservations at a restaurant or spa and even personal shopping.

The pilot program, conducted at Crowne Plaza Dubai Festival City, received an overwhelmingly good response.

Results from a survey* conducted amongst guests who participated in the program demonstrated that 95 per cent rated the service excellent with regards to its efficiency and usefulness.

The Personal Hotelier service is available to guest who book Club rooms or on the Crowne Club Floor at all Crowne Plaza properties across Middle East and Africa.

In recognition of the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama, the first African-American president of the United States, Ethiopian Airlines is proud to provide an exciting new “Free Companion Fare.” Travelers who purchase a regular fare will receive a “Free Companion Fare” to any of Ethiopian Airlines’ 32 destinations throughout Africa — more than any other airline.

The airline flies directly from Washington Dulles International Airport to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and connects to 32 destinations throughout Africa, including Luanda, Angola; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; Bujumbura, Burundi; Douala, Cameroon; Ndjamena, Chad; Brazzaville, Congo; Lubumbashi, Congo; Kinshasa, Congo Democratic Republic; Djibouti, Djibouti; Cairo, Egypt; Libreville, Gabon; Accra, Ghana; Abidjan, Ivory Coast; Nairobi, Kenya; Lilongwe, Malawi; Bamako, Mali; Abuja, Nigeria; Lagos, Nigeria; Kigali, Rwanda; Dakar, Senegal; Hargeisa, Somaliland; Johannesburg, South Africa; Khartoum, Sudan; Kilimanjaro, Tanzania; Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; Lomé, Togo; Entebbe/Kampala, Uganda; and Lusaka, Zambia.

For more information, call 800-445-2733 or visit www.ethiopianairlines.com

25 nights, departing Accra 21st February 09 (Trip code ZAA19).

From Accra, explore the canopy of Kakum NP’s rainforest, then continue to Kumasi, capital of the Ashanti kingdom before travelling north and crossing into the seldom-visited country of Burkina Faso and a stay in its capital, Ouagadougou. Entering Mali, visit the legendary desert city, Timbuktu, before heading for Djenne, famed for its frenetic markets and mud mosque - the world’s largest mud structure. Trek through the Dogon tribal region on Bandiagara Escarpment, then back in Ghana, visit Brenu School community project, search for game in Mole NP, and enjoy some R&R on the Gold Coast’s stunning beaches.

The overland costs £795 p/p plus kitty US$640 (~£413) including transport aboard Dragoman’s expedition truck, hotel, campsite, village stays and wildcamp accommodation (80% camping, 20% hotels), all camp meals, park fees and expert guiding.

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

Peregrine has released its annual Active Adventures and Expeditions Worldwide 09/10 brochure, featuring over 140 active adventure holidays from hiking desert trails close to home to venturing way beyond the beaten track in Central Asia, to peak-bagging in the Himalaya and Europe. And Peregrine guarantees there will be no currency surcharges on any trip departing on or before August 31, 2009.

West Africa is the world’s hottest new adventure destination. Previously largely the domain of trans-continental overland truck travellers, many areas are only just opening up to small group, shorter-stay tours. Destinations such as Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso and Bamako not only sound exotic – they are exotic, with vibrant markets, from the Grande Marché of Bamako to the fetish markets of Ouagadougou, where witch-doctors source their supplies. West Africa is a place that hums with the melodic rhythms of the kora and seductive blues beats. A place where the local tribes’ ‘street wear’ includes facial tattoos, intricate African textiles and elaborate body adornments.

Peregrine’s 22-day West African Expedition showcases the extraordinary diversity of landscape and culture across five countries in the deep heart of Africa: Mali, Burkina Faso, Benin, Togo and Ghana.

The weekly market in Djenné, Mali, sells everything from textiles to tea kettles and billy goats, all in the shadow of the impressive towers of the Grand Mosque, the largest mud structure in the world. Other markets include the unforgettable Gorom Gorom market in Burkina Faso, which attracts buyers and traders from diverse tribal and cultural groups, including the cattle-herding, preening Peul (Fulani) and the famous Tuareg desert nomads in indigo robes.

While West African history may not be familiar to many westerners, it is nonetheless rich and fascinating: a story of mighty empires (such as the Dahomey, Malian and Ashanti); ancient trade routes; fabled towns such as Timbuktu; slave-trading along the Cape Coast and musical traditions which have seen local bands become the darlings of World Music.

Prices for the West African Expedition start at AUD$6995, land only, including a Peregrine tour leader, local guides, transport, accommodation and breakfast daily. The trip departs from Bamako in Mali on November 7, 2009.

Peregrine’s seven-day Black Peak Heli Trek provides a new style of adventure closer to home. Trust the Kiwis to come up with a new way to play in the outdoors: heli-trekking. From Wanaka, adventurers embark on a helicopter flight to the summit of Treble Cone, with spectacular views of Mt Aspiring, Aoraki/Mt Cook, and the panorama of peaks in the Harris Mountains. It’s fly in by helicopter, then trek out to experience the breath-taking heart of the Southern Alps.

The route traverses rugged alpine terrain via ‘Rollercoaster’ ridge to the summit of Black Peak, Wanaka’s most dominant mountain at 2289-metres. It then descends to Wanaka for a short drive to Diamond Lake, formed by ice age glaciers, and a hike to the Weeping Forest (where trees grow straight up and then bend at right-angles in search of light) and the Wailing Wall, where raindrops fall from the cliff overhang like tears.

The Black Peak Heli Trek costs from AUD$2390, including a Peregrine alpine guide, helicopter flight, local guides, safety equipment, transport, permit fees, accommodation and most meals. There are ten departures from Queenstown between January 2009 and April 2010.

For more information contact your travel agent or Peregrine Adventures on 1300 854 500 or visit www.peregrineadventures.com

Each January, in the desert dunes beyond the legendary city of Timbuktu, Tuareg nomads, musicians from across Africa and Europe, intrepid travellers and the odd Hollywood celebrity gather for the ‘world’s most remote music festival’ - Mali’s Festival au Desert (8-10 January 09). It’s a long haul by camel so why not soak up the sights and the sounds by joining Peregrine Adventures on its 17-day Music of Mali tour that includes the three-day Festival, a four-day trek in World Heritage Dogon country and a boat ride down the Niger? Tour departs Bamako 2nd January 2009.

The Festival is held in the desert oasis of Essakane, a meeting spot for Tuareg tribespeople for decades, and probably the most difficult of venues to get to – camels and 4×4’s are a necessity here!

 Largely a Tuareg event, many of the festival-goers arrive by camel caravan from all over the Sahara, some travelling for weeks. Tents of all shapes and sizes, with camels everywhere, are strewn amongst the white desert sands. The festival is the greatest annual showcase for West African music and attracts not only the cream of Malian musicians - the legends of World Music, the Tuareg band Tinariwen, is an annual show-stopper – but a stellar line-up of musicians from around the globe! Last year, an electric guitarist from Bamako, Baba Salah (aka ‘the Jimi Hendrix of Africa’) blew the house down!

For 2009, the schedule features Vieux Farke Touré, son of the late Grammy Award-winner Malian, Ali Farke Touré. Daytime events include tindés (traditional women’s songs), dancing, swordplay and camel races, with the main live music starting just before sunset. Peregrine’s Music of Mali tour also includes a four-day trek in World Heritage Dogon country, home to one of Mali’s most unusual tribal cultures and listed by Lonely Planet in its ‘Top 10 Places to See Before You Die’.

Also included is an overnight trip by traditionally constructed pinasse (boat) along the Niger, as well as time in Mopti, the port town at the confluence of the Bani and Niger Rivers. Peregrine also visits the town of Djenne - site of the world’s largest mud structure, the spectacular Mosque - and of course Timbuktu, the epitome of remoteness, where the obligatory ‘I’ve been to Timbuktu and back’ t-shirt will doubtless find its way into one’s luggage! The tour concludes in Bamako with an opportunity to explore the historic Grand Marché.

The tour costs £2,925 p/p including transport, accommodation, most meals, specialist guides, tickets to the Festival au Desert and local flight.
International flights are not included but are available through Peregrine Adventures.

Peregrine Adventures
01635 872 300
sales@peregrineadventures.co.uk
www.peregrineadventures.co.uk

 Peregrine does Desert Blues in the Dunes

Each January, in the desert dunes beyond Timbuktu, Tuareg nomads; blues and World music fans; musicians from across Africa and Europe; intrepid travellers and the odd Hollywood celebrity gather for the world’s most remote and unusual music festival: Mali’s Festival au Desert. It’s a long journey by camel – or Peregrine has a 17-day adventure that includes the three-day Festival and other extraordinary experiences in Mali – one of Africa’s most diverse and fascinating countries.

Mali has been described as the ‘jewel in West Africa’s crown’: a country of contrasting cultures - from the nomadic Tuareg people of the Sahara to the cliff-dwelling, Dog Star-worshipping Dogon tribe – and contrasting landscapes – from the desert dunes to the bustling port towns and rich alluvial plains along the River Niger.

Peregrine’s Music of Mali tour includes a four-day trek in World Heritage Dogon country, where complex cultural rituals have been kept alive in part by their isolation. Listed by Lonely Planet in the ‘Top 10 Places to See Before You Die’, the dramatic escarpment is intersected with ancient trails and villages – often clinging to the bare rock face.

One of Africa’s great journeys is a slow boat ride down the River Niger. The Peregrine tour includes an overnight trip by traditional pinasse (boat), as well as time to soak in the sights and sounds of Mopti, the port town at the confluence of the Bani and Niger Rivers. Mopti is still an important trading post for salt, carried by camel caravan across the Sahara. The local market is a gathering point for the many different faces of Mali: Moors, Fulani, Tuaregs, Bozo and others.

Such cultural diversity has resulted in a rich artistic tradition, exhibited in Mali’s world-famous sculpture, textiles and architecture.

The Music of Mali tour takes in the town of Djenne – site of the world’s largest mud structure, the spectacular Mosque, set on an island in the Niger River and dating back to 1280AD, which is at the heart of a maze of alleyways and markets.

Djenne is the sister town of Timbuktu and no tour of Mali would be complete without strolling the streets of this epitome of remoteness, once a major cross-roads on the Trans-Africa trade routes.

Timbuktu is also the jumping off point to reach Essakane, the desert setting for the Festival.

Malian music’s hypnotic rhythms and desert blues have become world famous – and the darlings of World Music, the Tuareg band Tinariwen, is an annual Festival show-stopper.

The 17-day Peregrine Music of Mali tour begins and ends in Bamako, with time to explore the Grand Marche – one of Africa’s most vibrant markets.

The tour starts on January 2, 2009 and costs AUD$6165, including transport, accommodation, most meals, specialist guides, tickets to the Festival au Desert and local flight.

For further information, contact your travel agent or Peregrine Adventures on 1300 854 500,

or visit www.peregrineadventures.com

 Dragoman’s new 2009/10 brochure is packed with hundreds of life-enhancing journeys that affirm why travel remains an intrinsically important part of being human - and with a new two-section format it’s easier to use. Choose Adventure Holidays for under 28-nights with regular departures or Epic Journeys for trips up to 48½-weeks. In another new departure, Dragoman has dropped the ‘Overland’ from its title – after all, ‘Dragoman’ IS ‘overland’!

ADVENTURE HOLIDAYS:

• Shorter trips of less than 28-nights, with regular departures especially in East and Southern Africa. For those who fancy a quick fix of overland adventure but lack unlimited time.

• Dragoman’s Family Adventures – a great way to introduce budding explorers to the world of adventure travel.

• New volunteer programmes, operated by the well-respected operator, Madventurer. Choose from four categories – Community, Teaching, Care Work or Sports.

• Extra small group adventures using varied forms of public transport (see if you can say ‘beautiful’ as many times as Charlie Boreman), allowing for a greater choice of destinations in countries such as China, Vietnam, Thailand, Cuba, Mexico and Morocco.

EPIC JOURNEYS:

• Longer trips of more than 28-nights, ideal for a gap year, a sabbatical or simply to celebrate a redundancy! Whether it’s 4-weeks, 2-months or a year – there’s an itinerary to suite any length of adventure!

• As well as the ever-popular Silk Route, trans-Africa and South American circuits, truly unique combinations exist including Beijing to Nairobi via Central Asia, Egypt and Sudan in just 28-weeks!

New tours include:

The Best of Ghana and Mali – 25-nights, next departs Accra 21st February 09 - £795 p/p plus kitty US$640
Travel through some of West Africa’s most diverse landscapes. From Ghana’s Gold Coast and the Ashanti Kingdom, head to Kakum NP before crossing into Burkina Faso to stay in its seldom correctly pronounced capital of Ouagadougou. Continue to Mali and visit the iconic desert city of Timbuktu, then on to Djenne, famed for its enduring mud mosque. Trek through Dogon country before returning to Ghana for game viewing in Mole NP followed by some R&R on the Atlantic coast.

Peru Family Adventure – 14-nights, next departs Lima 4th July 09 - £1,050 p/p – no kitty.
Travel from the National Parks of the Ballestas Isles right up into the Andes, with plenty of opportunity for community involvement en route. Visit the mummies of Chauchilla, choose an optional flight over the Nazca lines, then relax and explore the beautiful colonial cities of Arequipa and Cusco. Explore the reed islands of Lake Titicaca and overnight at a Quechua homestay before the real highlight - Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.

Cox & Kings Launches New 2009 Africa Brochure Including New Tailor-Made Safari Options Throughout The Continent.

The world’s longest established travel company, Cox & Kings, has launched its new Africa brochure for 2009, featuring escorted group tours, private journeys and tailor-made itineraries throughout Africa.

Cox & Kings has reported a dramatic increase in tailor-made travel to Africa in the last year, with 41% more passengers travelling on independent, bespoke itineraries in 2008 than in 2007. Africa Product Manager, Louise Stanion, explains: “People are feeling a lot more confident about devising their own itineraries in Africa with input from our experts, and tend to have a greater knowledge of the destinations they want to visit. Clients are increasingly venturing away from the traditional tourist trails to see lesser-known sights and with our flexible and comprehensive tailor-made programme there is very little that travellers cannot do or see.”

In response to the recent growth in tailor-made travel, Cox & Kings has greatly expanded its coverage of the bespoke opportunities within its Africa brochure. “While we could not begin to demonstrate all of the options available, the new tailor-made sections in the brochure serve as a taster of what is available in each region.”

The fastest growing group tour of the year has been Mali: The Road to Timbuktu, with 80% more passengers travelling than in 2007. Stanion says “We are very excited to see some lesser-known countries at the top of the growth charts for Africa, and particularly Mali, which has, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating cultures in all of Africa. The standard of facilities and service throughout the country is still very basic but, while standards of accommodation and service are gradually being raised, this is not the reason that people visit.” The tour, which takes in the key sites of this little-known country, including Bamako, Timbuktu, the mud mosques and markets of Djenné and the villages of the spectacular Dogon Escarpment, costs from £2,295 per person.

In January 2009, Cox & Kings is offering a special departure of its Mali: The Road to Timbuktu group tour to coincide with the Festival on the Niger. Departing 27th January, this unique departure includes two extra days in Segou and entrance to the colourful event, which features traditional and contemporary Malian music, dance and river races. The tour costs from £2,895 per person.

Asked her predictions for travel trends in 2009, Stanion forecasts further growth in the tailor-made sector, and requests for more unusual destinations and experiences. “On a tailor-made holiday in Africa, visitors can have some truly unique and memorable once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from elephant-backed safaris and photography tours in Zambia, to cooking demonstrations in South Africa and sleeping al fresco on moveable beds in Kenya’s Laikipia Plateau. With greater exposure in the brochure of what is on offer, I think we will see a increased demand for these exclusive encounters.”

NEW: South Africa: Wildlife & Wine (Page 19): Ideal for second-time visitors to South Africa and those looking to get away from the beaten path, this self-drive private journey offers a chance to learn about the wildlife, wine and rock art of this spectacular country, as well as meeting the local South African people. The 10-night tour features hand-picked, luxury accommodation and costs from £2,895 per person.

NEW: Boutique South Africa (Page 21): This nine-night self-drive private journey combines two outstanding game reserves with the Garden Route and Cape Town, and includes small luxurious boutique hotels and wildlife camps that have been hand-picked for their unique features and highly personalised service. Travel during the low season between May and September to benefit from greatly reduced rates. Prices from £2,495 per person.

NEW: Namibia in Style (Page 32): Travel in style on this fly safari over the remote deserts and rugged landscapes that make Namibia one of the world’s most spectacular wilderness destinations. Visit the dunes of Sossusvlei, search for the desert elephant in Damaraland, and experience the wildlife of Etosha National Park. The nine-night private journey costs from £4,395 per person.

NEW: Botswana Explorer (Page 37): This new nine-night camping safari travels through some of Africa’s greatest wildlife viewing areas: the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park. Staying in luxurious tented camps, groups are restricted to a maximum of six guests and are accompanied by an expert CC Africa safari guide throughout. Prices from £3,495 per person.

NEW: Madagascar Tailor-Made: Madagascar Classic Camping (Page 48): New for 2009 is a luxurious camping experience at Mandrare River Camp, set in the grounds of a colonial plantation house on the banks of the Mandrare River. Wildlife is abundant in this area, including four species of lemur and at least 25 resident bird species. Three-night packages from £1,095 per person.

NEW: Zambia Tailor-Made: Lower Zambezi National Park (page 43): On the banks of the Zambezi, opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, the Lower Zambezi National Park has 120kms of river frontage and features numerous islands, lagoons and floodplains, which attract most of the area’s wildlife. Chiawa Camp accommodates just 16 guests in eight spacious and luxurious tents. Safari activities include morning and evening game drives, guided bush walks, canoeing and aqua safaris aboard comfortable pontoon boats. Prices from £340 per person per night, all inclusive.

NEW: Rwanda Tailor-Made: Gorilla Tracking (Page 54): Gorilla tracking in Rwanda makes an ideal extension to a Kenyan safari or can be combined with other activities in this small and fascinating country. Visit Volcanoes National Park and stay at Gorilla Mountain View Lodge for gorilla tracking activities and visits to the twin lakes of Bulera and Ruhondo. A three night stay costs from £1,075 per person, inclusive of meals and activities.

NEW: Kenya Tailor-Made: Shaba National Reserve (Page 54): Shaba National Reserve was made famous for its association with well-known conservationists Joy and George Adamson, and the film Born Free. Cox & Kings is able to organise stays at Joy’s Camp, built on the site of Joy Adamson’s tented home. Resident wildlife includes elephant, lion, buffalo, oryx, reticulated giraffe and Grevy’s zebra. The camp is ideal for discerning guests looking for an authentic wildlife experience. Prices from £220 per person per night, all inclusive.

NEW: Tanzania Tailor-Made: Serengeti Under Canvas (Page 60): Cox & Kings offers stays at CC Africa’s luxurious ‘roaming camps’ in the Serengeti. The location of the four camps has been carefully plotted to coincide with the great annual wildebeest migration. Prices from £325 per person per night, all inclusive.

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).