Jetsettersblog

New for 2012, travel specialists Scott Dunn have launched an exclusive Tanzania safari and Mozambique beach yoga itinerary. Pairing up with Vamizi Island’s brand new yoga retreats in Mozambique and Selous Safari Camp in Tanzania, this package offers the very best in African adventure as well as holistic luxury.

For those wanting to explore lesser-known southern Tanzania, the Selous Safari Camp offers the perfect sophisticated safari experience. Situated within an open palm forest on the shores of Lake Nzerakera in the Selous Game Reserve, guests can enjoy daily walking and boat safaris in one of Africa’s least known, yet wildest, conservation areas.

And after discovering the wilds of Tanzania, guests can revive, restore and rejuvenate on Vamizi Island, an ultra-luxurious private beach lodge on the Quirimbus Archipelago, Mozambique.

Celebrating the launch of its first dedicated retreats, visitors can enjoy morning vinasa yoga on the shoreline followed by a freshly-prepared juice or smoothie from the island’s ‘natural pharmacy’ and an evening session against the setting sun – both hosted by renowned instructor Claire Finlay. This exclusive package also offers guests the chance to sample reviving spa treatments, take to the seas to catch surf-fresh tuna sashimi and dive the island’s azure waters.

The exclusive Tanzania Safari and Vamizi Spa Retreats package is only available for limited weeks in 2012 from $6,310 per person. Valid for the weeks commencing March 1 and November 6, the price includes three nights at the Selous Safari Camp on a full-board basis with daily safari activities and five nights at Vamizi Spa Retreat on a fully-inclusive basis to include twice daily yoga sessions, one spa treatment, dive and fishing trip per stay. The price also includes taxes, domestic flights and transfers. Visit http://www.scottdunn.com  or call 0044 20 8682 5070 for more information.

Get out of the Jeep and Discover a Whole Different Africa! ~

A vacation to Africa has so much more to offer than just a jeep safari! With African Travel, Inc. , your trip to Africa can include unique and varied experiences you may have never even thought of! Different and wonderful experiences abound, and African Travel can add one or all of these unique adventures to your African Travel vacation plans for a trip that will create memories to last a lifetime! Here are the top 10 Unique Travel Experiences chosen by African Travel’s expert Safari Consultants:

Top 10 Unique Travel Experiences

Get Up Close and Personal with Great White Sharks
Explore the Terrain on Elephant Back
Ride the Dunes on a Quad Bike
Sail in a Dhow in Mozambique
Try a Camel Back Riding Safari
See the Terrain on Horseback
Enjoy a Balloon Ride
Take a Bicycle Safari
Go On a Walking Safari
Voluntourism: Give the Gift of Your Time

1. Get Up Close and Personal with Great White Sharks. Think of Africa and lions and elephants instantly leap to mind. But South Africa is also undoubtedly one of the top shark dive regions in the world! Great white shark diving at Gansbaai and Cape Town is possibly the greatest thrill you will ever experience. From both the boat deck and submerged in the safety of the specially designed cage, you will certainly get the view you are looking for of these magnificent and feared creatures. A full day tour can easily be added to any of our Popular Journeys that include a stop in Cape Town.

2. Explore the Terrain on Elephant Back.Share in the ultimate African experience. View tree tops, birds’ nests, and giraffes almost face to face. Sail high above the bushveld and feel part of the environment, instead of being just a passive observer. On elephant back, you are truly an integral part of the experience. Half day elephant safaris are easily added to any stay in the Victoria Falls area and are an included highlight to our Wild Kingdoms of Southern Africa Popular Journey safari. For the ultimate elephant experience, consider another Popular Journey, South Africa’s Finest, which includes a two-night stay at Camp Jabulani. This property takes luxury to its highest level while also devoting attention to the care and well-being of orphaned elephants. Imagine an evening elephant-back safari followed by a romantic setting of a lantern lit bush dinner -a white linen table adorned with a selection of beverages, crystal glasses, fresh flowers and delectable canapés specially prepared by the chef. It is not hard to feel that “Life is good” as you unwind at the end of another day at Camp Jabulani.

3. Ride the Dunes on a Quad Bike. Namibia is bordered on two sides by deserts, the Kalahari and Namib, which have the largest sand dunes anywhere. By far the most exciting thing on four wheels, Quad Biking on the sand dunes is a rush like no other. Whether you’re speeding through the fast stretches or navigating the technical sections, Quadding will knock your socks off! All bikes are fully automatic. Quad Biking on the sand dunes is truly an amazing and unique experience. Quad Biking is offered as a safari activity on the Roaring Dunes and Soaring Skies of Namibia and the Footprints of the Bushmen in Botswana, to name just a few.

For more information and reservations contact African Travel at (800) 421-8907 or visit www.africantravelinc.com . CST 2071444-20

Coming Soon! Look for the new African Travel, Inc. Journal Page. Get travel tips, travel photos and testimonials, stories from the bush, and you can subscribe to the RSS feed to get all of these things in one place!

About African Travel, Inc.

African Travel crafts personalized African safaris and adventures for today’s travelers who crave an experience of a lifetime. With over 35 years providing authentic African experiences, African Travel knows all the options to ensure a wonderful custom wildlife adventure to South Africa , Botswana, Namibia, Zambia including Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Kenya , Tanzania including Zanzibar, Rwanda and Uganda including gorilla trekking, Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt and Dubai .

African Travel, Inc. was nominated by Travel Weekly in their 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards as a Top Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter in Travel +Leisure’s World’s Best Awards.

African Travel, Inc. is part of The Travel Corporation, which also includes Trafalgar, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, Red Carnation Hotel Collection, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

GLENDALE, Cali.– Crystal clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches, a sunset dinner cruise aboard a Dhow, private game drives in Africa’s premiere safari park, all accompanied by that special someone – these are some of the unforgettable experiences that make up Great Safaris’ brand new luxurious and romantic Safari with Mozambique Mystique itinerary. Great Safaris has combined a quintessential four day safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park with a relaxing five day escape on Mozambique’s exotic Benguerra Island, creating an unrivaled romantic dream trip that’s perfect for honeymooners or any couple looking to rekindle the passion in their relationship.

Great Safaris’ 11 day Safari with Mozambique Mystique itinerary starts off with one day in Johannesburg before heading to Kruger National Park for four days of spectacular wildlife viewing and game drives. Guests will catch glimpses of some of the parks 140+ mammal species, including giraffe, hippo, crocodile, zebra, antelope, and the Big 5 – lion, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Nights in Kruger will be spent at a magnificent luxury game lodge situated within the park borders.

After three days of world-class safaris, it’s on to Mozambique and the exotic island of Benguerra. Guests will stay at a luxurious boutique beach resort with private access to deserted white sand beaches and pristine turquoise waters. Guests can enjoy private massages, spa treatments, sunset dinners on the beach, dhow cruises, diving, snorkeling and fishing. Five days on this idyllic island paradise is more than enough to forget about the worries of the world and fall in love all over again.

Individual departures are available Thursday, Sunday, and Monday through November 2012. Land cost per adult is $4535 for Luxe level accommodations and $6335 for Premiere level accommodations, includes most meals and activities. Pricing does not include intra-Africa or International airfare.
http://www.greatsafaris.com

South African Airlink is now operating two weekly direct flights from Johannesburg to Pemba, Mozambique. The ancient port of 200,000 residents forms a natural gateway to the wildlife-rich interior and the jewel-like Quirimbas Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. Pemba is also the gateway to Rani Resorts’ northern properties that include Pemba Beach Hotel & Spa, Matemo Island and Medjumbe Private Island.

Service to Pemba is available on Wednesday and Saturday. For more information, visit www.flyairlink.com

African Travel launched its 2012 brochure with a brand new look and logo designed to emphasize the slogan “We Know Africa,” based on the company’s 35-year history of selling travel to Africa.

The slogan was coined by Jim Holden, the company president who was born and raised in Zambia, and it also applies to the expert safari consultants, to African Travel’s ground partners in Africa.

The new lineup includes four new programs for 2012. Wild Kingdoms of Southern Africa is a 10-day program including South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

It’s priced from $4,595 per person double occupancy land only, including one night in Johannesburg, two nights in Victoria Falls, three nights in Hwange National Park and three nights in Chobe National Park.

Kenyan Horizons includes eight days in Kenya, taking in wildlife, scenery and culture, staying in comfortable cottages and traditional tented camps in prime areas. It’s priced from $4,295 per person double occupancy land only, including one night in Nairobi, two nights in Lake Nakuru, two nights in Ol Pejeta Conservancy and two nights in Masai Mara.

The Pearl Of Africa includes eight days in Uganda and Rwanda, seeing wildlife in the Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi (The Impenetrable Forest).

The country is home to 13 different species of primate, including the mountain gorilla.

The region around Ishasha is noted for its tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging in old fig trees. The photographic opportunities are plentiful as you experience a country that is also the source of the Nile River.

It’s priced from $4,995 per person double occupancy land only, including one night in Entebbe, two nights in Kibale Forest, two nights in Queen Elizabeth National Park and two nights in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The Family Pride Safari includes 11 days in South Africa featuring hotels from the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, exploring cultural heritage, landscapes and wildlife conservation of South Africa.

Priced from $8,595 per person double occupancy land only, it includes three nights in Cape Town, Twelve Apostles; two nights in Clanwilliam, Bushmans Kloof; two nights in Durban, The Oyster Box; and three nights in Zululand, Thanda Private Game Reserve. African Travel offers custom wildlife adventures to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia including Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania including Zanzibar, Rwanda and Uganda including gorilla trekking, Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt and Dubai.

African Travel is part of The Travel Corporation, which also includes Trafalgar, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, Red Carnation Hotel Collection and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. For information, visit www.africantravelinc.com  Read Jetsetters Magazine South African Adventures.

The Best African Camps And Resorts For 2012

Tour operator safari specialists, Africa Odyssey offer a portfolio of some of the most exciting new and renovated resorts and camps to open this year in East Africa. Here’s a few of their top picks and tips for what’s hot for 2012 in Tanzania and Mozambique:

NOMAD LAMAI SERENGETI – A New Vantage Point For The Great Migration, Tanzania

A great new safari add-on, the 12-room Nomad Lamai Serengeti camp opened in September 2011 and is situated in an unrivalled position on the Kogakuria Kopjie looking out over the Lamai Wedge. The area offers a great viewpoint of buffalo and wildebeest during the Great Migration and maximises the chance of catching river crossings.

Prices: Four nights at the Nomad Lamai Serengeti camp start from $6,200 per person in 2012. The price includes international flights, internal transfers, accommodation on an all-inclusive basis, taxes and surcharges. Nomad Lamai Serengeti can be used as a safari add-on to both Azura at Quilalea Private Island and the beach retreat of Ras Kutani in southern Tanzania. A three night add-on on a full-board basis at Ras Kutani would make the total price $7,200 per person.

AZURA AT QUILALEA – Undiscovered Beauty In Mozambique

Azura Retreats are adding a new private island lodge to their portfolio. Opening on November 1 2011, Azura at Quilalea Private Island will boast nine beautifully decorated villas with spacious bathrooms, natural furnishings and stunning views. Located in a national park in the Quirimbas Archipelago in northern Mozambique in an undiscovered beauty spot, this is a top beach destination far from the mass market operations in Mauritius and neighbouring mainland destinations.

Prices: Seven nights at the new Azura at Quilalea Private Island, with an additional three nights on safari at the Selous Safari Camp in Tanzania plus one night at the Royal Palm in Dar Es Salaam starts from $10,000 per person in 2012. The boutique and exclusive Selous Safari Camp is ideal for those wanting to view some of Africa’s finest wildlife, before relaxing at the luxurious Azura. The price includes international flights, transfers, accommodation on an all-inclusive basis at Azura and a full-board basis at the Selous Safari Camp, with game viewing drives in open sided 4×4 vehicles, concession and park entrance fees taxes and surcharges.

For more information on any of the above packages visit www.africaodyssey.com  or 1-866 356 4691.

If you haven’t already, and only if you dare….

check out the Ethos foodie blog! #tastyafrica

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We are on a mission to make your tummy rumble, mouth water and taste buds tingle as we go on a foodie journey from Cape Town to Mozambique.

The journey begana couple of weeks ago in cosmopolitan Cape Town experiencing the top eateries in Constantia and the V&A Waterfront. Then on to the food & drink Mecca that is the Winelands followed by some “on the move” fine dining before a seafood & cocktails fest in the Indian Ocean.

The blog will feature recipes, restaurant recommendations, signature dishes from top chefs, fine accompanying wines, competitions with bottles of wine as prizes and pictures of it all to make you salivate like Pavlov’s dog.

WARNING: This website will contain images not suitable for people on a diet!

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Vamizi Island, Mozambique have invited renowned yoga teacher Claire Finlay to host the retreats, following a principal of nurturing and incomparable escapism taken at each individual’s desired pace and at one with the elements.

Claire has studied alongside Simon Low of Tri Yoga and David Life and Sharon Gannon co-founders of Jivamukti Yoga aswell as Shiva Rea, Paul Grilley, Sarah Powers and Claire Missingham.

Guests may choose to start the day with vinyasa yoga on the shoreline, followed by a freshly prepared juice or smoothie from the islands ‘natural pharmacy’. You may then choose to take to the seas to catch a supper of surf fresh tuna sashimi or dive the world famous Neptune’s Arm both led by experts in the fields of Deep Sea fishing and Scuba diving.

Lie back and read your book whilst samango monkeys play nearby and weaver birds work over head or take a beach combing walk, snorkeling trip or a walk with the island’s own naturalist. Claire will lead a second yoga session in the evenings as the sun goes down on another day in this remote paradise.

This is exercise and nutrition as nature intended, the beach is your gymnasium and the ocean is your larder, your time will be spent outside at one with nature and this blissful hidden island gem off the coast of Mozambique will work its magic over the course of this quite extraordinary retreat.

2012 Vamizi Island Retreat dates run from 21st – 27th Jan, 10th – 16th Mar and 10th – 16th Nov and costs from £2,550 per person including deep sea fishing, scuba diving, yoga, snorkeling, internal flights transfers and accommodation on a fully inclusive basis. BA international flights cost from £595 incl taxes to Dar Es Salaam.

For further information and reservations please call Vamizi Island Reservations on +44 (0)1285 762 218 or visit www.vamizi.com.

Crystal clear turquoise waters and white sand beaches, a sunset dinner cruise aboard a Dhow, private game drives in Africa’s premiere safari park, all accompanied by that special someone – these are some of the unforgettable experiences that make up Great Safaris’ brand new Safari with Mozambique Mystique honeymoon itinerary.

Great Safaris has combined a quintessential four day safari in South Africa’s Kruger National Park with a relaxing five day escape on Mozambique’s exotic Benguerra Island, creating an unrivaled romantic dream trip that’s perfect for honeymooners or any couple looking to rekindle the passion in their relationship.

Great Safaris’ 11 day Safari with Mozambique Mystique itinerary starts off with one day in Johannesburg before heading to Kruger National Park for four days of spectacular wildlife viewing and game drives.

Guests will catch glimpses of some of the parks 140+ mammal species, including giraffe, hippo, crocodile, zebra, antelope, and the Big 5 – lion, cheetah, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros. Nights in Kruger will be spent at a magnificent luxury game lodge situated within the park borders.

After three days of world-class safaris, it’s on to Mozambique and the exotic island of Benguerra. Guests will stay at a luxurious boutique beach resort with private access to deserted white sand beaches and pristine turquoise waters. Guests can enjoy private massages, spa treatments, sunset dinners on the beach, dhow cruises, diving, snorkeling and fishing. Five days on this idyllic island paradise is more than enough to forget about the worries of the world and fall in love all over again.

Individual departures are available Thursday, Sunday, and Monday through November 2012. Land cost per adult is $4535 for Luxe level accommodations and $6335 for Premiere level accommodations, includes most meals and activities.

Pricing does not include intra-Africa or International airfare.

http://www.greatsafaris.com

GLENDALE, Cali. – The latest African safari itinerary from Great Safaris, The Ultimate Safari, is about to redefine luxury travel. There is simply no more stylish, comfortable, or extravagant way to experience the wonders of southern Africa. This 17-day dream tour spans South Africa, Zambia and Botswana, sparing no expense in allowing travelers to experience Africa’s Crème de la crème. Southern Africa’s finest food and wine, most pristine game reserves and natural wonders, most upscale hotels and bush lodges, and most exclusive golf course and spas are seen and experienced on this spectacular journey. To top it off, guests will enjoy the supreme luxury of private chartered transfers and air travel between destinations.

The Ultimate Safari begins with three days spent in glorious Cape Town where travelers will experience the luxuries of Africa’s most cosmopolitan city. Shopping and dining in downtown Cape Town, a vintage sidecar motorcycle tours along the coastline, and a full day of touring South Africa’s finest wineries are just a few of the amazing experiences guests will discover in Cape Town. A scenic helicopter ride up the coast through the Garden Route will deliver travelers to Pezula Golf Resort & Spa for two days of golf and spa treatments. Guests will also find a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit an ostrich farm and ride bareback on the world’s largest bird. Next up is a private chartered jet to world famous Kruger National Park for three days of game drives at the pristine Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, home to lions, elephants, leopard, rhinoceros, giraffe and more. Two spectacular nights will be spent at Singita Boulders Lodge at the Sabi Sands Private Reserve, recognized as the No. 2 overall hotel in the world by Travel + Leisure Magazine’s 2011 World’s Best Awards. From Kruger, travelers will board a private chartered jet for the flight into Zambia where the marvelous Victoria Falls await. Over the course of two days travelers will experience Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River from many perspectives, including a sunset train ride, a private guided walking tour of the Falls, a scenic helicopter tour above the falls, and a private afternoon river cruise along the Zambezi River that includes a stretch of the river’s world renowned whitewater.

 Then on to Botswana for some of Africa’s finest game viewing at Chobe National park and overnights at Chobe Chilwero Lodge, one of Botswana’s most upmarket safari lodge. A private chartered jet will deliver travelers back to South Africa for a final six days of world class golf and spa treatments at the Legends Golf and Safari Resort and at the incredible Palace of the Lost City. Legends is home to a world famous 19th hole that features a tee box placed high atop Hanglip Mountain, reachable only by helicopter.

Golfers play to an Africa-shaped green some 400 meters below on the valley floor. For their final night in Africa, travelers will head to Johannesburg for a final day of relaxation and reflection at the Saxon hotel before boarding their flight back home.

Great Safaris’ The Ultimate Safari itinerary is organized on an individual basis and can be customized to fit any desire, pricing for The Ultimate Safari starts at $102,500 per person, minimum four travelers, and includes transfers by private limousine/helicopter and private chartered flights between destinations.

Those willing to forgo the luxuries of private air travel in favor of scheduled airline flights can experience The Ultimate Safari at a less extravagant price of $30,000 per person. Price includes nightly 5 star accommodations, all meals including drinks, and all tours and activities including golf, spa treatments, and game drives.
http://www.greatsafaris.com