Jetsettersblog

African Travel Inc.
CONTACT: Heidi Podjavorsek
TEL: (800) 421-8907 x 115
E-MAIL: heidip@africantravelinc.com
WEB: www.africantravelinc.com

African Travel Inc., a company that specializes in super-luxe journeys throughout the African continent, to islands in the Indian Ocean, and to Dubai, recently announced an exciting lineup of itineraries for the 2010 season.

African Travel Inc. caters to travelers who seek highly personalized and customized encounters with African wildlife and culture, and who require product exclusivity, diversification, and extraordinary personal services.

Although these are just a few of African Travel Inc.’s diverse offerings, the following provides a sneak preview of some exciting 2010 itineraries.

The Ultimate Safari

An unprecedented safari experience awaits travelers on this journey that combines culture, natural attractions, and superb Big Five game viewing.

A private car and guide transform ordinary sightseeing into a comfortable and personalized adventure and accommodations have been carefully chosen to reflect the best that Africa has to offer.

Highlights include accommodations in distinctive lodges and camps including some of Conde Nast’s “Gold List” winners, gourmet South African food and wine, dinner with a local Capetonian family, extraordinary game viewing in Kruger National Park and Botswana, an elephant back excursion at Elephant Whispers, and much more. 18 days starting at $10,795 per person, land cost.

Southern Jewels

With a combination of vast pristine wilderness and a small population, Namibia is the definitive land of discovery and soul-searching.

Marvel at the world’s tallest sand dunes and one of the oldest forms of art before becoming entranced in the distinctive safari experience in Etosha, Namibia’s largest animal refuge, before finishing up in cosmopolitan Cape Town. Other highlights include exploring Fish River Canyon, second only in size to the Grand Canyon, climbing the world’s tallest sand dunes at Sossusvlei, viewing some of the fascinating geological features in Damaraland and rock engravings by some of Namibia’s oldest inhabitants, the Bushmen, wildlife excursions in and around Etosha National Park, and more. 13 Days starting at $6,995, land cost.

Nile Splendors

From the moment of arrival in Cairo, travelers are immersed in the sights and sounds of a thriving modern culture living side by side with remnants of the ancient past.

From the legendary pyramids at Giza to the immense temple complex at Karnak, the sheer magnitude of these structures dwarfs the imagination, and to bear witness to the accomplishments is truly a humbling experience.

Highlights of this journey include walking in the footsteps of Egypt’s greatest pharaohs, exploring the temples along the Nile from the comfort of a luxury cruise ship, private tours led by Egyptologist guides, recreating the past while donning a galabeya for a traditional dinner aboard the Nile cruise, gazing at the golden mask of Tut, and much more. 12 days starting at $2195, land cost.

African Travel Inc. caters to adventurers and luxury travelers of all ages — singles, couples, families, small groups of friends, inter-generational, and special interest groups. Their travel experts help travelers plan family travel, honeymoons, golfing tours, spa trips, wine and food tours, as well as cultural extensions and special interest safaris.

To learn more about African Travel Inc. or to order a brochure, visit the website at www.africantravelinc.com  or contact Heidi Podjavorsek at (800) 421-8907 x 115.

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

Adventure Life Voyages, a small-group tour company committed to providing quality tours that have a positive impact on the local culture and environment, is offering a 34-day African expedition cruise on April 1 that explores destinations largely unknown to most travelers on Africa’s Atlantic coast.

The boat is the 114-guest Corinthian II. Embarking in Cape Town, the trip explores practically every country along Africa’s west coast — South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cameroon, Benin, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco, before the ship arrives at the Rock of Gibraltar, one of the world’s great landmarks.

This is an opportunity to observe the differences in ancient cultures and tribal customs, landscape and animal life, from the towering dunes of Namibia, to the remarkable wildlife of Gabon’s rain forests; from the markets of Ghana and Senegal, to the medinas of Morocco.

This voyage presents a richly kaleidoscopic, lushly complex experience of a continent that defies description.

 The trip starts at $23,995.

You can see the full itinerary at www.alvoyages.com/ships/corinthian-2/19/1083

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

 Tour operator The Adventure Company has launched its new Worldwide and Family Adventures brochures for 2009/2010, featuring a range of exciting new trips, destinations and a new layout.

Additions to the brochures include 25 new Worldwide and 13 new Family Adventures, a new style of trip – the Hands On Adventures – and new destinations including Sweden, Australia, Rwanda, Greenland, Iceland, Benin, Togo and Ghana. The Adventure Company now covers all seven continents with a variety of trips.

Highlights of each brochure are outlined below.

Worldwide Adventures:

• Discover Rwanda’s incredible wildlife, including mountain gorillas and chimps, on new trip Rwandan Encounters

• New hiking trips including The Best of Mont Blanc in France and Trekking in Turkey

• Igloo building and other winter activities in Sweden in Active Arctic and The Ice Hotel

• West Africa Voodoo Explorer – a new trip to Ghana, Togo and Benin

• Two new trips to Australia – City to Reef and Aussie Interior

• An expanded collection of multi-country trips, such as Thai Indochina Odyssey (Thailand, Laos and Cambodia) and South East Africa Explorer (Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa)

 • A new expedition cruise, Arctic Explorer (Norway, Greenland and Iceland), plus a route change to Northwest Passage, which now begins in Russia and crosses the Bering Strait to Alaska

Family Adventures:

• Five new Teen Adventures – Argentine Ranch Adventure, Canopy Climbing in Borneo, Active Cappadocia (Turkey), Active in Sinai (Egypt) and Active in Morocco – bringing the total number of specialised Teen Adventures to 13

• Lapland Snow & Ice Adventure – a new five-day winter activity trip to Sweden for February half-term or the Christmas holidays

• Four Infant Adventures (minimum age: 2) including a new trip Coastal Croatia

• Visit Malaysia’s only elephant sanctuary on new trip Flavour of Malaysia

• New family trips to India (Essence of India) and Japan (Essence of the Orient)

Hands On Adventures
The company’s new Hands On Adventures will enable travellers – including families to spend two or three days of their holiday directly helping community-based or conservation projects around the globe.

Nicola McFarlane, product director at The Adventure Company explains

“ The Adventure Company has for many years promotes community-based tourism activities and donated money to responsible tourism projects, but feedback from our customers suggests they are keen to be more proactively involved. The key to our Hands On Adventures is two – three days of the holiday is dedicated to practical assistance in community work and conservation projects, giving greater fulfilment to the traveller and tangible contributions to the chosen projects.”

There are 13 new adventures, examples of the trips include

Turtles, Island & Mountains – This family trip allows travellers to get close to the leatherback and green turtles that inhabit the coastline of Costa Rica. Travellers will take part in turtle patrols – protecting their nests, hiding them from poachers and helping to measure and tag the turtles. Families will also spend time on the palm-fringed island archipelago of Bocas del Toro as well as exploring the Panamanian Highlands of Boquete.
Minimum age: 5 years.

Andaman Adventure – Make a positive contribution to rural village communities teaching English, helping in the community garden, taking part in beach clean ups or going to market to help buy provisions. The rest of the trip includes jungle trekking, river tubing, an elephant ride and time to relax on the beaches of Koh Phangnan.

The Hands On Adventure activities will be incorporated into the travel itineraries, so while on holiday travellers can provide practical help or support and enjoying exploring the highlights if the destination.

 Early booking discounts

The Adventure Company is offering a discount of £50 per person on selected trips if booked before 20th December 2008. For a list of qualifying adventures, click on the ‘special offers’ button on www.adventurecompany.co.uk  or follow this link: www.adventurecompany.co.uk/special-offers.aspx

New look brochures
The two brochures have each adopted a new, simpler layout and all trips ate now graded 1-5 across four areas: activity, cultural discovery, nature and wildlife and responsible tourism. These help the customer choose the right adventure for them.

The Adventure Company is offering a total of 80 trips in the Family Adventures brochure and 140 trips in the Worldwide Adventures brochure, including Hands on Adventures, specialist teenage departures, walking and trekking holidays, cultural journeys, wildlife encounters and expedition cruises.

The Adventure Company’s average group size of 14 people allows travellers to make the most of their trip and also meet like-minded people. Trips are led by local guides who share their passion and intimate knowledge of destinations, giving travellers an authentic and memorable experience.

To request copies of the 2009/10 Adventure Company’s brochures, visit www.adventurecompany.co.uk  or call 0845 608 7752.

The brochures are also available to view online at www.adventurecompany.co.uk .

The website also offers detailed trip notes of each itinerary, up-to-date pricing information, details on availability, image galleries, plus feedback on each trip from past customers

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).

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 site. Travel agents and travelers can narrow down their choices by country and by type of trip with a couple clicks.

Here’s a look at just a few of the dream-of-a-lifetime African travel experiences from different outfitters that can be found at www.specialtytravel.com and the magazine/directory Specialty Travel Index:

Ghana arts & Culture

Ghana is a kaleidoscope of arts. Palace Travel’s seven day art and culture tour of Ghana gives collectors and culture buffs a unique and up-close cultural experience. Travelers visit a local casket making shop to see a collection of caskets carved in the shapes of various objects depicting traditional beliefs in life after death (the “Fantasy Coffins” of Teshie Nungua have been featured in National Geographic and galleries worldwide).

They take drumming and dancing lessons on Kokrobrite Beach and learn to make fufu, ground nut soup, red red, and palava sauce in a Ghanian cooking workshop. Then its’ on to the Ashanti craft villages–Pankrono, where potters create colorful hand-built vessels; Ahwiaa, known for royal stools, walking sticks and fertility dolls; Ntonso where artisans hand-stamp patterns on cotton cloth to make adinkra textiles worn for funerals and other solemn occasions; and Bonwire where the famous Kente cloth is handmade on looms, in a time-honored tradition passed down through generations. If your suitcase isn’t stuffed with art by then, it will be after the Kumasi Central Market (also known as Kejetia Market), the largest open-air market in West Africa, where more than 10,000 vendors sell just about everything you could need or want – food, fabric, clothing, furniture, beauty products, and handmade crafts.

PALACE TRAVEL

Diving the Red Sea

The Red Sea, where the desert meets the ocean, is one of the planet’s most fascinating natural sea environments. There are about 200 of coral types and over a thousand species of fish, more species than anybody of water its size. Many divers consider the Red Sea is the best diving in the world world. Lotus International’s Deep Down in the Red Sea diving tour starts in Cairo and gives divers the chance to explore the Abou Dabab Reefs, Elephinstone Reef, Dolphin Reefs (3 dives with the dolphins), St. Johns, Marsa Alam, and West Abu Dabab. LOTUS INTERNATIONAL TOURS

Photographer’s Safaris

There can’t be an amateur or professional photographer alive that hasn’t fantasized about the capturing a shot of lions cubs playing in the grass, a leopard in a tree, or a line of elephants. A professional photographer leads small (10 or fewer) photo-hungry groups on daily game hunts–at a photographers pace–in open vehicles and bushwalks through private game reserves and Kruger National Park. Photographers will spot game from above on an ultra light flight and take a boat through the world’s third largest canyon for hippo and croc shots. In the evening, guests compare shots in the tree house style lodge. AFRICA WILD SAFARIS

Explore the Kalahari

Few parts of Africa can match the mystique of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert. Its unique and striking environment, and its vastness and isolation, leaves a lasting impression on all visitors. In addition to exploring its fragile ecosystem, Travelers with Mountain Travel Sobek’s Kalahari Desert private adventure can experience the cultural richness of the indigenous San (Bushman) people, who live in complete harmony with their environment. From Jack’s Camp, an elegant, traditional East African–style camp (the best in the Kalahari!), you’ll explore the saltpans on quad bikes, search for the elusive brown hyena, and take a walk with a Bushman and learn how the San people have survived for centuries in this harshly beautiful environment.

MOUNTAIN TRAVEL SOBEK

Tracking Large Game on Foot in Big Five Territory

An environmentally-friendly tented camp in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, Bateleur Eco Safaris is in the heart of Big 5 territory. Forming a part of the Greater Kruger National Park, all artificial barriers between the reserves have been removed, allowing the wildlife to roam free. Sightings of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, cheetah, antelope, and 350 bird species are common. Guides conduct daily bush walks, which teach guests to track large game on foot and provide a fascinating insight into animal behavior. To ensure an authentic wildlife experience, Bateleur Eco Safaris exposes guests to a variety of activities such as bushcraft and survival skills, bringing them closer to nature than ever before.

BATELEUR ECO SAFARIS

Cradle of Voodoo

The Adventure Center offers a journey of extremes through some of Africa’s less-visited countries: Togo, Benin, and Burkina Faso. Traveling through three very different nations, travelers experience diverse cultures and traditional religions, amazing natural attractions, unique architectural styles, friendly people and vibrant local music. From the Gulf of Guinea to the remote nomadic lands in the north of Burkina Faso, travelers visit fetish markets and python temples, spend a night in a traditional stilt village, witness fire-dancing and mask ceremonies and explore the vast expanse of the Burkinabe Sahel. Sometimes, they are even granted an audience with King Maiga Belko at Arabinda. Adventure Center

Maasailand Safari

One of National Geographic Traveler’s “50 Tours of a Lifetime”, this is the chance to explore the African savanna on foot with Maasai warriors, share stories with elders, discuss world issues of common concern, learn about wildlife conservation and animal husbandry, women’s issues, rites of passage, and discover the fine arts of beading, traditional healing, music and dance, all from a base of specially built guest bungalows in the Maasai village of Merrushi. WILDLAND ADVENTURES

Birding in Egypt

Egypt is a bridge between continents offering migratory species the perfect route for their annual flights from Europe and Asia. A wide variety of Egyptian habitats ranging from high rugged mountains to desert and tropical style jungle along the Nile basin, give it a unique character plus the diversity needed to attract an extremely wide range of bird life– over 430 species of birds are found in Egypt. Travel Egypt, in addition to Nile cruises classic Nile Valley tours, operates a tour during the anticipated peak of migrations to afford birders a vacation with the maximum chance to view and photograph the widest variety possible. Birders visit to important antiquity sites and oasis in both upper and lower Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula with its beautiful beaches, incredible undersea life, and bountiful collection of bird life. TRAVEL EGYPT

Spotting Gorilla and Chimps in Uganda

Uganda’s longest operating Safari provider (operating since 1959), Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris, combines luxury tent camps with real beds, comfortable furniture, thick rugs, and fully stocked dining and bar tents (this isn’t roughing it), with game viewing tin a private fleet of 4×4 Land cruisers. Lake Mburo Camp is set in a beautiful game park that has a wide range of Africa’s wildlife; Bwindi Forest Camp is the base for mountain gorilla treks; and Kibale Forest Camp is the forested base for chimpanzee spotting. Kimbla-Mantana African Safaris

These, and many other African experiences (as well as a myriad of special interest and adventure travel adventures), can be found in Specialty Travel Index and on www.SpecialtyTravel.com

STI is easy to use, on the web site with the “Find Your Adventure” search mechanism indexing tours by both interest/activity (Yacht Charter, Wine Tours,) and destination (Costa Rica, France) and in the magazine using similar choices. Subscriptions to the magazine cost $10 per year (Canada $15; other foreign $25) for two issues: July (Fall/Winter) and January (Spring/Summer). Send orders to: info@specialtytravel.com or order online at www.specialtytravel.com

Boutique Safari Operator Now Offering Carbon Neutral Travel

BOULDER/ DENVER, CO – Africa Adventure Consultants continues to lead the industry with innovative safari design, and now they are pleased to announce the launch of a comprehensive effort to reduce carbon emissions as well. Africa Adventure Consultants has joined forces with Sustainable Travel International (STI) on its pioneering TravelGreen™ program, which allows Africa Adventure Consultants to offer carbon neutral safaris to travelers. Africa Adventure Consultants is STI’s first African safari operator partner implementing a sophisticated program that offers carbon offsets on every safari the company sells.

“Carbon neutral” means the point at which greenhouse gas emissions have been identified, measured, reduced where possible, and 100% of the remaining emissions have been offset through high quality renewable energy or energy efficiency projects. Total greenhouse gas emissions are a factor of the air travel to get to Africa as well as the style of safari people enjoy. Sustainable Travel International assists in determining the total greenhouse gas emission per traveler, and Africa Adventure Consultants then absorbs 50% of that amount and provides the option for the traveler to offset the remaining 50%.

“We’ve found that our clients not only appreciate our initiative to protect and preserve the delicate ecosystems of Africa, but appreciate being given the voluntary opportunity to contribute directly as well.” said Kent Redding, President of Africa Adventure Consultants. “Earlier this year we worked to make our Denver office 100% carbon neutral, we continue to carefully select game areas in Africa that operate under sensitive environmental standards and now feel that Carbon Neutral travel is the next logical step. What does this mean for our clients? We are providing a way to travel to Africa with a limited negative impact on the environment.”

Africa Adventure Consultants also works with their African partner companies to reduce CO2 emissions by implementing solar and wind power schemes, reduce wood burning, protect land to create carbon sinks, and more.

Proceeds from purchased offsets are invested by Sustainable Travel International into high-impact sustainable development projects, including reforestation, renewable energy and energy conservation. These projects, which also benefit local communities, are located throughout Africa and other regions. Sustainable Travel International provides carbon offset projects that are independently verified by third-party sources.

The projects must verifiably reduce greenhouse gas emissions according to the CDM Gold Standard, consistent with the principles of the Kyoto Protocol, or meet the standards set forth by the Climate, Community, and Biodiversity Alliance. In 2007 Sustainable Travel International received the highest ranking in an independent study of carbon offsetting programs commissioned by the environmental group Clean Air-Cool Planet.

About Sustainable Travel International

Sustainable Travel International is a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to promote sustainable development and eco-friendly travel by providing programs that help travelers and travel-related companies protect the environmental, socio-cultural and economic needs of the places they visit, and the planet at large.

About Africa Adventure Consultants

Denver-based Africa Adventure Consultants organizes safari adventures throughout East and Southern Africa, with destinations including Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia and Victoria Falls. 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. With an eye on personal service, the principals create customized trips for individuals and small groups.

To learn more, please call 1.866.778.1089.