Jetsettersblog

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.

Combines African Music And Tropical Sun

The 9th Annual Sauti za Busara Music Festival

February 8 – 12, 2012

Zanzibar, Tanzania

(January 4, 2012, New York, New York) The Sauti za Busara Music Festival will be held in Stone Town, on the romantic islands of Zanzibar, February 8 -12th, 2012. The annual music festival in Zanzibar is a showcase of the best and most exciting African music. The festival includes more than 40 musical groups, hailing from Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, West Africa and Europe

Sauti za Busara is Swahili for “Sounds of Wisdom.” Zanzibar is the birthplace of Swahili (an Arabic word for “of the coast”); a lingua franca forged from global dialects, upon which legends were carried, trade routes opened and a Sultan’s empire prospered. The colorful mosaic of cultures and traditions found in Zanzibar is the result of its history as a crossroads of civilizations, absorbing peoples from as far as the Orient and Iberia, Assyria and India.

For five days, visitors can enjoy “African Music under African Skies” in Zanzibar’s balmy tropical climate. The Carnival Street parade, in Stone Town, a UNESCO world heritage site, kicks off the festivities and draws in the participation of visitors and locals alike. It provides a great opportunity for tourists to experience firsthand culture of Zanzibar and the warm hospitality of its people.

The islands of Zanzibar are located on the coast of the Indian Ocean and are filled with beautiful white stretches of sand. There is the option of taking a quick 15-minute flight from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital to Zanzibar or the scenic route, a two-and-half hour ferry ride.

Dr. Aloyce Nzuki, Managing Director of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) said, “the annual Sauti za Busara Music Festival which grows in popularity from year to year, also attracts visitors because of the unique opportunity to combine a rich cultural experience with a safari to some of Tanzania’s world-renowned national parks and archaeological sites. Short flights from Zanzibar can connect visitors to Arusha, the gateway to the northern safari circuit including the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro as well as the Ngorongoro Crater; and to Dar es Salaam the gateway to the South, including Ruaha National Park and the Selous Game Reserve. All these create great pre or post Festival tour options.”

Zanzibar Festival Tours, the official Festival travel providers, offers nine day packages starting at $2,450 per person and is all inclusive of airport and resort transfers on Zanzibar, all breakfasts and most meals, hotel accommodations, V.I.P. Festival pass to all events and performances. For more information n on tour packages, visit http://www.zanzibarfestivaltours.com 

For more information on the Zanzibar Music Festival, visit www.busaramusic.org

The ninth annual Sauti za Busara Music Festival will be held in Stone Town, on the islands of Zanzibar, in the Indian Ocean, Feb. 8 to 12.

The annual music festival in Zanzibar is a showcase of African music, with more than 40 musical groups from Zanzibar, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, West Africa and Europe.

Sauti za Busara is Swahili for “Sounds of Wisdom.” Zanzibar is the birthplace of Swahili (an Arabic word for “of the coast”), a language forged from global dialects, upon which legends were carried, trade routes opened and a sultan’s empire prospered.

The colorful mosaic of cultures and traditions found in Zanzibar is the result of its history as a crossroads of civilizations, absorbing peoples from as far as the Orient and Iberia, Assyria and India.

The Carnival Street parade, in Stone Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, kicks off the festivities, providing a great opportunity for tourists to experience firsthand the culture of Zanzibar. Visitors can arrive via a 15-minute flight from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s commercial capital, or a two-and-half-hour ferry ride.

Dr. Aloyce Nzuki, managing director of the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB), said the festival attracts visitors because of the opportunity to combine a rich cultural experience with a safari to some of Tanzania’s national parks and archeological sites.

Short flights from Zanzibar can connect visitors to Arusha, the gateway to the northern safari circuit including the Serengeti and Kilimanjaro as well as the Ngorongoro Crater; and to Dar es Salaam, the gateway to the south, including Ruaha National Park and the Selous Game Reserve.

All these create great pre- or post-festival tour options.

Zanzibar Festival Tours, the official festival travel providers, offers nine-day packages starting at $2,450 per person, and includes:

all airport and resort transfers on Zanzibar,

all breakfasts and most meals,

hotel accommodations,

and V.I.P. festival pass to all events and performances.

With lions, tigers, and other big cats diminishing in population, African Travel reports more travelers than ever calling to find out about how to see the big cats while they can. According to a report in USA Today, “The populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs and especially tigers have been decimated in the past half-century.” The safari consultants at African Travel will suggest the top areas for clients to go in Africa to see the lions, leopards and cheetahs.

“Big cat sightings are a sure bet in Zambia,” said Jim Holden, president of African Travel. “The interior parks in Zambia such as Kafue are often referred to as the ‘gems of Africa’ and are teeming with wildlife, especially big cats.” Other recommended places for big cat seekers are Cape Town’s Cheetah Outreach (cheetahs); Kafue National Park in the Busanga Plains, Zambia (lions); Londolozi, South Africa (leopards); Linyanti, Botswana (lions); Luangwa, Zambia (leopards); Manyara, Tanzania (tree-climbing lions); Manyara, Tanzania (leopards); Masai Mara, Kenya (cheetahs); Masai Mara, Kenya (lions); and Namibia (cheetahs).

Also recommended are Southern Explorer, including 10 days in South Africa and Zimbabwe, priced from $4,895 per person double occupancy land only; the eight-day Kenyan Horizons, priced from $4,295 per person land only, based on double occupancy; and The Last Refuge, with nine days in Botswana and Zambia, priced from $6,795 per person land only, based on double occupancy.

African Travel has 35 years experiences offering 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 more information, visit www.africantravelinc.com

We are a Tour and Travel company based in ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA offering quality travel to the following high profile destinations in Zanzibar and Tanzania:

TANZANIA SAFARIS
Northern Circuit: Arusha N Park, Kilimanjaro N Park,L/Manyara N Park, Tarangire N Park, Serengeti N Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, L/Eyasi & L/Narton.
Southern Circuit: Mikumi N Park, Ruaha N Park, Udzungwa N Park, Selous N Park, Saadani N Park
Western Circuit: Gombe Stream N Park, Mahale Mountains N Park, Katavi N Park, Rubondo National park

CULTURAL TOURS
Masai Experience, Hadzabe Bushmen, Longido Village, Mto wa Mbu Village, Marangu and Mamba Village, Usambara mountains, Pangani Swahili encounter, Tanga,but also to many less known tribes and villages, in order to allow them the personal acquaintance with different ways of life.

MOUNTAIN TREKKING
We organize tours on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Meru, but also the less
known mountains, such as Ol Doinyo Lengai, a still active volcano.

HIKING TOURS
We take you to the Usambara and the Pare Mountains with their amazing views, birdlife, thick forests. For those who are interested, we organize the experience of nature in combination with a cultural experience such as with the Pare People.

ZANZIBAR TOURS
Spice Tour, City Tour, Prison Island Tour, Jozani Forest Tour, Dolphin Tour, and Sunset Cruising, special cultural tours to North Coast, Safari Blue & Diving Package, and Honeymoon Package etc. Zanzibar, known also as Spice Island, is home to many spice plantations.

ZANZIBAR BEACH HOLIDAYS & EAST AFRICAN COAST
Beach Holidays in Zanzibar, Mafia, Kilwa, Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, Pangani, Tanga and East African Coast. Experience Zanzibar Spice Island with one of our Zanzibar tours. Our package combines Africa’s greatest safari destinations with Zanzibar Beach Holidays.

ZANZIBAR MUSICAL EVENTS
AMONG OUR OTHER ACTIVITIES ARE:
Car/motorbike/bicycle rental
Local & International flight ticketing
Bus / train ticketing
Boat ticketing
Transfers & Hotel Reservations, Lodge & Camping

EXPERIENCE ZANZIBAR TOURS & SAFARIS
P.O.BOX 3788
Old Stone Town
Zanzibar
Mobile: +255-754 924432 (24 hours)
+255-716 934772
Fax: +255 (0) 24 2232909
Email: experienceznztours@hotmail.com
Email: info@experiencezanzibartours.com
Email:reservation@experiencezanzibartours.com
Website: www.experiencezanzibartours.com

Global Hospitality Design Leaders Extend

Sublime Colonial Resort Brand to Island of Zanzibar

Global hospitality design leaders Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA) ventured into colonial ‘Out of Africa’ style with a sublime resort project on the island of Zanzibar in partnership with Singapore developers Bonvests Holdings.

Newly opened with an investment of US$48 million, The Residence Zanzibar extends Bonvests’ exclusive family of 5-star African resorts.

Since being founded in 1996 with The Residence Tunis, followed in 1998 with The Residence Mauritius, The Residence brand has become acknowledged as ‘best in class’ among premier resorts in Africa.

The Residence Zanzibar continues this tradition – immediately accepted as the first member of The Leading Hotels of the World in Zanzibar.

Design of the 66-villa resort, continues the colonial theme of Bonwests’ flagship hotel Sheraton Towers Singapore.

Yet nuances unique to the legendary ‘spice island’ off the coast of East Africa are also introduced – creating an inspired blend of sobriety and elegance with a muted colour scheme of white and delicate shades of beige, with honey-coloured woods, wrought iron and sandy tiles.

Villas of one and two bedroom villas, plus an exclusive Presidential Villa of 410sqm, all have private swimming pools and are luxuriously appointed with contemporary, stylish furniture incorporating various cultural influences on the island from Swahili and Omani to English and Indian.

HBA sourced much of the artifacts and furnishings from local markets and shops, along with custom designs from Indonesian artisans.

The white and beige design symphony is at its most romantic in the villas as sunshine pierces shuttered windows to create a melody of light and dark with wavering, mottled shadows. The result is a distinctive ambience indulging guests in sophisticated elegance.

The colonial theme is most historic in the Main Bar, recreating the atmosphere of a captain’s quarter lounge on wooden sailing ships that once plied the east coast of Africa.

A private and secluded Library Bar in lobby follows in the footsteps of Dr Livingstone, again evoking images of the ‘Golden Age’ of travel before mass-market tourism, with a strong colonial expression and library including many African titles.

Serving exotic fusion Mediterranean cuisine of Turkey and the Middle East, signature restaurant The Pavilion is bathed in the rich, warm colours of Zanzibar.

A Beach Club restaurant, for evenings under the stars, is reminiscent of a Bedouin tent while The Dining Room Bar introduces a taste of old Persia with local woods and a hammered copper bar.

The most indulgent ‘gem’ of The Residence Zanzibar is The Spa – with six individual, private treatment pavilions nestled in two hectares of tropical gardens, each luxuriously appointed in its own garden with outside shower, bathtub and private relaxation areas. It is an extraordinary natural setting nurturing complete well being and sensuality.

The Residence Zanzibar appropriately complements its breathtaking location, amid a picture-postcard coconut grove on its own mile-long powdery white sand beach in a magnificent lagoon protected by coral reef.

The highly preserved area is home to a diverse array of indigenous flora & fauna including the endangered Red Colobus Monkey.

Nearby Stone Town is the cultural heart of Zanzibar and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, unique dolphin safaris are just 20 minutes from the resort, local spice plantations showcase Zanzibar’s spice trade history, and ruins of Persian baths and Omani palaces are scattered around the island.

African Travel, Inc. has an amazing offer on their unforgettable eight-day Tanzanian Sky Safari: FREE BUSINESS CLASS AIR when you book anytime now through September 15!*

This incredible journey includes Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti – ideal wildlife viewing locales. Arusha Coffee Lodge, Tarangire Treetops, The Manor at Ngorongoro, Migration Camp – the lodging is absolutely top-notch throughout. And transport between destinations is provided by a meticulously outfitted Executive Grand Caravan – an eight-seat luxury aircraft. Game drives are in custom built Safari Cruisers and each day brings the promise of another surprise.

Free Business Class Air is offered only through September 15, so book today!*

Tanzania Sky Safari–8 Days. 1 night Arusha, 2 nights Tarangire National Park, 2 nights Ngorongoro, 2 nights Serengeti National Park. Priced from $6895 per person, land only, based on double occupancy during promotional period August 27-October 26*.

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

About African Travel, Inc.

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 recently 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.

Terms and Conditions

*Travel on select dates Aug 27 – Oct 26, 2011, and receive FREE international business class air arrangements (Washington DC / Kilimanjaro / Washington DC). Fuel and park fees included. Taxes of $92 per person are additional. Add-ons from other U.S. cities available. Offer subject to availability. Must book by September 15, 2011. Restrictions apply.

For more details go to www.africantravelinc.com

The staff at &Beyond’s Mnemba Island has discovered 39 endangered green turtle nests in 2011. Only 10 miles in circumference, Mnemba Island is home to a number of conservation coups that have had a profound impact on three specific animal species — green sea turtles, Zanzibari suni (native deer species) and Ader’s duikers (the rarest antelope species in Africa).

“&Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge is the only marine lodge in the company’s portfolio and one of the smallest in terms of guest numbers. By contrast, the benefits of its conservation measures and successes are substantial — and far-reaching,” said &Beyond’s group conservation manager, Les Carlisle.

Mnemba is one of only two protected nesting sites in Zanzibar for the endangered green turtle. Last year, teams recorded 45 nests and supervised the hatching of approximately 3,150 baby turtles. In 2005, five Ader’s duikers were introduced to the island. Working with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), employees at Mnemba are working to increase the global population, which is estimated at just 300 to 600 remaining in the wild. Zanzibari suni live unmolested on Mnemba Island, due to the absence of predators, In January 2011, a record 96 suni were relocated to Jozani.

The staff at &Beyond Mnemba Island Lodge also host conservation lessons for school children from mainland Zanzibar every year. Their day on the island includes lessons about the importance of coral reefs and snorkeling lessons, which give many of the children their first glimpse of the amazing ecosystem of which they are the future custodians.

&Beyond owns and operates more than 35 lodges and camps in Africa and India’s wilderness. The company is also one of Africa’s major inbound tour operators, designing luxury safaris and personalized travel itineraries in 16 African countries and India. Established in 1991, &Beyond is committed to sustainable responsible travel and community empowerment is world renowned. For more information, visit www.andbeyond.com

From soaking up early summer sun for two to getting wet and wild for four, the following packages from Travel In Depth offer the ideal exotic island escape, combining luxury lodging, thrilling wildlife and some of the world’s most pristine waters for snorkelling and diving. What’s more, travel this June and save up to £420 per person.

Travel in June and save £420 per person – Spice up your holiday on the exotic island of Zanzibar with six nights at luxury eco Unguja Lodge. Overlooking Menai Bay and the Menai Bay Conservation area, Ungujar affords some of the world’s most pristine and biodiverse waters and best reefs for snorkelling and diving. Run by Dutch couple Ralph Kruidering and Elies Hagedoorn, both keen divers, the lodge offers an intimate home from home – stylish, organic and the only location on Zanzibar with a ‘house reef’ within swimming distance, right in front of the lodge. Unguja Lodge also boasts a fully equipped on site PADI dive centre ‘Unguja Divers’, run by an experienced, resident and fully qualified PADI dive instructor (MINIMUM AGE for children is 10 YEARS).

The trip costs from £1,595 per person based on two people travelling – saving £420 per person – including international flights with British Airways and domestic flights with Precision Air, six nights at the luxury Unguja Lodge on a half-board basis, transfers and PADI Discover SCUBA Dive. Departure dates: June 2011.

Zanzibar for Adventurous Families – Unguja Lodge is perfect for families wanting beach AND adventure. Kids will love the great rock pools and watching local villagers gathering shellfish or even catching octopus from the pools. Snorkelling is easy to do from the beach or spend a day out on the traditional dhow with a picnic lunch on a deserted sandbank; on the way guests can snorkel or dive, see the dolphins, practice sailing and relax in the sun. From Unguja Lodge it’s just 20 minutes to Jozani Forest, the only remaining indigenous forest on Zanzibar where you can find the largest population of the Red Colobus Monkeys.

The trip costs from £6,680 for a family of four, based on two adults and two children, including full adult fares for international flights with British Airways (discounts apply for children under 12 years of age) and domestic flights with Precision Air, six nights at the luxury Unguja Lodge on a half-board basis, transfers and PADI Discover SCUBA Dive (MIN AGE FOR CHILDREN TO DIVE IS 10 years). Departure dates: August 2011.

The 14th annual Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF) will be held June 18 to 26, 2011, in Tanzania, showcasing films with an African focus and international music presentations. The festival headliners include an array of film makers such as Oscar-nominated producer Donald Ranvaud and documentary filmmaker Nick Broomfield. ZIFF, East Africa’s largest cultural event, celebrates the unique cultural heritage of Africa and the Dhow countries of the Indian Ocean region and their global Diaspora. The 2011 Festival theme is “A Season of Visions.”

In addition to showcasing talent in music and films, the Zanzibar International Film Festival also offers a program of film workshops that have been developed to cater to the interests of everyone — from local children to industry professionals.

This year’s focus will be on documentary filmmaking, with Broomfield lending his knowledge to a master class.

Other star guests include Ranvaud, who has produced Oscar-nominated films such as “City of God” and “The Constant Gardener.”

Stone Town, the festival’s venue in Zanzibar, is part of the United Republic of Tanzania and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This colorful port provides an exotic setting for the nine days of festivities.

The festival events in Stone Town typically attract 45,000 foreign visitors and more than 123,000 local guests; while the total number of people attending all the festival events held throughout Zanzibar and Pemba is 150,000.

In addition to the Old Fort amphitheater, other ZIFF performances take place in the House of Wonders and Zanzibar’s Museum of History and Culture.

There will also be street performances, including storytelling, live music and dance, art exhibits, and a range of film and video industry workshops, seminars, screenings and social events.

Stone Town is a place of festivals, from music to movies to dance. The official tour operator for ZIFF is Zanzibar Festival Tours.

The tour offers a nine-night program to the festival from June 21 to 30, including expert guides, VIP passes to festival performances, exploration of Stone Town, and some of the best beaches in the world.

For more information on the tours, visit www.zanzibarfestivaltours.com

For more information on the film festival, visit www.ziff.or.tz