Newsletter - April 2005

TRAVEL CENTRE

Newly added itineraries
There have been many new, interesting and diverse itineraries added to our travel center in the past month. Below are details of a few of them:-

		Discover Gabon 11 Days: Gabon is the most incredible place, where elephants meet gorillas, sitatungas and buffalos, as at the very beginning of the earth’s time. With this safari you will experience the best Gabon has to offer.
		Niger - Cure Salée/Saharan Dream Two weeks discovering the best of Saharan and sub-Saharan culture and customs, craft, wildlife, and scenery. Visit some of the most interesting cultures and scenery on earth!
		Cameroon - Le Grand Nord 8 Days: Colorful village markets; interestingly beautiful stark landscapes; proud yet warm and friendly people; and a fascinating local culture and history make this trip one of our best. Waza Park is probably the best big-game park in West Africa, boasting most of the big game species for which East Africa is known, but receiving far fewer visitors, making for a much more relaxed, one-of-a-kind quality experience.
		Okavango Encounter Starts in Botswana and ends in Zambia - 11 days: This trip lets you experience the unique magic of the spectacular Okavango Delta system, watch big game in Mahango and Chobe National Park, glimpse African village life along the Caprivi, and check out great range of activities at Livingstone. (Victoria Falls)
		Victoria Falls to Cape Town 20 Days: Starts at Victoria Falls in Zambia and visits Botswana and Namibia before ending in Cape Town, South Africa. Combine excellent game viewing opportunities with pristine natural environments, add a dose of adrenaline activities and, finally, mix in a slower pace to create the best value Southern African safari. Incorporating the majesty of Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta, Chobe and Etosha National Parks, the dunes of Sossusvlei, and Cape Town - it’s all covered
		Southern Heartbeat 28 Days: starts in Johannesburg South Africa and visits Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia , ending in Cape Town South Africa. This trip showcases the magic of Southern Africa over 28 action-packed days. You gain an in-depth understanding of the people, history, culture and beauty of Southern Africa, whilst enjoying spectacular game viewing in eight national parks and reserve
		Ghana Solar Eclipse Tour March 25 - April 3 2006 10 days: A fantastic opportunity to witness the eclipse of the Sun with the added advantage of an additional 7 days touring Ghana, visiting the land of the Kente origin, the Ashanti in and around Kumasi, Kakoum National Park and the World Heritage Sites of Elmina on the Cape Coast. Accra with its many Cultural and Historical Sites
		Kilimanjaro - Roof of Africa & Safari- Kenya & Tanzania 20 Days: This is an outstanding adventure for those wanting to combine exhilarating game viewing with a challenging hike to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. At 5895 metres, “Kili” is the highest freestanding mountain in the world and to watch the sunrise over the African plains is a brilliant experience.
		Kenya - Tanzania Safari and Zanzibar 19 days: This trip combines the best of the culture and wildlife of east Africa with the exotic island of Zanzibar. We spend eight days in parks and conservation areas and we also head off the beaten track, first to Lake Victoria and later along the Rift Valley Escarpment, towards Engaruka where we visit some of the lesser-known tribal areas of the Masai. We have the opportunity to interact with several different tribal groups and then we head off to the spice island for some sun and relaxation.
		Tanzania Trials 8 Days: Starting in Kenya - this is a true, authentic safari experience, with dirt roads, rolling landscapes, outstanding game parks and traditional tribes. You spend an incredible five days in the Serengeti-Ngorongoro Conservation area and time with a remote Masaai community.
		East Africa Odyssey Kenya & Tanzania 15 Days: Eighty percent of this safari is spent in the best national parks and reserves in Kenya and Tanzania, giving you awesome wildlife viewing opportunities and loads of action! It is a new trip, but is a classic safari - bring lots of films.
		Kenya Unveiled 7 Days: This trip is a great introduction to East Africa, focusing on the lakes region of the Great Rift Valley. The superb game parks of Masaai Mara, Lake Nakuru and Lake Bogoria provide countless wildlife experiences, whilst the beauty of the freshwater lakes of Baringo and Naivasha offer fantastic birding opportunities.
Back up to Newsletter Index
Special Offers/Late Deals
		Dqae Qare Bushmen Community Game Farm Project - Botswana 20% discount on April / May 2005 departures Volunteer Field Rangers are required - This mini-project is aimed at maintaining and hopefully improving this valuable sector of indigenous knowledge that is in danger of being lost to the younger generations. This course is based on the criteria of the Level 1 Tracking - namely the identification of medium to large animals. Should your stay be for a reasonable length of time you will acquire vast practical experience in this area.
		13 Day Cape Town, Garden Route, Kruger Park - South Africa - 10% Discount on 19 September 05 departure Escorted small group P tour - ALL the highlights from Cape Town, Garden Route, Sani Pass (Lesotho), Durban, Zululand, Kruger Park, Panorama Route. Includes: activities, breakfast, dinner, local flights.
		Northern Nomad - 15% Discount on April 2005 tour 27 days: Nairobi to Victoria Falls in comfort! Famous Game Parks, idyllic Zanzibar & Lake Malawi, and the best of Zambia.... We are unique in providing the services of an expert photographer on all our overland tours! Digital Camera download facility available while on tour
		Safari 5 Star Shamwari Game Reserve - South Africa Special offer until until 30th June 2005 6 days: See the Big 5 including 5 Star Shamwari Game Reserve. Understand why it is "Africa's leading Safari" "The World's Leading Safari and Game Reserve". The World's Leading Conservation Company". Five Star facilities enable visitors to see Shamwari's conservation efforts first hand and to enjoy excellent service and outstanding accommodation.

Whether you are looking for a wildlife safari, historical and cultural tour, honeymoon safari, combination of safari and beach, mountain climbing, specialised fly in safaris - I am sure you will find exactly what you're looking for if you have a browse through our Africa Travel Center. A full range of tours, safaris, adventure activities, overland trips, resort holidays, from budget to sheer luxury, offered by many different tour operators throughout the African continent. Click to view the whole selection

   Back up to Newsletter Index  

This month we thank Farm 215 for the beautiful photographs they have kindly supplied for display in our Africa: Flora Library. These stunning images are taken in the Cape region of South Africa and make a wonderful addition to our extensive collection of photos taken in Africa..

	Adventures in Afropea 1 - by Zap Mama Unearthly harmonies born of Pygmy song, Moroccan chants and exhuberant scat made Zap Mama global a cappella queens. Now for the first time they meet the roots throb of bass and drums, shot through with equal parts highlife and hip-hop. Zap Mama is soul music for the diaspora. "If your ears are open," mama Zap Marie Daulne says, "you'll understand." Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	A Ma Zone [Luaka Bop] - by Zap Mama Zap Mama pulls off an amazing balancing act, riding the fine line between the deep roots of Afropea, the newest continent, and the technology of the future. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	Sabsylma - by Zap Mama the all-female band Zap Mama offers more of their original sound -- a cappella vocals joined by exotic and worldly rhythms. Although they've been compared to Bobby McFerrin in the past, there is really no one out there today who sounds the way Zap Mama does. The album kicks off with "Furahi," a group chant/sing-along, which eventually leads into gentle music and perfectly blended vocalizations. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	Sunshine Day - by Osibisa Afro-rock combo Osibisa helped shape the world music sound of the 1970s with funky summer hits like 'Sunshine Day' and 'Dance The Body Music'. Both appear here on this all-encompassing compilation of their three albums form Bronze and Pye, plus non-album tracks. Castle Music. 2005. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	Elohim ~ Alpha Blondy (Ivory Coast) Alpha Blondy’s eighth recording on Shanachie, features his sinuous, reedy vocals on a compelling set of originals that deal with the struggles and sobering realities of life and themes of love. Such songs as "Journalists En Danger (Democratie)," "Take No Prisoner" (which deals with the slaughter in Sudan, "Dictature (Dictator)" and "Les Voleurs De La Republique (Thieves Of The Republic)" pull no punches. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	Best of Fela Kuti/Music Is a Weapon ~ Fela Kuti (Nigeria) This set comes with a great documentary which perfectly presents Fela the entertainer, the campaigner and the smoker! It makes this set pretty essential for ANY world music fan and even those who like any kind of rhythm in their music, that is hip hop, jazz, funk whatever. Fela's polyrhythmics and the message he brought not only ousts James Brown as the funkiest music ever but also predates hip hop's vital tool as providing a message Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	No Boundaries ~~ Ladysmith Black Mambazo (South Africa) The rich vocal sound literally fuses with the classical musicians in much the same way as a classical choral group does. To its credit, the orchestra (and arranger Isak Roux) loosens up to fit the more oral/aural traditions of the singers--the music is less precise and reliant on virtuosity. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	A Croak and a Grunt in the Night ~~ Rabbitt (South Africa) Rabbitt were Seen as Being South Africa's Equivalent of the Beatles in the Seventies and in Fact the Band Actually Outsold the Beatles, which in this Day and Age Seems Incredible. A Long Sought after and Highly Collectable Recording, Remastered on CD for the First Time. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe

	Morocco (Lonely Planet Country & Regional Guides) - by Heidi Edsall, Paula Hardy, Mara Vorhees Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	Tunisia (Rough Guide Travel Guides) - by Heidi Edsall, Peter Morris, Daniel Jacobs the definitive guide to this fascinating North African country. The guide includes a full-colour 24-page introduction to Tunisia's highlights, from the mile-long beaches of the mediterranean coast to the fortified Kasbahs of the mountainous interior and the Saharan oases towns. The guide gives lively accounts of all the sights, from Roman remains and Islamic monuments to the ancient Medinas of Tunis, Sfax and Sousse. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	Tunisia (Eyewitness Travel Guides) - release date (7th April 05) Your holiday starts here! From the hot springs of Hamman Mellegue to the lunar landscape of Matmata, discover it all with this essential guide to Tunisia. Explore the Roman ruins of Carthage with the unique 3D models, and use the street maps to find the best bazaars to pick up a bargain. Tips on where to enjoy the local cuisine will ensure you enjoy 1001 Arabian nights however long your stay. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	South Africa (Independent Travel Map S.) - Detailed physical map with attractive hillshading and layer colouring. Map shows classified road network overlain with key tourist sites, areas of natural beauty and local activity centres as well as cities and towns. AREA OF COVERAGE All of South Africa extending from Botswana and Zimbabwe in the north to Cape of Good Hope in the south. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	Cape Town (Travellers S.) - by Mike Cadman popular, compact and colourful guidebooks are perfect for planning your holiday whether for a city break, regional tour or a long-haul destination. This extensive series is packed full of information about where to go and what to see, as well as walks and tours, feature spreads on cultural background and other aspects, restaurant and accommodation listings and practical information. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	Egypt: Land of the Pharaohs - (Odyssey Illustrated Guide) by Robert Morkot This well-researched guide leads the reader on a journey through the ages from the tombs of the Pharoahs to the modern engineering feats of the Suez Canal and the mighty Aswan Dam. An excellent introduction to the most endlessly fascinating civilization in the world. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
	The Cruelest Journey: Six Hundred Miles to Timbuktu - by Kira Salak Relates the tale of the author's journey of more than six hundred dangerous miles on the Niger River from Mali's Old Segou to Timbuktu, enduring tropical storms and the heat of the Sahara to fulfill her goal of buying the freedom of two Bella slave girls. Buy From (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe

Did you know?

Lake Victoria

is the largest lake in Africa and is the world's second-largest freshwater lake - covering an area of 69,490 sq km (26,830 sq mi) and lies 1,130 m (3,720 ft) above sea level. Its greatest known depth is 82 m (270 ft).
 

Lake Tanganyika

is the deepest lake in Africa reaching at its greatest depth is 1,436 m (4,710 ft), making it the second deepest freshwater lake in the world after Lake Baikal. It is also the only place where shools of fresh water sardines are found.
 

Lake Malawi

contains the largest number of fish species of any lake in the world, probably over 500 from ten families. Particularly noteworthy are the Cichlidae, of which all but five of over 400 species are endemic to Lake Malawi. The lake contains 30% of all known cichlid species. Of particular interest is the 'mbuna' rock fish.
 

For More visit African Facts & Figures

If you have a friend or colleague who is thinking of visiting Africa, I'm sure they'd thank you for telling them about The Africa Guide - they are able to find all the information they need to plan their travels in one place.

Happy Travels !!!

   Back up to Newsletter Index