Newsletter - December 2005

Seasons Greetings, to all our clients, both past and present; our partners in travel and our friends in Africa and around the world.

Christmas 2005
	Christmas is almost upon us, but there is still time to order online. If you haven't yet got round to doing your Christmas shopping or still have gifts to purchase - buy a special, individual and unique Christmas gift? We have many items listed to suit every budget, including a new Christmas section. Click to view our main shop index .
Gift Ideas
	If you are stuck for a gift then have a browse through our Gift Ideas For Her | For Him | For Children/Babies | For the Home | Games | Wedding Gifts | Christmas Items

NEW 2006 Calendars
Don't miss out.... a lovely selection of unusual and beautiful calendars. These are useful for everyone and make an ideal gift. Click to browse through full selection

TRAVEL CENTRE

Plan for 2006 now...
- don't leaving planning your 2006 holiday too late - you may be disappointed... it's time to start thinking about your 2006 vacations now. Africa is becoming an increasingly popular destination and many of the lodges get booked up well in advance, particularly during school holidays.

If Africa is your chosen destination for next year's holiday why not browse through our Travel Center where you have the choice of over 500 individual itineraries from budget to sheer luxury, offered by many different tour operators throughout the African continent. Click to view the whole selection.

Here are some ideas to tempt you...

	Safari and Beach A combination of safari/tour/adventure activities and beach. Catering for your sense of adventure and desire to relax and unwind. Go on safari, see the African wildlife and then spend time in paradise, a perfect combo. Various destinations and activities are available..
	Mountain Climbing Mountain Climbing (Mt.Kilimanjaro, Mt.Meru, Mt.Kenya, Semien Mountains, Ethiopia).. Fitness and physical levels vary from an easy trek to hanging off a cliff face by your fingertips, yikes!!, the choice is yours. DISCLAIMER we cannot be held responsible for the overwhelming ego you will attain.
	Great Apes See the Great Apes of Africa up close and personal.. You`ve seen them on TV read about them in books now its time for them to get a look at you. All done in an eco friendly way and with experienced local guides, its time for you to visit the relatives..
	Honeymoon Safaris Unforgettable, special, exclusive, romantic, have a perfect honeymoon in Africa.
	Victoria Falls Regarded as one of the worlds' most spectacular natural wonders, Victoria Falls spreads 1,700 feet wide and is an awesome sight as the mighty Zambezi river falls into the gorge below. Many activities are available in the exciting and vibrant surrounding areas.
	Overland Safaris The duration of an Overland trip can be from 14 days passing travelling in two or three countries, up to 6 months - taking in the whole route from North to South. It is an affordable way to travel through the different countries, experiencing the highlights a country or region has to offer. Overland trips are aimed at the adventure traveller.
	2006 Solar Eclipse The Total Solar Eclipse of 2006 March 29 is set to be one of the best of the past few years, the longest until 2009, and the most easily accessible of the next 10 years! Don't miss this one - Places are very limited and filling up fast!!!
	Air/Fly-In Safaris Various options can include transferring you directly to your lodges or gameparks by light aircraft (usually arriving on private airstrips) and seeing Africa's most stunning landscapes in a way that can only be done from the air. Get a unique view of Africa on an Air Safari.
	Scuba Diving Scuba Dive in Africa's fresh water lakes and warm coastal waters.. Africa has some unusual and very off-beat dive spots, fed up with two legged, brightly coloured humanoids being the usual underwater wildlife, then you should try Africa for some truly unique diving.
	Africa For Everyone Several operators specialise in providing packages which include services and amenities for wheelchair users and for those with impaired hearing. We are actively seeking more operators who can provide a full service for people with disabilities.
	Motor Cycle Tours Pure motorcycling adventure tours. Have some serious fun dirt bike off-roading combined with exploring some of the culture, history and beauty that Africa has to offer.
	Walking Safaris Experience the African bush on foot safe in the knowledge of your experienced guides. You can observe the wildlife at very close range undisturbed by vehicles and away from roads. The most natural way to go on safari.
	Get On Your Bike Cycling can be a very rewarding way of travelling, you get to see and experience the scenery/wildlife/people first hand at your own pace and in Africa you never know what you might come across. Equipment is supplied for you, just bring your sense of adventure.

You will find many more itineraries for all the other African countries in our Africa Travel Center where you can search by country, price, number of days, activities and national parks.

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New Photographs

	This month we thank: Steve Brynes for donating the superb photographs he took whilst on holiday for display in our Botswana library To browse through all our photographs of Africa visit the main Photo Library section

New Article
As well as donating some great photographs, Steve Brynes has also written an Article for display in our Features & Articles section:

"Safari, So Good: Botswana's Wild Dogs" Experts believe that fewer than 5,000 African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus, commonly known also as the Cape hunting dog or the painted hunting dog) currently exist in the wild, and their range has declined from 33 to 15 countries. Typically living in packs of 2 to 30 individuals led by a dominant male and female, the largest populations now exist in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Tanzania. Northern Botswana supports approximately 700 to 800 wild dogs, one of only four populations containing more than an estimated 250 to 300 dogs in the whole of Africa. The Okavango Delta, where our camp (Sandibe Safari Lodge) was located, and surrounding areas support healthy populations of all African large carnivores and the wild dog population of northern Botswana is the largest remaining unprotected African wild dog population on the continent. Click to read more

Click for more Travel Tips

Let you family, friends and colleagues who are thinking of visiting Africa know about The Africa Guide. They have access to all the information they need to plan their travels.

Happy Travels !!!

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