Africa Travel Newsletter - Sept 2008

CONTENTS: New Itineraries Special Offers/Late Deals Featured Destination - Tanzania Newly Released African Music Hotels and Accommodation in Africa New African Photos Independent Travellers

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TRAVEL CENTRE

If Africa is your chosen destination for a holiday our Travel Center is the perfect place for you to have a browse through to get some ideas and make some enquiries. There is the choice of almost 800 individual, varied itineraries - from budget to luxury, offered by many different tour operators throughout the African continent. Click to view the whole selection.

If you are thinking of travelling around Christmas and New Year then you need to consider firming up your plans and securing your booking very soon, as this is a peak season, many lodges are already fully booked.

There have been many new itineraries added recently, below are just some of them

	Botswana, Namibia & Victoria Falls 9 Days: This focused ‘’Summer Season Spectacular’’, valid between 01 December 2008 and 31 March 2009, boasts diverse habitats through the Kalahari Desert, Okavango Delta, Kwando River and the thundering Victoria Falls, showcasing the highlights of this amazing
	Funda English Project - South Africa 15 Days: Help give the gift of English to pre-school, school children and adults. Though literacy classes these workshops aim to spread the understanding of the English language in a South African township.
	Sinethemba Street Kids - South Africa 15 Days: Work in a youth development project for homeless & disadvantaged kids between the ages of 4 and 20. In the picturesque township of Kayalethu, this project aims to give them a second chance in life!
	Complete Namibia Self Drive - Namibia 21 Days: This self drive itinerary is designed for you to experience the best of Namibia, a varied land of contrasts. Cultural experiences, Wildlife viewing and stunning Scenery are all included.
	Southern Africa Explorer - Volunteer Project 77 Days: have the opportunity to participate in wildlife monitoring projects on a reserve in the Limpopo province for 5 weeks, and you will help at local schools and care centres in the Immizama Yethu township in Cape Town for 4 weeks. These opportunities are fused with an additional 2 weeks in the Namibian Desert working in Damaraland assisting in the protection of the resident elephant population.
	Spice Island, Zanzibar Excursions - Zanzibar 5 Days: Relax with a beach holiday on the exotic East African island of Zanzibar. Offering a choice of accommodations and excursions.
	Jambo Tanzania Safari - Tanzania 5 Days: Experience the 'Big Five' areas of Tanzania on this 5 days, 4 nights safari. The itinerary starts with Tarangire N.P, Lake Manyara N.P, Serengeti N.P, and then continues to stunning Ngorongoro Crater
	Kilimanjaro Climb - Shira Route - Tanzania 6 Days: The Shira Route traverses the large Shira Plateau to join the Machame Route. The Shira Plateau’s ridges and moorland comprise one of Kilimanjaro’s most scenic areas. 6 days trekking from Moshi/Arusha; 4 and a half days ascending, 1 and a half days descending
	Kilimanjaro Climb -Marangu Route “Coca Cola Route" - Tanzania 5 Days: The “Coca Cola” Route is Kilimanjaro’s easiest, shortest, and most popular route. This is the only route on Kilimanjaro with the comforts of solar-powered sleeping huts and comfortable beds at every camp. The huts are communal, and each bunk has a sponge mattress and pillow.

Special Offers / Late Deals

	Fly In Bush & Beach Safari - South Africa and Mozambique This itinerary is offered at a special rate of £1,585.00 (GBP) or $3,165 (USD) per person sharing for the months of August through to November. 10 Days: An adventure across 2 countries, we start with a safari in the world famous Kruger National Park, and combine this with a beach holiday off the pristine and unspoilt Coast of Mozambique. Miles of unpopulated turquoise beaches for you to explore.
	Northern Explorer: Vic Falls-Nairobi. 10% Discount on 10th November departure - Save £85. 21 Days: Experience the wonders & culture of Africa in this small group expedition with extra comfort & innovative facilities. Visit world famous wildlife parks plus the pristine beaches of Malawi & Zanzibar.
	13 Day Cape Town, Garden Route, Kruger Park - South Africa Discounted departures: 05 Jan.09 ; 2 Nov.09 13 Days: Escorted Small Group tour from Cape Town, Garden Route, Durban, Zululand, Kruger Park, Panorama Route. Includes: activities, breakfast, dinner, local flights.
	Private Small Group November Kruger safari - South Africa Discounted Departures, 1 TO 5 NOVEMBER 2008 14 TO 18 NOVEMBER 2008 21 TO 25 NOVEMBER 2008 5 Days: These safaris in the Kruger are 5-star service, friendly and fully inclusive (complete with private chef and safari guide) in South Africa’s most prolific big game viewing area.
	Botswana Northern Parks Custom Safari Special SPECIAL OFFER ON 4 REMAINING SEATS Departure date: 4th to 20th October 2008 ONLY 16 Days: covering all of northern Botswana national parks as well as Makgadikgadi/Nxai Pan National Park and central Kalahari Game Reserve. It will also include the Okavango Delta , Victoria Falls together with private game concession areas in Botswana. The safari starts and ends in Livingstone, Zambia.
	Discover the Wild West of Madagascar Special Offer: Group departures 2009 guaranteed with a minimum of two persons, : EUR €2,775 down to 1700 Euro per person sharing departing Every Monday from 6th July to 28th September 16 Days: Highlights include: Canoeing down the Tsiribihina River in a traditional wooden boat – Tsingy de Bemaraha NP – Andranomena Special Reserve – Avenue of the Baobabs – Walks and Exploration of the baobab Forest
Special Offers are added to the travel center on a regular basis so keep checking for one that appeals to you... Click to browse through all itineraries that are currently on Special Offer

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FEATURED DESTINATION - Tanzania
In our Newsletters this year we are featuring an African country or island - this month it's Tanzania

Tanzania can truly claim to be the home of "Safari" since the word is Kiswahili for "journey." And there's no better place to enjoy the enriching wildlife experience than Tanzania. The game viewing experiences are widely regarded as the best in Africa. It's the place to see seemingly endless herds of wildebeest and zebras trekking across the plains on their annual migration, followed by the predators; lion, cheetah and hyena.

Tanzania also lays claim to the title, "The Cradle of Mankind", as the remains of one of the earliest humans were discovered near Olduvai Gorge. And the visitor will want to see Ngorongoro Crater, the largest caldera in the world teeming with game, along with the majestic, snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, is the tallest mountain in Africa. Tanzania also has hundreds of miles of palm-fringed beaches; lakes that are huge and bountiful with fish; relaxed and friendly cities; and exotic islands – Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia. .

Tanzania has something to offer for everyone, whether it be wildlife viewing, adventure, African culture or simply relaxing on the beach

Below are a few itineraries to temp you

		Tanzania Exclusive Lodge Safari 7 Days: Visit the 'Big Five' areas of Tanzania on this 6 night safari. The itinerary starts with Lake Manyara, Serengeti, and then continues to take in the wildlife of Ngorongoro. Accommodation is in three stars to five stars Exclusive Lodges & Tented Lodges, some with swimming pool. It is a private safari for 3 + persons, so you will not be with other guests in our vehicle/s and will have the flexibility that you may need to accommodate your needs and requirements.
		Selous Reserve Wildlife Walk : 4 days 3 nights 4 Days: Boating explorations along the Rufiji River are a wild and adventurous as a safari experience can be. Cruising amongst hippos, crocodiles and a full checklist of water birds, and getting closer to the attendant wildlife that drinks from the bank . Elsewhere, the game walks with armed ranger and guide allow a privileged viewpoint of the game that teems along the riverine
		Lodge Safari to Mikumi National Park 4 Days: Starts in Dar-es-Salaam : Get to see the open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centerpiece of Mikumi, which draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains. Get to see the open horizons and abundant wildlife of the Mkata Floodplain, the popular centerpiece of Mikumi, which draw frequent comparisons to the more famous Serengeti Plains.
		Tanzania: Great Tour and Zanzibar Beach Holiday 19 Days: Private safari for 2 or more persons, so you are ensured the full attention of the safari guides and flexibility to customise as you wish. Your can start on the day you prefer. The safari includes the Northern and Southern circuit National Parks of Tanzania. View the Big Five on game drives in open-top safari vehicles, – great for photography! The last 5 days relaxing on the beautiful white beaches of Zanzibar and absorbing the islands' history and culture.
		Great Tour - 5 days, 4 nights Safari- Tanzania 5 Days: Private safari for 2 or more persons visiting the Northern Circuit National Parks of Tarangire, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro & Serengeti National Park. Discounts apply for groups of 4 and above.
		The Great Serengeti Migration Trail 10 Days: Private safari for 2 or more persons. Come and see the World's Greatest wildlife migration visiting Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Manyara and Tarangire. The mass movement of the migrants shall start at the beginning of the dry season from June and continue year after year searching for fresh, green pasture and water. The migration gets into Kenya at Maasai Mara park and stay there for two months only i.e August and September, therefore the best time to visit Serengeti National Park is December to February and from May to July.
		Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro 5-7 days: Our Travel Center has an itinerary listed for every route up Kilimanjaro, plus some combining safaris and beach holidays. Fitness and physical levels vary from an easy trek to hanging off a cliff face by your fingertips, yikes!!, the choice is yours. It's a great challenge as well as being a once in a lifetime experience and the chance to view the plains from Africa from high heights.
		Zanzibar Beach Holidays 4-8 days: Zanzibar is the perfect destination for Honeymooners or those wanting a romantic holiday. Our Travel Center has a range of itineraries for Zanzibar Island with the highlights including a Spice tour, Stone Town Tour, Prison Tour and some leisure time on Zanzibars' white sandy beaches.

We can't add all the itineraries to this Newsletter - if none of the above appeal then I am sure you will find one that suits you in our Africa Travel Center where you can search by country, price, number of days, activities and national parks.

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	Rough Guide to the Music of Mali (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe From Wasulu songstress Oumou Sangare and the rocking desert blues of Tinariwen, to the acoustic blues of BBC Award winner Bassekou Koyate and the international stars Amadou & Mariam The Rough Guide To The Music Of Mali explores this thriving and evolving musical dynasty.
	Nigeria 70: Lagos Jump (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe popular music environment of the post-colonial 70s where high-life found fenders and branched out into a mind-expanding brew of African rhythms and funk. The most notable monument of that era is Fela Kuti's Afropop movement, but artists like Ify Jerry's Crusade and the Peacocks Guitar Band are proof that other Nigerians were putting out credible offerings in the Afro-psychedelic period.
	Mali Koura Issa Bagayogo (Artist) (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe popular music environment of the post-colonial 70s where high-life found fenders and branched out into a mind-expanding brew of African rhythms and funk. The most notable monument of that era is Fela Kuti's Afropop movement, but artists like Ify Jerry's Crusade and the Peacocks Guitar Band are proof that other Nigerians were putting out credible offerings in the Afro-psychedelic period.
	Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 Seun Anikulapo Kuti (Artist) (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe From the opening bars of the self-titled debut from Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 - ideas, words, and notes whiz about with abandon. The Afrobeat magic is set in motion while the delirious, unrelenting groove machine carries us away without missing a moment
	Keep on Moving: The Best of Angelique Kidjo (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe Angelique Kidjo is one of the most electrifying artists in the Pop world. With effortless cross-pollination of the West African traditions of her childhood in Benin with elements of American R&B, funk and jazz, as well as influences from Europe and Latin America, no artist makes music for the world quite like Angelique Kidjo.
	Bona Makes You Sweat Richard Bona (Artist) (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe African virtuoso, Richard Bona is back with a new live album that will indeed make you sweat. The moments he shares with his audiences are unique, rare, and highly moving.
	Home Is Where the Music Is Hugh Masekela (Artist) (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe features several tracks composed by Caiphus Semenya, for which Masekela has become known for recording rather prolifically. And those familiar with his work will recognize several racks, like "Part of A Whole" (which he re-recorded on the recent "Time") or Minawa or Nomali (included in the very successful "Uptownship").
	Gasba Flutes from Northeast Algeria Various Artists (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe The gasba reed flute is one of the most emblematic instruments of traditional Algerian music. The flutes, played with great dexterity, are accompanied by bendir frame-drums to create a beautiful tone reflective of the musicians' finely tuned skills. Includes bonus performance DVD.
	Desert Blues, Vol. 3 Various Artists (amazon.com) - USA    (amazon.co.uk) - Europe This third volume brings together all the griots who have become synonymous with the music, plus the best-loved musicians on the international circuit, as well as less familiar names. Thus Djelimady Tounkara, Ali Farka Toure, Oumou Sangare, Toumani Diabate and Habib Koite sit alongside the experimental Algerian songstress Souad Massi, the blind duo Amadou & Mariam, and those ubiquitous Touaregs, Tinariwen. Rokia Traore duets with the Kronos Quartet, while Khaled takes another bow.
Check out more new and future releases -(amazon.com) USA - (amazon.co.uk) - Europe
Click to visit our Shop for a huge range of African Music

	Since launching our New Photo Library a couple of months ago we have had many stunning photos added. We would like to show our appreciation and give our thanks to: Steve Brynes Rob Moen Germaine & Matt Rooke Robin Brattel Nikki Waldeck for their contributions to the Library. If you have visited Africa and you have taken photos that you would like to share with other travellers or friends and family, join up for free and create your own African Photo Library. You will be provided with a unique URL for use as a link to all your photos whether they have been selected for general display or not. You can send the link onto your friends and family and they can view your photos. Click to join up

Independent Travel
The Africa Guide website also has loads of information that will assist travellers who wish to make their way round Africa independently of tour operators and guides. Please visit our Africa Countries Index and select the country you are interested in

We hope you have enjoyed this Newsletter. Please let you family, friends and colleagues, who are thinking of visiting Africa, know about The Africa Guide where they will be able to find all the information they need to plan their travels.

Happy Travels

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