NY Times Travel Show
Africa Adventure Consultants will be exhibiting at the New York Times Travel Show Feb 7 & 8, 2009. We have a limited number of free passes available for this great show, so if you live in the New York City area and want a complimentary ticket, please call 866-778-1089.
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Rwanda Speaks English
Rwanda's President Paul Kagame recently announced that English will replace French as the country's national language. In addition to making English the lingua franca, it should make traveling around this beautiful country easier for most of us!
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Africa News!
Goodbye CC Africa, hello &Beyond: CC Africa is now &Beyond after expanding into India and Central America. The company still has some of the best camps in East and Southern Africa and we continue to partner with them. See our 4-Day Rwanda Gorilla Trek for a nice Rwanda holiday.
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New Gorilla Group, Uganda: In exciting news from the pearl of Africa, rumor has it that there will soon be a new gorilla group available for treks. Details are sketchy, but sources say the new group is large. No word yet on the name or when permits will be available. Check out our 4-day and 8-day Uganda itineraries for details on our great gorilla treks.
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Zambia Visa: The cost for a Zambian Visa may be reduced to as low as $50.00 for a single entry for US citizens. There is no official word on when in the reduction will take effect so if you are traveling to Zambia soon, make sure and ask when you purchase your visa. For more information on Zambia visas, visit the Zambia Embassy website for more info.
Heritage Hotels Dress Up:
The owners of Heritage Hotels have been spiffing up their Kenya camps. The new decor at Mara Intrepids is designed around the colors of the grasses of the Mara. The color scheme at Samburu Intrepids is based around the beautiful Desert Rose. Both camps offer fantastic family tents, including 2 sleeping tents with connecting sitting room. See our 2009
Kenya Family Safari for details.
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Cheap Flights
We haven't seen flight prices this low in years. If you are considering a trip to Africa, now is the time to book your air. Sample routing and pricing is below. Please call for further details.
JFK to Nairobi in June: $1,400 round trip on American/British Airways
LAX to Johannesburg in May: $1,855 round trip on United/South African Airways
Denver to Nairobi in February: $1,499 round trip on British Airways
Denver to Johannesburg in February: $1,475 round trip on Lufthansa
Chicago to Johannesburg in February: $1,392 round trip on Delta
Chicago to Johannesburg in September: $1,699 round trip on British Airways or Delta
Washington DC to Nairobi in September: $1,420 round trip on British Airways
Sample fares only. Flight prices are not guaranteed until ticketed. Restrictions apply. For a specific quote, email Africa Adventure Consultants.
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| Give the gift of Africa |
| Can't find that perfect holiday gift for a friend or loved one? Don't worry, we have the solution: Just click and print our Safari Gift Card, and fill in the amount you want to give towards a wonderful African safari; or support disadvantaged children in Tanzania by giving a donation in somebody's name with our Charity Gift Card. Call 866-778-1089 with questions.
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Picture of the month
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December 2008
Greetings!
 Happy holidays from Africa Adventure Consultants. As the festive season approaches, we would like to send our best wishes to you and to thank everyone who traveled with us this year. We also have our fingers crossed for a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2009!
During our historic election earlier this year, I found myself in a very isolated and remote camp in Zambia. Zambia had just had an election of its own, voting to power by the narrowest of margins Mr. Rupia Banda from the ruling party. Soon, we learned that Barak Obama would be the next US president, which brought smiles to many African faces around the table.
As we talked about the impact of Obama's election it became clear that many Africans expect Obama to do a lot of good for Africa, and I was struck by their optimism for our future and theirs. I was also reminded how dependent Africa is on us--a fact evidenced by the many discounts being offered right now on safaris throughout East and Southern Africa. Frankly, I don't remember seeing so many options for saving. We've chosen the best of them to highlight here, along with a continuation of last month's most popular item: Safaris That Don't Break the Bank.
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Trips That Won't Break the Bank
We noticed on our last newsletter that a feature on our top five economical trips was a big hit. Given the current state of the economy, we know that many people have put their travel plans on hold. But with new specials coming out daily, there is no better  time than now to book your trip. In addition to all the specials listed on the left, we have many great budget-friendly trips under $5,000 per person and some under $3,000 per person. Just click on the links below to learn more.
Botswana Explorer
Kenya Value Safari
Kilimanjaro Value Trek
Rwanda Group Gorilla Trek
Tanzania Taster
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Zambia & South Africa with Kent: Great Walking & Wine
I recently returned from two fantastic weeks in Zambia and South Africa. As expected, the food, wine and service in South Africa were superb. I had one breakfast that filled an entire table just for  me! With the South African rand so low, I was able to treat a friend to a gourmet meal with some incredible wine for a fraction of what it would have cost in the US. When I wasn't stuffing my face, I had the chance to meet with several world-class elephant researchers in the Kruger area in preparation for our South African Elephant Safari. Details of this truly unique, updated safari will be out shortly.
In Zambia, I was once again impressed by the fantastic walking experiences available at South Luangwa National Park and at Lower Zambezi National Park. On foot, I saw lions, elephants, puku, hippos, crocs, and much more. In Lower Zambezi, our seasoned guide risked his (our?) safety by raiding a crocodile nest to show us the eggs, which were, of course, put back just as they were found. Tiger fishing from Chongwe River Camp was exciting--these fish sport really sharp teeth and are great fighters. I also loved paddling the main river and smaller side channels by canoe. The only downside was the extreme heat--many days of 100+ temperatures, which can be common in Zambia and Botswana in October and November. Altogether, these opportunities made for a very memorable trip to "Africa as it used to be." For a full trip report, click on Kent's Zambia Trip. |
Guest Report: Three Women's Wild Adventure
Mom Elaine Scibelli, Daughter Monica Brisnehan and friend Jennifer Matuschek had never been to Africa before. So, when they decided to go to Tanzania, they did it right. Ngorongoro and Serengeti for big mammals and beautiful scenery, Mahale for chimpanzees and boating on Lake Tanganyika, Katavi for a remote wilderness experience, and a Kilimanjaro climb for the two younger ones. Wildlife highlights included lions and elephants interrupting their picnic breakfast one morning, and a lion kill just outside their tent.
 "This was the trip of a lifetime for me!" said Matuschek, "Africa Adventure Consultants organized a truly stunning combination of safaris and experiences for us! I highly recommend them for your travels to Africa."
For more info on our tours to Tanzania or Kilimanjaro, visit our newly updated safari trip finder.
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Super Safari Discounts - Limited Time Offers
Beyond Expectations: From now to the end of
June 2009 you can have the option of staying 6 nights and pay for 4 or staying
4 nights and pay for 3. This exceptional offer applies to select &Beyond (formerly CCAfrica) lodges in Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Book
for 7 nights and get an extra night free!
This outstanding offer applies to any Wilderness Safaris Camp in Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and South Africa, with the exception of Abu, Mombo, North Island
and Skeleton Coast Camp. Just book seven nights at any combination of
Wilderness Safaris camps in one country and receive an additional night at no
charge. Reservations must be made and deposits paid by Dec. 31, 2008 for travel
from now until June 2009. The offer also is good in November 2009 in Botswana
and July, September, October and November 2009 in Zambia.
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Tantalizing Tanzania:
See Tanzania in style at a discount! From
January 7-March 31, spend 6 nights at 3 different &Beyond lodges
and camps
for less. Stay two nights of your choice at Grumeti Serengeti Tented
Camp,
Klein's Camp or Lake Manyara Tree Lodge, plus two nights at Serengeti
Under Canvas and two nights at Ngorongoro Crater Lodge. Pricing for Jan
7- Feb 28 is
$5,049 and Mar 1-31 is $4,479.*****
Simply
Spectacular Botswana: See the zebra
migration and much more with this 6-night discounted safari to Botswana's Chobe
National Park and Okavango Delta. From now until February 28, spend two nights
at Chobe Under Canvas, two nights at Savute Under Canvas and two nights of your choice
at Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge, Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp, Xudum Okavango
Delta Lodge, or Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp. Pricing for Nov 1- Dec 31 is
$2,247 and Jan 1 - Feb 28 is $2,238.*****
For further details and other great deals, call 866-778-1089 or visit our safaris specials page.
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