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Katavi Giraffe - G Healey 2010
Top Stories In This Issue
World's Best
Savings in Africa
Africa News and Events
See Ethiopia with AAC
News You Can Use
Did You Know?
World's Best 
In case you hadn't heard,
Africa Adventure Consultants is once again nominated to Travel + Leisure's World's Best Awards for 2011.  Please take a moment to vote in the Top Operator/Safari Outfitter category, and let the folks at T+L know why Africa Adventure Consultants is the best when it comes to safari planning.  We would be grateful for your support to win this honor!
Specials in Africa
 
Save up to $825 when you stay at the new Zebra Plains camp in South Luangwa NP in Zambia for a walking safari. Zebra Plains is a luxury camp offering walking safaris. Offer applies to new bookings confirmed by April 30, 2011 for travel only in June and July 2011.  Call for pricing and details.  
 
We are delighted to offer 20% off for stays of three nights or more at Borana, Shompole and Samatian in Kenya.  Even better, we can offer free fly camping at Borana. This offer is valid until June 30, 2011.
 
Find more safari discounts or contact us for additional information on planning a customized safari that includes one or more of these specials.
Traveler's Corner 
 Ethiopia two boys bottle cap hats - Ronnie James Photography
Ronnie James just returned from our 2011 Timkat and Tribes trip where she took these stunning photos.  Check out our 2012 trip here!
   Ethiopia-applying face paint - Ronnie James Photography
Please send us your favorite photos or video when you return from your African adventure.
Africa News & Events
 
See us at the New York Travel Show - Feb 25-27 or the Washington DC show March 12-13. Click below for free tickets to the New York (promo code: 1150) or DC (promo code: exhfree) shows compliments of AAC!

Presidential elections take place in Uganda on February 18th.  The US State Dept has issued a travel advisory urging travelers to use caution and avoid demonstrations when visiting the country during this time.
 
The Pan Africa Film Festival (PAFF) takes place Feb 16-23 in 
Los Angeles.  This exclusive event will be screening Ni Wakati (It's Time) shot by Kenyan filmmaker Michael Wanguhu. More information at www.paff.org.
 
The Kijani Festival will be held Feb 26 - Mar 6. The only event of its kind in Kenya, it will feature classical music, opera, and ballet. 50% of ticket revenues will go to support community development & environmental conservation. More info at www.kijanikenyatrust.org.
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February 2011
Greetings!
  Kelly Ethiopia 2
Ethiopia!
 
It is hard. It is maddeningly inconsistent. The food isn't that good. Service is slow. The rooms are not generally all that nice.
 
But it's beautiful. It's ancient. The people are incredibly friendly and interesting. The coffee is delicious. And, we can highly recommend it for travelers who want to see something completely unique and special, and who don't mind a little discomfort along the way.
 
Recently, I lead a great group of intrepid travelers to the historic northern part of the country to see rock-hewn churches and the biggest festival of the year - Timkat.  It is an Ethiopian Orthodox Church celebration that is part Mardi Gras, part Super Bowl and part Christmas. Kelly then steered the group through the south, home to exotic tribespeople who run naked over bulls, whip themselves, paint themselves, bejewel themselves, and use plates to stretch out their bottom lips.
 
To learn more about our trip and see some great pictures, visit our blog. To read what our guests said about our trip, see the Timkat trip detail below or keep your eye out for upcoming blog postings. The trip was such as success, we are offering several other group and private trips to Ethiopia, including the Historic North and Mountains and Timkat 2012 which you can learn about below.

Safari njema,

Kent signature
___________________________________
See Ethiopia with AAC

Kelly Ethiopia 2AAC's January guided trip to Ethiopia was so popular that we will offer it again in 2012!  Timkat and Tribes is a 14-day adventure that visits the highlights of the historic north, including Axum, Lalibela, Bahir Dar and Lake Tana, and the famous, once-yearly Timkat Festival, which we will experience in Gondar. The group then heads south to see the famed tribes of the Omo Valley, visiting market days and encountering the Hamar, Karo and Mursi tribespeople, amongst others.  It's a cultural deep-dive in a most beautiful place.

Here is some feedback from two of our 2011 Timkat travelers:

 

"The original itinerary was great, we felt like we got to see a lot of Ethiopia.  The stone churches were amazing, Timkat is not to be Ethiopia-priest cave church - Ronnie James photographymissed, but the tribes in the south was my favorite.  I remember reading National Geographic decades ago thinking what an amazing journey it would be to meet these people.  I was not disappointed- time has not changed these tribes.  The lucky chance of going to a "jumping-the-bull" ceremony was a final highlight!  It was fun to travel with Kent and Kelly!  We are now thinking about our next African Adventure!" -Lon & Martha Frohling


Images courtesy Kelly McElroy and Ronnie James Photography

News You Can Use 
 

Kim Dodson Zanzibar 2010There have been lots of rumors about Yellow Fever requirements in Zanzibar recently, so we're here to clear the air.  Here are the present rules, directly from the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators and confirmed by the Tanzanian Ministry of Health:

 

1.All guests/visitors arriving from Non Endemic Yellow Fever zone(s) will not be required to show the Yellow Fever vaccination certificate on their arrival to Tanzania.
 
2.All guests/vistiors whom on their way to Tanzania have passed through Endemic Yellow Fever zone(s) BUT they didn't leave out of that country's airport they will be treated like those in (1) above.
 
3.All guests/visitors whom on their way to Tanzania that have passed through Endemic Yellow Fever zone(s) and left that country's airport will be required to show their yellow fever certificates on arrival to Tanzania.  If unable to provide proof of vaccination they will be required to receive vaccination at the entry point on their arrival to Tanzania (vaccination fee is US $ 50)
 
4.All guests from the Endemic Yellow Fever zone(s) will be treated as those in (3) above.
 
5.All guests/visitors from Tanzania mainland to Zanzibar will not be
required to show their yellow fever vaccination certificate because
Zanzibar is inside the United Republic of Tanzania. 

 

Our best advice to you is to follow CDC guidelines and if you are passing through a Yellow Fever zone, be sure to be current on your shots!
  
Photo courtesy Kim Dodson
Did You Know?
   Cape baboon - G Healey 2010

Male baboons often battle for dominance within the troop.  Armed with formidable canine teeth, the rivals sometimes inflict serious injuries. 

 

When in South Africa, keep an eye out for the
naughty baboons near Cape Point; they are well known for stealing from open backpacks and cars when you're not looking! 
 

 

Fact courtesy Bushcamp company, photo courtesy Gretchen Healey

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