Ethiopia - Africa's Undiscovered Horn

Ethiopia is not only off-the-beaten path for most travelers, but in many ways it is still shrouded in mystery and lost in time. We've carefully designed each itinerary to include the highlights, as well as hidden gems of the region. In addition to our set itineraries including the Historical North, Trekking Ethiopia and the Ethiopian Epic, we offer custom-crafted adventures to suit your interests - maybe you want to spend a week in the remote Bale Mountains hiking in search of the elusive Ethiopian wolf (Simien fox) or perhaps quietly watching priests deep in meditation on the island monasteries of Lake Tana is your dream...whatever your interest, we can design your personal adventure to meet your travel goals. Also, we're pleased to announce that our Ethiopia program was recently recommended in the San Francisco Chronicle.

While on our initial exploratory trip almost two years ago, our staff was accompanied by professional photographer, Andy Richter. You'll see Andy's work on the pages of our itineraries and here on our blog. He's an acclaimed travel photographer who has had work published in Time Magazine, Outside, NEED Magazine and others. Andy beautifully captured on film our experience in Ethiopia and helped to convey the adventure, mystery and energy of what we saw daily. Visit Andy Richter Photography for more information on Andy and his projects.

We recommend every traveler to Ethiopia visit the following sites:

Lalibela
Home to the famous subterranean stone-carved churches dating back over a thousand years. The collection of over 10 churches lies beneath the rich red-colored earth and is surrounded by hidden passageways, caves and crypts. The site is a living museum and travelers can freely wander among the churches, watching pilgrims and priests go about their daily lives. Visiting the site in the morning and evening light is magical. Lalibela is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gondar
Known by many as ‘Africa’s Camelot,’ Gondar looks more like a medieval city than an Africa town. With 17th century castles, bathing pools and churches covered in frescoes, Africa often seems a far-away memory in Gondar. The town is an ideal spot to enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony or a Ras Dashen beer at sunset from the terrace of the Goha Hotel.

Axum
Many travelers agree...upon arrival, Axum doesn’t seem to offer much. It’s a simple frontier town, windy and dusty, but after first impressions, Axum’s treasures are revealed. Axum was once the home of Ethiopia’s greatest ancient civilization. Throughout the town and surrounding area, travelers will find soaring steale, ruined palaces, holy churches (perhaps the resting place of the Arch of the Covenant) and underground tombs complete with ancient inscriptions. Axum is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—one of eight in the country.

Bahir Dar
This lakeside city offer wide, palm lined streets, a true café-culture and beautiful vistas across Lake Tana. Bahir Dar is also the base for explorations of the mysterious island monasteries that dot Lake Tana. The Blue Nile Falls is also a short trip away.

If you are interested in a bit more activity and adventure, check our the Simien Mountains:

Simien Mountains
Trekking in the Simien Mountains can be both a challenging and rewarding experience. Ras Dashen, the fourth highest peak in Africa at 14,928 ft, is the tallest mountain in the range. Extended trekking options are available, as well as shorter day hikes. The mountains are home to several of Ethiopia’s rare endemic species including the Ethiopian wolf, the most endangered canid on the planet, and the populous gelada baboon.

And, of course the Lower Omo Valley is home to some of the most intact, traditional tribal cultures in Africa.

The Lower Omo Valley
The Lower Omo Valey is arguably one of the most remote destinations in Africa. Spanning a great distance from the Kenyan border north along the Rift Valley, the Omo Valley is home to many of the most well-preserved tribal groups in Africa. Travel in the region is arduous, with no few paved roads, only basic accommodations and extreme climate conditions. The pay-off is spectacular, other-worldly scenery and the opportunity to witness Ethiopia’s rich and colorful tribal population.

Culturally, the Omo Valley is quite rich with some 45 languages spoken by people of many different ethnic origins. These nations, from the many thousand-strong Borena to the just 1000-strong Karo, exhibit a fascinating range of cultural practices.

All photos by Andy Richter.

Exclusive Offer for Africa Adventure Travelers to Kenya!

We're pleased to announce an exclusive offer from Great Plains Conservation that is available to Africa Adventure Consultants' travelers - Stay 6 nights and pay for 5 at Ol Donyo Wuas and Mara Plains Camp in Kenya. This offer is valid for travel in 2010 - confirm by March 31, 2010 to qualify, not valid Dec. 13 - Jan 3. Call us at 1-866-778-1089 or email for details and availability.

Ol Donyo Wuas - Chyulu Hills

Ol Donyo Wuas, totally remodeled in July 2008, is a standout in the Kenya safari circuit. No other camps boast the sheer diversity of activities - horseback riding, mountain biking, game tracking, walks, star beds, woodpile/waterhole hide, spa, traditional game drive & night drive, authentic village and school visits - all in the setting of the magnificent Chyulu Hills and the shadow of Kilimanjaro. A site of National Geographic's launch of its 'Big Cat Ol Initiative', conservation is a top priority as well, and guests are privy to much of the field work. Designed to accommodate multi-generation families, couples and individuals, no two suites or villas are the same. Days here are full, and topped off with fine cuisine and wines.

Not only are the "Big Five" found here, but also cheetah, oryx, gerenuk, and giraffe among many others. The real exclusivity of Ol Donyo Wuas is apparent when out exploring the land. The entire area is reserved exclusively for Ol Donyo Wuas guests - no other tourists, no fleets of mini-buses - it's private, pure and wild.

"Ol Donyo Wuas was easily our favorite lodge. The property is stunningly beautiful - brand new construction. One of our real highlights [was seeing] three cheetah at close distance while we were on horseback. With easy access to Amboseli NP for day trips, do not miss Ol Donyo Wuas during your visit to southern Kenya."

- The Joanie & Ben Bentzin Family Africa Adventure Consultants' Travelers, July 2009

Mara Plains Camp - Masai Mara Area

Mara Plains Camp is located a mere 2 km from the Masai Mara Game Reserve border in a private conservancy with access to the Masai Mara, in addition to the Olare Orok and Mara North Conservancies. Guests are able to partake in night game drives, walks and traditional game drives. The specially designed vehicles have tiered bucket seats and are totally open - an exclusive offering by Mara Plains. The intimate camp caters to only 12 guests in six uniquely designed octagonal en suite canvas rooms. Each is raised on decks, and is open-air on three sides with floor to ceiling net walls and marquis ceiling. The rooms have a dressing area and a private verandah with exquisite views.

Great Plains Conservation

Great Plains Conservation is a group initiative to develop conservation-based tourism with the mission to find the right formula between conservation, communities and commerce. Great Plains Conservation's model takes stressed and threatened environments, surrounds them with compassionate protection and intelligent management.

The projects are funded by blend of sensitive, low volume, low impact tourism, frequently coupled with the sale of carbon credits and in some cases with the sale of a small number of villas or bush-homes for tourism. Together, these private sector initiatives create the capital needed to help fund the overall conservation initiatives.

The Maasailand Preservation Trust - supported by the tourism efforts of Ol Donyo Wuas - recognizes that for the Maasai residents of Mbirikani Group Ranch and the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem as a whole, the cost of living with wildlife exceeds the benefits. MPT therefore seeks to better balance the economics of everyday life for the local community and resolve human-wildlife conflict whenever possible. By contributing to the success of the Maasai people and their pastoral way of life - through economics, education, and ecology - the Trust, working in close collaboration with local stakeholders, seeks to stabilize and sustain the Amboseli-Tsavo ecosystem and its irreplaceable biodiversity.

Photos by Dana Allen.

Love is in the African Air!

Valentine's Day is right around the corner (no, it's not too late to plan a trip for next month!) and honeymoon "season" is coming up quickly, too. We've got some great deals at Africa's most romantic camps and lodges. Steal away and enjoy luxury in the wilds of the African bush - from private candlelit dinners and sunset cruises, to soaking tubs filled with rose petals and beds that slide out under the stars. This is a gift your loved one will never forget! Call us for more details or suggestions on creating a customized itinerary for your own romantic adventure in Africa!

A few of our top suggestions and great special discounts include:

ZAMBIA – VALENTINES’ SPECIAL OFFER
STAY 3 NIGHTS AND ONLY PAY FOR 2 NIGHTS!!

Available for Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma or Sanctuary Puku Ridge Camp
Valid for travel between: 9 December 2009 – 30 April 2010.
Valid for NEW bookings made from 9 December 2009 – 30 April 2010.

A SAVING OF 33%
Stay 3 nights per property to qualify for this offer.

BOTSWANA - VALENTINES’ SPECIAL OFFER
STAY 3 NIGHTS AND ONLY PAY FOR 2 NIGHTS!!

Available for Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, Sanctuary Baines’ Camp or Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp.

Valid for travel between: 9 December 2009 – 28 February 2010.
Valid for NEW bookings made from 9 December 2009 – 28 February 2010.

A SAVING OF 33%
Stay 3 nights per property to qualify for this offer.

BOTSWANA AND ZAMBIA PACKAGE - HIGHLIGHTS OF 3 RIVERS VALENTINES’ SPECIAL OFFER
STAY 6 NIGHTS AND ONLY PAY FOR 4 NIGHTS!!
The 3 rivers package includes 2 nights at Sanctuary Puku Ridge Camp, 2 nights at Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma and 2 nights at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero and a free night at Puku Ridge Camp and Sussi & Chuma respectively.

Valid for travel between: 9 December 2009 – 30 April 2010.
Valid for NEW bookings made from 9 December 2009 – 30 April 2010.

A SAVING OF 30%
Please note: No other special offers will apply to the package however extensions are allowed. This package has to be booked as per the stipulated itinerary.

Other great romantic getaway options include our Romantic Kenya Safari, our Romantic Tanzania Safari, our signature Luxury Tanzania Safari and our South Africa Honeymoon Safari. We've carefully crafted each of these luxurious escapes to suit honeymooners and romantics alike. If you'd like us to help you design the romantic escape or honeymoon of your dreams, call or email us and we'll work with you to design a personalized itinerary.


Photos courtesy Sanctuary Retreats.

Family Travel Network: Planning a Family Safari

The Family Travel Network recently interviewed Africa Adventure Consultants president, Kent Redding, on planning a successful family safari. Read the complete story by editor Nancy Schretter on the Family Travel Network, but learn from some of Kent's sage advice from the article below (he has two young boys that were troopers on their carefully designed family safari in East Africa last summer):

Q. What do you find makes the difference in the quality of the safari experience for families?

A. A great safari experience depends on the following factors:

* A good itinerary – in addition to the flow and pacing, it’s critical to pick the right location for
the right time of year.
* Quality guiding
* Quality vehicles
* Appropriate accommodations
* Opportunities for interesting experiences

Q. What tend to be favorite safari experiences for kids ages 5-11? How about for ‘tweens and teens?

A. Seeing wildlife is a thrill for all children and teens, but they are often most interested in interacting with local people and enjoying hands-on activities. Younger kids tend to really enjoy meeting African kids. On our recent family safari, our boys enjoyed playing soccer with local school kids, throwing rocks, and learning to shoot a bow and arrow with a local Maasai. Older kids tend to also enjoy the culture, but really get into the active adventures including walking safaris or shorter nature walks, climbing trees, soaking in hot springs or under waterfalls, exploring, camping, etc.

Q. What should families do to prepare their children for an Africa safari?

A. Many things. First, parents should talk with their kids – at length and over time – to tell them what they might experience in Africa. They should find out what questions, concerns and interests they have, and then address those ahead of time with the goal of having their children be excited and motivated to enjoy their safari. There is nothing worse than having a person (adult or child) in remote Africa when they don’t want to be there. Providing maps, books, pictures and stories about Africa and discussing them ahead of time is a great idea.

We also suggest parents find out one or more things that the children are particularly interested in and see if they can be incorporated into the itinerary. For example, this may be something as simple as the children want to see a giraffe. Knowing this, we can have the family visit places where giraffes are often seen.

On a more practical level, parents should:

* Get their children the appropriate inoculations and anti-malarials. Talk with your pediatrician and a local travel clinic for guidance.
* Check passports to make sure they are valid and have enough blank pages for visas for your trip
* Purchase travel insurance that includes medical evacuation coverage
* Buy appropriate clothing including good sun hats and footwear
* Choose some toys, games and activities to bring along for the long flights and downtime on the safari. One must keep in mind, however, that there are baggage weight limits on most safaris.

Don’t be afraid to take kids on safari. They love it and it’s a wonderful vacation for the whole family.

For more on the Q & A between Nancy and Kent, read The Family Travel Network.

Photos by Kent Redding.

Latest from Botswana - Stanley's Camp Updates & Specials!

We are excited to report the brand new main area at Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp has been completed. After extensive work and rebuilding, the finished product looks great!

This intimate camp is gathered around a large sitting and dining area which affords magnificent views over the floodplains of the Okavango Delta. From the swimming pool, watch giraffe and other plains game march across the savannah. You might even catch a glimpse of rare wild dogs stalking the plains. This is one of the best places in the world for seeing buffalo in large numbers, with herds often exceeding 2,000.

The recently refurbished areas include a dedicated bar area, new library area and curio shop area, with shelving and display areas within the main area. There is an area where guests are able to access the internet on the camp’s laptop or wireless connectivity for guests to make use of with their own laptops in the main area.

The main public WC area has also been upgraded with a new pathway and roof covering to the back of house area. In addition, in the guest tents, front zipper flaps have been replaced with a wooden frame with gauze fronts and a door entrance into the tents. The open bathrooms have also been separated with a partition separating the toilet and the interior of the bathroom.

Remember to take advantage of the great 2010 special offer:
STAY 3 NIGHTS AND ONLY PAY FOR 2 NIGHTS!!

Available for Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, Sanctuary Chief’s Camp, Sanctuary Baines’ Camp or
Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp. Add nights to our Sanctuary Botswana Luxury Safari and qualify for the special offer!

Valid for travel between: 1 December 2009 – 28 February 2010.
Valid for NEW bookings made by 28 February 2010.

Restrictions apply, call us for details: 1-866-778-1089.

Make 2010 An Unforgettable Year!

We've already been spending a lot of time planning and crafting the very best safari experiences to make 2010 unforgettable. We've come up with a short-list of our most highly recommended experiences in Africa and how you can make them a reality this year.

1) Climb Kilimanjaro: While reaching the summit of Africa's highest peak may not be on everyone's to-do list, those of you who are up to the challenge know who you are! There's arguably nothing more memorable than sunrise at the top of the 19,000-foot-plus peak!

2) Snorkel with Whale Sharks: If you hit the Spice Island of Zanzibar during the right time of the year, you can snorkel along side these gentle giants and stay at one of many boutique beach-front lodges.

3) "Surf" the dunes of Sossusvlei: Head to off-the-beaten-path Namibia and watch the sunrise glow vibrant hues of red and orange over the tallest sand dunes in the world. Then surf your way down!

4) Splurge in Botswana: Take that once-in-a-lifetime safari that will leave you speechless on every level: unmatched wildlife, truly untouched wilderness and the top safari camps in Africa!

5) Step back in time in Ethiopia: You'll feel like you are on the set of an Indiana Jones movie, but you'll actually be exploring the living museum that is Ethiopia. From ancient stone-carved churches to hidden island monasteries, visit Ethiopia before everyone else does!

6) Honeymoon in Africa: There may not be anything more romantic Joy's Camp in Shaba Reserve than a classic African honeymoon! If this is your year to tie the knot, consider letting us design a custom honeymoon safari or chose from one of our carefully crafted favorites!

7) Track primates in Rwanda: Don't forget the "little guys" - wild chimpanzee, Golden and colobus monkey before moving up to the majestic Silverbacks of Volcanoes National Park.

8) Experience a Classic Train Journey: Ride in the lap of luxury through South Africa's beautiful countryside before arriving in the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town where wine tasting and gourmet cuisine abound!

10) Walk through the Wilderness: Explore some of Africa's most untouched wilderness on a walking safari in Zambia. This intimate experience ends with time snorkeling and kayaking on Lake Malawi.


Photos courtesy of Bushcamp Company, Wilderness Safaris, Cheli & Peacock and Governor's Camps.

Back From Tanzania - Trip Report!

Gretchen Healey, travel consultant and the newest member of the team at Africa Adventure Consultants just returned from a research and exploratory trip to Tanzania. She was one of the first U.S. Africa specialists to visit the newly renovated Sanctuary Swala Camp in Tarangire National Park. Read on for her complete trip report on Swala, and stay tuned for more details on Kusini Camp and other lodges in Tanzania that she also visited.

On a recent visit to Tanzania, I stayed in the newly upgraded Swala Camp in the western region of Tarangire National Park. It’s a comfortable and interesting drive from Arusha to the park gate (paved road much of the way until the park). You get to see some of the bustling city and then break into the beautiful, desolate countryside. There, you are treated to wide open vistas, and frequently see Maasai herding their cattle under the stark African skies.

Once you enter the park, it’s an enjoyable game drive en route to camp. Swala Camp is set well apart from other camps in the park and has an excellent staff who are attentive and cater to guests every need.

The tents are roomy and well-thought-out with luxurious linens and elegant finishes, and the en suite outdoor showers are wonderful to experience, though there are indoor showers for the less adventurous. The roof and walls are canvas, but the en-suite bathrooms are cement. There is a desk and small sitting area in each tent as well. They have both twin and double bedded tents, and can add an additional single bed to either tent configuration as needed. The tents at Swala have a very plush and indulgent feel to them. It would be an ideal camp to luxuriate in during a honeymoon.

Swala has a small shop with artistic gift items as well as free internet access (one workstation) that is reasonably speedy for being in the middle of the bush! There are plenty of imposing and stunning baobab trees in the camp, one of which shaded my outdoor shower. They were in bloom during our visit, with gorgeous flowers the nearly the size of dinner plates!

The dining area, lounge, pool and campfire area are situated to take advantage of viewing animals, especially the impala and vervet monkeys that seem ever-present. I enjoyed watching the monkeys play amongst the treetops and wrestle each other on the deck of my tent. I woke one morning to nearly one hundred impala with their young quietly browsing past my bedroom window.

The food was excellent with several fresh and delicious choices for each meal. They even have a pizza oven, which they fire up several times a week for pizza snacks with sundowners and fresh breads, which was an unexpected surprise. The lounge is open to the bush, with comfortable seating both indoors and out and is the perfect casual space to enjoy sundowners and snacks. The dining area is also open and meals take place both within the dining structure and out on the verandah. The campfire is the perfect spot to enjoy an after dinner libation or a very early morning cup of Tanzania’s wonderful coffee.

We had excellent sightings while at Swala, from masked weavers building their nests to hundreds upon hundreds of Tarangire’s famed elephants (with lots of babies!), and leopard napping in trees during the heat of the day. We also saw a venue of vultures feeding on an impala carcass which was a truly unique sighting. One day we were fortunate to enjoy a bush breakfast at a remote picnic site where we were able to enjoy the immensity of the park while overlooking a large plain full of elephants.

The stay felt very exclusive as we rarely saw other vehicles in this remote area of the park and we were so well cared for by Swala’s staff. The animal viewing was varied and plentiful and the scenery in the park is incredibly beautiful. Swala Camp is a gem within Tanzania’s diverse Tarangire National Park!


Photos by Gretchen Healey.