Olasiti Orphanage and Tanzania Safari

Jennifer Gerwing recently spent time volunteering at the Olasiti Orphanage in Arusha, Tanzania and then enjoyed a safari in Tarangire and the Serengeti. Here is her story and how her adventure changed her life.

"I have always wanted to go on an African safari and this was the year to do it as I celebrated a milestone birthday. I had researched various travel agencies and I decided to go with Africa Adventure Consultants for various reasons noted below. Once I knew it was a go, it hit me one morning that if I am blessed to have this opportunity, I must give something back, and that is where AAC fits in. I was working with Lyndsay and I told her that I would like to combine both a safari with some type of volunteer work. To make a long story short, she made it happen and it has changed my life.

I spent two days at Olasiti School and Orphan Center in Arusha where I assisted the teachers and played with the children. Thanks to family and friends, I was able to bring two suitcases full of books, pencils, bags, toys, money, etc. It was unbelievable to watch the children’s gratitude when they received the donated items. Something as simple as a pencil brought happiness to these children. I also witnessed the older children helping the younger ones with their homework; it was very heartwarming to watch this. As Margaret Mead once said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

If you are interested in reading more about the school/orphan center, check out their website.

After a few days at the school/orphan center, I spent a few days at Tarangire National Park enjoying both a walking and driving safari which was truly amazing. The animals, plants, nighttime sky and birds were beyond what I imagined it would be like. That experience sparked an interest in birding for me. What a great group of people I met at Oliver’s Camp, both the staff and other visitors.

I ended my journey at the Serengeti. Yes, I witnessed the migration of the wildebeest, what a sight!!! Overall, I can’t say enough about how wonderful this trip was (organization on behalf of AAC & the beauty of Africa), it truly was a dream come true."

For more information on safaris in Tanzania or volunteer trips, please contact us at info@adventuresinafrica.com or call 1-866-778-1089.

Photos by Jennifer Gerwing.

Inside Africa - Great Deals on Signature Safaris

We are pleased to announce several new signature safaris at great prices (and some with special discounts!). This month we are featuring three of our favorite signature trips in East Africa and the Horn of Africa - Tanzania and Ethiopia. Read on for more information and limited-time special offers on

these great safaris!

Our signature trip to Ethiopia, Timkat & Tribes in January 2011 is filling fast and a highly discounted airfare rate is about to expire! This 15-day small group adventure is limited to a maximum of ten passengers and takes you to the highlights of both the historical North and the remote and wild South. As always, what makes our Ethiopia trips superior are our professionally trained, English speaking guides

who accompany you throughout the trip. We will even experience the amazing Timkat festival (the re-enactment of Jesus' baptism) in Gondar - the best place to see it! In the South, visit the famous tribal markets and villages, while staying in the new Buska Lodge. Call now to reserve your space! Timkat is peak season - hotels are filling fast. Internal flights are discounted by more than 50% if you fly Ethiopian internationally, but this ends July 31, 2010.

Hands down, one of the top staff picks at AAC is our Wildest Tanzania Safari. This eight day trip visits both Katavi and Mahale for game drives, nature walks, boating and the fantastic experience of chimp trekking, and does so in luxury. Chimp trekking is the star attraction and the intimate camps are set in remote and unbeatable locations.

This is a great trip for safari veterans and travelers celebrating a special milestone. If you book before July 31, 2010, save up to $1,350 per person!

At AAC we are always looking for ways to be involved and make a difference in Africa. After all, that's why we do this job! Kent

recently joined the board of AfricAid,

a non-profit organization that supports the education of young girls in Tanzania. Join us on this signature safari, AfricAid's Tanzania, which takes you to the highlights of the Northern Circuit, as well as visiting AfricAid projects in the area. This signature trip includes a $2000 donation, which serves as a 2-year educational sponsorship for one of the program's girls. Experience an amazing safari, and make a difference in Africa!

Call us now to reserve your space on any of these signature safaris! 1-866-778-1089 or email info@adventuresinafrica.com.

Helicopter Flights: See the Okavango from Above

Okavango Delta Scenic Helicopter Flights

Scenic helicopter flights are a wonderful option to complement the traditional game drives and add excellent value to the overall Okavango Delta safari experience. These flights are generally at a height of 150 meters (500 feet), which offers an aerial perspective of the Delta and incredible photographic opportunities. The helicopter is a Bell 206L4 based at Vumbura Plains Camp which takes maximum four passengers with 20kg luggage on a transfer or six passengers with no luggage on a scenic flight.

To add an aerial adventure to your Botswana trip contact AAC at 866-778-1089.

Pemba Island and Fundu Lagoon

In our constant efforts to take our travelers to "new" and off-the-beaten-track destinations, we're happy to highlight Pemba Island and Fundu Lagoon Resort. Pemba is part of the Zanzibar Archipelago off the coast of Tanzania. Unguja island (more commonly known as Zanzibar, which is a misnomer as the entire island chain is actually Zanzibar) is the most popular destination in the change and is filled with quite the selection of accommodations and activities. However, it's also quite busy, especially compared to the remote and raw feeling of Pemba. Luckily, Pemba receives a fraction of the visitors that Unguja does and still offers a pristine and truly authentic experience – Swahili style!

We recommend staying at the remote Fundu Lagoon, a small resort on the southwest side of the island only accessible by boat. Wooden boardwalks connect the 18 thatched tented rooms and suites. Fundu Lagoon offers activities including snorkeling and diving, windsurfing, tours of the ancient ruins of Jambangome, and sunset dhow cruises. Kent visited Fundu not long ago...read on for his insight on this remote island and lodge.

"For those wishing to get off the beaten path to enjoy pristine beaches, romantic sunsets, and wonderful diving and snorkeling, Pemba Island is the way to go. Located just 20 miles north of its better known and much more developed sister Island, Unguja, Pemba is the quieter of the Zanzibar islands. Here, the people are a mix of Omani Arabs and Africans, and they tend to be less gregarious and tourist-oriented than their cousins further south. But don’t let that sway you from a visit. With steep ocean drop-offs and abundant marine life for diving, lush terrain, and huge clove plantations, one could get hooked very easily. Our favorite hotel (there are only about 3 choices) is Fundu Lagoon, which offers a variety of room choices just steps off the sand. The tented accommodations all face the water and the public areas are open-sided allowing for the cooling breezes to flow and the sounds of the sea to drift in. The best part? Nobody is around!"

Photo by Kent Redding.

Egyptian Artifacts Come to Denver

The Denver Art Museum is featuring a special exhibit on the treasures of King Tut. Tutankhamun: The Golden King and the Great Pharaohs runs from June 29, 2010 to January 9, 2011. The exhibit features more than 50 objects from King Tut's tomb, including the largest image of King Tut to be unearthed. It also features 80+ additional artifacts from other important Pharaohs including Khafre, credited with building the Sphinx, and Queen Hapshepsut.


This traveling exhibition is a great introduction to Egyptology, but nothing beats going there and seeing the sites in person. Our new 9-day Highlights of Egypt tour takes you to Cairo, The Great Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx, the ancient capital of Memphis, an optional trip to Abu Simel, a cruise down the Nile, and the many antiquities of Luxor. For more information, or to design a custom Egypt trip, give us a call at 866-778-1089.