Mahale Mountains National Park - Part 1

Mahale Mountains National Park in western Tanzania consistently ranks as one of the favorite places to visit in Africa amongst the staff here at Africa Adventure Consultants. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful. This hidden gem is tucked away on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, its crystal clear waters reflecting the mountain range that starts just beyond the beach.

The park is best known for its chimpanzee trekking. It's a stone's throw from Gombe where Jane Goodall did her pioneering research, however it is 30 times larger than tiny Gombe. The chimpanzees are well habituated to human visitors, though with the size of the park you might sometimes have to do some serious hiking before finding them.

At the tail end of my trip to East Africa in December, I was lucky to spend four nights at Greystoke Mahale, which is now on my 'favorites' list, too. It's not an easy place to get to. After about 4 hours flying time from Arusha (depending on number of stops and routing), you'll reach Lake Tanganyika. From there, you'll board a dhow for the 90 minute boat ride to the camp, which on a calm day is a relaxing and visually stunning experience.

During my stay, there were only six total guests at Greystoke. We had varying fitness levels, which came into play when chimpanzee trekking. We were greeted at the airstrip by our guide Kakae, who accompanied us to camp. We had flown through some storm clouds en route, but the sun was out when we landed, and the waters were extremely calm. Lucky for me, as I don't have the strongest 'sea legs'. A multi-course lunch was served on the boat, complete with cold beverages.

Greystoke is set on a sandy beach and looks like a dream camp on a fantasy island. Thatched roof wooden bandas are exotic looking, but perfect for this remote paradise. With only six very private bandas, it feels like the most exclusive of retreats. The bandas as very well appointed with a four poster bed, a porch, a vanity and closet area, and a running water bathroom in the back. As an added bonus, there's a lounge upstairs (and the stairs are pretty unique!).

The bar area is tucked away in vegetation on a rocky outcropping; perfect for watching the spectacular sunsets over the lake. The food and service are the icing on the cake. More on that later! I would not recommend this property for anyone that might have trouble getting around, as it requires navigating sandy beaches and narrow stairs both day and night. Additionally, chimp trekking does require a moderate level of fitness, and can be strenuous, depending on where the chimps are located on the day you are trekking.

As our boat came in to shore, we were greeted by a large number of the staff and made to feel instantly welcome. After we were oriented to the camp's workings, our first afternoon was all relaxation. We had a swim in the placid waters of Lake Tanganyika (the staff will tell you when and where it is safe to swim) and enjoyed thumbing through the primate books in the library overlooking the shores. Dinner was a communal affair and they accommodated my dietary requests, which meant I got fish...from the lake...yum!!

Next up: chimpanzee trekking

Photos courtesy Gretchen Healey

Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria!

It is an initiative that echoes the fact that since the days of its first settlement, Seychelles has always been a rich melting pot of people from the far reaches of the planet. In 2011, Seychelles is set to become the stage for representatives of the world’s most prestigious carnivals.

The Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria will be held over a three-day period in March 2011, when it will become a focal point for representatives from the world’s most famous carnivals who will be invited to the islands to take part in this exciting international event.

Promising to be the focus of international as well as local attention, the Seychelles International Carnival of Victoria will feature a procession of colourful floats representing the various participants’ national carnivals, as well as a raft of other dedicated activities all of which will fall under the Carnival’s theme.

The event is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, as it brings the lively ambiance of international carnival time to the islands, but it's hardly the only reason to visit. Traditionally associated with the most beautiful beaches on the planet, the Seychelles islands are at the top of the world’s list of romantic destinations. Only 5 hours from Johannesburg and 3 hours from Nairobi, the Seychelles offer superb sailing, diving, snorkeling, excellent fishing, nature trails and of course, great beaches. Call us to plan your customized visit to Seychelles for a romantic retreat or for the Carnival!

Photos courtesy Seychelles.Travel

Sauti za Busara Music Festival

Thinking of a visit to Tanzania? If you visit in February and plan a relaxing stop in Stone Town, you might be able to catch the Sauti za Busara Music Festival. The 2011 festival dates are the 9-13th of February, and you will see Stone Town come alive with the sounds of African music. 40 musical groups from throughout Africa will play during the festival, and you can also enjoy the carnival street parade, as well as 'Busara Xtra' fringe activities.

The festival is billed as 'the frendliest festival on Planet Earth'. You can check out festival details here. Don't forget to consider a safari on the mainland while you're there. Tanzania has so much to offer, from traditional camping safaris to luxurious journeys, as well as beautiful beaches and pristine wilderness areas, and when you visit, you will see some of the most amazing wildlife on earth. Call us to talk about options and to start planning your visit!

Beef Stew from Kalahari Plains Camp

Kent just returned from a fantastic visit to Botswana and Zambia and brought back a terrific recipe for Beef Stew from Kalahari Plains Camp. You can visit this camp on our Botswana Wild Kalahari itinerary, or add it on to a custom itinerary to Botswana. Take a gander at this recipe before the warmer weather has you back in front of the braai.

Beef Stew
Serves 4-6

210 ml sunflower oil
2 onions peeled and sliced
1 kg stewing beef
salt and pepper to taste
500 ml beef stock
2 potatoes peeled and quartered
15 ml freshly grated ginger
1 chili, deseeded and chopped (careful what you touch afterward!)
5-10 ml curry powder
65 g tomato paste
1/2 can tomato puree
30 ml smooth apricot jam
30 ml mango chutney
10 ml brown vinegar
200 g vegetables (yellow, green & red peppers in large dice)

Method
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Saute the onions and garlic until soft. Remove from the pot and set aside. Brown the meat in the same pot. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add the onions back along with the beef stock. Simmer for 40 minutes and add the potatoes. Simmer for a further 20 minutes. Add the ginger, chili, curry powder, apricot jam, chutney and vinegar. Stir thoroughly. Add vegetables and simmer until just soft.

Unspoiled Paradise: Mozambique Beaches

Mozambique is a country that few people talk about when considering a trip to Africa. For sheer numbers of large animals it is overshadowed by its neighbors, Tanzania, South Africa, and Zambia. Yet it does have Gorongosa National Park, which offers unique walking and fly-in safari opportunities and a chance to see the rare Gorongosa lion. If you are in the Denver area, check out our Beers and Safaris Event on March 26 to see a sneak-preview of an upcoming National Geographic special on Gorongosa.

What Mozambique also has is unspoiled, brilliant white-sand beaches. The Bazaruto Archipelago lacks the crowds of more popular beach destinations, and is largely undeveloped. Here you can walk on the beach for miles without disturbance, while the warm, clear blue waters offering excellent snorkeling and diving opportunities.

It is easy to add a Mozambique Beach Holiday to most of our trips in southern Africa. Our five-day beach holiday begins and ends out of Johannesburg, and you have your choice of two levels of accommodations: the deluxe Indigo Bay Resort on Bazaruto Island, or the luxury Benguerra Lodge on Benguerra Island. Both feature a full range of activities, or you can simply relax on the beach and enjoy wonderfully prepared meals featuring local seafood such as prawns, crab, and crayfish.

Beers and Safaris Mozambique Event

Do you like Africa? Do you like beer? Do you like National Geographic Channel nature shows? Do you like NCAA basketball? How about delicious snacks? If you said yes to any of these questions, please join us for a fun-filled happy hour celebration at our next Beers & Safaris event sponsored by Africa Adventure Consultants and Flying Dog Ales.

At this event we will have special guests, Rob and Jos Janisch, from Gorongosa National Park in Mozambique! They will be showing a short sneak preview of an upcoming National Geographic Channel special on Gorongosa National Park.

Gorongosa is a true conservation success story. In 1994 Gorongosa's large-animal population had been left decimated by years of civil war. Yet through the concerted efforts of American philanthropist Greg Carr, herds of buffalo, wildebeest, and other large mammals have been reintroduced to the park, which is steadily being restored to its former glory. (This unique destination is included in our 15-day Adventurer's Mozambique Safari which also takes you to some of Mozambique's pristine beaches.)

Of course, we do know that this is also NCAA Basketball time. The games will be showing on multiple screens at Blake St. Tavern for those of you afflicted with March Madness!

Location:
Blake Street Tavern
2401 Blake St.
Denver, CO 80205 US

When: Friday, March 26, 6:00PM to 8:00PM

Please RSVP by March 22 to 303-778-1089 and let us know how many guests will be coming. This is an adult-oriented event but kids are welcome.

Hungry for Africa?

Hungry for Africa, but you haven't planned your trip yet? Call us and we can get started on a custom itinerary for you! In the meantime, whip up a batch of these sundowner snacks, and you can dream of watching the sun set over the Serengeti, or the sun quickly dropping through the reeds in the Okavango Delta. Maybe you're dreaming of the sunset over the Indian Ocean from the beaches on Zanzibar? Wherever your dream sunset may be, here's the perfect snack to go along with it!

Carmelized Nuts for Bush Sundowners

1 c almonds or cashews
2 tbsp butter
1/2c soft brown sugar
Sea salt
Cayenne pepper
2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary, minced


In a large frying pan, melt 30 ml (2 tbsp) butter. Toss in 125 ml (1/2c) soft brown sugar, a gerenrous pinch of sea salt, a dash of cayenne and some finely chopped fresh rosemary. Toss well over heat and add a heaping cup of raw almonds or cashews. Fry until nuts are coated in a salty-sugary glaze.

Delicious with martinis!

*recipe courtesy 'A Kitchen Safari'/Ngala Private Game Reserve*

Late-winter Blues? Three Beachy Remedies!

Are the late-winter blues getting you down? Nothing like an Africa beach getaway to chase those blues away! Here are three of our top-recommended beach holidays to get you into the sun - get ready to wiggle those toes in the sand, snorkel and dive clear waters and eat fresh seafood!

Our Romantic Zanzibar Holiday isn't just for honeymooners! This is the perfect add-on to any safari in East Africa - or add a few days and hop over to Zanzibar for a week or more in the sun! The Spice Island of Zanzibar is the perfect place to unwind after an East African safari. On this 5-day beach holiday, spend your days snorkeling, strolling the white sand beaches or cruising in a dhow all based from the deluxe Matemwe Bungalows. Optional day trips to Stone Town and spice tours are available, as well. The intimate Matemwe Bungalows is the ideal retreat for travelers looking for privacy and excellent accommodations and cuisine.

Mozambique is known for its beautiful beaches - wild and untouched. Add a relaxing beach vacation to any Southern Africa safari or fly into Johannesburg (South African Airways is offering amazing round-trip fares right now) and jet out to the Bazaruto Archipelago for a few days in the sun on our Mozambique Beach Holiday. Rest, relax and explore Mozambique’s picturesque Bazaruto Archipelago based from deluxe or luxury beach lodges. Spend your days snorkeling, deep sea fishing, visiting villages and simply enjoying the sun and sand.

On our Malawi Surf & Turf enjoy the inland beaches of picturesque Lake Malawi. Add a little game viewing and you've got the perfect African escape! Be one of the few to discover the secrets of Malawi—“The Warm Heart of Africa.” On this week-long adventure tour in Malawi you’ll enjoy a wonderful combination of game viewing, beach and water activities, forgetting about the rest of the world in the process. Explore Liwonde National Park based from an intimate wilderness lodge and relax on the shores of Lake Malawi in a luxury waterfront bungalow.

Contact us for more information on these and other beach holidays in Africa 1-866-778-1089 or email info@adventuresinafrica.com.


Images courtesy Asilia Africa and Benguerra Lodge.