Tag: Africa Travel

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Richard Branson Has a New Pad in Kenya and Everyone's Invited

Where: Kenya
January 24, 2013 at 10:57 AM | by | Comments (0)


WHat the luxury tents will look like

Share your next vacation with a few wild party animals...or just animals. Richard Branson has just the place for the latter, or both if you're into it! The newest addition to Branson's Virgin Limited Edition Retreats family is Mahali Mzuri in the Kenyan bushlands and it's taking reservations for a summer debut.

The safari grounds, located in the Motorogi Conservancy within the Maasai Mara ecosystem, will play host to travelers looking for the "glamping" experience while staying right on the reserve. 12 luxury tents are poised on the edge of the wildlife sanctuary, and each features an en suite bathroom, a living area, and a front porch for watching zebras and giraffes as you sip tea.

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Finally Time for FastJet to Sell Tickets for First Africa Routes

Where: Tanzania
November 15, 2012 at 9:12 AM | by | Comments (0)

We’ve been watching the deal with FastJet for quite some time, as the start-up looks to bring the cheap low cost carrier model across Africa. The initial idea was proposed by Sir Stelios of Easyjet fame and, about a year after we heard of this new venture, it’s almost time for the carrier to finally hit the skies.

As part of their plan to get up in the air as quickly as possible, FastJet kind of gobbled up another regional airline—Fly540—as this gave them some easy access to rights to fly to spots like Angola, Ghana, Kenya, and Tanzania. With that kind of paperwork in place it was time to pick a spot to start, and it sounds like they’re going to begin with Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The head honcho over at FastJet is eager to expand to more countries, but it sounds like his carrier plans to stay firmly planted in Africa.

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Total Solar Eclipse Travel: What Went Down, Down Under

Where: Australia
November 14, 2012 at 9:59 AM | by | Comment (1)

Forewarning is fair warning. We gave ample notice for yesterday's astronomical event in Australia. Now, we can give you the low-down on the total solar eclipse that passed directly over the tropical town of Cairns.

Star gazers from all over the world flocked to the Aussie state called Queensland—ironically known as the Sunshine State—to view the phenomenon. The towns of Port Douglas and Cairns had the best vantage points to catch the precise moment the moon passed in front of the sun to block out its rays. The result? Imagine looking at everything through darkly tinted windows.

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The Adventures of Travel Cat: Wasini Island, Kenya

July 25, 2012 at 12:25 PM | by | Comments (0)

Kitty cats. They rule the internet and, whether we realize it or not, pretty much the world too. Ever noticed how cats sometimes stake out the coolest spots in a city? This new feature—Travel Cat—focuses on exactly that. Submit a photo to be featured by tweeting or Instagramming it to us (details below).

Travel Cat spotted in: a beachside restaurant on Wasini Island, Kenya.

This week's Travel Cat is from Jaunted twitter follower @AKenyanGirl, who spotted this cat begging for table scraps of a yummy seafood lunch.

"This kitty was asking to share my lunch of delicious crab in Kenya's Wasini Island," says Naomi.

Frankly, who can blame this sand-colored kitty chilling out in the sand, for thinking he's entitled to a little legmeat here and there? After all, he did get us Google-Mapping the location of Wasini Island.

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Join Volunteers Diving into Environmental Research Projects in Madagascar

Where: Madagascar
June 27, 2012 at 2:36 PM | by | Comments (0)

Forget going to see the latest movie in the Madagascar series. Why not spend some time volunteering there, on the actual island of Madagascar, instead?

Blue Ventures hosts a volunteer expedition to Madagascar every six months in which participants research and and work on conservation projects alongside scientists. Through their work, volunteers help to find new ways for coastal communities to live sustainably within their environment.

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Spark Ventures and Groupon Get into the Voluntourism Game in Zambia

Where: Zambia
May 2, 2012 at 3:31 PM | by | Comments (0)

Spark Ventures, a Chicago-based nonprofit that helps provide children in poverty with nutrition, education and healthcare, is planning a summer trip to Zambia and it might not be too late to get involved.

The Zambia summer trip will run from July 15 - July 21, 2012 where volunteers will work with Hope Ministries and the children they serve in Ndola.

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Just Be Happy You're Not Flying into Nigeria's Lagos Airport

Where: Lagos, Nigeria
May 2, 2012 at 2:46 PM | by | Comment (1)

A few years ago we did a Nigeria Travel post on how Lagos was becoming a vacation spot for the uber-wealthy. We're not sure how they're getting in and out of the country, but, after reading this article on the sad state of Murtala Mohammed International Airport, we're guessing it's not by commercial air.

We complain about domestic airports all the time, and sometimes we do so with some enthusiasm, but even we have never described one as "the shame of a nation." Ouch!

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Skip Cancun for a Summer Volunteer Trip to Uganda

Where: Uganda
April 25, 2012 at 1:31 PM | by | Comments (0)

As the college semester comes to an end, some students begin the search for something meaningful to do during their break, without spending a fortune. Luckily for them, affordable volunteer travel opportunities are International Volunteer HQ's specialty.

Among the locations International Volunteer HQ serves is Uganda, where volunteers teach, work with orphans, renovate homes, and provide medical support.

New volunteer programs start on the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. And, like all of IVHQ's trips, volunteers can choose how long they want to stay and how much they want to spend. Program fees range from $250 for one week to $2220 for six weeks.

Between 20 and 40 volunteers over 18 participate in IVHQ's Uganda program each month. If you want to take part, or learn more about their other destinations, visit volunteerhq.org.

[Photo: IVHQ on Facebook]

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The Latest on FastJet's Low-cost Flight Plans for Africa and Beyond

Where: Ghana
March 8, 2012 at 9:02 AM | by | Comments (0)

Not that long ago we were all intrigued about what Sir Stelios (of EasyJet) was up to, and what he had planned for residents and travelers looking to hop around much of Africa. Well, it sounds like one of the continent's first true low-cost carriers is still in the planning stages, but with a little more progress, Stelios' FastJet might be up in the air doing its thing sooner than later.

The latest news is that the airline may head up into the skies within the next several months, so we wouldn’t find it unusual to see flights operating between now and the end of 2012. Officials at the airline are looking to initially gain access to like 15 planes to help them achieve their travel goals.

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Ready, Set, 'Go Africa' on Skyteam's Newest Multi-Country Flight Pass

February 28, 2012 at 10:04 AM | by | Comments (0)

It might not be as awesome as JetBlue’s all-you-can-jet pass, but the airlines that make up the SkyTeam alliance are looking to create a similar option. If you’re always wanted to see all that Africa has to offer, you might want to look into the new Go Africa Pass.

Kenya Airways is the main airline driving the new flight pass, and the goal is get you here, there, and everywhere within the continent. The magic airline tickets are an option for both business and pleasure flyers, and it can be added onto any round-trip ticket that includes Africa, or any around-the-world ticket too.

You’re going to need to brush up on your Africa geography, as Kenya Airways can connect you to at least 36 different countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Egypt, and Tanzania.

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'An Idiot Abroad' Searches for Gorillas in Africa

Where: Uganda
February 20, 2012 at 2:33 PM | by | Comments (0)

This week on An Idiot Abroad 2, Steve and Ricky sent Karl to Africa to cross seeing gorillas off the Bucket List.

Karl started his journey in Johannesburg where he "taught" a group of teens about the "risk in sex" before helping to build a hut for a family that was ill. Karl's acts kindness prompted him to reflect on his role in the world's population crisis. "I'm single-handedly causing the world's population problem because I'm saving everyone," he said after finishing the hut. I'm like Superman."

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United Airlines' Frequent Flyer Sale Knocks Off 25% to Europe or Africa

January 9, 2012 at 9:50 AM | by | Comments (0)

We know there’s plenty of people saving—or even hoarding—those frequent flyer miles in hopes of the next great redemption or value. Now just might be the best time to cash some in, as United Airlines is running a decent sale on redeeming MileagePlus miles for an award ticket.

The airline is offering up to a 25% discount on "free" flights—plus taxes and fees of course—to most destinations in Europe as well as Central and Southern Africa. The biggest savings are available on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as you’ll only get a 20% discount during other days of the week. There’s probably all kinds of permutations and calculations involved with your dream ticket, but a basic 60,000 mile coach ticket to Europe from the United States can now be had for as little as 45,000 miles round-trip.

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