Uganda visa now $50, Ethiopia on the rise and Galapagos by land!

Albatros Travel guides from Kenya and Tanzania training in Tarangire NP

 

Giant tortoises on the grounds of Tropic’s exclusive Santa Cruz highlands property

Tropic Ecuador: Tropic Ecuador is pioneering Galapagos land travel. For travelers are no longer content to spend an afternoon on an island, but rather want to connect to the land, culture, wildlife and people, Tropic is offering three new land-based group departures (min 2/max 12). These feature unique lodges full of character, atmosphere and charm on three very diverse islands – Santa Cruz, Floreana and Isabela – plus a day visit to iconic Bartolome or wildlife-rich South Plazas! Download the detailed itineraries or contact Andrea for more details!

Ultimate Safaris: Ultimate Safaris has a sparkling new Agent Zone! With information on camps, in-depth pre-departure, live Ultimate Namibia availability, photo and video galleries, insider tips and much, much more, it is an invaluable tool for helping to sell this amazing destination. You can apply for access on the Ultimate Safaris website.

Imvelo staff and rangers help rescue a baby elephant in Hwange. Watch the video here.

Imvelo Safari Lodges: World Elephant Day is August 12th! Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe is home to 40,000+ elephants, one of the largest populations in Africa. Tourism is critical to protecting Hwange’s elephants and thanks to an increase in visitors and Imvelo Safari Lodges‘ pioneering community-based tourism program, the Park’s elephant numbers are stable or increasing, making Hwange a paradise for any elephant-lover! Learn how Imvelo is empowering local communities and ex-poachers to protect elephants in this video.

Albatros Travel: Albatros Travel guides recently returned from a refresher training course in Tarangire National Park. Thirteen guides from Kenya and Tanzania were based at Tarangire Safari Lodge for bird, mammal and botany training led by the extraordinary trainers Clint Schipper and Ethen Kinsey, who also train guides from Serian camps. After training, the guides split into 2 groups and joined the Annual Arusha Bird watching competition which involved spotting as many birds within a 100 km radius of Arusha over a 24 hour period. They did well, finishing sixth overall!

There’s nothing like experiencing a destination through its food

Todos Santos Eco Adventures: What happens when you mix the freshest ingredients from land and sea with the artistic talents of a local chef in the town of Todos Santos? Magic! Like the town’s nickname, Pueblo Magico, the flavors of the food you’ll eat here have a very special quality. Travelers with Todos Santos Eco Adventures have the option of simply indulging while on vacation, or can take part in a full-on cooking adventure to understand more about the ingredients and how to prepare (and eat!) prized recipes. Learn more on the Kusini blog!

Maya Trails: And keeping with the culinary theme, travelers can discover Guatemala’s delectable street foods on a new Antigua walking tour with Maya Trails. Guests will enjoy noshing at their guides’ favorite comedores, exploring the local market to learn about endemic Guatemalan fruits and veggies, and learning to make tortillas (which will become part of their lunch!). The tour ends on a sweet note with a stop at Antigua’s best coffee and artisanal chocolate cafe. Read more about the tour here, or contact Adriana to discuss how to include this activity in your clients’ itinerary.

Bar by night and yoga studia by day – Limalimo Lodge is setting a new standard

Travel Ethiopia: CNN thinks the ‘next big thing in Africa travel‘ is Ethiopia, and we agree! With continually improving infrastructure in Addis Ababa and beyond (including new light rail) as well as new lodging coming online, the country is ready for an increase in travelers and meeting demand for more comfort and luxury. A cultural and historical tour of Ethiopia’s north pairs brilliantly with a safari in Kenya as Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines offer several non-stops per day between JKIA and ADD. Start with these itinerary ideas from Travel Ethiopia for inspiration.

Classic Africa Safaris: Good visa news out of Uganda from Classic Africa Safaris! Single entry visa fees have been cut from $100 to $50 effective July 22, 2016. Multiple entry and East African Tourist Visa (for travel between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda) fees have not changed and remain $100. Uganda has introduced an online E-Visa which is working concurrently with visas on arrival until the online system is working flawlessly. However, CAS recommends your guests utilize the E-Visa system moving forward to be safe. Read all the details on our blog.