Holly is currently doing the 15 Day Mysterious Madagascar Beach Overland :
Ok so here goes; my official update for all those who are interested; I finally got to a computer, and you would freak if you saw where i accessed one at; im in the middle of a park in Madagascar, and im soooooo thrilled about it; i started my trip 5 days ago; and im loving every minute of it; at first i was a little freaked out and unhappy, that’s cuz i was in the city, what a horrible place that was; and to top it all off, it was their independence day, oh btw happy fourth of July everyone; well i joined up with my group and off we went, and straight into the jungle we went; the very first day i saw lemurs, chameleons, all sorts of insects and plants i only dreamed of seeing before; it was everything i hoped for, and then some; so we did loads of hiking, night and day, saw all sorts of wildlife, drove tons, met the locals; who are extremely friendly, and poor I might add; I brought lots of pens, paper, and toothbrushes for the children and they really appreciated it, and needed it as well;
oh and there are so so so so many kids here; each woman has at an average of 10 kids, its crazy, and they are so very poor; well i cant go on too much longer im getting closed up on, and its dark, and i have to walk back to my bungalow in the dark now; eeeeeeeee, well anything to get a quick update out to everyone;
ill be in touch again the next chance i have to get to a computer; we are off to do some more jungle trekking tomorrow, i cant wait to show you all my pix, they are so incredible;
see you soon.
Great news, We have got the first lot of Africa overland tours that end or finish around the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Just imagine starting or ending a trip at the height of all the activities of World Cup Soccer. The tournament is being held between the 11 June - 11 July and located all around South Africa.
32 Day Journey to the Cape (Johannesburg to Cape Town)
- 19-May-10 19-Jun-10
- 16-Jun-10 17-Jul-10
21 Day Cape to Vic Falls -Southern Sun
- 20-Jun-10 10-Jul-10
- 4-Jul-10 24-Jul-10
- 18-Jul-10 7-Aug-10
21 Day Vic Falls to Cape Town-Southern Sun
- 27-Jun-10 17-Jul-10
- 11-Jul-10 31-Jul-10
11 Day Northern Adventure (Johannesburg to Vic Falls)
11 Day Southern Adventure (Vic Falls to Johannesburg)
We are over the moon to be able to be offering these tours. There are more to follow!
Kindest regards
Andrew
www.africanoverlandtours.com
part of Escape 4 Africa Travel (SATSA Bonded)
Every week we have a number of questions from clients regarding vaccinations and travel health information through Africa. Generally speak some form of malaria protection is vital in most countries in East and Southern Africa bar Namibia and South Africa (bar the north of Kruger National Park). A Yellow fever certificate is vital for leaving Tanzania.
I have found an awesome site that has a great interactive map that tells you the situations for each African country.
http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations/maps/africa.htm
Andrew Walton
www.africanoverlandtours.com
We have great news, we have been received our SATSA Bonding. Out membership number is 1712.
SATSA is the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association and is the driving force behind improving standard of tourism in South Africa. The bonding scheme is a protection for clients against companies going into liquidation.
“Our bonding scheme is a kind of insurance policy which covers inbound foreign tourists against a possible loss of deposits paid to SATSA members – tourism operators, car rental companies, service providers, accommodation providers and the like – should such a member go into involuntary liquidation,” says Tatalias. He added that without such a bond in place to protect a clients deposits, clients could lose substantial amounts
of money.
Says Tatallias, So far tourism bonding schemes in existence abroad are all government sponsored and are designed to protect the interests of tourists who contract with outbound travel agents. The South Africa bond covers both members of the public and any SATSA member who places business with any other SATSA member. Payments may have been in the form of paying a deposit, for accommodation, car rental or for a tour with a SATSA member.
“Should a SATSA member who is a South African tourism business operation run into financial problems, the bonding scheme allows the client to claim back his deposit without having to prove in a court or to the liquidator whom or what he paid, but simply to produce the relevant documentation to SATSA.”
The SATSA bonding policy carries an indemnity of R1 500 000 per premium cycle (per premium year or part thereof) limited to a maximum of R300 000 per incident. The scheme is underwritten by Lombard Insurance and certain underwriting syndicates at Lloyds of London and is administered by SATSA.
More than ever before it is important to make use of the bonded services of SATSA members for secure holiday bookings in South Africa.
Andrew Walton
www.africanoverlandtours.com
We just received an update on gorilla permits for Uganda, Rwanda and the DRC.
Due to migrations of gorilla families between the Magahinga & Bwindi NP’s in Uganda, the Ruhengeri NP in Rwanda & the Virunga NP in the DRC, gorilla trekking permits have had to be re-issued as some family groups that previously inhabited parks on one side of a country’s border, moved.
Below is an update on the current costs of the Gorilla Trek Excursion:
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Gorilla Trekking fees
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As at June 2008
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19 Day Cape to Vic Falls (Desert Tracker)
- Departing 14 June 08
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20% off the Tour Price
21 Day Cape to Vic Falls -Southern Sun (Cape Town to Victoria Falls
- Was 5890 NOW 5490 ZAR (plus local payment of 450 USD)
21 Day Cape to Vic Falls -Southern Sun (Cape Town to Victoria Falls)
- Departing 28 September 2008
- Was 5890 ZAR NOW 5490 ZAR (plus local payment of 450 USD)
21 Day Cape to Vic Falls -Southern Sun (Cape Town to Victoria Falls)
- Departing 26 October 2008
- Was 5890 NOW 5490 ZAR (plus local payment of 450 USD)
Victoria Falls to Cape Town (Reverse Direction)
- Departing 19 October 2008
- Was 5890 NOW 5490 ZAR (plus local payment of 450 USD)
http://www.africanoverlandtours.com/african-overland-destination/southern-africa/camping-tours/15-21-days/21-Day-Cape-to-Vic-Falls-Southern-Sun.php
We have just received some great specials on some tours. Have a look!
13 Day Kenya & Tanzania Adventure
Departing 29 June 08
24 Day South East Adventure (Nairobi- Vic Falls )
Departing 13 July 08 and 13 August 08
31 Day South East Adventure ( Nairobi - JHB )
Departing 13 July 08 and 13 August 08
21 Day East African Explorer (Livingstone- Nairobi)
Departing 15 August 08
29 Day East African Explorer Johannesburg- Nairobi
Departing 07 August 08
13 Day Kenya & Tanzania Adventure
Departing 13 July 08, 20 July 08
21 Day Cape to Vic Falls -Southern Sun (Cape Town to Victoria Falls
Departing 31 August 2008
- Was 5890 NOW 5490 ZAR (plus local payment of 450 USD)
21 Day Cape to Vic Falls -Southern Sun (Cape Town to Victoria Falls)
Departing 28 September 2008
- Was 5890 ZAR NOW 5490 ZAR (plus local payment of 450 USD)
21 Day Cape to Vic Falls -Southern Sun (Cape Town to Victoria Falls)
Departing 26 October 2008
- Was 5890 NOW 5490 ZAR (plus local payment of 450 USD)
Victoria Falls to Cape Town (Reverse Direction)
Departing 19 October 2008
- Was 5890 NOW 5490 ZAR (plus local payment of 450 USD)
http://www.africanoverlandtours.com/african-overland-destination/southern-africa/camping-tours/15-21-days/21-Day-Cape-to-Vic-Falls-Southern-Sun.php
Andrew,
Thanks for the tips. Also, in addition to tour team doing a great job, I would like to complement your and your company as well especially for your prompt replies and great advice. Talking to other people on our trip, it seems like we defiinitely had the best experience with an agent.
Matt and Jill (doing a Desert Tracker)
www.africanoverlandtours.com
The last 2 weeks have been an embarrassment for all South Africans. A few so called ‘South Africans’ have shocked the hearts of our country.
They have embarrassed the nation and the freedom fighters that sacrificed their lives for freedom. President Mbeki spoke to the nation last night and hit it home when he mentioned about South Africa’s example of Ubuntu (working together) that we have shown the world. This has now been left in taters.
Our economy has been built on foreigners in our mines and without them we would be not have the largest economy in Africa.
Thankfully it seems to be calming down but largely due to the police patrolling the township hot spots. On the positive side the country has pulled together to support the foreign nationals. 250 people have been arrested in the last week and we hope many more. Thankfully the government and the leaders have stood up against it.
In my opinion it has been opportunistic people jealous of the success that the foreign immigrants have made for themselves rather than waiting for the government handouts. Unfortunately a small group of people feel that they are owed something from the country.
We will keep you updated
Andrew Walton
www.africanoverlandtours.com
Andrew,
Thank you for all the help again. We arrived at Cape Town with no problems and the transport service was there waiting for us. You made it so easy for us.
Looks like we’re all set to go,
Best,
Matt
Matt is travelling on the 19 Day Cape to Vic Falls. Enjoy!