French Researchers Balk at Limits on African Travel

French scientists are up in arms about the freeze their universities and research organizations have placed on field work in Mauritania, Mali, and Niger in response to the deteriorating security situation in those countries. An online petition launched recently asks the groups to relax the measure, which the petitioners say is an overreaction.

In recent years, French citizens in the Sahel have increasingly become targets of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), the terrorist group suspected to be responsible for last week's bomb attack on a café in Marrakesh. AQIM, which has demanded the French withdrawal from Afghanistan, is holding four French nationals hostage after kidnapping them in northern Niger in September; two other Frenchmen were abducted from a restaurant in the usually tranquil capital of Niger on 7 January and killed the next day during a botched rescue operation across the border in Mali. In response to travel warnings from the French ministry of foreign affairs, many universities and research agencies have placed Mauritania, Mali, and Niger off-limits for their scientists.

12 Tips for Thriving on a South African Safari

1. Layers, layers, layers: Even though temperatures can easily hit over 90 degrees during the summer and 80 degrees in the winter, they can drop to the 40's and 50's in the mornings and evenings. Layering a warm jacket or sweater over T-shirts and tanks can help you keep warm on morning and evening safaris.

2. Consult with your family doctor: Immunization shots for tetanus and yellow fever as well as malaria pills are insisted upon, particularly if your lodge is in a malaria area. Guests traveling to a game reserve like Shamwari on the Eastern Cape of South Africa are in a malaria-free zone.

3. Check your passport: Visiting South Africa requires two completely empty pages in your passport alongside each other. Avid globe-trotters can add additional pages to their passport for a nominal fee.

Ethiopia - Ethiopian Airlines Wins the 2008 Best Airlines in Africa Award

Ethiopian Airlines scooped the 2008 Best Airline in Africa Award at the African Travel Award gala night held in Lagos, Nigeria. The award was conferred to Ethiopian for its excellent network and convenient connections in Africa.

The organizer of the 4th Akwaaba travel market Mrs. Ikechi Uko said, “It is a well deserved award as Ethiopian Airlines has served Africa well over the years being the major link between the East, West and North and South Africa. “Ethiopian provides the traveling public with the best service possible, and the quality of its service contributed to the growth of Travel and Tourism in Africa.”, she added.

The award was presented to Ato Busera Awel, Ethiopian Vice President- Commercial at the award dinner held at Expo Centre Eko Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria on October 25, 2008. Upon receiving the award, Ato Busera said, “The award marks a joyous moment for all of us at Ethiopian which more than ever before reaffirms that our customers are standing with us and share our endeavor for excellence.”

Travel ideas in South Africa

Since the first democratic elections were held in South Africa during 1994, the nation has begun to purge its Apartheid past and has witnessed a resulting boom in cultural tourism.

Visitors to the nation are mainly drawn by its natural beauty, as well as South Africa's diverse ethnic and social history, but the diversity of attractions on offer, as well as the climate, has ensured a growing reputation.

This is a nation where Asian and European (mainly British and Dutch) influences have merged with an indigenous tribal heritage over a period of centuries to crate a unique social climate.

Here travelbite.co.uk takes a look at some of the highlights of this fascinating country.

What You Can Expect From The Africa Camping Safaris

he African continent is immense and holds many mysteries and wonders that can make camping safaris a marvelous experience. Many African countries have wildlife parks and reserves that also boast fine camping facilities. In addition, there is also a vast selection of campgrounds that can be used as a base for safari travel excursions, which are affiliated and located near major hotels, lodges and resorts in a number of countries.

A camping safari is a very common choice for safari holidays partly because it tends to be less expensive than staying at the fine lodges and resorts, although there are also some luxury safari options for camping out in Africa as well. In general, travelers who are planning to take in the sights and sounds of Africa while camping have the option of either arranging for a private camping safari or a group camping safari.

Travellers to Africa risk deadly form of malaria

The number of people returning to Britain with a potentially fatal form of malaria has risen sharply because travellers are not taking antimalarial drugs, health officials said yesterday.

Cases of falciparum malaria now account for three-quarters of all UK malaria, up from a third of cases two decades ago, according to a Health Protection Agency study.

The majority of malaria occurs among migrants who become infected while visiting west Africa where the disease is endemic. Many do not take antimalarial pills because they believe they are already immune.

Wildlife near on Tanzania trip

On one safari, or Swahili for journey, we saw more than 240 species of birds, dozens of mammals, reptiles and numerous insects including “pants down” ants.

Our time afield was in four-wheel drive vehicles with popup roofs affording ample room for observing and photographing. In national parks, off-road driving is prohibited so wildlife can be easily approached.

We traveled by 18-foot flat-bottom boat on the Rifiji River in the Selous Game Reserve as an alternative way to see elephant, cape buffalo, hippo, crocodile, waterbuck and numerous birds.

Tourists are becoming less afraid to travel to South Africa

The survey, a brand-tracking study conducted by SA Tourism, assessed South Africa's core market countries: Kenya, Nigeria, the US, the UK, Australia, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

It was first conducted in November 2005 and tracked responses in November 2006, February 2007 and November 2007. It was tabled in parliament in response to a question from the DA's Gareth Morgan.

The survey divided participants by country and asked why they did not visit South Africa in the past five years. Two categories were provided - general issues of safety (health, weather, roads, crime) and concerns about their personal safety.

Arusha Tanzania To Host Annual Tourism Trade Fair

The ninth annual Karibu Travel and Tourism Fair will once again take place near the Arusha Airport, Tanzania, at Magereza Open Grounds from the 5th – 8th June.

Karibu is a Swahili expression meaning “welcome” and the event draws exhibitors from the East African region who are involved in or related to the safari industry. The fair operates in association with the Tanzania Tourist Board and the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators. This year, in order to accommodate delegates attending the Sullivan Summit in Arusha, the fair has been extended to four days. The first two days of the event are restricted to members of the travel trade only, with the remaining days open to the public.

Namibia: Tourism Environmental Campaign Launched

Unmanaged and poorly planned travel and tourism is said to pose serious threats to the future of Africa, especially on the environment, cultures, local customs and the natural resources of host countries.

This has also resulted in the industry posing a seriously impact on the sustainability of Africa and its communities.

As a result, an international campaign to raise awareness of the impact that travel and tourism have on Africa was yesterday launched in South Africa.

Zulu kingdom to welcome emirates

Following the successful start of operations in Cape Town, Emirates Airline will advance its presence in South Africa with the introduction of daily flights to Durban, effective 1st December 2008.

The new service – Emirates’ third direct connection between Dubai and South Africa – underscores its commitment to the South African market, and comes close on the heels of the launch of its third-daily service to Johannesburg in 2007 and daily service to Cape Town in 2008.

Travel Postcard - 48 hours in Nairobi

NAIROBI, April 18 (Reuters Life!) - Got 48 hours to explore Nairobi, one of Africa's most vibrant cities? Reuters correspondents with local knowledge give tips on how to make the best of a short stay.

Tourism has taken a dive in Kenya since the East African nation erupted into violence following a disputed presidential election at the end of December.

But now that a political deal has been done and calm has returned to the streets, visitors are beginning to reappear, like desert flowers after rain.

Try a weekend package in SA for just R999

# kulula today announced a new era of holiday travel in South Africa with the launch of weekend holiday packages from only R999. These packages are per person sharing and are all-inclusive of flights, taxes and surcharges as well as car rental and two nights' hotel accommodation.

# Less than seven years ago kulula transformed domestic travel by introducing easy-to-book and affordable flights in this country. Since then air travel has doubled in South Africa with almost 10% of South Africans now flying each year.

Travel to Tanzania

Tanzania, that east African nation with the beautiful, exotic name is a new travel destination for many. The nation’s rich cultural heritage and diverse landscape makes for a once in a lifetime adventure to this land of cerulean hued waters, snowed capped mountain peaks and thrilling safaris on the plains of the Serengeti. This nation, roughly twice the size of the state of California is also home to the famous Masai tribe, some of the world’s most strikingly statuesque people.

Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak often called the roof of Africa at 15,100 feet and enjoy the view of the surrounding plains or travel to the heart of Masai country, also in northern Tanzania to visit Ol Donyo Lengai. This active volcano, measuring close to 10,000 feet in height is located in the Rift Valley. The view from its north from its summit looks over the sweltering yet extraordinary salt flats of Lake Natron where few animals live but the flamingo makes its home.

China/Africa Trade May Hit $100bn in 2010

Author of China/Africa: the Dragon and Ostrich, Mr Adama Gaye, yesterday said trade level between China and Africa has gradually increased from $10 billion in 2000, to an estimated $55 billion.

Gaye said the Chinese government hopes to hit the $100 billion mark before 2010, making it the most important foreign actor on the continent. Also, Nigeria is among five African countries where China hopes to set up commercial centres that will become the offshore base for its commercial activities on the continent.

I need travel authors from Africa

Hi, This is Tam Tree, I hope you like the Africa travel news blog.

I need travel authors from Africa to help me coverage the areas of Tanzania, kenya and south Africa.

Please send email if you like to participated in this effort. Thanks !

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Mr. Claude Marthalir traveled by bicycle across Africa

The nice aspects of African customs and traditions we are familiar with to one degree or another. In fact state media often speak about the good aspects to the point of overdoing it. So my highlights here tend towards the critical aspects.

Smuggling goes everywhere. Fuels are one, for instance. They come in all sorts of containers: Jerry cans, soda bottles. The author describes the phenomenon as "shortage compensated by excesses everywhere. Quality and reason are luxury when these stomach cries." What he meant was that there is fuel in excess in the major cities and towns, with shortages in peripheral areas prompting smuggling.

AFRICAN chief and head of his own travel company John Lawler has come a long way from studying for a degree in environmental engin-eering.

Mr Lawler started his travel business while still at university after having a gap year in Ghana in 1998, where he worked for four months and trekked the west coast for four months.

While there, he also made national headlines when he was made chief of the Shia village in Ghana.

It was this experience that led John to start his own business.

Mr Lawler, 33, who is married and lives in Corbridge, said: “My idea came from when I was at university and the experiences I had in Africa.

SA Airways pushes African travel

South African Airways (SAA) is to continue expanding its route network across Africa and adding capacity to existing routes, while cementing its membership with the Star Alliance, in order to turn itself into the leading airline on the continent, says company CEO Khaya Ngqula.

"Our plans for Africa are to keep with our mandate to be an African carrier with a global reach," he said at the airline's headquarters at OR Tambo International Airport outside Johannesburg on Wednesday.

"We are planning to add capacity so we have more flights and destinations to our African route network criss-crossing the continent."

Two additional flights per week to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania were recently launched, while one additional flight per week to Luanda, Angola has been introduced to the schedule.

After violence, Kenya tourism struggles

Hotels are empty up and down the Kenyan coast after ethnic clashes killed more than 1,500 people and forced more than 600,000 to flee their homes in the wake of the disputed Dec. 27 presidential election.

Inland, the elephants, lions, and giraffes have the country's game reserves to themselves as safari companies divert to neighboring Tanzania.

After years of boom, East Africa's dominant economy seems headed for a fall. Tea companies are struggling to get bushes harvested and farm workers are stranded far from their fields.