ETHIOPIA 2000:

The Dawning of a New Millennium

MARKETING TANZANIA:

AFRICAT R A V E L W O R L D N E W S - S E C T I O N F O U R - A U G U S T 2 0 0 7

Updates from The Land of Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar

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No, there’s nothing wrong with Ethiopia’s calen-dar.This unique African country follows its own,13-month Julian calendar (compared to our ownGregorian one), making it approximately seven

years “behind” (for lack of a better word) our customary wayof marking time’s passage… meaning, it’s still 1999 there.Ethiopia’s traditional New Year is September 11, but, thisbeing a leap year, the party will get started on theirSeptember 12, 2000.

Marketing Ethiopia’s MillenniumThe Millennium Project is the cornerstone of Ethiopia’s cur-

rent tourism marketing plans. A national council was estab-lished to introduce Ethiopia’s attractions to investors, be-cause, as Millennium Celebration National Secretariatdirector general Seyoum Bereded said, “ Ethiopia’s imagehas been severely eroded by the draught back in the ‘80s,AIDS, war…we’ve got to let the world know that YES, we aredoing better, indeed, we’re fixing things — witness our im-proved infrastructure over the past seven years — and we’regoing to showcase our culture, people and traditions to theworld…we’re truly an extraordinary tourist destination.” Theyearlong celebrations will include music festivals, culturalconferences and sporting events expected to also draw artistsfrom around the continent. A cross-country tree-planting pro-ject underway symbolizes the country’s commitment to com-bating the effects of deforestation. The secretariat’sMillennium Project will also act as a springboard for nationaland international participation in educational, health and en-vironmental initiatives to create an Ethiopian renais-sance…and fertile ground for tourism development and pro-motion. The yearlong event was also designated an AfricanMillennium, to be launched with weeklong celebrations ded-icated to the entire continent.

Selling Ethiopia’s MillenniumHow to suggest some value-added ways to explore

Ethiopia? Several Addis-based tour operators (please see in-dividual tours offered below) provided on-site insight.Habtamu Bekele, Sales and Marketing director for AddisAbaba-based Adika Travel, notes, “Our Millennium festivalprovides a chance to experience our centuries-old culturaland historical heritage, which we’re committed to preservingfor future generations…don’t forget, eight UNESCO WorldHeritage Sites are here. And most tour operators will workwith travel agents to let them know how to complement theirexisting tours with Millennium events. And…to quote our

state minister for tourism, Tadelech Dalacho, ‘where else canyou experience two millenniums in a lifetime?’” Yassin NurAbdulkadir, owner of Caravan Tours & Travel, feels that, “Themost important for travel agents to know is that Millenniumevents will take place countrywide, and we’ll be incorporat-ing concerts and festivals into our regular tour programs sothat your clients can celebrate with us…we can also arrangecustom tours according to interests, e.g., Ethiopian traditionaland modern music events. Mulugheta Hiwot, owner ofSmiling Ethiopia Tours, believes that, “This Millennium isconsidered as a milestone and a unique opportunity tochange the image we’ve been labeled with as famine- andwar-stricken country. Ethiopia, the capital city of Africa, hasindeed much more to offer. According to Samrawit Moges,co-owner of Travel Ethiopia, this entrance into the secondmillennium is tied to the country’s deep roots in Christianity;its celebration will naturally be connected with religion. Shenotes, “The church and government are doing their very bestto make this a real best-in-class celebration. We’re as ancienttoday as we have been in the past...this is what makes theEthiopian Millennium celebration so glorious, from top tobottom of our country!” Yemgata Tours owner KalebGebremariam puts it succinctly: “ In the past Ethiopian hasalways been in the news because of war or famine. Travelagents can use this opportunity to promote the other side ofEthiopia, our rich history and culture, the beautiful wild lifeand landscape and our kind, loving people.”

Selling Ethiopia’s History and MysteryBeyond the allure of a palm-fringed beach or secluded ski

slope, your clients will certainly find something exotic, yeteasily accessible in Ethiopia.

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Ethiopia 2000: The Dawning of a New Millennium

Ethiopia enters its second millennium on September 12, with a yearlong celebration at home —and all across Africa!

B Y M A RY E L L E N S C H U LT Z

Rip-roaring Oromo tribe celebration.

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Land of the legendary Queen of Shebaand the only country in Africa never tohave been colonized, Ethiopia isAfrica’s tenth largest country, locatedon the eastern Horn of Africa, borderedby Sudan, Kenya, Somalia, Djibouti andEritrea. Historians have called moun-tainous Ethiopia a historical and scenicwonderland of great antiquit and im-mense beauty. This sub-Saharan na-tion, famed for its ancient ties toChristianity, Judaism and Islam andhome to eight World Heritage Sites, isprimed for another export: enthusiastictravelers’ tales from those fortunateenough to explored its many offerings,ranging from spiritual and cultural toartistic and culinary.

The Classic Historic RouteAddis Ababa (“New Flower” in

Amharic), the capital city and arrivalpoint for incoming flights, is the startingpoint. Founded in 1887 by EmperorMenelik, this sprawling, vibrant city of3 million inhabitants is home to both theheadquarters of the Organization of

African Unity and the United NationsEconomic Commission for Africa.Shoppers delight in the Merkato, reput-edly the continent’s largest open-airmarket, purveying everything fromcamels to computers. Historical trea-sures include Emperor Haile Selassie’sseveral palaces, one housing theEthnological Museum, and theNational Archeological Museum, hometo Dinkenesh’s (aka Lucy) 3.5 millionyear-old remains. Various lodging op-tions include the elegant Addis Hiltonand splendid Sheraton Addis, the firstLuxury Hotel on the continent.

Lalibela: An hour’s flight northwest ofAddis. Lalibela’s dramatic grouping of11 rock-hewn churches, built for KingLalibela in the 12th century by men dur-ing the day and, rumor has it, angels atnight, leaves visitors breathless, and issometimes referred to as the “EighthWonder of the World”.

Gondar: Forty-five minutes northwestof Lalibela, this 17th-century “Camelotof Africa” eclectic collection of castlesand fortresses were once the scene ofsumptuous entertaining of Europeanroyalty and Indian Moguls of theOttoman Empire and still inspire awe.Nearby is Waleqa, once the largest com-munity of Felasha Mura (or Black Jews)remaining in Ethiopia. There stands around, thatch-roofed synagogue built ofcow dung, its interior paintings appliedwith charcoal, crushed limestone, andanimal blood, its ceiling adorned with awooden Star of David.

Bahir Dar/Blue Nile Falls / Lake Tana:A half-hour flight from Gondar, prosper-ous, palm-tree filled Bahir Dar wasfounded in the 16th century on theshores of Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest,measuring 53 mi. long and 40 mi. wide.In medieval times, members of perse-cuted churches sought refuge on 20 ofthe lake’s 37 islands. Today, thesechurches are rich repositories of extra-ordinary Ethiopian religious paintingsand illuminated manuscripts, tended bywhite and marigold-garbed priests,day-glow colored birds and howlermoneys. A 45-minute drive from town isthe majestic Blue Nile. Discovered in

the 16th century by Portuguese FatherPaez, the source of the mighty NileRiver today still thrills 21st-century ex-plorers.

Axum: A 30-minute flight north fromGondar is Axum, cradle of Ethiopia’s3000-yr old civilization, considered oneof four great powers of the ancientworld, site of colossal rock stele and re-mains of the royal palace of its most fa-mous occupant, the fabulous Queen ofSheba. Legend holds that Menelik, theson born of her tryst with KingSolomon, brought from Israel the sa-cred Ark of the Covenant to the 4th-cen-tury Church of St. Mary, today thecountry’s oldest and holiest Christianshrine.

Harar: A 45-minute flight east fromAddis is the 1000 year-old, walled city ofHarar. This desert settlement of 99mosques, revered by Muslims as the 4thholiest shrine of Islam, was a must-stopfor caravans plying the ancient spiceroutes. Inhabitants still wear traditionalwhite and rainbow-colored shammas(gauzy cotton shawls) and incense-per-fumed markets are bursting with dis-plays of textiles, silver, parchmentbooks and baskets. Nights belong toHarar’s “hyena men,” daring souls whocoax untamed hyenas to take bits ofmeat from their mouths.

National Parks, Safaris &Ethnic Tribes

There are various ways to combine thehistoric routes with day trips in andaround Addis, overnights to the RiftValley or lake district, hiking inMenagesha Forest, Awash GameReserve (wildlife’s Big Five (lion, ele-phant, rhino, leopard, buffalo can a beobserved here, along with impressivespecies of flora and fauna), BaleMountain Park (dotted by spectacularvolcanic plugs and alpine lakes),trekking the remote, rugged SimienMountain Massif, or exploring thesoon-to-be-vanishing worlds of thesoutheastern Omo and Awash Valleysfor culturally enriching encounters withnumerous tribes.

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ETHIOPIA FROM PAGE 3

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SMILING ETHIOPIATRAVEL & TOURS PLC

A well established company offering a wide variety of

package and tailor made tours...

ADVENTURE TOURS,TREKKING,

HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL TOURS,PILIGRIM TOURS,BIRD WATCHING,

ACTIVE VOLCANO TOURS

...or any other special interest tours

P.O.Box 16618 Addis Ababa,EthiopiaE-mail: sett@ethionet.et

Web: www.smilingethiopiatravel.comTelephone: (002511)5150694;5150698,

51523678,5158482 Fax : (002511)5150700

Member of ASTA Member of APTA

Selling Ethiopia’s ToursThe following Ethiopian tour opera-

tors offer fully commissionable pack-ages/FIT programs to the land of theQueen of Sheba. Note: All tours by roadunless otherwise noted; domestic air atadditional cost.

Addis Ababa-based Adika Travel spe-cializes in group and FIT explorationsof the northeastern historical sites andsouthern Omo Valley’s ethnic villagesand national parks. Director of salesand marketing Habtamu Bekele is en-thusiastic about expanding the com-pany’s U.S. client base. He urges usingMillennium excitement as a mutually-beneficial, value-added selling point,saying,” Travelers are becoming moreknowledgeable about Ethiopia’s kalei-doscopic attractions, and this is the per-fect time to come and experience ourpeoples’ warmth and depth of history!”Adika’s 10-day/9-night Historic Routeby air/road visits Bahir Dar; Lake Tana’smedieval, fresco-adorned islandmonasteries; thundering Blue NileFalls; Gondar’s Camelotesque castle

complex; Lalibela’s awe-inspiring rock-hewn churches, and ancient Axum —home of legendary beauty, the Queen ofSheba. Priced at $1,760ppdo; $140sin-gle. Their 12-day/11-night SouthernNature & Culture Safari explores still-untouched, ancient cultures, birdingand wildlife viewing in the legendaryRift and Omo Valleys. The journey takesin Awassa (renowned for its fish mar-ket), Abyata-Shalla Lakes National Park(breeding ground for many Africanwater birds), Netchisar National Park(starring a dramatic view of LakesAbaya and Chamo) separated by achain of mountains called “God’sBridge,” all home to the extraordinarycultural diversity of more than 40 tribes.Villages visited include Mursi (home ofthe disk-lipped women), body-paintingKaro, bull-jumping Hamer, ritual scari-fication-practicing Bume, and Elbore(famed for unusual hair styles and ritualbody scarification); market days pluswildlife viewing and rejuvenation atWodo Genet’s thermal springs resortwind up the safari. Cost is $1,234ppdo;$140 single supplement. A custom 16-day/15-night Omo bird watching tourcosts $1,588ppdo; $158 single supp.Caving and rafting tours available uponrequest. AAddiikkaa TTrraavveell,, tteell..aaddiikkaa@@eetthhiioonneett..eett,,wwwwww..aaddiikkaattrraavveell..ccoomm

Yasin Nur Abdulkadur, Addis-head-quartered Caravan Travel’s generalmanager, takes pride in creating uniquegroup and FIT itineraries throughoutthe country. Asked about challenges toattracting more U.S. business, he notedAmericans’ preference for first-class ac-

commodations — even on safari —say-ing, “we’ve perfected logistics to in-clude luxury and first-class propertieson all tours, guaranteeing a goodnight’s sleep, every night!” Caravan’s9-day/8-night Historic Route tours an-cient Abyssinia via Addis’s museumand market attractions to Bahir Dar andLake Tana’s frescoed churches andmonasteries; the thundering mists ofTiss Issat (aka Blue Nile Falls);Gondar’s regal castle complex andnearby Felasha Village; wildlife view-ing in Semien Mountains (aka the“Roof of Africa”); Axum’s impressivestellae, Queen of Sheba’s palace andexterior of St. Mary of Zion, supposedrepository of the Ark of the Covenant;on to Lalibela’s mystical rock-carvedchurches (classified as one of the won-ders of the world) and back to Addis.Cost is $1,180 ppdo; single supplement$150. The 3-day/2night Harar & DireDawa package flies to railway town ofDire Dawa, then by road to the colorful,spice-filled markets of Harar (includingvisits to a local family the French poetRimbaud’s former house) and the thrill-seeking Hyena Men. Priced at $320ppdo/$60 single supplement. The 13-day/12-night Omo Valley Tour headssouth for cultural encounters via LakeAbaya and the bamboo village of theDorze, wildlife viewing in Nech SarNational Park; on to Arba Minch andthe pagan Konso people and the lip-disk-wearing Mursi tribes; on to themighty Omo River and visits to theKaro, Lonso, Duss, Konso and Woitotribes — each with its own uniquetotems and economies; then down into

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ETHIOPIA FROM PAGE 4

SSpplleennddoorr EEtthhiiooppiiaa TToouurrss aanndd TTrraavveellDiscover the place where there are still places to discover...

Wonderful history, spectacular scenery, historical architecture and friendly people...TThhee ppllaaccee wwhheerree yyoouu pprriinntt aa lliiffeettiimmee mmeemmoorryy

Historical Tours • Bird WatchingPhoto Safaris • Nature Tours

email: splendoreth@ethionet.et or splendor@yahoo.comwweebbssiittee:: wwwwww..sspplleennddoorr..ccoomm..eett

the Rift Valley and along Lake Awassa, home to countless birdspecies and famed fish market. Cost is $1,320 ppdo/$140 sin-gle supplement. New (not yet on website) is a 12-day/11-night, off-the-beaten track expedition to the lunar landscapeof the Danakil Depression and Ertale Volcano and its bizarrerock formations, plus experiencing the desert culture of theAfar tribe. Priced at $2,300ppdo, single supp $120. CCaarraavvaann TTrraavveell && TToouurr,, ccaarraavvaann..tttt@@eetthhiioonneett..eett,, wwwwww..ccaarraavvaannttrraavveellss..iinnffoo

The motto of Addis-headquartered Paradise Travel’s man-aging directors, Fitsum Gezahegne and Timar Negussie, is todeliver their client’s maximum satisfaction. Their programscombine the vibrant Ethiopia of today with its magnificentlymysterious past. Please note: at press time, final prices notavailable; those listed here are approximate. Their 14-day/13-night Classical Tour by road heads off through the Blue Nilegorge to Bahir Dar and Lake Tana’s island monasteries;Gondar’s fairytale castles; Lalibela’s spiritually lifting,sunken rock churches and back to Addis, taking in the spec-tacular scenery and wildlife in the Semien Mountains alongthe way. Cost around $1,100 ppdo. An abbreviated, 9-day/8-night version by air/road is approx. $950 ppdo. Suggest the14-day/13-night Fishing Tour to angler clients, featuringAddis city tour, then off to cast lines into the Rift Valley’s fish-filled lakes and markets, Bale Mountain’s volcanic plugs andalpine lakes, to Arba Minch’s via Nech Sar National Park(Lakes Abaya and Chamo separated by “God’s Bridge”mountain chain), then back to Addis with tales of the onesthat didn’t get away! Price approx. $1400 ppdo. A similar,Birdwatching Tour, for your feather-loving clients, heads to-ward Awash National Park, tours the Bale Mountains and onto Gobo, Wondo Genet’s thermal springs and SenkeleWildlife Sanctuary, Nech Sar NP; priced around the same.PPaarraaddiissee TTrraavveell,, ppeett@@tteelleeccoomm..nneett..eett,, wwwwww..ppaarraaddiisseeeetthhiiooppiiaa..ccoomm

Mulagheta Hiwot, managing director of Addis-basedSmiling Ethiopia Travel & Tours (SETT), has but one aim: “Wewant to make you feel at home, away from home…our mottois, “SMILE, you are now in Ethiopia!” In addition to their 14-day/13-night Historical Route with Trekking in the Simien

Mountains; $1400ppdo, single supp. $150, 6-day/5-night ex-pedition to Bale Mountains National Park and Sof OmarCaves ($850ppdo, $150 single supp.), and 13-day/12-nightEthnological exploration of the Omo Valley’s tribes($1200ppd, $150 single supp), SETT offers one-day expedi-tions to such off-the-beaten track attractions as nearbyGefersa Managesha Forest, full of young birds and 400-year-old juniper trees, with a stop at one of the country’s best-known beer breweries on the way back to Addis. TheDebrezeit, Mount Zuquala & Sodere jaunt heads 60 milesfrom Addis to Lake Debrezeit resort area, full of lakes, birdlife,hot springs, and Gebremenfeskidus Monastery; the viewfrom Mount Zuqala (an extinct volcanic cone) stars the RiftValley and crater lake. Another option takes in the 13th-cen-tury Debrilibanos Monastery, founded by St. Teclehaimanotand today a popular pilgrimage site located in the Blue NileGorge — endemic baboons and rich birdlife form part of thescenery. Price range for these tours is approximately $75–100.Ethical tourism is a specialty, and SETT can arrange shortstays with villagers, enabling visitors to experience mutualunderstanding of another way of life.SSmmiilliinngg EEtthhiiooppiiaa TTrraavveell && TToouurrss,, sseetttt@@tteelleeccoomm..nneett..eett,, wwwwww..ssmmiilliinnggeetthhiiooppiiaa..ccoomm

Why sell Ethiopia? Getachew Hiwot, general manager ofAddis-headquartered Splendor Ethiopia Tours, does not hesi-tate: “We want visitors to discover the place where there arestill places to discover!” The company specializes in FIT andgroup tours highlighting Ethiopia’s ancient past and capti-vating present. Accompanied by trained historian guides, theHistoric Route programs explore the northern sites of Axum(stele and tombs, Queen of Sheba’s palace and Church of St.Mary — the is-it-here-or-not home of the fabled Lost Ark); thespectacularly spiritual, rock-hewn churches of Lalibela;Gondar’s shades-of-Camelot castles and Lake Tana’s BlueNile Falls; and the eastern region’s medieval walled town ofHarar — with its 99 mosques, the fourth holiest Muslim city,after Mecca, Medina and Jerusalem. National Parks tours in-clude trekking in the Simien and Bale mountains, andwildlife safaris in Netch Sar, Omo and Mago, among others.

Travel World News •• wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm A F R I C A • AUGUST 2007 • 7

CARAVAN TRAVEL & TOUR AGENCY

Classic Tours

Trekking

Safaris

Birdwatching

Cycling

Walking

Rafting

Air Tickets

Car Hire

SPECIALISTS IN:

Email: caravan.tt@ethionet.et

Website: www.caravantravels.info

Caravan takes you Everywhere

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Splendor’s photo safaris head south tothe Omo Valley, focusing on the semi-nomadic cultures, endemic birds andwildlife and gorgeous landscapes of oneof Africa’s true remaining pre-colonial,pre-tourism wildernesses. Binocular-and camera-toting bird lovers can trackmore than 850 species, 28 of which arefound nowhere else on the planet, e.g.,the Abyssinian ground hornbill andblack-winged lovebird (which purrsthrough the sky like a miniature heli-copter!). Day tours of the “New Flower”(Addis), and nearby attractions are alsoavailable. At press time, final prices notavailable; however, customized pro-grams/pricing similar to those of above-listed operators (ballpark: historic/sa-faris, $300–$1,300pp, depending tourlength; day tours, $60–$100).SSpplleennddoorr EEtthhiiooppiiaa TToouurrss,, sspplleennddoorreetthh@@tteelleeccoomm..nneett..eett,, wwwwww..sspplleennddoorreett..ccoomm..

Samrawit Moges and ThomasMattanovich, Addis-based TravelEthiopia’s management team, believethat, “Ethiopia’s unique character, it’s‘Ethiopianess,’ makes it a fascinatingdestination that will act as al tonic…andwho’s to say you won’t be seven yearsyounger, culturally, anyway?!” Regularpackages and customized tours byTravel Ethiopia showcase countrywideattractions. Travel Ethiopia’s 10-day/9-night Historic Tour by air/road heads toseaside seaside Bahir Dar, the fabledBlue Nile Falls and Lake Tana’s monas-tic churches; castle- and church-filledGondar; to Axum, where Ethiopia’s civ-ilization began and the Queen of Shebareigned; then to Lalibela’s architec-

turally-astounding rock churches, andback to Addis Ababa, for a capital tour,including the National Museum/Lucy,Trinity Church and the Merkato; on to.Price approximately $1,239 ppdo. The12-day/11-night Omo Valley Tour headsto the Rift Valley’s lakes for birding,fishing, horseback riding and boating;then on to local villages enroute to ArbaMinch’s hot springs, Netch SarNational Park for wildlife and views,and deeper into the valley to villagesand markets of such tribes as the Elbore(marvel at their extravagantly coiffedmen), Hamer and Konso. Price approxi-mately $1,900 ppdo. Suggest clientspressed for time try a 5-day/4-nightHarar excursion to Dire Dawa’s railroadtown and walled desert city of Harar(mosques markets, sultans’ tombs and“Hyena Men”), then game viewing andlocal village visiting in Awash NationalPark. Cost approx. $500 ppdo; one- andtwo-day jaunts to other attractions alsoavailable. Travel Ethiopia’s MillenniumCelebration Tours focus on many of thefestivities taking place throughout theyear, including Enkutatash (New Year’sDay) in September; Hedar Zion (find-ing of the True Cross) in Axum inDecember; Jenna (Christmas, cele-brated two weeks later than in our owntradition); Timket (Epiphany) inJanuary; and Fassika (Easter) in April.Prices upon request. TTrraavveell EEtthhiiooppiiaa,,ttrraavveelleetthhiiooppiiaa@@eetthhiioonneett..eett,, wwwwww..ttrraavveelleetthhiiooppiiaa..ccoomm

Chicago-based Yemgeta TravelAdventures specializes in adventuretours, and is signing up U.S. travel

agencies and outbound tour operatorswith an eye to its soon-to-be-launchedbranded affiliates’ network program.General manager, Kaleb Gebremariamenthuses, “This is exciting opportunityfor home-based and retail travel agentsto participate in the untapped Africantravel market.” For clients with limitedtime, Yemgata’s half-day ShoppingExcursion visits Addis’ most popularsites, including the shop-till-you-dropdelights of the Merkato, one of Africa’slargest open-air markets, followed by atraditional Ethiopian lunch, consistingof injera, a slightly sour, buckwheat-type bread stretched across the table ascommunal plate, covered with variousvegetarian, chicken and beef dishes,eaten by hand and washed down by tej,a honey wine. Price is $35 ppdo; $53single supplement. A 3-day/2-night ex-cursion to ancient Axum’s half-buriedruins of palaces, monolithic stele, sub-terranean tombs, and the Church of St.Mary compound, where if lucky, visitorsmight catch a glimpse of the seldom-seen priest guarding the purported cur-rent home of the sacred Ark of theCovenant; and Lalibela’s 12th-centurychurches, including the Greek temple-like Bet Medhane Alem, frescoed BetMaryam, and elegant cross-shapedBete Giyorgis. Price $325 pp/do; $163single supplement. The 4-day/3-nightAxum/Laibela/Gondar package addsthe fairytale castle complex of Gondar,Ethiopia’s 17th- and 18th century capi-tal. Cost is $425 ppdo; $213 single sup-plement. Their 6-day/5-night southernOmo & Rift Valley adventure highlightsthe diverse cultures of the people livingin the lower valley of the Omo River, in-cluding the chalk-painted Karo, ArbaMinch’s Tsemai and Arbore — most ofthe seven distinct groups of people bor-dering the river have hardly changedtheir traditional ways of living from cen-turies ago; on to gem-like Netch SarNational Park, sandwiched betweenLakes Chama and Abaya. Priced at$725 ppdo; $350 single supplement. YYeemmggeettaa TTrraavveell AAddvveennttuurreess,, 886666--667788--22339933,, kkaalleebbgg@@yyeemmggeettaa..ccoomm,,wwwwww..yyeemmggeettaa..ccoomm

ETHIOPIA FROM PAGE 7

Email: travelethiopia@ethionet.et

Website: www.travelethiopia.com

‘Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.’All our efforts are aimed at this quotation from the Bible.

We offer tours and safaris within Ethiopia -

be it established routes or tailor-made to your requirements

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During Africa TravelAssociation’s 32nd AnnualCongress, held in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia, TWN sat

down with Tanzania Tourism Board’s(TTB) marketing manager AmantMacha, to discuss destination updates.According to Mr.Macha, tourism ar-rivals 2006 registered 644,000 arrivals,up 5% over 2005; hopes are to reach700,000 by year-end. U.S. is secondlargest market, following UK.

Asked about growth niches, he noted,“the luxury brand is expanding inTanzania. The Kempinski group, withproperties in Dar es Salaam andZanzibar, is assuming management ofHotel 77, and will rebuild it into a sig-nature five-star property. Several newfive-star lodges are due to open inRuaha and Selous national parks; we’llhave details shortly. On Zanzibar, newproperties include the Neptune HotelGroup’s Swahili-themed, four-star, 154-room Neptune Pwani BeachResort…it’s on the island’s easterncoast, and the five-star, 138-roomGemma del Este, located on the north-west coast.” And, even while promotinga more low-volume/high-yield product,Macha believes that the more budget-minded (i.e. backpacker) and/or specialinterest visitor is also an important newcategory that will require economicallodgings in more rural areas.

Asked about safari product news, heenthused over walking safaris that arenow offered in the Serengeti andNgorongoro parks.

The more remote Southern Circuit isbecoming popular due to easier air ac-cess via direct flights from Dar esSalaam and Zanzibar to the Selous,Katavi and Ruaha parks. The govern-ment recently signed an agreement tocombine Ruaha with the Usangu gamereserve, which will create the largestgame park in Africa — at 50,000 sq km(10,400 sq mi); it’ll be larger even than

the Serengeti.TTB is also trying to increase aware-

ness about delights of Saadani andKitulo. Africa’s first tropical park to beprotected primarily for it’s floristic expe-rience, Kitulo is sometimes called “theSerengeti of flowers” because it’s com-pletely covered with wildflowers duringsix months of the year, including 45species of orchids, many of them foundnowhere else on earth. Saadani,Tanzania’s first coastal wildlife sanctu-ary is located 30 miles north of Dar esSalaam and directly across fromZanzibar, comprising some 244 sq. mi.of land and seacoast along the IndianOcean.

Tied to park viewing countrywide isan emerging niche — wildlife manage-ment training, which attracts both pro-fessional and amateur students. TheEastern Africa Wildlife ManagementTraining College in Moshi accepts stu-dents; volunteers can contact the TTB,Department of Wildlife and Ministry ofWildlife and Fisheries for study-visits

with lodging in local communities sur-rounding the various parks. To comple-ment traditional wildlife safari tourism,TTB is developing a 12-day cultural sa-fari that traverses the country north tosouth, visiting 22 villages to provide op-portunities for “up-close-and-personal”interaction with various tribes.

At press time, TTB’s advertising bud-get was not yet finalized, but marketingplans for the coming year include travelindustry roadshows and travel agentand media FAM trips.

Regarding air access news, Machasaid that Qatar Airways recentlylaunched service from the United States(four flights weekly from Newark; dailyfrom Washington, DC) to Doha, withdaily connections to Dar es Salaam.

TTB’s updated website launches laterthis summer, featuring an expandedphoto library and an e-newslettersignup. Tanzania Tourist Board, bradfordmktg@aol.com, www.tanzaniatouristboard.com

Marketing Tanzania: Updates from The Land of Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar

B Y M A RY E L L E N S C H U LT Z

River Dance – elephants crossing Rufiji River in Selous National Park.

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ENJOY THE BEAUTY OFEAST AFRICA WITHMOIVARO LODGES &TENTED CAMPS

Moivaro Lodges & Tented Camps offerswelcoming accommodations throughoutTanzania, creating ideal locations to enjoythe beauty of East Africa. At MoivaroCoffee Plantation Lodge, accommodationsare in picturesque cottages set in beautifulgardens, each with their own veranda andall the modern comforts. Facilities includea swimming-pool, playground, nature trail,massage room, internet facilities and roomservice. Moivaro Coffee Plantation Lodgealso has first-rate conference facilities.

KIA Lodge is centrally located betweenthe northern towns of Moshi and Arusha,and can be the starting point for climbingthe world's highest free standing mountainor beginning a safari into the SerengetiNational Park or Ngorongoro crater.

KIA Lodge has 40 en-suite air conditionedrooms. Designed to compliment the setting,each cottage is built in traditional styleusing thatch and Tanzanian arts and crafts. The swimming pool is located on top of a hill affording a breathtaking panoramic view.

Lake Manyara Tented Camp in Tanzaniais located only a short drive from the en-trance to Lake Manyara National Park. Thecamp is nestled away in a quiet corner of 35acres of acacia forest and A-frame styletents are placed around a central glade, of-fering privacy but still only a short walk tothe restaurant and bar. There are a range ofactivities available from the camp, includ-ing night game drives, mountain biking,guided village walks, forest walks and aflight experience providing a bird’s eye viewof the Lake from the air.

Serengeti Tented Camp is situated at theborder of Serengeti National Park, offeringone of the best game drives in the area totake in one of the world's greatest wildlifespectacles. Each comfortable tent has itsown en-suite bathroom, modern furnishingsand a private verandah. The central restau-rant and bar area boast a large fireplace,an ideal spot to unwind after a long day.Guests can experience night drives andguided game walks, or an early morningwalk followed by breakfast in the bush.

Lake Natron lies in the northeast ofTanzania in between the NgorongoroHighlands and Serengeti plains. Unique in

its setting, Lake Natron Camp is set back ina grove of trees slightly removed from thedusty terrain of the lake. Modern and cleanA-framed safari tents offer showers, com-fortable beds and a verandah. Climbing canbe arranged with an experienced guide.Arrangements can also be made for a walkfollowed by either a picnic breakfast or sundowners by the lake. There is also anearby freshwater waterfall to swim, cooloff and relax.Moivaro Lodges & Tented Camps, www.moivaro.com

BE PART OF THE GREATWILDEBEEST MIGRATIONWITH AFRICAEXPERTS

Each year one of the greatest wildlifeshows on earth takes place as the 'GreatWildebeest Migration' heads from theSerengeti of Tanzania towards the nutrientrich green grasses of the Masai Mara inKenya. Traditionally between the months ofJuly to October, this natural phenomenoncauses up to two million animals to coverthe savannah as far as the eye can see. Thisis an ideal time to be in the parks as preda-tors such as leopard, lion and hyena are ingreat numbers due to the numerous prey an-imals. Going on safari to view and witnessthe Wildebeest migration is one of the ulti-mate experiences that Africa has to offer.AFRICAExperts provides numerous safarioptions to accommodate, such as the 14-day "Classic East Africa" safari. This small-group safari from Nairobi to Arusha pricedfrom $4,498, begins in Nairobi, ends inArusha and visits the highlights of the greatparks of Kenya and Tanzania in between.Price includes superior lodge accommoda-tion, park entrance fees, safari guide, 13breakfasts, 13 lunches and 12 dinners andairport transfers in Nairobi and Arusha.

Also available are shorter safaris such asthe eight-day "Kenya Highlights" that visitsSamburu, Aberdares, Lake Nakuru and theMasai Mara priced from $1,952. Price in-cludes accommodation in superiorhotels/lodges, park entrance fees, airporttransfers, safari guide, seven breakfasts, sixlunches and dinners.AFRICAExperts/Goway Travel, 800-245-0920, info@africaexperts.com,www.goway.com

wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm •• Travel World News10 • AUGUST 2007 • A F R I C A

SAXON HOTEL NAMES ANDREA HUGO NEW NORTH AMERICAN MARKETINGREPRESENTATIVE

The Saxon Hotel and Spa in Sandton,just outside Johannesburg, South Africa,has named Andrea Hugo MarketingRepresentative of the hotel in NorthAmerica, according to Karen vanSchalkywk, Sales and MarketingManager.

In announcing the appointment, vanSchalkywk said: “We are well-knownamong American leaders and entertain-ment celebrities who visit us regularly for

our special brand of hospitality, security and service. And we rec-ognize that our best opportunity for growth is from Canada and theU.S. Andrea will be working with tour operators and travel agentsto help us reach the discerning visitors from America who will enjoyour special hotel.”

The Saxon makes a world-class statement of ethnic African ele-gance with collections of contemporary African art throughout thehotel. Situated on six acres of landscaped gardens in an exclusivesuburb, the hotel offers 24 spacious and luxuriously appointedsuites. It is one of the most sought after hotels in the world and hasbeen voted World’s Leading Boutique Hotel every year for the pastsix years.

Andrea Hugo also represents other world-class hotels and gamelodges in South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, and Tanzania. Originallyfrom South Africa where she was educated, she held positions inmarketing for Medical Rescue International, Johnson & JohnsonSA, and Smith-Kline Beecham, before moving to America. Andrearesides in Virginia Beach, Va. with her husband and daughter.The Saxon Hotel and Spa, www.saxon.co.za

HATARI LODGE WELCOMES VISITORS TOTANZANIA

In the year 1960/61, the former Tanganyika, now Tanzania,hosted the production of the classic Hollywood movie “Hatari!”Hardy Krüger co-starred with John Wayne in that movie and inSeptember 2004, the former private homes of Mr. Krüger, locatedclose to the setting of the movie, became the center of the newHatari Lodge.

Hatari Lodge is located adjoining one of Africa’s most beautifuland diverse national parks, Arusha National Park. It is here wherethe world’s highest free standing mountain Kilimanjaro rises intothe skies above. Situated in a malaria free altitude, on the north-ern edge of the park, Hatari Lodge dazzles guest with its unspoiledviews of lakes and craters, rain forests, and the dormant volcanoMount Meru, rising elegantly in the background.

Hatari Lodge consists of three buildings and offers nine extremelycomfortably furnished rooms, each with an open fireplace and aspacious bathroom en suite. Each room has been lovingly decoratedin a retro style, evoking the 60’s and 70’s, the time of "Hatari!" andthe beginning of safaris in Tanzania.

The oldest building serves as a large central living and diningroom where guests will enjoy delicious cuisine. It is here that a cozylounge area, and bar with a veranda and viewing deck, as well as alibrary are located. Sitting around the open fireplace, guests areentertained with information and stories about the flora, fauna andhistory of Arusha National Park.

A variety of half or full-day activities can be arranged to suit thepreference of each individual guest. The “African Experience” canbe enjoyed in many different ways, such as close encounters withwildlife on game drives; experiencing the rich and diverse flora andfauna on a guided walk; an adventurous canoe trip; or relaxing andgetting an up close view of the resident buffalo, giraffe and otheranimals as they visit guests on the game viewing platform.

The special combination of Arusha National Park and the SouthAmboseli region at their seasonal Kilimanjaro Safari Camp willguarantee a great safari in Tanzania. Off the beaten safari tracks,vast wilderness awaits discovery.

New for 2007 is Tanzania´s Eastern Safari Circuit in whichHatari stands at the beginning of a unique safari experience to newdestinations. With Tanzania´s newest Mkomazi National Park andthe coast of the yet untouched Pangani, a fresh alternative to thebusy “nothern circuit” is in place. This journey can continue with avisit to Zanzibar Stone Towns finest properties for a few days ofculture and spice.Hatari Lodge, marlies@theafricanembassy.com, www.hatarilodge.com

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wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm •• Travel World News12 • AUGUST 2007 • A F R I C A

CC AFRICA OPENS MELTONMANOR IN SOUTH AFRICA

CC Africa has announced the launch oftheir new luxury villa, Melton Manor, atKwandwe Private Game Reserve in theEastern Cape, South Africa. A member of

Relais & Châteaux, Melton Manor offersthe perfect safari destination for families orgroups celebrating a special occasion.

Set in a beautiful location overlooking theFish river and afromontane forests, MeltonManor has a large swimming pool and cen-tral courtyard, and is the perfect escape fora family safari, accommodating eightguests. The elegant and simple design cele-brates the style of early frontier days.

The four ensuite bedrooms will feature innovative "butler hatches" for discreetroom service and the kitchen will be a place where guests can interact withMelton Manor's expert chef. The guestareas feature fireplaces for evenings spentrelaxing with a glass of wine or reading agood novel.

With its own dedicated ranger, trackerand private 4x4 safari vehicle, MeltonManor offers a range of exceptional safari

activities in Kwandwe’s superb Big Fivewilderness. Morning, afternoon/eveningand night game drives in private open safarivehicles, guided bushwalks, bush sundown-ers and picnics on the Reserve, fishing,rhino and buffalo tracking, archaeological,battlefield and historical tours toGrahamstown, bush breakfasts/dinners,scenic coastal flights, and specialist safarisare all offered.

This game-rich country features black andwhite rhinos, elephants, lions, buffalo andleopard, as well as a remarkable variety ofpredators and general game, includingcheetah, African wild dog, kudu, springbok,eland, red hartebeest, giraffe and gemsbok.It is a paradise for birdwatchers; the FishEagle and endangered Blue Crane areamong a wide variety of birds found on the Reserve.

Conservation Corporation Africa (CCAfrica) is Africa's leading African safaricompany and one of the most comprehen-sive safari operators with exceptionallodges and safaris in Africa's most breath-taking wilderness locations. CC Africa, www.ccafrica.com

SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYSVOTED AFRICA’S LEADINGAIRLINE

South African Airways (SAA) has an-nounced that it was voted once again as"Africa's Leading Airline" at the 14th WorldTravel Awards' Middle East & Africa event,held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirateson May 30. The airline was also honored inthe categories of "Africa's Leading BusinessClass Airline," "Africa's Leading First ClassAirline," and "Africa's Leading AirlineWebsite" for www.flysaa.com. The awardsare the result of votes cast by travel indus-try professionals across the globe.

"SAA for more than 70 years has beenknown as one of the world's leading airlines.The commitment to excellence that hasearned us this distinction has continued, in-cluding offering the best flat-bed businessclass seats in the sky coupled with unparal-leled service," said Marc Cavaliere,Executive Vice President, North America,for South African Airways.

South African Airways features the onlynonstop service from the U.S. to South

Africa with daily departures fromWashington, as well as daily direct servicefrom New York. SAA's unrivalled network,featuring connections to more than 20 des-tinations within South Africa, and morethan 20 cities across the continent, makethe airline the savvy traveler's "gateway to Africa."

As a recent member to the worldwide StarAlliance, South African Airways is nowable to offer its customers 855 destinationsin 155 countries and more than 16,000flights daily.

Members of Star Alliance partner UnitedAirlines' Mileage Plus program are able to earn miles on all South African Airwaysflights. South African Airways, 800-722-1005,www.flysaa.com

THE GRACE IN ROSEBANKHOTEL NAMED ONE OF ‘THE WORLD’S BEST’

The five-star Grace in Rosebank Hotel(Johannesburg) has been recognized byreaders of America’s renowned Travel &Leisure magazine as one of ‘The World’sBest’ in service within the Africa & MiddleEast category for 2007.

Annually, this prestigious magazine askstheir readers to put their votes towards thebest travel experiences worldwide, and highranking resorts such as Four Seasons, RitzCarlton and the Peninsula are brand namesto be reckoned with. This year, The Gracein Rosebank has been named among the top10 in Africa and Middle East and votedbest hotel in Johannesburg.

This boutique hotel situated in the heart ofJohannesburg exudes the highest levels ofservice and luxury, as well as classical stan-dards of excellence dating back to an era ofgracious living and attention to detail. Italso features a personal charm found onlyin small establishments.

In conjunction with its five-star gradingaward-winning restaurant, private diningroom, garden terrace with a heated lappool, spa, business center and brand newconference facility, the hotel meets the ex-pectations of both the business and leisuretraveler.The Grace in Rosebank,www.thegrace.co.za

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VISIT UGANDA, THE ULTIMATE TOURISTDESTINATION, WITH CRYSTAL SAFARIS

Uganda is home to tremendous and spectacular natural diversity,as well genuine, world-class hospitable people. Crystal Safaris hasover the years promoted and developed the start of a countrywidesustainable tourism experience in Uganda. They offer visitors theopportunity to live and fall in love with the ‘Pearl of Africa’

Crystal Safaris will take guests on a journey to discover unri-valled wild beauty. Gorilla tracking exploration is a must for everyvisitor to East Africa, and Uganda, endowed with beautiful vegeta-tion and scenery, offers the opportunity to find them interacting intheir natural environment. This amazing and awesome experiencewill never be forgotten.

The country of Uganda is also a melting point for culture, as it isa crossroad to the different ethnic groups on the continent. Its nick-name of the ‘Eden of Birding’ is quite accurate, since the countryboasts of 1,040 species of birds including endemics, GloballyThreatened, Paleactic and Trans African Migrant species with over1,000 butterflies. Travelers will experience all this with CrystalSafaris, Uganda’s Travel Experts.

Crystal Safaris can help create the perfect holiday. They under-stand what they are selling and how to package it to suit the clients’interest, time and budget. Crystal Safaris offers gorilla and chim-panzee tracking, general game safaris, white water rafting, birdwatching tours, mountain climbing, cultural and community tours,car hire and much moreCrystal Safaris, info@crystalsafaris.com, www.crystalsafaris.com

FASCINATING ADVENTURES IN THENORTHERN CONGO WITH CONGO TRAVEL & HOTELS

Congo Travel & Hotels offers travelers unique adventure safarisin the undisturbed and virgin heart of the Northern Congo rainfor-est. Come and discover all of the fascinating fauna and flora of thisregion, and encounter western lowland gorillas, forest elephants,herds of forest buffalos, sitatungas (marsh living antelopes), hyena,bongo (big antelope) and large varieties of tropical birds.

Odzala National Park boasts the highest densities of lowland go-rillas in central Africa.

On a side trip, visit Mondika Area to watch habituated gorillafamilies in their natural environment in nearby Ndoki NationalPark. In addition, visit the adjacent Nzanga Sangha Reserve knownfor its high concentration of forest elephants.

Come and share the pygmies and Bantu's lives and learn the ritu-als of these legendary people. They will help guests observe nature,while they teach about wild animals and the magical jungle scenery.Watch the pygmies climbing on top of trees for honey and learntheir techniques of traditional hunting and fishing. This experienceis an unusual expedition for lovers of unforgettable eco-adventures.

Enjoy trekking in the forest. Daily walking distance may covertwo to five kilometers. Sometimes it will be difficult to walk cross-ing swamps and rivers, but guides and porters are on hand to as-sist, and it is worth it on this journey of a lifetime. Accommodationsare in lodges, in tents while visiting the forest, and in houses in the

village. In the evening, sit by the fire, and eat local food, mostly ac-quired from your fishing and hunting parties with villagers. Listento the tales and legends of the remote forest.

This is a unique African tropical rainforest adventure safari andan ideal ecotourism experience. Ten day, two or three week safarisare available.Congo Travel & Hotels, cthcongotravel@voila.fr, www.travel-congo.com

EXPERIENCE ABUJA CARNIVAL FESTIVALIN NIGERIA WITH WEBISCO

Webisco invites guests to attend the upcoming Abuja CarnivalWeek in Nigeria, November 19-27, 2007.

The Abuja Carnival Week Program includes a tour of the Lokojacapital of Kogi State where slavery was abolished, and a visit toMount PATI and Cenotaph. November 22 is the Abuja CarnivalOpening Ceremony and the following night is a MasqueradeDance/Parade featuring the Durbar – Royal Horses on parade.Guests will also enjoy a boat regatta and a children’s program/pa-rade. The closing ceremony features state floats on parade show-casing cultural heritage, dances, acrobatics, masquerades, musicand cuisines. Package cost starts at $1,550.

Package includes local transportation, hotel accommodation,local flights, bed and breakfast and dinner, sightseeing, security,cultural shows, and local insurance. Webisco, webiscocare@yahoo.com

Travel World News •• wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm A F R I C A • AUGUST 2007 • 13

AFRICAEXPERTS INTRODUCES A KENYASAFARI FOR DISCERNINGTRAVELERS

AFRICAExperts, a division of GowayTravel, has unveiled a new range of prod-ucts following a visit to Southern andEastern Africa to research new products.

The new flying 10-day safari brings backmemories of the blockbuster movie, Born Free.

Appropriately named "Elsa's Footsteps,"the safari begins from Nairobi with a flightto Meru National Park, made famous byGeorge Adamson's lions. There are guidedwalks in the bush and extended game drives, and accommodations are at the luxurious Elsa's Kopje for three nights.Clients are then flown into Samburu andstay at Larsen's Tented Camp for twonights.

The last three nights are spent in thefamed Maasai Mara at Elephant PepperCamp and clients will be led on numerousgame drives and accompanied walks withprofessional guides. Land-only prices startat $4,467.

"This is a great introduction to Kenya forfirst time visitors," commented ProductManager Christy Fraser. "It is perfect fordiscerning travelers with limited time. Theitinerary has been carefully planned to en-sure many unique experiences are availableto travelers."

The program includes accommodations in

superior lodges and camps, nine breakfasts,eight lunches and dinners, all beverages in-cluding alcohol (except champagne or lux-ury spirits), game drives, guided bushwalks, domestic flights and membership tothe Flying Doctor's Society.AFRICAExperts also has special airfareson offer for travel to Kenya.AFRICAExperts, 800-245-0920,AfricaExperts.com,www.goway.com

ADD ADVENTURE TO YOURHOLIDAY WITH G.A.PADVENTURES

After returningfrom a disappoint-ing package tourto Thailand, BrucePoon Tip decidedto launch G.A.PAdventures inhope that otherswould share in hisquest for authentictravel experiences.

In 1990, Poon Tip founded G.A.PAdventures which has grown to a companyof over 500, offering thousands of smallgroup adventures, safaris and expeditionsaround the globe. Over 60,000 travelerstravel the world with G.A.P Adventureseach year, on expeditions to Antarcticaaboard its ship the Explorer; safaris andcultural journeys throughout Africa; hiking,

biking, and rafting trips in South andCentral America; exciting tours in Asia;and more. G.A.P Adventures offers thou-sands of off the beaten path trips for anyonelooking to add a little adventure to theirholiday.

From the start, Poon Tip and G.A.PAdventures have worked hard to promotesustainable tourism, ensuring its low-im-pact tours benefit traveler and host alike,using local transportation, accommodation,and local guides.

In 2003, G.A.P Adventures developed thePlaneterra Foundation, a non-profit orga-nization, to give back to the people andplaces visited on its tours by supportinglocal projects and international charities.

“Planeterra is a labor of love and a dreamthat has come together after years of plan-ning. It is my duty as the founder and CEOof G.A.P Adventures, to help preserve ourplanet, her people and to make sure hertreasures are around for the next genera-tion of eager travelers and wide-eyed ex-plorers,” says Poon Tip.

G.A.P Adventures and its CEO are con-sistently recognized for their quality andbusiness achievements, including:Entrepreneur of the Year, Top 100Employers, 50 Best Managed Companies,Conde Nast’s Green List, Ethics in Tourism,National Geographic AdventureMagazine’s 25 Best New Adventures of theYear, and many more.G.A.P Adventures,www.gapadventures.com

wwwwww..ttrraavveellwwoorrllddnneewwss..ccoomm •• Travel World News14 • AUGUST 2007 • A F R I C A

AAFFRRIICCAAresource directory

Congo Travel & Hotels (CTH)cthcongotravel@yahoo.frwww.travel-congo.com

Crystal Travel Serviceinfo@crystalsafaris.comwww.crystalsafaris.com

Ethiopian Tourism Commissioninfo@tourismethiopia.orgwww.tourismethiopia.org

Nigerian Tourism DevelopmentCorporationwww.nigeriatourism.net

Paradise Ethiopia Travelparadisetravel@123mail.orgwww.paradiseethiopia.com

Tanzania Tourist Boardwww.tanzaniatouristboard.com

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