April 3, 2009

Tanzania Eco-Tourism & Zanzibar Beach Culture – AfricanMecca Safaris, Tours & Beach Vacation Newsletter – Spring 2009

In This Edition:

  • Tanzania – People & Language
  • Top 10 Reason For Visiting Tanzania – Reason # 5
  • Kikoti Camp In Tarangire National Park
  • Zanzibar Serena Inn in Stone Town, Zanzibar – Unguja Island
  • Tanzania Safari & Culture Video Guide
  • African Safari Program Prices & Proposal
  • Indian Ocean Beach & Cultural Program Prices & Proposals
  • 2009 & 2010 Safari Discount Specials Update
  • Another Perfect AfricanMecca Customer Experience
  • Newsletter Notes

Tanzania Country Guide

Tanzania – People & Language

In Tanzania, a land of superb landscapes and spectacular wildlife, another attraction stands equally tall: the people. Tanzania’s people are among the most welcoming and approachable on earth, with a range of fascinating cultures ready to be shared with visitors. From the Chagga of the slopes of Kilimanjaro to the now world-famous Maasai, a cultural excursion or a longer stay among local people is likely to become one of the most rewarding experiences of any holiday in Tanzania. In addition, many local areas run their own cultural programs for visitors, bringing income directly to the community and giving the people the chance to show their lifestyle to the outside world on their own terms. Cultural tourism programs are beneficial to everyone: the visiting guests get a unique and unforgettable experience, the local people generate income and improve their standard of living, and both parties gain a valuable understanding of another culture which will last long after the visitors have returned home.

Click here for a complete guide to Tanzania

Tanzania Travel Guide

Top 10 Reason For Visiting Tanzania – Reason # 5

Number 5 – Eco-Tourism Experience: More increasingly our guests are asking us for a true genuine African experience vacation. An African experience that is run by indigenous people of Africa in a environment where your stay is at accommodations built by indigenous people of Africa, and where the revenue from your spending actually and directly assists the indigenous population be self sufficient and self reliant. Apart from visiting the Maasai homesteads, take for example the experience at Chumbe Island where the accommodation has been designed in natural material. Food served comes from the freshest produces. While guests staying there have the opportunity to enjoy the offerings such as snorkeling and also learning about the lodge’s effort in preserving and sustaining the islands ecosystem and its inhabitants.

Click here to review all Top 10 Reasons For Visiting Tanzania

Tanzania Safari Accommodation Guide

Kikoti Camp In Tarangire National Park

kikotitent

Kikoti is a Maa (language of the Maasai) word for “the place where life began”, the name bestowed by the local Maasai upon an ancient pre-Jurassic kopje in the Tarangire ecosystem in recognition of its enduring permanence and dominant status in the surrounding ecosystem. When owners of Kikoti Camp began working with local communities in the Tarangire Conservation Area, it seemed like the perfect name for the safari camp, showing respect for the Maasai community that have roamed the area for generations, and the owners reverence for the game-rich wilderness in which the camp is located.

Click here for complete information on Kikoti Camp & complete guide to Tarangire

Indian Ocean Cultural Beach Accommodation Guide

Zanzibar Serena Inn in Stone Town, Zanzibar – Unguja Island


Idyllically situated on the sea front of ancient Stone Town, washed by the aquamarine waters of the Zanzibar channel, redolent of the scent of cloves and flanked by an exotic melange of sultan’s palaces, Portuguese forts, ancient dhow harbors, dark slave markets, and bright bazaars, the Zanzibar Serena Inn is a haven of tranquility and opulence amongst the bustle of Zanzibar. Faithfully restored and lavishly embellished with a jackdaw collection of antique clocks, crystal chandeliers, fretwork screens, carved staircases, Persian rugs and brass-studded doors, the interior design concept is a fusion of authenticity and opulence that reflects the very essence of Zanzibar

Click here for complete details on Zanzibar Serena Inn & complete guide to Zanzibar

Tanzania Video Guide

Maasai Cultural & Tribal Dance

1. Authentic Maasai Entertainment At Kikoti Camp – Click Here To Watch Video I
2. Authentic Maasai Entertainment At Kikoti Camp – Click Here To Watch Video II
3. Authentic Maasai Entertainment At Kikoti Camp – Click Here To Watch Video III

Wildlife Diversity & Safari Experience At Tarangire

1. Tarangire National Park Birds – Click Here To Watch Video
2. Tarangire National Park Eagle – Click Here To Watch Video
3. Tarangire National Park Steinbok – Click Here To Watch Video
4. Tarangire National Park Scenic Views – Click Here To Watch Video I
5. Tarangire National Park Scenic Views – Click Here To Watch Video II
6. Tarangire National Park Wildlife – Click Here To Watch Video I
7. Tarangire National Park Wildlife – Click Here To Watch Video II

Click here for a complete video guide to Tanzania

Recommended African Safari Program – TIER 2 SAFARI

* 6 Days – Classic Tanzania Safari II (Includes Tarangire): From US $2190 or GBP 1623 per person sharing. Programs Inclusions: accommodation, meals, drinks, road and local air transfers, conservancy and park fees, game activities and all taxes. Click here for a complete itinerary. Tailor-make safari is available on request.

Click here to review other Tanzania recommended safari programs.

Recommended Indian Ocean Beach Program From Heathrow – 15 May Departures

* 14 nights Bluebay Beach Resort in Zanzibar. £1395 per person including international flights from London Heathrow or tailor-make overnight price from US $90 or GBP 67 per person per night.
* 7 nights Pinewood Village in Mombasa Kenya. £866 per person including international flights from London Heathrow or tailor-make overnight price from US $90 or GBP 67 per person per night. 2009 Mombasa departures available with more specials. Click here
* Highlights Of Pinewood Village Beach & Kilimanjaro Tsavo Safari – 10 Nights Beach & 4 Nights Safari. US $1962 or £1401 per person – excludes international flights.

The above programs can be tailor-made for our guests from North America, UK and other worldwide regions. Click here for prices for Indian Ocean Beach Holidays to Mombasa, Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo etc.

Bush & Beach Safari - Combine with Mombasa Beach Holidays. Click here for prices and safari programs

GREAT NEWS – NEW DISCOUNTS ON SAFARIS FOR 2009 & 2010!

There are several discounts that are available to our clients on some of our safaris. Some as high as 25-50% off the overnight room rates at superb wildlife camps to free local flights between safari parks for select participating safari accommodations. As our rates for 2009 have already been published and distributed to our agents and clients, we would recommend to any client or travel agent to inquiry about on our specific itineraries they like and will reply back with the most updated discount available to us. All discounts are passed on to our client. If you have certain budget constraints, we will be happy to recommend the appropriate itinerary and program for your budget.

Another Perfect AfricanMecca Customer Experience


Hi, I thought I would drop you a quick email to let you know how much Luc & I enjoyed our trip to Tanzania. The Kili trek was awesome & we were supported by a great team of guides & porters. I very much doubt either of us would have made the summit without the help & encouragement of Augustine & William. The safari was amazing too. All 3 lodges were excellent & our guide Babu ensured we enjoyed great game viewing. Thank you for organising the trip for us. Please pass on our thanks to everyone concerned. Luc has already passed your details onto a colleague of his who I understand is also booking a trip. We would be happy to recommend your company to anyone else considering a trip to Africa.

Kind regards

Karen Loughrey
United Kingdom

Click Here To View More AfricanMecca Safari, Tours & Beach Vacation Customer Testimonials

Newsletter Notes:

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May 29, 2009

AfricanMecca Safaris Scoops Tanzania Tourist Board Safari Award At African Travel Association (ATA) Congress

http://www.prweb.com/releases/tanzaniasafaris/africasafaristravel/prweb2471904.htm

Tanzania Tourist Board Honors AfricanMecca During 2009 Tanzania Safari Tourism Award Gala At The ATA Congress in Cairo, Egypt

Allentown, PA (PRWEB) May 29, 2009 — AfricanMecca, Africa’s top specialist safari and tour operator celebrated as it received the Tanzania Tourism 2009 Award for the Southern and Western Circuit at the Africa Travel Association (ATA) Congress held in Cairo, Egypt. The Honorable Shamsa S. Mwangunga, Tanzania’s Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, and President of ATA, presented the prestigious award at the special Tanzania Evening Gala Dinner held at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo.

Tanzania Tourist Board 2009 Safari Award - AfricanMecca
Tanzania Tourist Board 2009 Safari Award – AfricanMecca

Altaf Visram – Sales and Reservation Director at the family-run African outfitter was delighted that the latest achievement of their North American safari tour operations has been recognized “It is a real honor to be in Egypt, and for AfricanMecca Safaris to have received the Southern and Western Tanzania Safari accolade. We are naturally proud as it hosts Selous, Ruaha, Mikumi, Katavi, Gombe and Mahale National Parks – pristine regions that are all too familiar to us, and are just a hop, skip and jump away from our maternal grandparents homeland in Southern Tanzania”.

More than 300 leading agents, tour operators and hospitality professionals from across the regional and global travel industry attended the Africa Travel Association (ATA) Congress in Cairo last week. The four-day forum addressed a myriad of topics, such as the future of Africa’s tourism industry, tourism growth markets, travel trends, airline access to Africa, investment opportunities in the tourism industry and transportation. In addition, delegates participated in roundtables with tourism ministers, an Africa Bazaar for buyers and sellers, networking events, host country days, multiple gala dinners and pre- and post- country tours.

Americans have the highest tourist arrivals in Tanzania – The Land Of Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar and The Serengeti, also the cradle of mankind. AfricanMecca’s number one priority is commitment to its travel agents and customers. Added Visram “All credit to our employees and team offices who provide uncompromising, dedicated and quality driven personalized services. It is with our experience and accurate knowledge of our homeland that we have the ability to understand and create tailor-made tours to unimaginable places a reality, which benefit our clients taking into account various factual operational and feasibility factors unknown to the first time or limited time traveler to Africa.”

AfricanMecca has scooped up a number of important accolades this year. The most recent it topped was the National Geographic Adventure Magazine’s selection of Best Adventure Travel Companies On Earth in 2009 with a superb customer satisfaction rate of 96.67%.

About AfricanMecca
AfricanMecca is a natively owned Africa Destination Management Company with professional tour planning and reservation partner offices in the United States, United Kingdom and ground operations team within Africa serving travel agents and clients throughout the world. AfricanMecca is a TOP Operator Member at American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA), one of less than 90 Elite Tour Providers in the World & Africa’s Specialty Tour Operator. More information on Africa safari, vacation tours and holiday destination guide to Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Zambia

Media Contact:
AfricanMecca Inc
Sheena Rahim
1-866-527-4281
media@africanmecca.com
http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com

February 24, 2009

Tanzania Safaris With A New Selous Safari & Ecology Game Reserve Guide Book

Dr. Rolf Baldus’ Special Book On The Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania – Wild Heart of Africa

Dr. Baldus discussing with AfricaMecca Safaris: “Our interest in the Selous is non-commercial and all profits from the previous travel guides went actually back to the reserve. My first travel guide on the Selous appeared on the market around 1990. We have produced three more guidebooks since then. Selous book (first ever) which will be on the market in late March. I will send a reference with separate email.”

AfricanMecca Information, Videos and Photos On The Selous Safari Game Reserve.

Rolf’s Email Communication PDF Link: http://www.africanmecca.com/notes/Rolf.pdf

Standard Edition Link: http://www.rowlandward.com/product.aspx?id=642 & Special Edition Link: http://www.rowlandward.com/product.aspx?id=643

AfricanMecca’s recommended Tanzania Safaris or tailor make your own Selous Safari starting from Zanzibar, Dar es Salaam or Arusha.

The Original Selous Safari Camps Include:

Beho Beho Camp

Rufiji River Camp

Sable Mountain Lodge

Sand Rivers Selous

Selous Impala Camp

Selous Mbega Camp

Selous Safari Camp

Please contact AfricanMecca Safaris to get in touch with the author.

February 23, 2009

AfricanMecca Tops Best Adventure Travel Safari Company For 2009 With National Geographic Adventure

The ASTA Network Winter 2008/09 quarterly trade magazine recommended AfricanMecca as ASTA TOP Africa supplier member for honeymoons in Kenya. Please click here to read the complete article. If you have any honeymoon requests coming in, there are several deals available to ASTA agents including 25% off the overnight prices at one of Africa’s premier safari accommodations – Governors’ Camps. Please contact us for more information on these deals.

ASTA Network Winter 2008/09 Magazine – Page 82

http://www.africanmeccasafaris.com/astawinter2009.asp