"To Snow or Not to Snow"   -  The story of Mount Kilimanjaro

In Africa, when one discusses global warming, the topic immediately shifts to the snowcap of our beloved Mt. Kilimanjaro. A decade ago many scientists predicted that the snow would vanish by 2015 and this information was featured in a highly publicized documentary in 2006 "An Inconvenient Truth". Now some of the same scientists have changed their minds and predict that the glaciers of Kilimanjaro will be gone between 2022 and 2033. Still not a nice thought to think of Kilimanjaro without any snow.

While it’s true that the glaciers are shrinking, whether it’s because of global warming or the warm currents off the Indian Ocean, some of the thinning of the glaciers is also due to the lack of snow on top of the mountain.

But, it seems that Mt. Kilimanjaro is not going to give up that easily.

Other reasons that scientists say may be causing the decline of the glaciers is lack of falling snow together with deforestation around Mt. Kilimanjaro. While we are no scientists, one of our guides who has been going up Kilimanjaro with our clients over a number of years claims there is more ice and snow falling now than years past and it seems the glaciers are also building up again. This claim is also being made in the article that was recently circulated by the Tanzania Association of Tour Operators.

We have copied the article here in its entirety. read more

Now open, these strategically located camps around Serengeti and Mara offer you not just comfort in the wild but also privacy.

These limited luxury camps have their own private washrooms, specially trained cooks and are as close to nature as you can get. Solar energy is used as much as possible with the least amount of disruption to the environment.

TANZANIA- Track the Great Migration

Oremiti Camp- 100% solar- lodge style accommodation located just 20 minutes from Manyara Park and offers a great view of Lake Manyara and close to Maasai Bomas.

In Tarangire, the 6 lodge-like camps have private bathrooms and are located near Gursi Swamp.

There are three campsites in Serengeti - The Central Serengeti Camp is near the Seronera River. The Northern Serengeti Camp is a migration camp which is semi-permanent close to Mara River close to the border between Serengeti Tanzania and Maasai Mara in Kenya. The South-East Serengeti is another semi-permanent migration camp near Ndutu where the Wildebeest give birth to their young ones.

KENYA- immerse yourself in Cultural Experiences

The Longido Camp is located south of Amboseli Park in Kenya, west of Kilimanjaro. These six large camps offer superb views of Mount Kilimanjaro on a clear day. Cultural visits with the Maasai living in their Bomas nearby is a highlight of many travelers. Walking safaris are another with guides who know their fauna and flora around this Maasai territory.

Let our experienced tour consultants guide you on your best options during the year.
Contact us info@rickshawtravels.com

Istanbul welcomes guests for international festivals

Istanbul has set out to become a must-visit shopping destination with the second annual Shopping Festival - one of the largest and most exciting shopping events in the world. Big discounts, 24 hours shopping experience, street-fashion shows and live music. Turkey is going all out to woo shoppers from around the world. What’s more, to attract shoppers, foreign visitors will be eligible for a refund of value added tax on purchases at some specially designated tourist shops. A special invoice will be issued, which can be presented for a refund at the airport.

Daily Flights to Serengeti - Auric Air has announced a new route from Arusha in northern Tanzania to the Serengeti National Park. The flight departs daily from Arusha Airport at 08h00, connects all airstrips in the Serengeti National Park and Lake Manyara National Park and arrives back in Arusha at 12h20. “We would fly to all the major airstrips such as Seronera, Grumeti, Klein’s Camp, Kogatende, Lobo, Manyara, Ndutu, Sasakwa and Fort Ikoma on inducement,” said the airline.

Aero Link Uganda Limited (AeroLink) a subsidiary of Airkenya Express will on 1st July 2012, subject to regulatory requirements, commence scheduled and charter flights within the Ugandan National Parks.  AeroLink will be based and operate out of Entebbe International Airport.  AeroLink will offer flights from Entebbe into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest (both Kisoro and Kihihi Airstrips), Queen Elizabeth National Park (Kasese airstrip) and Murchison Falls (Pakuba airstrip).

London, UK - Heathrow has opened its temporary terminal to cope with the surge in passengers anticipated after the closing ceremony for the Olympics. The structure, which will have 31 check-in desks and seven security lanes, is expected to handle more than 10,000 athletes and 37,000 bags.

Dubai Summer Surprises Continues until July 14

Exploring Dubai is so much fun during the summer. The region’s best shopping deals, world-class family entertainment, giveaways worth millions of dirhams. Around 50 luxury malls put out the best shopping promotions for shoppers while hosting entertainment shows throughout the summer.

Coastal Aviation is now flying shared charter flights from Dar es Salaam to Mocimboa da Praia in Mozambique.  The flight is available 3 times a week on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Connecting from the Selous at 7:25 as well as passengers arriving with British Airways the flight departs from Dar es Salaam at 09:00 to Mocimboa, where it connects from there to the Quirimba Islands with CFA flights. Returning, the flight departs from Mocimboa at 10:30 and will arrive at Dar es Salaam in time for our convenient connections to the Selous, Zanzibar, Mafia Island and Udzungwa.

Fly from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro with Kenya Airways.Kenya Airways has announced the launch of their own direct flight from Nairobi to Kilimanjaro - effective 2nd July 2012. Having identified the route as a key addition to its network within Africa, the new route supports Kenya Airways' plans to expand its network as part of its ten-year growth strategy. Kenya Airways continues to aggressively pursue their network expansion plans aiming to link all African countries with the world.

The new service will depart every day, except Thursdays, offering adventure hungry travellers visiting  Africa's highest mountain with  adequate baggage capacity and increased comfort on the Embraer 170. The Kilimanjaro International Airport is strategically situated between two regions of Kilimanjaro and Arusha in Northern Tanzania.

Despite the obvious attraction that Kilimanjaro offers to climbers and adventure travellers across the globe, the area is also renowned for its safari tourism, investment opportunities and business activities. The new flight connects with the Kenya Airways flight, KQ 101 from London-Heathrow.

TANZANITE - 1,000 TIMES RARER THAN DIAMONDS - The Tanzanite Experience showcases the history of tanzanite through its unique museum concepts in Arusha and Dar Es Salaam, creating a greater awareness of how rare and precious Tanzanite is by revealing its mystery and rarity.

The Arusha museum opened in the heart of Arusha in 2008 making it the first of its kind to offer visitors an educational experience in an informal and upbeat environment and at the same time giving them a chance to purchase fully certified stones for themselves.  The following year then saw the collaboration with Shanga by developing a tanzanite boutique at Shanga River House with a portion of proceeds going to support their community project along with a boutique opening at Arusha Coffee Lodge.  New for early 2012 was the exciting opening of another museum in Dar Es Salaam, on Mererani Road in Masaki allowing residents and visitors to Dar to also enjoy "The Tanzanite Experience".

Being a product of Tanzanite One Mining Ltd, the largest and most sophisticated Tanzanite mine, ensures that the "experience" provides the most up to date information on this precious stone as well as exhibiting an incredible range of finely cut stones that visitors can purchase and know they are buying directly from the source.  All stones are certified at the Tanzanite Laboratory which is located within the museum.

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June 16, 2012 marked the 8th annual naming ceremony and as Vice President in Charge of Travel Agencies for Rwanda Tours and Travel Association, I had the privilege of attending this ceremony.

As you are all aware, Rwanda has taken immense steps to turnaround the near extinction of the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. A notable achievement in Rwanda’s tourism is the 26.3% growth in the population of gorillas since the last census in 2003.

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The Pride of Africa If you think train travel is a thing of the past, then think again. Rovos Rail of South Africa, has its own station at Capital Park, in Pretoria. This colonial style railway station serves as the new departure or arrival point for all their train journeys.

It also has a small railway museum. If you’re a rail enthusiast, you will want to visit their collection of carriages and locomotives which are kept in perfect order by their dedicated staff. There is also the repair and maintenance facility alongside a new 300m platform housing the laundries, stainless-steel kitchens and well-stocked storerooms.

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Migration Safari - Tanzania- 4 Nights / 5 Days

From USD 2075* per person sharing Valid from till 31st October, 2012

Witness the world famous animal migration on this safari on the vast plains of Serengeti. Included are games drives to Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. Includes: - 1 night at Ngorongoro Serena - 2 nights at Serengeti Serena lodge - 1 night at Lake Manyara Serena - Park fees / Crater fees - 4w drive Safari car - Experienced Driver / Guide - Pick up and drop Kilimanjaro airport book online | read more

Mumbai Four Seasons - India

The Ultimate 5 Star Luxury Hote l- Spacious accommodations - many with views of the Arabian Sea. Enjoy the panoramic view of Mumbai from the highest open air rooftop bar in India, the AER Lounge on the 34th floor. Includes: - Accommodation in a well appointed Superior room. - Upgrade to Deluxe Sea View Room (Subject to availability). - Daily breakfast at the coffee shop. - Two way airport transfers by air-conditioned vehicle. - 5% discount on F&B and Laundry for a stay of 07 nights and above. - 50% discount on Wi-Fi. - Currently applicable taxes. - and more book online

USD 302* per person sharing Valid- Up to 30 September 2012

Mara Rianta- Kenya - 2 Nights / 3 Days - East African Resident Special

2 Nights for KES 59,800 per person sharing Valid until October 31, 2012

Nestled in the heart of the North Conservation Masai Mara Reserve. Immersed in the original bush among indigenous plantations and trees, the 20 luxury tents are directly overlooking the Mara River, which winds itself around the camp with gently flowing waters surrounded with wild life and teeming with large groups of Hippos. Includes: - Accommodation in deluxe tent with spectacular view of Mara River - Butler service - Breakfast, lunch, dinner - 2 game drives per day in the Mara North Conservancy - 1 game drive in the Mara Reserve - Mara North Conservancy Fees and Mara Reserve Fees book online

Cape Town, South Africa - 4 Nights

Cape Town has become one of the top holiday destinations in the world in recent years. Should you decide to visit the Mother City of South Africa, you will find many tourist attractions close to the City of Cape Town: Mountain ranges, beautiful beaches and a magnificent wine region are just a few highlights that Cape Town has to offer. The combination of all of these attractions is the reason this city is the preferred travel destination for millions of tourists throughout the world. Includes: Meet & Greet on arrival at Cape Town International Airport Scheduled return transfers from Cape Town International Airport to hotel 4 Nights at your selected 4* hotel in Cape Town with Bed & Breakfast - Capetonian Hotel: USD 200 per person sharing - Hotel on St Georges: USD 245 per person sharing - Southern Sun Waterfront: USD 350 per person sharing - Protea Vic Junction: USD 375 per person sharing book online

From USD 200* per person sharing Valid till September, 2012

Luxury Rovos Rail 6-Day Victoria Falls Journey

From ZAR 14850 per person sharing * Valid October 1st to 3rd September 2012

Take this epic 6-day journey which commences in Cape Town and ends at the majestic Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Relive the romance of a bygone Africa on a nostalgic expedition to one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Includes: Meals on the train Visit to historic Matjiesfontein Tour of the Big Hole and the Diamond Mine Museum Overnight in Pretoria Available in reverse as well. book online

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