18 month old baby elephant - Asanje

When I first heard about her through The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, I decided this is it - I have the opportunity now. It will be Asanje.

The news has been bombarding us recently with stories of elephant and rhino poaching, and how it is affecting not just these beautiful animals, but the entire African animal chain. I desperately wanted to help, but what could I do? That's when I looked further into The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust online.

David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is today the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa. The online process was simple, and I was given this precious 18-month-old elephant named Asanje to foster. Though I didn't pay much, I knew it could make a difference.

Asanje's mother was killed by poachers in Amboseli. My anticipation to meet Asanje on my next visit to Kenya was crushed when I heard the news of her passing due to some incurable infection from the wild. Had Asanje's mother not been killed by poachers, she would still be alive today. I took comfort in fostering yet another baby elephant, Rorongoi. Her mother was also killed by poachers and the Trust is doing everything it can to take care of Rorongoi while helping her get settled into a new community of elephants. I know Rorongoi is only one elephant amongst many thousands who need help and together we can, in our own small way, save them all. - The Editor

RwandAir resumes flights to Juba

The management of RwandAir would like to officially inform the public that from March 01 2014, all flights to Juba will be resumed. The schedule will remain as it was with three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The decision to resume flights came on the heels of the news received from the South Sudan government that they had signed a ceasefire deal with the rebels. This confirmation of peace talks reassured the airline of the safety of their passengers.

Illegal Wildlife Trade

The recent London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade was held at Lancaster House and attended by the Prince of Wales, and his sons, Princes William and Harry. Forty-six countries agreed on a declaration to tackle the illegal wildlife trade that is killing thousands of elephants, rhinos and other endangered species each year.

India to give visa on arrival

In an initiative to boost tourism in India, India is working on extending its visa-on-arrival to 180 countries, to be implemented by October this year. There will be some exceptions for some countries. Following a high-level meeting with representatives from various ministries, he said the electronic visa would be valid for 30 days from the date of the tourist's arrival in India.

Dubai to impose new 'Tourism Dirham' on hotel guests

Are you planning a trip to Dubai in the near future? If you are, you might want to know about this new "Tourism Dirham" that you will have to pay, separately, as a guest staying in any type of hotel establishment including, hotel apartments, guest houses and holiday homes.

Travel News

	KLM has expanded its cooperation with Kenya Airways within East Africa. Both airlines will now jointly operate 44 weekly flights on six routes to East Africa. UK passengers to Kenya, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia and beyond, will now be able to combine itineraries via Amsterdam (using KLM and Kenya Airways flights), and via London, using the direct Kenya Airways flight to Nairobi.
	Fastjet appoints General Manager, East Africa. African airline Fastjet has appointed Jimmy Kibati as its General Manager of East Africa. Kibati, who joins from Kenya Airways where he is Acting Commercial Director, will begin on March 17th and will be based in Dar-es-Salaam, overseeing Fastjet Tanzania.
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Hotel News

Finch Hattons Camp, Kenya to open April 2104 - After a year-long extensive renovation, luxury Kenyan camp Finch Hattons will be reopening its doors at the end of April 2014.
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Centara Ceysands Resort & Spa set to open soon in Sri Lanka, Centara Ceysands enjoys a superb location with the Bentota River on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other. read more

Rickshaw Client's Review

Hi Naz - Thank you once again for all your help, we really had an amazing trip and it wouldn't have been the same without your guidance.

We would like to thank Rickshaw Travels for arranging such a great trip to Dubai and India to celebrate our 25th Anniversary making it a remarkable experience.

Also, a special thanks to our drivers Krishna in Dubai, and especially to Hariram in India, both of whom made our holiday exceptionally enjoyable. It was truly an amazing trip. We have no hesitation in recommending Rickshaw Travels to anyone who is looking for a guided tour.

Anar and Rusty Moorji Toronto, Canada

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