After traveling in Kenya and Tanzania (June ’14, pg. 23), two friends and I flew out of Arusha for a stay in Uganda, July 2-12, 2012. In Entebbe, we met Sharon Kisitu of Cliff Edge Safaris (phone 0753422600 or, in the US, 510/652-4261).
A trip to Southern Africa for our group of 12 friends, April 29-May 22, 2013, was put together by Gill and Graham of Africa 2000 Tours (P.O. Box 1025, Knysna, 6570, South Africa; phone +27 44 384 1262), an ITN advertiser.
Two friends and I spent an exciting month in Africa, June 18-July 15, 2012.
We landed in Nairobi, KENYA, and stayed at the gated Flora Hostel (phone +254 720 071772). A Catholic-based center run by the Consolata Sisters, it is frequently used by missionaries but is open to anyone.
11 days, 8 nights. Highlights: Ngorongoro Conservation Area/Olduvai Gorge Museum/Serengeti National Park, habitat of leopards, elephants, hyenas/ancient Maasai cave art at Moru Kopjes/Lake Manyara, home to flamingos, tree-climbing lions/Tarangire National Park. Depending on date, $3,449-$4,099, land. With air from New York, $4,739-$6,809. Discovery Tours by Gate 1 (Fort Washington, PA; 877/900-9777).
18-day, 17-night tour on private jet across CHINA, BHUTAN, INDIA and SRI LANKA, staying at Amanresorts accommodations, Oct. 4-21, 2014. Group limit, 18. Highlights: In China, Forbidden City in Beijing, Great Wall, private breakfast cruise on West Lake/in Bhutan, Tiger’s Nest monastery/in India, pink city of Jaipur, tiger safari, camel safari/in Sri Lanka, Galle’s ancient fort. From Beijing, $49,950 per person, double occupancy. Frontiers Elegant Journeys (Gibsonia, PA; 800/245-1950).
In Hong Kong, China, the Dragon & Lion Dance Extravaganza takes place yearly on Jan. 1, with a parade of more than 500 specially crafted, large-scale animal and dragon costumes. The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. from Canton Road near the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and finishes at the Urban Council Centenary Garden, in the waterfront Tsim Sha Tsui district.
Contact the Hong Kong Tourism Board (phone +852 6344 6188).
by Bill Reed; Denton, TX
We boarded a plane in Dallas some 12 hours after our friends, who would be traveling with us, boarded in Winnipeg. We had met them in a chow line on a trip to Russia and instantly hit it off like long-lost friends.
5 days, 4 nights, June-September ’14. Highlights: In Kigali, visit genocide memorial/at Parc National des Volcans, mountain gorilla trek/in Ruhengeri, meet team at Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project. Land, £1,595 (near $2,622) plus $750 for gorilla permit. Single supp., $395 (near $644).
Steppes Discovery (Travel House, 51 Castle St., Cirencester, Gloucestershire, GL7 1QD, U.K.; phone +44 [0] 1285 643 333).
My husband, Jim, and I had been thinking of visiting Southern Africa for many years. When we read the Feature Article by George Anderson, “Spending 20 Fantastic Days in Southern Africa” (Feb. ’13, pg. 46), we knew we had found our trip. We immediately emailed Pierre Duval, who, along with his wife, Karen, own and operate BushBaby Safaris (110 Victoria St., Dundee, KwaZulu-Natal, 3000, South Africa; phone +27 [0] 34 212 3216).
14 days/13 nights in COSTA RICA. Highlights: In Cahuita National Park, Aviarios Sloth Sanctuary, rainforest beach with monkeys and toucans/boat through La Selva Biological Reserve, home to anteaters, coatimundis, rare frogs/whitewater raft on Puerto Viejo River/Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center/soak in hot springs at base of Arenal Volcano/walk suspended bridges in Monteverde Cloud Forest. Land, $4,798 ($4,998 in April). Single supp., $1,098.