Questions & Advice
Atta has provided answers to the following topics in the questions and advice section;
Do any Atta members cover West Africa?
- By:
- Paul Simpkins
- On:
- 12 June 2011
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dear Sir,
we at Fogg - Travel Consultants represent Middle Africa, a DMC covering West & Central Africa (www.middle-africa.com). Shall you have any queries or questions, please do contact us as info@foggtc.com
thanks,
Pilar
On: 13 June 2011
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Hi Paul, We promote a very cool property in Senegal called Les Paletuviers www.paletuviers.com. Les Paletuviers is a real secret gem of a property situated in a UNESCO world heritage site of Sine Saloum which is a unique mangrove-delta region scattered with islands, rivers and salt water sea arms leading to the Atlantic Ocean. Les Paletuviers offers guests an endless list of varied and unusual activities from experiencing the powerful and intoxicating Senegalise drumming and dancing to swimming with dolphins in the mangrove channels.
The three properties within the Les Paletuviers portfolio are; Toubacouta, a village of luxurious huts spread out in a beautiful baobab park, The Beach, 5 huts in a piece of blissful paradise by the ocean with a back to nature feel, and The Island, a secret until 2012…
Les Paletuviers is a birdwatchers dream with over 653 species of birds to be spotted. Guests can either go out with a birding expert on a dedicated excursion or try their own luck on a mountain bike ride to the neighbouring national park where they may also spot some of the many resident monkeys. Les Paletuviers also works very closely with the local villagers of Toubacouta who are very enthusiastic about giving the guests a real insight into village life.
Guests can experience the absorbing culture, swim with dolphins, explore the mangrove channels on a canoe safaris or simply unwind and enjoy the spectacular scenery.
The three properties of Les Paletuviers make a perfect complete itinerary and this, combined with the wealth of activities on offer and the very accessible and reasonable flights into Gambia across the border, makes Les Paletuviers a very easy sell.
On: 13 June 2011
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Hello paul. Leisure Afrique is your passport and gateway to West Africa. We are based in West Africa and it has always been our primary area of focus including the gulf of guinea. From Calabar in Southern Nigeria to Goree island in Senegal, we can provide seamless service to you and your clients.
We are a West Africa based DMC and tour operator with over 12 years experience in running tours and providing destination management services in Nigeria and the rest of West Africa. We have handled clients like the Standard bank group, Merill Lynch, China national oil & gas Company, Groups from Greece, japan, USA, Russia, India, just to mention a few of the clientele we have served in the past. Whatever you request is on West Africa, we can handle it or suggest a best option or service provider for you. You're welcome to contact us anytime!
For more information, please visit our website at www.leisureafrique.travel eventhough it is undergoing some redesign, you will know us better from there or contact us now at info@leisureafrique.travel
On: 13 June 2011
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We have several guides covering countries in West Africa so please contact me if you'd like further information. For more details of our title range please visit www.bradtguides.com
Best wishes
Debbie Hunter
Bradt Travel Guides
debbie.hunter@bradtguides.com
On: 13 June 2011
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We only feature a couple of places in West Africa. Les Paletuviers in Senegal, Gabon and the new sustainable tourism project on the islands of Sao Tome and Principe (Africa's 2nd smallest country but with the ambitious aim to become first ecologically-run tropical island economy). If you want anymore information or pointing in the right direction please drop me us a mail. escape@toescapeto.com
On: 13 June 2011
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Mtt Inc/CWA covers Gabon as of January 2011. I am currently based in Libreville.
Leslie Nevison
Director
www.CongoWildlifeAdventures.com
www.mamatembotours.com
On: 13 June 2011
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CWA is the first ever ground operation in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo, which facilitates visits to the remote Central African parks of Nouabale-Ndoki and Dzanga-Ndoki and the world's only families of habituated Western lowland gorillas. CWA is the latest venture of Mama Tembo Tours Inc, a North American and African based niche safari operator, which provides private customized travel to Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and Zambia
On: 14 June 2011
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Angola-Cameroon-Cape Verde Islands-Benin-Central African Republic-Chad-Congo Republic-Equatorial Guinea-Gabon-Ghana-Mali-Sao Tome & Principe-Sierra Leone-Togo
On: 15 June 2011
The Serengeti Highway is confusing us all, now that the Northern route has been axed there is talk of a Southern route why is that so bad surely it is clear of the game corridors?
- By:
- Al Rowe palmer
- On:
- 27 June 2011
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Good question. Let's watch how things pan out this week and waht comments TANAPA make.
On: 27 June 2011
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My understanding is that whilst the TZ government have indicated they are backing down from the northen highway, we should not assume it has been totally scrapped - at least until they commit to a route via the south. The suggested southern route will not bisect the Serengeti at all, thus not impacting on the movement of the migrating herds so it is definitely the better option.
On: 27 June 2011
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I found this article interesting in trying to explain why the back down on the Serengeti Highway is not a reason to celebrate.
http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/NewsDetails.aspx?newsId=59642
Save the Serengeti seem to say that there is some small print in the governments statement that does not rule out a gravel road still cutting through the Serengeti and others talking about a southern route. Confused!?
There seems mixed messages and ATTA will keep us posted once the dust has settled and there is a clear picture of what is actually happening.
We are also scanning the news story's and posting updates on our facebook page. www.facebook.com/toescapeto
On: 28 June 2011
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This is the response from Stop The Serengeti Highway which I think explains the current situation well.
"What is different now? The government curiously says that the current road acro...ss the same 53 km stretch across wilderness zone will “remain” gravel, though no such gravel road exists. There is a only a small two lane track. They do not exclude commercial use, stating that it will be “mainly for tourism and administrative purposes as it is currently.” And clearly, it will be the only connection between upgraded roads being planned on either side of the Serengeti. Whatever route is now there, which is not much, will have to be upgraded to make this connection happen.
One good piece of news – the road will remain under the management of the Park. This will mean gates and restrictions. But for how long? We must remain vigilant and stay together to continue to fight to protect the Serengeti."
On: 28 June 2011
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There is no clarity yet on the government’s real intentions and deep suspicion is felt that this is a smoke and mirrors exercise but we should wait and see just what the official position is and act accordingly. However we should pause for a moment and remember that the integrity of the Serengeti eco-system and therefore the survival of the migration is complex. A raft of factors could destroy the migration. In order to protect the Serengeti –Maasai Mara eco-system Kenya and Tanzania need to collaborate closely. They have a common interest in making sure that the Mau forest complex is not degraded any further so as to protect the catchment area feeding the rivers that water the Maasai Mara and Serengeti area and that provide permanent water for the migrants when they need it. It is essential to control abstraction from the same rivers for irrigating crops needs to feed a growing population around the Maasai Mara game reserve, & to desist from grandiose schemes to link Lake Victoria, with the Indian Ocean.i.e. Any major trade route be it rail or road should pass well to the south of the Serengeti eco-system. Making a dirt road or improving a non- existent one across 50 odd kms of the North Serengeti is not a mitigating factor in reducing the danger to the annual migration, nor are TANAPA gates on the same imagined road (at the entry and exit of the park) of any use in mitigating a disaster waiting in the wings. It should also be remembered that development of the Loliondo & other areas brought about by introducing a paved road to the North will potentially change land use in the area from largely pastoral purposes to agricultural use. Already agriculture expansion is slowly destroying the wildlife dispersal area east of Tarangire National park. Already the number of migrant wildlife in the greater Tarangire eco-system has been drastically reduced and ultimately Tarangire National park may only host a small resident wildlife population that it can sustain year around if agriculture continues to expand outside the boundaries of the park. The bottom line is that movers and shakers should be helped to understand the grave issues surrounding development of the area around the Game parks and that any planning and development projects should take into account that the destruction of component parts of an eco-system. One part of the mosaic can be irrevocably damaged & that act can destroy the whole. The sustained protection of the Serengeti –Maasai Mara eco-system can provide the nation states of Tanzania and Kenya with economic benefits derived from tourism for many generations to come unlike a gold mine that has a limited shelf life and leaves a horrible scar on the landscape. However the people living on the periphery of the protected areas that are wildlife dispersal area outside the parks must be the amongst the prime beneficiaries of the income derived from tourism for the great role part they play in supporting conservation by sharing their land with wildlife. Tourism is a major source of income for the East African region and it can benefit many segments of the economy and the potential eco-tourism offers is enormous. The challenges of a feeding, educating & offering a better life to a growing population is a major challenge and the purpose of our fighting against the development of a highway through the Serengeti is not to deny people around the protected areas the right to a brighter future, rather that they should in some way become true beneficiaries for being one of the custodians of the natural heritage. This dilemma is common wherever precious natural resources are under threat from the voracious appetite of the modern world for mineral & other resources so proper management of the area might yet serve as a role model for others in a similar predicament.
On: 29 June 2011
As a feelance travel writer I am wondering whether a remote seaside destination in East Africa is wise right now. Any thoughts
- By:
- John Humbie
- On:
- 14 September 2011
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Fom Atta MD Good question, let's see our members response
On: 14 September 2011
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Given the recent situation involving Kiwayu, in my opinion the the East African coast, upto and including Lamu is probably safer now than it has ever been due to the increased security.
On: 15 September 2011
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Hi John
In my view you can use Precision Air and Kenya Airways also service that route. You can fly either as they are both top notch airlines.
Ben Smit
On: 16 September 2011
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Lamu Town and Shella village on Lamu Island no problems. Populated village/town shouldn’t be a problem as everyone know another. The rest of Northern islands better to stay away before the gang is cough. I have heard on radio today that Kenyan police has good leads of who is the organizer… so let’s wait and see what happens.
On: 07 October 2011