~DIVE & AFRICA DISCOVERY JANUARY 2024 Newsletter~ 

Happy New Year! Some travel ideas and inspiration to warm your heart!

The planet is changing, with temperatures on the rise. As a travel business—and travelers ourselves—we are a part of this reality. We have a responsibility to mitigate our environmental impact, both in the way we operate and the way we help you explore our beautiful, fragile planet.

Travel is an immense privilege, and it should always be done with respect for the environment and local communities. When done properly, with care, thought, and compassion, it can be a force for good—but all travel needs to take this approach.

There’s no quick fix for the planet, but there’s no planet B either, and we have to act now if we’re to have any meaningful impact. By taking steps to travel more responsibly, we can do more for our planet in 2024.

~Cindi’s Group Trips for 2024 2025 2026~

2025:

New!! Just added: Svalbard June 3-10 2025 7nts to from Longyearbyen.  Pricing starting at: twin porthole $5950.00 per person on up.

M/V Plancius North Spitsbergen Explorer – Versatile landscapes, sea ice & wildlife

This expedition focuses on the versatility of north Spitsbergen’s visually stunning landscapes, vast spans of sea ice, and many opportunities to spot whales, polar bears, seabirds, walruses, and other such wildlife. Enjoy the fantastically beautiful landscapes, adventurous landings, and shoreline hikes.

2025

Papua New Guinea: 10nts ~ Milne Bay aboard Oceania Liveaboard, February 6-16 2025 Group Trip~ Space available, this is a fabulous trip!!!

Mobulas and Orcas, Sea of Cortez, Mexico, June 14-21 2025 Group Trip-sold out

2026

Kalimantan (11 Days/10 Nights), Damai 2 Liveaboard Scuba Diving, May 25-June 4 2026 Group Trip New! Very excited to finally dive this part of Indonesia! Space available!

CHAD: March dates to be advised

https://www.africa-discovery.com/group-trips/2026/chad.php

Some travel inspiration for 2024 and beyond!

In need of some sun and warmth? 😊 Have a look below:

Seychelles~ Alphones Island resort: Another secret from May 1-Sept 30 is the stay 7/pay 5 time. You will love me forever! This is the most sublime, out there place you can be with off the charts pristine diving!

https://www.divediscovery.com/seychelles/dive-resorts/alphonse-island.php

French Polynesia: Book ahead as this place fills fast! Best diving on Rangiroa & Fakarava- Lots of options

For you! https://www.divediscovery.com/tahiti/divetours/tuamotos-diving-package.php

And humpback whale swims from July through October, we need to book now!

Sardine Run~ South Africa, we can book this now for  mid June to end of July. Then add on a safari! https://www.divediscovery.com/south-africa/divetours/sardine-run.php

WHALES!!! Hurry we have some space for Humpback whale swims in Silver Bank for this:

~ Mar 23-30: ten spaces total in Standard (6 sp) and Deluxe Twin (4 sp) Cabins

~ Mar 30-Apr 6: four spaces total in Deluxe Queen Cabins

San Ignacio Mexico- Gray whale love! Various dates still available https://www.divediscovery.com/mexico/divetours/san-ignacio-pacific-gray-whales.php

Socorro~ limited space for 2024- March, May & June. Best big animal diving, always a surprise to be had!

Italy!!! YES my grandparents are from Italy, I have been many times. I have a fabulous operator who offers off t

OFF The beaten path ‘real Italy’ just how I love it!

A different approach to the normal overcrowded, over loved places. This is for people who have been to!

Italy before and looking for a more authentic experience. to small hidden villages and borghi* where people still carry on ancient tradition, food recipes and timeless life-style practices still unknown to mass tourism.

https://www.divediscovery.com/italy/

The Luxury of Africa

https://youtu.be/ywmFYCCn-Os

Africa does have a heart and a soul. It exudes warmth and energy, a primal spirit of being on the sharp edge of nature in a way that few other places worldwide can. Everyone knows what I say, “There is NO place like Africa!”

Sure, we survive in market crashes, pandemics or election cycles, but here,

the savannas are awash with survival and the lessons of how to survive!

The most gratifying comment I hear repeatedly, “I had no idea!” No idea how profound an experience on a safari would be. This is the Luxury of Africa!

Whether it’s the Maasai Mara in peak season, summer on the Serengeti, or Maccu Picchu, over-tourism has become one of the biggest issues in travel. But with careful planning and a little flexibility, it can be avoided.
The first option is choosing a different place entirely.

Instead of a safari in Kenya or South Africa  consider Zambia or Botswana, where the footfall is much less, and many wildlife experiences are similar.

The other option is choosing the right time to travel. The Maasai Mara in Kenya and Tanzania’s Ngorongoro are spectacular destinations worth visiting—just not in peak season (July to August) when traveler numbers reach saturation point.  Instead, travel in the shoulder (or, as we like to say, Secret) season with fewer people and better prices. Here are a few examples:

Kenya: May, early June, and October-November

Tanzania: October-November to March for the Northern Circuit

South Africa Greater Kruger in May as well as other wonderful safari reserves.

Gorilla trekking in Uganda: Many travelers avoid gorilla trekking during the low seasons of March to May and November primarily because they can’t endure the rains that make environments unnavigable. However, we think trekking mountain gorillas during the rains is better because the low season has many advantages. Less expensive flights, discounts on accommodations, more space, less crowds, and available permits! Cooler temps, and gorillas forage  on lower slopes as more fruit near buffer zone! All bonuses!

For those of you I have planned safaris for, you know my ‘secret’ is to travel in the shoulder season of May in Southern Africa (Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia!) After the rains have ended, before the cold of winter begins, as well as High Season pricing!

Others are catching on, now would be the time to plan a safari for 2025 for May travel!

Instead of busy destinations, visit lesser-known areas, such as Zambia, and take a walking safari.

One of my favorite small safari companies, with extremely genius owner-guides, as well as guide trainers; they work with photographers in a big way. Simple camps, the way it all began. Real Africa!

Here is a sample below- of course we customize all safaris to meet guests time lines, needs and desires and level of accommodations.

https://www.africa-discovery.com/zambia/safaris/cz-special-12nights-2parks-4camps-classic-zambia-safaris.pdf

Zambia’s parks are blessed with low visitor numbers, as such they never have too many vehicles at sightings, and most times none at all!

Sample luxury:

We customize all trips, length of time, level of comfort, specific interests or simply wanting to be in the ‘bush’!

https://www.africa-discovery.com/zambia/safaris/barefoot-luxury.php

https://www.africa-discovery.com/zambia/safaris/6nights-luangwa-livingstone-luxury.php

Other magical places in Africa:

Madagascar! We have some fantastic well priced scheduled departure in the best areas to see many types of lemurs, as well as scuba diving off Nosy Be, however our NEWEST find is Ils St Marie: https://www.africa-discovery.com/madagascar/safaris/ils-sainte-marie-beach-package.php

Combines well with: https://www.africa-discovery.com/madagascar/safaris/1000-views-madagascar-safari.php

See our page with many options: https://www.africa-discovery.com/madagascar/

Soon to come, my trip report from Dominica with our EPIC Sperm Whale Swim trip 2 weeks ago!!! Check back on our website for Trip Reports, you don’t want to miss this 🙂

For 2024, I wish you all profound journeys!

Happy New year from the team of Dive & Africa Discovery Travel!

Cindi LaRaia

email us for information

Email us

Stay 9, Pay 6. Botswana Green Season Jan-Mar 2020

Botswana green season

Botswana Green Season

9 Night Machaba Special

Stay 9, Pay 6
An extraordinary value!!

3 nights at Machaba Camp – Luxury Tent
Machaba, in the game rich Khwai area of the eastern Okavango Delta, overlooks the Moremi Game Reserve.
Nestled within the riverine vegetation along the Khwai River,
the camp boasts on-going game sightings due to its prime setting.
Meandering forest pathways link to the open-plan, tented main camp ideal for socializing or dining while absorbing the picturesque scenery. A pool, set to one side of the camp, affords welcome relief during warm days.
Activities include morning and afternoon game drives (off roading and night drives permitted), visits to the local community and short mokoro excursions. Guided walks are subject to the availability of a qualified walking guide.

3 nights at Gomoti Plains Camp – Luxury Tent
This extraordinarily beautiful area is home to large herds of buffalo, a healthy lion population and the largest population of giraffe in Botswana.
Offering both land and water activities, guests may enjoy game drives, walking (guide dependent), birding, boat and mokoro excursions (water – levels dependent). Due to its position on a game path, there is the added excitement of animals wandering through the camp. Perhaps cool off in the camp pool, when not on game experiences.

3 nights at Ngoma Safari Lodge – Suite
Located within the Chobe Forest Reserve, bordering the Chobe National Park,
Ngoma Safari Lodge commands panoramic views over the Chobe River and Caprivi floodplain.
Between exciting game drives through Chobe, night drives in the Forest Reserve concession, and cultural interactions, unwind on sundecks or viewing decks, keeping an eye out for the large herds of elephant and buffalo for which Chobe is world-renowned.
The lodge was developed together with the community and has a direct and positive impact on this community.

2020 pricing:
USD $4875.00 per person sharing
No single supplement

Valid Jan 11 – Mar 31, 2020

Click the email us button below to get more information or to book this beautiful Green Season Special.

Email us

Botswana green season

Africa Discovery
P.O. Box 9807
San Rafael, CA 94925
(800)886-7321
(415)444-5100
www.africa-discovery.com

Namibia Green Season 2020- up to 40% off

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Namibia Green Season
Why to travel during Green Season?!

1. Winter Sun. Escape the damp and dismal northern hemisphere winters, and enjoy warm sunny summer days with average min/max temperatures of 17/29 ºC.

2. Avoid the crowds (a relative term in Namibia) of the high season and ensure you can stay at the venues proposed with the true feeling of Namibian peace and solitude.

3. When and if it rains, enjoy short spectacular afternoon thundershowers which only last an hour or so.  This is great to watch and rarely causes any great inconvenience.

4. It is the best time from a weather perspective to explore Namibia’s Skeleton Coast.

5. Experience the ‘season of bounty’, with a green and flowering desert when all forms of life look strong and healthy.

6. Observe the calving season for most antelope species and the resulting heightened activity among predators.

7. Look out for spectacular birding opportunities with many migratory species flocking in to enjoy this time of warmth and abundance.

8. Look out for antelope species which also tend to congregate in larger herds at this time of the year, allowing for great wildlife photography.

9. Breathe the air which is crisp and clean as the rain has generally cleared the dust in the air, allowing for great landscape photography.

10. Enjoy the cloud cover which diffuses the otherwise harsh light conditions and makes the country look truly benevolent, especially when there is also some grass after the early rains.

11. Share the excitement and enjoyment of the Namibian people when they welcome the rains that ensure future good grazing as well as plentiful wild fruit and other natural treasures.

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“Green Season” is between mid-January to the end of March 2020.
Because this is considered the “rainy season” and off season,
crowds are less and prices are reduced to up to 40%.

Here are some select destinations that are especially exciting
to visit during the Green Season!

NAMIBIA SELF-DRIVE

2 nights Desert Hills Lodge
2 nights Strand Hotel
3 nights Camp Kipwe
1 night Okaukuejo Resort
3 nights Mushara Lodge
2 nights Okonjima Bush Camp

Green season cost: $3464.00 per person twin share
(High season cost is $4914.00)

BEST OF SKELETON COAST- 5 star
(OVERLAND GUIDED & FLY-IN COMBO)

1 night Strand Hotel
3 nights Shipwreck Lodge
3 nights Hoanib Valley Camp

Green season cost: $7105.00 per person twin share
(High season cost is $11,064.00)

BEST OF NAMIBIA- 5 star
(FLY-IN)

3 nights Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (with ballooning)
3 nights Mowani Mountain Camp
3 nights Ongava Tented Camp

Green season cost: $8237.00 per person twin share
(High season cost is $11,614.00)

JOURNEYSMITHS CHOICE- 5 star
(FLY-IN)

3 nights Sossusvlei Desert Lodge (with ballooning)
3 nights Shipwreck Lodge
3 nights Ongava Tented Camp

Green season cost: $10,266.00 per person twin share
(High season cost is $14,907.00)

*** price based on 2 people

Why not experience the Namibian Summer (Green Season) and get the deal of the year?

For additional information or to book one of these Namibia adventures,

Email us

Namibia green season

Africa Discovery
P.O. Box 9807
San Rafael, CA 94925
(800)886-7321
(415)444-5100
www.africa-discovery.com

Tanzania green season special

Tanzania
Green season special
2 nights free on a 7 night safari

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In pursuit of great green wilderness

Combine Serengeti Safari Camp and Greystoke Mahale

3 nights Serengeti Safari Camp
4 nights Greystoke Mahale

From $7,622 per person

Migration action heats up as half a million young ‘beests start their lives on the Southern Serengeti plains.

And then? Head west. Far west, to where chimpanzees romp and commune around us, and the pleasure of Greystoke Mahale awaits.

For any new bookings for travel between the 1st of November 2019 and the 15th of March 2020 that include Greystoke Mahale, we’re throwing in two nights free on a seven night safari.

(**Special does not apply during festive peak between 20th December – 4th January**)

Email us for more information

*see the video below

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Africa Discovery
P.O. Box 9807
San Rafael, CA 94925
(800)886-7321
(415)444-5100
www.africa-discovery.com

Stay 3, Pay 2 Offer – South Africa – can add on

Stay 3, Pay 2 Promotion
South Africa

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South Africa
is one of the highest in demand destinations accross 12 African Countries!

Limited offer: stay 3, pay 2 at Kwandwe Private Game Reserve.

Stay at the Great Fish River Lodge or Ecca Lodge from $840.00 per person.

Valid offer from November 1 to December 15, 2019.
Great value time and weather!

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This can also be combined with a winelands stay
in Franschhoek in South Africa!!

La Cle des Montagnes (Franschhoek)
Petite room from $343.00
Courtyard room from $479.00
Garden room from $529.00
Garden Suite from $579.00
(usd per night)

For more information

Email us

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Africa Discovery
P.O. Box 9807
San Rafael, CA 94925
(800)886-7321
(415)444-5100
www.africa-discovery.com

Zimbabwe: The Mana Madness Special

The_Mana_Madness

Free flights in and out of Mana Pools National Park

Validity: 1 April to 30 June 2017 & 2018
Featured Camps: Any African Bush Camps property in Zimbabwe
Minimum Nights: 6
Rates: Standard rates apply for Somalisa Camp, Somalisa Acacia, Kanga Camp and Zambezi Expeditions and receive FREE Flights with Safari Logistics in & out of Mana Pools National Park (all other flights are at standard rates)

Conditions:
* In order to receive the Free Flights’ offer, guests are required to spend at least 3 nights in one of our Mana Pools properties in either Kanga Camp or Zambezi Expeditions
* Cannot combine with other special offers

Contact us @ Africa Discovery:
1 800 886-7321, (415) 444-5100
or Email us