Bales Worldwide expands African programme

Bales Worldwide has added two new destinations to its choice of African holidays for 2009. Independent and group travel options to Madagascar and Rwanda join holiday choices in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Mali, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Uganda making the 2009 programme the largest ever for the operator.

Prices for group travel start at just £1895 per person for the eight day Masai Mara Safari in Kenya with departures on the 2nd and 30th April 2009. The full programme is available as a printed brochure, as well as to read online at Balesworldwide.com.

The programme for 2009/10 covers 40 holidays options within the continent with two choices of escorted group holidays as well as 17 frequent departures, 21 suggested itineraries and an increased selection of tailor made travel options such as the stunning new Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge in Uganda and the Shamwari Ranger School in South Africa.

“Bales has been steadily growing its Africa portfolio over the last five years and we now offer one of the most comprehensive programmes for luxury travel to Africa. From self drive safaris in Namibia, spa holidays at the stunning Quilalea island resort in the Northern Mozambique Quirimbas Archipelago to sleeping under the stars at the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve, we offer 100’s of ways to enjoy this vast continent,” comments Iain Fenton, sales and marketing director of Bales Worldwide. “Madagascar and Rwanda offer some terrific new wildlife experiences as they are added to our portfolio for 2009,” Fenton added.

DANCING LEMURS IN MADAGASCAR
Like a lost world lying off the African coast, Madagascar is an island still delightfully untouched by mass tourism. With a strong emphasis on eco-tourism and unique wildlife experiences and an infrastructure still refreshingly unprepared for conventional travel, it is an ideal destination for those willing to trade modern comfort for a unique experience. Bales is offering several options including the 14 day Dancing with the Lemurs and Turquoise Seas holiday priced from £3450 per person or the 11 day Madagascar, Land of the Lemur trip which is priced from £3360 per person (first departure 13th February 2009).

This trip sets off from Antananarivo to the Andasibe National Park and a visit to the Analamazaotra Reserve, home to the Indri Indri, the largest living lemur. Journey south via Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, Ranohira, Toliara, Ifaty with the option to take a relaxing break on Nosy Be, known as the ‘Perfumed Isle’ to enjoy some diving or snorkelling.

RWANDA’S MOUNTAIN GORILLAS
The slopes of Rwanda’s Virunga Mountains are home to nearly half the world’s remaining population of mountain gorillas. The country is a perfect extension to a Kenyan safari flying to Kigali from Nairobi and transferring out to the Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge, close to the entrance of the Parc National des Volcans. Spend three nights and trek out to search for one of the area’s five habituated families of mountain gorillas. This four night extension is priced from £2495 per person (includes flight to and from Nairobi).

SHAMWARI RANGER SCHOOL, SOUTH AFRICA
This award-winning reserve offers a unique safari experience as well as the Shamwari Ranger School which presents an authentic opportunity to truly discover the captivating heart of the African bush. The 3-day experience is an exhilarating departure from the normal luxury safari encounter, presenting a hands-on chance to come face to face with South Africa’s remarkable flora and fauna and learn something of the life of a guide. This three day option operates between May and September with prices starting from £1150 per person (exclusive of international flights) and include all meals, accommodation, selected beverages and a DVD of your experience to take home.

NEW CLOUDS MOUNTAIN GORILLA LODGE, UGANDA
Set deep in the heart of the misty mountains of south western Uganda, this new lodge occupies a high ridge on the edge of the breathtaking Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Built in partnership with local communities and the Ugandan Wildlife Authority and opened earlier this year, the lodge offers 10 stone cottages and is the ideal base from which to track the usually less accessible Nkuringo group of gorillas. Priced from £4950 per person for 8 days, including international flights with Kenya Airways and 4 nights at Clouds.

BOTSWANA’S NEW LODGES
Bales will also be offering two new camps by CC Africa in Botswana which opened in August 2008. Xaranna Tented Camp is a spectacularly sited camp overlooking a permanent lagoon of the Okavango Delta in 25,000 hectares of prime concession land. Its 9 contemporary en suite safari tents feature a romantic sala and private plunge pool and the camp’s ideal location provides guests with some exhilarating wildlife encounters both on and off the water. Xudum Delta Lodge is situated on a permanent channel of the expansive Okavango Delta and features nine delightfully appointed suites that blend in effortlessly with the surroundings and come with private plunge pools, romantic outdoor showers and dramatic 180° views. Expeditions by game vehicle or mokoro offer intimate wildlife encounters. Priced start from £2995 per person for 9 days, including 2 nights at Xaranna Tented Camp and international flights with British Airways.

For reservations or further information about the new Africa programme, go to Balesworldwide.com.