Africa is a big continent!

[jandon]

I find it somewhat dismaying to see comments and questions regarding Africa limited to South Africa, North Africa and maybe the odd safari in Kenya. With nearly 50 countries, the most diverse geography on the planet,andliterally thousands of languages and cultures, Africa is rich, diverse and constantly surprising. I have made more than 25 trips to Africa, mainly in West Africa, and each trip has been fascinating, eye-opening, and engaging at a level I have never experienced elsewhere in the world. While there are indeed areas in Africa that suffer from unrest, crime, corruption and bad government, much the same couldbe said ofmany parts of America -- and the rest ofthe world, for that matter. Justdon't go there. Insteadenjoy the extraordinary kindness and generosity of most Africans, marvel at the vast open-air markets, sit in the WATO bar in Accra and watch Africa lowing around you while drinking a cold Star beer.Asyet, thankfully, the place isn't overrun with all-inclusives, which means you can stay in independent hotels and negotiate with locals to visitreal communities and see cultures that have so much to teach us. Not a lot of 5-star accommodations, but plenty of great hotels that are clean and comfortable. And if you get really adventurous, there are small guesthouses and modest innsnearly everywhere. Gambia is a good start -- there is a pretty well-developed tourist infrastructure -- and everyone loves Ghana, perhaps the most dynamic and stable nation in West Africa. But let's move our thinking beyond SouthAfrica and experience the adventure anddiversity of this complex, exciting and welcoming continent.

[kyshel]

you make some very good points, jandon. however, the website that sponsors this community forum is luxury-based travel. You validate that many accommodations you mention are not in that category. Looking at the accessibility to most African nations [from the US/EU, where the majority of LL customers reside] it's no wonder we don't travel there often. Flights are very costly from most non-African nations (witht eh exception of "popular" destinations like Morocco, Egypt and South Africa.
Look at a city like Dakar--departure taxes as high (or higher) than UK airports--the highest per diem expense in all of Africa.
Zimbabwe, host of the best side of Vic Falls, had NO currency (only rand and dollars) and many similar issues of political instability, and prevalence of malaria, yellow fever (requiring expensive innoculations/prophylaxsis for tourists)
Safaris in Botswana are typically twice the price of those in SA. We chose to stay on the SA side of the border for that reason.
We are looking forward to going to Mkuze Falls (oops, that's SA) next year--perhaps even Vic Falls--all via Joburg because of flights and schedules.
Would I like to go to Kenya? Sure! Can we afford or get theer easily--maybe not. I would find the idea of a down and dirty real trek thru the wilds of Gabon, but I'm not sure I want to risk my health or make extraordinary effort to get there. Do I want to go to Accra for a week or so? Probably not--I'd for a few days on the way to somewhere, but the connections to other parts of Africa are not very good.
I've been to Morocco--they can have it--UGH.
I'm off to Egypt this week (third trip for me--first for spouse)
Will I go back to SA?/ YEP--bet your booties. Lots to see and great people.

Please tell us more about your trips instead of dissing how we travel. I would personally really like to know more about your experiences. Maybe you can give LL some ideas about new properties and destinations we can get our chops into! Thanks--I think we'd all benefit!

[kapper]

jandon, are you a luxury link traveler? I ask the question because I have taken the time to review the other postings you have made in this community. The content of your other postings appear to deal with a totally different type of travel experience. Certainly, there is nothing wrong with what appeals to you but it is by no means a reason to criticize or question the destinations or interests of those of us who prefer to travel at the level and to the places offered by luxury link.



I must agree with those points made by kyshel.



Remember, jandon, when shopping, once can go to Walmart or Nieman Marcus....just a matter of comfort level and the financial ability to feel at home.



Looking forward to you sharing your wealth of travel knowledge with us.

[omegaet]

kapper, I recalled a prior posting jandon had shared with the community regarding an enjoyable LL package to Italy:



http://community.luxurylink.com/luxurylink/board/message?board.id=board-style-4&message.id=914#M914



jandon...I would gladly entertain bidding on packages to other countries in Africa, some of which you mentioned...if only they were offered by our friends here at LL. Although, I haven't visited the continent as frequently as yourself, I have enjoyed four safaris in Kenya and Tanzania....for which I am appreciative.

[jandon]

Whoa. I seem to have unintentionally raised some hackles here. I have indeed travelled with LL, and I love my 5-stars. One of my favourite places in the world is the Nisbet Planatation on Nevis. I'm not quite sure how my comments have been construed as "dissing" anyone's travel syles. Surely there is a place on a travel site like this to suggest some destinations and accommodation outside of the LL box? The fact is that there are many very luxurious hotels in The Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, Cote D'Ivoire, etc. if that's what you are looking for. My intention was to simply remind other travellers that this is a magnificent continent too often overlooked by travellers.

[kyshel]

Jandon--happy to read your reply and really would like to know about luxury options.. And I DO hope you'll recommend some to LL--please! You've done the groundwork already...

[jandon]

This is probably my last posting here, but I did want to respond to kyshel's request. As I mentioned, though the smllest country on the contient, The Gambia, long a winter destination for northern Europeans (and especially the Englsh since it is a former British colony), has the best-developed tourist infrastructure in West Africa. Though it only has about 60 miles of Atlantic beach frontage, most of it is lovely golden sand still relatively uncrowded. While it is true that it can be expensive to fly to Africa, I can fly scheduled airlines from Vancouver to Banjul (a good alternative to Dakar) via Brussels for $2,500. That figure can be trimmed considerably if you use one of the charter airlines flying out of Gatwick. (The Gambia Experience, which can also book hotels in a variety of packages, is the largest and most established.)



Once there, transport to hotels is easy and reasonably inexpensive. There are several distinct tourist areas, and, generally speaking, the farther south the newer the development. While most of the hotels are right on the beach, one of my favourites is the Coconut Residence, a beautifully designed smaller hotel just across from their sister condo development, which is located on the water. I've had some of the best meals I've eaten in Africa at the CR. Just south on a nice stretch of beach is the venerable Karaiba Lodge, sprawling over acres of beautiful tropical gardens. Whilethe rooms were always OK, they now claim to have refurbished them to "5-star standards."



Since I was in The Gambia last (five years ago), there has been considerable new hotel construction. Though I haven't seen it, I understand the intimate Ngala Lodge, in an old colonial mansion, is lovely. Since it isperched on cliffs overlooking the Atlantic, there is not direct beach access, however. Farther south is the brand new Sheraton Gambia Hotel, which issupposed to be very nicely designed and setting new standards for comfort. There are magnificent, largely undeveloped beaches all the way to thesouther border with Senegal.And while there are magnificent beaches and lodges insouthern Senegal, called the Casamance region, there is also a simmering separatist movement that occasionally erupts in violence. I would not recommend going there at this time.



The Gambia exists because of the River Gambia, which the British wanted as a means of shipping slaves and goods from the interior of West Africa. The river is lined with mangrove swamps, and the backwater canals, called bolongs, provide wonderful fishing. Trips up the river can also be arranged through almost all hotels, or directly at the bridge that leads to Banjul. (Though the capital, this sleepy little city doesn't have much to recommend it other than it is the terminal for the ferry that takes you to the north bank and onto Dakar). Another new resort that is getting raves is the Mandina Lodge. Described by the Lodon Times as the "best eco-lodge in the world," this luxury property is right on the river and offers all kind of opportunities to experience a bit of the interior.



The Gambia is a kind of mini-Africa withnice hotels. Outside of the rim oftourst development on the coast, life goes on as usual. There are wonderful open-air markets in downtown Banjul, and Serrekunda, the main populationn area, is fascinating and as lively(but more manageable) than any Afrcan city. You can access all of this easily with local cabs (yellow and cheaper) or tourist taxis, which are green.Organized tours are always available through the hotels.



Banjul is also a great jumping-off point for othre destinations in West Africa. From Banjul, Slok Air (I know the name doesn't inspire much confidence, but they have been flying successfully for several years now,something of an achievement on this route) flies to Dakar, Freetown, Monrovia, Accra, Conakry, Abidjan, Accra and Bamako.



Hope this is helpful.