Win a trip of Fiji with Kumuka Worldwide

THE PRIZE: 9 Day Fiji Action and Relaxation tour for one - worth a total value of US$1530!

Escape to a world of idyllic beaches, relaxation and adventure. This tour combines activities such as white water rafting and trekking with plenty of free time to relax
and rejuvenate on the stunning beaches.
More info about the Fiji Action & Relaxation >>

Subscribe to Venture Mag for your chance to WIN the trip of Fiji >>

Ever thought about adopting a penguin?

You have probably heard about and seen the penguins at Boulders Beach or in Betty's Bay, right? Well, as you probably also know these little creatures are suffering way to often from oil spills and other men-made impacts.

The Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) was founded long time ago to deal with exactly those problems:

• rehabilitate ill, injured, oiled and orphaned sea birds on a daily basis
• prepare for and manage the rehabilitation of sea birds during a major oil spill
• raise awareness about conservation through environmental education collaborate on research projects

SANCCOB aims to protect and conserve southern Africa’s coastal birds, especially threatened species, for the benefit of present and future generations. Recent research by the Avian Demography Unit at the University of Cape Town has shown that the African Penguin population is 19% higher today than it would have been in the absence of SANCCOB’s efforts in rehabilitation.

So what about adopting a penguin?

Penguin adoptions are quite simple. Each year during our busy winter season (June-November) we photograph each rehabilitated penguin before it is released back into the wild. Each bird receives a metal flipper-band before it is released. The medical history of the bird corresponds to the number on the band and this information is captured onto our database. To adopt a penguin, we look up its number and provide you with:

• a letter of adoption - including a brief medical history (where the bird came from, what was wrong with it, how much it weighed on admission and release etc.) (View Example)
• a photograph of your penguin (View Example)
• a certificate of adoption (View Example)
• back-copies of our newsletter

The documents are then posted to you and your bird can never be adopted by anyone else.
Each adoption costs R500 and the application process takes a minimum of 10-15 working days, excluding posting time. Adoptions are processed the order they are received.
For more information, please see the Adopt a Penguin Application Form.

Country Guide South Africa >>
Flights to South Africa >>
Accommodation in South Africa >>
Rental Cars in South Africa >>
Tours & Safaris in South Africa >>

British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa 2009

The British & Irish Lions return in the European summer of 2009 ( 30 May - 04 July) for a tour of newly crowned World Champions, South Africa.
The Lions had a torrid time in New Zealand in 2005 and will be looking to emulate the South Africa tour victories of 1997. Don’t miss a second of the action, get your British Lions tickets now!

• Sat 30 May 15:00 Highveld XV v British & Irish Lions Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace
• Wed 3 Jun 19:10 Golden Lions v British & Irish Lions Coca-Cola Park
• Sat 6 Jun 15:00 Cheetahs v British & Irish Lions Vodacom Park
• Wed 10 Jun 19:10 Sharks v British & Irish Lions The ABSA Stadium
• Sat 13 Jun 15:00 Western Province v British & Irish Lions Newlands
• Tue 16 Jun 15:00 Coastal XV v British & Irish Lions Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
• Sat 20 Jun 15:00 South Africa v British & Irish Lions The ABSA Stadium
• Tue 23 Jun 19:10 Emerging Springboks v British & Irish Lions Newlands
• Sat 27 Jun 15:00 South Africa v British & Irish Lions Loftus Versfeld
• Sat 4 Jul 15:00 South Africa v British & Irish Lions Coca-Cola Park

Pre Packaged Self Drive British & Irish Lions Tours (with match tickets) are also available!

Flights to South Africa >>
Accommodation in South Africa >>
Rental Cars in South Africa >>
Tours & Safaris >>

Last Minute Specials - Africa

pls see G.A.P Adventures - The Great Adventure People for more info & booking

Africa
Tanzania Encompassed
17 Days departure(s) on 12 May, 2009
Original: 1,979.00 - 25%
Sale: 1,484.25 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Southern Africa Wildlife Express
10 Days departure(s) on 24 May, 2009
Original: 1,189.00 - 25%
Sale: 891.75 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Kenya and Tanzania Overland
13 Days departure(s) on 31 May, 2009
Original: 1,229.00 - 25%
Sale: 921.75 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Kruger and Kingdoms Adventure
14 Days departure(s) on 02 June, 2009
Original: 989.00 - 20%
Sale: 791.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Kenya Lodge Safari
8 Days departure(s) on 21 June, 2009
Original: 1,259.00 - 20%
Sale: 1,007.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Last Minute Specials - Asia

pls see G.A.P Adventures - The Great Adventure People for more info & booking

Asia
Cycle China
12 Days departure(s) on 25 May, 2009
Original: 1,129.00 - 25%
Sale: 846.75 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Bangkok To Hanoi Adventure
14 Days departure(s) on 01 June, 2009
Original: 729.00 - 20%
Sale: 583.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Northern Hilltribes and Villages
8 Days departure(s) on 18 May, 2009
Original: 259.00 - 20%
Sale: 207.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Indochina Encompassed
29 Days departure(s) on 16 May, 2009
Original: 1,319.00 - 20%
Sale: 1,055.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Roam Laos
12 Days departure(s) on 22 May, 2009
Original: 569.00 - 20%
Sale: 455.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Southern Thailand Sojourn
9 Days departure(s) on 08 June, 2009
Original: 289.00 - 25%
Sale: 216.75 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Southern Thailand Sojourn
9 Days departure(s) on 18 May, 2009
Original: 289.00 - 20%
Sale: 231.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Bangkok To Hanoi Adventure
14 Days departure(s) on 16 May, 2009
Original: 729.00 - 20%
Sale: 583.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Darjeeling, Sikkim & Bhutan
14 Days departure(s) on 28 June, 2009
Original: 2,119.00 - 25%
Sale: 1,589.25 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Last Minute Specials - Central & South America

pls see G.A.P Adventures - The Great Adventure People for more info & booking

Central America
Cuba - Music and Dance
9 Days departure(s) on 17 May, 2009
Original: 789.00 - 20%
Sale: 631.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Costa Rica Explorer
14 Days departure(s) on 24 May, 2009
Original: 919.00 - 20%
Sale: 735.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Volcano Adventure - Antigua to San Jose
21 Days departure(s) on 13 June, 2009
Original: 1,019.00 - 15%
Sale: 866.15 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

National Parks of Costa Rica
14 Days departure(s) on 28 June, 2009
Original: 849.00 - 15%
Sale: 721.65 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

South America
Brazil and Argentina Discovery - Southbound
11 Days departure(s) on 06 June, 2009
Original: 619.00 - 15%
Sale: 526.15 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

The Inca Journey
9 Days departure(s) on 14 May, 2009
Original: 889.00 - 20%
Sale: 711.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Inca Heartland
21 Days departure(s) on 22 May, 2009
Original: 1,319.00 - 20%
Sale: 1,055.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Classic Peru
12 Days departure(s) on 31 May, 2009
Original: 859.00 - 25%
Sale: 644.25 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Amazon Explorer
10 Days departure(s) between 15 May, 2009 and 30 May, 2009
Original: 1,529.00 - 25%
Sale: 1,146.75 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Wildlife & Inca Encompassed
14 Days departure(s) on 30 May, 2009
Original: 2,079.00 - 25%
Sale: 1,559.25 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Ecuador in Style
8 Days departure(s) on 06 June, 2009
Original: 1,699.00 - 20%
Sale: 1,359.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Classic Peru
12 Days departure(s) on 17 June, 2009
Original: 859.00 - 20%
Sale: 687.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Gourmet Peru
11 Days departure(s) on 20 June, 2009
Original: 1,159.00 - 20%
Sale: 927.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Southern Sojourn - Buenos Aires to Santiago
13 Days departure(s) on 17 June, 2009
Original: 479.00 - 20%
Sale: 383.20 (EUR) - curreny converter
more info & booking >>

Kenya Lodge Safari - get 20% discount!

Kenya Lodge Safari
8 Days departure(s) on 21 June, 2009
Game drives, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Great Rift Valley.
Track down the "Big 5" on this journey through Kenya. From the millions of flamingos on the soda lake of Nakuru, phenomenal bird life and natural surroundings at Lake Naivasha, to the vast open plains and rolling hills of the wildlife abundant Masai Mara, all while enjoying your evenings in comfortable safari lodges and hotels, this trip is the ultimate Kenya safari. Travel by small safari vehicles to maximize the quality and amount of time on safari.

Original: 1,259.00 - 20%
Sale: 1,007.20 (EUR) currency converter

more info & online booking >>
more tours in Africa >>

No swine flu in South Africa yet

The SA National Institute for Communicable Diseases told the press today that currently no cases of swine flu are known in South Africa. The swine flu outbreak was reported to have started in Mexico around Saturday and seems rapidly spreading around the world. The first case in Europe (Spain) occurred today.

Deaths suspected to have been caused by the flu epidemic in Mexico reached 103 on Monday and the United States declared it a public health emergency.

South African Elections 2009 - final results

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has announced the final results of the elections in South Africa. The African National Congress (ANC) got 65.9 percent of the vote nationally, just short of the two-thirds majority it has enjoyed since 1999.

ANC - 65.9%
DA - 16.66%
COPE - 7.42%
IFP - 4.55%
ID - 0.92%

src.: http://www.saelections.co.za/

Elections in South Africa 2009

Info sources:

• Independent Electoral Commission
• The Times (South Africa) elections special
• Election news on News24.com
• Mail & Guardian election 2009 updates
• IOL.co.za (newspapers such as Pretoria News, Cape Times etc.)
• Twitter search "#saelections"
• Zoopy.com search "elections"
• New York Times (US) about the SA elections
• BBC Africa (UK) SA elections special
• TimesOnline (UK) about the elections
• The Guardian (UK) about the elections
• Al Jazeera about the elections

East Africa Safari - 15 days in Kenya & Tanzania

The vast open grasslands of East Africa support the largest concentration of wildlife in the world. Massive herds of wildebeest and zebra roam through the Serengeti Plains and the Masai Mara, along with elephant, giraffe and various predators. Ngorongoro Crater is considered by many to be Africa's 'jewel in the crown'.

Country: Kenya, Tanzania
Trip type: A small group adventure
Departures: 2009 2 May, 23 May, 13 Jun, 4 Jul, 25 Jul, 15 Aug, 5 Sep, 26 Sep, 17 Oct, 7 Nov, 28 Nov, 19 Dec 2010 9 Jan, 30 Jan, 20 Feb, 13 Mar, 3 Apr, 24 Apr, 15 May, 5 Jun
Price: From £890 (15 days) excluding flights.
Local payment: US$500

offers: Last Minute Special - 20% Off 2 May 2009 departure - New bookings only

more info & booking >>
more overland tours >>

South African elections... pt 1

Alex residents vow to boycott election [MORE]

Pencils, and not pens, are being used in today’s elections - because it’s cheaper. [MORE]

Marked ballots: IEC official arrested [MORE]

IEC officer wounded by armed man [MORE]

Women voters told to remove nail polish [MORE]

Voters told to vote in alphabetical order [MORE]

Ballot box shortages in Mpumalanga [MORE]

Ink shortage delays voting in KZN [MORE]



... to be continued...

10% discount off all Voluntour Vacations!

Book now and get 10% off all Voluntour Vacations

In honour of Earth Month at G.A.P Adventures - The Great Adventure People we are offering 10% off our Volunteer vacations! Give back to the people and places you visit on your adventures. Experience true cultural immersion by working alongside local people to improve basic living conditions through hands-on volunteer projects. Trips are balanced with both volunteer activities and plenty of time to relax and explore the areas. No training or special skills are required, just a desire to help make a difference!

Book by April 30, 2009 and receive 10% off the following next departures, or any other 2009 departures for these trips.

Please note - this offer cannot be combined with any other discounts or promotions and cannot be applied to optional extras such as my own room option.

2009 SA elections

"Hostelworld.com Connects" Video Competition

Hostelworld.com - Hostels and Budget Accommodation Worldwide – Book Now! is currently running a video competetion called "Hostelworld.com Connects".
(you'll find a link to the competition on your right hand side of the hostelworld homepage)

Here's what you need to do be in with a chance to win - make a short video that demonstrates the kind of connection you make while travelling - be it with cultures, fellow travellers, friends or whatever else you can think of.

Hostelworld.com will choose 5 finalists to send to one of our top 25 destinations to create their own city guide video like our own editor Colm. Each of the city guides will be broadcast on Hostelworld.com and the community will vote for their favourite, with the winner receiving a trip around the world worth £2,000 with £1,000 spending money!

Dates to take note of
1. » Submission period is April 1st - May 5th
2. » Community viewing and voting for grand prize winner to take place May 29th - June 12th
3. » Grand Prize Winner Announced June 19th

Emirates specials from CPT & JNB

Emirates is offering special fares from Cape Town and Johannesburg on selected routes. Booking and travel by 30 Jun 2009

Cape Town <> London Gatwick from R4575
Cape Town <> London Heathrow from R4716
Cape Town <> New York fom R10404
Cape Town <> Hong Kong from R5901
Cape Town <> Perth from R9297

Johannesburg <> London Gatwick from R4575
Johannesburg <> London Heathrow from R4716
Johannesburg <> New York from R9404
Johannesburg <> Honmg Kong from R5007
Johannesburg <> Perth from R8297

more flight offers...

Tings & Times on the BBC

Carl from Tings &Times in Hatfield, Pretoria in an interview/statement about the upcoming elections in South Africa. If you have been to South Africa, and Gauteng in special, you'll remember Tings! Most def!

Check the video on the BBC website!
Accommodation in Pretoria
Tours in & around Pretoria

Seb

Overland Tours - it is discount time!

Tanzania Encompassed - 25% discount
17 Days departure(s) on 12 May, 2009
Mt. Kilimanjaro, Lake Manyara, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Zanzibar.
Unquestionably this is the trip of a lifetime. Summit Africa's highest peak, view wildlife in the vast plains of the Serengeti, camp under the big African sky while at the game parks, and be dazzled by the historic and alluring spice island of Zanzibar. This is Tanzania at its best!
View Trip
Original: 1,979.00 - 25%
Sale: 1,484.25 (EUR)

Southern Africa Wildlife Express - 25% discount
10 Days departure(s) on 24 May, 2009
Livingstone, Ntwetwe Pan, Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Mokolodi Game Reserve, Serowe, Waterberg, Pretoria.
A 10-day journey through South Africa, Botswana and Zambia for the true nature enthusiast. Abundant wildlife and spectacular landscapes will make this an adventure you'll never forget.
View Trip
Original: 1,189.00 - 25%
Sale: 891.75 (EUR)

Kenya and Tanzania Overland - 20% discount
13 Days departure(s) on 31 May, 2009
Game Viewing, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Masai Mara, Kericho, Lake Victoria, Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Olduvai Gorge, Arusha, Nairobi
Now this is African adventure! On your ultimate East Africa trip, you will journey through the wide open savannah and the Great Rift Valley, travel to the shores of Lake Victoria, and visit the best known game parks in East Africa, including the Masai Mara Game Reserve and Serengeti National Park. Keep your eyes wide open for 2 action-packed weeks, in search of the "Big 5" - lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo.
View Trip
Original: 1,229.00 - 20%
Sale: 983.20 (EUR)

Kruger and Kingdoms Adventure - 20% discount
14 Days departure(s) on 02 June, 2009
Mpumalanga, Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes, Manyeleti Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, Milwane Game Reserve, Durban, Pretoria, Maputo.
Track down the "Big 5" in Kruger National Park, enjoy the beaches and feel the latin buzz of Mozambique, and participate in some great outdoor and cultural activities in Swaziland on this diverse and fantastic adventure which embodies of what southern Africa has to offer!
View Trip
Original: 989.00 - 20%
Sale: 791.20 (EUR)

Madagascar offers free visas to boost tourism

UPDATE: The "free visa" promotion (up to 30 days) will now continue until the end of December and is valid for all visas acquired on entry at an airport. (06 April 2010)

UPDATE: The entry visa for Madagascar at all Malagasy airports is now free for tourists until further notice. This is for a stay in Madagascar for less than 30 days. (14 Jan 2010)

The president of the Hotel and Restaurant Federation of Madagascar, Eric Koller, told the news agency AFP that "Until December 31, visitors who plan to stay in the country for less than 30 days will not need to buy a visa".

The visa previously used to cost 60 euros (78 dollars).

Madagascar has been hit hard by a political crisis, in which around 100 people were killed and elected president Marc Ravalomanana forced from office by the army-backed opposition leader Andry Rajoelina. The free visa initiative is made in order to boost the tourism industry which got devastated by the recent unrest in the Indian Ocean island state.

responsible holidays on Madagascar >>
Kumuka tours to Madagascar >>
online flight booking >>
Planning on visiting Madagascar? Order FREE Travel Brochure!

New rumors concerning Tsvangirai's car crash

Zimbabwe's MDC is currently investigating the tragic accident in which PM Tsvangirai's wife got killed in March. The investigation is still in early stages, but some reports suggest that the crash may not have been accidental.
A senior MDC official told the BBC that investigators are questioning the cause of the crash, in which PM Tsvangirai was injured. According to the MDC the driver who drove the lorry causing the crash is a former soldier who replaced the usual driver minutes before.
Furthermore the MDC senior officials are saying that, when the convoy reached a long, straight stretch of road his escort car, supplied by Zimbabwe's CIO (the Mugabe controlled Central Intelligence Organisation) suddenly speeded up and drove on out of sight. It is also reported (by the same source) that the whole scene was filmed by a white Zimbabwean farmer who got arrested and whose pics got confiscated. And it is said that that the CIO guards did not get out to help the injured people.

At current stage all is speculation, but keeping in mind that at least two politicians in Zimbabwe have died in highly suspicious road accidents in the past years makes me thinking that what the MDC senior officials are saying might be the truth...

Win Confederations Cup 2009 tickets!

What to do? Get your phone - sms 'FLAG' to 41929 (R2 per sms) OR visit www.flythesouthafricanflag.mobi (mobile website)
What to win? Tickets for the 2009 Confederations Cup in South Africa for yourself and three friends!

... it only works in South Africa...

The competition is part of "Fly the Flag for Football", a national campaign to build public support and excitement leading up to the 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup.

The British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa 2009

Still looking for tours, flights, tickets or all of them? Well, tickets for some matches are still available and pre-organised tours (incl. tickets & flights) aswell.

Welcome to the official TravelComments.com blog

Hi there,

after not using a blog for some month (or was it actually years) TravelComments.com is back with its own blog. Why? Well, while compiling the news over the last month' I came across topics that were so debatable or simply really interesting that a normal news entry (which only appears for a week or so on TravelComments.com) didn't seem appropriate.
Another reason to start blogging again is to have an easy access reffering page so that I don't have to put it in the forum or so when I am not at my own computers.

Anyway, let's get started!

seb