Ethiopian Airlines to launch Addis Ababa <> Seycelles service

Ethiopia's flag carrier Ethiopian Airlines announced it will launch a new four-weekly service to Seychelles as of 01 April 2012. The new nonstop flights to Mahe Island (Seychelles) from Addis Ababa, combined with e.g. the daily service from Washington Dulles International Airport to the Ethiopipan capital, makes the Seychelles now more accessible than ever before for travellers based in the United States.
Seychelles will be Ethiopian’s 41st destination in Africa and 65th worldwide.

The Republic of Seychelles comprises 115 islands occupying a land area of 455 km² and an Exclusive Economic Zone of 1.4 km² in the Western Indian Ocean. The country is one of the  world leaders in sustainable ecotourism which attracts a good number of visitors every year.

Ethiopian Airlines, one of the largest and fastest growing airlines in Africa, is a Star Alliance Member since 2011. The Star Alliance network is the leading global airline network offering more than 21,000 daily international flights to 1,290 airports in 189 countries.

Video: Sodwana Bay Showreel 2011

If you are into diving or acutally planning to dive in Sodwana Bay in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa, you should take about 12 minutes and watch the following video. Sodwana Bay, located on the east coast (Elephant Coast) of South Africa near St. Lucia, is classified as one of the top dive sites in the world. The 50km reef complex with its 700m deep valleys and submarine canyons boasts around 95 species of hard and soft coral, sponges, other invertebrates and around 1200 fish species. The spectacular coral reefs are amongst the southern most tropical coral reefs in the world. Kudos at Bart Lukasik for the footage! It is amazing!

The dhow, a ship without nails

Dhow is actually a generic name of a number of traditional Arab sailing vessels with one or more so-called lateen sails. Lateen sails are triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle on the mast. Although dhows are still made without blueprints, power tools - or even nails - they are still very common along the East African coasts of Mozambique, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Kenya.



btw - back in the days the traditional European ships were depending on having the wind behind them. The dhows, which are still build in the same way they were already build centuries ago, are having adjustable sails that can be turned to catch the wind from any direction.

Take a "virtual tour" along Cape Agulhas

Cape Agulhas in the Western Cape province of South Africa is the geographic southern tip of Africa and the official dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian ocean. It is located at 34°50'00"S 20°00'09.15"E in the Overberg region, about 200 kilometres southeast of Cape Town.


Larger map

btw - also check the other virtual tours in this blog!

South Africa: Sardine Run 2011 - A taste of what's to come

update (27 June 2011): The 2011 Sardine Run has reached Durban's beachfront. Check the video... very durban-like ;-)



update (21 June 2011): According to reports, the sardines have started running. The first nettings produced 25 baskets of the fish at Hibberdene. The sardines currently coming through are isolated pilot shoals. About 500 common dolphins moved through the Margate area early on 21 June 2011. Many sharks were reported to be among the sardines.

The annual Sardine Run occurs in South African waters every June & July when millions of individual sardines spawn in the cool waters of the Agulhas Bank and move northward along the coast of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal into Mozambique. The shoals are often more than 7 km long, 1.5 km wide and 30 meters deep and are clearly visible from spotter planes or from the surface. The sheer numbers of Sardines create a feeding frenzy along the coastline, which is unique in the world. In terms of biomass, researchers estimate the sardine run could rival East Africa's great wildebeest migration.



Earth-Touch is a South African multimedia company that brings matters of the Earth (including wildlife and the environment) into the offices, homes and daily lives of people around the world.

Mafia Island, Tanzania: Ras Mbisi - "Barefoot Luxury" at its best!

Ras Mbisi is the only destination on Mafia Island’s north west coast that boosts 8km of deserted beach with enough sun, sand and fun for a magical getaway. The site consists of 5 acres of lush tropical grounds, plus access to 2000 acres of plantation, coastal forest and mangrove creeks to explore.



Ras Mbisi has 9 bandas. All have a private balcony and an ensuite bathroom with shower and WC, all are en-suite with private balcony and all rooms are approx. 60m² in area.
Ras Mbisi does not claim to be an Eco Lodge, but they are very conscious of their unspoilt surroundings and as such try to use sustainable methods to reduce our impact on the environment. 
These include:

• they produce power using a bio-mass gasifier
• composting raw food waste.
• re-use of all possible containers.
• low energy lightbulbs.
• solar hot water.
• buildings constructed using coco-wood, technically a grass, regarded as a renewable resource.
• growing many of their own vegetables, fruits and herbs in order to reduce what must be brought in from the mainland.

How to contact/book:
Ras Mbisi Lodge
P O Box 16
Mafia Island
Tanzania
Tel: +255 (0) 754 663739 or +255 (0) 753 284397
Skype: ras.mbisi.lodge (please note, they can currently only use text on skype due to the limitations of their satellite internet connection)
Email: contact@mafiaislandtz.com
www.mafiaislandtz.com
Facebook group

How to get here:
Two charter airlines currently serve Mafia Island:

• Coastal Aviation
• Tropical Air