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CENTRAL Region

 Africa Travel Magazine I N D E X Central Africa 3. Introduction to Central Africa 4-5 I am 6-7 Cameroon’s Cultural Festivals 8-9 THIS WORLD EDITION IS IN A WORK IN 10-11 of Africa PROGRESS. Until we begin our subscrip- tion program, this version is available for 12-15 I am Angola preview at no charge. Before any pages 16-17 Adventures in Travel from this edition appears in print, all pho- tos and advertisements appearing in this 18 TV5 Monde preview that are not of highest resolution 19 Obama and Africa will be replaced. Before our final editing, 20 Central African Republic several new pages and supplements will be added. 21 African Fashions 22 Five Regions of Africa “The western media needs to focus more on success stories in Africa. We are doing so 22-23 Culinary Tourism many good things out here which do not get 24-64 Additional pages to come enough publicity.” President Kikwete, Tanza- nia, Inserts: 24 Page Supplement on Cameroon

Testimonials from our supporters in Africa, Africa’n Fashions and Designers the UK, USA and around the world are solid proof that we have heeded President Kik- wete’s request by providing positive publicity for the past 15 years. The results are showing up in meaningful, measurable ways, as we move ahead in building a library of books and magazines that showcase the Best of Africa.

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Left: View of Lubango, Angola from nearby mountain. Photo by Muguette Goufrani Cover: Festival in Cameroon.

 Africa Travel Magazine VISIT CAMEROON DURING THE COUNTRY’S SPECTACULAR CULTURAL FESTIVALS

Ngondo Festival Africa in One Country: Cultural Mo- The Ilimbe Ilimbe Canoe Race Pirogue de Course Ilimbe Ilimbe saic Photo- Koffi Joseph and Ecotourism Paradise

Cameroon’s theme,“Africa in One Country,” says it all - cultural variety, pageantry, panoramic scenery, and wildlife in its natural habitat. Ser- endipity brings a pleasant surprise around every corner, from Mount Cameroon and the balmy beaches of Kribi and Limbe, to Waza National Park and Lake in the far north, on the doorstep of Africa’s Great Sahara desert. Cameroon is the home of colorful festivals year round. The Ngondo Festival in Douala, Cam- eroon’s largest city, is held annually for ten days, ending on the first Sunday in December. In the photo (left) two tribal experts collect and read a message from the water spirits. The scene opposite features a 65 man dugout race canoe, 30m in length. The canoe portrayed is the winning entrant from 2005. The smaller dug- out carries divers, about to descend into the Wouri river waers to retrieve a mes- sage from the spirits. The spirit message, after being interpreted by the experts, is then delivered to a group of chieftains from Douala and area, sitting under a special canopy.

The Ngoun Festival is held every second year in December. The Sultan-King of Bamoun is sitting on his ornate throne, framed by huge elephant tusks. On the page opposite (lower row) the guard’s shield features a double headed serpent, which depicts the kingdom’s continuing vigilance in keeping its enemies at bay in a two front war. The next photo is of local officials in their colorful regalia. The final photo shows the guards and guests in line with the Bamoun palace in the background.

Venez découvrir le Cameroun: Toute l’Afrique dans un pays - une mosaique culturelle et un paradis écotouristique Cameroon Ministry Yaoundé et Douala, deux principales villes du Cameroun, ont déjà abrité les of Tourism rencontres de l’Africa Travel Association; et le slogan du Cameroun ‘’Toute Tel:, +237 222-4411 l’Afrique dans un pays,’’ en dit long. Ce slogan décrit la diversité culturelle, Fax:, +237 222-1295. l’apparat, les paysages panoramiques et la faune dans son habitat naturel. Le don B.P. 266 Yaoundé 237 Cameroon For more information, visit www. de faire des trouvailles vous gratifie d’un plaisir agréable d’un coin du pays à africa-ata.org/cameroon.htm un autre; du Mont Cameroun et des plages douces de Kribi et de Limbé au Parc National de Waza, ainsi qu’au Lac Tchad dans l’Extrême-Nord, aux portes du grand désert africain du Sahara. Notre équipe de rédaction prépare actuellement un tiré-à-part de Africa Travel Magazine, qui présentera la culture camerounaise ainsi qu’un ensemble de photographies sur le festival du Ngoun et sur d’autres manifestations pittoresques qui se déroulent annuellement - c’est une raison suf- fisante pour laquelle cette édition aura un aspect conservateur.

 Africa Travel Magazine I am Cameroon ...

Cameroon- Africa in One Country

“If you dance, you vibrate - and he who in a way that you could never do by flying vibrates lives.” tant share of the tourist trade from North . Africa’s Doors of Hospitality America and other markets we hope to Whether the roads were smooth and broad Mount Cameroon, West Africa’s highest target for his ministry. Road to Economic or rough and dusty, there was always peak, stands like a giant sentinel, gazing Success something new and interesting to look out over the Gulf of Guinea on Africa’s At- But its not Mile Zero on the road to eco- forward to. Our overnight stays on the lantic Coast. Among it’s legendary names nomic success - this progressive country North-South tour were at Yaounde - Kribi is “Throne of Thunder,” a fitting tribute to is already high on the preferred list in - Douala - Limbe - Bamenda - and the powerful gods that are said to inhabit terms of business travel. Scan the financial Waza, and while the accommodation was the mountain’s inner core. Our group of pages, or dig a little deeper in the Internet, varied I would recommend all the hotels ATA members and journalists approached and you’ll see what I mean - the country is selected to our tour operator friends. I am Cameroon, Africa in Ngondo Festival River God the ‘throne’ shortly after one of its fre- rich with potential in terms of agriculture, landmark Hôtel Akwa Palace, located forestry, marine life, minerals and natural One Country, famous for For starters, one could not have quent volcanic eruptions, and the ribbons in the city center, is an ideal meeting of cooled lava resembled grey frosting resources. And a word to the wise, “Where festivals such s Ngondo. asked for a nicer day, as our delegates place with its popular terrace. oozing from an enormous layer cake. The business goes, tourism flows” - and vice Douala, my largest city descended from the Ministry’s tour Nearby is the Musée de Douala, located lava beds are evident from the main high- versa. Europeans discovered long ago with over 2 million inhabitants, has buses and the ATA members took in the hôtel de ville (town hall), featur- way to Kribi and a hiking trail winds up what most North Americans have yet to CAMEROON hosted two major events sponsored their seats in a specially reserved, ing Bamoun and Bamiléké craftwork. and over them. The warning signs advised learn - that Cameroon is a Tourism Mecca by the Africa Travel Association since tented area. Speaking of the weather, Visitors can purchase artifacts at Arti- us to pay respect and to tread gently in this in the raw. Ministry officials such as our 2001. During post tours, ATA members this occasion was typical of most days sianal Camerounais, an open-air crafts eco- sensitive area. tour leader Ebenezer Elimbi agree with with the popular expression that their land TOURS & had many opportunities to sample the during our month long stay in Camer- market. The city is 120 miles west of . Mount Cameroon is the crown jewel of a is Africa in One country.” In other words hospitality and feel the true spirit of oon, deep blue skies, puffy cotton can- Yaoundé, Cameroon’s capital. chain of volcanic mountains strung like a Cameroon is a little bit of everything, or the people. Nowhere was this feeling dy clouds, and just the right measure While Douala is not the capital of Cam- SAFARIS more evident than in Douala during of sun shine to make it comfortable. giant pearl necklace along the shoulders as my Grade 9 Spanish textbook said in its eroon, it is the most significant city in title, “de todo un poco.” the Ngondo Festival, a spectacle unlike This was one of my biggest surprises, of the Cameroon border. This (CAMTOURS). terms of population, and the economic vast range stretches from the seacoast to Cruising the Countryside anything you have ever seen in Africa. perhaps being located on the Wouri role it plays in the overall economy. It the northern plains at Maroua, gateway to Our escorted bus trip through the hills, Annual festivals and gala events River, 24 km (15 miles) from the At- is said to be named after the Douala, a Waza National Park. Each February the plains, valleys and coastline of Cameroon Your gateway to discovering abound throughout West Africa, but lantic Coast is the reason. In a coming black African ethnic group that origi- popular ‘ Course of Hope.’ attracts aspir- was quite similar to taking a small ship Cameroon. this one tops them all as a simply edition we will write at length about nally settled in the area. The chief com- ing climbers to the area and we’re told cruise or a personal rail tour. Why?- it outstanding spectacle that has deep this great event and why its story is provided whistle stops, combined with mercial center, Douala has an airport that, while the ascent is challenging, it’s Contact: spiritual significance. Having read so significant in the local customs and and extensive docks, and is a terminus not dangerous or overly strenuous. Many extended visits, photo opportunities and overnight moorings. Dr.Marc NKWENTI, Man- Wilbur Smith’s great book “The River culture. There are many more other for two railway lines extending into the other sights would amaze and impress us that day and in the week to follow. Ports of call on this ‘amazing land cruise’ God,” concerning life on the Nile reasons to visit Douala, and from here, interior. Industries include the manu- aging Director . Immeuble So much to see and do from Yaounde and Douala, included Edea, and Blue Nile in ancient times, I have you will enjoy good transportation facture of aluminum products, beer, La Patience 273, Rond Point been keenly interested in the rivers of links to all of Cameroon. Contact us Speaking personally, this trip was by far Kribi, Limbe, Buea, Bafang, Bandjoun, soft drinks, textiles, and the processing , Bamenda, Bangangte, Bafia, Nlongkak, P.O.Box 1198 Central Africa and the mysteries they anytime: mailto:[email protected]. the most complete tour of any ATA- Af- of timber and cacao beans. Douala’s rican host country I had experienced to Bafut, Foumban, Bafia, Maroua, Pouss, hold. In this case, the Wouri River, focal Douala, Cameroon’s largest city, main Yaoundé, Cameroon. port handles some 95 percent of the date. At its conclusion most travelers Mokolo, Rhumsiki, Mora and Waza E-mail: point of the Ngondo Festival in Douala, hub for air travel and industrial center country’s maritime traffic.This article is in our group were tired - and somewhat National Game Park. Sounds like a heavy has its own River Gods, it’s a ceremony is located on the Wouri River, a few continued on www.africa-ata.org/cm_doua- bedazzled - yet I enjoyed a feeling of solid duty schedule - right? Well, the surpris- [email protected] involving the “water spirits,” who com- miles from the Atlantic Coast, with its la.htm Above photo by Muguette Goufrani. accomplishment. As a result I will never ing thing was the fact that in spite of all Web site: municate their message in an unusual tourist attractions such as Kribi and Africa Travel Magazine. forget Cameroon and always hunger for the cities, towns and villages mentioned, www.camtours.org way. Limbe. Mount Cameroon, Africa’s more. Cameroon’s Minister of Tourism nothing was the same. In other words, second highest peak,is also within a , Hon. Pierre Helé, puts “ecology first” when they say “Africa in One country” few hours’ drive from Douala. The in his country’s efforts to win an impor- they mean exactly that, as we discovered

 Africa Travel Magazine tured a slave ship, releasing all of are arranging a bus tour, or taking a Gabon: West the passengers at the mouth of the rental vehicle, there are over 5,000 Komo River. In joyous response miles of good road. A Land Rover Central Africa and gratitude, the newly freed or other 4-wheel drive vehicle is slaves named their settlement recommended in much of the for- by Muguette Goufrani (Free Town). A lively ested areas. Africa Travel Maga- As part of my decade living on and charming capital, Libreville zine’s Associate Editor/ Pubisher, Africa’s West Coast, our family reminds me of a quieter, more covers West African destinations spent a memorable year in the laid back 50s version of Miami and events. Her native language Republic of Gabon, which hugs Beach, with its large ocean-view is French and she has lived in five the Atlantic, straddles the equator hotels. To name a few, there’s the West African countries, working and is roughly the size of . Hotel Mont-Bouet, the Ebene, for , Being health fanatics and out- Rendema Meridien, Novotel’s and Citroen. As a Travel Agent, door types, my mother Suzanne, Rapontchombo, Hotel Okoume she worked in North Africa, where brother Jean Pierre and I thrived Palace Inter-Continental, Hotel her family operates an inbound in the hot, humid climate - and Mont de Crystal and Hotel Gam- tour company, and later in Tahiti in 12 months, managed to visit ba. and Cambodia. Muguette has been much of the countryside. This Libreville’s chalk white build- a partner in the magazine since it gave us an intimate connection ings contrast dramatically with was founded in 1995. with the Gabonaise culture and the dappled green shades of the was valuable in my future career nearby equatorial forest. It’s a in tourism. We enjoyed a laid city of modern office buildings, AIR GABON is the national carrier of the back, tropical lifestyle; food was fancy shops, supermarkets and Republic of Gabon. We are proud to be in the delicious and varied, the shops white, sandy beaches inside city vanguard of African airlines that provide a and stalls were full of interest- limits. Not far away (140 km) on wide-ranging international and domestic flight ing items and tempting snacks. the south coast is Port -Gentil on network, soaring across continents with the What’s more, to our delight, the Ile de Mandji, a coastal island to most up-to-date fleet, equipment, and highest traditional West African culture the south. Fueled by oil funds and caliber of services. had in no way disappeared with relatively high wages, the town We make it easy to fly not only within Africa, the oil boom.” has dozens of restaurants, night but between Africa and and the Thanks to mineral wealth and a clubs and unique shops. . Travelers coming to Africa from relatively low population growth, Getting around in Gabon: The the United States can make easy connections Gabon is better off financially country’s national carrier, Air to AIR GABON in , or . than most of Africa. This fact is Gabon, has regular flights from Until 1977, Gabon’s only was a small reflected in their care and atten- Libreville International Airport domestic carrier functioning under the Trans- tion to basic ecological concerns. to Paris, Rome and London as gabon Company, with international routes For example, the vast coastal well as several cities in Africa. served by other airlines. wetlands and marshes, are still Air Gabon is one of the three or Today, Air Gabon offers “Le Meillieur Solu- largely intact. This is something four best African airlines serving tion” (The Best Solution) and convenient with which ATA members will Central and West Africa. If you connections to get you here, there, and almost heartily agree, the Association anywhere! being a strong advocate of eco- Nearly 85 percent of Gabon’s terrain tourism. Gabon, which hosted the is composed of dense tropical forest, Africa Travel Association (ATA) making ground travel quite difficult. International Congress in 1980, Until the Transgabon Railway opened in is easily accessible from the USA 1983, AIR GABON was the sole viable and Canada. means of linking the provinces. Along West Africa’s Freedom City: with the railway, we have contributed Libreville, our home at the time, to the development and unification of began as a settlement for freed the country, while continuing to be slaves on the site of a naval for- “The Best Solution” for getting around tress. How did it get its name? In Gabon. For more visit 1849, our French ancestors cap- www.africa-ata.org/air_gabon.htm

 Africa Travel Magazine

The 1970s saw the metamorphosis of Ga- bon, with a rapid economic growth driven by oil production and the export of manga- Muguette Goufrani Africa Travel Magazine’s As- Citroen. As a Travel Agent, she A TASTE OF LIFE IN GABON, WEST CENTRAL AFRICA sociate Editor/ Pubisher, covers worked in North Africa, where During my the Africa Travel Association and charming capital, Libreville many African destinations and her family operates an inbound lengthy stay on (ATA) International Congress in reminds me of a quieter, more events. Her native language is tour company, and later in Tahiti Africa’s West 1980, is easily accessible from laid back 50s version of Miami French and she has lived in five and Cambodia. Muguette has Coast, our family the USA and Canada. Beach, with its large ocean-view African countries, working for been a partner in the magazine spent a memo- Gabon’s Great Leap: hotels. To name a few, there’s the Air Afrique, Royal Air Maroc and rable year in With a stable government and 11 Hotel Mont-Bouet, the Ebene, since it was founded in 1995. the Republic of percent of the country’s land area Rendema Meridien, Novotel’s Gabon, which set aside for the parks, Gabon is Rapontchombo, Hotel Okoume hugs the Atlan- uniquely positioned to become Palace Inter-Continental, Hotel tic, straddles the the ecotourism capital of Africa. Mont de Crystal and Hotel Gam- equator and is roughly the size of Photographer Nicolas Reynard ba. Libreville’s chalk white France. Being health fanatics and trekked through Gabon’s new buildings contrast dramatically outdoor types, my mother Su- national park system, where with the dappled green shades zanne, brother Jean Pierre and I lush forests hide Africa’s larg- of the nearby equatorial for- thrived in the hot, humid climate est concentration of undisturbed est. It’s a city of modern of- - and in 12 months, managed to - and camera-shy animals. Could fice buildings, fancy shops, visit much of the countryside. these parks change the face of supermarkets and white, sandy This gave us an intimate connec- ecotourism and preservation in beaches inside city limits. Not tion with the Gabonaise culture the Congo Basin? When French far away (140 km) on the south and was valuable in my future photographer Nicolas Reynard coast is Port -Gentil on Ile de career in tourism. We enjoyed a and writer Tom Clynes set out Mandji, a coastal island to the laid back, tropical lifestyle; food to test drive three of Gabon’s 13 south. Fueled by oil funds and was delicious and varied, the new national parks for “The Ga- relatively high wages, the town shops and stalls were full of inter- bon Experiment,” they expected has dozens of restaurants, night esting items and tempting snacks. dozens of close encounters with clubs and unique shops. What’s more, to our delight, the the forest’s denizens of hippos, Getting around Gabon: traditional West African culture elephants, gorillas, and mandrills. The country’s national carrier, had in no way disappeared with Excerpt from National Geograph- Air Gabon, has regular flights the oil boom. Thanks to mineral ic. from Libreville International wealth and a relatively low popu- Africa’s Freedom City: Airport to Paris, Rome and lation growth, Gabon is better off Libreville, our home at the time, London as well as several financially than most of Africa. began as a settlement for freed cities in Africa. Air Gabon is This fact is reflected in their care slaves on the site of a naval for- one of the three or four best and attention to basic ecological tress. How did it get its name? In African airlines serving Cen- concerns. For example, the vast 1849, our French ancestors cap- tral and West Africa. If you are coastal wetlands and marshes, are tured a slave ship, releasing all of arranging a bus tour, or taking still largely intact. This is some- the passengers at the mouth of the a rental vehicle, there are over thing with which ATA members Komo River. In joyous response 5,000 miles of good road. A will heartily agree, the Associa- and gratitude, the newly freed Land Rover or other 4-wheel tion being a strong advocate of slaves named their settlement drive vehicle is recommended ecotourism. Gabon, which hosted Libreville (Free Town). A lively in much of the forested areas.  Africa Travel Magazine I am Angola ,,,

Other attrac- tions: These include the Mussulo Pen- insula with its three is- lets, the larg- est of which is called the Island of Priest. Fur- Kwanza Sul Province ‚ which is ther south, heartland of the kingdom encom- coolest. Lightweight casual wear bordered by the Bengo, Kwanza tourist can passed Mbanza Kongo, the present is appropriate throughout the year, Norte and Malange Provinces in the visit the Slavery Museum, housed at the site where day capital of the province. The royal although jackets and jerseys are north, Brie to the east, Benguela and slaves were kept while waiting to be taken to Brazil court was based in the town, which advisable for the evenings as it can Huambo to the south and the Atlantic in the Americas. The Kwanza River mouth nearby is a was the center for trade and other get cold at night. Rainwear is defi- Ocean to the west. The main tourist beautiful spot for picnics and fishing. political and economic activities. The nitely recommended during the rainy attractions in the province include Kuando Kubango Province, situated in the far south- province has vast offshore oil reserves season. It is generally advisable to the waterfalls, thermal springs and eastern area of Angola, bordering Zambia and Namibia, and plays host to a large number of oil consult with your health care prac- caves. The port, Porto Amboim, is the it is the country’s second largest province. Blessed companies. titioner for precautionary measures major access by sea. with two great rivers, the Kuando and the Kubango, The place where the Congo River against tropical disease before travel- Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul: this the province forms the gateway to the rest of south- meets the sea is one of the most mov- ing to Angola. Medication against province is famous for its art and vast ern Africa and certainly has tremendous potential to ing sights in the country and a trip to malaria is strongly recommended reserves of diamonds and was once become the hub for cross-border trade and tourism the ‚”Point‚” will take one to the site and it is also advisable to have a yel- part of a powerful ancient kingdom opportunities. The climate is pleasantly tropical and where the great explorer, Sir Henry low fever vaccination. known as Tchokwe. The kingdom dry and the land is rich in many untapped resources Morton Stanley started his historic The local currency is the Kwanza straddled what are now northeast such as timber, diamonds, gold and copper. trip into the heart of Africa in search (Kzr) which is named after one of Angola and the southwestern part Namibe Province: Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to of the famous Dr. David Livingstone. the larger rivers in Angola and U.S. of the Democratic Republic of the the west and Namibia to the south, this province is the Cabinda Province: The Cabindans dollars are widely accepted. Visas Congo. Today, Tchokwe sculptures are land of the Welwitschia mirabilis, an astonishing desert have a very rich cultural tradition and are required for American citi- still popular with art collectors; one plant that resembles a giant octopus! This plant, which still practice Bantu rituals, such as zens and all visitors must have a of the most famous being O Pensador, spans 2m to 3m in diameter, is unique to the region and initiation ceremonies. The province’s valid passport and proof of return a graceful sculpture of a philosopher is carnivorous! The Namib Desert itself offers excel- most impressive attraction is the tickets. While most European airlines resting his head in his hands. Bun- lent hunting and attracts game hunters from southern Maiombe Rainforest, which is espe- provide transport to Angola you guela Province‚ whose main attraction Africa and overseas. With the third largest port in the cially famous for its butterflies. There should always consult with your is the city of Benguela, known locally country, Namibe Province is one of the main centers of are hundreds of species of butterflies travel agent for specific travel and as Crimson Acacia. The province has fishing. to be found in the forest, many of tourism assistance as many hotels superb beaches, including Kaota, Ka- The province also has very beautiful beaches, with fa- which are unique to the area. Prized have recently undergone refurbish- otinha, Baia, Azul and Baia Farta. Scu- cilities for water sports and other activities. One of the by collectors, specimens of these but- ments in Luanda. ba diving and deep sea fishing are most attractive spots is Bibala Beach, where the water is terflies can be found in natural history For more information about visiting very popular pastimes. said to have healing properties. Kwanza Norte‚ which museums throughout the world. Angola, please contact the Embassy Huambo Province ‚ with its stunning is well known for its mighty rivers, it is covered by Travel Details: of Angola in Washington, D.C. at colonial style buildings has long been dense tropical forest in the north and savannah in the The climate in Angola varies depend- telephone: (202) 785-1156 or facsimile the center of Angolan history. This south. The Capanda Dam, situated in the middle of the ing on the altitude. The dry season is at (202) 822-9049 and the mailing ad- province has a pleasant climate and Kwanza River, is a hydro-electric power source and one between May and October with the dress is 2108 Sixteenth Street, Wash- rich, fertile soil that lends itself to of the largest civil engineering projects in the country. rain beginning from November and ington, D.C. 20009. You can also visit much cultivation. December until April. The warmest the following website: http://www. Zaire Province, along with its neigh- months are September and Octo- angola.org. boring province of Uige, Zaire was ber, while July and August are the once part of the Kongo Kingdom. The

 Africa Travel Magazine Ten Best Reasons to visit Angola a) the capital city of Luanda which is a vibrant tourist venue; (b) historic reminders of the colonial past; (c) a thriving tribal culture with many traditions; (d) a tropical climate with year-round pleasant weather; e) the opportunity to view wildlife in unique and unfrequent- ed national parks; (f) splendid landscapes including rivers, jungles and moun- tains; (g) a unique heritage of traditional art; (h) plenty of water sports in Luanda and nearby towns; i) the erotic, Angolan “masemba‚” dance performed by local dancers; and (j) traditional Angolan cuisine with a strong Portuguese influ- ence. In addition, local arts and crafts can be purchased in many marketplaces in Angola. Items made from ebony, rosewood, straw, malachite, bronze and pottery are all available. A wide variety of wooden masks and traditional instruments such as marimbas kissanges, xingufos, ankle rattles and drums can also be purchased. Interesting places to visit Luanda the capital city of Angola, which was founded in 1575 by the Portuguese explorer Paulo Dias de Novais, retains its heritage as a Portuguese colonial city and there are several interesting buildings of historical significance and a number of churches that date back to the 17th century. Luanda is divided into two parts, the ‚”baxia‚” or old part and the ‚”cidade alta‚” or new part. One of the city’s most famous landmarks is the Armed Forces Museum, which is housed in the St. Miguel Fort. The National Bank of Angola building, a large pink colonial building over- looking the palm fringed bay, which is another example of the legacy of Portuguese architecture as is the Kinaxixi market building. Ilha de Luanda, originally an island, has been joined to the mainland by a causeway. There, one will find many discotheques, bars and casinos, as well as restaurants where national dishes such as palm oil beans, fish calulu, dried meat, corn funge, chicken muamba and mufete de cacuso (tilapia) farofa can be truly savored.

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 Africa Travel Magazine Central African Enjoy the National Parks Republic offers My favorite game viewing area is St. Floris and the Banigui-Bangoran parks, which are Pristine Parks, known for protecting elephants, lions, leop- Wilderness Safaris ards and Rhinos - as well as buffaloes, hip- by Muguette Goufrani pos, monkeys, giraffes, baboons, cheetahs and crocodiles. The town and cities have Among my journeys throughout the length bustling markets. You will find beer, plus and breadth of this vast continent, the palm and banana wine for sale by the side Central African Republic provided an op- of the road, with green hills and giraffes portunity for me to experience something close by. , the capital, is a charming beyond the ordinary. This relatively new administrative district, and there’s enough nation is roughly the size of France, with attractions to keep you going for several geographical features that include Savannah days. The French founded the city in 1880, plains, mountain ranges, dense rain forests naming it after the nearby rapids. The old and many rivers. Back in late 1800s, the section features wide, -shaded boulevards French Colonial powers named this country and a central market area where all public ‘ Ubangui-Shari, ‘ and focused on making transports converge. I will continue this it an agricultural resource with vast cotton, feature in a later edition, and will provide coffee and tobacco plantations. All of this some photos of the area at that time. Au was in the government’s plans, despite the Revoir. country’s disadvantage of being a land- About Muguette Goufrani locked nation. Born in Casablanca, Morocco, Muguette Working in Tahiti at the time, I flew direct Goufrani has worked as an airline, automo- from the Pacific to Bangul the capital, just tive, tour and travel agent in several African in time to witness the crowning of a new nations and in French speaking countries Emperor. This stately figure, an African around the world. Her father was one of the named Jean Bedel Bocassa, fashioned him- first tour operators in Morocco. self after his hero, Napoleon I of France. She is a dual citizen (France - Canada) and It was a lavish ceremony, financed and has been featured extensively on African organized by the French Government. Like television, radio and print media, both many African leaders, Bocassa was also a English and French. Her first assignment great admirer of late Emperor Haile Selais- was the 1996 ATA Ecotourism Symposium sie of Ethiopia, whose palace and private in Marrakech, Morocco. railway coaches we visited in 2000. This was followed by a National Geograph- Everything you may have read about this ic - American Airlines sponsored project in equatorial area for years in National Geo- Haiti, plus ATA Congresses in , Tan- graphic or in countless books about Africa zania, Ghana, Ethiopia, Zanzibar, Guinea, is right here. Without a doubt, the Central Zambia, Morocco, , Cameroon, African Republic (CAR) has some of the and Djibouti. Travel Agents To con- tact her e-mail [email protected] world’s most pristine parks. Pygmies guide Altitude and rainfall help to moderate the “ATA stands alone as the only world travel you through virgin woodlands that are the temperature and vegetation is thicker, with industry association with African Tourism domain of forest elephants and rare lowland many varieties of flowering tropical plants Ministers as President, Vice Presidents and gorillas. The dense rainforests literally ‘ex- flourishing in the rainforests. Most people Directors. These solid credentials reflect plode’ as the tropical sky fills with colorful, have a connection to the land even if they Africa Travel Magazine’s edge in positive exotic butterflies - and out on the sweeping live in a city, and my European girl friend news coverage via 25 African Tourism plains you can encounter elephants, lions, and I had a chance to visit their farms dur- Ministries and National Tourist Boards that leopards, rhinos, and a host of other species ing the harvest. Despite their poverty , they have hosted ATA events since 1976.” found nowhere else. My brother Jean Pierre opened a bottle of champagne to welcome AFRICAN FASHIONS, LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE HAVE BEEN AN ALL STAR and I visited the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, us. What great hospitality! While French is which has perhaps the highest densities of the official language, Sango is the national ATTRACTION AT AFRICA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION EVENTS FOR 34 GLORIOUS YEARS lowland gorillas and elephant anywhere in tongue. Africa.  Africa Travel Magazine Air Tanzania Ethiopian Airlines Royal Air Maroc P. O. Box 543 P. O. Box 1755 Aéroport CASA-ANFA Tancot House City Drive Addis Ababa , Ethiopia Casablanca, Maroc Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania Tel. +251-11 661.09.36/661.22.22 Tel. +212-22 91.22.00/01/02/912020 Tel. +255-22 211 33 30 Fax +251-11 661.14.74 Fax +212-22 91.20.21 MORE PAGES TO COME Web: http://www.flyethiopian.com/ Web: http://www.royalairmaroc.com/ IN OUR AIR HIGHWAYS African Airlines Association Place de la République Fax +255-22 211 31 14/212 48 06 SECTION OF THIS ISSUE P.O. Box 20116, 01 BP 7782 01 Web: http://www.airtanzania.com/ Ghana International Airlines South African Airways 00200, Côte d’Ivoire Silver Star Tower , Airport City Private Bag X13 Kenya, Tel. +225-20 25 15 61 Air PMB 78, Kotoka Int’nl Airport Airways Park Tel: 254-20-2320144 /2320148 Fax +225-20 32 04 90 P. O. 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Airport Web: http://www.acn.aero/ Tel: 233 21 769458 - 9, 776171 Republic of South Africa Republic of South Africa Air Malawi Fax: 233 21 764723 Tel. +27-11 622.7281 Tel. 2711- 978 5557 Afriqiyah Airways 4 Robins Road Web: http://www.antrakair.com Fax +27-11 622.6239 Fax: 2711- 978 9456 1st Floor, Waha Building P.O. Box 84 Web: http://www.interair.co.za/ Web : http://www.saexpress.co.za/ Omar Al Mokhtar Street, Blantyre , Malawi Bellview Airlines Sudan Airways Tripoli, Libya Tel. +265 1620 811 Bellview Plaza , Kenya Airways Head Quarters Complex P O Box 83428 Fax +265 1621 396 66B Opebi Road P. O. Box 19002 Riadh-Block No. 15, Obeid Khatim Street, Tripoli, Libya Web : http://www.airmalawi.com/ Ikeja, P.O. 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Cameroon Mavalane Airport de Angola Fax +213 21 74 44 25 Tel. +237 342.25.25/343 35 42 Maputo, Mozambique 123, Rua da Missao Web: http://www.airalgerie.dz/ Air Namibia Fax +237 342.24.87 Tel. +258-21 46.51.43 TransNamib Building Web : http://www.cameroon-airlines.com/ Luanda, Angola Fax +258-21 46.51.34 Tel. +244-2 33.24.85 Air Botswana Bahnhof Street Web : http://www.lam.co.mz/ Fax +244-2 39.07.39 P. O. Box 92 P. O. Box 731 Compagnie Aérienne du Mali Web: http://www.taag.com.br/ Gaborone , Botswana Windhoek , Namibia Para Djicoroni, ex Villa Motel Nr. 26 Libyan Arab Airlines Tel. +267 395 28 12/395 16 47 Tel: +264-61 299.60.02/64 44 , Mali P. O. Box 2555 Toumai Air Tchad Fax +267 397 54 08 F ax: +264-61 299.60.03/61 68 Tél. +(223) 222 24 24 / 222 26 26 Haiti Street, Tripoli, Libya B.P. 1112 Ndjamena, Tchad Web : http://www.airbotswana.co.bw/ Web: http://www.airnamibia.com.na/ Fax : +(223) 222 71 11 Web : http://www.camaero.com/ Tel. +218-21 3614102/36148124824 Fax +218-21 361 21 87/361 42 83 Tunis Air Air Burkina Air International Web: http://www.ln.aero/ Boulevard 7 Novembre Air Burkina SA Aéroport Léopold Sédar Senghor EgyptAir 2035 Tunis Carthage , Tunisia 29, Avenue de la Nation B.P. 29.127 EgyptAir Administrative Complex Nasair Tel : 216 70-83 70 00 BP 1459 , Sénégal Cairo Airport Road Asmara, Eritrea Fax : 216 70-83 61 00 Ouagadougou , Burkina Faso Tel. +221 865.23.01 Cairo , Egypt Tel: +2911-200700 Web : http://www.tunisair.com.tn/ Tel. +226-50317165/342060/ Fax +221 820.39.30/820 46 34 Tel. +20-2 245 50 99/44 00 +2911-151947 Fax +226- 50317174/50342067/50313165 Web: http://www.airsenegalinternational.sn/ Fax +20-2 245 38 61/93 16 Fax: +2911-151948 Virgin Nigeria Web: http://www.air-burkina.com/ Web : http://www.egyptair.com.eg/ SITA: ASMKKUE Ark towers,3rd Floor Air Seychelles Web: http://www.nasairgroup.com Plot 17, Ligali Ayorinde Street Air Burundi P.O. Box 386 Eritrean Airlines P.O. Box 73601 B. P. 2460 Mahe, Seychelles Avenue, P.O.Box 222, Precision Air Services Ltd Victoria Island, Lagos Bujumbura , Burundi Tel. +248 381.002 Asmara, Eritrea P.O. Box 70770 Tel: +234-1 271-1174 Ext 6174 Tel. +257 22 46 09 Fax +248 22 43 05 Tel +291 1-18 48 20/12 68 81 Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Fax: +234-1 270-4335 Fax +257 22 3452 Web: http://www.airseychelles.net/ +291-1-125500/01 Fax +291 1-12 44 06 Tel: +255 22 2860701-10 Web: http://www.virginnigeria.com/ Fax: +255 22 2860725 Air Ivoire Web: http://www.precisionairtz.com 10 Africa Travel Magazine 11 Africa Travel Magazine 12 Africa Travel Magazine 13 Africa Travel Magazine