africa Travel Magazine

News from ‘Uganda.- Gifted by Nature’... and the East African and Indian Ocean region

Final edition of 2009 gardens. Sadly, the weather was org where against a modest unseasonably cool and windy, fee of 1 US Dollar a particular FULL HOUSE – SORRY with occasional rain showers but gorilla can be made a friend This correspondent received a few some traditional mulled red wine through Facebook and similar frantic calls just at the very onset helped to keep the bodies warm social network sites. Take some of the long Christmas weekend on Christmas Eve and Christmas time over the holiday season, for assistance to find space Day. visit the site and make friends somewhere either upcountry or in with a gorilla, all in the name of the national parks, sadly a belated UN YEAR OF THE GORILLA conservation. and ultimately unsuccessful 2009 ENDS It can meanwhile however be attempt for some of those who While the official celebratory confirmed that the annual ‘Kwita wanted to come to Uganda at the year dedicated to the mountain Izina’ festival is once again very last moment. However, there gorillas is officially coming to on in Rwanda in 2010 when was space available in Entebbe an end, the campaign towards the newborn gorilla babies are and Kampala at the leading hotels conserving their environment and expected to be formally named and resorts in the city and along species continues and will remain again, no details on the plans for Lake Victoria and at least two a major focus of the conservation celebrations in Uganda for next couples from Kenya seemingly fraternity in Uganda, Rwanda and year are however available to this did in the end enjoy their the Eastern Congo. The Uganda column as yet but will be reported Christmas holiday away from Wildlife Authority this year also just as soon as the particulars are home on the tranquil lake shores, invented a new way to stay in at hand. as did incidentally yours truly too touch with the prized animals in the serene surroundings of his through www.friendagorilla. THE BATTLE FOR THE Africa Travel Magazine   Africa Travel Magazine BOTTLE RAGES ON responsibly and don’t drink and NEW REGULATORY REGIME The two leading Ugandan drive – satisfied? FOR KENYAN HOSPITALITY beer brewers are engulfed in a SECTOR IN 2010 ‘battle for the bottle’, after Nile GOOGLE MAIL MESSES UP The newly inaugurated Hotel and Breweries, a subsidiary of SAB CHRISTMAS MAILINGS Restaurant Authority will play Miller obtained a court order Gmail’s apparent – and largely an important role starting next banning Uganda Breweries, a unknown – feature to restrict the year, when all new hotel, resort subsidiary of Kenya Breweries number of mails one can send in a and lodge projects require to be (itself owned by Diageo), from single day, messed up thoroughly licensed first, before commencing using a long neck bottle, initially this correspondent’s Seasons any construction, by the HRA in introduced to the market by the Greetings dispatch, when it began Nairobi. This measure, according Jinja based brewery. While the to reject the mails transacted to tourism minister Najib Balala, case has caused bemusement through a POP feature on my is aimed to ensuring quality amongst the public, wondering mailing programme, condemning and compliance with relevant what the beer giants will sue over 2.000 recipients to only get other laws and regulations and each other next for, the present their mail eventually on Christmas promoting excellence in the legal loser will undoubtedly Day, Boxing Day and the hospitality sector. do all possible to have the following two days. There appears The authority will also embark on decision overturned on appeal, to be a ‘cooling off’ period of a nationwide exercise of grading in the process making sure of 24 hours, after which the system and classification, using the East both ongoing publicity for their again accepts 500 mails, before African Community regulatory products as well as keeping their restricting further transactions. regime now in place for all the lawyers in bread and butter. The ‘feature’ is reportedly used five member states. The battle fought in East Africa by Google Mail to prevent SPAM On the same occasion the minister however also seems to have from being sent through one of also confirmed that his ministry another dimension, as the two their hosted mail accounts, but will ask a 5 percent ‘fund-back’ global brewing giants, SAB judging by the amount of SPAM based on the tourism sector’s Miller and Diageo Plc are also and SCAM mails I get from overall financial performance, engaged in a growing dispute over Gmail addresses it does only in order to finance aggressive a previously agreed market and seem to prevent honest mailers marketing abroad, so that the 2 production deal for Kenya and from distributing their seasonal million visitor arrival mark can Tanzania, which appears to have greetings but not halt the ‘dirty be met by 2012 at the latest. Such been ditched by Diageo, arguably traffic’. Fodder for thought funding from the treasure would prompting the legal tussles over Google chaps, to ‘open up’ ahead also cover a multiyear period to bottle shapes. of festive occasions and not ensure that the KTB’s activities In an added development did punish people with large mailing could roll out as planned and were then the High Court in Jinja, lists who enter the recipients via insulated from the annual rush for incidentally the home of bcc to avoid disclosing other more funds, which is known to be the plaintiff’s, clear Uganda addresses. disruptive of marketing activities Breweries to use the disputed So my apologies to those due to the uncertainties attached bottles for the time being, lifting who may have thought they to this method. the injunction until the main case were forgotten, when nothing It was confirmed by the minister has been heard. Happy New Year arrived on Christmas Eve or the that such a budget would amount and let the beer flow, regardless subsequent days, while I struggled to over 3 billion Kenya Shillings, from which kind of bottles. And to send my greetings to you, as considered sufficient for the before I get a whole lot of flak, and when Google Mail permitted! Kenya Tourism Board to be I should of course add: not for present at ALL major tourism sale for persons under 18, drink Kenya News and adventure travel trade shows Africa Travel Magazine  around the world, open up new repairs went underway, grounding and aircraft. The same source markets and support destination all air traffic for several hours. was also swift in pointing out marketing in emerging markets This time round it appears also the complete lighting failure through flanking measures like according to sources from the earlier in the year in Mombasa, media invitationals and agents main Nairobi international airport when operations for days at end fam trips. that the lights suddenly dimmed, were restricted to daylight hours The minister, while speaking and a so called ‘notam’ was after an underground electrical at a golfing event in Mombasa, immediately rushed out to air duct had flooded due to poorly also confirmed that sports and operators warning them of the maintained drainage, causing domestic tourism would remain problem. While apparently some severe interruptions of the flow of high on the agenda to cash in other airlines did operate their tourists and business travellers to on Kenya’s sporting reputation flights from Nairobi to Mombasa, and from the Kenya coast at that abroad and making use of some Kenya Airways decided to go time. of the facilities available, like by the book and rather delay golf courses, to attract more the departures than operating in NEW CARGO CENTRE FOR tourists. In regard of domestic conditions which according to KENYA AIRWAYS tourism it was also appreciated international standards were ‘not A new dedicated cold cargo that the downturn over the past safe’. centre able to hold up to 100 two years was cushioned by an In fact a source close to KQ, standard pallets of ready to ship increase in domestic travel, which although pointing out that he agricultural, horticultural and the minister said has become was not authorized to speak on fish exports at a time, will be a backbone for the country’s behalf of the airline, did tell this opening in early 2010, according tourism industry. Mr. Balala also column that as Kenya Airways to sources close to Kenya Airways intimated, that following the is an IOSA – IATA’s Operational in Nairobi. Cargo shipments recent ‘Kenya Week’ in the United Safety Audit – cleared airline, have reportedly stabilized and Arab Emirates he was confident they would go by such very high there seems a trend emerging of that leading hotel groups from the safety standards, while others growing demand for air cargo Gulf would take a fresh look at may judge from case to case and space once again, which is good the opportunities in the country leaving the decision to their pilots news not just for KQ but other to opening top class new tourism if to take off or land under such airlines too flying in and out of resorts along the coast starting circumstances. However, should Nairobi in particular and Eastern from next year. an incident occur they would Africa in general. At the same Good prospects and new hope for nevertheless be held responsible time a new tracking system will 2010 then, way to go Kenya! and legally liable for having also be launched, permitting ignored the problem, especially customers of Kenya Airways to KENYA AIRWAYS DECIDES after being issued with a ‘notam’. check on line where exactly their BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY Questions are now being asked shipment is at a given time. Another problem last week at again why the runway lights have the Jomo Kenyatta International once more given problems only PORINI CAMPS AND Airport with the runway lighting a week or so after a complete GAMEWATCHER SAFARIS has compelled KQ, amongst failure and subsequent repairs, GIVE TO THE NEEDY FOR others, to delay a number of and the blame is already being CHRISTMAS flights from Nairobi, mostly laid squarely on the doorstep of The Selenkay community near affecting the departures to the Kenya Airports Authority the Amboseli National Park Mombasa. Only two weeks earlier for their repeated failure to keep benefitted from a remarkable had the runway lights gone out the key airport installations up initiative by Porini Safari Camps altogether and all inbound flights and running at all times and and Gamewatcher Safaris, which were diverted while emergency ensure the safety of passengers ‘diverted’ their Christmas gift  Africa Travel Magazine budget into 14 tons of food stuffs to Lake Nakuru National Park, to link Kenya with Ethiopia and and related supplies, from which who claimed that the number of Djibouti. over 2.000 community members flamingos, numbering in millions Ethiopia in turn will make her benefited, giving them also a in the heydays of the park, were own financial arrangements to Christmas to remember. sharply reduced and the visiting progress construction of the When breaking the news to this experience therefore negatively respective highways to the borders column, the management also impacted. Said one couple: ‘we with Djibouti and Kenya, but confirmed that the 4 Northern went by road to Kenya and drove most likely also to the Southern White Rhinos, reported separately through the tea fields of Kericho Sudan, which expects to become in eTN, were indeed relocated and through Molo to Nakuru. We independent in early 2011. to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, expected the lake to be painted In parallel new railroads are being where Porini operate their ‘Porini in pink with Flamingos but were developed to link the region and Rhino Camp’ – good news for disappointed that the pictures provide cheaper alternatives to those intending to visit the rarest we had seen before were not the road transport, for both cargo and of rhinos now to be seen in the reality on the ground. But we saw passengers. whole of Eastern Africa. lots of rhinos and other game to Cooperation in the region Porini has in the past repeatedly make up for it. We camped but amongst likeminded countries bagged awards for the intensity the rangers also said the water has has increased in the recent past, of their community involvement gone down a lot and they are all to develop common political and and their ongoing spirit of ‘giving concerned about the future of this military interests in the face of back’ to their neighbours, which park. the threats posed by the Islamic makes them stand tall above Further enquiries by this militants in Somalia and the many others. Well done Jake and correspondent then established stand taken by Eritrea, which is Mohanjeet, keep it up for 2010. that indeed the drought of the past becoming the ‘odd man out’ more years has impacted on the water and more. COAST INVESTMENT level of the lake, likely forcing Ethiopia is not a member of the 5 CONFERENCE SET FOR many of the pink birds to divert nation East African Community, MOMBASA to other suitable lakes in the but it is understood that intense A dedicated investment Rift Valley, like Elementaita and political and commercial conference will be held in Bogoria. discussions are ongoing between Mombasa’s Travellers Beach Addis and Arusha, and a future Hotel between January 22nd NEW ROAD TO ADDIS GETS entry of Ethiopia into the East and 23rd 2010, aimed to ADB FUNDING African Community cannot be increase interest and showcase The African Development Bank ruled out, as it would in fact be opportunities across the has formally consented to a loan welcomed by many to further economic sectors, including of about 165 million US Dollars expand the common market and tourism, agriculture, mining and to support the construction, and have the greater region eventually manufacturing. The meeting where appropriate upgrade of a speak with one voice on is co-organized by the Kenya road link from Mombasa to Addis continental and global platforms. Investment Authority together Ababa in Ethiopia. The funds Once ready it is thought that both with the business community are to be disbursed to the Kenya the new railway lines and the new and administration across coast government for the section to roads will also facilitate tourism province. the Ethiopian border, covering to a greater extent, as it would about 130 kilometres and part allow foreign visitors to take in FLAMINGOS AFFECTED BY of a greater infrastructure plan the scenery along the routes from DROUGHT launched some time ago by the ground rather than having only Reports came in over the holiday NEPAD [New Partnership for glimpses from the air. Watch this period from Ugandan visitors Africa’s Development] aimed space. Africa Travel Magazine   Africa Travel Magazine Tanzania News circumstantial evidence of arms TANAPA, the managers of Rwanda News smuggling and training of Somali protected wildlife areas in NEW AMBULANCES militant Islamic militias piled up. Tanzania, put a special package REASSURE VISITORS Regime leaders and collaborating for Tanzanian citizens on the The Rwandan government, just businesses are now also subject to market over the holiday period in time for the festive season, travel bans and a freeze of assets to bring added visitors numbers launched 67 new and fully is reportedly underway for both to the Arusha National Park. equipped ambulances last week individuals as well as companies. The deal apparently attracted which will be placed across the Only recently did the entire hundreds of extra visitors from country and attached to health Eritrean national football the neighbouring towns and facilities and emergency centres, team defect in Kenya after the villages, some of them seeing the able to respond faster to calls CECAFA football tournament, national park and its attractions for help and medical assistance. incidentally won for a record for the very first time. The special This will be good news too for 11th time by Uganda, and all ‘promotion’ was aimed to show the country’s tourism sector players reportedly asked for the locals what ordinarily the which can now reassure tourists and have since then obtained ‘wagenis’ or foreign visitors from abroad that the emergency political asylum from the Kenyan see, and underscore the need response time will be shorter than government. In fact, Eritrean of conservation and protecting previously the case and better ‘diplomats’ were in the more the environment and water facilities await individuals with an recent past expelled from Kenya catchment area of Mt. Meru and acute health problem or victims of for activities contrary to their the surrounding forests. Similar accidents. diplomatic status. tours for locals were reportedly The Eritrean regime is considered also organized to the Tarangire Horn of Africa News one of the harshest and most National Park, in the process ERITREA SUBJECTED TO UN totalitarian on the entire continent prompting calls for such trips SANCTIONS and is still in dispute with their to become a permanent feature Eritrea got an unwelcome neighbours Ethiopia over border offered by the parks authorities Christmas present from the UN demarcations, which led to a for local resident to appreciate Security Council, when in a war between the two countries. the parks in their neighbourhood. 13-0-1 vote the council opted Compared to the overall Well done TANAPA. for sanctions until such time, population of Eritrea the country that the country ‘ceases arming, produces the most refugees on a Burundi News training and equipping armed per capita basis in Africa, in itself FLY 540 OPENS OFFICES IN groups and their members a sign that all is not well in this BUJUMBURA including al-Shabab’. China country. Ahead of commencing flights reportedly abstained in the vote In response the regime issued a between Nairobi and Bujumbura and predictably Libya, in a false statement which said the sanctions in early January has Fly540 understanding of ‘solidarity’ may: ‘engulf the region into opened their country offices in voted against the resolution, another cycle of conflict’ – and it Burundi last week. The new which nevertheless passed with can only be hoped that this is not premises are reportedly located a sufficient majority. Eritrea was a promise but an empty threat. at the Novotel in the heart of previously already sanctioned Bujumbura while the operations by the African Union and then Seychelles and Indian Ocean office at the airport is now also suspended their membership News open ahead of the inaugural flight. in the continental body, when A CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Visit www.fly540.com for more their regime failed to cooperate SHARED IS A HAPPY ONE information on schedules and with fact finding missions The management and staff of the news updates. and ever more allegations and Labriz Hotel on Silhouette Island Africa Travel Magazine  surprised a group a school and NEW RESORT PLANNED FOR new predatory species brought to pre-school children with a Father ALPHONSE ISLAND the archipelago, eating the newly Christmas party as part of their Located nearly 400 kilometres laid eggs and feeding on the social responsibility programme, south west of the archipelago’s young tortoises, this giant species engaging with their neighbouring main island Mahe, Alphonse is was at one time only found on community. The kids, needless part of the ‘outer’ islands of the the island of Aldabra. Since the to say, were all smiles as they Seychelles. Information availed onset of serious conservation enjoyed the spirit of Christmas, to this column speaks of a project efforts – the country has more incidentally replicated across to build 6 multi bedroom villas, than 50 percent under active legal the islands, where community all with private pool and elevated protection – many organisations organisations joined hands ‘Bali style’, while a further 12 and NGO’s have helped to with hotels, resorts and other suites are due to be constructed spread the remaining population, companies to give the less around a central Spa area and carefully grown under watchful fortunate in society a treat for the allowing for the enchanting eyes, to other islands again, festive season. sea views the Seychelles are so and several of them, including well known for. The island can Frigate, now have once more NEW HOTELS’ OPENING be reached by air, with a paved populations large enough to give REFLECT SPIRIT OF landing strip of about 1.200 them a chance of survival. This CONFIDENCE metres length providing for the type of tortoise can reportedly live Two locally owned small hotels use of STOL aircraft operated by to a ripe age of over 150 years have opened just in time for scheduled and charter companies, and many of the ‘survivors’ will Christmas last week, one being and presently already has a small outlive their ‘protectors’ by many the Hanneman Holiday Residence resort in operation of about 25 decades, giving future generations at Nouvelle Valle, Beau Vallon, rooms. Arrivals by boat are also a marine heritage to pass on to featuring 12 bedrooms and the possible, albeit they take longer their children’s children. other one the Pieds dans L’Eau at of course. The main activities for Anse Royale with six bedrooms. tourist visitors to Alphonse are International Aviation News Both new properties are managed snorkelling, diving, swimming, BELGIUM TAKES by individuals with a long observing the excellent marine SWITZERLAND TO UN’S standing in the hospitality sector, life and deep sea fishing further INTERNATIONAL COURT who have served for years in out into the ocean. As said in the Information was received by senior capacities in other hotels previous article, confidence in sources in Brussels, with whom and resorts. a bright future for tourism has this correspondent interacted Mr. Alain St. Ange, Director clearly returned to the Seychelles recently during a visit to Belgium in charge of Marketing at the and more such announcements are on the occasion of the joining Seychelles Tourist Board, in fact expected for 2010. Watch by Brussels Airlines into the congratulated the owners and this space. global Star Alliance, all of whom reiterated the archipelago’s still harbour strong sentiments slogan ‘affordable Seychelles’ CONSERVATION TAKEN over the events of 2001, when – which needed exactly such new SERIOUSLY SABENA was pushed into developments to create more Many attributes fit the Seychelles collapse by Swissair. beds for this market segment. and conservation is one of them, The fallout of Swissair’s Guest of Honour for the opening as confirmed to this column bankruptcy in 2001, and the ceremonies was the country’s Vice earlier in the week, when efforts subsequent bankruptcy of President, who also happens to be to protect the Aldabra giant SABENA, which was part of the Minister of Tourism, Joseph tortoise were highlighted to this the Swissair Group at the time, Belmont. correspondent. At one time near has reportedly gone to the UN extinction, due to hunting and court. Belgium’s government,  Africa Travel Magazine which had divested 49.5 percent apparently forgiven, considering excuse because the border doesn’t of SABENA’s shares to the then the latest action now before the close until 10pm, but I used it Swiss national airline, proceeded UN International Court. Watch anyway. I wanted to spend the with the case over a pending this space to learn the eventual night at Victoria Falls Safari dispute, where Switzerland outcome of this case and all the Lodge. stands accused of violating best to my Belgian friends. international conventions, when it Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, ‘Saf supported Swiss courts decisions And in closing, which today Lodge’ as it is affectionately NOT to recognize a ruling by a applies to both this column and called, is high up on a hill Belgian court and NOT to stay the year 2009, once more some overlooking miles of African proceedings in Switzerland. In interesting travel experiences bush. Below the lodge is a the immediate aftermath of the from Gill Staden’s last visit to the waterhole which is home to Swissair collapse the Belgian Zimbabwe side of the Victoria crocodiles and provides much- national airline too was dragged Falls – enjoy: needed water for animals during to its financial deathbed, and the dry season. At lunchtime while a few months later SN Victoria Falls Safari Lodge every day meat scraps from the Brussels Airlines was formed kitchens are scattered into the in the first half of 2002, which I had a bit of work to do in bush below the deck; the vultures, after the merger with Virgin Victoria Falls Town last week, kites and marabous wait patiently Europe became Brussels Airlines so I used it as an excuse to stay around the waterhole and in the two years ago, the affront and over for the night instead of trees for their midday feast. damage done to Belgian aviation rushing back through the border and the Brussels Airport at the to Zambia. It was a bit of a lame time was never forgotten, nor Saf Lodge, I think I can safely say, is the most popular lodge in Victoria Falls Town, Zimbabwe. Not only does it have an amazing view but the food and service would be difficult to beat. Docotori, my waiter during dinner and breakfast, was chatty and quite a performer, Africa Travel Magazine  entertaining us all. And it is Boma. The Boma is a traditional mishap and spent an enjoyable not just Doctori; all the staff are restaurant, where guests of day swimming, eating and friendly and efficient. the lodge and other visitors to drinking. Vic Falls Town can enjoy a The bush at this time of year, of traditional Zimbabwean meal and I don’t know much about the course, is very green; we have had entertainment. The entertainment lake. I assume that it is a National loads of rain. It was so refreshing includes drumming and dancing. Heritage Site because a young to see the landscape so verdant It is a complete evening’s man came to greet us and required after the dry months. It does entertainment and great fun. K2,160 from each of us. He have its drawbacks, however. wrote all the information down in The animals have plenty of water his book. throughout the bush so do not My stay at Saf Lodge last week need to come to this particular was relaxing and enjoyable - a waterhole. And, if the animals good book, a view to die for do wander nearby, it is difficult to and excellent food. My only A story of this lake is that it was see them as they are hidden by the shame was that I left a glass on the home of a tribe which was trees. But the view is enough. the veranda of my room … In being continually harassed by the morning after I returned another tribe. Finally the chief Saf Lodge was built about 14 from breakfast, I found a small decided that he had had enough years ago. Then, the site appeared furry face looking through the and that the whole tribe must die a bit uninspiring, being an old glass doors into the room. The rather than be under threat from gravel pit and a rocky lump of face bobbed from side to side as the neighbours. All the people hill. The architect, Josh Ward, the eyes peered inside. It was a were tied to each other in a long and the landscaper, Errol Tarr, young vervet monkey. It soon line. Then the first one jumped though, had plans for the site. scarpered when I went to greet into the lake, the next one was And, within two years, they had it through the glass. But then pulled after, then the next ... transformed the barren landscape its mother came for a squizz and until they all went into the lake into this amazing lodge. Errol knocked over the glass, leaving a ... except the last one who was even brought in young, but large, broken glass, bits everywhere. Oh a pregnant woman. She was baobab tree all the way from dear. So sorry, Saf Lodge. released from the chain of people Hwange, 100 km away, to plant and became the only survivor, all at the entrance to the lodge. I can And from Gill’s Christmas the rest drowning. Not a pleasant only imagine the expressions on journey to the ‘copperbelt’ in story. the faces of the people as this tree the North of Zambia comes this was transported by truck along the thrilling report: After our stay by the lake it was highway. The interior designer, time to go home. We all piled Belinda Jones, then came in to Sunken Lake – Lake Kashiba into the vehicles and headed back decorate and furnish the lodge along the ‘road-which-was-a- to her usual high standards. The river’. effect is stunning. On Boxing Day we went to a sunken lake – Lake Kashiba. It There are 72 rooms in the is a couple of hours drive from main lodge and 39 time-shares. Kitwe, near Mpongwe. Although They all range along the hill the day was clear of rain, the area The first vehicle did a side-long overlooking the waterhole. The had had plenty of rain and the slide off the edge of the road time-shares have their own pool road had turned into a river. We and became stuck. Lots of fun. and recreation area near the all drove down the road without The locals all joined in pushing 10 Africa Travel Magazine Africa Travel Magazine 11 News from ‘Uganda.- Gifted by Nature’... and the East African and Indian Ocean region

Michel Meyfroidt (Admin. & additional aircraft, it would give By Prof. Dr. Wolfgang H. Thome Finance) and Bernard Gustin Brussels Airlines the opportunity Third edition December 2009 (Commercial), the latter of whom to look at a carefully planned had visited Uganda a few times in expansion of both frequencies BRUSSELS AIRLINES JOINT the past, showing a keen interest and their Africa network, which CEO’S CONFIRM FOCUS ON in ‘the Pearl of Africa’. The presently comprises 14 ‘own’ AFRICA discussions of course focused on destinations plus a number of the standing of SN in Africa, and added ones through codeshared (The Brussels Airlines joint in Eastern Africa in particular and flights with Ethiopian to Addis CEO’s Gustin and Meyfroidt with future developments. Ababa and with Lufthansa to for this correspondent at the media It was confirmed during the instance Nigeria. breakfast in Brussels’ Amigo meeting that internal discussions Brussels Airlines currently Hotel last week) and evaluations were in the final operates 6 days a week, except stages about the acquisition of on Monday, to East Africa and During the celebrations of a 5th Airbus A330-300, and that serves Entebbe, Bujumbura, Brussels Airlines entry into early in 2010 a board decision Kigali and Nairobi, but it was the global Star Alliance did was likely to be taken on the quietly admitted that it would opportunity arise to speak with matter. Should, as it is expected, be an desirable to fly daily into the joint CEO’s of SN, Mssrs. the board of SN vote for the the region and then use local

12 Africa Travel Magazine codeshare partners like RwandAir his knowledge no other industry airlines in Kampala this column and Air Uganda to connect was as proactive as the airline spoke with did confirm extra passengers to those airports where sector. enquiries and demand for their flights depart on ‘off line’ days. In further details, also obtained flights over the holiday season and One thing did become absolutely from IATA, the projection is that quietly expressed their hope to clear though, that ‘being for 2009 the commercial aviation retain some of those passengers in passionate about Africa’ is not carbon ‘footprint’ will reduce by the future after they had a chance just a convenient and eye catching 7 percent compared with 2008, to sample their own inflight PR phrase, but that SN is indeed partly of course caused by the fall service and performance on the aiming at becoming once again in demand since over the past 18 ground and in the air. the number one European carrier months. The introduction of new Travel agents too are now actively to Africa as was the case with the fuel saving flight management advising their clients to drop ‘old’ Sabena, from which’ ashes procedures, the use of even more travel plans with BA starting Brussels Airlines rose in early efficient new engine technology, from the 21st December and, 2002. the use of new lighter materials considering the ‘hangover’ of in the construction of the next stranded passengers and aircraft AVIATION SECTOR generation of jet aircraft and the likely stuck elsewhere after the ‘PROACTIVE IN introduction of bio fuels will all 02nd January, to only return to COPENHAGEN’ result in measurable reductions of BA a few days after the strikes The ongoing climate summit in emissions by the airlines over the have ended, it at all that is. Here Copenhagen also featured last coming years. a little payback may come into week in the scheduled question Mr. Mayrhuber then went on to play, as BA was the most active and answer sessions with the lambast the impact and carbon and determined airline to cut CEO’s of the Star Alliance footprint of the internet, claiming commissions to ‘zero’ some time member airlines and Lufthansa’s that the pollution caused by the ago, incurring the wrath of the CEO Wolfgang Mayrhuber was worldwide computer network agencies in the region at the time, outspoken on the issue, coming was a lot worse than that of the and at least one travel agent this to the defence of the aviation aviation industry and getting column spoke to admitted freely industry. In a discussion with this worse still... there you have it... that 1) he is only booking BA correspondent in the Brussels anyway when the clients really town hall he said: POTENTIAL BA STRIKE insist and cannot be persuaded ‘we [the aviation sector] are IMMEDIATELY DRIVES to use another airline and 2) will the only global industry present PASSENGERS TO OTHER use this situation to promote other in Copenhagen with detailed AIRLINES airlines like SN, KLM, Emirates, proposals of how the airlines After the British Airways staff Virgin, Swiss and KQ to them at can play their part in reducing voted overwhelmingly for the expense of British Airways. emissions. Our industry is strike action earlier in the week, ‘My sentiments about BA are not represented in Brussels at the passengers across Eastern Africa going away, they led the onslaught top level of IATA and a technical started moving in their droves to on our commissions and this will expert group. We have for a other airlines as a precaution, not never be forgotten, not by me while now worked actively on wanting to risk being stranded anyway’ he said in closing. setting and achieving goals for over the Christmas and New The damage this strike may do a reduction in emissions and Year period in case of their flight therefore to British Airways’ made concrete proposals on the being affected by strike action medium and long term business way forward. I only hope that or fearing they might suffer of cannot be underestimated at this our presence in Copenhagen will longish delays in the aftermath of stage, considering the strong not result in aviation becoming a aircraft rotations being severely sentiments expressed by potential punching bag’. He added that to disrupted. Some of the other passengers and previous BA Africa Travel Magazine 13 faithful this column spoke with, destinations will become available major shopping centre, as the none of whom expressed even one on the ‘sky giant’. A leading group’s management found the Iota of sympathy for the intended Ugandan travel agent told this location less and less appealing strikes. With the strikes now column that the A380 made an to their erstwhile clientele due sanctioned between December important difference for travellers to increased traffic, the resulting 22nd until January 02nd – this from here to other parts of the noise and the general change being the absolute peak travel world when connecting in Dubai of demographics and business period for people wanting to be and all of them had a good story composition in the immediate with families, while others have to tell upon returning home. neighbourhood. planned long haul holidays to ‘sun While some rooms were retained, and sand’ destinations – it is likely UGANDA WILDLIFE and will reportedly operate as a that the plans of tens of thousands AUTHORITY INVITES HOT bed and breakfast service serving of people will be disrupted, while AIR BALLOON BUSINESS the immediate areas adjoining the many other airlines are waiting UWA has now advertised for hotel, most rooms, function rooms in the wings to absorb the extra expressions of interest to operate and halls have been turned into demand. Not a happy holiday balloon safaris in the Lake Mburo shops now, while other facilities surely for travellers when ‘BA’ conservation area, the first such like restaurants previously translates into ‘British Absent’... attempt to get an attraction into operated by the hotel directly have one of Uganda’s national parks now been leased out to individual EMIRATES ADDS THE A380 similar to the long standing operators. ON SOUTH KOREA FLIGHTS operations in Kenya and Tanzania. What will be of value to the The local office of Emirates Proposals must be sent by courier new shops is the parking space confirmed to this column that the or post, NOT by electronic availability of the Equatoria, airline has introduced their sky means, to The Executive Director, which will be a bonus for giant A380 on the route to Seoul’s Uganda Wildlife Authority, Plot 7 shoppers as they can leave their Incheon International Airport as Kira Road, Kamwokya, P.O. Box cars in a secure environment of this week after taking delivery 3530, Kampala, Uganda and have and find parking easily available of their 6th A380 aircraft earlier to reach UWA not later than 28th rather than having to struggle for in the week. The handover of the February 2010 at 11.00 hrs (a.m.). street parking space outside. new A380 took place in Airbus’ The details of the available The Imperial Hotel Group Hamburg facility a few days ago, concession are available also via however continues to operate the while the 7th A380 will join the www.ugandawildlife.org Imperial Grand Hotel and the Emirates’ fleet later in the month The addition of such a new Imperial Royale Hotel in Kampala and will then be deployed on the attraction, besides the recently and the Imperial Resort Beach, Paris route as previously reported added horseback safaris, already the Imperial Botanical Beach in this column. available for decades to tourist and the more recently acquired Emirates’ in Dubai meanwhile visitors in Kenya and Tanzania, Imperial Golf Course View Hotel also issued press releases pointing will be welcome news to the in Entebbe. to the superior performance of tourism industry in Uganda, as A source close to the hotel also this aircraft type in regard of in particular the Lake Mburo inferred that a surplus of rooms in ‘greener operations’ by reducing National Park can do with more the 2/3 star market segment may carbon output and noise levels visitors. have been a factor for the owners considerably. Ugandan travellers when mulling over this decision will be thrilled at the prospect EQUATORIA HOTEL TURNED and that collecting monthly rent of experiencing the world’s INTO SHOPPING MALL may now seem a better and more largest passenger aircraft on yet The first hotel opened by the attractive proposition compared to more routes and will be looking Imperial Hotel Group in 1993 low occupancies at the hotel as it forward to 2010 when yet more was recently converted into a was. 14 Africa Travel Magazine Egypt’s oil resources as partly BRUSSELS’ MANNEKEN PIS EGYPT AND SUDAN WANT theirs, simply because it is on WELCOMES STAR ALLIANCE MORE TIME FOR NEW NILE the African continent. Also WATERS AGREEMENT non negotiable is the ditching Brussels’ famous landmark figure Ugandan and other East African of the present requirement that ‘Manneken Pis’ took centre stage experts are baffled by the latest Egypt and Khartoum need to last Wednesday as Belgium’s spanners in the works of a new formally approve any projects biggest airline ‘Brussels Airlines’ agreement over the use of the Nile which require water from either joined the global STAR Alliance. waters, which the Eastern African the lakes or the contributory The Manneken was befittingly ‘producer states’ of Uganda, rivers, effectively keeping East dressed up in airline colours Ethiopia, Congo DR, Kenya, Africa’s industrial and agricultural and proudly wore the captain’s Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi developments on a short leash. insignia, while the invited press claim to be their own ‘natural That, many legislators and corps was joined by Brussels resource’, while the arbitrary politicians but also technical Airlines CEO Bernard Gustin agreements signed by the colonial experts have said it in the future and cabin crew of all the other masters in 1929 and 1959 are totally out of question that STAR Alliance members, wearing now considered discriminatory, anything falling inside the agreed their respective uniforms too to lacking basis and are already usage portion would have to add colour to the ceremony and generally being ignored, as amply be subject to the go ahead of a see the formal start of the day’s demonstrated by Tanzania for foreign country. celebrations. instance in recent years. Negotiations and discussions While the weather put a little A new agreement has been in have been ongoing for a decade damper on the mood, being windy the making for long, but both now and Eastern Africa is slowly and rainy, this could however not the regime in Khartoum and the running out of patience by the stop those present to burst into the government in Cairo have been introduction of ever more old and ‘Manneken Pis song’ at least those in an ‘on again / off again’ mood, new submissions from Cairo and who knew the words that is – and still not coming to terms with the Khartoum, which according to a there were many judging by the realities of today’s life. government source in Kampala mighty chorus, as even passerby’s Egypt has been employing ‘add no further value’ to the joined the throng. both carrot and stick approach, scripts now on the table. The day was concluded with a the most notable stick being The so called ‘riparian’ countries grand ceremony on the ‘Grand introduced already in the 1970 by hope to reach a final consensus by Place’ in the historical centre of one Boutros-Boutros Ghali, when February 2010 but while they may Brussels with a light show while still a government minister in well be ready to sign on the dotted the assembled 26 CEO’s of Star Egypt, when he speculated about line, will Egypt and Khartoum? Alliance members and the Star a war over water, clearly aimed Going by their previous tactics Alliance CEO enjoyed a special at intimidating the upstream and behaviour this is not likely performance by Uganda’s ‘Ndere countries. as they will surely find yet more Troupe’ flown in on the occasion The Eastern African nations points of disagreement in an to give their special dinner expressed repeatedly their effort to keep their veto rights function that uniquely African willingness to share the waters over East Africa’s water use while touch. After all, Brussels Airlines, of the White and Blue Nile with continuing to satisfy their growing the new Star member, is part the downstream countries, but thirst with the precious liquid and parcel of airtravel to Africa, insist that the origin of the water ‘produced’ in Uganda, Kenya, a reason why the airline is so is a natural resource within Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, valuable for both Star as well as their own area of jurisdiction, Burundi and Congo. Watch this for their partnerairline Lufthansa. just as no one in his or her right space. Read more about it in this eTN mind would begin to claim edition as the focus of this column Africa Travel Magazine 15 this week stays largely on STAR during construction, killing and ENGULFES FUEL TANKERS and this correspondent’s visit to injuring workers and being shut Reports from usually reliable the capital of Europe. down while investigations were sources within the aviation ongoing. However, no court case industry and the Civil Aviation UWA RULES OUT PARK has ever been brought, at least not Authority came in last Saturday REDUCTION as yet. Meanwhile, it was equally late morning that two fuel trucks The contentious issues clear to informed observers at the apparently burst into flames, surrounding Mt. Elgon National CHOGM time that this ‘hotel’ when approaching the airport fuel Park, inspite of UWA’s best was not only NOT on the list of discharge docking station, where and honest efforts to reach an approved CHOGM hotels, nor the tankers from Kenya normally understanding with surrounding would it ever be ready in time, offload their cargo. JetA1 fuel is communities, is apparently not when the funds were dished out carried by road from Kenya in going away anytime soon. As into the pockets of the reportedly the absence of a longer pipeline rumours are being spilled again, well connected owners. and often sees the trailer trucks supposedly by local politicians Up to date, the unfinished involved in accidents, yet never trying to garner votes for the construction ‘litters’ the hill top, before at the airport itself. It could next election, that the park will a stark reminder for everyone be ascertained in the meanwhile be reduced in size to make land passing to and from Entebbe of that one truck, while carelessly available for ‘the people’, UWA the follies of this project. reversing, hit another starting the has put the foot down and refuted The bureaucrats now under the blaze. While obviously nothing any such suggestions while spotlight, apparently running can be formally ruled in or out, making it very clear that no land out of excuses, now tried to until investigations are completed inside the park was available for shift the blame to a joint cabinet and a final accident report has ‘distribution’. Well done UWA! subcommittee and presidential been filed, it is most unlikely that ‘directive’, trying to escape the this incident was anything other IT WAS’NT ME – CLAIM wrath of the parliamentarians who than an accident, putting prompt OFFICIALS AS ALLEGATIONS are now out to find culprits and rumours and speculation to PILE UP YET MORE bring them to book. Read more immediate rest. PRESSURE about this ongoing saga and how Sections of the airport were Officials presently being grilled allegedly Uganda’s public coffers evacuated to the fire assembly by parliament’s public accounts were ‘lightened’ through the points in the parking areas committee have been pushed into following web links: distant from the fire or to nearby a corner over payments made to www.monitor.co.ug/artman/ buildings as a precaution, a halfbaked hotel development publish/news/Museveni_cabinet_ although the fire was apparently on Entebbe road ahead of the gave_nod_to_bad_Chogm_deal_ contained at the scene of the Commonwealth Summit in 2007, 95729.shtml outbreak and the swift reaction by when only days prior to the www.monitor.co.ug/artman/ the Entebbe Airport Fire Brigade opening ceremony the owners publish/sun_news/Rwabwogo_ and the Entebbe Municipal walked away with 2.4 billion named_in_Chogm_probe_95934. Fire Brigade helped to avoid a Uganda Shillings of public funds. shtml spreading of the fire to other areas Industry observers had termed the www.newvision.co.ug/ or to the main fuel reservoir and project from the onset a ‘cuckoo D/8/13/704389 pumping installations. land’ hotel, as the owners with www.monitor.co.ug/artman/ It is not believed that the accident NO prior hotel management publish/news/Government_ and resulting fire will had any experience promised the public officials_held_over_Chogm_ significant impact on air traffic to ‘1.000 rooms and 2.000 shops’. publicity_cash_96070.shtml and from Entebbe today although The hotel came into the bad news the loss of aviation fuel may column when a structure collapsed ENTEBBE AIRPORT FIRE be felt a little until replacement 16 Africa Travel Magazine shipments have been delivered at premier East African Tourism same time adding value to the the airport. Some inbound flights Trade Fair ‘Karibu’ in Arusha. existing tourism circuits and were, according to other sources, opening up new attractions across held at the departure point until HAPPY JAMHURI DAY TO the country. the situation had been clarified KENYA and the Entebbe station managers Kenya celebrated their HOTELIERS IN NAIROBI given the all clear, resulting in independence day last weekend ‘PLEASED’ WITH 2009 minor delays of inbound flights. and the best wishes go to the Occupancy levels in Kenya’s people and government of the capital city have risen to the 2007 HOLIDAYS WITH NO WATER? Republic of Kenya on this levels once again, following two The Sunday Monitor last weekend auspicious occasion. years of downturn in the market. alarmed Kampala residents with Inspite of the opening recently allegations that the national KENYA TOURISM of the Crowne Plaza, which has water company would fail to CONSIDERING BOND ISSUE added another 250 rooms and complete repairs in time for the TO FUND ACTIVITIES suites to the market, occupancy festive season, and in the process The Kenya Tourism Trust Fund is levels now are at par again with leaving sections of Kampala with apparently considering the launch the pre-election and pre-global dry taps. The Kampala Central of a dedicated ‘tourism bond’ to economic crisis period, bringing opposition MP promptly waded raise funding for their planned smiles to the faces of hoteliers, into the public limelight seeking activities across the country, as which a year ago looked rather to increase his standing in the the EU funded tourism support gloomy. Meetings, conferences, process with his utterances on the programme is coming to an end. conventions, events and subject, while sources at the water The fund was initially formed in incentives now constitute a major company then admitted that there 2002 by the Kenyan government market for Kenya, estimated to be were indeed issues with producing and the EU to jointly process the reaching well over 20 percent of and distributing the required disbursement of money availed by the overall tourism arrivals soon, amounts of water due to technical both Kenya and the EU. signalling that Kenya has found problems across their network. However, the EU project has her way back into the good books What is clear though is that the now run its course and there is no of the world’s leading tour and rapid expansion of the city in clarity if an add on programme or travel agencies which had stood recent years has put extra strain ‘intervention’ is being considered the country down over fears of on the infrastructure of the utility by the EU – something which was safety and security only two years companies which have often not the case in Uganda two years ago. failed to keep up with the growing ago when the UGSTDP came to One leading hospitality source demand on their services. an end inspite of the programme in regular contact with this not entirely meeting its targets, column in fact spoke already of UGANDA TOURISM BOARD largely because of the dithering ‘constraining factors for further CONFIRMS TOURISM TRADE on the Ugandan government side growth’ when discussing available FAIR PARTICIPATION FOR where crucial components were aircraft seats and capacity, calling 2010 not put into place in a timely on airlines to bring in larger According to a recent newsletter manner, belying constant verbal planes and increase frequencies by UTB the following trade fairs assurances to the sector of being a of their flights to Nairobi and will be attended by a Ugandan ‘priority’. Mombasa. He was also asking the delegation in the early part Hence, Kenya is in need to secure Kenyan government to make extra of next year: Vakantiebeus in sustainable funding for TTF efforts to attract new airlines, in Holland, FITUR in Madrid, BIT and KTB to continue aggressive particular from the South and in Milan, ITB in Berlin, TUR in marketing in existing, emerging Far East but also from Russia Gothenburg / Sweden and the and new markets while at the and other former Soviet Union Africa Travel Magazine 17 countries to commence operations Kenya, following the withdrawal into Kenya. KENYA AIRWAYS RESUMES from the route of Kenya Airways KISUMU FLIGHTS in 2008, offering nonstop services NAIROBI RUNWAY LIGHTS ‘The Pride of Africa’ has between Istanbul and Nairobi. GO OUT – KAA SILENT last weekend announced the Some weeks ago the ambassador The crucial runway lights resumption of flights from of Turkey in Tanzania was also failed on the evening of the Nairobi to Kisumu, effective reported to have said that Turkish 09th December at Nairobi’s 10th of December, following the Airlines may even consider main international airport Jomo successful completion of runway adding Dar es Salaam to their Kenyatta International, halting all repairs and upgrades by the Kenya growing Africa network. (see incoming and outbound flights for Airport Authority. previous column item to that several hours. The airline will fly twice a day, in effect) It is understood from reliable the morning and late afternoon, During a meeting in Brussels on sources in Nairobi that while the and use their new Embraer 170 the occasion of SN joining Star runway lights were eventually aircraft on the route. To support Alliance, the opportunity arose to brought back on line around 01.30 the launch commercially KQ have a chat with Dr. Temel Kotil hrs a.m. on the 10th of December, has offered for the time being a about the airline’s plans in that no immediate explanation ‘re-launch fare’ of only Kenya direction. was offered by the Kenya Shillings 710, return, plus taxes, Turkish Airlines has in past Airports Authority or any other or a little over 100 US Dollars in years, and more intensely so governmental entity until well hard currency. This fare will be since joining Star Alliance in into Thursday, i.e. the following available until the 20th December 2008, shed its old image and morning. Meanwhile more than and terms and conditions apply. rebranded itself successfully a dozen flights had been affected KQ had previously halted their as an upcoming global airline, and planes bound for JKIA had to flights to Kisumu several times no surprise for regular aviation be diverted to either Mombasa or when the state of the runway observers as they have a joint Kilimanjaro International to ‘sit was judged as dangerous to their venture airline, SunExpress, with out’ the period of technical fault operation, and again a few weeks Lufthansa, aimed mainly at the until services eventually resumed. ago as the available runway leisure market from Germany and In other cases aircraft were kept length was less than an Embraer other source markets to Turkey’s at the point of origin before being 170 required to land safely, while Mediterranean coastal resorts and cleared by air traffic control in other air operators using different in operation now already since Nairobi to commence their flights and smaller jets and turboprops 1989. to Kenya. were able to continue operations. The CEO further confirmed that A similar fate had struck the The new fare however will be a as more new aircraft come on Mombasa airport a while ago challenge for the competition as line, the airline expects delivery when for several days in fact the KQ is set to wrestle market share of 9 more wide bodies in 2010 runway lights were out following back in their favour. Notably, and 10 more in 2011, they are the flooding of an underground service has been resumed just indeed keen to expand their Africa electricity cable duct, restricting ahead of the busy festive season network, which they intend to operations at the time to daylight when many more people are feed from across the CIS states hours and hence causing a severe expected to fly home to Kisumu and other source markets, as their impact on the flight schedules for the holidays. efforts accelerate to increase in and out of the coast’s main their transit traffic via Istanbul. international airport. Watch TURKISH AIRLINES SET TO Turkish Airlines has both A330’s this space for the most up to EXPAND IN AFRICA and B777’s on order to cater for date reports on Eastern African The Turkish national airline some the different capacity demand on aviation. time ago commenced flights into their present and future network. 18 Africa Travel Magazine Dr. Temel Kotil was however demand and traffic flow to and INDEPENDENCE DAY guarded as to time frames and from Eastern Africa, the airline Congratulations to the people potential destinations – something presently is happy with their and government of Tanzania his competitors would surely arrangements of using the code on the occasion of their 48th have been keen to read about in share with Brussels Airlines to Independence Day, celebrated last this column. What Dr. Kotil did Entebbe while in fact considering week. confirm though was that their expanding code shares to the cost basis was substantially lower other three Eastern African SN KADCO SHOWN THE DOOR compared to the main European destinations of Bujumbura, Kigali Reports from Arusha gave airlines, which he termed as the and Nairobi, subject to regulatory confirmation over the last foundation for success. Watch this approvals. weekend, that the government space for breaking news. Lufthansa holds 45 percent of the has apparently terminated Brussels Airlines’ shares already the management contract LUFTHANSA NOT COMING and has the option to purchase the of the Kilimanjaro Airports BACK ANYTIME SOON balance of shares in 2011. Development Company, in short Many travellers will still recall The same applies for Swiss which KADCO, as a result of non the links Lufthansa provided for LH has already fully integrated performance and missing agreed Eastern Africa, when they still into the Lufthansa Group. Swiss targets. operated their daily passenger presently flies into Nairobi and KADCO initially had a contract flights into the region (Nairobi Dar es Salaam and provides an for 25 years, but this was of and Dar es Salaam) up to the end easy connection for passengers late under scrutiny over a range of the 1990’s. At that time LH from Germany, using Lufthansa of issues, while air operators withdrew with little notice from and Swiss’s joint flights between regularly complained that the user the two countries, citing poor the German airports and Zurich, charges were high in comparison yields and lack of suitable aircraft, where they can transfer to the with other similar airports in having just sold their fleet of long haul flight to Nairobi or Dar. the region, hampering the wider A310’s and not having the right Mr. Mayrhuber said he was development of air transport. size aircraft available at the time, satisfied that these two group It is not clear if the KADCO or so they said and told the story. airlines were doing a good job shareholders will go to court to Other carriers however capitalised in offering seats for the German seek an injunction and sue for on this development and todate market via their respective hubs wrongful termination of contract, Frankfurt can only be reached and there would therefore not be a as one source close to the nonstop from East Africa if flying resumption of LH operated flights company has already intimated. on a holiday charter to and from to Eastern Africa any time soon Mombasa or else, on scheduled – while not ruling out a return in TANZANIA FEELS MALAWI airlines via Brussels, Zurich, the long run, once demand had QUAKE TREMORS Amsterdam, London, Addis sufficiently risen to justify it. A 5.9 earthquake in Northern Ababa or Dubai. Lufthansa however remains Malawi was also felt across the When meeting the CEO of committed, it was pointed out to border in Tanzania last week, Lufthansa in Brussels for the this column by another source scaring residents into sleeping Star Alliance event celebrating within Lufthansa, to operating in the open. Quakes of this Brussels Airlines membership, regular cargo flights in and out intensity are rather rare in the opportunity arose to speak with of Kenya and on demand cargo wider region although a series Wolfgang Mayrhuber about their charters to other East African of minor quakes and volcanic plans for East Africa. Asked about airports as required from time to activity were witnessed last the chances of LH resuming time. year in parts of the Africa rift, direct flights he said that while affecting both Tanzania and Lufthansa was always monitoring TANZANIA CELEBRATES Uganda. The intensity of the Africa Travel Magazine 19 records were first taken for this earthquake was also confirmed by welcomed at the time by tour study in 1988, i.e. two decades the US Geological Survey which and safari operators to avoid the ago, which by all standards would monitors seismic activity around loss of cash, but issues emerged constitute an alarming trend the world and is normally the first reportedly soon afterwards about and require immediate action official agency to confirm the how the system works. to maintain the status of the strength of an earthquake. The complaints are apparently Serengeti as one of the world’s focused on the use of MasterCard premier game parks. CAMP MANAGER A SUSPECT, payments, which operators It was also revealed at the same OFFICIAL SOURCES SAY claim often remain unpaid by time that TANAPA has of late The manager of an upmarket the bank yet they (the operators) intensified programmes to engage safari camp, reportedly a citizen have provided services and with neighbouring communities of a Southern African country, made payments on behalf of adjoining the national parks has allegedly disappeared from their clients, who by the time and game reserves to enlist his job after rumours appeared the dispute arises have already them in their conservation that authorities wanted to talk returned home. programmes, aided by setting to him about the death of an However, other tour and safari aside considerable funding from elephant near the camp, which operators contacted by this ‘gate receipt sharing’ for the had the tusks missing when it was column claim that it may be development of social amenities, discovered. Sources in Tanzania the use of this particular brand aimed to create the necessary did mention to this column last of credit card only as others do goodwill at grass root levels. weekend that the authorities not experience problems when have in fact announced that he processing the payment vouchers NOW LAKE BABATI TOO will be subjected to an arrest through their banks. SUFFERS FROM DROUGHT warrant when all facts have been Hotel operators and local guides established and prosecution can SERENGETI GAME COUNTS have voiced their concern over proceed. DOWN the migration of the hippos The camp owners also have A researcher with TANAPA previously resident in the lake in reportedly denounced any recently published results their hundreds to other places, knowledge and complicity in the of studies carried out over a after the water level in the lake apparent act of poaching by their prolonged period of time, which shrunk from drought and much – now surely – former manager. claim that certain game species of the water mass is now covered Oooops... have substantially reduced in by weeds and water hyacinth, numbers, raising concern over the possibly affecting the habitat of NEW PAYMENT SYSTEM future of some of them. Rhino in the animals. Not long ago the NEEDS CHANGES particular have suffered a very area was featured as a tourism Some of the Tanzanian tour and substantial decline and are now attraction on the ‘cultural circuit’ safari operators have requested seriously endangered, although available now for visitors, but changes to the present system of TANAPA is engaged in a major the loss of the hippo spectacle in paying for park entrance fees, relocation programme to boost the lake has now put a damper which – to counter fraudulent numbers and create once again of the local’s hopes to make practises at the various gates viable breeding stocks. Elephant a sustainable living from the – was introduced by TANAPA numbers too are reported to have tourism industry. in 2007. The system is in place declined to a fraction of their across the ‘northern’ circuit where former numbers, while buffalo RWANDAIR RECEIVES FIRST the banks participating in the herds reportedly shrunk from OWN BOMBARDIER CRJ scheme have set up cash and card some 70.000 to only 40.000 over machines. the past 20 years. It appears from The Rwandan national airline The cashless payments were data sent to this column that the took delivery earlier in the week 20 Africa Travel Magazine of their first ‘owned’ CRJ200 jet, type aircraft. In a related span over an initial 20 year period purchased together with a second development the airline also and can be extended if so desired. such aircraft some months ago confirmed that it will seek full The deal was the approved by the from Germany’s Lufthansa. membership in IATA, beginning Rwandan cabinet. The arrival of the aircraft in Kigali the process early next year. today will mark a milestone in A ceremony was held at the ETHIOPIAN AIRLINES ON the airline’s development and is Kanombe International Airport STAR ALLIANCE HORIZON in line with the implementation by RwandAir, and general Star Alliance’s CEO Jaan Albrecht of their strategic plan, which aims airport workers and staff of other gave the clearest indication yet at owning rather than wet leasing airlines on duty also joined the that serious discussions were and a will permit a subsequent celebrations. going on between the world’s expansion of both frequencies and Congratulations all round to leading airline alliance and their network. RwandAir on this momentous Ethiopian Airlines, one of the Some years ago the airline occasion. potential additional ‘African actively sought a partner in order Stars’ after South African Airways to grow, but when no serious bids AKAGERA NATIONAL and Egypt Air. Information came forward the Board changed PARK TO BECOME ‘JOINT had filtered slowly in past direction and began work on a VENTURE’ months from Addis that indeed new strategy aimed at developing Information received from discussions were ongoing, but their own strengths and rather Kigali last week confirms that the apparent volume of work cooperating with suitable airlines the Rwanda Development Board towards compliance and meeting bringing value to RwandAir’s – Tourism and Conservation, the stringent Star Alliance operations. This resulted in a has apparently entered into a membership criteria may have recent codeshare with Brussels partnership agreement with delayed a formal invitation for Airlines, allowing RwandAir to the ‘African Parks Network’ to some more time. Yet, ET would sell tickets on the ‘shared’ flight jointly manage the park and raise undoubtedly add to the value between Kigali and Belgium. finance for further infrastructural of Star’s standing in Africa, Both of the Bombardier CRJ200 developments. being the erstwhile Pan African planes come with a spare part Since the woes of Dubai World carrier and still almost matching package and maintenance support have hit the headlines of the Kenya Airways’ extensive Africa from Lufthansa Technik, giving financial press, concern has network which the Kenyan airline reassurance in regard of flight been growing that their plans for developed over the past years with safety. Akagera too were not coming to the aim to transport connecting The airline will, when the second fruition and the arrival of APN traffic from across Africa via aircraft arrives, resume their was giving the RDB another Nairobi. full schedule as published for option for the park. Dubai World A potential Star Alliance hub in the ‘winter season’, which was was to invest over 250 million the wider Eastern African region in a rather variable state since US Dollars in Rwanda but has would also put Sky Team on RwandAir terminated their wet apart from taking over a safari notice, that their dominance so lease of similar aircraft with lodge in Ruhengeri not taken far in East Africa through the Kenyan airline Jetlink a few roots and the planned hotel KQ/KLM/AF alliance in Nairobi weeks ago. development cum golf course would finally have to make do It was also confirmed that in Kigali appears to have been with a serious ‘rival’ next door in RwandAir is seeking to add a snatched up by a consortium using Addis, which is less than two hour larger jet to their fleet in early Marriott International as their away from Nairobi and ideally 2010, to give them greater chosen managers. The recently placed in geographical terms to flexibility in serving high density signed agreement for the Akagera distribute Star Alliance traffic into routes, most likely a B737NG management cooperation will the continent via Addis Ababa. Africa Travel Magazine 21 beaches offering the finest cuisine, Khartoum over key issues SEYCHELLES HOSTS WORLD Spa treatment centres and a concerning the independence WETLAND WEEK variety of entertainment fit for the referendum vote due to be held in The Indian Ocean island nation proverbial ‘kings’, which clients early 2011. will host the global ‘world with deep pockets surely are these It was learned from usually wetland week’ from the 01st days. reliable sources in Juba that a of February next year, which The attendance of ILTM 51 percent yes vote will suffice will bring together experts and concluded the annual tourism for the South to attain the much lobbyists from around the world. trade fair programme set up by the longed for independence, just as Visit www.ramsar.org for more Seychelles Tourist Board while long as a 60 percent voter turnout information on the agenda of the the schedule for 2010 will be is registered. meeting and the main speakers finalised at the annual marketing A general election in April 2010 and experts expected to come to meeting in January, where both is seen as a precursor towards the Seychelles for this purpose. public and private sector will this goal and all systems in the Meanwhile has the Island brainstorm and agree on the South are set on ‘go’ by the SPLM Conservation Society of the way forward under the theme: to commence campaigning and Seychelles continued with their ‘Consolidating the Seychelles march towards a political victory work and will be using the Tourism Industry’. Well done STB through the polls. Congrats to international conference to also and partners and all the best for GOSS for having dug in their keep the national focus on the next year. heels and compelled Khartoum to need to preserve natural resources accept reasonable modalities for and conservation activities. NEW TIME SHARE LUXURY the referendum. RETREAT FOR CERF Similar agreements appear to SEYCHELLES AT A South African property have also been reached over the ‘INTERNATIONAL LUXURY development company is now forthcoming vote on the future of TRAVEL MARKET’ IN offering month long time shares Abyei, the Nuba Mountain and CANNES in 4 bedroom luxury villas on Blue Nile regions, all of which A team of Seychelles Tourism Cerf Island, which will cost in the had been excluded at the time of and the private sector attended the region of 200.000 US Dollars per the signing of the Comprehensive ILTM in Cannes last week with time share. The new project, aptly Peace Agreement in January 2005. a tailored message to the tourism named ‘Simply.Perfect’ is being sector that the Seychelles is well driven by a group of specialists STAR ALLIANCE CEO: WE placed and equipped to offer comprising architects, designers NEED ‘NO HUB IN THE luxury packages to visitors in an and project managers keen to add DESERT’ SAND exclusive and serene environment. such an option to the growing Star Alliance CEO Jaan Albrecht, The private sector participants range of attractions across the while discussing other issues with represented in fact the upmarket archipelago. No website or email this correspondent in Brussels properties available on the details are presently available last week, also made it quite archipelago and the diversified however but will be added as and clear that the world’s leading message, of course different from when at hand. airline alliance was not presently the main tourism trade shows, seeking a member or members was that luxury seekers will find IT IS 51 AND 60 FOR from the Gulf area, saying ‘we what they are looking for on the REFERENDUM IN 2011 do not need a hub in the desert Seychelles. Already on arrival Agreement has finally been sand’. He continued to point out are exclusive helicopter charters reached over the last weekend that the Gulf area is being served available from the international between the political leadership by Star Alliance members from airport to the respective luxury and Government of Southern their present hubs in the East, resorts, often set above secluded Sudan and the regime in South and West with sufficient 22 Africa Travel Magazine capacity, and that the alliance’s ever less, and encouraged because comes into play. Seat comfort focus remains on other areas in they appear to get away with in the cabin becomes a very the world which could add value it. In fact, every airline around important factor, besides in flight to Star’s market standing and their the globe must either manage to entertainment, catering and the passengers. It was also understood lower their cost or must go out service levels offered by the crew. from other remarks made by the of business, the Lufthansa CEO Most airlines flying into Entebbe Star Alliance CEO that Brazil’s Wolfgang Mayrhuber intimated offer a 32 inch pitch in economy TAM (founder member VARIG last week, when he set his targets class and the latest generation of was dropped by the alliance when at a 40 percent cost cut for LH’s Y-class seats is offering better it went into administration at European routes! sitting comfort and reclines the time) and Air India, amongst Here in Africa, flying is on many compared to those dreaded others, were at advanced stages of of our regional routes more ‘narrow gauge’ contraptions used discussions with Star for attaining expensive than in other parts of in the past. Service in the cabin membership, but that no specific the world, when looking at the normally includes a dinner soon time frame could be availed at this same distances flown, and true after reaching cruising altitude time due to ‘the complex nature of low cost airlines are far and few out of Entebbe and a breakfast compliance and harmonization of between – here in East Africa before arrival at the European procedures and systems’. only Fly 540 being a dedicated airport. The availability of reading LCC while others try to be materials may have been scaled THE WHY’S OF CHOOSING poor copycats, not apparently down in economy class, partly to ONE AIRLINE OVER THE understanding the concept. save weight but also to save the OTHER However, that said, load factors cost of purchasing it, but the latest Flying has apparently lost lots on the East African regional film releases, of course adapted of the glitz and glamour which and domestic routes remain for the wide audience on the flight was in the past associated remarkable high and passengers being able to see them, including with it, both for crews and for do demand, AND GET a full kids, are available even in the passengers, if frequent reports service on board of their chosen main cabin, and can now mostly in eTN are anything to go by airline. A flight from Entebbe be watched through personal about experiences by travellers to Nairobi, Dar es Salaam or screens in the backrest of the seat in particular in North America. Johannesburg for instance, in front. Constant cuts in service levels, depending on the time of day, Upfront however a real revolution (and pay, terms and conditions attracts a continental breakfast, has taken place over the past for the crews) combined with a light lunch or supper meal or decade, as several airlines now equally constant new charges at least a snack, plus drinks of offer ‘flat bed’ or ‘almost flat being invented to have passengers course – often with free beers and bed’ seats in business class part with extra money, have made wine – and that is in economy – previously strictly found in the flying almost a ‘kiosky bus ride in class. Business class passengers ‘First’ cabin – giving passengers the sky’, with the added intrusive can expect a warm breakfast, a a more realistic chance to catch and often unnerving security choice of menu for both lunch some ‘zzzzsssss’ in flight and checks driving at times even the and dinner and during off meal arriving at the destination ready to calmest and most frequent of periods at least a cold platter and put in an immediate day’s work. travellers ‘nuts’. ‘Low service’ has some salad besides the larger A lot of airlines have abandoned become part of many airlines, not selection of drinks available. the traditional First Class from necessarily because that particular Coming to the long haul flights, their aircraft – Emirates being carrier is truly ‘low cost’ but many of which leave East one of the notable exceptions because airline executives seem to Africa for Europe as overnight on flights to Entebbe – but since believe in the ‘minimax’ principle, flights and an added dimension then enhanced their business trying to charge ever more for class section to remain attractive Africa Travel Magazine 23 for full fare and premium More’ frequent flyer programme, intermediaries who they provide passengers. Laptop power sockets, presently offers a 20 percent extra with the equipment. There are, I individual large TV screens miles credit as a further incentive am told, about 3 big trucks loaded and a variety of films and other to their regular passengers, which with raw timber crossing the video and audio entertainment earns them valuable added credits Katima Mulilo border each week. available ‘on demand’ – able to to ‘burn’ at global partner outlets. last throughout the trip – give SN comes highly recommended These people do not have premium passengers the choice by this correspondent, who after legitimate businesses in Zambia; of either working on the large countless flights over the past they pay no tax, except what is fold out tables, enjoying the decades, admittedly most of the applicable at the border. They are latest film releases, sampling the times as a passenger in the front making big fat profits … all of constant flow of snacks and meals cabins, can offer a well founded which is accrued in South Africa. accompanied by a fine selection opinion as to the quality of During this week we have listened of wines and spirits, or simply the overall product experience to the talks on global warming. I putting the eyeshades on after of pre- during- and post flight don’t suppose the local people takeoff, telling the crew when performance of any airline, and around Sesheke know much to deliver a ‘wakeup call’ and SN on this occasion excelled about global warming, but the sleeping during at least some of throughout. authorities should. Those trees the flight hours. are so important to us (and the My most recent flying experience And in closing this week some rest of the world) and should be to Europe took place on a more interesting travel reports a renewable resource. There are Brussels Airlines’ A330, which about ‘Destination Zambia’ strict guidelines about the size of of course also offers the much in taken from the ‘Livingstone trees which can be cut. A tree has demand ‘almost’ flat bed seats, Weekly’ courtesy of Gill Staden, a lifespan, and there is nothing maintained the ‘savoir vivre’ in Livingstone / Zambia, including wrong with cutting old trees the air, offer enhanced lounge – considering the ongoing climate because they will die naturally, comfort for connecting passengers summit in Copenhagen – a piece anyway. But who is controlling in Brussels, including shower and on the plight of the Zambian what is cut? Actually, no-one, I ‘silent’ rest facilities, fast track forests and how the raping of expect. premium passengers through natural resources seems to be ‘express’ channels bypassing the ongoing inspite of the publicity There is also the big problem of long queues at immigration and from Copenhagen about the need forest fires. We know that we are security check points, provide to properly manage our resources addicted to setting the bush alight a separate boarding entrance and in particular protect the great during the dry season. These for premium passengers, and forests around the globe... South African operations have – another crucially important no-one watching to see if the area plus, deliver the bags for premium Timber cutting in Sesheke District around each felled tree is cleared. passengers ‘first’ for a swift (a report by Gill Staden, eTN The unusable branches are left get away from the airport both Ambassador, Zambia) lying on the ground and fuel in Brussels and back home in forest fires during the dry season. Entebbe. On the return flight the I was told the other week about weather permitted magic views the fast-disappearing indigenous And, what about erosion? Once right across the snow covered forests around Sesheke. It seems the trees are gone on this area alpine mountain peaks, of course that there are a number of South of Kalahari sand, there will not visible during the night flight Africans on Temporary Work be nothing to stop the rain in into Europe a few days earlier. Permits who are cutting down its tracks as it pours down the Brussels Airlines, now operating the forests at a rate of knots. hillsides. We have seen on the under Lufthansa’s ‘Miles and They use the local people as news the landslides going on 24 Africa Travel Magazine