2019 ABTA COUNTRY GUIDES Volume 3
MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
DISCOVER SOUTH AFRICA 16 days from only £2,199PP
WHAT’S INCLUDED? ü Full-day guided safari in Kruger National Park ü Gaze at the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon ü Wine tasking and tour in the wine lands ü Tour the Zulu War Battlefields ü Visit to the Cango caves ü Whale watching in Hermanus ü Escorted by our experienced tour manager PLUS SO MUCH MORE... Departures from June to November 2019
CONTACT OUR AGENCY SALES TEAM: Call for support: 01283 744307 | Email: agencysales@rivieratravel.co.uk
CALL RESERVATIONS 7 DAYS A WEEK: Call to book: 01283 744370 | Book online: www.rivieratravel.co.uk/agents Prices are based on two people sharing and are correct at time of print. Single supplements may apply. Holidays are operated by and subject to booking conditions of Riviera Travel, ABTA V4744 ATOL 3430 protected. Subject to availability. Additional entrance costs may apply. Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel. For further information please write to Riviera Travel, New Manor, 328 Wetmore Road, Burton upon Trent, Staffs, DE14 1SP.
ABTA No. V4744
Middle East & Africa Country guides
2019 ABTA COUNTRY GUIDES Volume 3
MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA
Adventures in Africa and the Middle East
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elcome to Volume 3 of the ABTA Country Guides, your countryby-country guide to Africa and the Middle East. From Algeria to Zimbabwe, this is your go-to publication for vital information about the region. We spoke to travel agents and tour operators across the UK to gather their thoughts on what would be the most useful information. The result is our country profiles, beginning page 8, which provide key information such as visa requirements, average temperatures and rainfall, currency, tipping policy, major events and attractions, plus details of flights from the UK; foreign office advice; and information about whether or not it’s possible to get married there. All the information is also available online at countryguides.abtamag.com. Although this guide focuses on countries, we’ve also included some overseas territories, emirates and administrative regions, such as Abu Dhabi and Ras al-Khaimah, which we feel it would be remiss to ignore. As well as the standard profiles, we’ve also included some fantastic features, designed to delve a little bit deeper into destinations. From p23, Heidi Fuller-love provides an in-depth guide to Red Sea resorts as part of our Egypt section, which also has a guide to cruises on the Nile. Emily Eastman takes a trip to Jordan on p44, taking in the wonders of Petra, pictured below, and the bustling streets of Amman, while we have guides to Fez, Morocco’s often-overlooked but fascinating second city (p60), Cape Town, the South African capital that provides adventure, great wine and incredible value for money (p80), plus on p39 and p41 we’ve got city guides to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. We hope you enjoy reading.
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ABTA Country Guides 2019
3
In September 2018, Waterfront, the publisher of ABTA Magazine and Cruise Adviser, launched a new creative agency. The Studio by Waterfront specialises in design solutions across print, web and social media. The Studio offers a tailored approach for all clients, with copywriting, proofreading and design elements available, in the following areas:
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For more information, email info@waterfront-publishing.com
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Middle East & Africa Country Guide
Spotting the Big Five in Botswana
67
Oman: a new oasis in the Middle East
44
Discover Jordan’s rich history, hospitality and sweeping vistas
ABTA Magazine is created by Waterfront Publishing on behalf of ABTA Waterfront Publishing 12-18 Hoxton Street London N1 6NG waterfront-publishing.com
020 3865 9360
Director Sam Ballard sam@waterfront-publishing.com Director Anthony Pearce anthony@waterfront-publishing.com Sales manager Emily Norris emily@waterfront-publishing.com 020 3865 4815
Head of design Billy Odell billy@ABTAmag.com Business travel editor Jenny Southan jenny@ABTAmag.com Sub-editors Emily Eastman, Nathaniel Cramp
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Sales manager Bryan Johnson bryan@waterfront-publishing.com 020 3865 9338
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ABTA Country Guides 2019
5
Middle East & Africa
CONTENTS Editor’s letter 03
Liberia 55
Algeria 08
Madagascar 56
Angola 09
Mauritius 57
Bahrain 10
Morocco 58
Benin 11
Mozambique 62
Botswana 12
Namibia 64
Cameroon 15
Nigeria 65
Cape Verde 16
Oman 66
Comoros 18
Qatar 69
Cote D’Ivoire 19
Reunion 70
Djibouti 20
Rwanda 71
Egypt 22
Saint Helena 72
Equatorial Guinea 27
São Tomé & Príncipe 73
Eritrea 28
Saudi Arabia 74
eSwatini 29
Senegal 75
Ethiopia 30
Seychelles 76
Gabon 32
Sierra Leone 77
Gambia 33
South Africa 78
Ghana 34
Tanzania 82
Guinea 35
Togo 84
Iran 36
Tunisia 85
Israel 37
Uganda 86
Jordan 42
Abu Dhabi 87
Kenya 48
Dubai 90
Kuwait 52
Sharjah 91
Lebanon 53
Ras al-Khaimah 92
Lesotho 54
Zambia 95 96-98 Zimbabwe 96
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ABTA Country Guides 2019
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Middle East & Africa Algeria
Algeria Africa’s largest country has something for everyone – from some of the best-preserved Roman ruins, including Timgad and Djemila, to glorious coastline, snow-topped mountains and the golden sands of the Saharan desert. Welcoming locals, traditional cuisine and adventure await. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Algiers Visa requirements: Get a visa from the Algerian Consulate in London prior to your trip Time zone: GMT + 1 Language: Arabic Currency: Dinar Population: 41.32 million Electricity: 230V and 50Hz Tipping policy: A tip of
SPAIN Algiers Constantine
around ten to 15 per cent is appreciated AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK (direct/non-direct) Direct flights to Algiers WESTERN SAHARA (average flight time: 3h): London Heathrow
MAJOR EVENTS • International Festival of Contemporary Art • International Diwan Music Festival of Algiers • European Cultural Festival • Pan-African Cultural
MAUR.
MALI NIGER
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Festival • Festival Internacional de Cine del Sahara FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to within 30km of the borders with Libya, Mauritania, Mali and Niger, and 30km
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ABTA Country Guides 2019
LIBYA
ALGERIA
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Timgad Unesco World Heritage Site 2. Test Garden of Hamma 3. Notre-Dame d’Afrique 4. Gouraya National Park 5. Chréa National Park
TUNISIA
MOROCCO
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of the border with Tunisia in the provinces of Illizi and Ouargla and in the Chaambi mountains area. It also advises against all but essential travel to within 30km of the remainder of the border with Tunisia. Visit gov.uk/foreign-traveladvice/algeria for the latest travel advice.
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Algeria Middle East & Africa
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ABTA Country Guides 2019
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Middle East & Africa Angola
Angola For intrepid travellers, Angola has it all: cascading waterfalls, tropical rainforests in the north, desert dunes, volcanic gorges and stretches of beach. After years of unrest, Angola is coming out the other side and is a welcoming destination for tourists. Infrastructure may be basic, but the country rewards adventurous types handsomely in natural wonders. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Luanda Visa requirements: Required; tourists must complete a Visa Application Form prior to travel Time zone: GMT + 1 Language: Portuguese Currency: Kwanza Population: 29.78 million Electricity: 220V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Tipping isn’t that common except for on tours, where you should tip the guide
GABON REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
around ten per cent of the total and the driver around five per cent. If you had good service in a restaurant and wish to leave a tip, around ten per cent is fine AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Luanda (average travel time: 20h): Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Kissama National Park Viewpoint of the Moon Mussulo for surfing Namib desert Kalandula Waterfalls
MAJOR EVENTS • Lubango Festival • Muxima Pilgrimage • Sumbe Music Festival • Angola Carnival • Luanda Island Feast
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DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
Luanda
South Atlantic Ocean
ANGOLA ZAMBIA
Namibe
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NAMIBIA BOTSWANA
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FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to the provinces of Cabinda (but not including Cabinda city) and within 1km of the
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border with the Democratic Republic of Congo in Lunda Norte province, except at official border crossings and their access roads. Visit gov.uk/foreign-traveladvice/angola for the latest travel advice.
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Bahrain Middle East & Africa
Bahrain Bahrain may be a little rougher round the edges than its Gulf neighbours, but this only adds to its charm. Dig a little deeper and discover intriguing ancient history, colourful markets and one of the most liberal cultures in the entire region. Capital city Manama comes alive at night with clubs, bars and restaurants. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Manama Visa requirements: Required; visas are available on arrival but it is recommended to apply online or at the Embassy of the Kingdom of Bahrain in London before your trip Time zone: GMT + 3 Language: Arabic Currency: Dinar Population: 1.493 million Electricity: 230V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Most
SAUDI ARABIA Manama
restaurants and hotels add a ten to 15 per cent service charge to the bill. Tip taxi drives ten per cent
Riffa
Persian Gulf
BAHRAIN
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Bahrain (average flight time: 6h 20m): London Heathrow SAUDI ARABIA
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Al Fateh Grand Mosque 2. Bahrain National Museum 3. Qal’at al-Bahrain Unesco World Heritage Site 4. The Lost Paradise of Dilmun Water Park 5. Royal Camel Farm MAJOR EVENTS • Festival City • Bahrain International Garden Show • Bahrain Food Festival • Bahrain Grand Prix • Bahrain International Music Festival
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QATAR
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 11
Middle East & Africa Botswana
MALI
Benin Benin is steeped in history, playing a key role in the development of the slave trade and the birthplace of voodoo. More than half the population still practices the 10,000-yearold religion, and the country’s heritage continues to intrigue visitors. Head to the coast for palm-fringed beaches or inland for ecotourism options. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Porto-Novo Visa requirements: Required; apply at the Consulate of the Republic of Benin in London Time zone: GMT + 1 Language: French Currency: West African CFA franc Population: 11.18 million Electricity: 220V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Around ten per cent is appreciated in restaurants
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Cotonou: Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Southampton
NIGER
BURKINA FASO
BENIN Parakou COTE D’IVOIRE
TOGO
NIGERIA
GHANA
Porto Novo
South Atlantic Ocean
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Pendjari National Park 2. Royal Palace, PortoNovo 3. Lake Ahémé 4. Door of No Return 5. Place de I’Etoile Rouge MAJOR EVENTS • Voodoo Festival • Quintessence Film Festival • Gelede Festival • Waba Festival • International Festival of the Dahomean Cultures FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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advises against all travel to the Parc du W and the contiguous hunting zones of Meêkrou and Djona. It also advises against all but essential travel to the area between the
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Interstate Highway (RNIE) 2 (Tchaourou to Malanville) and the Nigerian border, due to increasing criminality in that area. Visit gov.uk/ foreign-travel-advice/benin for the latest travel advice.
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Botswana Middle East & Africa
Botswana Botswana is one of Africa’s last wildernesses. Home to the Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the country is a popular safari destination. One third of the country is game reserves, which protect the wildlife and the landscape. Those who love luxury will feel right at home, with new lodges offering fantastic viewpoints for spotting the animals in comfort. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Gaborone Visa requirements: None for EU citizens Time zone: GMT + 2 Language: English is the official language but Setswana is spoken locally Currency: Pula. The currency cannot be
obtained outside of Botswana Population: 2.2 million Electricity: Same as UK, but some places have three pin round sockets Tipping policy: Recommend $10 per person per day for guides and tips at your discretion for lodge staff AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights only (average travel time: 14h): Fly via Johannesburg or Cape Town to Gaborone, Maun or Kasane TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4.
ZAMBIA
ANGOLA
Okavango Delta Chobe National Park Magkadigkadi Salt Pans Central Kalahari Game Reserve
NAMIBIA
BOTSWANA Gabarone SOUTH AFRICA
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5. Northern Tuli Game Reserve MAJOR EVENTS • Race for Rhinos • Tour de Tuli, a mountain bike tour • Desert Race • Kuru Dance Festival WEDDINGS Foreigners wishing to marry in Botswana must register their marriage by applying for and obtaining a Special Licence from the District Commissioner. Couples can only apply for the Special Licence once they are in Botswana. Approval takes
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ZIMBABWE
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approximately two days. Documents needed: • Passport; • Passport-sized photos; • Birth certificate; • Copies of the two witnesses’ passports; • Proof of residential address for both partners; • Proof of return air ticket; • Affidavit stating that you can legally marry; • Divorce certificate, if applicable; • Death certificate if either partner is a widow/ widower. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Botswana.
ABTA Country Guides 2019 13
Middle East & Africa Botswana
Botswana
Spotting the Big Five By Heidi Fuller-Love
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ith its dense woodlands, arid salt pans and remote savannahs bordered by the Chobe River, Botswana is one of the best countries in Africa for observing animals in their natural environment – and you’re almost guaranteed to see all of the Big Five. Here are the top places around the country to spot what they’ve got. CHOBE In northern Botswana, the Chobe National Park’s large river and dense woodlands
14 ABTA Country Guides 2019
are home to one of the world’s largest African elephant populations. This river, which marks the border between Botswana and Namibia, is also a great place to spot crocodiles, hippos, spotted hyenas, lions, leopards and cheetahs. SAVUTE With its arid savannah and grassy plains, the Savute region of Chobe National Park is an ideal environment for lions, which live in prides that can include up to 30 individuals. Savute is also the place to spot Botswana’s celebrated fish-eating leopards.
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Botswana Middle East & Africa
MAKGADIKGADI PANS The world’s largest salt pans lie southeast of the Okavango Delta. Surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, this arid region is the backdrop for one Africa’s most spectacular migrations, when tens of thousands of zebra and wildebeest come here to feed off rich pastures that sprout after the rains.
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OKAVANGO DELTA This watery delta – best navigated by mokoro canoe – teems with wildlife, especially during the rainy winter months. You’ll see huge herds of buffalo here, as well hippos and crocodiles, but for the best chance to see the region’s endangered rhino you should head to the Moremi Game Reserve.
ABTA Country Guides 2019 15
Middle East & Africa Cameroon
Cameroon Situated on the Gulf of Guinea, Cameroon is a country of diverse terrain and wildlife. Dive, climb, trek and raft in its great outdoors – home to towering mountains and mesmerising rock formations; encounter rare indigenous wildlife in virgin rainforest; or simply soak up the sun and peaceful vibes on a picture-perfect tropical beach. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Yaoundé Visa requirements: Required; apply at the High Commission for Cameroon in London Time zone: GMT + 1 Language: French and English Currency: Central Africa CFA franc Population: 24.05 million Electricity: 220V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Around ten per cent is customary for good service in restaurants AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop)
NIGER
CHAD
to Douala (average travel time: 10h): Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Southampton TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Mount Cameroon Waza National Park Lobé Falls Lobéké National Park Korup National Park
NIGERIA
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
CAMEROON Douala
South Atlantic Ocean
Yaounde EQUATORIAL GUINEA
REP. OF THE CONGO
GABON
DEM. REP. OF THE CONGO
Monthly average temperature & rainfall MAJOR EVENTS • African Music Market • Nyem-Nyem Festival • Culture Week • F estival National des Arts et de la Culture (FENAC) • Ngondo Festival
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FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to the Far North region and all but essential travel to the North, North West and Adamawa regions. Visit gov. uk/foreign-travel-advice/ cameroon for the latest travel advice.
16 ABTA Country Guides 2019
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Cape Verde Middle East & Africa
Cape Verde Cape Verde is something of an underrated destination: it enjoys near year-round sunshine and temperatures well in the upper 20s, dramatic volcanic landscapes, powdery unspoilt beaches and fascinating colonial history. Its urban hubs pulse with bars and clubs, while the restaurants perfume the air with mouthwatering scents of West African cuisine. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Praia Visa requirements: No visa required for stays of up to 30 days Time zone: GMT - 1 Language: Portuguese Currency: Escudo Population: 546,388 Electricity: 230V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Appreciated but not expected. Tip between five and ten per cent for good service in restaurants
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Boa Vista (average flight time: 6h): Birmingham, Manchester, London Gatwick
CAPE VERDE Atlantic Ocean
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Pico do Fogo, Cape Verde’s highest peak 2. Praia da Atalanta 3. Viveiro Botanic Garden 4. São Nicolau island 5. Ilhéu de Santa Maria, an uninhabited volcanic islet MAJOR EVENTS • Creole Carnival, Sao Vicente, February • Gamboa, Santiago, May • Tabanca feast celebrating the freedom of the slaves, Santiago, June • Baia das Gates Music Festival, Sao Vicente, August • Santa Maria Music Festival, Sal, September
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Boa Vista
Praia
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Middle East & Africa Cape Verde
Part of the Macaronesia ecoregion, along with the Azores, Canary Islands, Madeira and the Savage Isles, Cape Verde is situated 500km west of Senegal. Made up of volcanic mountains, beaches and pretty villages, it offers dramatic scenery and, in the case of Santo AntĂŁo (pictured), great hiking opportunities.
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Comoros Middle East & Africa
Comoros This volcanic archipelago off Africa’s east coast is on the road less travelled. But the islands have much to attract tourists: swim with humpback whales, watch turtles lay their eggs on the beach, dive the deep trenches of Trou du Prophéte in Misamiouli, climb active volcanoes, discover gushing waterfalls and explore the colonial architecture of the capital.
Moroni
COMOROS
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Moroni (average travel time: 16h): Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle
Domoni
Mozamique Channel Monthly average temperature & rainfall
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS KEY INFORMATION Capital: Moroni Visa requirements: Required; can be obtained on arrival at Hahaya Airport in Moroni Time zone: GMT + 3 Language: French, Arabic and Comorian Currency: Comorian franc Population: 813,912 Electricity: 220-240V and 50HZ
Indian Ocean
Tipping policy: Appreciated but not expected. A tip of 100-200 shillings is acceptable
1. Chomoni Beach 2. Grand Mosque du Vendredi 3. Mount Karthala 4. Ntingui mountain peak with lush forest trails 5. Plage Gountsini
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MAJOR EVENTS • International Labour Day, May 1 • Independence Day, July 6
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 19
Middle East & Africa Côte d’Ivoire
Côte d’Ivoire This West African country possesses beautiful beach resorts, dense rainforests and a French colonial legacy. It is a place where old and new collide: imagine skyscraping office blocks alongside bakedmud mosques. Home to some 60 tribal groups, this country boasts culture, art and traditions as diverse as they are compelling. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Yamoussoukro Visa requirements: Required; apply to the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in London Time zone: GMT Language: French
Currency: West African CFA franc Population: 24.29 million Electricity: 230V &SIERRA 50Hz LEONE Tipping policy: A service charge is usually added to hotel and restaurant bills. If not, tip ten to 15 per cent of the bill AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Abidjan (average travel time: 10h): Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Southampton
BURKINA FASO
MALI GUINEA
COTE D’IVOIRE GHANA Yamoussoukro
LIBERIA
Abidjan
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TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Taï National Park 2. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace 3. St. Paul’s Cathedral, Abidjan 4. Abokouamekro Game Reserve 5. Musée des Civilisations de Côte d’Ivoire MAJOR EVENTS • Carnival in Bouaké, March • Fête du Dipri, April
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TOGO
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• Independence Day, August 7 • Fêtes des Masques, November • Goli mask dance FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to within 20km of the border with Liberia. Visit gov.uk/foreigntravel-advice/cote-d-ivoire for the latest travel advice.
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Djibouti Middle East & Africa
Djibouti Djibouti is a new frontier for adventurous travellers. Situated at the meeting point of three of the Earth’s tectonic plates, the landscape transforms from unbroken plains to desolate volcanic rock to the glittering waters of the Gulf of Aden. Beyond its colonial capital, snorkel with whale sharks, trek dormant volcanoes and float in Lake Assal – Africa’s lowest point. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Djibouti City Visa requirements: Required; apply online at evisa.gouv.dj/#/ Time zone: GMT + 3 Language: French and Arabic Currency: Djiboutian franc Population: 956,985
YEMEN Red Sea
ERITREA Electricity: 220V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Ten per cent in hotels and restaurants is customary AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Djibouti (average travel time: 15h): Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Lake Assal, the second saltiest body of water in the world 2. Moucha Island, a small coral island in the Gulf of Tadjoura 3. Day Forest National Park
ETHOPIA
DJIBOUTI Gulf of Aden
Yoboki
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4. Ghoubbet-el-Kharab, a cove surrounded by mountains that is frequented by divers 5. Seven Brothers Islands MAJOR EVENTS • Independence Day, June 27 • Ramadan, July
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Djibouti
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• Fest’Horn, December FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to the border with Eritrea. Visit gov.uk/foreigntravel-advice/djibouti for the latest travel advice.
ABTA Country Guides 2019 21
Middle East & Africa Egypt
Egypt Ancient pyramids, pharaonic temples and the world’s longest river – the Nile – have long proved irresistible for travellers, but Egypt is diversifying its offering. The Red Sea has become renowned for some of the best snorkelling and diving sites in the world, while the once sleepy fishing village of Hurghada is rapidly becoming a favourite with holidaymakers. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Cairo Visa requirements: A visa for stays of up to 30 days can be obtained on arrival. British nationals travelling to Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts for up to 15 days receive a free entry permission stamp upon arrival. If you intend to travel out of these areas or stay longer than 15 days, you need a visa. If you have travelled to one of the South Sinai Red Sea resorts, entered without a visa, and your plans change, you can normally purchase a visa at Sharm El Sheikh airport to allow you to travel elsewhere. E-visas are obtainable at www.visa2egypt.gov.eg Time zone: GMT + 2 Language: Arabic, also English and French Currency: Egyptian pound Population: 96 million
CYRUS
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Pyramids and Sphinx, Giza 2. Egyptian Museum, Cairo 3. Temples, Luxor & Karnak 4. Valley of the Kings & Queens, Luxor 5. Ramses II Temple, Abu Simbel MAJOR EVENTS • Cairo Biennale • International Egyptian Marathon • Abu Simbel Sun Festival
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IRAQ
ISRAEL JORDAN
Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: Between ten and 12 per cent AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Cairo (average flight time: 4h 45m): London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted Direct flights to Hurghada (average flight time: 5h 35m): Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Doncaster, London City, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester, Newcastle Direct flights to Marsa Alam (average flight time: 5h 40m): Birmingham, London Gatwick. Indirect flights to: Luxor, Aswan, Sharm El Sheikh, Alexandria, El Alamein and Taba
SYRIA
LEB.
Cairo SAUDI ARABIA
EGYPT LIBYA
Aswan
SUDAN
CHAD
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• International Squash Tournament • Cairo International Festival and Conference of Arabic Music • Cairo International Film Festival WEDDINGS Documents needed: • Legalised divorce papers, if applicable, translated into Arabic; • A statutory declaration that you are free to marry. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Egypt. FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office
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advises against all travel to the Governorate of North Sinai. It also advises against all but essential travel to the Governorate of South Sinai, with the exception of the area within the Sharm el Sheikh perimeter barrier, which includes the airport and the areas of Sharm el Maya, Hadaba, Naama Bay, Sharks Bay and Nabq; however, it advises against all but essential travel by air to or from Sharm el Sheikh; and the area west of the Nile Valley and Nile Delta regions, excluding the coastal areas between the Nile Delta and Marsa Matruh. Visit gov.uk/ foreign-travel-advice/egypt for the latest travel advice.
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Egypt Middle East & Africa
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 23
Middle East & Africa Egypt
Egypt
Red Sea Resorts and diving By Heidi Fuller-Love
W
ith their stunning coral formations, abundant marine life and year-round balmy seas, Egypt’s “Red Sea Riviera” resorts, which are only a five-hour flight from the UK, are ideal for diving holidays. Encompassing some of the best sites on the planet, the Red Sea’s clear blue waters are home to some 1,200 species of fish, including a huge number of endemic species. The best time for divers is from July to December, although the resorts that are furthest south are ideal all year round. WHALE SHARKS NEAR SHARM On the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, Sharm el Sheikh is one of the region’s more upmarket resorts and a well-known site for divers who want the chance to spot whale sharks and manta rays. Excellent reefs are accessible from the shore, but there are
24 ABTA Country Guides 2019
also several superb sites within a two-hour boat ride. These include the island reefs of the Straits of Tiran in the north, Shark and Yolanda reef in the national park of Ras Mohamed and the SS Thistlegorm, one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks. SHIPWRECKS OFF HURGHADA On the Red Sea’s west coast and almost opposite Sharm, Hurghada was a small fishing village several decades ago. Now a bustling town, this sprawling Red Sea resort has richly populated reefs within easy reach of the shore. Less experienced divers can also take a boat out to explore the coral reefs encircling The Giftun islands. More experienced divers can swim with giant morays and eagle rays at Abu Ramada, or explore the world-renowned site of Sha’ab Abu Nuhas, which is the watery resting place of seven shipwrecks including the Carnactic, a British Cargo steam ship that sunk in 1869.
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Egypt Middle East & Africa
DOLPHINS AND WRECKS FROM EL GOUNA Created by Egyptian billionaire Onsi Sawiris, El Gouna’s artificial lakes and lagoons attract an elegant crowd who come here to escape Egypt’s frenetic bustle. This resort 25 kilometres north of Hurghada is a favourite with wreck divers because of its proximity to world-renowned wreck site Sha’ab Abu Nuhas. Another easily reached site is Sha’ab El Erg, a horseshoe-shaped reef which is home to a large and acrobatic pod of spinner dolphins. DUGONGS IN MARSA ALAM Marsa Alam has expanded since its international airport opened in 2003, but this unpretentious resort still retains the ambiance of a small fishing village. With plenty of sites close to the shore there are countless dive options here.
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These include the unique chance to swim with Marsa Abu Dabab’s resident colony of endangered dugongs. DANGEROUS DIVE OF DAHAB North of Sharm el Sheikh and close to the Gulf of Aqaba, Dahab is rapidly becoming one of the Red Sea’s most celebrated diving destinations. Not only is there plenty to see just off shore, but this remote destination is the main access point for the 110-metre Blue Hole, said to be the world’s most dangerous dive. NEED TO KNOW Egypt’s governing body for scuba diving is The Chamber of Diving and Watersports (CDWS) – check that your dive centre is properly accredited before leaving the safety of the shore.
ABTA Country Guides 2019 25
Middle East & Africa Egypt Country
Egypt
Return of the Nile
N
umbers dropped off after political unrest in Egypt, but with travel to the region deemed safe, more lines are adding Nile itineraries. Following the Arab Spring in 2011, and the ensuing unrest in Egypt, the Nile cruise business almost ceased to exist. By 2016 just 3,600 Brits took a cruise in the country, down 95 per cent from 58,000 in 2010. However, the Nile now appears to be on its way back. There is currently no Foreign Office advice against travel to Cairo and the tourist areas – including Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Valley of the Kings – are also considered safe. Orbital Travel’s managing director John McCallum reports that the Nile river cruise specialist started to see a turnaround at the end of 2016. From April 2017 to March 2018, passenger numbers and turnover increased by 50 per cent. “The level of activity between January and the first week of March was the highest since the downfall of President Mubarak in 2011,” he said.
26 ABTA Country Guides 2019
Viking River Cruises has launched Nile river cruises, investing in its own vessel for the first time. A newly renovated all-suite ship, the Viking Ra, is sailing an eight-day round-trip cruise on the Nile as part of Viking’s 12-day Pharaohs & Pyramids cruise tour that begins in Cairo. Riviera Travel now has two Nile itineraries – including the 11-day Wonders of the Nile (from Cairo to Luxor), which can be extended from Cairo to Aswan for 15 days. The Nile also makes its debut appearance in a Scenic brochure – the luxury river and escorted tour operator has introduced an 11-day tour, which has a four-night charter on the 36-guest Sanctuary Sun Boat III from Luxor to Aswan. With Uniworld, Sanctuary Retreats, Orbital Travel, Red Sea Holidays and Discover Egypt all having kept faith with the region, there’s every reason to feel optimistic for the Nile. Discover Egypt has held most of its prices for 2018 and 2019 at 2017 levels, with seven-night cruises starting from £898, with excursions included.
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Equatorial Guinea Middle East & Africa
Equatorial Guinea Malabo CAMEROON
Bight of Bonny
Mbini
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Tropical Equatorial Guinea is split between the mainland – which enjoys white sand beaches and jungle trails – and Bioko Island, where the capital, Malabo, is situated. Explore the striking colonial architecture of the bustling city, or venture elsewhere to discover fishing villages, natural wonders and, of course, the country’s endangered primates.
Currency:GABON Central African Franc Population: 1.2 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: Not mandatory
KEY INFORMATION Capital: Malabo Visa requirements: Required Time zone: GMT + 1 Language: Spanish
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Malabo Cathedral 2. Basile Peak 3. Iladyi Waterfalls 4. Biao Lake 5. Ureka Beaches
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK All international flights arrive to Malabo airport. There are no direct flights from the UK.
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 27
Middle East & Africa Eritrea
Eritrea Eritrea is off-the-beaten track travel. Get past the red tape (the visa process can take months and tourists need permits to visit anywhere outside of the capital) and be rewarded with inspiring landscapes, cultural diversity, a multitude of archaeological sites and the art deco charms of Asmara, whose Italian architecture has gained it Unesco World Heritage status. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Asmara Visa requirements: Required; apply at the Embassy of Eritrea in London
SAUDI ARABIA
Red Sea Time zone: GMT + 3 Language: Tigrinya, Arabic, English Currency: Eritrean nakfa Population: 5 million Electricity: 230V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Appreciated but not expected. Tip around ten per cent in restaurants and small amounts for hotel staff and taxi drivers AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Asmara (average travel time: 15h): Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle
SUDAN
ERITREA
Assab
ETHIOPIA
DJIBOUTI SOMALIA
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TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Cattedrale di Asmara 2. Matara archaeological site 3. Qohaito ancient city 4. Synagogue of Asmara 5. Dahlak Kebir island MAJOR EVENTS • Fenkil Day, celebrating the end of colonial rule, February 10 • Independence Day, May 24 • Eid al-Fitr, the end of Ramadan
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YEMEN
Asmara
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FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel within 25km of Eritrea’s land borders, with the exceptions of: the towns of Senafe and Tessenei; the border crossings at Debay Sima – Burre, Serha – Zalambessa and Kesadika (Adi Kuala) – Rama, plus the main paved roads leading to those crossings. Visit gov.uk/ foreign-travel-advice/eritrea for the latest travel advice.
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eSwatini Middle East & Africa
eSwatini
(formerly Swaziland) Formerly Swaziland, eSwatini is nestled between South Africa and Mozambique and offers a taste of authentic Africa. Immerse yourself in lively local culture, trek in stunning surroundings, get your adrenaline pumping with thrilling outdoor pursuits and haggle for high-quality wares in bustling local markets. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Mbabane Visa requirements: No visa required; visitors are normally given entry permission for up to 30 days. This can be extended at the Eswatini
MOZAMBIQUE
SOUTH AFRICA
Piggs Peak
Immigration Department in Mbabane Time zone: GMT + 2 Language: English, South African English and Swati Currency: Swazi lilangeni Population: 1.367 million Electricity: 230V and 50Hz Tipping policy: A tip of ten to 15 per cent is expected in restaurants AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Manzini (average flight time: 14h): London Gatwick, London Heathrow TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Mbabane
ESWATINI
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Malolotja National Park Mbuluzi Game Reserve Malolotja Canopy Tour Sibebe Rock nature reserve
MAJOR EVENTS • Marula Festival, February • Bushfire Music Festival, May • Sibebe Survivor, July • Umhlanga (reed) festival, between August and September • Incwala Ceremony, an annual tribute to the royal family, between the end of December and beginning of February
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 29
Middle East & Africa Ethiopia
Ethiopia Epic landscapes, peerless history and abundant wildlife make Ethiopia a captivating destination. The only country on the continent to have evaded European colonialism, Ethiopia has a distinct cultural identity. Observe ancient customs and traditions still practised by indigenous tribes and tread in the footsteps of our ancient ancestors. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Addis Ababa Visa requirements: Required; purchase a tourist visa in advance online from the Ethiopian Immigration website or buy on arrival at Addis Ababa (Bole) International airport for US$50 for one month and $75 for three
Red Sea
ERITREA months. It is recommended to bring US dollars to pay for this Time zone: GMT + 3 Language: Amharic Currency: Ethiopian birr Population: 105 million Electricity: 220V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Appreciated but not expected
YEMEN
SUDAN Mek'ele
DJIBOUTI
Addis Ababa
SOMALIA
ETHIOPIA
SOUTH SUDAN
KENYA
Indian Ocean
UGANDA AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Addis Ababa (average flight time: 7h 35m): London Heathrow Indirect flights to Addis Ababa (average travel time: 12h): Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle
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TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS
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September 27 • The Great Ethiopian Run, November • Arba Minch Festival of Music and Dance, December
1. Simien Mountains National Park 2. Blue Nile Falls 3. Erta Ale shield volcano 4. Danakil Depression 5. National Museum of Ethiopia MAJOR EVENTS • Timkat-Feast, January 19 • Addis International Film Festival, May • Meskal Festival ,
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FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has issued travel advice for certain regions in Ethiopia. Visit gov.uk/foreign-traveladvice/ethiopia for the latest travel advice.
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Ethiopia Middle East & Africa
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 31
Middle East & Africa Ethiopia
A Unesco World Heritage site, the breathtaking Simien Mountains National Park in northern Ethiopia is home to a number of endemic and endangered species. These include the Ethiopian wolf, walia ibex, wild goat, caracal, a wild cat, and the famous gelada baboon.
32 ABTA Country Guides 2019
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Gabon Middle East & Africa
Gabon With an impressive 11.25 per cent of the country declared as national parkland, Gabon is stunningly beautiful and possesses huge potential for ecotourism. Discover abundant wildlife, trek in dense rainforest and explore vast savannah, or relax on untouched whitesand, palm-fringed beaches. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Libreville Visa requirements: Required; find details of how to apply at gabonembassyuk.co.uk/ welcome-message/ visas-information-andapplication/ Time zone: GMT + 1 Language: French Currency: Central African CFA franc Population: 2.025 million Electricity: 220V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Round up the bill for good service
CAMEROON spot hippos and dolphins 2. Pongara National Park for mangroves, forests and leatherback turtles 3. Mayumba National Park for turtles and humpback whales
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Libreville
GABON Franceville
4. Moukalaba-Doudau National Park to spot gorillas 5. Elobey Grande island MAJOR EVENTS • Gabao Hip Hop Festival, February 25 • Festival Akini-a-loubou of contemporary dance, May 9-14 • Independence Day, August 17 • Les Nuits Atypiques music festival, August
REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO South Atlantic Ocean
DE
DEM. REP. OF THE CONGO
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AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Libreville (average flight time: 12h): Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Loango National Park to
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 33
Middle East & Africa Gambia
Gambia Tropical climes, wellestablished coastal resorts and friendly locals (Gambia is nicknamed “the smiling coast of Africa”) make this a popular destination, but there’s more to Gambia than sun, sea and sand. Head inland for a stay at an ecolodge, where you might spot manatees, hippos, crocodiles and colobus monkeys. Gambia is home to almost 600 bird species, and its wildlife is a major draw for tourists. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Banjul Visa requirements: No
visa required Time zone: GMT Language: English Currency: Gambian dalasi Population: 2.101 million Electricity: 230V & 50Hz Tipping policy: Tipping hotel staff, wait staff in restaurants and tour guides a couple of pounds is customary AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights to Banjul (average travel time: 14h): Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Leeds, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham
SENEGAL
SENEGAL THE GAMBIA Banjul
Basse Santa Su
GUINEABISSAU
Atlantic Ocean
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TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Kunta Kinteh Island 2. Kachikally Museum and Crocodile Pool 3. River Gambia National Park 4. Abuko Nature Reserve 5. Albert Market MAJOR EVENTS • Banjul Demba Cultural Festival, January • Banjul Fine Arts Festival, January • July 22nd Celebrations • Tabaski (Day of the Sacrifice) • Abene Festival to celebrate harvest season
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Ghana Middle East & Africa
MALI
Ghana Sometimes labelled “Africa for beginners”, Ghana has what people come to the continent for: tropical coastline, vibrant culture, abundant wildlife, swathes of dense rainforest and dry savannah, and exciting cities. Ghana’s historic coast was once the bastion of West Africa’s slave trade, and there are many reminders of the country’s darker history. But Ghana is emerging as a modern destination – fast growing, diverse and with a cosmopolitan capital. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Accra Visa requirements: Required; apply online at ghanahighcommissionuk. com/Passports/ VisaApplication.aspx Time zone: GMT Language: English Currency: Ghanaian cedi Population: 28.83 million Electricity: 220-240V and
50Hz Tipping policy: Appreciated but not expected. Tip around five to ten per cent of the bill in restaurants and one cedi in smaller eateries; ten per cent for tour guides; and five to ten per cent of the fare for taxi drivers AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Accra (average flight time: 6h 35m): London Heathrow Indirect flights (one stop) to Accra: Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Castletown, Durham, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Humberside, Inverness, Jersey, Leeds, London, Newcastle, Norwich, Nottingham, Southampton, Manchester
BURKINA FASO BENIN
COTE D’IVOIRE
TOGO
GHANA Kumasi
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3. Elmina Castle 4. Lake Volta 5. Aburi Botanical Gardens MAJOR EVENTS
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Cape Coast Castle 2. Kakum National Park
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NI
• Bugum Festival, January • Dzawuwu Festival, February
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• Gologo Festival, a preharvest celebration, March • Willa, a celebration giving thanks to Takpo ancestors, April 27 • Damba three-day festival, September
ABTA Country Guides 2019 35
Middle East & Africa Guinea
Guinea Visit Guinea and prepare to be mesmerised by the landscape: tumbling waterfalls, remote villages, virgin rainforest, tropical islands and wildlife in abundance – chimpanzees, elephants, buffalo and baboons all call these lands home. Travel here might not be the easiest, but it is among the most rewarding. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Conakry Visa requirements: Required; apply at the Embassy of the Republic of Guinea in London Time zone: GMT Language: French Currency: Guinean franc Population: 12.72 million Electricity: 220V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Tip around ten per cent in higher-end restaurants in Conakry. Tips aren’t usually expected elsewhere, but feel free to
SENEGAL tip for good service
THE GAMBIA GUINEA BISSAU
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Conakry (average travel time: 15h): Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Southampton TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Loos Islands 2. Fouta Djallon 3. Grand Mosque of Conakry 4. Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve 5. National Museum
MALI
GUINEA Conakry
Kankan
SIERRA LEONE
COTE D’IVOIRE
LIBERIA
South Atlantic Ocean
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MAJOR EVENTS • Kini Afrika or Festival des Arts de Conte • Macao Arts Festival • Festival International Kora et Cordes de Conakry
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Iran Middle East & Africa RUSSIA
Iran Iran holds the secrets of the ancient Persian Empire. Visit for storied architecture and the footprints of ancient civilisations. And with Unesco World Heritage Sites in abundance, traditional cuisine comprising vegetable and pomegranate stews and rich broths, and some of the world’s most hospitable people, there’s plenty to enjoy here. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Tehran Visa requirements: Required; the Iranian Embassy has told the FCO that to get a visa you must either apply as part of an organised tour or have a sponsor in Iran.
GEORGIA ARMENIA
Visit bit.ly/2MQuuTn to find out more. Travellers from the UK are not eligible for a visa on arrival Time zone: GMT + 3.5 Language: Persian Currency: Iranian rial Population: 81.16 million Electricity: 220V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Not common in restaurants but usually appreciated
Caspian Sea
UZVEKISTAN
AZERBAIJAN
TURKMENISTAN
TURKEY
Mashhad
Tehran
AFGHANISTAN
IRAQ
IRAN KUWAIT
PAKISTAN
SAUDI ARABIA
Arabian Sea
OMAN
Monthly average temperature & rainfall AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Tehran (average travel time: 9h): Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Exeter, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Newcastle, London Gatwick, London
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Heathrow, London Stansted TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Persepolis Valley of the Stars Chogha Zanbil Babak Castle Nasir ol-Molk Mosque
MAJOR EVENTS • Day of Ashoura, February • Nowruz (Iranian New Year), starting March 20 • Tehran International Short Film Festival, October or November • Yalda Festival (Shab e Cheleh), December
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• Festival of Fire (Chahar Shanbeh Soori), last Wednesday of December FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises all British nationals against all travel to within 100km of the entire Iran/Afghanistan border; within 10km of the entire Iran/Iraq border; the province of SistanBaluchistan; the area east of the line running from Bam to Jask, including Bam. Visit gov.uk/foreigntravel-advice/iran for the latest travel advice.
ABTA Country Guides 2019 37
Middle East & Africa Israel
Israel Since gaining independence in 1948, the State of Israel has been at the centre of controversy, but it is also a popular destination thanks to its resorts on both the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. It is home to numerous sites of religious interest, including the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Jerusalem Visa requirements: No visa required for stays up to 90 days Time zone: GMT + 2 Language: Hebrew, Modern Standard Arabic and Arabic Currency: Israeli new shekel Population: 8.712 million Electricity: 220V and 50Hz
LEBANON
SYRIA
Acre
Mediterranean Sea
Tipping policy: Tip between ten and 15 per cent in restaurants and a few shekels in bars
Jerusalem
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Ben Gurion (average flight time: 5h): London Heathrow, London Luton, Manchester Direct flights to Ramon (average flight time: 5h 30m): London Luton *CHECK AS NEW AIRPORT* TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4.
Jerusalem Old City Masada fortress The Dead Sea Yad Vashem: The World Holocaust Remembrance Centre
JORDAN
ISRAEL EGYPT
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5. The Sea of Galilee MAJOR EVENTS • Birkat Kohanim • Tel Aviv Night Run • Taste of Galilee Food Festival • Jerusalem Festival of Lights • Christmas in Bethlehem WEDDINGS Documents needed: • A valid foreign passport • Three identical passport photos for each the bride and groom • Birth certificate • Proof of Judaism – letter from a recognised Rabbi abroad stating that you
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are Jewish and born to a Jewish mother Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Israel. FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Gaza, the Sheba’a Farms and Ghajjar and within 500m of the border with Lebanon (the “Blue Line”) east of Metula, including the northern edge of the town, and east of Route 98 along the Syrian border. Visit gov.uk/foreign-traveladvice/israel for the latest travel advice.
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Country Israel Middle East & Africa
Israel
Tel Aviv city guide By Heidi Fuller-Love
T
el Aviv, whose name translates as “Hill of Spring”, easily earns its New York Times-awarded title: “Mediterranean Capital of Cool”. A thrilling – sometimes bewildering – blend of sumptuous street food, cool culture, hip nightlife, beautiful beaches and historical suburbs, this is a city of fascinating contrasts. Here you’ll find more than 4,000 Bauhausstyle buildings in the Unesco-designated White City in the central Lev Ha’ir district, while at the other end of the historical scale stone-paved Jaffa port, which is one of the world’s oldest, offers a smorgasbord of ancient buildings framing a harbour full of traditional fishing boats. Street-food addicts can get their gastro kick at Jaffa port’s street market, which sells everything from sweet cheese pastry
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Kkanafeh to savoury pancake malawach, while shopaholics will adore the heady blend of junk and treasures on sale at Shuk Hapishpishim flea market, or in indie stores and craft shops along the narrow streets of Neve Tzedek. Tel Aviv – or “the bubble”, as locals call it – has plenty for art lovers, too, including the world-class Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art. For a lesson in local lore you can’t do better than Beit Hatfutsot, Museum of the Jewish People, and for a lesson in local lifestyle you can’t beat playing paddle ball matkot on Gordon-Frishman, Hilton, or on one of the city’s other celebrated beaches. And when the sun goes down, Rothschild Boulevard is the best place in town to soak up a mega dose of Tel Aviv’s legendary nightlife. ABTAmag.com
ABTA Country Guides 2019 39
Jordan Middle East & Africa Israel
Israel
Jerusalem city guide By Heidi Fuller-Love
H
igh in the Judean Mountains between the Mediterranean and the Dead Sea, Jerusalem is one of the world’s oldest cities. Best discovered during a guided tour, highlights of the one-square-kilometre walled area of Jerusalem’s Old City include the Jewish Quarter, home to Jews since the 8th century BC and thronging with museums and synagogues, and the celebrated Kotel or Wailing Wall, which was originally part of the fortifications built by Roman King Herod The Great around 19BC to enclose the Temple Mount. The partly restored Cardo, which was the city’s main thoroughfare in Roman times, buzzes with spice stalls, food venues and souvenir shops. A stroll from here through ancient alleyways leads to the 7th-century Dome of the Rock, which
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is one of the world’s oldest examples of Islamic architecture. Further out of town the meringue-shaped Shrine of the Book is home to the Dead Sea Scrolls, which are the oldest Bible manuscripts in existence, while more recent history is remembered in the chilling memorial centres and museums of Yad Vashem, The World Holocaust Remembrance Centre. Jerusalem has plenty of modern charms, too: a 20-minute walk from Damascus Gate leads to Mahane Yehuda, the city’s largest market, where vendors sell everything from fresh fruit and ceramics to stylish rags and hip artwork. “The Shuk” is also the place to find some of the Holy City’s best restaurants. Head back along Jaffa Street and you’ll discover Hutzot Hayotzer, the lively lane where dozens of artist have their galleries and studios. ABTAmag.com
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Jordan Middle East & Africa
Jordan Travellers have flocked to Jordan for centuries, drawn by spectacular ancient history, stunning natural wonders and the warm hospitality of the Bedouin people. These highlights continue to attract visitors, but over the past few years new tourism initiatives and increased accessibility has seen Jordan surge to the top of travellers’ bucket lists. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Amman Visa requirements: One month, singleentry visa on arrival – or purchase the Jordan Pass, which covers entry and admission to a number of major tourism sites. Access requires six months’ validity on passport Time zone: GMT + 2 Language: Arabic, but English is widely spoken
SYRIA
LEBANON Currency: Jordanian Dinar Population: 9.5 million Electricity: British threepin and European two-pin both frequently used. Standard voltage 230V Tipping policy: Around ten per cent is recommended in restaurants, 1-2JD for hotel porters and drivers AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Amman (average flight time: 5h): London Heathrow Direct flights to Aqaba (average flight time: 5h 30m): London Gatwick. Indirect flight options: Numerous low-cost flight connections via Europe. TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Petra 2. Wadi Rum, a protected desert wilderness 3. Dead Sea
ISRAEL
IRAQ Amman
JORDAN EGYPT
Al Aqabah
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4. Mount Nebo, mentioned in the Hebrew Bible 5. Jerash, well-preserved Greco-Roman ruins MAJOR EVENTS • Amman Dead Sea Ultra Marathon, April • Amman Jazz Festival, April • Jordan Food Week, in Amman, July • Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts, July • Jordan Festival, in Amman, August WEDDINGS Civil marriages are not available in Jordan, but it is possible to get married
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through a religious ceremony at a church or Islamic court. You may need to obtain a Single Declaration or Marital Affidavit depending on the type of marriage ceremony you wish to have. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Jordan. FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all but essential travel to within 3km of Jordan’s border with Syria. Visit gov.uk/foreigntravel-advice/jordan for the latest travel advice.
ABTA Country Guides 2019 41
Middle East & Africa Jordan
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Jordan Middle East & Africa
Jordan
Rock of ages By Emily Eastman
T
he benches in the open-back jeep judder beneath us as the vehicle gathers speed. Clouds of sand create a trailing haze. Ahead: the undulating reaches of Wadi Rum, a desert wilderness and Unesco World Heritage Site of sandstone mountains, awesome rock formations and the dunes that we are currently hurtling down. The convoy of three jeeps carries the 14 members of my G Adventures tour group – new friends from around the world who have joined this eight-day Highlights of Jordan round trip from Amman. Smallgroup specialist G has carved a niche in guided whistle-stop tours that engage with local communities. It’s a fun, sociable and effortless way to travel – our CEO (Chief Experience Officer), Hakam, takes care of everything. Jordan is just two hours ahead of the UK, so, with no jet lag to worry about, I arrive a day before the tour begins to explore Amman. The capital’s café culture is reminiscent of continental Europe – just with more shisha pipes – while the bustling souks and sonorous calls to prayer are distinctly Middle Eastern. I walk up to the Citadel to explore the spectacular Roman ruins, admiring the towering Temple of Hercules and the beautifully beige metropolis below. Beyond the cityscape is the promise of Unesco sites and places of pilgrimage in spectacular settings. Hakam is eager for us to see it all. The tour takes us north to Jerash, a city inhabited since the Bronze Age and of
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renown thanks to the ancient walled GrecoRoman settlement of Gerasa, just outside the perimeter of modern Jerash. The city was once part of the Decapolis, the ten most important cities in the Middle East, and we spend a peaceful morning wandering around the Oval Forum colonnade, the second-century Hadrian’s Arch and the Corinthian columns of the Temple of Artemis – considered the best-preserved ruins outside of Italy. Once a stop along the ancient Silk Road trading route, Jordan has a compelling history. Highest on most visitors’ lists is Petra, left, an ancient Nabatean city that thrived from around 6BC. Petra’s fortunes changed when new trading routes opened up, and the city eventually became obscured by the landscape until it was rediscovered in 1812. Today, the Rose City is once again the jewel in Jordan’s crown. A pre-dawn start is worth it for the quiet calm as we arrive in the lost city. We tread between colossal rocks and along the Siq (the 1.2km-long entrance which ends in a narrow gorge) to approach the first stop: Al-Khazneh, or the Treasury. Standing tall thousands of years after it was built, its effect is undiminished. Carved deep into the rock face and sufficiently protected from weathering, it’s still possible to detect the iconography on the facade – understood to represent the Nabateans’ chief male deity, Dushara, and the goddess Isis. The Bedouin, a tribe said to be descended from the Nabateans, welcome us. They occupied Petra’s caves until the
ABTA Country Guides 2019 43
Middle East & Africa Jordan
site gained Unesco World Heritage status in the mid 1980s, when they were relocated to the nearby settlement of Umm Sayhoun. Yet many return daily to work as tour guides and provide local colour, sharing stories, playing music and offering horse and camel rides. We stroll the ancient routes, admire temples and tombs, and climb 800 rudimentary steps carved into the sandstone cliff to the monastery, where we marvel at the elaborate architecture and take in the stupendous mountain-top views over the immense Petra basin. Stray cats wrap around our legs, keen for attention. While Jordan’s history fascinates, its natural attractions captivate. Our itinerary includes an afternoon floating in the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea – an unctuous expanse of water so salty that we bob like corks. It is the lowest place on Earth and melds natural beauty with alleged healing properties. A word of advice: shave at least 12 hours before you visit, and try to avoid getting the water in your eyes (as I manage to do not once, but twice). On the shore, we slather ourselves in therapeutic mud. The itinerary is comprehensive in its coverage of Jordan. We visit Madaba,
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an ancient town known as the “City of Mosaics”. A member of our group studied archaeology and her excitement at the sixth-century Byzantine mosaics is contagious. We travel to Karak Castle, a crusader stronghold, and Mount Nebo, from where, according to the Old Testament, Moses saw the Promised Land. Along the River Jordan, we visit the site of Jesus’s baptism, situated at the border between Israel and Jordan. A baptism is taking place across the water, and their hymns carry on the breeze. Hakam’s calls of “Yalla! Yalla!” signal that it’s time to move. A few days into the trip, he laughingly reveals that it means “let’s go!”, not “hurry up”, as some of us had suspected. We savour Jordanian life at every turn: a glass of sweet mint tea, a bowl of mansaf – a traditional lamb dish, and still-warm bread to dip in olive oil and za’atar. Wherever we go, artists and hawkers are keen to engage. Jordan is living up to its reputation as the Middle East’s friendliest nation. We travel comfortably by private minibus down to the Red Sea resort of Aqaba, a diver’s paradise where we hire a boat and snorkel the teeming coral reefs. During each journey, Hakam shares details
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Jordan Middle East & Africa
Where to stay Want an extended stay in Amman? The city has hotels to suit every budget: Our tour group met at the Retaj Hotel, a clean and comfortable three-star lodging situated just a short taxi ride from the city centre. Rooms from £41 per night; bed and breakfast from £47 per night. Four-star The Signature Hotel – Firas Palace is centrally located, surrounded by museums, galleries and restaurants and facing the Citadel. Bed and continental breakfast from £71 per night. The House Boutique Suites offer five-star accommodation, an outdoor pool and fitness centre in the heart of Amman. Bed and breakfast from £128 per night.
of the landscape, area and culture as the bus rumbles along. Wadi Rum, left, is a personal highlight. Having survived the jeep excursion, we sit atop the dunes and watch the setting sun cast copper-red hues across the sand. Our destination is a Bedouin camp, where we sleep in camel-hair tents. Our noses twitch on arrival at the wafting smell of zarb, a dish of meat and vegetables slow-cooked in an underground pit. Dinner is followed by a walk out into the desert, where we each pick a spot free of camel droppings and lay back to stargaze. The air is pristine, the world silent; the desert feels good for the soul. Back in Amman, we collectively opt to dine at Hashem – a legendary eatery that overflows on to the street where we enjoyed our first meal together. Our last supper is aptly biblical: a feast of melt-inthe-mouth falafel, silky hummus and fresh pita. G Adventures’ tour: eight days, to and from Amman, including accommodation, in-country transport and some meals, from £819pp. Fly direct from London with British Airways or Royal Jordanian
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 45
Middle East & Africa Kenya
Kenya The east African nation – a British colony until it declared independence in 1963 – is a popular destination for anyone wanting to enjoy a safari holiday. Huge herds of animals roam the grassy plains of its national parks and reserves, stalked by hungry predators. Home to the so-called ‘big five’ game (buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion, and rhino), Kenya also boasts an abundance of other wildlife and diverse landscapes from snow-capped peaks to white sandy beaches, plus there is also the urban excitement of Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Nairobi Visa requirements: All foreign nationals wishing to travel to Kenya are required to possess a valid passport of their country and a Kenya eVisa. Apply online at kenyaimmigration.org/ apply-visa. Time zone: GMT +3
SOUTH SUDAN
Language: English and Swahili Currency: Kenyan shilling Population: 49million Electricity: 240V Tipping policy: Hotel porters can be tipped anything from 50 shillings to 100 shillings. You may give your housekeeper anything from 200 shillings to 500 shillings per week. In restaurants, add 10 per cent of the of the bill.
ETHIOPIA
SOMALIA
UGANDA
KENYA Nairobi Indian Ocean
Mombasa
TANZANIA
Monthly average temperature & rainfall AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta (average flight time 8h 40m): London Heathrow Indirect flight options: Various flight connections via Europe. TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Masai Mara Natural Reserve 2. Amboseli National Park 3. Lake Nakuru 4. Tsavo National Park 5. Lamu Island MAJOR EVENTS • Maralal Camel Derby
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Lamu Cultural Festival Lewa Marathon Rhino Charge Lake Turkana Festival, Loiyangalani
WEDDINGS Documents needed: Valid passport, birth certificate, passport size photo, certificate of no impediment to marriage, death certificate (in the case of widowed person) or divorce decree absolute, return air ticket/visa/work permit. Licence fees range from 600Ksh to 7,200Ksh depending on the wedding location. Same-sex or LGBTQ
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marriages are not legal in Kenya. FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all but essential travel to areas within 60km of the KenyaSomali border; Garissa County; Lamu County (excluding Lamu Island and Manda Island); areas of Tana River County north of the Tana river itself; within 15km of the coast from the Tana river down to the Galana (Athi-GalanaSabaki) river. Visit gov.uk/ foreign-travel-advice/kenya for the latest travel advice.
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MANRIK HOTELS & LODGES Offering a unique style of city comfort & safari travel.
Kibo Villa Amboseli Kenya
AMBOSELI KENYA
MANRIK HOTELS & LODGES Off Rhapta Road, Westlands P.O. Box 45403 - 00100, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: +254 721 363 163 or +254 732 105 000 reservations@ekahotel.com / reservations@oltukailodge.com E: info@manrikhotels.com | W: www.manrikhotels.com
Middle East & Africa Kenya
Kenya
National Parks By Heidi Fuller-Love
K
enya’s abundance of national parks and reserves provide a plethora of opportunities to spot the Big Five. Here’s our round-up of the top 10 destinations where access is (fairly) easy and – unless you’re extremely unlucky – you’re guaranteed to spot wildlife. 1. MAGNIFICENT MASAI MARA Masai Mara National Reserve is famed for its wildebeest and zebra migrations between July and October when millions of these magnificent animals arrive from the Serengeti in search of pasture and water. People come from far and wide to witness this spectacle. 2. BIRDLIFE ON LAKE NAKURU Flamingos flock to frolic in the alkaline waters of this vast lake 150km northwest of Nairobi, which is also home to 400 other types of bird as well as lions, rhinos, hippos, warthogs and giraffes. 3. RHINO OF LEWA A private reserve set up in 1995 with the primary aim to protect the rare black rhino, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy covers some 62,000 acres, including the Unesco World Heritage site Ngare Ndare Forest. 4. BORN FREE IN SAMBURU Once home to Elsa, the lioness star of Born Free, the Samburu National Reserve in Kenya’s rugged Rift Valley Province is a prolific feeding area for rare species. 5. SAFARI AND THE CITY One of the country’s most successful black rhino sanctuaries, Nairobi National Park, situated just 15km from the vibrant capital offers a unique chance
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to experience life in the African bush. Buffalo, wildebeest, black rhinos and hyenas have their homes here. 6. THE TWO TSAVOS Kenyas oldest national parks, established back in 1948, the vast Tsavo parks are split into the remoter Tsavo East and more easily accessible Tsavo West. The former, once home to the legendary maneating lions, is the place to spot elephants and rhinos; the latter has an underwater glass tank which offers astounding views of crocodiles and hippos. 7. ASTOUNDING ABERDARE Regularly watered by rains, Aberdare National Park’s lush landscapes and cascading waterfalls are a picturesque backdrop for black leopard, bongo antelope and endangered black rhino. 8. HIKING IN CHYULU HILLS With its rolling hills and views of Kilimanjaro, the vast and verdant Chyulu Hills National Park is loved by hikers and horseback riders who come here to spot buffalo, elephants and leopards. 9. ELEPHANTS OF AMBOSELI At the foot of mighty Mount Kilimanjaro, Amboseli is renowned for its big tusker elephants, which are easily spotted from the park’s central Observation Hill. 10. MIGHTY MOUNT KENYA In the pristine wilderness of Kenya’s highest mountain, Mount Kenya National Park’ s glaciers, lakes and lush pastures provide the perfect environment for rare species like the tree hyrax, white-tailed mongoose and the black-fronted duiker.
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Middle East & Africa Kuwait
Kuwait This small country nestled between Saudi Arabia and Iraq on the Arabian Gulf has cultural heritage dating back to antiquity. It is known for its architecture, especially the water towers that replicate the domes of a classic mosque. However, despite being oil rich, it has retained some of its uniqueness and remained true to its origins and traditions by resisting the commercialism of some of its near neighbours. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Kuwait City Visa requirements: details Time zone: GMT +3 Language: Arabic Currency: Kuwaiti dinar Population: 4.5 million Electricity: 240V Tipping policy: Largely discretionary. Restaurants and hotels often add a
IRAN IRAQ service charge of 15 per cent, but a 10 per cent tip is considered appropriate. Petrol station attendants, baggage handlers, and drivers taking you on long journeys appreciate small tips of KD 0.25-0.50. AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct to Kuwait International (average flight time 6h 10m) from: London Heathrow Indirect flight options: various connections via Amsterdam and Doha TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Souk Al-Mubarakiya Al Shaheed Park Grand Mosque Kuwait Towers Mirror House
MAJOR EVENTS • Hala February • Kuwait Jazz Festival
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KUWAIT Kuwait City Wafra
Persian Gulf
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• Liberation Day • Islamic New Year WEDDINGS Documents needed: Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) to confirm that they have not been previously married, or that their previous marriage is legally terminated. These
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certificates are obtained in person from embassy. The notice should be submitted minimum of 21 days ahead of marriage. Civil weddings are held on Sundays and Wednesdays in the Ministry of Justice Building Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Kuwait.
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Lebanon Middle East & Africa
Lebanon This small Mediterranean country is a real meeting point between east and west, with the contrast between Islam and Christianity and ancient and modern very visible. Its capital, Beirut, was a vibrant jet setter’s playground in the 1960s and – after two decades of rebuilding following the civil war – it’s rightfully reclaiming its reputation as a party city. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Beirut Visa requirements: A free one-month visa can be obtained on arrival at the airport or any other port of entry Time zone: GMT +2 Language: Arabic, English, French
Mediterranean Sea Currency: Lebanese pound Population: 6 million Electricity: 230V Tipping policy: Around LL4000 for hotel porters and parking valets. Waiters usually tipped 10 or 15 per cent, but some places automatically add service charge. AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Beirut Rafic Hariri (average flight time 4h 35m) from: London Heathrow Indirect flight options: Various connections via Europe and Turkey TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Temple of Bacchus 2. Baalbek Ruins 3. National Museum of Beirut
LEBANON Beirut
Nabatieh
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4. Shouf Biosphere Reserve 5. Al Bass Archaeological Site WEDDINGS Documents needed: It is not possible to conclude a civil marriage. You can only marry at a religious authority such as the church or the Muslim court. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Lebanon. FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to Palestinian refugee camps; within 5km of the
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border with Syria; the Hermel Area, including the towns of Arsal, Ras Baalbek, Qaa, Laboué and Nahlé. The FCO advise against all but essential travel to southern suburbs of Beirut defined as: south of the sports stadium and the Adnan Al Hakim road which heads west from the stadium to the BeirutSaida (Sidon) road down to the airport. Including the neighbourhoods of Bir Hassan, Ghobeiry, Chuya, Haret Hraik, Burj Al Brajne, Mraije, Er Rouais and Laylake. Visit gov. uk/foreign-travel-advice/ lebanon for the latest travel advice.
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Middle East & Africa Lesotho
Lesotho This landlocked kingdom encircled by South Africa was, until 1966, the British colony of Basutoland. It boasts beautiful rivers and mountain ranges with one of only two ski resorts in southern Africa. On the Thaba Bosiu plateau, near the capital city, Maseru, are ruins dating from the 19th century reign of King Moshoeshoe I. Thaba Bosiu overlooks iconic Mount Qiloane, a symbol of the nation’s Basotho people. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Maseru Visa requirements: obtainable on arrival Time zone: GMT +2 Language: language Currency: Lesotho loti, South African rand Population: 2.2 million Electricity: 220V
Tipping policy: 10 to 15 per cent is expected. In rural areas it’s customary to round up the bill.
Maseru
LESOTHO
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options: Connections to Maseru Mejametalana available via Johannesburg OR Tambo
Qacha’s Nek
SOUTH AFRICA
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Maletsunyane Falls Afriski Katse Dam Bokong Nature Reserve Subeng dinosaur footprints
MAJOR EVENTS • Morija Festival • Soaring Eagle two-day trail run • Lesotho Wildrum • Semonkong Traditional Horse Race
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Liberia Middle East & Africa
Liberia Liberia is Africa’s oldest modern republic, declaring its independence as far back as 1847. Established as a settlement for freed and free-born black people from the United States who thought they would face better chances for freedom and prosperity in Africa, it’s constitution and flag are based on those of the United States. Today it’s a friendly and green nation that is home to one of West Africa’s finest national parks and offers excellent surf spots and lush rainforests. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Monrovia Visa requirements: British nationals need a visa to enter Liberia. You can get a visa from the Embassy of the Republic of Liberia in London. Time zone: GMT Language: English Currency: Liberian dollar Population: 4.5 million
GUINEA SIERRA LEONE
Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: Tips are appreciated, but not always expected. Some restaurants add a service charge to the bill, but if not, 10 per cent is customary.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Monrovia
LIBERIA
Greenville
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options: Connections are available via Brussels and Casablanca Mohammed V
South Atlantic Ocean
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WEDDINGS Documents needed: • Apply for a licence atcndra.gov.lr Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Liberia.
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Middle East & Africa Madagascar
Madagascar This huge island nation off the southeast coast of Africa was one of the last major areas on Earth to be settled by humans, and its incredible natural beauty and amazing wildlife – some of which was immortalised in the DreamWorks animated film – makes it feel like a place forgotten by time. There are rainforests, beaches and reefs and the Avenue of the Baobabs, a dirt road lined by huge centuries-old trees. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Antananarivo Visa requirements: You can buy a 30, 60 or 90-day tourist visa on arrival Time zone: GMT +3 Language: Malagasy, French Currency: Malagasy ariary
Population: 24.9 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: Not customary, but a small tip of 10 per cent is appreciated AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options to Antananarivo Ivato: Connections are available via Paris Charles de Gaulle and Nairobi Indirect flight options to Nosy Be Fascene: Connections are available via Johannesburg OR Tambo TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Ile Sainte Marie Isalo National Park Tsingy de Bemaraha Nosy Be Avenue of the Baobabs
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MOZAMBIQUE Mahajanga
MADAGASCAR Mozambique Channel
Antananarivo
Indian Ocean
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Madagascar Middle East & Africa
Madagascar is one of the world’s most biodiverse countries on earth. The island split from the Indian subcontinent around 88 million years ago, meaning over 90 per cent of its wildlife is found no where else. Best known is the lemur: there are more than 100 known species and subspecies found only in Madagascar
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 55
Middle East & Africa Mauritius
Mauritius Located 2,000km from Africa’s southeast coast, Mauritius is an idyllic Indian Ocean paradise which is home to stunning beaches and landscapes, as well as a range of beyondthe-beach activities. Whether it’s skydiving out of a plane, hiking through the mountains and national parks, or soaking up the culture, the destination has something for everyone. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Port Louis Visa requirements: None Time zone: GMT + 4 Language: The three main languages are English, French and Creole. Hindi and Bhojpuri are also spoken and many hotel staff are fluent in German, Italian and Spanish Currency: Mauritian Rupee Population: 1.3 million Electricity: 230V and 50Hz, plug Types C and G Tipping policy: Not compulsory AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (average flight time: 12h): London Gatwick, London Heathrow Indirect flights from 13 regional UK airports via: Amsterdam, Dubai, Paris
MADAGASCAR
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Port Louis 2. Ile Aux Aigrettes islet 3. Black River Gorges National Park 4. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth
Port Louis
MAURITIUS Souillac
5. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden MAJOR EVENTS • Chinese Spring Festival • Mauritius National Day, March 12 • Divali • International Creole Day • Porlwi by Nature, an annual festival of contemporary culture WEDDINGS Civil weddings: • Passports; • Birth certificates; • Decree absolute if either party is divorced; • Proof of change of name, if applicable; • Death certificate of former spouse(s), if applicable; • Mauritian doctor certificate of nonpregnancy if the bride-tobe has been divorced in the last ten months; • Registration from the registrar of births, deaths and marriages. These materials must be sent four weeks prior to the wedding to: Registrar of Births, Deaths
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REUNION
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and Marriages 6th floor, Emmanuel Anquetil Building Port Louis Religious weddings: Original documentation must be produced on the wedding day. Documents must be translated into English and duly stamped. Religious wedding ceremonies can only take place between Monday and Friday. Ceremonies of this kind cannot take place on public holidays. Couples need to be on the island for three working days prior to the ceremony. A visit to Port Louis will be arranged to sign affidavits.
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Documents needed: • Passports; • Birth certificates; • Christening certificates (for Christians); • Morality certificates from respective Parish priest, specifying that both parties are free to marry; • Specification of religion. If parties are of different religions, the case must go to the Bishop. Catholics wishing to marry here should contact the Port Louis Dioceses. Same-sex and LGBTQ+ weddings are not legal in Mauritius. However, a number of tour operators can organise blessings.
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Located in the north of Mauritius facing the turquoise Indian Ocean, Baystone Boutique Hotel & SPA hotel, offers you an exclusive stay. Our deluxe rooms and suites are spacious and luxurious. Every day, our restaurant, the B Restaurant opens its doors for an haute cuisine and our Mizu Sushi Bar for sushi and Malaysian cuisine. The heavenly Spa with its floatation tank, unique in Mauritius, welcomes you for a moment of pure relaxation. A wide range of water sport activities is offered during your stay.
baystone@baystone.mu Pointe aux Canonniers, Mauritius +230 209 1900
Middle East & Africa Morocco
Morocco Its name translates from Arabic as ‘place the sun sets; the west’ after its location on the Atlantic and Mediterranean corner of Africa, but Morocco is not simply a coastal country. It also boasts sweeping deserts, soaring mountain ranges and ancient places, such as Fez, one of the largest medieval cities in the world. Its mix of Arabic, Berber and European cultural influences are reflected everywhere. The bustling modern metropolis of Casablanca contrasts with the more peaceful capital city Rabat and the unique Marrakesh and its soukfilled medina. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Rabat Visa requirements: not required for visits of up to three months Time zone: GMT +1 Language: Arabic, Berber Currency: Moroccan dirham Population: 35.7 million
PORTUGAL North Atlantic Ocean
Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: Add on 10 per cent at restaurants if service not included. In taxis round up to the nearest five dirhams AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Multiple UK airports operate flights to Marrakesh Menara, Fes Saïss, Rabat Salé, Agadir–Al Massira, Tangier Ibn Battuta, Casablanca Mohammed V. Typical flight time is three to four hours. TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Marrakesh Medina 2. Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca 3. Oudaias Kasbah, Rabat 4. Fes el Bali 5. Volubilis
SPAIN
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MOROCCO Marrakesh
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MAJOR EVENTS 1. Fes Festival of World Sacred Music 2. Atlas Electronic 3. Marrakech Festival of Popular Arts 4. Oasis Festival 5. Tissa Horse Festival
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Middle East & Africa Morocco
Morocco
Into Fez By Andrew Forbes
M
orocco almost touches Europe, yet it is tantalisingly exotic. Fez, the first capital of Morocco, and the oldest of the country’s imperial cities, epitomises the wonder of this north African country, where even the ordinary feels extraordinary. The city has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, with an ambitious renovation of its remarkable medina, the unveiling of new hotels, and the opening of contemporary restaurants. Fez remains truly authentic, where contemporary daily life is still interwoven with age-old traditions. Founded by the Idrisid dynasty in the 8th and 9th centuries, Fez has grown to have three distinct city districts, which together offer an exceptional architectural and cultural legacy that makes for an enthralling visit.
busy lanes and alleyways is a sure-fire way to become disorientated. Yet that is the best way to become immersed in the magic of the old town, one of the oldest living medieval cities in the world. Although there are colour-coded signposted itineraries in the medina, highlighting routes that take in palaces, crafts workshops and hidden gardens, the easiest way to navigate Old Fez is with a professional guide. The Old Town attractions include the iconic Chaouwara Tanneries, dating back to the 11th century, and the imperial architecture of the historic madrasas and medersas. These religious colleges established Fez as a centre of science and spirituality, and are impressive for their beautifully designed tiles, restored cedar wood ceilings and carved stonework that is so evocative of Morocco.
ANCIENT MEDINA
NEW FEZ
The original medina, known as Old Fez (Fes el-Bali), is a Unesco World Heritage site, the epicentre of the Moroccan crafts industry and a bustling community where thousands live and work. The bazaars, souks and artisan workshops of the medina are the living history of Fez. Said to be the world’s largest car-free urban area, it can justifiably be described as labyrinthine. Exploring the
Leaving the medina and passing through Jardin Jnan Sbil, the elegant, restored city park, also known as Bou Jeloud Gardens, one reaches Fes Jdid, the second city. Despite being called New Fez, it was in fact founded in the 13th century by the Marinid dynasty. Here, the Mellah, the walled Jewish quarter, is noticeably different to the secluded riads of the warren-like medina: the streets are
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Morocco Middle East & Africa
lined with multistorey homes with large windows and carved wooden balconies facing outwards. Ville Nouvelle, the contemporary commercial city of Fez built at the beginning of the 20th century by the French, is the third portion of Fez. This is where modern Morocco most visibly collides with the old – a place of contemporary bars, restaurants and boutiques. Here, European influences in architecture, cuisine and design fuse with African and Arab culture. Served by direct flights from London, the new terminal at Fes-Saïss International Airport was inaugurated by King Mohammed VI last year. It is an investment that has increased the airport’s passenger capacity fivefold. This is a bold demonstration of Morocco’s confidence in Fez as an international destination, and an invitation for carriers to offer more direct flights. Last year, the city experienced a 25 per cent increase in visitor numbers, double the average for Morocco as a whole. June is one of the most popular months to visit, when the Fez Festival of World Sacred Music, an international phenomenon of world music, art and cultural dialogue, is held at venues across the city. Autumn is also popular, when temperatures are more comfortable.
LUXURIOUS MOROCCO Discerning tourism has driven growth in stylish hotels in Fez. Once-abandoned riads – the traditional, palatial-style houses with cool,
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shaded courtyards – have been reimagined as chic and characterful guest houses and modest boutique hotels. There’s genuine luxury, too. The renowned Riad Fes, an upscale Relais & Châteaux hotel housed within a spectacular cluster of ancient buildings, is one of the finest hotels, with its beautiful patio courtyards and elegantly appointed guest suites. Its sister hotel is the contemporary, architect-designed Hotel Sahrai, built just outside the city walls in classic Fassi Moroccan style, with stunning interiors by Parisian designer Christophe Pillet. These properties are the epitome of modern style and splendour in this royal city. They are complemented by an array of fine-dining restaurants in equally striking riads and historic palaces. Fassi cuisine is among the best in the country, comprising plenty of local specialities and snacks such as spiced pigeon meat wrapped in fine, flaky pastry, and tasty street food such as Maakouda – fried potato balls. However, expect more than traditional tagines and colourful couscous; Fez also offers some of the finest contemporary cuisine in Morocco. At the exclusive Restaurant Nur, chef Najat Kaanache brings to Fez her cutting-edge style, fine-tuned in Spain, transforming the exotic market-fresh ingredients of the local souks into a gastronomic tasting menu that changes daily. Fez is undoubtedly a destination to watch. It is embracing change but defending its unique character, offering visitors a quintessential Moroccan experience in style. ABTAmag.com
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Middle East & Africa Mozambique
Mozambique This country on the east coast of Africa is unique, not least because it was immortalised in song by Bob Dylan in 1975. At the time the country had just been through a 10-year war to gain independence from Portugal, who had colonised it since Vasco da Gama had arrived in 1498. Today it’s a lesser-known but rewarding country to visit – contrasting the big, buzzing capital city of Maputo with spectacular, with post-colonial architecture, wildlife and scenery, such as the Bazaruto archipelago, where there are good opportunities for diving and snorkelling. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Maputo Visa requirements: You must get a visa before travelling Time zone: GMT +2 Language: Portuguese
DEM. REP. OF THE CONGO
Currency: Mozambican metical Population: 28.8 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: 10 per cent in restaurants and the equivalent of
TANZANIA
MOZAMBIQUE
MALAWI ZAMBIA
Beira
ZIMBABWE
Mozambique Channel
BOTSWANA
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options: Connections available via Lisbon, Johannesburg OR Tambo, Doha Hamad
MADAGASCAR
SOUTH AFRICA
Maputo
SWAZILAND
Monthly average temperature & rainfall TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Quirimbas Islands Bazaruto Archipelago Ibo Island Ilha de Mocambique Niassa Reserve
MAJOR EVENTS • AZGO Festival, Maputo • STRAB Festival, Ponta Malongane • Independence Day • TAMBO International Art Camp, Pemba • CHOPI Music Festival
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Macomia in Cabo Delgado province due to an increase in attacks by groups with links to Islamic extremism. This advice does not apply to islands off the coast of Mozambique.
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Namibia Middle East & Africa
Namibia Located between the Kalahari Desert and the South Atlantic, the sparsely-populated country of Namibia has a bit of everything – from beautiful coastlines to dramatic mountains and endless desert, with an unexpected German colonial twist. There is also plenty of stunning wildlife. Etosha National Park is home to a variety of animals and birds, while on a safari you can spot the Kalahari lions with their black manes, plus water buffalo, antelope and ostriches. There are also opportunities for more extreme activities such as sandboarding down the desert dunes. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Windhoek
ZAMBIA
ANGOLA Visa requirements: You can visit for up to 90 days without a visa, but there have been cases where visitors have only been given permission to stay for shorter periods. Check before leaving the immigration desk. Time zone: GMT +2 Language: English Currency: Namibian dollar, South African rand Population: 2.6 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: 10 per cent of your bill, but it’s not essential AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options available: Connections via Johannesburg OR Tambo and Addis Ababa Bole
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NAMIBIA Windhoek
BOTSWANA
Walvis Bay
South Atlantic Ocean
SOUTH AFRICA
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Etosha National Park Sossusvlei Fish River Canyon Lüderitz
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Festival • Oktoberfest in • Windhoek
5. Skeleton Coast
WEDDINGS Documents needed:
MAJOR EVENTS • Enjando Street Festival, Windhoek • Windhoek Karneval • Küska Festival • Lüderitz Crayfish
• Passports • Divorce papers or death certificate of previous spouse if necessary Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Namibia.
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Middle East & Africa Nigeria
Nigeria
NIGER CHAD
Nigeria is a land of rich culture and diversity, home to stunning landscapes as well as booming tech centres and an expanding arts scene. It’s also a leading business destination. Take in breathtaking views, enjoy encounters with friendly locals, and get to know the real Nigeria.
Population: 200 million BURKINA FASO Electricity: 240V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Around five to ten per cent is appreciated in restaurants
KEY INFORMATION Capital: Abuja Visa requirements: Apply for a visa at the Visa Application Centre in London no more than 45 days prior to arrival Time zone: GMT + 1 Language: English is the official language Currency: Naira
1. Yankari National Park 2. Lekki Conservation Centre 3. Ogbunike Caves 4. Obudu Mountain Resort 5. Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove
BENIN
NIGERIA Abuja
TOGO
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Abuja (average flight time: 6h 15m): London Heathrow TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS
MAJOR EVENTS • Durbar festival • Osun Osogbo Festival
Lagos
CENTRAL A REPUB
CAMEROON
South Atlantic Ocean
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
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• Calabar Carnival • New Yam Festival of the Igbo • Eyo Festival WEDDINGS Documents needed: • Passports; • Registration forms; • Payment of prescribed fees for marriage; • Photographs. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Nigeria. FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to Borno State, Yobe State,
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Adamawa State, Gombe State, riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River States and within 20km of the border with Niger in Zamfara State. It also advises against all but essential travel to Bauchi State, Zamfara State, Kano State, Kaduna State, Jigawa State, Katsina State, Kogi State, within 20km of the border with Niger in Sokoto and Kebbi States, non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers State and Abia State. Visit .gov. uk/foreign-travel-advice/ nigeria for the latest travel advice.
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Oman Middle East & Africa
Oman Oman offers awe-inspiring natural landscapes, unique diversity of flora and fauna, 3165km of Indian Ocean, charming traditional villages, unique forts and castles, archaeological treasures and deep-rooted traditions, all contributing to creating a unique Omani experience. The country has great potential for leisure, adventure, cultural heritage and nature-related tourism. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Muscat Visa requirements: Online e-visa required, obtained no more than one month before travel from evisa. rop.gov.om Time zone: GMT + 4 Language: Arabic Currency: Omani Rial Population: 4.6 million Electricity: 240V and 50Hz Tipping policy: Not part of the culture but ten per cent is considered normal for more expensive restaurants and hotels
IRAN UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
2. Wadi Bani Khalid, a desert oasis 3. Ras Al Jinz Turtle Reserve 4. Al Hoota Cave 5. A’Sharqiyah Sands
Muscat
OMAN
SAUDI ARABIA
MAJOR EVENTS • Al Mouj Muscat Marathon • Ramadan • Eid, the three days that mark the end of Ramadan • Salalah Tourism Festival • Tour of Oman, a cycling race taking place February 6-21, 2019 WEDDINGS Only Omani citizens can marry here.
Salalah
YEMEN
Arabian Sea
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AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Muscat (average flight time: 7h 30m): London Heathrow and Manchester. TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Jabal Akhdar, part of the Al Hajar mountain range
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Middle East & Africa Oman
OMAN
A new oasis By Jenny Southan
I
am standing on top of a sand dune at sunset, the wind whipping swirls of grit into the air off the rippling ridge, the sky a hazy pink beyond. My feet sink gently into the sand as I look out, noticing a camel making its way down the face of a dune beyond. Down below is our camp, a cluster of palms and cineraria trees providing shade for an emerald swimming pool in an otherwise barren landscape. The 45-degree heat of the day has subsided and, as night draws on, it gets more comfortable. Once the sun has slid behind the horizon I get back into the white 4x4 that drove me up here and descend precariously back down the steep side of the dune to the Thousand Nights (thousandnightsoman.com) oasis where I am staying. The Middle Eastern country of Oman is predominantly desert (about 80 per cent), with the rest occupied by mountains and stretches of coastline. Sharqiya Sands alone, where I am, covers about 12,500 square km. Closed from May until August, when it is too hot to bear (temperatures often reach 55 degrees), during the rest of the year the camp has air-conditioned tents, as well as a handful of villas, available for visitors
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to spend a night and get a feel for what Bedouin life is like. In more recent times, many of these nomadic Arabs have grown wealthy from trading camels (those bred to race can sell for up to £200,000, my tour guide Ali tells me). Before going off-road and heading into the desert, I see numerous new-build mansions being built by Bedouin families, whose tents have been given a serious upgrade. Unlike the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which have rapidly converted desert into metropolis, Oman is seeking to attract tourists to its natural wonders and outdoor pursuits. Just two years ago it received three million visitors, but it is aiming for five million by 2020. It is part of the Sultanate of Oman’s drive to diversify its economy, which, at the moment, is reliant on oil, gas and agriculture (dates, limes and coconut palms primarily, as well as frankincense and damask roses, mainly for domestic use). In the spring, the capital saw the launch of a new US$1.8 billion terminal at Muscat International Airport for international flights (both British Airways and Oman Air fly nonstop from London), and a new e-visa application system for people from the UK
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Oman Middle East & Africa
(costing 20 OMR/£39 for a 26B tourist visa), meaning tourists no longer have to queue for one when they arrive. Nearby is the 310room Kempinski Hotel Muscat, which was unveiled in April, and has a huge outdoor pool by the beach. However, I want to get out of the city to explore the Al Hajar mountains, a few hours’ drive away, where the fouryear-old Alila Jabal Akhdar (alilahotels.com) resort is located, 2,000m above sea level. In contrast to the desert camp, the air around the Alila is cool and clear, and the terrain Mars-like and rocky, with the exception of straggly juniper trees and clumps of tall grasses. Upon arrival at the hotel’s reception, I am greeted by a man in a floor-length robe and neat embroidered hat, who serves me fresh squishy dates and cardamom coffee from a silver pot (the Omanis take hospitality very seriously). I am immediately impressed by the hotel’s architecture, which has combined local stone and timber beams to construct a low-rise complex of buildings in which the 84 guest suites are located. Mine has a particularly stunning view of the awe-inspiring gorge that the hotel is built on the edge of. You can, of course, come here to relax by the pool and read whatever thriller you picked up at the airport – or you can take advantage of the array of exciting outdoor activities on offer. For daredevils, the Alila
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can arrange climbing experiences for people of mixed abilities on the property’s very own via ferrata (“iron path”). Once you have your helmet and harness on, you can work your way across the yawning mouth of a cave sunk deep into the limestone cliffs below thanks to a 20m-high tightrope wire that’s been pegged in place. You can also sign up for canyon walks, abseiling and treks to the floor of the valley. About half an hour’s drive away is the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar (anantara. com), another high-end hotel perched on the edge of a canyon. It also offers its own 200m via ferrata, plus a couple of zip lines and the option of mountain biking and archery. However, I decide to set off with a guide down dusty paths to explore a trio of largely abandoned villages carved into the hillside, following a trail that takes me down steep stone steps, following a traditional ‘falaj’ irrigation system of small channels that deliver water to the rose terraces. In March, the flowers are harvested to make rose water, a precious commodity in these parts. For many decades, the region has been so fertile it earned the name Green Mountains, but an ongoing drought has left it looking parched. There is still a dramatic beauty to the place, though, and it leaves me wanting to come back for more – perhaps next time for a spa retreat at the Six Senses Zighy Bay. ABTAmag.com
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Middle East & Africa Qatar
Qatar For winter sun or a city break, Qatar’s desert, beaches, luxury spas and Michelin-starred restaurants are a short drive from Hamad International Airport. Doha also has much to offer culture enthusiasts including the Museum of Islamic Art, Souq Waqif, Unesco-listed Al Zubarah Fort and the new National Museum of Qatar, opening March 2019. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Doha Visa requirements: No visa required Time zone: GMT + 3 Language: Arabic, but English is widely spoken Currency: Riyal Population: 2.6 million Electricity: 240V and 50Hz, Type D and G plugs Tipping policy: Many restaurants include a
Persian Gulf
BAHRAIN
Madinat al Kaban
service charge with the bill but an extra ten per cent is customary. About QR10-20 is appropriate for hotel porters and doormen and around QR80 per day for tour guides and drivers. AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Doha (average flight time: 6h 50m): Birmingham, Cardiff, Edinburgh, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester. TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4.
Souq Waqif Museum of Islamic Art Katara Cultural Village The Pearl-Qatar, an artificial island 5. Khor Al Adaid, a nature reserve known as the “Inland Sea” MAJOR EVENTS • Qatar World Cup 2022
QATAR Doha
SAUDI ARABIA
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• IAAF World Championships in Athletics • Qatar MotoGP • Ooredoo Marathon • International Food Festival in March WEDDINGS Documents needed: • Passport;
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• Birth certificates; • Divorce papers, if applicable; • Residents permit; Check the procedures with your local embassy, as some require 21 days’ notice of intent to marry. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Qatar.
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Middle East & Africa Réunion
Réunion This beautiful island in the Indian Ocean is actually an overseas department of France, meaning that the Euro is the currency and the laws of mainland France apply here. It’s unlike its parent country to look at, however, with its towering volcanoes – including the Piton de la Fournaise, one of Earth’s most active – and lush rainforest. Along the coast are lagoons and white sand beaches.
Currency: Euro Population: 0.8 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: Not expected but appreciated. Some restaurants add a service charge, but if they don’t a tip of about 10 per cent is appropriate
KEY INFORMATION Capital: Saint-Denis Visa requirements: Not required Time zone: GMT +4 Language: French
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS
Saint-Denis
REUNION
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options: Connections available via Paris and Mauritius
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Piton de la Fournaise Cirque de Mafate Cirque de Cilaos Le Grand Brûlé Hell-Bourg
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MAJOR EVENTS • Leu Tempo Festival • Pandialé fire-walking festival • Bastille Day
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application, for at least one of the parties. • A valid passport for both parties. • Original birth certificate for both parties.
• Guava festival • Safiko Musik Festival WEDDINGS Documents needed: • Proof of residency for at least 30 days prior to the
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• Certificate of celibacy, stating that you’re not already married. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are legal in Réunion.
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Rwanda Middle East & Africa
Rwanda Rwanda is one of the smallest countries on the African mainland. The landlocked nation is known as ‘le pays des mille collines’ (land of a thousand hills) as a result of its mountainous nature. In the northwest of the country you can see the rare mountain gorilla in the wild, while other primates reside in the rainforest of the Nyungwe Forest National Park. Meanwhile, Gisenyi on the shores or Lake Kivu, has some of the best resorts and inland beaches in Africa, while the cool and clean capital city of Kigali has plenty of interesting neighbourhoods such as Nyamirambo. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Kigali
UGANDA DEM. REP OF THE CONGO
Visa requirements: 30 day tourist visas are available on arrival for £20. You can also choose to get a visa in advance at any Rwandan diplomatic mission or frommigration.gov.rw. Time zone: GMT +1 Language: English, French, Kinyarwan, Swaheli Currency: Rwandan franc Population: 11.2 million Electricity: 230V Tipping policy: not customary, but some restaurants expect a 10 per cent service charge AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options to Kigali: connections available via Brussels, Istanbul Ataturk and Addis Ababa Bole
RWANDA Kigali Butare TANZANIA BURUNDI
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TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Volcanoes National Park 2. Kigali Genocide Memorial 3. Nyungwe Forest National Park 4. Lake Kivu 5. Kimironko Market MAJOR EVENTS • Kigali International Peace Marathon • Kwita Izina, Gorilla naming ceremony • Mashariki African Film Festival • Kigali Up music festiva • Rwanda Mountain Gorilla Rally
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Middle East & Africa St Helena
St Helena The south Atlantic island of St Helena offers adventure for everyone, packing a uniquely rich diversity of attractions on to one small island. Discover historic sites and natural wonders, breathtaking views and inviting waters teeming with marine life, all combined with a warm welcome to island life. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Jamestown Visa requirements: Six month visa on arrival for British travellers. Access requires six-months validity on passport and proof of adequate funds and insurance for your stay Time zone: GMT Language: English Currency: St Helena pound, fixed to GBP Population: 4,500 Electricity: British three-pin, 230V Tipping policy: Ten per cent is customary for service staff AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights to St Helena available:
ANGOLA
South Atlantic Ocean
Fly via Johannesburg with SA Airlink (4h 45m duration). The flights operate twice a week in summer (December to April) and once a week year-round. An overnight stay in Johannesburg is recommended for UK travellers
Jamestown Longwood
ST HELENA
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4.
Jacob’s Ladder Longwood House Napoleon’s Tomb Diana’s Peak National Park 5. Plantation House MAJOR EVENTS • Marine Festival, March • Saint Helena’s Day, May • Festival of Walking, April • Festival of Running, November • Cape Town to St Helena Yacht Race, December/ January
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WEDDINGS As in the UK, weddings can be performed in any available church (subject to requirements) or licensed secular venue. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are legal in St Helena.
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Sao Tome & Principe Middle East & Africa
São Tomé and Príncipe These two tiny islands can be found in the Gulf of Guinea, off the west coast of Africa. They offer a mix of fascinating history – they were uninhabited until they were discovered by Portuguese explorers in teh 15th century – and incredible natural wonders. Eco-tourists will feel especially at home on the incredible lost world of Príncipe, which is home to just 7,000 people and contains dense jungle and fantastic beaches. KEY INFORMATION Capital: São Tomé Visa requirements: not needed for stays of up to 15 days, otherwise apply online at evisa.st
Principe
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
Time zone: GMT Language: Portuguese, Forro, Angolar, Principense Currency: Dobra Population: 0.2 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: not customary, but a small tip of five per cent is appreciated AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options to São Tomé: connections available via Lisbon and Accra Kotoka TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
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Banana Beach Praia Jale Cascata de Sao Nicolau Pico Cao Grande Roca Belo Monte
Sao Tome
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Middle East & Africa Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia This forbidden kingdom of the middle east is mainly the preserve of religious and business travellers. It remains an incredible country, however, bordered by the Red Sea on one side and the Gulf on the other. There are opportunities for diving and exploring the endless dunes in a Jeep, but the country’s ultraconservative Wahhabism mean most entertainment is outlawed, seriously limiting the country’s appeal. However, as the birthplace and spiritual home of Islam, Saudi Arabia is rich in attractions and stirring symbolism for Muslims, including the cities of Mecca and Medina.
KEY INFORMATION Capital: Riyadh Visa requirements: all visitors, including pilgrims, need a visa. Apply through visa agencies accredited to the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia Time zone: GMT +3 Language: Arabic Currency: Saudi riyal Population: 33 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: between 10 and 15 per cent for good service AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Riyadh (average flight time 6h 40m): London Heathrow Direct flights to Jeddah (average flight time 6h
CYPRUS
SYRIA
LEBANON IRAQ
ISRAEL
IRAN
Tabuk
Riyadh
IRAN UAE
SAUDI ARABIA
OMAN
SUDAN ERITREA
YEMEN
DJIBOUTI
ETHOPIAN
SOMALIA
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20m): London Heathrow, Manchester TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Masjid Al Haram, Mecca 2. Masjid Al Nabawi, Medina 3. Kingdom Tower, Jeddah 4. Al Tayebat International City, Jeddah 5. Medain Saleh FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to within 10km of the border with Yemen and against all but essential travel between 10km and 80km of this border.
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Middle East & Africa
Senegal
Senegal This West African nation achieved independence from France in 1960 and has since been one of the continent’s most stable countries. The bustling and hustling capital city of Dakar, with its markets and nightlife, provides a contrast to the incredible wildlife that can be witnessed in national parks such as Niokolo-Koba. There are also beautiful white sand beaches to be found in Yoff and N’Gor, plus mangroves, lagoons and quaint fishing villages all along the coast, plus the more peaceful charms of former capital St Louis and the historical streets on Île de Gorée. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Dakar Visa requirements: You don’t need a visa, but if you intend to stay for longer than three months, you’ll need to register with local authorities in order to obtain a ‘Carte d’Etranger’
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Time zone: GMT Language: French Currency: West African CFA franc Population: 15.4 million Electricity: 230V Tipping policy: not customary, but 10 per cent for exceptional service AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options to Dakar Blaise Diagne: connections available via Lisbon and Paris TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Île de N’Gor Musée Théodore Monod Pont Faidherbe Maison des Esclaves Fathala Wildlife Reserve & Lodge
South Atlantic Ocean
MAURITANIA
Dakar
SENEGAL THE GAMBIA
Tambacounda
MALI
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MAJOR EVENTS • Senegal Independence Day • St Louis Jazz Festival • Festival International du Film de Quartier • Gorée Diaspora Festival
ABTA Country by country 2019 75
Middle East & Africa Seychelles
Seychelles The Seychelles is an archipelago of 115 lush islands in the Indian Ocean. With numerous white-sand beaches, vibrant coral reefs and abundant nature reserves, as well as rare animals such as Aldabra giant tortoises, the picturesque islands offer visitors a piece of tropical paradise and a taste of history. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Victoria Visa requirements: No visa required Time zone: GMT + 4 Language: Seychellois Creole, English and French Currency: Rupee Population: 94,000 Electricity: 220-240V and 50Hz, British three-pin plug Tipping policy: Most charges (restaurant, hotel, taxis, porters, etc) include a five to ten per cent service charge or tip
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Mahé Island (average flight time: 10h): London Heathrow
MADAGASCAR
Praslin
THE SEYCHELLES
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Beau Vallon beach, Mahé 2. Vallee de Mai Nature Reserve, Praslin 3. Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue 4. Cousine Island 5. Aride Island MAJOR EVENTS • La Fete de la Francophonie, March 13-31 • Seychelles Ocean Festival, December 1-9 • The Creole Festival, October 25-31 • The Feast of the Assumption of Mary, August 15 • Seychelles Eco-Friendly Marathon , February 24
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Victoria
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WEDDINGS • Birth certificates; • A copy of the first two pages of a valid passport; • Divorce certificate, if applicable; • If widowed, the death certificate along with the previous marriage certificate; • A certificate of non-
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impediment; • If you have changed your name by Deed Poll or you were adopted, proof of this needs to be presented which must be authenticated by a notary or solicitor. The Seychelles does not recognise same-sex marriage or same-sex civil unions.
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Sierra Leone Middle East & Africa
GUINEA BISSAU
Sierra Leone Sierra Leone’s natural attractions – wildlife, idyllic islands, beautiful beaches and tropical rainforests sheltering endangered species such as the black-and-white colobus monkey and pygmy hippo – are attracting new visitors. Eco-tourism is growing in popularity here, too. In Freetown, enjoy the colourful stilted houses and local flavours. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Freetown Visa requirements: Required for all countries except ECOWAS members states; apply online
GUINEA
Time zone: GMT Language: English Currency: Leone Population: 7.5 million Electricity: 230V Tipping policy: Tipping is appreciated but not expected in restaurants AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights (one stop) to Freetown (Lungi International Airport) (average flight time: 10h): Aberdeen, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Doncaster, Edinburgh, Exeter, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Southampton
SIERRA LEONE Freetown
C D’I
Kenema
South Atlantic Ocean
LIBERIA
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TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary 2. Tiwai Island 3. Bunce Island 4. Lakka Beach 5. Banana Islands MAJOR EVENTS • Lantern Parade Festival • Ma Dengn Beach Festival • Tangains Festival • Masquerade Festival • Agro-Tourism Festival WEDDINGS Foreign nationals can marry here. Same-sex and LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Sierra Leone.
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ABTA Country Guides 2019 77
Middle East & Africa South Africa
South Africa South Africa is a vast, diverse and beautiful country, home to a huge array of cultures and ethnicities, plus incredible natural landscapes. One of the world’s top safari destinations, South Africa is a haven for wildlife lovers, while the burgeoning food and wine scenes draw travellers to its cosmopolitan cities and rugged coastline. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Cape Town (legislative capital), Pretoria (administrative capital) and Bloemfontein (judicial capital) Visa requirements: No visa required Time zone: GMT + 2 Language: There are 11 official languages of South Africa: Afrikaans, English (the most widely spoken language), Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, SiSwati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu Currency: Rand
Population: 56.72 million Electricity: SANS 164-2 plug and outlet system. UK travellers will require a South Africa-specific adaptor Tipping policy: Tip between ten and 15 per cent in restaurants, plus it is usual to tip guides, drivers, airport porters, petrol station assistants etc AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Cape Town (average flight time: 11h 30m): London Gatwick, London Heathrow Indirect flights: From most regional UK airports via Amsterdam, Manchester Airport via Addis Ababa, selected regional airports via the Middle East TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Table Mountain 2. Kruger National Park 3. The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront 4. Robben Island Museum 5. Garden Route
ZIMBABWE BOTSWANA
Pretoria SWAZ.
SOUTH AFRICA
South Atlantic Ocean
LES.
Cape Town
Indian Ocean
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MAJOR EVENTS • Cape Town International Jazz Festival, March 29-30 • AfrikaBurn, April 29 to May 5 • The National Arts Festival, June 27 to July 7 • International Nelson Mandela Day, July 18 • National Freedom Day, April 27 WEDDINGS Marriages here are internationally recognised and legally binding. Civil ceremonies can take place in any location and are
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conducted by a registered celebrant. There is no minimum residency period. Documents needed: • Identification documents; • Both passports; • A complete BI-31 form, so confirm that you are legally allowed to marry; • Official divorce decree, stamped by the court, if one partner has previously been married; • Death certificate of previous partner(s), if applicable. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are legal in South Africa.
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The wonders of South Africa… and so much more Thrilling safaris, the beautiful Garden and Wine Routes, cultural Cape Town and the penguins of Boulders Beach… your customers can experience the very best of South Africa with Saga. With guaranteed departures, our money back guarantee and so much included, no one gives you more. All tours include: VIP door-to-door travel service • Return flights and transfers • Optional travel insurance and additional cancellation rights§ • Many meals and excursions • Saga tour manager and more
SAGA OFFERS SO MUCH
REASONS INCLUSIONS REWARDS
Book online at sagaagents.co.uk, call FREE on 0800 074 8021 or contact Agency Sales FREE on 0800 068 8732 Find us on social media Saga Trade Team §Includes optional travel insurance underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance SE, UK Branch, and additional cancellation rights, or a price reduction if not required (cover is subject to medical questions), please call for details. Saga’s holidays and cruises are exclusively for the over 50s (but a travelling companion can be 40+). NTA-GH9352.
Middle East & Africa South Africa
South Africa
High and dry By Esme Fox
W
hen Cape Town experienced a drought early last year, the impact on tourism was inevitable. Residents and tourists alike were told to limit water usage to 50 litres a day and reminded to keep showers to one minute at a time. Yet despite the crisis, and the government warnings of “Day Zero” – the moment when dam levels will run so low that taps run dry and residents are sent to communal water points – the country came together. With everyone making seemingly small adjustments and being mindful of water usage, Day Zero has been averted, for now. I buck the trend of falling tourism receipts caused by the drought and arrive in the city, joining its residents in adjusting to the restrictions and reducing the amount of water I use.
CAPE TOWN AND BEYOND I begin my tour of the Western Cape, South Africa’s southernmost province, in Cape Town, the “Mother City” of four million people, which sits before the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain. Locals tell me I am in luck: it is rare to see the landmark without its “tablecloth”, the line of fluffy white clouds that cover its summit, so I take the opportunity to go up straight away. From the mountain’s flat top, the views
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are spectacular: clear all the way to Cape Point, the jutting stone promontory that is the extreme southwestern tip of the African continent. The sun is shining, and the dassies – giant guinea pig-like animals, said to be the closest relative to the elephant – are out in their dozens. There is plenty to do, see and eat in Cape Town, a melting pot of cultures and cuisines. The active traveller can surf, hike and paraglide off Lion’s Head, or abseil off the top of Table Mountain. There is also, of course, Robben Island, which now pays tribute to former prisoners, including Nelson Mandela. After Cape Town, I head for the delightful town of Stellenbosch, amid rolling hills and golden vineyards, known for its traditional Dutch architecture and, of course, wines. The water crisis is less severe here, but restrictions have still been put in place, and many wineries have had to adopt innovative means of lessening water consumption. Deeper into the Winelands, however, many areas have experienced no drought at all. I take a hop-on, hop-off safari with Hermanus Wine Hoppers to visit the best of the wine makers, including the sublime Whalehaven Winery, where wines are paired with floral chocolates; the historic Bouchard Finlayson, the first winery in Hermanus; and Creation Wines, which has an exquisite tasting and pairing menu.
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South Africa Middle East & Africa
This area of the Western Cape is more about the marine Big Five than land safaris: it is home to southern right whales, great white sharks, bottlenose dolphins, African penguins and Cape fur seals. The southern right whales are the undoubted stars of the show, and can be seen all along the Cape Whale Coast, one of the best whale-watching destinations in the world. The whale season lasts from the beginning of June to the end of November and is centred on the picturesque town of Hermanus. At the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Gansbaai, I have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the endangered African penguins. The town is also the shark cage diving capital, and the place from where tours leave to Dyer Island, home to one of the biggest African penguin colonies in the country, as well as Cape fur seals. The highlight of my trip, however, is the Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, a safari with a difference. High above the Walker Bay Nature Reserve, Grootbos is home to plants found nowhere else on the planet and offers mesmerising views of the surrounding fynbos (a belt of heathland with exceptional biodiversity), the De Kelders sand dunes
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and the ocean beyond. It was once a humble group of self-catering cottages, but today Grootbos is one of the region’s most luxurious lodges, where lavish villas are hidden among the ancient milkwood forest.
WELCOMING PEOPLE It’s not that I am tired of autumnal vineyards, countless glasses of fragrant pinotage and dramatic coastal habitats, but I am also keen to see another side of South Africa, and to learn more about its mix of cultures and languages. So, Ann Heyns, development manager for Route 360 Township Tours, takes me to the home of Nocawe Piedt, in Kayamandi township, near Stellenbosch. She regales me with stories and songs, and treats me to a meal in her home. Nocawe is from the Xhosa people, and has welcomed more than 1,000 visitors through the Township Tourism project. “Water shortages are nothing new for the townships,” I am told. “Many people don’t have running water in their homes and often have to queue to fill buckets, making them last all day.” I cannot help but think that, despite the problems it has caused, this drought has been a much-needed wake up call, not just for South Africans, but for all of us around the world.
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Middle East & Africa Tanzania
Tanzania This East African country really does have something for everyone. It’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in African music and culture, but it also boasts the wildlife haven that is the Serengeti National Park and the stunning Mount Kilimanjaro – the dormant volcano that is the highest mountain in Africa – which towers above everything and is worth the effort to climb if you want to feel on top of the world. Closer to sea level, there’s the paradise island of Zanzibar with its crystal blue waters and incredible seafood restaurants. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Dodoma
SOMALIA
UGANDA KENYA
Visa requirements: All British passport holders need a tourist or business visa to enter Tanzania. You should get one from the Tanzanian High Commission before you travel Time zone: GMT +3 Language: Swaheli Currency: Tanzanian shillings Population: 55.5 million Electricity: 230V Tipping policy: not customary, but safari guides will appreciate tips of about £10 per day AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options to Kilimanjaro, Dar es Salaam: connections
RWANDA BURUNDI
TANZANIA Dodoma
DEM. REP. OF THE CONGO
ZAMBIA MOZAMBIQUE MALAWI
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available via Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta Indirect flight options to Zanzibar: connections available via Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta, Muscat TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Serengeti National Park 2. Kilimanjaro National Park 3. Ngorongoro Crater 4. Zanzibar 5. Maasai Markets, Arusha MAJOR EVENTS • Wanyambo Festival, Dar es Salaam • Kiliman Adventure Challenge
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• Kilimanjaro Marathon • Mzalendo Halisi Music Festival • Mwaka Kogwa Festival, Zanzibar WEDDINGS Take the documents below to the Registrar of Marriages to obtain your marriage licence. : • Passports; birth certificates; certificate of No Impediment; divorce papers or death certificate of your previous spouse if necessary. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Tanzania.
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Where elephants make the rules Lions climb trees And you just sit back and watch‌.
Tailored off the beaten track safaris by air with Safari Air Link and Foxes Safari Camps. foxes@tanzaniasafaris.info
+44 1452 862288 +255 784 237422
flying@flysal.com
+255 777 723274
W . W . W . W. F O X E S S A F A R I C A M P S . C O M
Middle East & Africa Togo NIGER
Togo This West African country – which gained independence from France in 1960 – has never really been on the tourist trail. It boasts a diverse range of landscapes, from the palm-lined beaches on the Atlantic coast to rolling hills and savannah. It’s an ideal destination for eco-friendly travellers,but also has some interesting cities, such as the bustling capital Lomé with its marché aux fétiches for all your voodoo needs. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Lomé Visa requirements: You are advised to get a visa from the Embassy of Togo in London as visas issued on arrival in Togo are limited to seven days. Time zone: GMT
BURKINA FASO Language: French, Ewe, Kabiyé Currency: West African CFA franc Population: 7.9 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: not customary, but 10 per cent in restaurants and five or 10 per cent to tour guides is reasonable
Dapaong
TOGO
COTE D’IVOIRE
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options to Lomé–Tokoin: connections available via Paris Charles de Gaulle TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Parc National de FazaoMalfakassa 2. Centre Culturel Français 3. Cascade de Womé 4. Tamberma Compound 5. Marché aux fétiches, Lomé
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BENIN
GHANA
NIGERIA Lome
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Tunisia Middle East & Africa
Tunisia This thin slice of land in North Africa is surprisingly varied, it’s not just about sun, sea and sand at the country’s renowned Mediterranean resorts, but there is a wealth of history here with cultural and archaeological draws such as the majestic amphitheatre of El Djem and the remains of the ancient city of Carthage. Further inland there are changing landscapes, from forests to seas of sand in the Sahara. With so much to offer, it’s no surprise that tourists are returning to Tunisia in large numbers since the recent troubles. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Tunis Visa requirements: Not needed for visits of up to three months. Security checks are sometimes carried out on British passport holders who were not born in the UK Time zone: GMT +1 Language: Arabic, French, Berber Currency: Tunisian dinar Population: 11.4 million
SARDINIA SICILLY
Electricity: 230V Tipping policy: Round-up taxi fares, add five to 10 per cent in restaurants and 20 dinars a week for hotel maids AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Enfidha– Hammamet (average flight time 3h 5m) from: Belfast, Glasgow, Manchester, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Newcastle, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Doncaster, Cardiff TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Tunis Medina Sid Bou Said Bardo Museum El Djem Kairouan
WEDDINGS Take the following documents to the British embassy in Tunis: • Passport • A UK-issued CNI which will be retained by the embassy • The correct fee • Same-sex or LGBTQ
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Tunis MALTA
Sfax TUNISIA
ALGERIA LIBYA
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marriages are not legal in Tunisia. FCO TRAVEL ADVICE The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to: the Chaambi Mountains National Park and the designated military operations zones of Mount Salloum, Mount Sammamma and Mount Mghila; the militarised zone south of the towns of El Borma and Dhehiba; within 20km of the rest of the Libya border area north of Dhehiba; the town of Ben Guerdane and immediate surrounding area
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The FCO advise against all but essential travel to: all other areas within 75km of the Libyan border, including Remada, El Borma and the town of Zarzis; the governorate of Kasserine, including the town of Sbeitla; within 10km of the border with Algeria south of Kasserine governorate; within 30km of the border in El Kef and Jendouba governorates south of the town of Jendouba, including the archaeological site of Chemtou; areas north and west of the town of Ghardimaou in Jendouba governorate
ABTA Country Guides 2019 85
Middle East & Africa Uganda
Uganda This relatively small country is still relatively unspoiled, but it has a lot to offer tourists. The Nile begins its 6,695km journey to the Mediterranean at Jinja, on the shores of Lake Victoria. There is also the Rwenzoris, Africa’s tallest mountain range, and a number of notable national parks, which are home to incredible wildlife from the Big Five to majestic mountain gorillas. There is bustling city life, too, in the capital Kampala and the colonial town of Entebbe, the capital until the country gained independence in 1962. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Kampala Visa requirements: You need a visa to enter Uganda. You can apply at the Ugandan High Commission in London or apply online at visas.immigration.go.ug. You can also apply for an East African Tourist Visa which is valid for 90 days and allows multiple entry
ETHIOPIA
SOUTH SUDAN into Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda Time zone: GMT +3 Language: English, Swaheli Currency: Ugandan shilling Population: 41.5 million Electricity: 240V Tipping policy: not customary to tip for service, but you may want to leave five per cent (given the difficulty of finding change in Uganda, you may be forced into doing this in some circumstances) AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flights to Entebbe: connections available via Amsterdam Schipol, Istanbul Ataturk, Doha Hamad, Cairo, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park 2. Murchison Falls National Park 3. Rwenzori Mountain National Park 4. Queen Elizabeth National Park 5. The source of the Nile
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DEM. REP. OF THE CONGO
UGANDA Mbale
Kampala
KENYA
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BURUNDI
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identification. • Marriage affidavits that conform with S.10 of the Marriage Act • In case of foreign nationals, a letter from the General Register Office confirming that the party is not married. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Uganda.
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Abu Dhabi Middle East & Africa
IRAN
Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi conjures picturebook images of beautiful blue skies, powder-white beaches and glittering skyscrapers. World-class hotels, exhilarating theme parks, superlative shopping, great cultural attractions, championship golf, wonderful wildlife and desert adventures all lie in wait in the UAE capital. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Abu Dhabi Visa requirements: British citizens can get a visitor’s visa on arrival in the UAE for 30 days Time zone: GMT + 4 Language: Arabic, but English is widely spoken
and signs are in English, too Currency: Dirham Population: 1.206 million Electricity: 230V and 50Hz, plug sockets have three rectangular pins, as in the UK Tipping policy: Tipping is common. High-end restaurants may add a ten per cent service charge and a six per cent tourism levy to your bill. If you are very happy with the service, it is quite common to leave a tip on top of the already included fees and service charges. If these charges are not included, then you may like to add a ten to 15 per cent tip to the total bill
OMAN RAS ALKHAIMAH UMM ALQUWAIN AJMAN
QATAR
SHARJAH DUBAI
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES Sir Bani Yas Island
Abu Dhabi Al Ain
ABU DHABI OMAN
Liwa
SAUDI ARABIA
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AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Abu Dhabi (average flight time: 7h): Dublin, London Heathrow, Manchester
May • Abu Dhabi Summer Season, July to September • Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, November
TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS
• Mubadala World Tennis Championship, December
1. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque 2. Ferrari World Abu Dhabi 3. Louvre Abu Dhabi 4. Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi 5. Yas Marina Circuit MAJOR EVENTS • Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, January • Abu Dhabi Classics, a classical music festival,
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FUJAIRAH
WEDDINGS British tourists are unable to get married in Abu Dhabi. Non-residents can, however, have a blessing in the destination following a wedding. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in the United Arab Emirates.
ABTA Country Guides 2019 87
Promotion
Abu Dhabi: the culture capital
T
he cultural heart of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi is a destination that offers it all. From sprawling theme parks to Unesco World Heritage Sites, award-winning museums to desert adventures, Abu Dhabi stands out as a unique destination in the Middle East. Connected from the UK by its national carrier Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi isn’t just a stopover option but a destination in its own right. Although perfect for some winter sun, excellent summer-time hotel deals make it a year-round proposition. Visitors looking for a great deal can use the Extraordinary Abu Dhabi Pass, by showing their Etihad Airways boarding pass at a number of attractions to gain discounts. Constantly evolving with exciting new construction projects and
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known for its worldclass hospitality, it’s no wonder that more and more visitors are heading to Abu Dhabi each year. And because of its pristine, safe beaches, incredible themeparks and child-friendly hotels, Abu Dhabi is becoming ever more popular with families. Here are five reasons why it should be top of your clients’ lists. INCREDIBLE CULTURE Located on the Saadiyat Island Cultural District, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened in November 2017 to much acclaim. Under its alreadyiconic, Jean Nouvel-designed metallic roof visitors will find works by Leonardo da Vinci, Pablo Picasso and riches such as a Grecian sphinx dating from the 6th century BC. The opening of Qasr Al Hosn museum in December 2018 further adds to Abu Dhabi’s cultural
landscape. The city’s oldest and most significant building, Qasr Al Hosn comprises two structures: the Inner Fort (built in 1795) and the Outer Palace (1939-45) – it has now has been transformed into a yearround museum. Visitors shouldn’t miss the magnificent Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, above, one of the world’s largest mosques – with a capacity of 40,000. There is also the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, the world’s first hospital dedicated to the UAE’s national bird; and the Manarat Al Saadiyat, the city’s original art destination. YAS ISLAND Boasting three theme parks, Yas Island is a fun-lover and thrillseekers’ paradise, the perfect destination for families visiting Abu Dhabi. There’s the enthralling,
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Promotion
immersive Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi; Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, the first Ferrari branded theme park and home to Formula Rossa, the world’s fastest roller coaster; and Yas Waterworld, the iconic waterpark home to more than 40 rides, slides and attractions. If that wasn’t enough there is also the Yas Marina Circuit, home of the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix; and Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi’s largest mall, which features 400 of the world’s top fashion brands and 20-screen cinema. Indoor skydiving park CLYMB – which will have the world’s widest flight chamber and tallest indoor climbing – is set to open later this year. CITY BREAKS It’s important to remember that there is far more to Abu Dhabi than Abu Dhabi city. The oasis city of Al Ain is just 90 minutes from the city centre, close to the border with Oman, and is home to Unesco World Heritage Sites, the Al Ain Oasis, and turn-of-thecenutry forts and palaces such as Al Jahili Fort and Qasr Al Muwaiji.
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For visitors looking for historical sites, Al Ain represents the perfect day trip. It is also home to Al Ain FC, the most successful football club in the UAE. DESERT ADVENTURES Al Dhafra, where the desert meets the sea, makes up over two thirds of the Abu Dhabi emirate. Here, visitors can head into the sands, enjoy dune bashing in 4X4s, meet local henna artists and enjoy traditional music and dancing. Away from it all in the pristine desert, they can enjoy authentic Middle Eastern food served under the stars. Well worth a visit is Liwa, a historic oasis town at the entry to the Rub Al Khali (‘Empty Quarter’), the world’s largest single expanse of desert. The ever-changing dunes were visited by the legendary British explorer Wilfred Thesiger and his Emirati and Omani companions in the 1940s and 50s. Liwa is home to a date palm plantation consisting of more than 100,000 trees. The Al Dhafra region is also home to Sir Bani Yas Island, home
to the Arabian Wildlife Park, where giraffes, cheetahs and gazelles rome. GET ACTIVE Abu Dhabi is a growing destination for sports lovers. It’s home to three championship golf courses: Abu Dhabi Golf Club, which hosts the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, a European PGA Tour event; Yas Links Abu Dhabi, designed by Kyle Phillips, the celebrated course architect, and is the Middle East’s only true links course; and Saadiyat Beach Golf Club, the region’s first ocean course. For those who prefer their sports at a less relaxed space, Abu Dhabi offers a range of different watersports options. There’s whitewater rafting at Wadi Adventure in Al Ain; jet skiing along the Corniche; kayaking around the Mangrove National Park; and flyboarding off Yas Beach. If you would rather watch sport than take part, there is, of course, the Formula One Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. There really is something for everyone. See visitabudhabi.ae and yasisland.ae
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Middle East & Africa Dubai
IRAN
Dubai Dubai is a city and emirate in the United Arab Emirates renowned as the playground of the middle east. It is well known for its luxury shopping and incredible architecture – including the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world at 850m, and the man-made islands and archipelagos of resorts like the Palm Jumeirah. Everything here, including the nightlife and restaurant scene, is bigger and better than everywhere else, and if you tire of the white sands and blue seas, you can even take to the slopes at Ski Dubai in the Mall of the Emirates.
OMAN Time zone: GMT + 4 Language: Arabic, but English is widely spoken and signs are in English, too Currency: Dirham Population: 3.1 million Electricity: 230V and 50Hz, plug sockets have three rectangular pins, as in the UK Tipping policy: While tipping is always appreciated in Dubai, it is rarely expected. Some restaurants may add a ten per cent service charge
RAS ALKHAIMAH UMM ALQUWAIN SHARJAH
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY INFORMATION Capital: Dubai Visa requirements: British citizens can get a visitor’s visa on arrival in the UAE for 30 days
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct flights to Dubai (average flight time: 6h 45m): London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Burj Khalifa 2. The Dubai Mall
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3. The Dubai Fountain 4. Palm Jumeirah 5. Dubai Creek MAJOR EVENTS • Art Dubai, March-April • Dubai World Cup, March-April • Dubai Summer Surprises, June-August • Dubai Rugby Sevens, November-December • Dubai International
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Film Festival, NovemberDecember WEDDINGS British tourists are unable to get married in Dubai. Non-residents can, however, have a blessing in the destination following a wedding. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in the United Arab Emirates.
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Sharjah Middle East & Africa
IRAN
Sharjah Sharjah is Dubai’s more conservative (no alcohol is available here) and considerably more subtle neighbour, and is widely considered to be the cultural capital of the United Arab Emirates. There’s the incredible Mleiha Archaeological Centre which dates back many thousands of years, while the fascinating Heritage Area on the creek that the city was originally built around has museums and art galleries devoted to Emirati culture and history. No surprise, then, that it was named Capital of Islamic Culture in 2014.
OMAN RAS ALKHAIMAH
Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: While tipping is always appreciated in the UAE, it is rarely expected. Some restaurants may add a ten per cent service charge
UMM ALQUWAIN
SHARJAH
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY INFORMATION Visa requirements: British citizens can get a visitor’s visa on arrival in the UAE for 30 days Time zone: GMT +4 Language: English, Arabic Currency: dirham Population: 1.4 million
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AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options to Sharjah: connections available via Istanbul Ataturk, Istanbul Sabiha
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WEDDINGS British tourists are unable to get married in Sharjah. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in the United Arab Emirates.
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Middle East & Africa Ras Al Khaimah
IRAN
Ras Al Khaimah The northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates – usually referred to as RAK – is just a 45-minute drive from the bright lights of Dubai, but this lesser-known emirate is the perfect place for anyone looking for a more authentic Middle East destination. It boasts sandy beaches, deserts, mountains and more to keep you both exercised and entertained.
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is rarely expected. Some restaurants may add a ten per cent service charge
UMM ALQUWAIN
AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Direct and indirect flight options are available to Dubai and Sharjah and then ground transport is available
SHARJAH
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
KEY INFORMATION Visa requirements: British citizens can get a visitor’s visa on arrival in the UAE for 30 days Time zone: GMT + 4 Language: English, Arabic Currency: dirham Population: 0.34 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: While tipping is always appreciated in the UAE, it
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TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Jebel Jais 2. Jazira Al Hamra Fishing Village 3. Mohammed Bin Salim Mosque 4. Jebel Jais Viewing Deck Park 5. Dhayah Fort
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WEDDINGS British tourists are unable to get married in Ras Al Khaimah. Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in the United Arab Emirates.
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Middle East & Africa Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah
Adventure land
W
ith stunning landscapes and over 7,000 years of history, Ras Al Khaimah – the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates – is a reinvigorating getaway. From breathtaking coastlines, lush mangrove forests, desert and green oases to the stark Hajar mountains, including the country’s highest peak – Jebel Jais – Ras Al Khaimah’s myriad of landscapes offer up a host of activities for all interests and all ages. There’s watersports, family and luxury beach resorts and waterfront golf along the emirate’s 64km of white, sandy beaches. There’s kayaking through the mangrove forests with hidden bird and marine life, desert safaris tackling huge dunes, camel and horseback riding, tours that take in the emirate’s ancient and intriguing heritage and culture, including its passion for local cuisine, and adrenalin-packed hiking, trekking, cycling and zip lining across the ravines of Jebel Jais, which rises to just short of 2,000 metres above sea level.
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Visitors also have a wide choice of accommodation – from ultra-luxurious beach resorts to family-friendly city and beach resorts and city centre properties. Delicious food is available throughout the emirate – from the luxury of hotel restaurants to the abundance of local cafés and food stalls. For traditional dining head to Al Fanar, as well as Ras Al Khaimah’s oldest ice-cream shop, Ashuk. Seafood restaurants are also in abundance – with the catch having been fished just hours before from Ras al Khaimah shores – though meat dishes, predominantly goat and mutton, also make appearances in the traditional restaurants. You can also live the ultimate desert experience in Ras Al Khaimah with dune bashing, belly dancers, Arabic Tanoura, camel riding and Arabic barbecue. If you enjoy mountains and cycling, spend a day mountain biking on the UAE’s highest mountain, Jebel Jais, and take part in a guided hike with three adrenaline-filled zip lines with the via ferrata (climbing route) experience. ABTAmag.com
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Zambia Middle East & Africa
BURUNDI
Zambia Some people refer to Zambia as the ‘real Africa’. It’s not surprising. Elephants, antelope, buffalo and zebra call this relatively unspoilt country’s national parks home and it’s also the only place where you can stand on top of the incredible Victoria Falls. There are plenty of opportunities for more active adventures here, too, from bungee jumping and white-water rafting to abseiling and hiking through the wilderness. There are interesting towns and cities, too. Livingstone (named after the Scottish doctor who discovered Victoria Falls) has a good selection of accommodation and the capital , Lusaka, boasts bustling markets and a non-stop nightlife. KEY INFORMATION Capital: Lusaka Visa requirements: British passport holders need a visa to enter Zambia. You can get a visa from the Zambian High Commission
DEM. REP. OF THE CONGO in London before you travel. Single and double entry visit visas are available on arrival at all ports of entry, but multientry visas are not Time zone: GMT +2 Language: English Currency: Zambian kwacha Population: 16.6 million Electricity: 230V Tipping policy: Not expected. Some bills will include a 10 per cent service charge AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options to Lusaka Kenneth Kaunda: connections available via Addis Ababa Bole, Istanbul Ataturk, Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta, Johannesburg OR Tambo Indirect flight options to Ndola Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe: connections available via Addis Ababa Bole, Johannesburg OR Tambo Indirect flight options to Livingstone Harry
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Mwanga Nkumbula: connections available via Johannesburg OR Tambo TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Victoria Falls 2. Livingstone Museum 3. South Luangwa National Park 4. Kafue National Park 5. Munda Wanga Environment Park WEDDINGS Documents needed: • Affidavits and Notice of Marriage forms, which are available from the Civic Centre in Lusaka. • Completed forms must be submitted to the
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TANZANIA
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Local Government Administrator’s office at the Civic Centre where a Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) will be issued. This normally takes three weeks, but there is a fast-track service that can issue a CNI in 24 hours • Both parties need to produce original birth certificates • One of the parties must be resident in the district for at least 15 days before the ceremony Same-sex or LGBTQ marriages are not legal in Zambia.
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Middle East & Africa Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe This landlocked country in southern Africa is one of the continent’s most beautiful. Bordered by the Limpopo and Zambezi rivers, it features breathtaking scenery including vast plains where the celebrated Big Five (leopard, lion, rhino, elephant and buffalo) reside, plus mountain ranges and the unforgettable Victoria Falls. There is plenty of history here, too, with five Unesco World Heritage sites, including the medieval ruins of Great Zimbabwe. While it’s an ideal destination for outdoor enthusiasts, cities such as the capital Harare have plenty of colour and culture, too.
ANGOLA
KEY INFORMATION Capital: Harare Visa requirements: A visa is required. You can get one from the Zimbabwean Embassy in London or on arrival in Zimbabwe. Most tourists use the visa on arrival service; take enough cash with you in small notes to pay for your visa at the airport. You can also apply for a visa online atevisa.gov.zw Time zone: GMT +2 Language: language Currency: Almost all transactions are conducted in US dollars. There is a shortage of physical cash and it’s currently not possible to make cash withdrawals using an international bank card. Make sure you
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have enough money in US dollars for your visit, or check with your tour operator that card payments will be accepted. Bond notes, which are the equivalent of US dollars, are legal tender Population: 16.1 million Electricity: 220V Tipping policy: not customary, but 10 per cent added to a restaurant bill, or small tips for hotel staff are appreciated AIRPORTS AND FLYING TIME FROM THE UK Indirect flight options to Harare Robert Gabriel Mugabe: connections
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available via Johannesburg OR Tambo Indirect flight options to Victoria Falls: connections available via Johannesburg OR Tambo, Addis Ababa Indirect flight options to Bulawayo Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo: connections available via Johannesburg OR Tambo TOP FIVE ATTRACTIONS 1. Victoria Falls 2. The Matobo Hills 3. Hwange National Park 4. The Great Zimbabwe Ruins 5. Mana Pools National Park
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Zimbabwe Middle East & Africa
Zimbabwe
The smoke that thunders: a guide to Victoria Falls By Heidi Fuller-Love
I
t’s difficult to imagine the sheer power and force of Victoria Falls. The spray rising from the sheet of falling water – said to be the longest in the world – is visible from afar and when I step out of the plane at the airport the noise is deafening: later I’m told that the roar of water tumbling from the two kilometre-wide Zambezi River into a series of basalt gorges more than 100m below can be heard from Chundukwa River Lodge 30km away. The indigenous Kalolo-Lozi people, in whom the immense waterfall inspired a sacred fear, nicknamed it Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘the smoke that thunders’. David Livingstone, the Scottish missionary and explorer who discovered the falls in 1855 while preaching Christianity in Africa, renamed them in honour of Queen Victoria. Livingstone,
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who was paddling down the Zambezi in a dugout canoe at the time, wrote in his diary of “scenes so lovely that they must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight”. Stretched between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the immense cataract has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1989 and encompasses three national parks: Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls National Park and Zambezi National Park. The parks are home to large populations of elephants, giraffes, Katanga lions and African panthers, while the stream over the falls is inhabited by hippos and crocodiles. Another nickname for the cataract is Chongwe – ‘the place of the rainbow’ – because of the spray that rises from the thundering water. Stalls at the entrance
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Middle East & Africa Zimbabwe
to the falls rent all-enveloping oilskins: a warning of the soaking that you can expect, especially when you visit during the wet season from December to April when views from a series of slippery steps and narrow bridges are breathtaking, but it’s difficult to take photos through the drenching spray. In the dry season, however, from May to November, the water level in the Zambezi River drops sharply and it becomes possible to visit hitherto hidden areas, including Boaruka or Cataract Island near the western bank, and Livingstone Island, so named because this is from where the Scots explorer first spotted the falls. During the dry season adventurous travellers can also swim in the Devil’s Pool, a natural basin teetering on the edge of the cataract, which can
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only be accessed from the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. It’s also possible to take a guided walking tour to enjoy dizzy views over the Zambezi River from the Victoria Falls Bridge, the bridge that was commissioned in the early 1900s by politician and entrepreneur Cecil John Rhodes as part of his scheme to build a railway network stretching from Cape Town to Cairo. Rhodes famously told engineers to “build the bridge across the Zambezi where the trains, as they pass, will catch the spray of the Falls”. These days adrenaline activity lovers can catch some of that spray on the Shearwater, a terrifying 111m bungee jump from the bridge, which is said to be one of the best in the world. ABTAmag.com
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ABTAMAG.COM ABTAmag.com is the new home of ABTA Magazine. The website hosts digital versions of the bi-monthly magazine, as well as additional news, comment, analysis and competitions. ABTAmag.com will also host ABTA Golf, the ABTA Magazine Guides and the ABTA Handbooks.
New beginnings
Travel industry insights / May 2018
After a difficult few years, Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt are back on the map for British travellers. Katherine Lawrey welcomes the return of old favourites
King of the north How Belfast became one of the world’s most exciting cities
ABTA Magazine
Generation game
Why business travel has been reshaped around the needs of millennials
Royal Caribbean
Waterslides, robotic barmen and the world’s largest cruise ships
ABTA Magazine A BTA
NSIBLE
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T R AV E
Turning the plastic tide
Sustainability guru Dr Catherine Wilson explains how the industry can cut plastic waste
O
n July 11, 1907, the chemist Leo Baekeland wrote in his diary: “unless I am very much mistaken, this invention will prove important in the future”. If anything, Baekeland, a pioneer of plastic, was underplaying his hand. Soon, plastic was king and today an estimated 300 million tons are produced each year – just 10 per cent of which is recycled. Production is expected to double in the next 20 years, but about 50 per cent of all plastics, from miniature hotel toiletries to disposable coffee cups, are used just once, sometimes only for a few seconds, and then thrown away without a second thought. The main benefit of plastic – its durability – has become its greatest environmental threat: a plastic bottle takes a whopping 450 years to decay. The result is an estimated eight million tons of plastic waste entering the ocean every year. Over time, the plastic degrades and fragments into microparticles, which absorb toxic chemicals in ever greater
Clare Jenkinson concentrations as they travel up the food chain, ending up on our dinner plates. Roughly 75 per cent of litter in the sea is plastic and this is having a direct impact on wildlife – from turtles suffocating on plastic bags and litter islands affecting ecosystems, to fish consuming fatal amounts of microparticles. With as much as 80 per cent of tourism connected to coastal areas, the impact of ocean plastic is a huge concern. Plastic waste is a visual eyesore, reducing beach use, wildlife sightings and well-being. The logical conclusion is fewer visitors, revenue and jobs. Sadly, travel and tourism is a major contributor to the problem. Between 2011-2013, researchers monitoring litter on 23 beaches across Sweden, Finland, Estonia and Latvia, found that an estimated 33 per cent of the waste was generated by leisure or tourism. More than half of this rubbish was plastic. It’s clear that plastic has become a global problem; no part of the world has been left untouched.
We spoke to ABTA’s senior destinations and sustainability manager, about the Better Places programme – and how businesses are using it to tackle plastics What is the Better Places programme?
It is a series of tools and guidance designed to help ABTA Members implement a sustainability approach or improve on their current sustainability performance.
What’s the thinking behind it?
ABTA believes sustainable tourism is essential for the industry’s long-term viability and profitability – and Better Places addresses the environmental, social and economic impacts of tourism. We’ve focused on the actions we know have a material impact and made the process simple.
How does this relate to plastics?
The programme helps Members adopt the sustainability policy that works for them and – as we know plastics is a hugely important topic for the industry – we can offer guidance and support on how businesses can address this issue in their wider policy.
What’s been your best achievement?
Thousands of employees in the travel sector have now been trained on child protection and accessible tourism. Also, in the past 18 months we’ve seen a significant increase in the number of Members engaging with the programme as sustainability rises up the agenda.
How can Members get involved?
Contact sustainable tourism@abta. co.uk or visit Better Places on the Member Zone for more information.
56 May 2018
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May 2018 57
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