A fricA A r o u n d
b y P r i vate J et
Exploring Wondrous Landscapes, Legendary Wildlife & Vibrant Cultures
Egypt • Rwanda • Tanzania • Madagascar Zambia • Botswana • South Africa • Namibia • Mali • Morocco February 26 – March 20, 2010 23 Days • Limited to 68 Travelers
www.UCLAlumni.net UCLA Alumni Travel James West Alumni Center Los Angeles, CA 90095-1397
Dear UCLA Alumni and Friends,
J
oin us for an extraordinary journey around the African continent, exploring its wondrous landscapes, legendary wildlife, and vibrant cultures. See an incredible variety of natural wonders, including the towering sand dunes of the Namib Desert and the largest curtain of water in the world, Victoria Falls. Encounter, up-close, the legendary animals of classic safari lore, including Rwanda’s mountain gorillas, Madagascar’s leaping lemurs, and Tanzania’s thundering masses of migrating herds. And meet with friendly and welcoming African peoples, such as the San bushmen of the Kalahari, the Dogon tribe of Mali, and the Berber of the Atlas Mountains. Experience a world-class education as you travel with a team of experts from the Smithsonian, the American Geographical Society, Notre Dame, and the University of Washington. You will also meet with curators, families, local experts, and dignitaries who will open doors and give you a rare insider’s view into their cultures. You may for example visit a small Zambian village and meet with community members to gain insights into daily life there, or bushwalk with an elder San tribesman to discover the secrets of the Kalahari Desert, or learn to cook a delicious tagine with a Moroccan chef in a traditional riad home. Enjoy the ultimate way to travel as you are whisked from one destination to the next aboard our newly configured private jet, now limited to only 68 travelers. Relax in the expert care and guidance of our expedition staff, including a dedicated physician. Unwind in many world-class accommodations. And take advantage of a uniquely flexible itinerary that allows you to easily tailor the trip to your own interests. To learn more about this expedition or to make a reservation, please call 310-206-0613 or 800-UCLAlumni (825-2586). Regards from Westwood,
Christel Pailet Director, Alumni Travel P.S. By joining the Around Africa by Private Jet expedition, you will be automatically supporting efforts to enhance the conditions of the places and peoples we visit—there is no further commitment necessary on your part. Our expedition will provide supplies to medical clinics and schools, as well as contribute funds for essential services such as running water in rural villages. The following pages will tell you more about how we will make a difference everywhere we go.
A fric A Aro u n d
b y Pr i vat e J e t
Egypt Luxor, or the Siwa Oasis ... Rwanda Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park ... Tanzania Safari Adventure in the Serengeti Plain, or the Ngorongoro Crater ... Madagascar Lemurs & Scenic Wonders ... Zambia Helicopter Viewing of Victoria Falls ... Botswana Bushwalking with the San of the Kalahari Desert, or Cruising the Okavango Delta ... South Africa Cape Town & the Cape of Good Hope ... Namibia Flightseeing along the Skeleton Coast, or Dune Trekking in the Sossusvlei ... Mali Tuareg Nomads of Timbuktu, Dogon Tribe of the Bandiagara Escarpment, or Bozo People of DjennĂŠ ... Morocco Tombs, Palaces & Souks of Marrakech, or Berber People of the Atlas Mountains
Explore the African Continent and
•
False Bay, South Africa
Hypostyle Hall, Egypt
To Copenhagen
Marrakech
From Copenhagen, Denmark
• • Atlas Mountains
Siwa Oasis
MOROCCO
•
• Luxor EGYPT
T
hroughout this innovative expedition, you can enjoy your choice of places to explore within each country.
MALI
• Timbuktu Mopti • • • Dogon Country Djenné
AFRICA Kigali & Gorilla Trekking in Volcanoes National Park RWANDA
Serengeti Plain • • Ngorongoro• • Kilimanjaro Crater TANZANIA
ZAMBIA
•
NAMIBIA
Swakopmund • Walvis Bay •
Sossusvlei •
•
Flightseeing the Skeleton Coast & Namib Desert
Victoria Falls, Okavango Livingstone • Delta
• Kalahari Desert
BOTSWANA
SOUTH AFRICA
Cape Town & Cape of Good Hope•
Anjajavy Peninsula
•
Andasibe
National Park •• Antananarivo
MADAGASCAR
Go to either the Siwa Oasis or Luxor in Egypt, the Serengeti or Ngorongoro in Tanzania, Anjajavy Peninsula or Andasibe National Park in Madagascar, the Kalahari Desert or the Okavango Delta of Botswana, the Namib Desert or the Sossusvlei in Namibia, Timbuktu or Dogon Country or Djenné in Mali, and Marrakech or the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
Enjoy a World-Class Education
Little bee-eaters, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Woman in traditional dress, Mali
Victoria Falls, Zambia
E
nrichment is the key to rewarding exploration. Travel with a team of world-renowned experts who will share their knowledge of, and enthusiasm, for the special places we visit. While on the jet, enjoy informative lectures and lively discussions led by these experts, and browse the jet library for destination-specific books and other publications. And if you wish, join an expert for a meal or a small group excursion.
MakE a Difference in Africa
Jim Karr is a world traveler and Professor Emeritus of Ecology at the University of Washington, with specialties in tropical ecology, birds, conservation biology, and environmental policy. He has a B.Sc. from Iowa State University and a M.Sc. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He is the author of more than 300 scientific papers and monographs as well as a popular lecturer on private jet expeditions. C. Gregory Knight, lecturer for the American Geographical Society and guest lecturer for The Explorers Club, is Professor of Geography and of International Environmental Affairs at Pennsylvania State University. Professor Knight’s research extends from African cultural ecology and development to water resources and global climate change. He is a Fellow of the American Geographical Society, has led Penn State foreign field excursions, and has visited Africa frequently for research and lecturing. Michael Mace, curator of birds for the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, has worked for the Zoological Society of San Diego for 35 years and is currently responsible for the management of the Wild Animal Park’s significant avian collection representing 265 species, including 18 endangered species and 1,700 birds. He participates in international conservation field projects and has authored numerous articles and papers about avian science. Father Oliver Williams joined the University of Notre Dame faculty in 1973 and is an Associate Professor of Management and Director of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Religious Values in Business. A recognized expert on economic and political issues in South Africa, Father Williams served on the UN Observations Mission to South Africa for the historic 1994 elections. He chairs the U.S. Board of the United States-South Africa Leadership Development Program. Don Wilson, a senior scientist at the Smithsonian, is curator of mammals at the National Museum of Natural History. He is the author of over 180 scientific publications and 13 books, including the highly acclaimed Mammal Species of the World. His fieldwork and research have taken him around the world, and he has led tours for Smithsonian Journeys to most of the world’s greatest natural history destinations from Antarctica to Africa.
B
y joining the Around Africa by Private Jet expedition, you will automatically support the efforts of the tour operator, Starquest Expeditions, to enhance the environmental, social, economic, and educational conditions of places and peoples we visit. Within Africa, Starquest partners with organizations and businesses who share the above-stated goals and can work with Starquest to accomplish them. Starquest is also happy to enable individual travelers to join such efforts, if they ask. In the following pages, we describe the philanthropic activities in each destination of the itinerary.
Experience the Ultimate in Convenience, Security, and Service
Private Jet Travel
T
he best way to reach the far corners of the immense African continent in one itinerary is to fly by private jet. We set our own schedules, so you fly direct and avoid layovers. We land in remote airports that are closer to hard-to-reach destinations. We have the flexibility and freedom to adjust the routing at will, if necessary—even while an expedition is in progress. We avoid busy commercial airports whenever possible, and always arrange for expedited boarding, luggage handling, and customs and immigration formalities. Our newly configured Boeing 757 generously accommodates only 68 travelers in 2-by-2, VIP-style leather seats with ecomfort™ foam support, instead of the standard 233 seats. Enjoy more space and an unsurpassed educational experience onboard the jet with excellent access to our experts. Our talented expedition staff is a team of experienced travel experts who attend to every logistical detail. An expedition physician accompanies us, ready to provide and coordinate healthcare services whenever and wherever they may be needed. Our flight crew, including a chef and catering assistant, is specially selected for this expedition. All staff are chosen for their attention to detail, dedication to safety and security, and top-notch hospitality. And you will enjoy one of the highest flight attendant-topassenger ratios in the business: 1 to 9.
Accommodations & Cuisine
Unwind in the elegant quarters of South Africa’s Mount Nelson Hotel, a historic icon The Royal Livingstone, Zambia
enjoyed by such luminaries as Winston Churchill. Immerse yourself in the sumptuous interiors of the Royal Livingstone in Zambia, for a taste of a bygone era of grandeur. And delight in many more of the world’s finest and most interesting accommodations. In addition, many properties host festive banquets for us, featuring the best local cuisine and traditional cultural performances.
The Sahara Desert, near Timbuktu, Mali
Following Your Passion with a Flexible Itinerary The possibilities are endless, the experience—matchless.
You may go beyond the main itinerary, enjoying many excursions of your choice
along the way. Whether you want to tour local art galleries, visit a school, or hike off the beaten path, we will ensure that your travels are thoroughly rewarding and tailored for you. In the following pages, we recommend certain sightseeing opportunities throughout the journey. Most are available at no extra charge; however, they are designed for small groups and so have limited space available. Spaces will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. These recommendations are a mere sampling of what’s possible. If, for example, you prefer to visit a different stop entirely, we will look into an alternative destination. For more information and to discuss your ideal Africa itinerary, please contact us.
Ostrich family in the Sossusvlei, Namibia
Mount Nelson Hotel, South Africa
Flight Timings for The Boeing 757 Private Jet Depart Arrive Hours/Minutes Copenhagen, Denmark
Luxor, Egypt
5’ 50”
Luxor, Egypt
Kigali, Rwanda
4’ 15”
Kigali, Rwanda
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
1’ 10”
Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Antananarivo, Madagascar
3’ 20”
Antananarivo, Madagascar
Livingstone, Zambia
3’ 30”
Livingstone, Zambia
Cape Town, South Africa
3’ 30”
Cape Town, South Africa
Walvis Bay, Namibia
2’ 30”
Walvis Bay, Namibia
Mopti, Mali
7’ 20”
Mopti, Mali
Marrakech, Morocco
2’ 40”
Marrakech, Morocco
Copenhagen, Denmark
5’ 40”
Our Journey Begins
USA / Copenhagen, Denmark
D
Friday & Saturday, February 26 & 27, 2010. epart your hometown independently on a commercial flight to Copenhagen, Denmark, and arrive the next day. Meet with fellow travelers and the expedition staff during dinner at our well-appointed Scandinavianstyle hotel. Hilton Copenhagen Airport Hotel
Luxor or The Siwa Oasis, Egypt
F
Sunday & Monday, February 28 & March 1. ly by private jet to Egypt and enjoy your choice of two different ways to experience this legendary land: Explore Luxor, on the Nile River, where a treasure trove of monumental achievements has been admired the world over for thousands of years. Visit the Luxor Museum and see some of the sepulchral treasures from King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Sail on the Nile River in a felucca, a traditional sailboat, and spend time in the Valley of the Kings visiting the tombs of divine pharaohs. Stop at the majestic temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the longest-reigning female pharaoh and one of history’s great leaders. See the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous statues and all that remains of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. Visit Medinet Habu, the best-preserved temple in the area, and gaze up at its colorful reliefs detailing the triumphs of Ramses III, considered the last great pharaoh. Marvel at the Great Hypostyle Hall and temples at Karnak, the largest ancient religious site in the world, and once described by Egyptians as ‘the most perfect of places.’ In the evening, enjoy an unforgettable gala welcome dinner at the Temple of Luxor. Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor
Hypostyle Hall
Bas relief at Medinet Habu
Or discover the Siwa Oasis, deep in the Egyptian Sahara. Home to the Berber Siwan people for thousands of years, this unique environment features numerous salt lakes, freshwater springs, ancient olive and palm groves, fantastic sandstone hills, the Great Sand Sea dune field, and temples built by the ancient Greeks. Visit the tombs of Gebel al-Mawta, the Mountain of the Dead. Seek answers at the Temple of the Oracle just as Alexander the Great did in 331 B.C. Explore the ruins of the Temple of Amon Ra. Take a dip in the blue spring water of Cleopatra’s Bath. Explore the thirteenth-century town of Shali, a labyrinthine cluster of kershef dwellings made of mud, salt, and straw. And, if you wish, go horseback riding in the desert. Our base for explorations is an extraordinary kershef eco-lodge, which has hosted such luminaries as Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall. Spend one night in Siwa and then return to Luxor in time for the gala welcome dinner. Please note that this excursion is limited to a small number of travelers and will incur a separate cost. Adrère Amellal Oasis, Western Sahara Desert & Sonesta St. George Hotel, Luxor
O
Siwa Oasis
ur expedition will support Siwan women who create traditional dresses, scarves, tools, baskets, and silver jewelery, and who seek training in how to market their goods throughout Egypt and beyond. Supplies will also be contributed to a local school.
Siwa Oasis
Volcanoes National Park & Kigali, Rwanda
F
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, March 2, 3 & 4. ly by private jet to Rwanda, a land of rolling hills, lush green mountains, majestic volcanoes, and grassy lowlands. Hidden deep in the high slopes of this enchanting land are the endangered mountain gorillas, which the late Dian Fossey famously studied. During a scenic drive into the hills, we will stop at the Hôtel des Mille Collines, the infamous hotel depicted in the movie Hotel Rwanda. At Volcanoes National Park, we set out in intimate groups of eight, hiking up through thick bamboo forests to encounter the gorillas in the wild. You may also spot some of Rwanda’s 650 bird species. In the evening, celebrate your extraordinary wildlife encounters over cocktails and visit a gallery of artwork depicting gorillas and day-to-day Rwandan life in gorilla country. These special works are made by adults and children who live in villages near the park and participate in the ART for GORILLAS Art of Conservation program. In addition to an exciting adventure in the forests of Rwanda, visit the Kigali Memorial Centre, a meaningful tribute to those who perished in the genocide of 1994, built on a site where more than 250,000 people are buried. You will have an opportunity to hear survivors’ stories and learn about how people in Rwanda are creating an environment for unity and healing. Browse the local markets for handicrafts, including the unique Rwandan Agaseke basketry. Mountain View Lodge, Volcanoes National Park & Kigali Serena Hotel, Kigali (A limited number of accommodation upgrades are available near Volcanoes National Park at Sabinyo Silverback Lodge)
Mountain gorilla, Volcanoes National Park
Please note: Because the hike at Volcanoes National Park occurs at high altitudes and is especially arduous and challenging, a doctor’s approval to participate in the hike is required. A personal porter will be available to each traveler for assistance.
Alternate: Travelers whose health conditions do not permit gorilla trekking and those who would prefer a more relaxing stay in Rwanda can instead spend more time in the capital city, Kigali. Meet with Rwandans who live at the SOS Children’s Village Kigali; then take an exciting helicopter ride over the ancient Nyungwe Rain Forest to view the source of the Nile, the jagged shoreline of Lake Kivu, and the countless hills of the Virunga Volcanoes, below which your fellow travelers may be trekking! Kigali Serena Hotel, Kigali
Kigali Memorial Centre
O
ur expedition will provide school supplies and contribute funds to the SOS Children’s Village Kigali, where 150 orphaned children have a home, attend school, and receive medical care. Funds will also be contributed to the Art of Conservation program and the Mountain Gorilla Veterinary Project.
Masked weaver
Impalas, Serengeti Plain
The Serengeti Plain or The Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania
Maasai tribesman, Ngorongoro Crater
U
Friday & Saturday, March 5 & 6. pon arrival in Kilimanjaro, transfer by private local aircraft to one of two different areas of your choice. Begin your safari from the moment you land in the bush with a game drive en route to your lodgings.
Lion, Serengeti
Venture out into the Serengeti, which in the local Maasai language means “extended place,” an appropriate name for this vast wildlife sanctuary—one of the most complex and least disturbed ecosystems on Earth. In the southern area of Serengeti National Park, where the annual migration is expected to pass during our visit, witness the greatest concentration of plains game in Africa as well as predators of every stripe, including lions, hyenas, cheetahs, and leopards that stalk the migration. While here, you may enjoy your choice of accommodations, either a lodge with traditional comforts and amenities or a safari camp experience in the midst of the bush. Serengeti Sopa Lodge or Mobile Tented Camp Or descend into the grasslands of the Ngorongoro Crater. This natural amphitheater is one of Africa’s most stunning backdrops from which to observe vast herds of herbivores. It is the world’s largest unbroken, unflooded caldera, and is home to a permanent population of about 25,000 animals. You may also see the “big five” (rhinoceros, lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo) and perhaps one of the remaining 13 black rhinos. If you wish, visit a Maasai village in the crater and meet members of this nomadic pastoralist tribe. Observe their rousing traditional dances and take this rare opportunity to see their beaded finery up close. Ngorongoro Sopa
W
Elephants, Ngorongoro Crater
ith assistance from AmericaShare, our expedition will help vulnerable children get an education, assist women in creating businesses to support their families, and help provide care for those affected by HIV/AIDS in East Africa. Also, handicrafts made by a local women’s cooperative will be purchased and given to travelers on this expedition.
Chameleon
Anjajavy
Anjajavy Peninsula or Andasibe National Park or Antananarivo, Madagascar
O
Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, March 7, 8 & 9. ur private jet continues southeast to Madagascar, a beautiful island in the Indian Ocean that is home to a colorful, multi-ethnic culture, curious geological formations, and a staggering array of unique animals and plants, where at least 80 percent of species are found nowhere else on Earth. Land in the capital, Antananarivo, where you can spend a leisurely evening, and then enjoy your choice of three ways to explore this remote island in the Indian Ocean: Take a local flight to spend two relaxing days in the unspoiled Anjajavy Peninsula. Walk in the deciduous forest abounding with more than 30 distinct lemur species, including sifaka and brown lemurs. Paddle away in a traditional pirogue through mangroves. View coastal caves and curious limestone formations, called tsingy. Enjoy a fine tea service in the hotel’s lovely Oasis garden, filled with aquatic and climbing plants and palms where you may spot a little scarlet fody or the jewellike malachite kingfisher. And if you wish, embark on a short cruise and (weather permitting) spend an afternoon fishing for marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo, and other big pelagic game in the Mozambique Channel. Carlton Hotel, Antananarivo & Anjajavy Hotel, Anjajavy Peninsula Or spend two days in the Andasibe National Park (formerly the Périnet Nature Reserve), a wet montane forest environment that is home to nine different species of lemur, from the tiny mouse lemur to the panda-like indri lemur with an unforgettable call. Spot some of the 100 bird species that thrive here, including various beautiful vangas, ground rollers, and couas. Visit the Mandraka Reptile & Butterfly Farm. And, if you wish, explore this park during nocturnal and early morning walks to observe entirely different ranges of creatures active at these times. Carlton Hotel, Antananarivo & Vakôna Forest Lodge, Andasibe National Park
Ring-tailed lemurs
Or remain in Antananarivo, home to a rich culture of Indonesian, Malaysian, African, and Arab origins. Stroll through this charming city of red clay houses and steepled churches clustered on hilltops. Enjoy spectacular views of the city from the Royal Hill of Ambohimanga and visit the palace of King Andrianampoinimerina, considered by some historians to be one of the greatest political rulers and military strategists of all time. Explore the Tsimbazaza Botanical and Zoological Gardens. Learn about Madagascar’s various tribes at the Museum of Ethnology. Then saunter along the shores of Lake Anosy in the shade of jacaranda trees and browse a colorful open-air bazaar brimming with handicrafts, including beautiful and delicate Antaimoro paper. Carlton Hotel, Antananarivo
O
ur expedition will support Mitsinjo Association, dedicated to the protection of lemurs and wetlands, managing tree nurseries for more than 100 endemic species, training farmers in sustainable methods, and providing education on HIV/AIDS and malaria prevention.
Comet moth, Mandraka Reptile & Butterfly Farm
Victoria Falls
Elephants, Zambezi River
Livingstone, Zambia & The Kalahari Desert or The Okavango Delta, Botswana
F
Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, March 10, 11 & 12. ly by private jet to Livingstone, Zambia, where you can take a thrilling ride by helicopter over the breathtaking Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. See for yourself why the world’s largest curtain of water is also known in the local Kololo language as mosi-oa-tunya, “the smoke that thunders.” Then visit Simonga Village, meet with community members, sample some traditional foods and spirits, and observe daily life for many in this country. In the evening, unwind in high style amidst the splendor of our colonial-style 5-star hotel. The Royal Livingstone Spend the next two days as you choose, by further exploring Zambia, or by flying to Botswana to explore the Kalahari Desert or the Okavango Delta:
Giraffe, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Explore Zambia in-depth, at an “African pace.” Embark on a quiet and peaceful sunset cruise above the falls, and keep an eye out for elephants taking a swim and crocodiles slithering along the sandbanks. Take a bush drive to see wildlife in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Go on a curator-led tour of The Livingstone Museum. Embark on an elephant-back safari along the Zambezi River. And enjoy the tranquil elegance of our accommodations, which offers excellent views of the great falls. The Royal Livingstone
Makgadikgadi Salt Pan, Kalahari Desert
San Bushmen, Kalahari Desert Meerkats
Or fly by private light aircraft into Botswana’s Kalahari Desert at the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan. Go trekking with San Bushmen—members of one of the longest surviving cultures in the world—who will share with you their ancient knowledge of plants, animal behavior, and survival skills such as fire-making and animal tracking. Then board 4x4 vehicles and explore the Kalahari’s grasslands and the Salt Pan’s curious moonlike terrain of mineral-encrusted soil, created when ancient lakes and recent rains dried up and left behind salt and other evaporite. Look for the flora and fauna that are uniquely adapted to life here, including meerkats and baobab trees. At our luxury camp, examine a fine collection of San artifacts and fossils, then enjoy cocktails as the sun sets on the desert’s shimmering expanse. Please note that space on this excursion is limited. Jack’s Camp, Kalahari Desert Or transfer by private light aircraft to the largest inland delta system in the world—the wetland paradise of the Okavango Delta. Take early morning and late afternoon game drives for a chance to see white rhinos, herds of giraffes, wildebeests, elephants, and zebras. Practice your photography skills in this hot spot for carnivores and their prey. Birding is also superb here. After the excitement of seeing such abundant wildlife, set out on a water safari, cruising the delta at the gentle pace of a poled mokoro, or dugout canoe (subject to water levels). In the evening, relax on the star-gazing deck or in your private sala plunge pool at our luxury camp. Please note that space on this excursion is limited. Vumbura Plains, Okavango Delta
Hippo, Okavango Delta
O
ur expedition will support efforts to provide Simonga Village with running water, a school, a medical clinic, and protection for vegetable patches from local elephants. Support will also go to Botswana’s Women Against Rape project, which offers post-traumatic stress counseling and other services for abused women and children. Aerial view of the Okavango Delta
Marabou stork
Table Mountain
Table Mountain cable car
Cape Town & The Cape of Good Hope, South Africa
O
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Saturday & Sunday, March 13 & 14. ur private jet takes us to Cape Town, South Africa’s first major European settlement and its most beautiful city. It boasts a vibrant mix of African, French, Dutch, and Eastern cultures, and one of the most diverse floral kingdoms on Earth. Set out on an excursion around the Cape of Good Hope by helicopter to the site where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet, and marvel at the rare flora and fauna of this vast nature reserve, including the exotic sugarbushes (proteas), the keystone species of the region. Or, instead of a helicopter tour of the Cape, ride a ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and other political leaders were imprisoned. Visit the museum, meet with a former prisoner, and see some of the island’s wildlife. After returning from the island, visit Cape Town’s District 6 Museum, a fascinating memorial to a vibrant inner-city community of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, laborers, and immigrants that was destroyed in the name of racial purity. Then explore Cape Town’s beloved landmark, Table Mountain, which soars more than 2/3 of a mile above sea level and can be seen by sailors 40 miles out in the waters around the Cape. Ride a cable car up to the top, then hike the wooden walkways to see the mountain ablaze with innumerable flowers and plants that are endemic to this area. Or, if you wish, browse the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, a working port and shopping environment that is unequalled in Africa, where more than 400 shops and galleries offer handmade crafts from a variety of African cultures. Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town
O
Wola Nani papier-mâché bowls
ur expedition will support many projects around Cape Town, including Abalimi Bezekhaya for sustainable food production in urban areas, the Khumbulani Centre providing daycare for children affected by AIDS, and Neighbourhood Old Age Homes providing much needed support for the elderly.
Flamingos, Walvis Bay Lagoon
Skeleton Coast
Swakopmund, Walvis Bay & The Namib Desert or The Sossusvlei Desert, Namibia
W
Monday & Tuesday, March 15 & 16. edged between the Kalahari Desert and the South Atlantic Ocean, Namibia is a spectacular land of swirling desert dunes, deep-red clay pans, dramatic seascapes, gentle bushwalking terrain, and limitless sunshine. Few other places can compare with the sheer magnitude and variety of this fascinating country. Our private jet lands in Walvis Bay. Take a thrilling flightseeing tour by local aircraft over Namibia’s legendary Skeleton Coast. Enjoy a bird’s-eye view of one of the most unusual and unforgettable spectacles on Earth: Namibia’s desert dunes, among the highest in the world, meet the roaring Atlantic surf, one of the most treacherous bodies of water in the world. Shrouded in sea mist, countless shipwrecks and whale bones are washed up on this vast stretch of sand south of Walvis Bay, serving as haunting reminders of a long and perilous maritime history. Then venture into the immense dunes of the Namib Desert with an expert guide and see the famous Welwitschia mirabilis, a rare and curious plant that has survived here for hundreds of years. With luck, we may see animals that gather along the linear oases of desert rivers that crisscross the Namib. At the upper slopes of mountains, you may see the broccoli-like kokerboom, also called quiver tree, because Bushmen use its hollow stems to store arrows. Later in the day, you may enjoy hiking along the Swakopmund riverbed. Before departing for Mali, we cruise the avian paradise of Walvis Bay Lagoon to see flamingos, penguins, and pelicans. Look to the water as well for bottlenose and heavyside dolphins and Cape fur seals, which are known to cavort around boats. You will also have a chance to stroll along the palm-lined streets of Swakopmund, a charming German-colonial town with immaculate Bavarian-style buildings and wellkept gardens. Swakopmund Hotel, Namibia
Alternate: Or instead of exploring Walvis Bay and the Namib Desert, fly by private aircraft deep into the Sossusvlei Desert, the oldest desert in the world, with semiarid to true desert conditions existing here for the last 80 million years. Enjoy guided drives and walks among the dunes, many soaring as high as 1,000 feet. Listen for the muted roar of sand grains spilling over the surface of the dunes and train your eye to spot some of the elusive creatures who can survive on the moisture from fog that rolls in from the Atlantic Ocean. See the desert environment take on a breathtaking spectrum of colors, from sunrise to sunset, and enjoy the stars, which appear most brilliant in the Sossusvlei’s clear and cloudless sky. Please note that this excursion includes an overnight stay at a luxury property, is limited to a small number of travelers, and will incur a separate cost. Little Kulala, Sossusvlei Desert
O
ur expedition will support Elephant Human Relations Aid, a program that is dedicated to managing water sources shared by local peoples and desert elephants.
Quiver tree, Namib Desert
Sossusvlei Desert
Dogon dancers, Mopti Bandiagara escarpment, Dogon Country
Mopti & Timbuktu or Dogon Country or Djenné, Mali
O
Wednesday & Thursday, March 17 & 18. ur private jet takes us over the Atlantic to Mopti, Mali. Located at the confluence of the Niger and Bani rivers, this busy port town was once the outpost of desert kings and continues to be a major gathering center of the region. Board a traditional flat-bottomed pirogue and cruise the Niger to observe daily life on the river where Bambara, Fulani, and Bozo fishermen and merchants ply the waters in boats laden with fish, salt, and produce. Later, marvel at a “stilt dance” performed by colorfully dressed Dogon dancers who move deftly on stilts up to 15 feet high. Relais Kanaga, Mopti The next morning, choose to explore one of three remote and rarely visited sites before departing for Morocco: Visit Ireli Village at the Bandiagara escarpment of Dogon Country, where the Dogon people live inside distinctive cave-dwellings—ingenious networks of thatched-roof living spaces, work areas, and ceremonial centers. Observe the fascinating lifestyle of these people whose tightly knit social structure and intensely cooperative behavior enable them to maintain age-old traditions while adapting to life in a modern world. Grand Mosque, Djenné
Or head to Djenné, the oldest-known city in Sub-Saharan Africa. It was founded by the Bozo people in 250 B.C. and is home to outstanding examples of old-world Muslim architecture. To this day, Djenné builders are revered as great artists and magicians. Admire the beautiful symmetry of the Grand Mosque, the largest mud mosque in the world, stroll along streets lined with traditional mud-brick homes, and visit an open-air market by the Grand Mosque, where Malians have traded for centuries. Or fly to Timbuktu by private local air. This fabled city enjoyed its golden years under the Askia dynasty during the fifteenth century, and it was a major stop along the prosperous trans-Saharan trade route and the Great Ink Road of Africa. Timbuktu’s medieval-period, mud-brick library is one of 120 that spanned West and East Africa, most of them now lost to the desert sands. Examine ancient maps and illuminated manuscripts, marvel at magnificent mosques, visit a Tuareg nomad camp deep in the desert, and if you wish, join them for a camel ride into the desert.
Tuareg nomad camp, Sahara Desert
O
ur expedition will provide supplies and contribute funds to a school at Ireli Village in Dogon Country. Also, handicrafts made by local artisans will be purchased and given to travelers on this expedition.
Atlas Mountains Djemaa el Fna, Marrakech
Marrakech or The Atlas Mountains, Morocco
W
Thursday (continued) & Friday, March 18 & 19. e land in Marrakech, located in an oasis of palm and olive groves and steeped in ancient Berber tradition. Enjoy your choice of two ways to explore Morocco: In the city of Marrakech, visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the tombs of the Saadian kings, and the sumptuous palace housing the Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Arts. Enjoy the myriad diversions of the bustling Djemaa el Fna: a jumble of colorful souks, where snake charmers, acrobats, and storytellers delight the passersby. Then browse local art galleries and handicraft centers or participate in an exclusive cooking workshop at a local riad (a traditional palace or house with an interior garden), where a local chef will teach you the secrets of creating a Moroccan tagine. In the evening, celebrate our grand adventure at a gala farewell dinner with traditional music, dancers, and henna artists. La Mamounia or Sofitel Marrakech Or instead of exploring Marrakech, spend a day in the spectacular scenery of the Atlas Mountains, the highest mountain range in North Africa. Berber tribes live throughout this rugged land, where farming is central to day-to-day life. Visit a Berber village and share tea with a village chief and his family who will also treat us to a delicious traditional picnic lunch. In the evening, rejoin the group in Marrakech for the gala farewell dinner. La Mamounia or Sofitel Marrakech
Our expedition will help fund the operation of a preschool for Berber children in Tallatast
Dar Si Said Museum of Moroccan Arts, Marrakech
village in the Atlas Mountains. Also, handicrafts made by local artisans will be purchased and given to travelers on this expedition.
Morocco / Copenhagen, Denmark
T
Saturday, March 20. his morning we board our private jet and fly to Copenhagen, where travelers connect with commercial flights home. .....
Cost Per Person Double Occupancy: $62,950 • Single Occupancy Supplement: $9,525 The double and single rates are guaranteed. In addition, for your protection and peace of mind, all payments are secured in a bank escrow account that is fully insured by the U.S. Federal Government. Commercial airfare to and from Copenhagen is not included.
Souk, Marrakech
Ar o u n d Afr i c a by Pr i vat e J e t • T e r m s & Co n d it i o n s Tour Price: The tour price is $62,950 per person (based on double occupancy). The single supplement is $9,525. These prices are guaranteed. What Is Included: All hotel accommodations, group transportation, excursions, and other group activities as detailed in the itinerary, beginning with your arrival at Hotel Copenhagen Airport in Copenhagen, Denmark, on February 27, 2010, through departure from Copenhagen Airport, Kastrup, Denmark, on March 20, 2010 • Transportation on a private Boeing 757 and local aircraft according to the itinerary • All meals, beginning with dinner on February 27, 2010, and ending with lunch aboard the jet on March 20, 2010 • Complete program of special events and activities, including extensive program of customized options at most destinations • Enrichment program including lectures by a team of experts • Services of professional staff, including an expedition physician, to assist you throughout the trip • Cost of philanthropic efforts as described in the brochure • Bottled water throughout the program (during sightseeing, at scheduled meals, and in your room) • All beverages, including liquor, aboard the private jet • Liquor during special events and cocktail parties on land • House wine and/or beer at lunch and dinner, and coffee, tea, milk, and soft drinks at all scheduled meals on land • Baggage handling during the expedition • Tips or gratuities to local guides, drivers, porters, and waitstaff • Amenities package • The cost of shipping expedition luggage and amenities to households within the United States • $100,000 emergency medical evacuation insurance for covered reasons • Minimal accident/sickness/baggage insurance (details about optional and additional insurance for purchase, including trip cancellation insurance, will be mailed to you after registration). What Is Not Included: Commercial airfare from your home city to Copenhagen, Denmark, and from Copenhagen, Denmark, to your home city • Individual airport transfers at beginning and end of trip • Optional and additional accident/baggage/cancellation insurance • Passport and visa fees • The cost of shipping expedition luggage and amenities to international households • Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone, fax, and Internet charges • All beverages not mentioned above as included • Hotel minibar charges • Meals not scheduled by Starquest Expeditions • Inoculation and medication costs of any kind. Any tips or gratuities not specifically mentioned as included in the total expedition price will be at your discretion. Airfare: We are happy to assist you in reserving commercial flights from your home city to Copenhagen, Denmark, and from Copenhagen, Denmark, to your home city, in the class of service that you prefer. We can also arrange individual airport transfers and pre- or posttrip hotel accommodations. Ask for details. Reservations: To reserve your place on the Around Africa by Private Jet expedition, complete the reservation form and return it with your $2,500 per-person deposit. Make checks payable to “Starquest Expeditions Corp. Escrow AFR-10.” Or you may charge your deposit to VISA, MasterCard, or American Express. Mail to UCLA Alumni Association, Attn: UCLA Alumni Travel, James West Alumni Center, 325 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1397. Additional Deposits & Final Payment: A second deposit of $15,000 per person is due July 27, 2009. Final payment is due November 25, 2009. The second deposit and final payment are payable by check or wire transfer only, made out to Starquest Expeditions’ secure escrow account. Cancellation & Refunds: All cancellations must be in writing and will become effective as of the date of the postmark or e-mail receipt. Deposits and any payments are fully refundable, less a cancellation fee: If your notice is received… You will receive a refund of all deposits less a… On or before July 27, 2009 $1,000 per-person cancellation fee. From July 28 to September 25, 2009 $5,000 per-person cancellation fee. From September 26 to November 25, 2009 $15,000 per-person cancellation fee. After November 25, 2009 No refund. Leaving an expedition in progress, for any reason whatsoever, will not result in a refund, and no refunds will be made for any unused portions of an expedition. The UCLA Alumni Association and Starquest Expeditions reserve the right to cancel any trip because of inadequate enrollment that makes the trip economically unfeasible to operate. If the UCLA Alumni Association or Starquest Expeditions cancels an expedition prior to departure, you will receive a full refund of monies paid. Any airline tickets issued are subject to the carrier’s refund policy. The UCLA Alumni Association and Starquest Expeditions will not be responsible for any refund for nonrefundable airline tickets, or for any airline tickets purchased by the passenger directly from an airline or travel agent. We strongly recommend trip cancellation insurance; applications will be sent to you upon registration. Insurance: Trip cancellation, health, and accident insurance are available for purchase; we will send you more information upon registration. These important protections can save you money if you are forced to cancel or alter your trip. Insurance premium payments are subject to the policies of the insurance carrier and are generally not refundable. Baggage: On the private jet, each passenger is limited to 100 pounds of baggage in 2 bags each weighing 50 pounds or less. For INTERNATIONAL flights, the air carrier’s liability is limited to the actual value of the baggage but not more than 1,000 Special Drawing Rights, approximately $1,250 per passenger, unless a higher value is declared at the time of check-in and an appropriate excess valuation charge is paid.
Single/Shared Accommodations & Suite Upgrades: A limited number of single rooms are available at extra cost on a first-come, first-served basis. We will assist persons requesting a roommate. Participants will be notified if a suitable roommate is not available. In this case, the single rate will be charged. Suite rooms are available in some destinations; more information about them, including their extra costs, will be sent to you approximately 4 months before departure. Itinerary Changes: The itineraries and staff presented in this brochure are subject to modification and change by the UCLA Alumni Association and Starquest Expeditions. Every reasonable effort will be made to operate the program as planned; however, should unforeseen world events and conditions require our itinerary to be altered, we reserve the right to do so for the safety and best interest of the group. International Flights: The operation of these flights is subject to the foreign governments involved granting landing rights for the flight. If the air carrier cannot obtain these rights for any particular flight leg of the expedition, that flight leg will be canceled and alternative arrangements may be made, at the discretion of the UCLA Alumni Association and Starquest Expeditions. Health Requirements: This is an active program, which requires you to make a realistic assessment of your health. Prior to traveling, we recommend that you visit your personal physician for a check-up, so that you may discuss your ability to participate in this type of journey as described in the trip brochure. All participants are expected to be in active good health, to enjoy traveling as part of a group, and to be ready to experience cultural differences with grace. Walking and climbing stairs are required in many hotels and airports, to board the aircraft, and are part of many excursions. Please note: To go to certain destinations or participate in certain activities, such as visiting a high-altitude area (7,500 feet above sea level and higher), you will need to obtain your physician’s approval. A form will be sent to you for your physician to sign. An alternate destination or activity can be arranged, if your physician recommends it. Any physical condition requiring special attention, diet, or treatment should be reported in writing when the reservation is made. If you require a slower pace, extra assistance, or the use of a cane or walking stick, arrangements will be made for private touring at each destination, if necessary, at the discretion of our tour staff. Any extra cost for such arrangements will be the responsibility of the traveler. If you would like to forego some of the scheduled sightseeing to rejuvenate and relax, please feel free to do so at any time. Malaria and other diseases are present in some of the countries featured in this itinerary; proof of yellow fever inoculation is required. For the latest recommendations on specific health precautions for the areas you will visit, consult your physician and the Centers for Disease Control. Responsibility: Starquest Expeditions is the qualified professional tour operator that organizes and administers the Around Africa by Private Jet expedition. The UCLA Alumni Association and Starquest Expeditions act only as agents for any transportation carrier, hotel, ground operator, or other suppliers of services connected with this tour (“other providers”), and the other providers are solely responsible and liable for providing their respective services. The passenger tickets in use by the carriers shall constitute the sole contract between the carriers and the passenger; the carriers are not responsible for any act, omission or event during the time tour participants are not aboard their conveyance. The UCLA Alumni Association and Starquest Expeditions shall not be held liable for (A) any damage to, or loss of, property or injury to, or death of, persons occasioned directly or indirectly by an act or omission of any other provider, including but not limited to any defect in any aircraft, watercraft, or vehicle operated or provided by such other provider, and (B) any loss or damage due to delay, cancellation, or disruption in any manner caused by the laws, regulations, acts or failures to act, demands, orders, or interpositions of any government or any subdivision or agent thereof, or by acts of God, strikes, fire, flood, war, rebellion, terrorism, insurrection, sickness, quarantine, epidemics, theft, or any other cause(s) beyond their control. The participant waives any claim against the UCLA Alumni Association and Starquest Expeditions for any such loss, damage, injury, or death. By registering for the expedition, the participant certifies that he/she does not have any mental, physical, or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/herself or other participants. The UCLA Alumni Association and Starquest Expeditions reserve the right in their sole discretion to accept, decline to accept, or remove any participant on an expedition and reserves the right without notice to withdraw any part or all of the trip and to make such changes as may be necessary. The UCLA Alumni Association and Starquest Expeditions shall not be liable for any air carrier’s cancellation penalty incurred by the purchase of a nonrefundable ticket to or from the departure city of the Around Africa by Private Jet expedition. Baggage and personal effects are at all times the sole responsibility of the traveler. Starquest Expeditions is a Registered Seller of Travel in Washington (#602-320-265), a California Seller of Travel (#2071584-30), an accredited member of the Better Business Bureau, and is endorsed by IATAN, the International Airlines Travel Agent Network (#5075585). Starquest’s Dunn & Bradstreet D-U-N-S number is 17-084-7961. UCLA Alumni Travel James West Alumni Center Los Angeles, CA 90095-1397 Phone: 310-206-0613 or 800-UCLAlumni (825-2586) www.UCLAlumni.net
Form RReservation e s e r vat i o n F orm z
Around Africa by Private Jet
z
February 26 – March 20, 2010
Please reserve _________ place(s) on Around Africa by Private Jet priced at $62,950 per person, double occupancy.
Name
Date and Year of Birth
Name
Date and Year of Birth
Address (Please do not list a P.O. box.) City, State, ZIP Code (
)
Home phone
(
Work phone
) (
Accommodations: ❏ I prefer single accommodations where available for an additional $9,525.
❏ I plan to share accommodations with:
(
)
Cell phone
)
Fax
❏ Please arrange a share for me. I am a ❏ non-smoker ❏ smoker.
If a share cannot be arranged, I agree to pay the single supplement of $9,525.
Information about all suite upgrades and optional programs will be sent to you eight to nine months before departure.
PAYMENT: ❏ Enclosed is my deposit check for $ OR
($2,500 per person). Please make checks payable to “AFR-10 Escrow.”
❏ Please charge my deposit of $ ($2,500 per person) to ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ American Express. /
Account Number
/
/
/
Expiration Date
My credit card billing address, if different from above.
Membership: UCLA Alumni Travel is a benefit of membership in the UCLA Alumni Association. The Association requires all alumni and friends to join to use our services. You may invite one companion to travel with you as a guest on your membership.
❏ Yes, I am a member of the UCLA Alumni Association. ❏ No, I am not a member. Please send me an application to join.
❏ Please send me information about trip cancellation, health, and accident insurance. I understand that pre-existing health conditions require prompt enrollment in the trip insurance package. I/We have read and accept the Terms and Conditions for the trip (each traveler must sign).
Signature
Date
Signature
Date
Mail to: UCLA Alumni Association, Attn: Alumni Travel, James West Alumni Center, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1397 Phone: 310-206-0613 or 800-UCLAlumni (825-2586) Fax: 310-209-4271 www.UCLAlumni.net
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mercury Mailing Systems, Inc. UCLA Alumni Association James West Alumni Center Los Angeles, CA 90095-1397
A fric A A r o u n d
b y P r i vate J et
Exploring Wondrous Land scapes, Legendar y Wildlife & Vibrant Cultures
Egypt • Rwanda • Tanzania • Madagascar Zambia • Botswana • South Africa • Namibia • Mali • Morocco
February 26 – March 20, 2010 23 Days • Limited to 68 Travelers