In January, I returned from another successful trip through Mali, and the annual Festival in the Desert was again the highlight. This year I travelled with eleven guests, all fantastic people who totally immersed themselves into the country and its cultures. They were also huge fans of the music, which always makes for a fun-filled festival. While Tinariwen did not play, there were some incredible displays, Bassekou Kouyate and Vieux Toure among them.  For lovers of African music, this fetival is a must.   Getting to and from the festival provides guests with a wonderful opportunity to see the rest of Mali. On the way up we spent time at Djenne and exploring the Niger River and Timbuctou, and then on the way back to Bamako, the group stopped off for a few nights in the Bandiagara Escarpment amongst the Dogon people. For 2012, the dates are 12/13/14 January. We have one 2012 trip that is already fully booked, but are considering running a second one. For those interested in this option, or the 2013 festival, please contact us on reservations@inventafrica.com.  (Posted January 2011) 

Lat year, I mentioned that we had done the groundwork for running trips to Gabon and the nearby islands of Sao Tome & Principe. Unfortunately, recent developments have not been good as the government has inexplicably cancelled the ecotourism and charter operation licences of the best ground handler. Until further notice, we will not be offering trips to the region. For those looking to travel similar out-of-the-way type destinations, Mali and Ethiopia are fantastic alternatives. Please contact us for further information. 

I have also done recent trips to some of the more traditional destinations in Southern and East Africa. The Okavango Delta in Botswana is most certainly into a wet cycle, so visitors during the winter months from June through to late August can expect high water levels in most of the camps. While it does cut down on game-drive options, it certainly makes up with the splendid scenery and the boating options. One must though be more selective about what you want to do and which camps you then end up going to. In East Africa, as always, the Great Migration was as impressive as ever. For those wanting to get away from the high number of vehicles, we continue to recommend the calving component in Jan/Feb/March in southern Serengeti, or the northern Serengeti during the crossings from August through to early November. (Posted March 2011)

I also did a trip through the Skeleton Coast and northern Namibia recently, and it once again reaffirmed for me why this destination remains one of my Top 3 options. The scenery is simply beyond anything else experienced in Africa, the wildlife always far better than you expect, and then the sense of isolation and privacy that comes with travelling these regions is something special. If you have not been, this incredible place should be placed very high up on your list. (Posted March 2011)