Qatar Airlines fly to Tanzania

Africa Sky is pleased to be expanding their choice of routes into Tanzania in cooperation with Qatar Airways. Flights will be via Doha.

Beginning 9 January 2007, Qatar Airways will spread its wings to the Tanzanian capital Dar Es Salaam four-times-a-week from Doha, the airline’s operational hub and capital of the State of Qatar.

The route will be operated with an Airbus A319 aircraft in a two-class configuration of eight seats in Business Class and 102 seats in Economy.

Tanzania, located on the east African coast, is a land of contrasts and boasts spectacular scenery.

From the snow-capped summit of the famed Mount Kilimanjaro and the sun-kissed beaches of Zanzibar, to the vast herds of game grazing on the Serengeti plains and the active volcano Ol Donyo Lengai in the Rift Valley, there is plenty for tourists to experience. Tanzania also offers divers world-class reefs, national parks, and adventure breaks off the beaten track.

Dar Es Salaam is Tanzania’s largest city and the country’s political and economic capital. Located off the Indian Ocean coast, the city has grown in economic importance as the main trading port in Tanzania and a prosperous centre of the entire East African region. Steeped in colonial history, Dar Es Salaam has numerous landmarks and architecture depicting its past.

Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker said, “Qatar Airways always looks at operating routes which are strategically important for either the business or leisure market – or both. We are extremely confident about Dar Es Salaam as all our analysis and research show it will be a highly successful route for Qatar Airways.”

Within the African continent, Qatar Airways already serves Casablanca, Algiers, Tunis, Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Khartoum, Tripoli, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Nairobi.

Kenya Big Cat Migration Update

The news from the frontline is positive: the world’s greatest game show is now officially underway. Over the past two weeks, herds of zebra have been amassing in the northern Mara, particularly around Musiara Marsh and south to Ntiakitiak River, where almost 10,000 zebras and wildebeest are now grazing. Although observations suggest these are mostly local migrants from the Loita Plains, their presence in such numbers undoubtedly portends the imminent arrival of the main migration from the Serengeti.

In the past few days, we have been witnessing mini-crossings at the main crossing site on the Mara River. For first timers in the Mara, this has been thrilling enough but just wait and watch this space, as the action really hots up over the coming two or three weeks!

It has been an unusual year for the world’s largest wildebeest herds, some of which did not depart from the Mara until March at least 4-5 months later than normal. The delay was at least partly attributable to last year’s prolonged drought. However, this year we are back on track, following the generous rains of April-May, which have brought the Mara’s nutritious oat-grass back to its full glory. After a long lean season, the reserves Big Cats and other predators are also finally waking up to a season of plenty.

Already, the giant crocodiles in the Mara River have been treated to a few early-season feasts treating Intrepids and Explorer guests to a few of Natures rawest spectacles. Likewise, our three lion prides have all been involved in successful hunts over recent days shifting from their regular low-season fare of warthogs and small antelopes to some more substantial meals. Hyenas are also changing their feeding patterns, moving from their regular low-season scavenging to some particularly cunning wildebeest and zebra hunts.

We are confident that the world’s greatest wilderness is once again poised on the verge of another incredible migration season.

Africa Launch

Tropical Sky launches a dedicated Africa web site featuring luxurious safaris and a variety of first class accommodation across the continent.