Canadian discount airfare

Africa CAN be affordable, from Egypt to the Cape: Here are some travel selections on Egypt, Uganda, Botswana and South Africa.

Egypt

Grand Circle Travel continues to offer its 15-day "Ancient Egypt & the Nile" tour that is priced from $1,695 to $2,445 depending on the time of year and your choice of cabins on the Nile cruise portion. This is an excellent trip that my wife and I took three years ago.

The tour visits the Egyptian museum as well as the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza. You have the option to visit Alexandria, Egypt.

Later you fly to Luxor and board Grand Circle's own river ship for seven days. Visits are made to the Dendera Temple and the impressive Temple of Abydos. In Luxor you visit the Luxor Temple and Temple of Karnak, the largest single-temple complex in the world. On day 10 you cross the river from Luxor to visit the Necropolis of Thebes and the Valley of the Kings.

On day 11 you arrive in the Nubian region of Egypt and visit Edfu's Temple of Horos, then sail to Kom Ombo on day 12. In the afternoon, visit the Aswan High Dam and the Temple of Isis on the island of Philar.

Day 13, you have the opportunity to visit Abu Simbel, rebuilt by UNESCO when the building of the Aswan Dam would have flooded the original structure. This temple complex is a sight not to be missed.

These tours run from Aug. 21 to Nov. 13, 2004.

For more information, contact Grand Circle Travel, 347 Congress St., Boston, MA 02210; call 800/221-2610.

Uganda

Guerba and G.A.P. Traveller have a 14-day overland truck safari to view the mountain gorillas of Uganda.

You'll game drive in Queen Elizabeth and Mburo national parks and search for chimpanzees on foot in Kyamburu Gorge. To finish with a splash, there's an option to white-water raft from the source of the Nile, the Bujagali Fails.

I personally have traveled with Guerba. Although an overland truck safari is a little rugged, the value is exceptional.

For land only, this trip costs $2,070 Canadian, or approximately US$1,480, including all camping equipment, an experienced crew, park fees and permits. The tour has several departures in 2004 and 2005.

Contact G.A.P. Traveller, 355 Eglinton Ave. East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M4P 1M5; call 800/4655600.

Botswana

Borton Overseas has a 15-day "Parks of Botswana" safari for from $2,490 to $2,590, safari only. Single supplement is $140. Borton has departures every month except January and September. Although I have had an introduction to Botswana, I would love to see more.

You fly into Maun and then continue by charter flight to Deception Valley, which borders the Kalahari. On days four and five you fly to the central Kalahari Game Reserve, where you explore the central Kalahad on extensive game drives, with two overnights at a private tented camp.

You depart by charter aircraft for time in the Okavango Delta on days six and seven. On days eight and nine you head south to the Moremi Wild-life Reserve. Days six through nine are with tented accommodations.

Days 10 and 11 are in Savuti, Chobe National Park, known for its large concentrations of game. Days 12 and 13 are in Northern Chobe National Park. Game drives, fishing, birding and cruises on the Zambezi River are the activities available.

Finally, on day 14, you visit Victoria Falls. You fly back to the U.S. from Johannesburg, South Africa.

For more information, contact Borton Overseas, 5412 Lyndale Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN 55419; call 800/843-0602.

South Africa

African Travel, Inc., has a 5-star package to South Africa for two people traveling together. The offer is valid for travel through September 2004 and features the Cape Winelands, "big five" wildlife viewing in the Eastern Cape, bushman culture in the Western Cape and the Garden Route.

This 13-day "Safari for Two" costs from $4,995 for the first person and $2,997 for the second person--a discount of 40% for the significant other.

Round-trip economy-class airfare on South African Airways from New York or Atlanta to Cape Town is included along with airport transfers in Cape Town and a 9-day car rental with unlimited mileage, automatic shift, air-conditioning and a free cell phone. The car rental is for the drive up the Garden Route. If you prefer, a driver can be arranged.

Accommodations in two luxury resorts, Steenberg Country Hotel and Lake Pleasant Hotel & Spa, and two top game reserves; Sanbona and Shamwari, plus meals and game viewing when on safari are all included.

Contact African Travel, Inc., The Safari Building, 1100 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205; call 800/421-8907.