ETHIOPIA 199 AFRICA Imaginative Facts Tour code: KTLT • Activities: Boat ride on Lake Chamo, game drives, optional walks • Accommodation: 9 nights simple hotels or guesthouses, 4 nights camping • Transport: 4WD vehicles • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller leader or local tour leader, services of cook when camping • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Harar Extension' tour DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA- Arrival day. DAY 2: ARBA MINCH- Pass through the high mountain plateau on our way to the south of Ethiopia, a region noted for its enormous variety of peoples and cultures. Many of these populations are nomadic or semi- nomadic and their ancient traditions have remained intact. ( BD) DAY 3: NECHISAR NATIONAL PARK-Nechisar National Park has been described as one of the most beautiful of Africa's game parks. A wide variety of wildlife lives here, including lion, cheetah and zebra. We also take a boat trip on Lake Chamo, inhabited by hippo and crocodile. ( BLD) DAYS 4 & 5: JINKA- We pass through the territories of several different tribes on our way to Jinka, including the Dorze, famous for their beehive huts, the Konso, who erect totem poles on the tombs of their ancestors, and the semi- nomadic Borena. On Day 5 we visit the Mursi tribe, whose women are famous for extending their lower lips with the use of clay discs, and whose men are known for their practice of stick fighting. ( Day 4 - BD, Day 5 - BLD) DAY 6: MURILE- Travelling through open savannah and often encountering herds of oryx and gazelle, we head towards Murile. We visit the Karo tribe, masters of body decoration and the Hamer people, known for their remarkable hairstyles. ( BLD) DAY 7: TURMI- Today we visit the colourful market of Dimeka and mingle with different tribes. There are many interesting handicrafts to be found too - don't forget to bargain. Hopefully we will also be invited into a couple of homes. ( BLD) DAY 8: TURMI- Today we visit the Geleb tribes, crossing the Omo River by boat. The people of Geleb have their own distinctive dress and decoration and villages with interesting architecture. In the afternoon we drive back to Turmi and spend the night camping. ( BLD) DAY 9: KONSO- Today's drive offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding scenery including the terraced hills of Konso. Along the way, we may be lucky enough to see beisa oryx, dik- dik, and lesser kudu. We visit Konso village where the people are known for their colourful, traditional dress and the unusual engraved wooden statues or totems they use as grave markers. ( BLD) DAY 10: YABELLO- Today we take a very scenic drive to El Sod village. Here we take a short hike to visit ' the house of salt', on the edge of a deep crater lake. We also drive to Dublock to visit the ' singing well'. ( BLD) DAY 11: LAKE AWASA- On the way to Awasa we stop at Wenago to visit the Tutu Fella stelae field - an unusual collection of carved stones. We then continue to Lake Awasa, which is surrounded by mountains and populated by countless species of birds. On arrival, we visit the fish market. ( BD) DAY 12: WONDO GENET - LANGANO-After a short drive we arrive at Wondo Genet, the site of an inactive crater and an area of hot springs. We then continue to Langano where the rest of the day is free; those who wish may visit the nearby park around lakes Abyata and Shala. The park provides beautiful views over the two lakes and the valley covered in acacia trees. Numerous birds, including the pink flamingo, live on the shores. ( B) DAY 13: ADDIS ABABA- We return to Addis Ababa. The rest of the day is free for you to explore or perhaps indulge in a bit of last minute shopping. ( B) DAY 14: ADDIS ABABA- Tour ends. ( B) Explore the people and game of the isolated Omo Valley • Travel through the panoramic Great Rift Valley to the remote Ethiopian south • Encounter numerous tribal groupswith distinct traditions and colourful dress • Spot wildlife by 4WDin Nechisar National Park and by boat on Lake Chamo • Visit the unusual ' house of salt' at El Sod and the ' singing well' of Dublock • Enjoy the area's scenic terraced hills, hot springs and crater lakes Lost Tribes of Ethiopia Imaginative Facts Tour code: KTEO • Activities: Extensive walking at sights, short trek in Simien Mountains, boat rides on Lake Tana and Lake Chomo, game drives, optional walks • Accommodation: 20 nights simple hotels or guesthouses, 6 nights camping • Transport: Private bus, 4WD vehicles, boat, plane • Flights: Addis Ababa to Lalibela, Lalibela to Axum, Bahir Dar to Addis Ababa • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller leader or local tour leader, services of cook when camping • Imaginative Traveller Suggests: Add our ' Harar Extension' tour DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA DAY 2: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) DAY 3: LALIBELA- ( BD) DAY 4: LALIBELA- ( BD) DAY 5: AXUM- ( BD) DAY 6: AXUM- ( BD) DAY 7: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS- ( BD) DAY 8: SIMIEN MOUNTAINS- ( BLD) DAY 9: GONDAR- ( BD) DAY 10: GONDAR- ( BD) DAY 11: BAHIR DAR- ( BD) DAY 12: LAKE TANA- ( BD) DAY 13: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) DAY 14: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) DAY 15: ARBA MINCH- ( BD) DAY 16: NECHISAR NP- ( BLD) DAYS 17 & 18: JINKA- ( Day 17 - BD, Day 18 - BLD) DAY 19: MURILE- ( BLD) DAY 20: TURMI - ( BLD) DAY 21: TURMI- ( BLD) DAY 22: KONSO- ( BLD) DAY 23: YABELLO- ( BLD) DAY 24: LAKE AWASA- ( BD) DAY 25: WONDO GENET - LANGANO- ( B) DAY 26: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) DAY 27: ADDIS ABABA- ( B) Combine our ' Ethiopian Explorer' and ' Lost Tribes of Ethiopia' tours • Tour Gondar, Axum and the astounding rock- hewn churches at Lalibela • Trekin some of the most dramatic scenery in Africa in the Simien Mtns • See the Blue Nile Fallsand travel through the remote Great Rift Valley • Encounter numerous tribal groupswith distinct traditions and colourful dress • Spot wildlife by 4WD in Nechisar National Parkand by boat on Lake Chamo Ethiopian Odyssey Imaginative Facts Tour code: KTEX • Non- group Tour: For individuals only • Activities: Walking • Accommodation: 2 nights tourist class hotel • Transport: Private vehicle • Escorted: Services of local representatives DAY 1: ADDIS ABABA - HARAR- Drive to the city of Harar, a once important centre of Islamic scholarship. For many years the city was closed to Christians. ( D) DAY 2: HARAR- A guided tour of Harar, including the old city wall and the house of the French poet Rimbaud. This evening you may wish to go and see oneof the most amazing sights in Ethiopia - the nightly feeding of the hyenas that live in the countryside nearby. ( BD) DAY 3: HARAR - AWASH NATIONAL PARK - ADDIS ABABA- Awash National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Ethiopia. The River Awash runs through a spectacular gorge; the park itself is home to 392 species of birds and many mammals including oryx, gazelles and antelopes. After visiting the park we will drive back to Addis Ababa where the tour ends upon arrival. ( B) Departs daily ex Addis Ababa. Extend your stay with a fascinating trip to the walled city of Harar • Take a guided tour of ancient Harar, a former centre of Islamic study • Chance to witness the nightly spectacle of the feeding of the hyenas • Take a safariin the beautiful Awash National Park Harar Extension Single Supplement £ 105 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 13.49 * Price includes tour price of £ 970and local payment of US$ 290All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1120pp Land Only * Single Supplement £ 335 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 13.49 * Price includes tour price of £ 1820and local payment of US$ 470All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 2065pp Land Only * Solo Traveller Supplement £ 90( compulsory if you are travelling alone) All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 435pp Land Only traveller traveller traveller Tour duration 14 days Tour duration 27 days Tour duration 3 days Starts SatEnds Fri Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2009 28- Feb- 0913- Mar- 09 11- Apr- 0924- Apr- 09 23- May- 0905- Jun- 09 10- Oct- 0923- Oct- 09 14- Nov- 0927- Nov- 09 Starts SatEnds Fri Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2010 27- Feb- 1012- Mar- 10 10- Apr- 1023- Apr- 10 22- May- 1004- Jun- 10 09- Oct- 1022- Oct- 10 20- Nov- 1003- Dec- 10 Starts SunEnds Fri Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2009 15- Feb- 0913- Mar- 09 29- Mar- 0924- Apr- 09 10- May- 0905- Jun- 09 27- Sep- 0923- Oct- 09 01- Nov- 0927- Nov- 09 Starts SunEnds Fri Addis AbabaAddis Ababa 2010 14- Feb- 1012- Mar- 10 28- Mar- 1023- Apr- 10 09- May- 1004- Jun- 10 26- Sep- 1022- Oct- 10 07- Nov- 1003- Dec- 10 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243 Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243

AFRICAGHANA  TOGO  BENIN 200 " Good balance and mixture of locations. I have been on several Imtrav trips in recent years and all of the tour leaders have been exceptionally good - don't change your selection process!" Bruce McNaught africa Imaginative Facts Tour code: MTKI • Activities: Extensive walking at sites, hiking through villages and forest • Accommodation: 11 nights tourist class hotels, 3 nights bush camp • Transport: Private bus, 4WD vehicles, boat • Fully Escorted: By Imaginative Traveller tour leader or local tour leader DAY 1: ACCRA- Transfer to the hotel. DAYS 2 & 3: ASHANTI KINGDOM- Head north to Kumasi, the historical and spiritual capital of the Ashanti kingdom. We visit the Royal Palace Museum, home to amazing collections of gold jewellery worn by the Ashanti court, as well as visiting traditional Ashanti houses, famous for their unique decorations. There is also time to visit the lively and bustling market. ( B) DAY 4: KAKUM NATIONAL PARK - CAPE COAST- We travel to Kakum NP, where we take a canopy walk on the suspended rope bridge - the longest and highest of its kind in the world. We then head to Cape Coast to visit the European castles left over from the days of the slave trade. ( B) DAY 5: ACCRA- Return to Accra, where we have the chance to explore Jamestown, the old quarter of the city. Head to the Sogakope region and onto our bush camp. ( BD) DAY 6: LOME- We cross the border into Togo and head to the capital, Lome. We visit the biggest ' fetish market' in West Africa, where monkey skulls, snake skins, bat wings and all the necessary ingredients for preparing magical potions can be found. We also visit the central market, with a great choice of colourful local fabrics. ( B) DAY 7: OUIDAH- We have the chance to meet a traditional healer and visit a voodoo shrine to witness an authentic voodoo celebration. We then cross into Benin and on to Ouidah, a voodoo stronghold. ( B) DAY 8: GANVIE - ABOMEY- We cross Lake Nokwe by boat to visit Ganvie, a wonderfully picturesque village belonging to the Tofinou people, built entirely on stilts. We then travel to Abomey, centre of a once great empire that controlled a large part of this region. While there we visit the Royal Palace, now a museum which holds ancient artefacts belonging to past kings. We spend the night in Dassa. ( B) DAY 9: TANEKA - ATAKORA- Drive to Taneka and hike to explore local villages, home to the Yom people and consisting of round huts with conical roofs, each topped by a terracotta vase. We spend tonight in a bush camp in the Atakora region. ( BLD) DAY 10: ATAKORA- This region is considered to be one of the most authentic areas in Africa, an isolated area of fortified villages where customs and traditions have changed little over centuries. We spend today hiking through local Somba villages and have a chance to enter some of their dwellings to learn more about their way of life. Overnight bush camping. ( BLD) DAY 11: SOKODE- Explore Tamberma villages and their amazing adobe houses, before crossing the border back into Togo. If we are lucky we may see blacksmiths, who use stones instead of hammers to forge the iron. We enjoy a traditional fire dance this evening. ( BL) DAY 12: KPALIME- We drive from the arid savannah of the north to a more fertile forest region, passing several interesting villages on the way. We have the chance to visit the weekly market at Anie, an important occasion for local people which attracts visitors from a wide area, including nomadic Fulani tribespeople in traditional dress. ( B) DAY 13: KPALIME- Hike through tropical rainforest, accompanied by a naturalist guide who will be able to tell us about the many species of insects and butterflies that inhabit this region. There are also opportunities to meet local people along the way. ( BL) DAY 14: ACCRA- Cross the border into Ghana and take a cruise on the Volta River before visiting the traditional bead makers at Krobo. Return to Accra. ( B) DAY 15: ACCRA- Tour ends. ( B) A journey of tribal encounters, stunning landscapes and bustling cities • Tour Ghana's colourful Ashanti Kingdomat Kumasi • Explore the rainforeston a canopy walk at Kakum National Park • Wonder at Togo's fetish market and voodoo shrine • Visit Benin's isolated villageswith their ancient architecture and customs • Take a cruise on the Volta Riverand see slave castles on Cape Coast Ghana Togo Benin Kingdoms of Gold Ghana Togo Benin Kingdoms of Gold Accra Kpalime Cape Coast Lomé Kumasi Kakum N. P. Sokode Taneka Atakora Ganvie Abomey Ouidah Mali The Road to Timbuktu Bamako Segou Mopti Timbuktu SanDjenne Dogon Country Single Supplement £ 325 ( optional) Voluntary Carbon Offset £ 11.60 * Price includes tour price of £ 1449and local payment of € 450All prices are subject to currency fluctuations £ 1795pp Land Only * traveller Tour duration 15 days © Imaginative Traveller © Imaginative Traveller Starts SatEnds Sat AccraAccra 2009 17- Jan- 0931- Jan- 09 14- Feb- 0928- Feb- 09 24- Oct- 0907- Nov- 09 28- Nov- 0912- Dec- 09 Starts SatEnds Sat AccraAccra 2010 16- Jan- 1030- Jan- 10 06- Feb- 1020- Feb- 10 23- Oct- 1006- Nov- 10 27- Nov- 1011- Dec- 10 In West Africa the practice of eating grubs and insects is quite common - watch out for those sago grubs and larva on your menu then! amazing fact ... We can also offer Extra Accommodation, Adventure Travel Insurance& Flights Save up to 15% on your tour - see page 243