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  • Craig W. Roark March 12, 2018 at 1:37pm

    Exactly get the United Miles then use them towards Ethiopian Airlines their partner in the Dark Continent. Ethiopian is becoming quite extensive all over West, Central part of Africa. Otherwise you're looking at ASKY their hub is in Lome' Togo yet their prices are quite high. Rapid Travel Chai, well as for Steve Krasowski is an excellent resource for info. on airlines, awards, destination information. He's approachable with anyone that has a complex situation as such.

  • Daniel W. Fuerman March 11, 2018 at 9:23am

    Hi Stefan,

    Daniel Fuerman here. I am a big fan of Rapid Travel Chai. Used your website a bunch last year during my West Africa travels. I am looking to take a Central & (Western) Southern Africa Trip this summer and saw your one-way United ticket from 2016 with all of the free layovers/stopovers. I am hoping to hit up the following countries and was wondering for some advice on how to route it? (I am having some difficulty with the United website and heard rumors that the loophole may not exist anymore?). I am trying to avoid stopovers in East Africa as I wanted to do that on another trip. Any advice or help would be awesome. Thanks!

    Best,

    Daniel 

    Countries Hoping to Visit

    Chad

    South Sudan

    Central African Republic (CAR)

    Cameroon

    Equatorial Guinea

    Sao Tome & Principe

    Gabon

    Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

    Republic of Congo (Congo Brazzaville)

    Angola (+Cabinda)

    Namibia

    Botswana

    Zambia

    Zimbabwe

    As far as points/miles go, I have the following...
    Aeroplan:         59k
    Alaska:             55k
    American:        153k
    Chase:             159k
    Delta:               62k
    Qatar:              13k
    SPG:               40k
    Turkish:           21k
    Virgin Atlantic: 43k


    *Note: I would convert my Chase points to United if need-be.

  • Elizabeth. Bechtold December 11, 2016 at 4:19pm
    Thanks Tim. Appreciate that!
  • R. David Van Treuren December 11, 2016 at 12:49pm

    Elizabeth,

    I did apply on line.  However, it seemed to be a joke once I got there as there were visa forms available right in the immigration area.  Probably no need to do it online.

    David

  • Elizabeth. Bechtold December 11, 2016 at 12:37pm
    Thanks Tim. I will begin today my research. Did you apply for a visa for Sri Lanka ? Online?
    Thanks, Elizabeth.
  • Elizabeth. Bechtold December 11, 2016 at 12:30pm
    Thanks Tim. Really appreciate that! I feel so blessed with the new travel group I just joined!
    Elizabeth. Are you the Tim that lives in SF Bay Area? Gloria told me about a Tim that Is a member of the club.

    Elizabeth. Bechtold said:
    I am going to Sri Lanka, Jan10-15. Would like to spend these days in an animal reserve. Viewing the animals in the wild. Like an organized safari. Where do I begin? Thanks, Elizabeth.

    Timothy Skeet said:
    Exactly! We felt a little rushed. There is so much to see in the North, too. Whatever you decide, please share with us when you return. You will be our newest "Sri Lanka expert" with the most current ideas. ;) Anyone else have experience with the website tours by locals? I'm just flying home right now and will check my Sri Lanka archive to see if I kept the contact info for my driver. If so, I'll respond back.
  • R. David Van Treuren December 11, 2016 at 12:26pm

    Elizabeth,

    I think I would contact  tours by locals:  https://www.toursbylocals.com/TBL/WebObjects/ToursByLocals.woa/wa/m...

    The hotel could probably be good too, but I think this website has credibility from what another member has said.  The guide should have his own car and take you wherever you want to go.  I wouldn't think an Australian agency would have any better contacts

    David

  • Elizabeth. Bechtold December 11, 2016 at 11:45am
    David, thanks so much for this info. Where do I find a good guide with taxi to take me to the national parks? Would the hotel furnish me with a good guide? Galle Face hotel has been recommended by a fellow member to be a very wonderful hotel. I am now in Melbourne, Au. Do you recommend that I
    ....organize a guide here in Melbourne through a travel agency?
    .... contact Galle Face Hotel in Columbo to find a guide for me?
    ..... go online & find a guide!

    Thanks for your help in sorting out the options. I am in Sri Lanka Jan 10-15.
    Happy Trails to you.
    Elizabeth.

    I have been to 115. Countries & territories! Traveling is my passion.


    R. David Van Treuren said:

    Elizabeth,

    If you are looking for a wildlife experience to compare to Africa, you will be disappointed.  I don't know of any tour groups that do a "wildlife trip".  An individual guide can take you to as many national parks as you would like.  I don't recommend using my guide (see post above).  Tours by locals has a few guides that might work out for a custom trip.  On my trip, I visited Minneriya national park, Udawalawa national park as well as going out on a boat to see the blue whales near Mirissa.  Both parks were pleasant but not special.  No leopards were seen.  Yala park has the most leopards but it was closed when I was there.  According to my worthless guide, it also is a real chaotic place with way too many guides chasing the animals.  Of course, there are ancient cities and ruins to see as well.  I think I would try one of the guides by locals to arrange your trip.

    David

  • R. David Van Treuren December 11, 2016 at 11:00am

    Elizabeth,

    If you are looking for a wildlife experience to compare to Africa, you will be disappointed.  I don't know of any tour groups that do a "wildlife trip".  An individual guide can take you to as many national parks as you would like.  I don't recommend using my guide (see post above).  Tours by locals has a few guides that might work out for a custom trip.  On my trip, I visited Minneriya national park, Udawalawa national park as well as going out on a boat to see the blue whales near Mirissa.  Both parks were pleasant but not special.  No leopards were seen.  Yala park has the most leopards but it was closed when I was there.  According to my worthless guide, it also is a real chaotic place with way too many guides chasing the animals.  Of course, there are ancient cities and ruins to see as well.  I think I would try one of the guides by locals to arrange your trip.

    David

  • Elizabeth. Bechtold December 11, 2016 at 10:42am
    I am going to Sri Lanka, Jan10-15. Would like to spend these days in an animal reserve. Viewing the animals in the wild. Like an organized safari. Where do I begin? Thanks, Elizabeth.

    Timothy Skeet said:
    Exactly! We felt a little rushed. There is so much to see in the North, too. Whatever you decide, please share with us when you return. You will be our newest "Sri Lanka expert" with the most current ideas. ;) Anyone else have experience with the website tours by locals? I'm just flying home right now and will check my Sri Lanka archive to see if I kept the contact info for my driver. If so, I'll respond back.
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