Gane & Marshall
Unforgettable journeys,
tailor-made for you.
G&M News & Press Mentions
G&M features in The Times' round-up of autumn breaks
While there are complications involved in long-haul travel in the current climate, travel from the UK to Europe this autumn is a very realistic prospect, with a wealth of destinations now open to UK travellers.
A recent feature in the Times by travel writer Andrew Eames seeks to highlight just this, placing the spotlight on short-haul active breaks available to UK travellers this autumn. And we are delighted to see our Verdon Gorge Adventure highlighted in the piece!
You can read the full article on the website of the Times. To learn more about our Verdon Gorge itineraries, visit the full itinerary page here, or get in touch with our travel team directly.
Our Ireland walking itineraries feature in the Telegraph
Travel journalist Sarah Baxter has compiled an extensive list of luxury walking holidays available to UK travellers in The Telegraph, and we are very pleased to see our 7-night Kerry Highlights itinerary make the cut!
You can read the full article online at the Telegraph here. To learn more about our Ireland walking itineraries, visit our Ireland pages.
G&M feature in Sunday Times article about travel to South America in 2022.
We are delighted to be featured in the Sunday Times' recent article on travel to South America in 2022. Written by chief travel writer Chris Haslam, the article in yesterday’s issue of the Sunday Times (8th August) covers the current covid restrictions in place for travellers wanting to visit South America and then looks ahead to travel in 2022, when we hope that travel to South America will very much be back on the map for UK holidaymakers.
Our Salkantay Trek is highlighted in the article as an alternative to the classic Inca Trail trek. With the Inca Trail currently operating at less than 50% of its pre-Covid capacity due to restrictions on the number of permits that can be issued during the pandemic, and with the possibility that these restrictions will continue into early 2022, alternative routes to Machu Picchu such as the Salkantay trail may have added appeal next year. Not that the Salkantay trail needs any extra selling points - this tough but wonderfully scenic trail offers a lodge-based alternative to the classic Inca Trail that is perfect for walkers wanting to avoid the crowds and really revel in the Andean scenery en route to Machu Picchu! Visit our Salkantay Trek itinerary page to learn more.
The #walkingsbrilliant team have completed their Coast-to-Coast challenge!
Arriving at Little Haven Beach, South Shields, on 18th July, the group ended what has been a tough 5-day trek in which they covered a total distance of 90 miles / 144kms.
Comprised of several ex-pro footballers, including Mark Crossley, Dean Windass, Nigel Jemson, Chris Kirkland, Steve Howey, Jon Parkin, and comedian Gaz Marshall, the #walkingsbrilliant team completed this demanding walk in support of W.A.T.C.H., a non-profit organisation that raises funds for mental health charities and the NHS.
Jeremy Gane helped organise and took part in the the trek. We’ll have some photos and highlights to share in the coming days once he returns to the office – keep an eye on our blog for more!
Read about our Scottish Highlands private walking itineraries in the Independent
We were delighted to see our 'Walking the Scottish Highlands' itinerary feature in yesterday's Independent. The article by travel journalist Sarah Marshall focused on a selection of different walks from around the UK to mark the beginning of May, otherwise known as National Walking Month! You can read the full feature here: 6 beautiful new wellness walking routes in the UK.
You can read more about our Scottish Highlands itineraries on our Scotland pages. We offer both privately guided tours into the Scottish Highlands as well as a very limited number of scheduled group departures, all accompanied by expert guides and with options for both guesthouse accommodation and camping.
Rwanda, Namibia and Botswana given travel corridors
As of 21st November, travellers to Namibia and Rwanda will no longer be required to quarantine on their return to the UK. The change in policy is a recognition of the fact that Namibia and Rwanda have experienced very low Covid case rates, and that they have implemented sensible measures to tackle the virus. Both countries are welcoming travellers from the UK and elsewhere who carry evidence of a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
There are still many complications to travel at this time, but the removal of the FCO guidance against travel to Namibia and Rwanda makes it much more practical to visit these countries in the near-future. At Gane and Marshall, we very much hope that the FCO travel corridor list will soon be expanded to include other African countries, many of which have reported similarly low Covid case rates since the beginning of the pandemic, and implemented comparable measures to Rwanda and Namibia.
If you are thinking about taking a holiday to Africa in the coming months and would like to discuss the practicalities, then our team would be delighted to help. You can reach us on 01822 600 600 or via our online contact form.
Update (10th Dec 2020): The FCO travel corridor list has now been expanded to include Botswana, which means it will no longer be necessary to quarantine on your return to the UK from Botswana from December 12th onwards. The addition of both Botswana and Namibia to the travel corridor list opens up a number of possible itinerary options. If you are considering a holiday to southern Africa in the coming months, please get in touch and we'll be glad to provide our suggestions for how you can combine these two fabulous destinations.
G&M features in The Times' round-up of autumn breaks
While there are complications involved in long-haul travel in the current climate, travel from the UK to Europe this autumn is a very realistic prospect, with a wealth of destinations now open to UK travellers.
A recent feature in the Times by travel writer Andrew Eames seeks to highlight just this, placing the spotlight on short-haul active breaks available to UK travellers this autumn. And we are delighted to see our Verdon Gorge Adventure highlighted in the piece!
You can read the full article on the website of the Times. To learn more about our Verdon Gorge itineraries, visit the full itinerary page here, or get in touch with our travel team directly.
Our Ireland walking itineraries feature in the Telegraph
Travel journalist Sarah Baxter has compiled an extensive list of luxury walking holidays available to UK travellers in The Telegraph, and we are very pleased to see our 7-night Kerry Highlights itinerary make the cut!
You can read the full article online at the Telegraph here. To learn more about our Ireland walking itineraries, visit our Ireland pages.
G&M feature in Sunday Times article about travel to South America in 2022.
We are delighted to be featured in the Sunday Times' recent article on travel to South America in 2022. Written by chief travel writer Chris Haslam, the article in yesterday’s issue of the Sunday Times (8th August) covers the current covid restrictions in place for travellers wanting to visit South America and then looks ahead to travel in 2022, when we hope that travel to South America will very much be back on the map for UK holidaymakers.
Our Salkantay Trek is highlighted in the article as an alternative to the classic Inca Trail trek. With the Inca Trail currently operating at less than 50% of its pre-Covid capacity due to restrictions on the number of permits that can be issued during the pandemic, and with the possibility that these restrictions will continue into early 2022, alternative routes to Machu Picchu such as the Salkantay trail may have added appeal next year. Not that the Salkantay trail needs any extra selling points - this tough but wonderfully scenic trail offers a lodge-based alternative to the classic Inca Trail that is perfect for walkers wanting to avoid the crowds and really revel in the Andean scenery en route to Machu Picchu! Visit our Salkantay Trek itinerary page to learn more.
The #walkingsbrilliant team have completed their Coast-to-Coast challenge!
Arriving at Little Haven Beach, South Shields, on 18th July, the group ended what has been a tough 5-day trek in which they covered a total distance of 90 miles / 144kms.
Comprised of several ex-pro footballers, including Mark Crossley, Dean Windass, Nigel Jemson, Chris Kirkland, Steve Howey, Jon Parkin, and comedian Gaz Marshall, the #walkingsbrilliant team completed this demanding walk in support of W.A.T.C.H., a non-profit organisation that raises funds for mental health charities and the NHS.
Jeremy Gane helped organise and took part in the the trek. We’ll have some photos and highlights to share in the coming days once he returns to the office – keep an eye on our blog for more!
Read about our Scottish Highlands private walking itineraries in the Independent
We were delighted to see our 'Walking the Scottish Highlands' itinerary feature in yesterday's Independent. The article by travel journalist Sarah Marshall focused on a selection of different walks from around the UK to mark the beginning of May, otherwise known as National Walking Month! You can read the full feature here: 6 beautiful new wellness walking routes in the UK.
You can read more about our Scottish Highlands itineraries on our Scotland pages. We offer both privately guided tours into the Scottish Highlands as well as a very limited number of scheduled group departures, all accompanied by expert guides and with options for both guesthouse accommodation and camping.
Rwanda, Namibia and Botswana given travel corridors
As of 21st November, travellers to Namibia and Rwanda will no longer be required to quarantine on their return to the UK. The change in policy is a recognition of the fact that Namibia and Rwanda have experienced very low Covid case rates, and that they have implemented sensible measures to tackle the virus. Both countries are welcoming travellers from the UK and elsewhere who carry evidence of a negative Covid test taken within 72 hours of arrival.
There are still many complications to travel at this time, but the removal of the FCO guidance against travel to Namibia and Rwanda makes it much more practical to visit these countries in the near-future. At Gane and Marshall, we very much hope that the FCO travel corridor list will soon be expanded to include other African countries, many of which have reported similarly low Covid case rates since the beginning of the pandemic, and implemented comparable measures to Rwanda and Namibia.
If you are thinking about taking a holiday to Africa in the coming months and would like to discuss the practicalities, then our team would be delighted to help. You can reach us on 01822 600 600 or via our online contact form.
Update (10th Dec 2020): The FCO travel corridor list has now been expanded to include Botswana, which means it will no longer be necessary to quarantine on your return to the UK from Botswana from December 12th onwards. The addition of both Botswana and Namibia to the travel corridor list opens up a number of possible itinerary options. If you are considering a holiday to southern Africa in the coming months, please get in touch and we'll be glad to provide our suggestions for how you can combine these two fabulous destinations.
Holiday Planning during Covid19
At Gane and Marshall we are working to offer maximum flexibility to our clients, whether you have an existing booking with us, or are beginning to make plans for a future holiday.
- Small or nil deposit requirements for new bookings.
- We can book your flights with no advance payment from you and balance on flights due only 8 weeks before departure.
- Guaranteed refund or free postponement should Gane and Marshall have to cancel your trip due to Covid related travel restrictions.
- Insure with our recommended travel insurance provider, Campbell Irvine, or with another reputable provider, and you should have a refund if you or a member of your party is diagnosed with COVID-19 or has been ordered to self-isolate and are unable to travel as a result of this.
Current Travel Restrictions
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is continuing to advise that British nationals avoid all non-essential travel until further notice. It is likely that these restrictions will remain in place for travel to most destinations beyond Europe through the summer of 2021. We have already helped our clients due to travel before mid-July this year to re-schedule their holidays. If you are travelling later in the year, we shall keep in touch with you as your holiday draws closer or in the event of any change to the FCDO travel guidance, and we shall of course be on hand to help answer any questions you may have. Your travel consultant can be reached by email or on 01822 600 600.
Making a booking for late 2021 or 2022
During this period of lockdown, many of us are no doubt looking ahead to a future when we can travel again freely. While some travellers have already begun making holiday plans for 2021 and beyond, others will be waiting until the outlook is more certain.
To help mitigate the risk for you of planning your holiday, we are currently working to waive or to greatly reduce deposit requirements for holidays booked through us until the present restrictions on travel are lifted. Most service providers in the tourism industry - hotels, safari camps, ground handlers - are relaxing their terms & conditions in light of the current crisis, including their deposit requirements. So too are we at Gane and Marshall. This makes it possible for us to help you plan a holiday and to secure reservations with only a very limited deposit, and for some bookings, no deposit requirement at all. This policy will be implemented on a booking-by-booking basis, and there are some services which we cannot currently book without a larger deposit requirement (e.g. permits for gorilla safaris), but for the vast majority of holidays booked through us in the coming months, we expect to greatly reduce our standard deposit requirement. As the situation becomes clearer and your proposed travel dates are likely to be viable, we shall then invoice you for a standard deposit payment.
This policy extends to international flights. Gane and Marshall is ATOL-bonded, and for most international airlines we can provisionally book flight reservations without charge to you. Again, a deposit or full payment for flights will only be due 8 weeks before travel start date and only when we are confident that the relevant flights will operate. In the meantime, you will not be committed in the event that your travel plans change.
So please do contact us to discuss your holiday plans for 2021 through 2022. Our travel team will be delighted to help you plan your next journey!
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Gane and Marshall granted new three year AALA license, and plans new adventures in Europe
After a rigorous vetting process we are happy to announce that we have been granted a three year renewal of the important Adventure Activities Licensing Authority (AALA) licence. Whilst this strictly applies to our School Challenges expeditions for SEN students, it also means that Gane and Marshall health and safety protocols are checked and updated and we continue to safeguard all of our clients through best practice. A big thank you to Phil Worgan, our health and safety consultant, for his hard work to obtain this renewal. Phil not only leads our school challenges for special needs students but also keeps our health and safety procedures up to date.
Beyond Corona, we are looking forward to helping Gane and Marshall travellers head out to wild and beautiful places, where the air is clean and the environment refreshed by the current rest from visitors. We are now in the process of developing new programmes to Europe to add to our Africa, Asia and Americas portfolios. Europe works so well for lovers of wildlife, walking and biking adventures, and culture. We shall be adding to our wildlife and adventure trips in Europe with new programmes for France, Italy, Spain and Scandinavia. Our School Challenge groups will again be visiting the Ardeche region in France for our regular kayaking and walking challenge, and we shall offer an open group biking and trekking challenge to the Verdon Gorge in spectacular Provence. Corporate event managers and charity organisers should contact Jeremy Gane (jeremy@ganeandmashall.com) about the great opportunities for eco-friendly team building and fund-raising events in France – accessed by Eurostar and French rail, with no flights required.
Coronavirus Outbreak Advisory
With the UK government, in line with many other countries around the world, now advising against all but essential foreign travel until at least mid-April, you will no doubt be wondering how this may affect your travel plans.
If you have booked a holiday with us that is due to take place in the coming months, we will contact you to discuss your options at the time that FCO advice is relevant to your trip date and destination. We hope you will appreciate that we have to prioritise those of our travellers who are departing soonest.
The coronavirus epidemic is a fast-changing situation and our policy is evolving in response to events. We are grateful for your understanding and patience at this time.
India's tiger population reaches almost 3,000
With so many species currently on the decline, it was most exciting to receive some very positive conservation news this week. On Global Tiger Day, it was announced that the tiger population in India has reached almost 3000, according to the latest census of 2018! This is a doubling from the estimate of 1,400 given when India begun its census in 2006!
Coinciding with the news, the Joanna Lumley narrated ITV documentary, “Counting Tigers, A Survival Special”, documents the process of counting the animals in the wild and highlights the many threats that tigers face. It offers a unique insight into the conservation process behind this most recent count and the increase in tiger numbers.
Read our Malawi feature in May's National Geographic
Gane and Marshall features in May's National Geographic in an article focused on the revival of Malawi's national parks.
Travel writer Amelia Duggan travelled with us to Malawi in early 2019, visiting Majete, Liwonde, the Shire Highlands, and Lake Malawi. In her article, Amelia writes of the beauty of Malawi's landscapes, and describes the replenishment of its national parks and game reserves under the management of African Parks.
Malawi has undergone a quiet but stunning revival in the past decade, as its game reserves and national parks, formerly decimated by poaching, have been restocked with wildlife. The transformation has been perhaps most dramatic in Majete Game Reserve, which is now Malawi's first "big 5" game park with stable populations of rhino, leopard and lion. But Liwonde National Park has also undergone a stunning transformation.
Amelia writes about this transformation in her article, which also covers Lake Malawi and the Shire Highlands. You can read her article in full at the National Geographic website.
Considering a holiday to Malawi?
At Gane and Marshall, we offer tailor-made itineraries that take in the best of Malawi, from the wild bush of Majete and Liwonde to the tranquillity of the Shire Highlands and Nyika Plateau. Visit our Malawi pages to learn more.
Jeremy Gane interviewed about Comic Relief & Kilimanjaro on BBC Wiltshire
As Ed Balls, Anita Rani and Osi Umenyiora make their way to the summit of Kilimanjaro as part of this year's Comic Relief, our own Jeremy Gane was interviewed by Rachel Houghton on BBC Radio Wiltshire about the first Kilimanjaro climb in support of Comic Relief that took place in 2009, and on which he served as project manager.
In the 10-minute interview, Jeremy discusses his experience of leading the team of celebs - which included Gary Barlow, Cheryl Cole, Fearne Cotton, Alesha Dixon, Ronan Keating, Chris Moyles, Ben Shephard, Denise Van Outen, and Kimberley Walsh - to the top of Africa's highest mountain, and about Kilimanjaro more generally.
You can listen to Jeremy's interview on BBC iPlayer via the following link (skip to 2hrs13mins):
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0703djb
BBC interview with our India expert, Sarah Williams
India is top of the travel news this week, with Prince William and Kate Middleton's royal tour, as well as the wonderful news of an increase in tiger numbers (the first reported rise in over a century!) catching the headlines.
Our India expert, Sarah Williams, was on BBC Radio Surrey this morning to discuss what makes India such a wonderful country to visit.
You can listen to Sarah's interview on BBC iPlayer (skip to 2hrs39mins):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03plc3k
The tiger photograph is used with the kind permission of Dr Mike Leary-Ohwin, who travelled with us to India in 2015. See more of Mike's fabulous photos on his flickr page.
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North Face Kilimanjaro Climb featured in the Daily Telegraph
Our unique climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro features prominently in Daily Telegraph's "50 Greatest Adventures on Earth", appearing at the top of the Africa category!
What is the North Face route?
The North Face is a new wilderness route to the summit of Kilimanjaro offered exclusively by Gane and Marshall. It sees you ascend the mountain via its rarely trodden northern slopes, before cutting through the crater to Uhuru Peak, the summit. Uniquely, the summit climb is done in daylight.
Opened in 2017 and with the first open groups departing in 2018, the North Face route offers an entirely new perspective on this classic climb, and we're delighted to see it featured so prominently in the Telegraph! See our Kilimanjaro North Face itinerary page for more details.
Expert Ethiopian guide Zablon Beyene features in this week's Sunday Times.
Zablon Beyene is an authority on Ethiopia's Historic Route and on Ethiopian history and culture more generally. In his interview with Chris Haslam, he discusses the opening up of the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia following the peace agreement of July 2018, and what this means for tourism to the region.
Zab previously worked with us to set up and guide our Ancient Ethiopia small group tours, which we operated in 2015 and 2016 to coincide with the Ethiopian Orthodox celebrations of Meskel, Palm Sunday and Timket. Since then, Zab has worked with us to prepare private escorted tours for a number of our clients. If you'd like to discuss a private itinerary to Ethiopia, to be led and guided by Zablon Beyene, please get in touch with our staff on 01822 600 600, or info@ganeandmarshall.com.
Gane and Marshall feature in the Daily Telegraph
Read about our South Africa conservation safaris in the Jan 4th issue of the Telegraph.
Travel journalist Sarah Baxter has produced a list of '25 life-changing adventures for 2019', focusing on holidays with a conservation angle or in which the traveller learns something new. We were delighted to see our Gondwana Conservation Experience feature prominently in the list!
Gane and Marshall feature in the Metro's rail holiday round-up
You can read about our Stimela Star Zimbabwe rail itinerary in the most recent issue of the Metro newspaper, or online at the Metro.co.uk, in a feature on rail holidays written by travel journalist Patrick Welch.
Launched in early 2018, the Stimela Star is a unique overnight rail route linking Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's most iconic big game park. See our Stimela Star overnight journey for more detail.
Our Kilimanjaro North Face route features amongst the Daily Telegraph's 50 best safari holidays
The Telegraph recently published their list of 50 incredible safari holidays in an article by travel writer Brian Jackman, and we were delighted to see our unique Kilimanjaro North Face route included within the high adventure section!
Operated exclusively by Gane and Marshall, the North Face is a unique approach to the summit that sees you ascend via the mountain's remote northern flank before crossing through Kibo Crater to reach the summit at Uhuru Point. Learn more on our Kilimanjaro pages.
Headeast - Vietnam to Cambodia Extreme Cycle Challenge
Gane and Marshall are the organisers of the upcoming headeast extreme cycle challenge.
In December 2016, Y.CO Co-Founders Gary Wright and Charlie Birkett will take on the headeast challenge with Rugby World Cup Winner Lewis Moody MBE, explorer Alan Chambers MBE and 3 other rugby stars. The event will see the team embark on an extreme 1,000km cycle challenge over 10 days, travelling from Saigon in southern Vietnam to Angkor Wat in northern Cambodia, cycling up to 130km per day. The route takes in steep mountain climbs of up to 1,500 metres above sea level, dense jungles and remote temples, in humid conditions and temperatures of 30-35ºC.
The headeast event follows our 2015 headnorth Polar Expedition in which Y.CO staff raised over €250,000 for charity. This time, the team aims to raise over £75,000 for The Lewis Moody Foundation, which helps fund the HeadSmart campaign to raise awareness of the symptoms of brain tumours, ensuring children are diagnosed quickly and receive lifesaving treatment before it’s too late.
Visit the headeast website to learn more.
Writer and broadcaster Mark Stratton writes in the Guardian about his journey into the Rwenzoris with G&M
We were recently delighted to host Mark Stratton on his journey into the Rwenzoris, which saw him summit Africa's third highest peak, Mt Stanley.
You can read Mark's account of his climb in a lengthy article in the Guardian. His words and pictures capture the beauty of this remote and pristine mountain range, which still sees so few visitors to this day.
To learn more about the Rwenzoris, or to start planning your own Rwenzori climbing holiday, visit the Rwenzori Mountains section of our website.
Tigers on the rise! Tiger populations recovering.
For the first time in a century, tigers are on the increase! This is the wonderful news to be taken from the latest WWF survey, which suggests that the number of wild tigers has grown from an estimated 3,200 in 2010 to 3,890 today.
You can read more on the survey at the WWF website: https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/for-the-first-time-in-100-years-tiger-numbers-are-growing
With the recent news that Cambodia is looking to reintroduce tigers to the forests of Mondulkiri in the coming years, the outlook for wild tigers is beginning to look more positive after years of negative news.
The efforts of conservationists have been crucial to seeing tiger number rebound, but tourism, too, has played an important role in helping to preserve the natural habitats that tigers depend on, particularly in India.
Our Botswana mobile safaris feature in the Sunday Times
We were thrilled to see our Complete Botswana Mobile Safari named by The Sunday Times as one of the ‘Best Holidays for 2017’ in their special edition out today.
You can read the feature in today's Sunday Times or at their website (behind the paywall). You'll find our Complete Botswana itinerary under the "Wild" section.
Read about our Zambia Photographic Safari in the Independent
We were thrilled to see our Zambia Photographic Safari feature in today's Independent. You can read the article by travel journalist Laura Holt in print or online at the Independent website.
Our Zambia Photographic Safari departs this November and is led by experienced wildlife photographer David Rogers. The itinerary will see guests explore the South Luangwa at what is one of the best times of year for photography. View the itinerary here or get in touch with our team for the full details.
Read about our Namibia wild walking itineraries in the BBC's Sky at Night Magazine
The BBC's Sky at Night Magazine recently produced a handy guide for star watching in the Southern Hemisphere, which included a lovely mention of the walking programmes that we offer in the NamibRand Nature Reserve, Namibia. You can read the full article by journalist Jamie Carter in print and online.
The NamibRand Nature Reserve is one of the only International Dark Sky Parks to be given three gold stars (the highest possible rating). With wild camping a possibility - the reserve is safe enough to allow for sleeping outside under the stars provided you are accompanied by a guide - it's a wonderful destination for budding stargazers! The reserve also has much to interest wildlife enthusiasts and keen walkers. See our NamibRand Reserve 2-night trekking itinerary, or contact our team for more detail.
Read about our India mobile camping safaris in the Guardian's holiday guide for 2016
We were delighted to see our new Satpura Under Canvas itinerary feature among a diverse range of holidays in the Guardian's 2016 holiday guide - a roundup of what the Guardian's travel writers consider to be amongst the most exciting new holidays for this coming year.
You can read the full list in print and online at the Guardian website.
Our Satpura Under Canvas itinerary allows you to explore one of India's less-visited tiger parks, Satpura, on foot as part of an overnight mobile camping safari - one of the first such opportunities in an Indian national park. The itinerary will also allow time for 4x4 game viewing from a comfortable lodge in Satpura, and can be extended to include time at one of the classic tiger parks, such as Ranthambore. For more details, visit the itinerary page, or get in touch with our team.
Read about our Arctic expeditions in the Telegraph
Our Into the Arctic with Alan Chambers and North Pole expeditions featured in this weekend's Telegraph in a fantastic article written by Paul Bloomfield, who travelled with us in March.
You can read Paul's account of his trip with Gane and Marshall on the Telegraph website.
Discovering Ethiopia - Read Katie Laws' feature in the Evening Standard
We were delighted to host Katie Law, travel journalist and deputy literary editor at the Evening Standard, on a tour of northern Ethiopia. Katie's itinerary covered much of Ethiopia's famous 'historic route', including Lalibela, Gondar, and Tigray, as well as the Simien Mountains. She travelled with expert guide, Zablon Beyene. You can read her fabulous account of her journey on the Evening Standard website: Tracing the Queen of Sheba's footsteps in Ethiopia.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Study with King's College London
Researchers at King's College London are looking for healthy donors aged 18-40 or 55+ that are travelling abroad and require the yellow fever vaccine, and who are willing to donate 4 blood samples over a period of one month prior to travel. This is a chance to help with important research into how the immune response changes with age, while also receiving your yellow fever vaccination free of charge (normally £85).
From the researchers:
We know that the immune response to vaccines is diminished as we get older. We are investigating the B cell response to yellow fever vaccination with age and require both older and younger volunteers for comparison. We would like healthy volunteers between the ages of 18 and 40 or those over 55 that are travelling abroad and require the yellow fever vaccine who are willing to give a small amount of blood and receive the vaccine. Three further blood samples would be required, one 7 days later, one 14 days later and one 28 days later. The vaccine is being administered free of charge to those that are participating in the study.
For further details about the study and to volunteer please contact Dr. Joselli Silva O’Hare, Department of Immunobiology, King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE19RT, email: joselli.santos_silva@kcl.ac.uk or deborah.dunn-walters@kcl.ac.uk. You can also find out more about our research at http://www.bcell.org.uk/volunteer-s-page.html
Jeremy Gane features as the Sunday Times' Insider, discussing Kilimanjaro
Our very own Jeremy Gane was interviewed by journalist Chris Haslam for the Sunday Times' Travel Insider feature, focusing on his knowledge of Kilimanjaro.
You can read the feature on the Sunday Times website, which includes Jeremy's tips on how best to climb Kilimanjaro, route choices, and where to stay before and after your climb.
Headnorth North Pole expedition reaches North Pole successfully.
Gane and Marshall is the appointed tour operator for the Headnorth North Pole expedition, whichtook place this April.
Headnorth is the concept of Y.CO, a yacht charter specialist company and the sponsor for this polar challenge. Our polar guide Alan Chambers MBE led three rugby celebrities, three Royal Marines and three team members from Y.CO, who all skied the last degree to the North Pole – the top of the world! Congratulations to the nine adventurers.
The North Pole challenge is an exceedingly tough expedition, which takes place in one of the harshest climatic zones on our planet.
You can read about the successful expedition on the Headnorth website.
To learn more about Gane and Marshall's North Pole and other Arctic expeditions, including our unique Into the Arctic with Alan Chambers North Pole taster trips, click here.
New holidays to Australia and New Zealand
We're very pleased to announce the launch of a new series of Australian self-drive adventures and guided tours.
Visit our newly-launched Australia pages for journeys covering the key regions of New South Wales, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
Our tours of Australia include self-drive itineraries, guided tours and a combination of the two, taking in the key highlights and hidden gems of the country, including Oz’s cosmopolitan cities, stunning beaches, amazing wildlife experiences and diverse landscapes.
To complement our new Australia holidays, we've also prepared a range of exciting itineraries to New Zealand, combining the country's fascinating culture, heritage and scenery!
We will soon be updating our menus to include the newly launched Australia and New Zealand pages.
BBC documentary of expedition organised by G&M now available on iPlayer and youtube
Gane and Marshall are the official travel organisers of the Extreme Classroom series of events, in which special needs students embark on life-changing expeditions.
The latest in the Extreme Classroom series was an expedition to Everest Base Camp, Nepal, in October 2013. Eight special needs students completed the trek to Everest Base Camp, accompanied by an extensive support team, including a BBC film crew. A documentary of the event, "The Highest Classroom on Earth", is now available on IPlayer.
The Highest Classroom on Earth documentary (youtube : iplayer)
Previous Extreme Classroom expeditions organised by Gane and Marshall were also filmed by the BBC and are available to view on youtube and on iplayer:
The Coldest Classroom on Earth documentary (youtube : iplayer)
The Hottest Classroom on Earth documentary (youtube : iplayer)
To learn more about our school programmes, click here.
The Rock Churches of Tigray
Recently returned after visiting the famous Historic Route in Ethiopia, Jeremy Gane saw for the first time some of the wonderful Rock Churches of Tigray. Carved between the 4th and 11th centuries AD, these churches (over 150 exist in Tigray!) are found in caves, on mountain tops, and carved as semi-monoliths into the rocks of the plateau and escarpment. Each church shows the profound devotion of the early Ethiopian church goers. Today that religious devotion is equally apparent and this year we were lucky to witness the end of Lent and Easter being celebrated.
Gane and Marshall will be organising a walking and camping expedition to Tigray soon. We shall also be organising several fully-guided tours covering the entire Historic Route in Ethiopia, including visits to several of the most scenic Tigray churches.
Contact Gane and Marshall if you are interested to join one of these tours.
You can also take a look at the album of photos from Jeremy's Tigray visit on our Facebook pages.
Witness the annual bat migration in Zambia
Africa’s greatest mammal migration is perhaps not what you think! It’s actually the bat migration which takes place in Zambia’s Kasanka National Park every year and involves over 8 million bats. These straw-coloured fruit bats return to roost from October - December to consume the seasonal fruit, yet very few people ever witness this spectacle.
Combine this incredible bat migration in Kasanka National Park with a week’s safari in the Luangwa Valley. The dry season is captivating as large herds of elephants and buffalo gather before the rains. For more information, including prices and dates, contact us today.
New altitude acclimatisation safaris to precede 6-day Kilimanjaro climbs
In order to maximise your safety and summit success chances, Gane and Marshall will now only offer the 6-day Rongai climb if it follows an acclimatisation safari or trek.
We offer the wonderful four days Mount Meru Climb and also our unique Short Altitude Acclimatisation Safari to the Ngorongoro Crater Highlands. Meru takes you to 4565ms, or nearly 15,000ft, while the Crater Highlands Safari will take you friends to over 3200ms (over 10,000ft), after a visit to world famous Ngorongoro Crater. Take the additional Crater Highlands option to trek up nearby Ol Deani, and then reach 3216ms/10548ft. or Loolmolassin and reach 3658ms!
Book this great value safari to take place before you climb Kilimanjaro so that you arrive on the mountain already acclimatised up to 3200ms./10496ft. Or go for our Meru-Kilimanjaro Combo taking you up Africa's fourth and Africa's highest mountains!
Statement regarding the Nairobi hostage incident
At Gane and Marshall we were shocked and saddened to hear news of the recent hostage incident in Nairobi. Our sympathy goes to all affected by the event.
We would like to reassure our passengers travelling to or via Kenya that the country as a whole remains safe, and that this was an isolated attack. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) has amended its travel advice to include mention of the hostage incident but is not advising against travel to Kenya.
Our full statement regarding the situation can be read here.
Is Zanzibar safe? BBC interview with Jeremy Gane
The team at Gane and Marshall were shocked to hear the recent news of an acid attack on two young British girls working in Zanzibar. Tanzania and Zanzibar are, on the whole, remarkably peaceful destinations, with attacks on tourists very rare, and attacks of the kind described unheard of.
Following news of the attacks, Jeremy Gane was invited to interview on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio West Midlands. Here he discusses Zanzibar’s history, it’s Swahili culture, and the impact of tourism more generally. The interviews can be heard on iPlayer via the following links:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b037v2v4 (interview at 6:18 mins)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01d449g (interview at 51:45 mins)
IPADIO communications from the Poles to the Roof of the World
Dr Mark Smith CEO of IPADIO is to sponsor completely free of charge the streaming of film and blog content live from the Highest Classroom Everest Base Camp Expedition back to a variety of platforms in the UK such as the schools’ websites and Facebook pages. We shall also be able to record location, temperature, wind speed etc. and have those plotted on a Google Earth map. Students, parents and teachers back in the UK will be able to watch the progress of the expedition and see live postings and recorded postings from the expedition participants. Email alerts will automatically go out to subscribers announcing new postings. Mark told Jeremy Gane at their meeting in London that IPADIO is very keen to support projects such as the Extreme Classroom expeditions, which he believes are not only very exciting but also doing a very important job in helping youngsters who have had some major challenges to overcome.
Gane and Marshall are the official travel organisers for the Extreme Classroom Project. We have already organised expeditions to The Arctic Circle, to the African Rift Valley and in October 2013 a large group comprising special needs students, mentors and teachers will travel to Everest Base Camp. The expeditions are filmed by the BBC.
Discovery of old photos of Kilimanjaro, Arusha and the Maasai from the 1940s
We have been given an album of 1940s sepia photographs taken by the production team on the shoot of the 1946 film "Men of Two Worlds" - a film that had problems enough during production, and which today gives an arguably patronising and colonial viewpoint of East Africa, but one representative of the age in which it was filmed.
Many of the photos we have received - including interesting shots of Kilimanjaro, Arusha, Nairobi and wildlife - provide a fascinating glimpse of the era. You can view them on our blog and on our facebook pages.
Richard Parker, Mt Meru and Kilimanjaro client of Gane and Marshall, receives our thanks for his kindness and foresight in giving us this exciting portfolio of 1940s East Africa.
BBC TV covers celebrity chef joining the Hottest Classroom
In July this year, Antony Worrall-Thompson came to Tanzania specially to endorse the Extreme Classroom project and to cook a superb banquet to mark the end of the challenge!
Antony joined the group of 35 adventurers as they completed a very tough trek across remote and beautiful Maasai country in northern Tanzania.
All at Gane and Marshall were inspired by the way the students had worked with their teachers and mentors to overcome incredibly difficult and challenging childhoods. "It was very moving and instructive to see these students adapting to the near desert conditons of the Rift Valley floor, climbing mountains, meeting the Maasai tribe, playing the most memorable game of football at Gelai village, and then marvelling at the wildlife of Ngorongoro Crater. This was my highlight of 2012" says Jeremy Gane, director of Gane and Marshall and tour operation project manager for Hottest Classroom.
You can watch a documentary of the expedition on YouTube.
If you want to visit this marvellous part of Tanzania, and not on the normal tourist trails, then please get in touch with our team.
Tanzania, the Hottest Classroom - Report from the Rift Valley on day 1
Jeremy Gane is currently in Tanzania, arriving ahead of the Hottest Classroom team. He has filed this report from his first day, during which he has been inspecting the route the group will take:
"Today we checked out the campsite at Longido, where the group will camp on Thursday, then continued through the bush and woodland of Mt Longido, our Maasai guide cutting a new trail as we walked, to reach a ridge and the most magnificent viewpoint. The scene before us was incredible… across the vast Rift Valley floor to the Nmanga border with Kenya, and our campsite over 3000ft below us! Cloud obscured our views of Kilimanjaro and Mt Meru but we were climbing at the wrong time of day to get a clear image. This evening, at our camp at Kitumbeine, I can see majestic Mt Meru rising to 15,000 feet in the distance - spectacular!
The climate has been a mixture of hot sunshine and occasional cloud cover, which has provided some relief. Here in the Rift Valley they are already experiencing some drought. We have seen lots of wildlife but it’s the wonderful scenery of this authentic, unspoiled Africa that will stay my mind long after today."
Marvellous Madagascar - explore our new itineraries
Gane and Marshall consultant Sarah Williams recently returned from a lengthy sojourn in Madagascar! She writes about her stay:
"I recently enjoyed a fascinating trip to Madagascar and what a unique destination it proved to be! With a delightful choice of local accommodation, spectacular scenery, characterful wildlife, a welcoming people and delicious cuisine, I was delighted with what I saw. If you are considering Madagascar for your next holiday then please do get in touch to discuss the wide variety of possibilities which are available to you. You can also view our new range of Madagascar itineraries, which start from £2,095 including flights! Madagascar really surprised me so why not let this island surprise you, too?"
To discuss a holiday to Madagascar, get in touch via our contact page, or contact Sarah directly on sarah[at]ganeandmarshall.com; 01822 600126.
Kyambura Gorge, Uganda - Report from J. Gane
Kyambura Gorge Lodge makes Conde Nast Traveller's Hot List!
Jeremy recently stayed at this fantastic lodge located just north of Queen Elizabeth National Park. It has six solar-powered chalets, set on stilts overlooking the savanna and the volcanic crater lakes of Queen Elizabeth National Park, while the silhouette of the Rwenzori Mountains rise in the distance. The lodge is an ideal stopping point between the Rwenzoris and Bwindi Forest.
The main activity is trekking Kyambura Gorge in search of a troop of wild chimpanzees, but you are also likely to see hippos, waterbuck and lesser primates, including baboons and red-tailed monkeys, in the core areas of the national park. Birding is excellent.
Book at least two treks to increase your chances of sighting chimps, as sightings are not guaranteed at Kyambura, where the chimps are wild. Game-viewing cruises on the Kazinga Channel are also available.
Speak to Jeremy on 01822 600600 for a first hand report.
Mount Stanley summit reached
Jeremy Gane (Gane and Marshall) and Mike Gane (Charity Challenge) reached the summit of Mt Stanley last week.
This was an adventurous climb of Mt. Stanley in the Rwenzori Mountains of Uganda - fabulous, tough, and scary. Have a look at the photo album on our Facebook pages and let us know if you would like Gane and Marshall to organise your Rwenzori trek - great for botanists and those wanting to see simply the wonderful landscapes of the Rwenzori, without the need for a technical climb. Or we can organise your Mount Stanley Climb (NB partly technical), or Mt Baker or Weismann Peak.
Of course we recommend a drive through Queen Elizabeth National Park and an amazing gorilla safari for afterwards!
Please contact us for more information.
Light Mobile Safaris Tanzania - Excellent Client Reports
Our light mobile safaris in Tanzania win very positive reports from our clients. This exciting way of seeing Africa is eco-friendly, and enables you to see people and places not seen on the average tourist itinerary. We can even (for a small extra charge) set up your own private camp in the Serengeti, Tarangire, or the Crater Highlands!
Read some of our recent client reports:
Dear Jeremy,
We've safely returned from our trip from Tanzania last week.
We know the organization of the trip was very time consuming, but all the effort and time that you put into it has definitely paid off. It was a truly great holiday, well above our expectation. Special thanks to Hassan (our driver) and Antony (our cook). They are not only great at what they are doing but also fantastic people and made the holiday very enjoyable. Driving us around from 6am, serving popcorn and meals on hot plates were surely something special, not to mention the great food and their excellent company! We loved every minute of the entire holiday, and we can't thank you enough to organize it at such a detail. Both the safari itself and the surroundings of Lake Natron was fascinating, it was definitely a good combination!
Thank you once again for everything!
Best wishes,
Livia and Ferenc
12 Sep
Dear Jeremy,
As I said on the telephone we had a fantastic time in Tanzania. We would like to thank you and all in your office for all the trouble you took to make our trip such a success. Every detail had been thought of and covered.
We were also particularly impressed by the service we received from the Tanzania team. The fact that Sam took the time to meet us at the airport, personally to introduce us to our guide and explain exactly the arrangements that he had made for us meant that we immediately felt welcome and relaxed. He gave us the impression that our comfort and enjoyment were the only thing that mattered to him that week. He was also at pains to ensure that our trip was as we wanted it and not just arranged to suit him.
The mobile safari was a wonderful experience for us all and gave us a real flavour of Africa. Although there was a fair amount of driving there was never a dull moment. The travelling was enhanced by our charming guide Hassan. As with Sam, nothing was too much trouble for him. He was knowledgeable and had the great skill of being able to impart that information without appearing patronising or giving the impression that he had answered the same questions hundreds of times before. With the possible exception of our enthusiasm for elephants, he seemed to share our excitement at everything we saw. We are enormously grateful to him.
There was only one trouble with the camping and that was that we were made so comfortable and fed so well and generally cared for and looked after in such a way that inevitably the hotels were a slight disappointment. Anthony, our cook performed miracles – even baking a cake in recognition of our 25th wedding anniversary – how can you do that in the bush? Every night was memorable but not just for the food. The noises in the night are something we will never forget but giraffes wandering slowly past within yards of our breakfast table ranks pretty high as well.
We are so lucky to have had this opportunity to see Africa so close up in the company of such delightful people.
I cannot write without mentioning Zanzibar and Unguja Lodge. Although a very different experience from the safari they complemented each other perfectly. I cannot remember ever staying anywhere before which was so completely relaxing!
I hope that we will be able to come back to you before too long; we will start saving now!
Yours sincerely
Ben
07 Aug
And from last year, click here to see the report of the adventurous Light Mobile family holiday enjoyed by the Black family.
The Tides, Tanzania Coast - new easy flights and free nights
Coastal Aviation launch new daily flight between Arusha and Pangani; so it is now as cheap to fly to Pangani and The Tides as to Zanzibar. The Tides is an exclusive, eco-friendly beach lodge on the best of Pangani's beaches, and one of our favourite beach properties in Tanzania.
CURRENT SPECIAL OFFERS
Stay 7 nights get 1 night Free
Stay 12 nights get 2 nights Free
NB free nights based on Half Board. Offer valid up to 20th December
Gane and Marshall Honeymooners get a very special deal.
Please contact us for more information.
Odzala-Kokoua NP - new and rich wildlife area opens up in the Republic of Congo
You may not have heard of Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Republic of Congo, but this wildlife rich area has just been opened up to tourism.
The Western Lowland Gorilla is considered to be critically endangered, however the numbers that occur in Odzala are found at the highest densities so far recorded for this species. In the area of Ngaga Camp, Western Lowland Gorillas live in groups ranging in size from 10 to 25 individuals.
These Gorillas can be observed in two different ways, either by tracking a number of habituated groups using expert local trackers or by patiently waiting at hides on the edge of forest bais for family groups to forage.
Additional forest wildlife includes: Guereza Colobus, Grey Cheeked Mangabay, Moustached Monkey, Forest Elephant and Buffalo, Bongo, Sitatunga, Black fronted Duiker and many more species.
Fly to Brazzaville by Air France via Paris or Kenya Airways via Nairobi, thus making the destination easily combinable with an East African safari.
Accommodation is in sensitively constructed camps that blend into the forest environment. Lango Camp is nestled on the outskirts of Lango Bai and Ngaga Camp in the heart of a forest. Each camp will have just six guest rooms with a wraparound walkway.
Set departures of six nights / seven day or three night / four day itineraries are offered. Prices start at around £3450 per person based on twin share and includes all flights, accommodation, meals and activities from Brazzaville.
This is an exciting area for wildlife enthusiasts so if you are interested, please contact us for further information – T: 01822 600600 E: sarah@ganeandmarshall.com
Chris Fox comments on his experience of operating an eco-friendly camp in Ruaha, Tanzania
Mwagusi Camp, Ruaha, Tanzania - Responsible Tourism
Chris Fox, veteran safari operator and camp owner, outlines his ideas about ethical tourism in Tanzania, and in particular at his wonderful, remote, Mwagusi Safari Camp in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania.
"In the years before Ruaha was unveiled to the discerning traveller as a richly diverse and unspoiled park, when the sounds of roaring lion and whooping hyena, over dinner, were interspersed with the sounds of automatic gunfire, and when elephants were still being slaughtered in great numbers, and when it was difficult to find a part of the park not spoiled by bushfires, I dreamed of building simple camp with a few loyal staff members and a cluster of only four tents, where our clients were welcomed and hosted as friends, with whom we shared adventures by foot or vehicle, which in those days of few roads was more off road than on..."
Read Chris Fox's full comments here.
Fair Trade Eco Holidays
Gane and Marshall are developing a new range of fair trade eco holidays and we expect to announce the first itineraries within a few months. Each part of these special Africa holiday programmes will be assessed to ensure that ethical tourism policies are developed and adhered to. Why not register your interest on our website and we shall email you the details as soon as they become available. Alternatively please contact Jeremy Gane to start planning your fair trade eco holiday right now.
