Timbuktu Travel

We've been featured in a fascinating Galveston News article about fall travel trends. It looks like we're not the only ones who think autumn is the perfect time to explore. The article highlights a surge in off-peak travel, with both budget-conscious folks and luxury seekers jumping on board. Key Takeaways: Japan remains the premier fall destination with stunning autumn landscapes and an increase in both budget and luxury travel. Southern Europe is a hot spot for luxury travelers drawn to its blend of pleasant weather and exclusive experiences. African Safaris are witnessing a surge, especially in Kenya and Tanzania, where the Great Migration and off-peak rates create a magical safari season. As African travel enthusiasts, we're thrilled to see more people discovering the magic of an autumn safari. There's something special about witnessing the Great Migration wrapping up in September. Read more here: https://shorturl.at/2Xati, or visit our website to explore some incredible fall trip ideas.

Meet Kevin Zimmermann, Timbuktu’s Travel Specialist for Africa. Kevin's passion for Africa began at 13 during a trip to Tanzania. He was once nicknamed Mganga (summoner) by Maasai guides because animals seemed so drawn to him. When he is not swimming with Orcas or trekking cats, Kevin spends his time creating unforgettable trips for our guests. Which destinations and trips are currently top of your wish list? Brazil to see jaguars in the Pantanal Canal is high on my list. I'm also eager to swim with humpbacks in Tonga, which would be an amazing experience similar to my encounter with whales in Norway. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for Virunga National Park is another dream destination. What is your favourite property of all time? Okavango Origins is my top choice. It's a camp I recently opened in the Central Okavango Delta, and I'm thrilled to spend more time there this year. It's a special place that allows guests to experience the unique ecosystem of the Delta. What do you like to do outside of work? I'm passionate about wildlife photography, both on land and in water. I’m currently in El Sargento, Mexico, so I'm doing more underwater photography at the moment. One of my most epic experiences was swimming with humpbacks, orcas, and fin whales in Norway during the herring migration. What is your top travel hack? Other than using Timbuktu Travel to help plan your trip? Pack light. Many smaller planes have strict luggage restrictions. Use packing cubes - you'll be amazed at how much clothing you can fit into one small bag. This is especially useful for safari trips where small planes are common.

Meet Jenna, Timbuktu's Travel Specialist for Africa. From Budapest to Botswana, Chicago to Tanzania, Jenna's wanderlust knows no bounds. With 8 years in the travel industry she's a master at crafting once-in-a-lifetime safaris. Jenna's ready to pour you a virtual glass of wine and plan your dream African adventure. Which destinations or trips are currently top of your wish list? Argentina, one of my favourite parts about traveling is mixing different elements. I'd love to start a trip with cultural experiences, eating my way through a city and learning its history, then suddenly find myself hiking through the mountains of Patagonia. Ending up in wine country with a nice Malbec would be a dream! What's a good trip to either book or take right now? I think Zambia is always a great choice, especially in the shoulder season. With fewer vehicles and lower rates, you can enjoy luxury camps with excellent guides. The guiding in Zambia is seriously top-notch. Ending in Lower Zambezi is a must for me - there's something magical about sundowners with elephants by the Zambezi River, against stunning mountains and sunsets. It always gives me those 'pinch me' moments! What's your favourite property of all time? La Residence in Franschhoek. I went there on my honeymoon, so it holds a special memory but it's also one of the most stunning, perfectly run properties I've ever stayed at. What's your top travel hack? Always, always pack essentials in your carry-on in case bags get lost or anything happens. It's good to have everything right there for quick access when you land. Secondly, pack dryer sheets if you know you can't do laundry they'll keep your clothes smelling fresh. Oh, and don't forget to bring a mini wrinkle spray!

We're thrilled to announce a new partnership in our positive impact initiative! We have partnered up with the Amy Foundation Trust (formerly Amy Biehl Foundation Trust) as part of our commitment to responsible tourism. The Amy Foundation runs various programmes which empower young people between the ages of 5 and 35 from under-resourced communities in the greater Cape Town area. They welcome around 1,300 children to their after-school centres, where they are encouraged to engage in different stimulating activities. Their Youth Skills Development programme offers integral training in a variety of vocations. The ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of young people who are well-rounded and ready to forge a future for themselves. Last week, members of our team visited the head office of the Amy Foundation in Cape Town. We were shown the facilities and spent the day witnessing the amazing work the Foundation is doing. It was truly inspiring to see the dedication of the staff and the positive impact they're making on young lives. We are thrilled to have the Amy Foundation as an impact partner. This collaboration means our guests can be part of making a real difference in the communities we visit. By supporting local initiatives like this, we aim to ensure that tourism has a positive and lasting impact on the destinations we love. Visit our website to find out more about our positive impact partners across Africa and how you can be a part of this meaningful journey with us.

Meet Joanna Rigby-Jones, Timbuktu’s Travel Specialist for Africa. On her first trip to Africa, Joanna spent several weeks hiking across Northern Tanzania, with no running water or electricity in sight. Thankfully, it didn’t put her off and instead, she retrained as an Africa Travel Specialist and started planning her next visit. What has been your most memorable travel experience? Gorilla trekking in Uganda! But since I've already said that above, I would say horseback riding in Kenya. I loved being able to get so close to zebra and giraffe on horseback. What is a good trip to either BOOK right now or TAKE right now? It's a great time to book a trip to Uganda! It's a magical country and has so much to offer. Gorilla permits can get booked up well in advance, so now is the time to plan for 2025. Uganda can be a great standalone destination, or visitors can simply add a short visit to Bwindi with a safari elsewhere in Africa. What is your favourite property of all time? I love Beho Beho in Nyerere! What do you like to do outside of work? Surf, read, crochet, etc. I love being outdoors and exploring the Maine woods! I love baking and cooking and am a lifelong sourdough enthusiast. I enjoy tending to our chickens and pottering around in the garden. What is your top travel hack? I really hate creepy crawlies, so I pull my socks over the opening of my sneakers before bed when I'm on safari. It's close to impossible for anything to sneak into the tents, but it gives me peace of mind knowing I won't have any surprises when I pop my shoes on in the morning! If that's too creepy, I'd say I also always put air tags in my luggage in case they get lost along the way.

Meet Tessa Dancer, Timbuktu’s Travel Specialist for Africa. After studying for a degree in drama, psychology and classical civilisation, a spell in interior design and many years living in South Africa, Tessa finally realised that her true love has always been travel – and we’re delighted to have her on board on Timbuktu. Which destinations and/or trips is currently top of your wish list? Japan has been on my list of places I would love to visit for so long. The unique variety of ancient and modern architecture, art, traditions and so much more fascinates me. I love Asian cuisine and to explore Japan would be a dream come true. What has been your most memorable travel experience? So many! Gorilla trekking in both Uganda and Rwanda. Hot air balloon safari over the Masai Mara. Climbing the Great Wall of China. Devil's pool experience at Vic Falls and a yoga retreat in India. What do you like to do outside of work? Travel, yoga, cycling, walking, theatre, cinema, seeing friends and family. What is your favourite property/lodge/resort of all time? Namiri Plains in the Serengeti. Oliver's in Tarangire, Chisa Busanga Camp in Kafue/Busanga Plains, Marataba Mountain Lodge in South Africa, Denis Island in Seychelles, Sanctuary Ol Lentille in Kenya and Kilindi in Zanzibar.

A Heartfelt Thank You from Timbuktu Travel! We're thrilled to share the incredible impact your support has made. Thanks to your choice to travel with us, we raised $29,250 in 2023, fuelling transformative change. Supporting Education: With your help, CAMFED - Campaign for Female Education reached 2.47 million girls across 176 rural districts, providing them with comprehensive social and financial support to attend and succeed in school. Your contribution has been a crucial part of this remarkable achievement. Advancing Conservation: Our partnership with iLearnabout has also been a huge success. Through your support, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya received 6 tablets, projectors, and a laptop. These resources are empowering them to teach about wildlife and conservation in up to 5,000 after-school clubs across Kenya. In Zambia, iLearnabout is in the process of supplying a projector and tablets to 6 esteemed organizations: Conservation Lower Zambezi, Project Luangwa, Wildlife and Conservation Society of Zambia, Chipembele, and BirdWatch Zambia. These tools will enhance their ability to use iLearnabout’s free conservation content in their education and school networks. Your decision to travel with Timbuktu Travel has directly contributed to these amazing accomplishments. We’re deeply grateful for your support and for choosing us. Together, we're making a real difference!

Meet Kristin Jessup, Timbuktu’s Travel Specialist for Africa. Kristin’s first taste of Africa was working in the US Embassy in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, swiftly followed by swimming with whale sharks in Dijbouti and a Kenya safari. She joined the world of travel in 2013 and has been designing trips of a lifetime. Between hiking and tracking down the best tacos in America, she helps design dream trips for our clients. What do you love most about being a travel specialist? Working with guests to get a trip just right and on their return hearing their happiness from life changing experiences. What has been your most memorable travel experience? Hearing lions walk behind my tent in the Savuti in the middle of the night while they were hunting some buffalo near our camp. The next morning, we saw their footprints and then went with our guide to find the lions. What is at the top of your travel bucket list? For Africa, gorilla trekking and sailing down the Nile are both on my bucket list for top adventures. Outside of Africa, I very much want to experience Japan and the Galapagos. Favourite place to travel to and why? Cape Town for the incredible flavour of cultures, cuisine and sites. The Okavango Delta for wildlife and the Damaraland for serenity.

Meet Maria Carolina Fresno, Timbuktu’s Travel Specialist for Latin America and Asia. Starting as a guide for Explora in Torres del Paine, she now crafts unique itineraries across Latin America. Passionate about exploring trails and discovering new cultures, Carola has journeyed through ancient ruins, Ecuadorian beaches, and Easter Island, though Patagonia remains her favorite. Get to know her below and say hello in the comments! What do you love most about being a travel specialist? I studied art and used to paint. Creativity is in my blood. So, what I like the most about being a Travel Specialist is how you can truly create unique experiences. And if you add a bit of creativity to each itinerary, they all turn to be special and unique. When I travel, I love when people who know the place suggest unique places or let me know why I should do this or that. So, I love to do this in each trip I create. I try to always think of it as my trip but based on their preferences so it’s always different and unique. A little art piece to enjoy! What has been your most memorable travel experience? This is a hard one as each trip has a special moment that makes that trip unique. But for sure hiking in the Himalayas was a pretty unique experience. Snorkelling with shark whales in Baja in Mexico is something I’ll never forget. Or the first time I saw the Lemaire Channel in Antarctica... felt so small! What is at the top of your travel bucket list? Also a hard one, my bucket list looks like it’s never going to end, but now it is Iceland, Mongolia and Nicaragua.

Exciting Announcement: Colombia Joins Our Destination Portfolio This captivating country boasts a deep, head-spinning culture, staggering scenery and beaches to cure any world-weariness, Colombia was an easy answer to where we should go next. We look forward to create bespoke itineraries for our travellers and creating even more memorable moments in Colombia. Discover the wonders of Colombia with us, click here: https://lnkd.in/dj_rBmtk to explore.