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Spectacular Serengeti safaris for every budget
For travellers inspired by BBC One’s new nature documentary, Serengeti, wildlife and adventure tour operator Gane and Marshall has highlighted four thrilling safari itineraries, for travellers of varying budgets, to the Serengeti region of northern Tanzania.
Narrated by Star Wars actor, John Boyega, the new six-part TV series focuses on the lives of animals who live in the Serengeti, telling their survival stories in a dramatic way. Episode one, which aired on 4 July, gripped viewers with the story of a heroic young hyena, with further thrilling tales from the Serengeti to come.
The name Serengeti is derived from the Maasai word “serengit”, meaning ‘endless plains’. It’s the perfect name for this magnificent area of almost 6,000 square miles, where both the plains and the herds of game that populate them really can appear limitless. Famous for its annual migration, the Serengeti also offers an excellent safari experience all year round. The big cats – lion, leopard, cheetah – are regular sightings, as are elephant, giraffe, buffalo, plentiful plains game – zebra, eland, impala, waterbuck – and smaller game including baboon, monkey and warthog. Rarer highlights include serval cat, wild dog and black rhino.
The Serengeti has varied zones in which each ecosystem is subtly different. Seronera, in the centre of the park, is famous for its vast savannah grasslands and excellent cheetah sightings, while the Grumeti River in the Western Corridor is the location for dramatic river crossings during the wildebeest migration. Maswa Game Reserve to the south offers a remote part of the park that is rewarding in its game-viewing and in the privacy it affords its guests, while Lobo near the Kenyan border offers a chance to see plentiful game during the dry season.
Tanzania Northern Highlights
Gane and Marshall’s ‘Tanzania Northern Highlights’ itinerary is a comparatively low-cost, seven-day small group safari. Travellers will stay in lodge-based accommodation and visit the world-famous Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara, Tarangire, and Ngorongoro Crater. The time in the Serengeti includes a full-day game drive focused on the Seronera region, which is the heart of the action.
Prices start from £1,685pp, based on two sharing in the ‘Bronze’ category of accommodation. This includes six nights’ lodge accommodation on full-board basis, transportation in a 4×4 vehicle with guaranteed window seat, services of an English-speaking driver & guide, national park entrance fees, all currently applicable Tanzanian taxes and levies. International flights are additional.
Great Migration Fly-in Safari
Newly-introduced, the ‘Great Migration Fly-in Safari’ is an eight-day private safari, designed to get travellers as close to the great migration as possible, from both the Kenyan and Tanzanian sides of the border. It’s intended to be booked July – October to track the migration in the Masai Mara and the northern Serengeti, but can be booked at other times of year as well as the Serengeti camp is mobile, shifting location to track the wildebeest herds. Accommodation is with the luxurious &Beyond brand, including the fabulous Serengeti Under Canvas camp.
The cost of this itinerary is £5,870pp, based on two people sharing accommodation and travelling in peak season (July – October). This includes seven nights’ luxury accommodation, meals on a fully-inclusive basis, game viewing activities, English-speaking safari guides, transfers and regional/domestic flights, all entrance and park fees. International flights are additional.
Tanzania for Two
Gane and Marshall’s ‘Tanzania for Two’ itinerary starts with a fly-in safari to the Tarangire region, where travellers will spend three nights at the fabulous and remote Swala Camp, before journeying to the exclusive Grumeti Reserves in the Western Serengeti for three nights at the stunning Singita Sasakwa. This luxury northern Tanzania safari includes the incredible experience of a Serengeti balloon safari and is ideal for couples and honeymooners.
Prices start from £7,220pp, based on two sharing. This includes six nights’ luxury accommodation on a full-board basis including drinks, game activities, hot-air balloon safari, all transfers, domestic flights. International flights are additional.
Private Serengeti Safari (Mkombe’s House)
Travellers on the exclusive ‘Private Serengeti Safari (Mkombe’s House)’ in the northern Serengeti region will leave relatively busy wildlife watching areas and spend three nights in a private house close to the Mara River. Mkombe’s House is a four-bedroom, self-contained house with private 4×4 safari vehicle and a full complement of staff, including a dedicated guide and an in-house chef, who will prepare sumptuous meals, which can be enjoyed on the terrace with views of the Serengeti. Perfect for families or small groups, this short fly-in safari can be booked as a standalone option or as a component in a longer safari and beach itinerary booked via Gane and Marshall.
There is currently a special offer of ONE FREE NIGHT at Mkombe’s House when travelling outside of the peak migration season (valid November – May with the exception of the Christmas and New Year holidays) on stays of three nights or longer.
Prices start from £3,630 per adult for a group of four or more. Those under the age of 21 stay at a reduced rate of £2,325pp. This includes three (or four, if special offer applicable) nights’ accommodation on a fully-inclusive basis, services of a private guide and vehicle, regional flights, national park fees. International flights are additional.
Sting is bringing his My Songs World Tour to Bedford Park for a sensational outdoor show.
The rock icon will play on Saturday June 24. Tickets go on sale at 9am on Friday November 18 via bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk
Sting’s ‘My Songs’ concerts are an exuberant and dynamic show featuring his most beloved songs, written throughout the 17-time Grammy Award winner’s illustrious career both with The Police and as a solo artist.
Following a sold out six-night residency at the London Palladium, My Songs was hailed “a masterclass” by The Times who said “Sting remains an undeniably skilled performer with a gold-plated back catalogue.”
A musical journey taking in hits like Fields of Gold, Shape of my Heart, Roxanne and Demolition Man, the concert was described as “a rare treat” by The Telegraph and saw Sting praised as “near peerless” by The Guardian with “sublime pop alchemy”. Fans can also expect to hear Englishman In New York, Every Breath You Take, Roxanne, Message In A Bottle and many more.
For more dates and information about Sting’s My Songs World Tour – visit sting.com
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Bedford Park Concerts 2023
Sting joins George Ezra as part of the ‘Bedford Park Concerts’ series of shows next summer. With three UK No.1 albums Wanted On Voyage (2014), Staying At Tamara’s (2018) and Gold Rush Kid (2022) under his belt, George Ezra has toured the world, toured it some more, then met himself coming back the other way. He’s felt the green, green grass under his feet and the blue, blue sky on his back. A traveller, an entertainer, he’s a man in pursuit of happiness, and of sharing that happiness. Other headline artists include Sister Sledge and The Jacksons.
On 5th November, the newly opened Barrio venue will launch its bingo brunch concept, La Isla Bonita 80s Brunch, in Watford. Translating to ‘The beautiful island’, La Isla Bonita Brunch aims to recreate that perfect tropical holiday feeling, with food and cocktails galore, bingo mayhem and 80s music all afternoon-long.
Already a popular party experience at Barrio Shoreditch, the 80s themed musical brunch is scheduled to run every Saturday from 12pm, and will include a two-course brunch, welcome cocktail and a variety of bottomless drinks (prosecco, spiced rum sangria and Sol beer).
Once guests have finished tucking into a menu of delicious burgers, including Queso Libre as a vegetarian option and Saint and Sinner as the vegan burger plus Barrio Churros, the musical bingo commences, brought to life by a captivating host and nostalgic 80s tunes by Barrio’s best DJs. Brunch goers can expect witty bingo calls, group singalongs and impromptu tableside performances. Prizes for winning the brunch also include a very tasty £100 bar tab.
For £35 per person, over-21s can enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless drinks and then eat, bingo and party until 5pm.
Those interested can book the first La Isla Bonita 80s Brunch at Barrio Watford for a special launch price of £25 (valid for 5th and 12th Nov brunch dates).
More about Barrio Watford
On 20th October 2022, Barrio Familia opened its first out-of-London venue in Watford, bringing Latin-inspired cocktails, authentic Mexican eats, a killer happy hour offering, live entertainment and DJs, plus an immersive 80s Bingo Bottomless Brunch.
Following the announcement of the group’s flagship site, and world’s largest tequila bar, in Covent Garden which is set to launch in early November, Barrio Familia has opened Watford’s first Tequila bar this month.
Bringing the spirit of the Latin Quarter into Watford, the new venue will have space for up to 200 guests to enjoy a brand new, freshly crafted cocktail menu, delicious Mexican inspired food creations, including their signature tacos, and famous Latino party vibes.
The outside terrace is also being turned into Barrio’s popular tropical yard, offering the perfect space for another 80 guests to gather with like-minded ‘amigos’ and sip cocktails, enjoy a meal and experience a fiesta like never before.
Barrio Familia was acquired by Nightcap in November 2021 and has since gone from strength to strength. New venues; Barrio Watford and Barrio Covent Garden will add to their growing portfolio of sites in Shoreditch, Soho, Angel, and Brixton. After opening the first Barrio site in 2007, the group’s vision was to have a Barrio in every big party neighborhood in the UK and Watford will play a huge role in that exciting expansion.
Each of the Barrio Bars sites offer a full-colour, full-flavour experience, and of course, plenty of Tequila. The group plans to open seven days a week and be the perfect new spot in Watford for all occasions, from lunches and daytime drinks to brunches and late night partying.
Jim Robertson, Managing Director of Barrio Familia, commented:
“We are incredibly excited to be taking our Latino party outside of London for the first time. This is a fantastic venue and we can’t wait to welcome the residents of Watford into the Barrio familia and bring the party! I believe Barrio will be a fantastic addition to Watford High Street that will suit all types of occasions and bring a feel good bar that welcomes everyone. We have some amazing things planned for Barrio Watford, so watch this space and get ready for the biggest fiesta in town!”
IV Boost – a renowned IV therapy clinic on London’s Wimpole Street – has opened at The Wellness Hub in Berkhamsted. Founded in 2005 by medical director Dr Joshua Berkowitz, IV Boost takes a holistic approach to health and wellness to help boost and restore the body’s natural ability to be well, energised and able to resist ageing.
“We are delighted to welcome Dr Josh and the IV Boost to The Wellness Hub and are excited to be offering our customers these fantastic IV therapies,” says Emma James, MD and owner The Wellness Hub on Lower Kings Street. “IV Boost prides itself on its medical skills and personalised approach which mirrors our commitment to offering bespoke wellbeing solutions. I have no doubt its services will prove popular in complementing and enhancing our existing range of therapies which include physiotherapy, massage, beauty therapy, sports massage, Pilates, personal training and yoga.”
“We have been very impressed by The Wellness Hub and have been made most welcome here,” says Dr Joshua Berkowitz. “IV therapy is increasingly popular as a means to achieving optimum health and we have been looking for a new clinic outside London to meet the growing demand for our services.
“The Wellness Hub is the perfect site for IV Boost and we look forward to meeting its customers. We recognise that IV therapy will be new to many people and clients can rest assured they will have a consultation before any therapy to ensure it suits their exact needs.”
IV Vitamin Therapy
Intravenous (IV) Vitamin Therapy has been practised for many years, often to support conventional medical treatment of a wide range of health conditions. It is the fastest way to deliver nutrients throughout the body because it bypasses the digestive system and is 90-100% absorbed directly into the organs (compared to 20-50% absorption if taken orally).
Vitamin Shots
A vitamin shot is an intramuscular injection that treats various vitamin deficiencies. It is absorbed into your bloodstream via your muscles. Unlike vitamins taken orally, vitamin shots bypass the digestive system and result in a 90-100% absorption rate. Many people feel the effects within hours of the treatment which takes just a few minutes to administer.
Ozone Therapy
Medical grade ozone is a highly active and reactive form of oxygen which is prepared by a highly skilled practitioner just before being administered. Ozone therapy can restore optimum oxygen levels in the body by increasing the red blood cell count and this, in turn, stimulates the release of oxygen into the body’s tissues.
Diagnostic Testing
Diagnostic testing gives a very clear picture of your health and can help pinpoint problems that may be missed through consultation or ‘standard’ blood tests offered by GPs. IV Boost uses a leading London laboratory which offers a very quick turnaround of precise, accurate results.
Aesthetic Treatments
IV Boost can deliver a range of non-surgical treatments to enhance the appearance and treat the visible signs of ageing. These rejuvenating treatments use the latest evidence-based products and cutting-edge technology to deliver safe, effective and long-lasting effects. Performed to the highest standard, each treatment plan is tailored to address individual concerns to optimise results.
About IV Boost
IV Boost is located in The Wellness Hub, 26 Lower kings road, Berkhamsted, Herts, HP4 2AE
