Dear traveler,

As our busy spring season is slowly ending and most of our groups have safely returned from their enriching travel experiences, we are so excited to begin our “slower” season of the summer. Three of our summer flagship tours are due to depart in July and August: Poland and the Baltic States, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi and Papua New Guinea, otherwise this time helps us prepare for our next busy fall season, which starts in September.

Around Memorial Day, it is essential that we take this time to remember all the heroes who sacrificed their lives in order to allow us to have the freedoms, we most value today. To all those that serve, those that have served in the past, and those that are no longer with us due to their service: we salute you and thank you.

In order not to take much of your time that ought to be spent celebrating with family and friends and loved ones, we shall make this issue rather short and to the point with some of the essential news that we like to partake with you.

If you are seeking a unique travel experience, we are delighted to inform you that several of the delayed programs in 2026 have finally been launched and posted and we added them on the web site

For the intrepid traveler in search of a truly extraordinary and off-the-beaten-path adventure, our tour to four central African nations is the perfect fit: CAR, Republic of Congo, DRC & Gabon (Feb – Mar 04, 2026). Our past tour encountered some last minute changes as we had to “drop” Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to the sudden unrest and violence which erupted in the Easten part of the country but spread and impacted the whole nation however, we can see that things are being worked out now amongst the warring rebels and the central government and we are optimistic next February it will be finally okay to visit it. The other great adjustment we did this upcoming tour is to drop the Gorilla and jungle experience of Loango in Gabon and replaced it with a more adventurous experience going by chartered plane to Dzangha Sanga National park in the CAR to trek for gorillas an also enjoy an “extreme Africa” safari. We also added more in the Republic of Congo (RC) to visit the 2nd largest city on the Atlantic Ocean called Pointe Noire and visit a Chimp reserve as well as learn about the slave trade history.

We have been pioneering tours to the Horn of Africa for more than a decade now, but every year we enhance the program, such as now adding the historic port of Barbera to the visit to Somaliland (the autonomous and stable yet politically unrecognized 'country' which should not be confused with greater Somalia). Plus, we are offering the boat tour to try to encounter the unique site of the migration of Whale Sharks -which usually happens between October and February. The Horn of Africa is a great region where the Arab and African worlds collide. This bold journey touches on the enigmatic and little-visited Djibouti with some of the continent's most dramatic scenery, and Eritrea, recently emerging from decades of isolation and boasting some beautiful ancient sites and an Art-Deco jewel of a capital: Asmara. Join us either on the January tour (Jan 03 – Jan 19, 2026) or October tour (Oct 17 – Nov 02, 2026)

The beauty of our January trip is that it ends in Addis where you attend some of the TIMKET (Epiphany) festivities that are amazingly colorful and unique. The tour also offers a short 1 week extension to visit the Northern Route of Ethiopia to the ancient cities of Lalibela, Gondar and Axum. As well as short extension to Somalia’s capital of Mogadishu which is our very first time offering this destination.

We are pleased to announce that the tour covering Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea Conakry, and Guinea Bissau along the Atlantic Coast of West Africa (Jan 22 – Feb 09, 2026) is so popular that we expect it to be sold out very soon. This unique itinerary has been specially curated to offer a fresh perspective on destinations that have not been widely explored. Additionally, an extension to Senegal and The Gambia (Feb 10 – Feb 16, 2026) is available, concluding the tour in Dakar, Senegal, which provides convenient flight options back to the USA.

The feedback from the January 2025 tour has been very positive and the travelers enjoyed it extremely well under the leadership of David William

Embark on a captivating tour that blends nature, culture, ethnography, history, and wildlife in a mesmerizing potpourri. Witness the mesmerizing sacred dancing masks embodying traditional animism and sail through the enchanting Bi-jagos Archipelago. Immerse yourself in the rich heritage of the Griots as they perform tribal concerts, a tradition passed down through generations since the 12th century. Explore remote forests and mountains, where encounters with outsiders are rare, offering a glimpse into hidden corners of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Traverse rivers aboard barges, walk across liana bridges to reach isolated villages, and interact with the revered "Birdmen" initiates. Gain insight into local customs by meeting traditional chiefs, notables, and elders in council meetings. Venture along a hidden trail to witness diamond diggers at work and travel along the pristine shores and islands of the Guinea Gulf. Led by our amazing tour manager: Michel Behar, this exceptional journey promises unparalleled experiences and unforgettable memories.

Our other transformative journey through the captivating lands of Ghana, Togo, and Benin (Jan 08 – Jan 22, 2026) Explore hidden tribal worlds ruled by traditional chiefs and ancient spirits. Along the voodoo heartland coast, interact with practitioners, witness trance-dances, and delve into the profound impact of voodoo on the local communities. Venture inland to discover lush forests and vast savannahs, encountering the Taneka tribe nestled on rocky mountains and the Somba with their mesmerizing clay adobe castles. Visit an intriguing witches’ village and immerse yourself in the rich legacy of the Ashanti kingdom nestled in the forests of Kumasi. Trace the path of the former Gold Coast, adorned with Africa’s largest European castles, relics of the historic gold and slave trade. This unparalleled journey offers a comprehensive exploration of West Africa’s vibrant array of tribes, kingdoms, festivals, and ceremonies.

Under the guidance of our esteemed scholar Mohamed Halouani, who has led tours through these colorful countries for over a decade, witness ancient rituals and engage with historic sites. Seize this extraordinary opportunity to deeply connect with the distinctive cultures and enduring heritage of West Africa. Embark on this adventure of a lifetime and experience the extraordinary with us.

The one non-African journey we’re especially excited to remind you about is the highly anticipated Indonesia tour with a pre Timor-Leste expedition, set for (Oct 04 – Oct 22, 2026) and (Sep 29 - Oct 03, 2026) for Timor Leste, led by the ever-curious Michel Behar. Winding through emerald jungles, island shorelines, and rarely-visited cultural enclaves, this tour promises to be as captivating as it is uncommon—and one that’s already generating plenty of buzz.

This in-depth journey offers a rare look into Indonesia’s astonishing human and ecological diversity, from the dense Sumatran jungles where endangered orangutans still roam freely, to the highlands of Papua where the Dani people maintain age-old customs in one of the most remote corners of the world. Along the way, travelers will navigate through river culture in Borneo, observe spiritual traditions in far-flung villages, and experience the quieter rhythms of Timor-Leste—where Indigenous lifeways meet Portuguese heritage. A voyage through the otherworldly islands of Raja Ampat reveals one of the most biodiverse marine ecosystems on Earth, where limestone karsts rise from turquoise waters teeming with coral and life. For those wishing to continue the experience, an optional post-tour extension (Oct 22 - Oct 25,2026) to the sovereign state of Brunei offers a glimpse into the traditions and wealth of one of Southeast Asia’s least-visited nations.

We would like to remind you to check the "What's New" tab on our website regularly where you can browse the “Tour List” constituting a chronological summary of all our tours and dates. Also on this page, you will find the “Catalog” tab, introducing you to a brief description of our destinations as well as the “Previous Newsletters” tab, which we have recently added to chronicle our latest newsletters.

Thank you for your interest in our expeditions and we look forward to serving you.

Sincerely,

Ihab Zaki, Managing Director

and Spiekermann Travel Team