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Travel the World with us
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Dear Travelers,
At Spiekermann, we believe that proactive communication is the cornerstone of a responsible company especially when navigating the complexities of international travel. In light of the current regional developments in Iran, certain precautionary airspace restrictions have been implemented for the next few days. While these measures are temporary, they may result in flight delays, rerouting, or cancellations affecting travel to and from the UAE and the region.
We want to reassure you that our team is tracking all of these developments in real-time. The safety, security, and seamless travel experience of our guests remain our absolute priority. We value the trust you place in us and are here to support you every step of the way.
And now, on to our newsletter …
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Springing Forward
As we enter the final stretch of winter and prepare to welcome spring, we feel a renewed warmth in the air — and great joy — as our African journeys draw to a successful close. Our most recent tour to Mali and Burkina Faso is running smoothly. We remain hopeful that the current visa reciprocity standoff between the United States and these two nations will soon be resolved so we may once again offer this adventurous program in 2027.
March and April mark the height of our Middle East season. Assuming the region regains stability in the near future, our tours to Iraq, Eastern Turkey,
Morocco & the Western Sahara, Morocco & the Spanish Enclaves, as well as Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Algeria will be departing soon. All of these programs still have limited space available, and visas are generally straightforward and timely to obtain. If you have not yet finalized your spring plans, we encourage you to explore these opportunities and reserve your place now. Here are a few highlights of these upcoming trips.
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LAST-MINUTE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MOROCCO
The first trip, Morocco and the Western Sahara, will be led by Michel Behar, departing on March 23 and running through April 6 with a possible Mauritania extension afterwards. This “off the beaten tracks” experience is for passionate travelers and Sahara lovers combining adventure with refined cultural interactions.
Crossing the vast desert and traversing the Atlas Mountains towards the Atlantic Coast in comfortable A/C 4x4 vehicles, explore stone citadels and prehistoric rock art sites, visit traditional oases towns and small fishing villages, and meet the hospitable people of the Amazigh (Berber) ethnic group.
Next, a slightly larger group will depart on April 6 for Northern Morocco & the Spanish Enclaves, led by Dr. Mehreen Chida-Razvi. If you haven’t yet experienced Ceuta and Melilla, we highly recommend this journey. Located on the North African coast, Ceuta and Melilla have been successively controlled by Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Byzantines, and Muslim Berber-Arab dynasties before being conquered by Portugal and later Spain. They remain Spanish enclaves to this day and are fascinating for history lovers.
And yes, for the truly passionate, you may combine both trips into a Moroccan moveable feast of culture, history and the beauty of the Sahara!
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North Caucasus trip -- nearly full
May 31 - June 19, 2026
Only two (of twelve) spots remain on our North Caucasus trip, which will depart on May 31 2026 and is being led by Miklos Sarkozy. Be aware however that this is a very off-the-beaten track journey to an area of the world that is amongst the least visited by any foreigners or travelers. Joining this tour will require a high level of flexibility and tolerance and willingness to go with the flow when things change, if the itinerary or hotels used, for example, or sequence of visits should change due to any unforeseen circumstances. Not for the faint of heart.
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Fall Tours
There have been a few exciting updates to our upcoming programs.
Jewels of the Indian Ocean
September 9 – October 2, 2026
Set sail on a thoughtfully curated voyage across the glittering Indian Ocean. This immersive journey takes you to Comoros, Mayotte, Réunion, Mauritius,
the Seychelles, and the Maldives — islands celebrated for volcanic peaks, turquoise lagoons, vibrant markets, and pristine coral reefs.
For the intrepid traveler, an optional extension to Madagascar offers rare biodiversity and dramatic landscapes found nowhere else on earth.
Those seeking a serene cultural finale may choose an optional extension to Zanzibar, famed for its spice plantations, rich Swahili history, and idyllic beaches.
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Afghanistan, Kurdistan and Iraq
Our Fall 2026 Afghanistan tour (September 27-October 13) will be led by Iain Shearer and is a perennial favorite and one of our most popular destinations. Later in October, our Kurdistan (October 9-18) and Iraq (October 17-31) tours - which overlap by one day - will be escorted by our esteemed lecturer, Dr. Barbara Porter, who has generously agreed to join us for her third journey to this extraordinary region. For those passionate about archaeology, Mesopotamia remains an unparalleled treasure trove of ancient cities and relics—still refreshingly untouched by mass tourism and truly emerging as a shining star of the ancient world.
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2027 Expeditions
Rock Art and the Sahara
This fall, we are introducing two remarkable Sahara-focused programs led by our newest scholar, Iman Nagy, an accomplished archaeologist and expert in rock art. One journey explores Southern Libya (November 9-17 2026), and the other Southern Algeria (November 17 – 25 2026). These immersive expeditions are ideal for travelers who are drawn to vast desert landscapes, dramatic geological formations, and meaningful ethnographic encounters with communities such as the Tuaregs and Berbers.
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
November 4 – 17 2026 (Sold Out – waitlist available)
January 2 – 15 2027 Available; led by local guides
October 27 – November 9 2027 Led by Miklos Sarkozy
Our November 2026 tour to Saudi Arabia is now completely sold out, though we are now maintaining a ‘wait list’ in case there are any changes in the future. However, space remains available for our 2027 tours, including a January 2-15 departure. Saudi Arabia continues to rise as one of the most compelling and in-demand destinations in the region. We are also pleased to announce that Miklos Sarkozy will lead our October 2027 tour, which is already half full.
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Bangladesh – A Hidden Gem
November 10–23, 2026
January 19 – February 1, 2027
November 9–27, 2027
We are delighted to repeat our special journey to Bangladesh, one of the world’s least-visited yet most fascinating destinations.
Explore ancient Buddhist archaeological sites, vibrant bazaars, grand mosques, Hindu temples, and medieval ruins. Journey into the Chittagong Hill Tracts, where indigenous communities preserve centuries-old traditions.
Bangladesh offers untouched beaches, serene rivers, rolling green hills, mega shipyards, and richly layered history. Its welcoming people and minimal tourism create extraordinary opportunities for authentic cultural exchanges and remarkable photography.
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Central Africa Expedition
CAR • Republic of Congo • DRC • Gabon
February 10 – 22, 2027
This extraordinary expedition ventures into the heart of Central Africa: the Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon.
Experience lush rainforests, sweeping savannas, waterfalls, and rare cultural encounters. In Gabon and in CAR you will meet indigenous forest communities and explore remote wilderness landscapes. Throughout the journey, expert guides ensure a seamless and deeply enriching experience across this rarely visited region.
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Flagship Summer Tour 2027
Uganda • Rwanda • Burundi
August 14 – August 28, 2027
Our flagship summer journey is an extraordinary adventure through Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi — three remarkable nations rich in culture, dramatic landscapes, and extraordinary wildlife.
The adventure begins in Uganda, nestled on the East African Plateau. In vibrant Kampala, you’ll explore the fascinating history of the Buganda Kingdom before traveling to Kibale National Park, where you’ll encounter chimpanzees in their natural habitat. You will also visit the steamy Sempaya Hot Springs, known locally as the “male” (Mumbugu) and “female” (Nyasimbi) springs.
The highlight of the Ugandan experience is an unforgettable trek into Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, where you will come face-to-face with endangered mountain gorillas in their mist-covered forest home. For those concerned about the hike, a team of strong porters can be hired (approximately $300) to assist you both ways, making this once-in-a-lifetime experience accessible to all.
Crossing into Rwanda — the “Land of a Thousand Hills” — you’ll experience breathtaking scenery and rich biodiversity. In Volcanoes National Park, you will trek to see the rare golden monkey, one of the world’s most endangered primates. In Kigali, a visit to the Kigali Genocide Memorial offers a powerful and moving reflection on the country’s history. You’ll also enjoy a stop at the historic Hôtel des Mille Collines, famously known as “Hotel Rwanda,” which sheltered hundreds during the 1994 genocide.
The final leg of the journey brings us to Burundi, where deeply rooted traditions shape daily life. You will visit the controversial Source of the Nile and marvel at the beautiful Karera Waterfalls. A mesmerizing performance by the legendary Royal Drummers of Burundi provides a rhythmic and cultural finale to this unforgettable East African adventure.
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In Loving Memory
We are saddened to share the passing of Professor Norman Jones, one of our cherished lecturers. Many of you traveled with him and remember his kindness, generosity, and passion for sharing knowledge. He was a gentle soul who deeply enriched our journeys and our community.
Norman's presence will be dearly missed, and his legacy will remain part of our travels always. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Cecile Gilmer, during this difficult time.
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Barry Hoffner -- Belonging to the World
Some of our clients have been writing or publishing books and we love to hear and learn about them. We shall try in the upcoming newsletters to share those achievements and milestones with our readers in case they would like to pick those books up from Amazon or other platforms. This week not only marks the release of Barry Hoffner’s book, Belonging to the World, but also closes a profound chapter of his life, of more than eight years—a meaningful journey around the world born of tragic loss.
Some of you who traveled with Barry may be part of the stories of this book and have been kindred companions of his journey. The success of Belonging to the World holds special meaning for Barry as 100% of the proceeds will go toward scholarships for young women in West Africa.
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Venezuela Update
As we continue monitoring developments that may allow us to relaunch our tours to Venezuela, we are encouraged to see commercial airlines resuming flights to Caracas. We are awaiting clarification regarding the visa process before officially announcing departures. Nearly 60 interested travelers are already on our notification list and will be contacted as soon as plans are finalized.
We also remind you that we are always available to assist with private, customized travel to our select destinations. We have seen growing interest in tailor-made journeys to Egypt, Libya, the Arabian Gulf, Mauritania, and Cyprus as well as many more. Our team will gladly curate an itinerary suited to your interests, schedule, and budget. In today’s increasingly complex travel environment, working with a well-connected, destination-specialized expert ensures a seamless and memorable experience.
Finally, after many years of using a different email format from the rest of our team, I have transitioned to a new address: ihab.zaki@spiekermanntravel.com. Please update your records accordingly.
We look forward to traveling with you soon and continuing to explore the world together.
Warm Regards,
Ihab Zaki, Managing Director
Spiekermann Travel
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Spiekermann Travel LLC
18421 E. Nine Mile Rd.
Eastpointe, MI 48021
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