Supplier: M08279
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InfoHub supplier since May 2000!
Base of operations: USA -- Number of InfoHub client requests accepted: 898 |
M08279 is a small adventure company specializing in ecologically and culturally appropriate adventure travel to West Africa and South America. We are committed to offering outstanding destinations which result in positive experiences for both travelers and host communities. We currently offer trips to Niger, Togo, Mali, Ghana, Senegal, and Cameroon in West Africa and to Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Guyana, and Venezuela in South America.
We pride ourselves in working closely with our travelers to assure the best possible experience. From a little advice to all-inclusive pre-designed packages, we offer every level of assistance for every sort of travel need. Most of our groups are small, as we believe that this ensures a better quality experience for the traveler and minimizes negative impact on local communities visited while maximizing interaction between local people and travelers.
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Questions and Answers
Sustainable adventure travel to Africa, South America, and Cuba.
1. How long has the business been operating and how did it start?
M8279 began in 1999 when Dudley Parkinson returned had just completed a 2 1/2 year contract with the U.S. Peace Corps in Togo, West Africa. He wanted to continue to facilitate interaction between people in third-world countries and Americans, help disadvantaged communities, and practice his passion - adventurous community-based travel. M8279 began offering one-of-a-kind trips to West Africa and has now expanded to South America, East Africa, and Cuba.
2. What is your company's mission?
Our mission is to offer unique travel experiences to Americans and other Westerners which offer opportunities for positive, educational interaction with local community members and results in tangible rewards for all concerned.
3. What does your company specialize in?
Adventurous custom-designed sustainable travel experiences to Africa, South America, and Cuba.
4. Who is the founder or owner of the company and briefly describe his/her past activities?
Dudley Parkinson developed a love for third-world travel and for working in sustainable development through his work as volunteer, trainer, and staff member for the U.S. Peace Corps. He has a bachelor's degree in Ecology and a Master's in Community Education and Supervision. He has been offering adventure travel experiences through M8279 for 13 years.
5. What is your most popular travel package and why?
We don't really offer package tours, but our two most popular travel experiences are to northern Cameroon and Peru.
6. What is the best compliment you received from a client?
"As with all travels, the traveler returns a changed person, exposed to and influenced by the sights, people and experiences of the trip. I changed as well. Even now tears come to my eyes as I remember the intensity of the beauty of the trip. I am humbled and in awe, hungering for more".
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Vacation Packages offered by supplier M08279
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Name |
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Activity |
Price |
Destination |
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14 Day People of Northern Cameroon
- Contact Supplier
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From remote sub Saharan villages, to nomadic Pygmy people, to fresh seafood on the beach, this trip will be one you'll never forget! Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Cultural Journey
Wildlife Viewing
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USD 2600
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Cameroon
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16 Day Best of Southern Brazil Tour
- Contact Supplier
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Walk on the white-sand beaches, hike the mountain trails, snorkel in the crystal clear waters and marvel at nature's handiwork in Southern Brazil! Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Sightseeing
Wildlife Viewing
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USD 3475
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Brazil
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16 Day Bit of Bolivia
- Contact Supplier
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Enjoy a cultural expedition on the Tibet of the America and admire colonial architecture, vibrant indigenous cultures and remnants of ancient and mysterious civilizations! Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Cultural Journey
Wildlife Viewing
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USD 2675
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Bolivia
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15 Day Amazon Adventure
- Contact Supplier
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This trip is for those who value experience over comfort, as you'll see what is like life on the Amazon and it's tributaries. Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Boating and Sailing
Cultural Journey
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USD 2550
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Ecuador
Peru
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13 Day Guyana Tour
- Contact Supplier
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Get away from the madding crowd and enjoy a 13 days tour in the Guyana tropical rain forest! Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Native Americans
Multi-activity
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USD 3250
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Guyana
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15 Day Eclectic Ecuador Tour
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Experience an eclectic tour on the Pacific beach, the cold thin air of high Andean peaks and the Amazon rain forest! Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Cultural Journey
Wildlife Viewing
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USD 3050
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Ecuador
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6 Day Ecuador: The Middle of Everywhere Tour
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Join this 6 day tour which gives you the opportunity to discover the cultural side of Ecuador. Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Cultural Journey
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USD 1850
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Ecuador
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12 Day Venezuela Reverie Tour
- Contact Supplier
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A 14 day adventure that includes Angel Falls, the world's tallest waterfall, Merida, and Maracaibo. Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Wildlife Viewing
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USD 3200
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Venezuela
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12 Day Classic Rwanda and Uganda Primate Tour
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This 12 day tour traces the western Rift Valley and includes seeing some of the last remaining mountain gorillas! Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Wildlife Viewing
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USD 4778
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Uganda
Rwanda
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11 Day Chile and Argentina Hiking Tour
- Contact Supplier
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This comfy lodge-based exploration of both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia takes in two National Park highlights as well as getting off the beaten path and visiting three authentic working estancias. Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Hiking & Trekking
National Parks
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USD 3325
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Chile
Argentina
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8 Day Sao Tome and Principe: Undiscovered Paradise Tour
- Contact Supplier
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São Tomé combines cultural and natural wonders. On Príncipe, you can easily feel like the first ever explorer to set foot on the island! Virtually undiscovered paradise! Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Marine Biology
Island Vacation
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EUR 3047
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Sao Tome and Principe
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15 Day Mali: Festival of the Desert Tour
- Contact Supplier
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Experience West African culture in Dogon country, Timbuctu, Djenne, and Segou by listening to traditional Malian and modern world music. Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Festival Tours
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USD 3500
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Mali
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The Best of Southern Peru
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A wonderful journey through the very best of southern Peru, across the Andes and down into the Amazon basin. Cusco and Machu Picchu - Inca center of the world; Colca Canyon - land of the condor. Read more >>> |
Tour Package
Cultural Journey
Archeology/History
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USD 2800
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Peru
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Reviews and Comments
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Rating |
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Subject |
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Rodney East |
2001 - Northern Cameroon - custom trip |
2008-07-01 |
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I am highly impressed by Laurent's professionalism and thoroughness in
organising every aspect of my travel in Cameroon so efficiently. He had thought
... view more
of and planned for every aspect of my visit extremely well. I rate Laurent right up
there among the very best tour leaders I have spent time with on trips I have
made to East and southern Africa, and I recommend him highly to any other
prospective visitor to Cameroon.
To be honest, I was slightly concerned myself that when I arrived in
Douala things might not work out quite as planned - as you say, one
never knows in Africa - but Laurent was there to meet me on
schedule and he facilitated all of the arrangements to make my trip
a truly memorable one. I was truly impressed at how he had thought
of everything.
Best regards, Rod |
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Ruth Okubo |
2005/2006 - Northern Cameroon - custom trip |
2008-07-01 |
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Thank you for the calendar and lovely note. We did have a wonderful, wonderful trip to Cameroun with your help! Don't think that I would change too much of
... view more the itinerary, except to encourage people to add on more days, so that it doesn't seem so rushed. As I stated earlier, that was our choice, and we realize after the fact that the expense and less time spent in Europe should have been a secondary consideration. I think that I can speak for everyone and say that we would definitely recommend this trip to our adventurous friends. We found all of the accommodations very good.
Laurent was an excellent guide! He was attentive, on-time and very knowledgeable! Lisa was particularly interested in his animist way of life and how it related to her avocation of dream interpretation. We had some very interesting conversations in the car!!
All in all, we had a truly unforgettable experience seeing the beautiful landscape of Cameroun and meeting the warm, welcoming people of the country.
Thank you again for your help with this trip.
Ruth Okubo
Cameroon, 2005/2006 |
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Don Martin |
2005 - Choquequirao trip - Peru |
2008-07-01 |
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Thank you for the amazing trip trekking in the backcountry of Peru. It was my first time traveling in a developing country and I am grateful for the expertise
... view more and guidance you provided. It was reassuring for a novice traveler like myself to experience and interact with the local people and their culture in a respectful and non-exploitive manner. The country was stunning and the local guide service you connected us with was excellent. I am deeply appreciative of the unique route we trekked and the opportunity to see Inca ruins normally not visited by foreigners. I am looking forward to using your travel service on my next trip to South America. Thanks for the wonderful experience!
Don Martin
Peru - Choquequirao trip
Oct/Nov, 2005 |
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Timothy Hawkins |
2005 - Choquequirao trip - Peru |
2008-07-01 |
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I wanted to say thanks for making it possible for me to go on this trip with you folks. It was fantastic beyond words. A place I've wanted to go for more
... view more years than I can remember and it turned out even better than I could have imagined. It was great traveling with you, renewing our unwavering friendship, As with all travels, the traveler returns a changed person, exposed to and influenced by the sights, people and experiences of the trip. I, too am changed. Even now tears come to my eyes as I remember the intensity of the beauty of the trip. I am humbled and in awe, hungering for more.
Tim Hawkins
Peru - Choquequirao trip
Oct/Nov, 2005 |
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| 5 |
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Phil and Ginnie Schairbaum |
My trip to Mali |
2008-07-01 |
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Hi Dudley.
Got your e-mail and can tell you that our trip to Mali was FANTASTIC! All the arrangements that were made ahead of time worked out well. We were
... view more with our daughter in her village of Kita for four days and had no trouble linking up with your contracted tour leaders in Bamako afterwards. We even managed to get to Siby and back at the end of the arranged tour, thanks to some personal contacts made by our guide.
Our guide and driver were very good, though it took a little time for all of us the "gel." Our time with Moussa and Franco was greatly enhanced by the fact that our daughter now speaks Bambara fluently and could also serve as "an interpreter to our interpreter." All of us had lots of fun with that!
The vehicle also was excellent - a sturdy, modern, roomy, air-conditioned, four-wheeled drive that took us to some pretty remote places, even fording a river where a bridge had been washed out on the way to Sangha! Be assured that we all felt very well taken care of. Everywhere we went in Mali the hospitality was very good.
The Dogon country was spectacular! We can see why people go there in spite of the distance and effort it takes. The lodges/hotels/campements were all very nice, with comfortable rooms and beds and good food. Each of us took a turn at having indigestion, however, something that was not wholly unexpected and which we managed OK.
I guess that's about it. We did get a lot of pictures among the four of us, and Ginnie and I have already presented a couple of programs. It was a trip that we will remember for a lifetime! Thanks for your part in paving the way and helping to make it happen. We certainly would recommend your services to others.
Gratefully,
Phil and Ginnie Schairbaum |
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Catherin Sanders |
2007 - Gabon |
2008-07-01 |
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I had a great time and everything went extremely well.
Gaston was very friendly and helpful. I was given vouchers, plane and train tickets and a train
... view more timetable with all my trips highlighted; the latter proving to be very useful.
Everywhere I was supposed to be met I was met and people were generally very friendly and helpful. The accommodation and food were very good in all locations and, considering I was the only guest in most places I stayed, the hospitality was extraordinary.
I was taken out every day with, normally, two guides and activities were very much my choice, even in Loango, where I had 3 days but only one a half days of activities booked, I went out every day without additional cost; including a trip to the Akaka camp which is a day trip and definitely worth it.
I saw a lot of elephants and variety primates including a large troup(?) of gorillas at Langouie Bai and a lone gorilla in the forest at Mikongo.
Although Lekedi was a long way to go (very few people I met along the way had heard of it) and the game park itself is a little odd; most of the animals are south african, it was worth the effort to see the mandrills and for the train journey back. I did not see mandrills anywhere else and the 11hour daytime train journey traversed some beautiful countryside.
I thoroughly enjoyed my train journeys, and would recommend travel by train. The trains were comfortable, comparable with Australian standards, and I only had one train that was significantly, more than one hour, late.
Now I just have to save for another trip. Many thanks for all your help. Cath (June/July, ’07) |
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Ann Wilberding |
Verified User Review |
2005-01-07 |
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Dreamweavers was prompt and extremely helpful Both 10's. Their Mali guide and driver were 15 out of 10 although the planning was done at the local
... view more officeand didnot respect the amount of driving times or the condition of hotels- a 20 hr drive in a 10 hr span doesn't work in reality. Some hotels had not been open for some years. Niger in the south does not warrent 6 days and 4 was more than adequate. The guide/driver was an excellent driver but NO guide- surley and with issues. The cook was wholey unnecessary though a sweet man. WHY? Dreamweavers are as much at the mercy of the local venders as we were. |
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