Travellers' checks

It's not every day you see an airline advertising an aircraft for sale on the front page of its website, but that's how Sudan Airways is trying to shift a Boeing 707. Being offered 'as is', with 41,455 flying hours on the clock, the aircraft is in use as a cargo plane, but was originally part of the carrier's passenger fleet. Given that the Boeing 707 went into service in 1958 with Pan Am on the New York to Paris run, it is now a museum piece, although this particular model first flew in 1974. Sudan Airways, established in the late 1940s, is trying to privatise and is also looking, through its website, for buyers for the whole airline. You can put in an offer for the plane (the same type flown by John Travolta) at www.sudanair.com, where you might also notice the lettering used for the headings at the top of each page looks familiar. For reasons best known to the site's designers, they have chosen to use the official font of the Walt Disney Corporation.

Walker and Hammond Safaris, known for its bespoke, upmarket African itineraries, is selling an 11-day 'flying safari' package to Kenya. Starting in Nairobi, the Wings Over Kenya safari includes three nights at Sosian Ranch (www.fireps.com/sosianranch) on the Laikipia Plateau and two nights at the Desert Rose lodge (www.desertrosekenya.com) in the Northern Frontier District (an hour's flight over the Karisia Hills connects the two). Last but far from least are three nights at Serian (www.serian.net), a luxury tented camp in the Masai Mara where visitors will be accommodated in tents featuring period furniture and enjoy 'an unforgettable feast of wildlife experiences'. The price also includes full board with drinks, park entrance fees, internal flights and safari guide services throughout. The only thing not included is the international air fare. If you depart on selected days

in August, the package price is US$4,810 a person, rising to US$6,080 during any other month. For a full itinerary and reservations call 2575 7477, or e-mail [email protected]. For more information visit www.alexsafari.com, where you can also plan and request your own tailor-made safari.

While online hotel rates are generally cheaper than walk-in rates, sometimes it can be worth paying the regular published price. Shangri-La hotels, for example, offer a range of extras that could make it more economical to pay the full rate. Included in their Value Rate promotion at city hotels are complimentary buffet breakfast, unlimited laundry and dry cleaning, unlimited broadband internet access, free local and IDD calls, faxes 'at cost', round-trip airport limousine transfers and an extended 6pm check-out time. Shangri-La resorts offer similar benefits, with free non-motorised water sports and a buffet dinner, but no dry cleaning or airport transfers. Book direct at www.shangri-la.com.