Save the wildlife, but don’t forget the humans ...

Wildlife and more in African travels

Just a quick note to say thank you for the animal articles by Amanda Jones, Arnie Cooper and April Orcutt in the Aug. 30 Travel section [“Game On”].

I appreciate the constructive focus to help raise awareness of unsupportive human behavior and provide information for those who want to help and how they can do so.

I was about to cancel my subscription to the Los Angeles Times but now will stick around a little longer to see if more proactive-type news articles will be appearing.

Nesit Botica

Redondo Beach

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It is really distressing to see The Times promoting travel to Africa, not only because of the continuing government-sanctioned slaughter of animals for sport hunting but also — and more important — because of the persecution and killing of people whose only “crime” is being born gay/lesbian/transsexual.

Spending tourism dollars in places in Africa that promote bigotry and hatred is inexcusable. Kenya is certainly one of these.

I am disappointed in The Times for promoting travel to these countries.

Steve Bailey

Ventura

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Jones’ top priority is to indulge herself in luxury accommodations: “My room had its own plunge pool, an open-air living area with slipcovered sofas, and a rooftop bed, ideal for stargazing.” In contrast, most tourists are thrilled to stay in tents or rustic cabins to be closer to African wildlife, but not Jones.

Nor would it appear that she had any desire to enjoy the camaraderie of her fellow travelers: “Guests do not have to dine communally, as in many safari camps.” (Sniff) “I didn’t have to sit all day in a Jeep,” and Kensington “had arranged for a private car and driver to take me across the border.”

If this pampered person were truly concerned with contributing to the conservation of African wildlife as well as to the education and well-being of the local people, why didn’t she budget for a more frugal and convivial tour with — gasp!— other tourists, and donate her considerable savings to organizations dedicated to wildlife conservation?

The hypocrisy and smug sense of entitlement ensure that she will remain a solitary traveler.

B. A. Woods

Glendora

Ticket insurance

I’m surprised that Catharine Hamm never mentioned travel insurance [“You Don’t Have to Live in Fear of Change Fees,” Aug. 30]. For as little as $37 a ticket, you can be assured of being able to make changes in your flight plan. Beats a hefty markup between a refundable and nonrefundable ticket price.

For that matter, if someone bought the $351 nonrefundable ticket, they could cancel that three times before they’d reach the refundable price of $1,327 and still have money left over. So how did the refundable ticket seem like a logical economical option?

Judy Silk

Pacific Palisades

Another cost gauge

In the Aug. 2 Travel section, Ed Perkins discussed different indexes of food prices [“A $30.50 Club vs. Picnic Grub”]. Another index of living costs is the U.S. government’s per diem rates. There is one rate for lodging and another for meals and incidental expenses. Per diem rates are available for locations both inside and outside the U.S. (Domestic: www.lat.ms/1Q3REjC. International: www.lat.ms/1NSBM48).

Rates can be found online and allow the reader to compare costs of living in different locations. This is useful information for someone who plans to move to another area or to travel.

Mark Hanning-Lee

Irvine