Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) - the only major U.S. carrier to operate scheduled services to Africa – has announced it will launch direct flights between Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport* and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, via Dakar, Senegal effective 3 June 2011. The four-times

Speaking about the new service, Bobby Bryan, Delta’s commercial manager for West and East Africa said: “We are excited to pioneer new routes that expand our global reach and add convenience to the lives of our customers. The new direct service will offer many important travel options for business and leisure travellers thanks to the convenience of Delta’s connections via Atlanta and will also serve to increase commercial ties between Kenya and the United States by providing a convenient travel option for the thousands of American tourists wanting to discover the beauty of Kenya each year, helping to boost the country’s growing economy. Furthermore, this service will be the only air service operated from Kenya to the United States and for freight forwarders and cargo shippers, the route will expedite shipments of goods throughout the United States.”

Delta will operate the new flights between Nairobi and Atlanta with Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with up to 217 seats in a two-class configuration featuring 36 seats in BusinessElite, Delta’s award-winning business class service and 181 in economy class. Customers flying on the new flight will have the opportunity to experience Delta’s award-winning BusinessElite service, offering a more personalised, comfortable and entertaining experience with all-leather sleeper seats, in-seat on-demand entertainment, innovative food offerings from celebrity chef Michelle Bernstein and award-winning, original wine selections chosen by Delta’s Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson. See Our 2011 Safari Offers>

...every year staring from the early July to late September, over a million Gnus (wildebeests) and Zebras followed by the big cats cross over the rolling plains of the Masai Mara setting the most spectacular marvel of mother nature that cannot be witnessed in any other part of the world. This undoubtedly becomes

Over the course of the migration, visitors to Kenya will have the opportunity to follow the progress of the herds and experience the full grassland cycle firsthand. In the Maasai Mara, Africa’s largest concentrations of predators are drawn to this perfect opportunity for easy hunting. Lions are frequently seen attacking the herds - especially at night- dragging down straggling individuals.

At the same time, packs of Hyena freely weave throughout the herds, singling out and separating the young and the weak. Predators are not the only obstacles that the wildebeest face. Kenya’s heavy rainfall in the highland Mau escarpment has turns the Mara River into a raging torrent.

As happens each year, the herds will gather at the banks in preparation for the most perilous stretch of their journey. As sheer pressure builds, the herds are finally forced to surge into the river, often hurling themselves off high banks. In the struggle across the Mara River, many are drowned or swept away by strong currents. The crossing attracts massive crocodiles who each year awaits this season of bounty.

By September the herds will begin reaching their goal, and spreading out to graze across the expanse of the Mara. For this beautiful game reserve, it is a time of renewal, as the dung from the visiting herds fertilizes the plains. October will see the herds turn southward and repeat the same journey back to the Serengeti, where the renewed grasslands await.

The Migration is the planet’s last great epic of life and death. Of all the calves born in the Serengeti, two out of three will never return from their first and most demanding migration. It is this inextricable binding of renewal and sustenance, feast and famine, life and death that makes this event one of nature’s greatest wonders.

Kenya’s Maasai Mara reserve has a wide range of accommodation and travel options. There are luxury lodges, exclusive tented camps, campsites and more available. The migration can be experienced on early morning game drives in customized vehicles, walking safaris with Maasai Warrior guides, horseback safaris in areas surrounding the Mara, or even from hot air Balloon safaris over the herds. See Kenya Wildlife Migration Safari Offer >>

Virgin Atlantic has rolled out a Sh30 million advertising campaign to woo UK tourists back to Kenya. The drive, which begins today, will be used as an initiative to get tourists back to Kenya, and focuses on the migration of the wildebeest. Virgin Atlantic president, Sir Richard Branson, gave Kenya a clean bill of health and vowed

Branson made the announcement at Sarova Mara Game Camp at the Maasai Mara on Saturday. Tourism minister, Mr Najib Balala, has said Branson’s tour was a clear indication that Kenya was back on the recovery path. Branson regretted that post-election violence was a major setback to tourism, especially the airline industry.

"The violence was disastrous to the airlines, hotels and to the people of Kenya. Virgin was also affected, but we decided to be faithful to Kenya and not switch to other routes," he said. Branson, however, warned that the airline would pull out of the Kenyan route should violence erupt again. "If politicians mess the country again, we will not stick here. We will move out," he said.

According to Kenya Tourist Board (KTB), tourism earned Sh8 billion between January and April, way below the expected Sh21 billion. KTB Chairman, Mr Jakes Grieves Cook, expressed optimism that the tourist arrivals would improve.

Virgin Atlantic is one of the world’s leading long-haul airlines and flies daily to Nairobi. It flies to 30 destinations worldwide from its headquarters at London Heathrow and London Gatwick. The aviation industry will get a boost as Branson re-launches the Nairobi-London route with the introduction of another aircraft, which will also mark the airline’s first anniversary.

A delighted Kenya Tourist Board Managing Director, Dr Achieng Ong’ong’a, said Branson’s visit was a blessing. "He came at a time we really needed someone of his stature to send a message to the world that Kenya is back to normal," Ong’ong’a said.

On Saturday, Branson opened two dormitories at Sekenani Primary School, a co-ed institution at the Maasai Mara, built by the airline at a cost of Sh8 million. The Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold Card volunteers collectively contributed £30,000 from sponsorship and donations to the project. More On Richard Branson>