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African Safari Update #30
| Spring 2009 |
With the current global economic outlook being the way it is, several of our safari partners are offering discounts, extra nights, free flights and extended stay offers for new bookings for the remainder of 2009. Some of these special offers are as good as anything I have seen in more than 18 years in this business, and very unlikely to ever be repeated. Take Zambia, for example. For the rest of this year (through 30 Nov), if you pay for 4 nights you can stay for 6 nights. There is also an offer of an ‘extra night on us' - book for 6 nights and get an extra night free. This is an unbeatable offer which is never likely to come around again. Combination deals are limited, please contact us for details. You can divide this amongst the Kafue National Park, South Luangwa National Park and the Victoria Falls area (Toka Leya or River Club lodge). If you wanted to stay longer, you could precede or extend the Zambia stay with 3 nights at Wilderness Safaris' magnificent Makalolo Plains Camp in the Hwange area of Zimbabwe (very safe and secure and easily reached by charter flight from Victoria Falls) and pay for only 2 nights. In this issue:
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FREE FLIGHTS IN SOUTHERN TANZANIA WITH SELOUS SAFARI COMPANY Make a booking by 30 June and all intra-African flights are free, for a stay of 4 nights or more at Selous Safari Company’s properties in Ruaha, Selous and Ras Kutani. This offer is for flights from and back to Dar es Salaam and is valid for travel between June 2009 and March 2010. Several options are available: 4 nights at either Jongomero Camp, Selous Safari Camp or Ras Kutani and your flights are free. 3 nights at Selous Safari Camp and 2 nights at Ras Kutani and your flights are free. 3 nights at Jongomero Camp, 3 nights Selous Safari Camp & 3 nights Ras Kutani and your flights are free. |
ALL SEASON SPECTACULAR IN SOUTHERN AFRICA The very successful All Season Spectacular has been extended to include all of 2009 (with the exception of June, July and August) and into 2010. This safari is very competitively priced and the range of camps and experiences present a balanced series of ecosystems and habitats sure to please any avid safari guest. This 9-day package includes the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the Okavango Delta, Namibia’s Caprivi Strip and the stupendous Victoria Falls. Valid for new bookings only and for travel from 06 March 2009 to 31 May 2009, and from 01 September 2009 to 31 May 2010. OUTLINE ITINERARY: ALL SEASON SPECTACULAR 3 nights Kalahari Plains Tented Camp Kalahari Plains Camp, in the CentralKalahari Game Reserve, offers one of the most remote experiences in Africa today. This camp is beautifully placed within the Kalahari Desert biome, a place famed for its outstanding wildlife with vast herds of antelope followed by abundant predators - including the legendary black-maned Kalahari lions. 2 nights either Seba, Jacana or Xigera Seba Camp, set in the lush riverine forest in the heart of the Okavango Delta, has two distinctive features: it has been constructed as a family-friendly camp offering parents the opportunity to introduce their children to the magic of the African wild and it is also the base of a most fascinating elephant research project. 2 nights Lianshulu Scenic Lianshulu Lodge, overlooking the tranquil Kwando River, is situated in a remote private concession in the Caprivi Strip - an elongated appendage to Namibia that is rich in history and wildlife. 1 night either Toka Leya or The River Club Toka Leya Camp is hidden on the banks of the Zambezi River in the western sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, about 12km upstream from Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Price: Valid from 01 Apr 2009 to 31 May 09, the rate is US$3,700.00 p.p. Option A - Valid from 01 Sep 09 to 30 Nov 09, the rate is US$4,100.00 p.p. Please note that your itinerary can only include Seba as the Okavango camp choice on this rate: Option B – Valid from 01 Sep 09 to 30 Nov 09, the rate is US$4,370.00 p.p. Here your itinerary can include Jacana or Xigera as your Okavango camp choice: Here is what Wildeness Safaris’ Kim Nixon had to say upon his return from a recent trip to Kalahari Plains Camp: “On the second trip to the Kalahari, game was superb and the new Kalahari Plains Camp is stunning! 6 different lion sightings, prolific desert wildlife populations and the calving season...very special indeed. No doubt, this area will become part of an integral part of the full Botswana circuit in a very short time. Quick and easy access to the Deception Valley (where the concentrations of desert game are most dense) is key and Kalahari Plains is supremely located just 4 miles from the valley floor. |
GRAND MASHATU AND PAFURI SAFARI The Grand Mashatu – Pafuri Safari combines the productive wilderness experiences of the Mashatu with the northern most (and largest private concession) in Kruger National Park, Pafuri. Phenomenal game awaits in a diverse corner of South Africa and Botswana...as well as personal service and luxury accommodation. Please note that these packages also operate in reverse and guests may substitute Mashatu Tented Camp with Mashatu Main Camp, at an additional surcharge. Option 1 – 4 Night Safari 2 Nights accommodation at Mashatu Tented Camp + twice daily scheduled activities Road transfer from Mashatu to Pafuri Camp 2 Nights accommodation at Pafuri Camp with 2 scheduled daily activities 1 January 2009 – 30 June 2009: US$1,100.00 p.p. sharing 1 July 2009 – 15 December 2009: US$1,170.00 p.p. sharing Option 2 – 6 Night Safari 3 Nights accommodation at Mashatu Tented Camp with 2 scheduled daily activities Road transfer from Mashatu to Pafuri Camp 3 Nights accommodation at Pafuri Camp with 2 scheduled daily activities 1 January 2009 – 30 June 2009: $1,565.00 p.p. sharing 1 July 2009 – 15 December 2009: US$1,635.00 p.p. sharing. |
2010 in the wilderness – at 2009 rates Book for 2010, confirm with deposit by the end of May 2009, and we will honor the standard 2009 rates for all Wilderness Safaris and Safari & Adventure Co. camps and all Sefofane flying. Also: • There is no surcharge over the World Cup period, 01 June — 15 July 2010. • Remember our ‘An extra night in the wilderness ... on us’ offer is valid through to 31 May 2010 with the exception of travel from 01 July 2009 — 31 October 2009! An EXTRA NIGHT ... on us! An extra night on us... in the wilderness Book for 6 nights and get an extra night free! On any new booking of 6 paid nights, the 7th night is Free of Charge. This applies across the board to all camps in all regions, with the exception of Abu, Mombo, North Island and Skeleton Coast Camp. The 7 nights must be accumulated in one country. Your free night must be used in one of the camps already booked on the itinerary. Valid for new bookings only and for travel until 30 June 2009, and from 01 November 2009 until 31 May 2010! An Extra Night on us… on North Island Now is the time to take a well-needed break from the economic stress and enjoy the sanctuary and beauty of North Island, where exclusivity and elegance combine to create an unspoiled tropical haven. North Island now offers an Extra night in the Wilderness: Book for 6 nights and stay for 7 in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Valid for all new bookings only and for travel before 30 November 2009.Note that NorthIsland is closed for refurbishment between 15 May and 30 June 2009. An Extra Night on us… at Kalahari Plains Book Kalahari Plains Camp (minimum 3 nights) with any Premier or Classic camp (minimum 3 nights) and get the 3rd night at Kalahari Plains Free of Charge. Our newest camp has been providing incredible sightings in a spectacular setting. Easily combined with the Okavango Delta and Linyanti regions, it creates a comprehensive Botswana experience. Valid for new bookings only and for travel from 01 July to 30 November 2009. An Extra night on us… at Pafuri or Rocktail When staying at our South African camps – Pafuri Camp or Rocktail Beach Camp – pay for 3 nights and get the 4th night Free of Charge. Pafuri is situated in the fabulous wildlife and scenically rich area of the Makuleke Concession in the Kruger National Park, while Rocktail Beach Camp takes in the pristine waters and spectacular beaches of northern KwaZulu-Natal. Valid for new bookings only. Travel dates: Pafuri – until 30 November 2009, RocktailBeach Camp – 01 July to 30 November 2009. An Extra Night on us… at Abu Camp. Book Abu Camp (minimum 3 nights) with any Premier or Classic camp (minimum 3 nights) and get the 3rd night at Abu Free of Charge at this unique camp. Abu offers the extraordinary privilege of being part of an elephant herd, including walking with them through the bush – the ultimate elephant educational safari. Valid for new bookings only and for travel from 01 July to 30 November 2009. An Extra Night on us… at Villa Okavango Here’s some excellent short-stay value: Book 2 nights at Villa Okavango and the 3rd night is Free of Charge. Villa Okavango is a luxurious home for a family or two couples in a wilderness setting overlooking a tranquil lagoon and the surrounding landscape with its prolific birdlife and passing wildlife. Valid for new bookings only and for travel from 06 March to end November 2009. Two Extra Nights on us… in Zambia Pay for 4 nights and stay for 6 in Zambia. Spend two more nights Free of Charge with us and enjoy this vast, friendly country, whether in the Kafue National Park or the South Luangwa National Park. Our intimate camps are perfectly positioned to take in Zambia’s superb wildlife, remoteness and space. Valid for new bookings only and for travel from 06 March to 30 November 2009. Two Extra Nights on us… in Zimbabwe Our concessions in Zimbabwe are in the peaceful and unspoilt northern areas – in the world-famous Hwange National Park as well as in the iconic Mana Pools National Park. Book 6 nights in any or all of our three camps – Makalolo Plains, Little Makalolo and Ruckomechi – but pay for 4! Valid for new bookings only and for travel from 6 March to 30 November 2009. Four extra nights on us... on an Exploration When booking 2 adults on the Great Namibian Journey or Great Wilderness Journey the 2nd adult gets a massive 40% discount! The reduced price for the 2nd person on the Great Wilderness Journey is now US$4375 and the Great Namibian Journey is US$4150 (valid for travel 01 March to 30 June 2009) and US$4410 (valid for travel 01 July to 30 November 2009). Valid for new bookings only and for travel from 06 March to 30 November 2009. |
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LUKAZA SAFARI - BEST OF ZAMBIA PACKAGE A brand new 10-day package combining the best that Zambia has to offer on the Luangwa, Kafue and Zambezi Rivers ... hence the name LuKaZa. Stay in Mfuwe Lodge, Lufupa Tented Camp and Toka Leya just upstream of the Victoria Falls. This full board package has three choices of itinerary to suit a variety of dates and needs. From US$3,440.00 per person sharing (activities & drinks excluded) Valid from 06 March to 31 December 2009. |
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RECENT TRIP REPORTS My most recent visit to Southern Africa - which included Northern Botswana and Victoria Falls, Zambia - was in December 2008; the link to the trip report in 6 parts is available here. In Feb 2009 I visited southern Tanzania (Ruaha and Selous area) with side-trips to Ras Kutani on the coast and to Zanzibar. This 7 part trip report is also available here. |
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