Island Safari Updates - 16 April 2007

Hi friendly travelers,

Welcome to another timely update, from the the Island Safari team.We have some interesting updates included in the post, ranging from new Helicopter Seychelles shuttle flights to the latest Sun International updates.

Without further re due, here follow the updates:

Update 1:

Destination: Namibia

Info:

1. NAMIBIA Wildlife Resorts has embarked on a number projects as part of its turn-around strategy.A new lodge, Sossus Dune Lodge, is being built in Namib Naukluft Park in Sossusvlei.The site of the lodge overlooks the Sesriem Canyon.It will have 25 stand-alone accommodation unites built on wooden decks and connected by elevated wooden walkways to the main unit, which will include a restaurant,bar area, swimming pool and reception. Accommodation will be en-suite with private decks.The lodge is expected to be complete within the next few months.Changes are also under way at several lodges in Etosha National Park.Accommodation and facilities at Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni are being upgraded.


2. The Namibia Tourism Board says it is not necessary for those travelling to the Northern Caprivi Region to alter their plans, despite the recent heavy rains in Angola that caused the Zambezi River banks to burst.“We have received no reports of road or tourism establishment closures” said Neil Carney, media manager for the Namibia Tourism Board in Johannesburg.He advised that those who want further peace of mind to call the relevant establishments before travelling.Villages outside Katima Mulilo, the regional capital of the Caprivi Strip have been submerged and parts of Kabbe, Linyanti and Kongola are flooded.

Update 2:

Destination: Victoria Falls

Update: Night rainbows

Info: NIGHT rainbows, known as lunar rainbows or moon bows, can be viewed over the Victoria Falls. These occur on the following dates between 19h00 and 00h00:

* May 1, 2, 3, 31
* June 1, 2, 29, 30
* July 1, 29, 30, 31
* August 27, 28, 29
* September 25, 26, 27
* October 25, 26, 27
* November 23, 24, 25
* December 23, 24, 25

Update 3:

Destination: Zimbabwe

Lodge: ILALA Lodge

Update: New building plans

Info: ILALA Lodge in Zimbabwe has announced that it will be building another three rooms, bringing the total to 35. The Palm Restaurant at the lodge is undergoing a refurbishment,with the seating area being furnished with wrought iron and teak tables and cane furniture.The kitchen and buffet areas will also receive an upgrade, but the restaurant will remain open during the entire process. The lodge’s in-house tour operator, Zambezi Wilderness Safaris, has refurbished all its pontoon boats, with new carpets and bar counters fitted, chairs recovered and all boats repainted.

Update 4:

Destination: Seychelles

Company: Helicopter Seychelles

Update: Shuttle transfer service

Info: We would like to inform you all of the changes with regards to our shuttle transfer service.These changes are effective until further notice and will be available on a request basis in accordance with the table below. Please note that prior to dispatching the second flight, the first must be filled.

Please be advised that if you have already pre booked a shuttle flight outside of these times with our reservation, we will honour the timing given. However, all future bookings will be in accordance with the following times:

ROUTE: FIRST FLIGHT: SIA – PRI – LAD – SIA X 1 - SECOND FLIGHT: SIA – LAD – PRI – SIA X 1

WEEK DAY:MONDAY TO FRIDAY
MORNING FLIGHTS X 2 09H00 TO 11H00
BAGGAGE LIMITATION 10 KGS PER PERSON

WEEK DAY:SATURDAY
MORNING FLIGHTS X 2 09H00 TO 11H00
AFTERNOON FLIGHTS X 1 15H00 TO 16H00
BAGGAGE LIMITATION 10 KGS PER PERSON

WEEK DAY:SUNDAY
MORNING FLIGHTS X 2 09H00 TO 11H00
BAGGAGE LIMITATION 10 KGS PER PERSON

ROUTE: SIA – LSS – SIA

WEEK DAY:MONDAY TO FRIDAY
MORNING FLIGHTS X 1 09H00 TO 11H00
BAGGAGE LIMITATION 10 KGS PER PERSON

WEEK DAY:SATURDAY
MORNING FLIGHTS X 2 09H00 TO 11H00
AFTERNOON FLIGHTS X 1 15H00 TO 16H00
BAGGAGE LIMITATION 10 KGS PER PERSON

WEEK DAY:SUNDAY
MORNING FLIGHTS X 2 09H00 TO 11H00
BAGGAGE LIMITATION 10 KGS PER PERSON

Please note that we have set these times in accordance with the international flight arrivals so as to consolidate the number of passengers in order to make this service sustainable.We request your supporting assisting us by briefing your TO’s of the timings accordingly.

If clients request transfers outside these times, or have excess luggage,they will be given the option of chartering the helicopter.

Update 5.1:

Destination: South Africa

Company: Sun International

Update: Maintenance

Info: Please be advised that the Zip Slide, one of the many activities available on the Sun City Resort will be closed for routine maintenance from 21/05/07 to 15/06/07 inclusive.Due to maintenance of the pool at Zimbali Lodge please be advised that our pool will not be in operation from the 9th July 07 until 29th July 07 inclusive.

All guests in house will still be able to make use of the pool at the Forest Suites and the Valley of the Pools.

Update 5.2:

Company: Welgevonden Game Reserve

Update: Entrance Fee

Info: EFFECTIVE immediately, all international and domestic visitors to the Welgevonden Game Reserve in Limpopo will be charged an entrance fee of R114.