Island Safari November Update

Hey Guys,

I have to quickly make an apology for this update being so late, seems that we are already in December.Well with out further ridue here follows the updates:

Update 1:

Country: Zambia

Update On: General Info on Zambia

Update Info:

A bridge is due to be constructed next year that will ease the flow of tourists between Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.The bridge will be constructed in Kazungula, crossing the Zambezi, and will replace the ferry that currently transports vehicles and passengers from Botswana into Zambia and back. “This is an important development for Zambia and her neighbouring countries as the route is not only used by tourists but for intertrading and the transport of cargo particularly from SA,” said Solistor Cheelo, manager Southern Africa and Australia for the Zambia National Tourist Board. He said that although there hadn't been a problem with congestion at this crossing yet, passengers often had to wait for the ferry, causing delays in their travel time.

THE Zambian government is improving access to the Kafue National Park from Livingstone via the southern Dundumwezi gate. The government has been in a tender process and is in its final stages of awarding a tender to a developer for improving the condition of the roads.The Dundumwezi gate lies approximately 120 km from Livingstone and, with the improved roads, tourists will be able to access the national park in less than a two hours' drive.

Currently, during the rainy season, the southern gate is often inaccessible from Livingstone, forcing visitors to travel via Lusaka, a much farther route. Solistor Cheelo, manager Southern Africa and Australia for the Zambia National Tourist Board, said the improved roads would ensure year-round accessibility. “With the extended runway at Livingstone, bigger aircraft means more tourists. They need to know that Kafue is an excellent attraction and there's more to Zambia than just the Falls,” he added. The park is home to over 400 species of birds and wildlife. Construction is due to begin in 2008.

Update 2:

Country: Zambia

Update About: Wildlife Camp

Update Info:

The visa waiver letters continue to hound us and please bear with us while we try to impress on immigration that the current system is not working efficiently.

Visa waivers – Lusaka airport – as we have still been having problems with the visa waivers going “missing” and have now engaged the services of a company in Lusaka who will ensure the visa waiver is delivered and that they will meet the guests and help them with the visa formalities and take them to the departure lounge. The cost for this is $15 per person and pleas let me know if you would like to offer this service to your guests.

Update 3:

Country: Botswana

Update About: Footsteps

Update Info:

Deception Valley Lodge in Botswana is currently building a new two-bedroom suite. The Kalahari suite can accommodate up to four guests. The guests will have access to a private vehicle with guide and tracker as well as a private chef. The suite will operate independently from the rest of the lodge and is expected to be complete by the end of April 2008.

Update 4:

Country: Botswana

Update About: Orient Express Safaris

Update Info:

In an effort to accommodate the growing trend of family and multi generational travel, Orient-Express Safaris will - from January 2008 - accept children of 8 years and older at all three Northern Botswana camps: Eagle Island Camp, Khwai River Lodge and Savute Elephant Camp.Additionally, children of 8 years and older will be welcome to participate in all activities as all our guides will be fully versed in entertaining children as well as adults!

Update 5:

Country: Botswana

Update About: CC Africa

Update Info:

CC AFRICA will launch two semi-permanent luxury tented camps in Botswana next year, Chobe Under Canvas and Savute Under Canvas. Both camps will comprise six Hemingway-style mobile tents, each with a double bed, en-suite bathroom, flushing toilet and bucket shower. The camps will have no electricity or running water.Each camp will have two vehicles equipped with fridges, safes and plug points to charge electronic equipment. Activities on offer will include twice-daily game drives. Chobe Under Canvas has access to two CC Africa-operated boats on the Chobe River, so guests can substitute a game drive for a game-viewing cruise. Other activities include limited walking safaris. The camps will open March 2008. CC Africa is also planning to open another two camps in the southern part of the Okavango Delta in Botswana next year. The camps will both initially sleep six and at a later stage 12.

Update 6:

Country: South Africa

Update About: Garonga Safari Camp

Update Info:

GARONGA Safari Camp situated in the Makalali Conservancy in Limpopo, is opening the exclusive use camp, Little Garonga, on December 10.

Little Garonga will comprise the current Hambleden suite, which is being converted into a two-bed roomed suite with an adjoining room. In addition to this suite, there will also be two new suites, Buckingham and Chiltern, linked to Hambleden by wooden pathways.

The three suites are suited to a family or group of friends of up to six adults and two children. Guests at Little Garonga will have their own guide, vehicle, chef and host. Children from the age of six will be allowed at the camp.

Update 7:

Country: South Africa

Update About: National Parks

Update Info:

Presidents Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Festus Mogae of Botswana and Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia have officially opened the Mata Mata Tourist Access Facility (Port of entry) betwee South Africa and Namibia on 12 October 2007, within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park (TFP).

This access facility will enable tourists to travel between the three countries via shorter routes and with easier access. It will also see the region benefiting from the 2010 Fifa World Cup by showcasing its unique eco-tourism products and thus foster regional socio-economic development. Kgalagadi TFP, Southern Africa's first transfrontier park, incorporates the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana and the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park in South Africa. It is a popular tourist destination because of its 4 x 4 wilderness trails.

Later in the month, the ministers of environment and tourism and home affairs will open the Sendelingsdrift Tourist Access Facility and launch the pontoon that tourists will use to cross the Orange River, which forms the international border between South Africa and Namibia within the Ai/Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park. The opening of Mata Mata and Sendelingsdrift Tourist Access Facilities are keys to the strategy for desert tourism which explores the natural linkage between Kgalagadi and Ai/Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier parks, South Africa's Augrabies Falls National Park and the soon to be declared Sperregebiet National Park in Namibia.