Latest Island Safari updates and News!

Fellow travelers, I am back again with all the latest and greatest news and updates from the Island Safari camp.As always, I am writing this as I received it from our correspondents, but for further info you can contact us at: info@island-safari.com

Please, if any of you guys have some travel photo's to share, please email them to me at: david@island-safari.com

Alright then, on with the updates:

Update 1:

Destination: Zambia

Company: Star of Africa

CAMPS:

1.)CHICHELE PRESIDENTIAL LODGE / PUKU RIDGE TENTED CAMP
Both these camps will stay closed until 01 June 2007 – As you know from our last Newsflash the Electricity Authorities in Mfuwe are not able to work on our properties due to the electric cables being submerged, and until such time the water level drops and its safe for their staff to start work on the mains, regrettably we have no alternative but to stay closed.Clients will be offered alternative accommodation, and our Reservations Office will be liaising with you on this matter

2.)KULEFU TENTED CAMP
Due to the roads leading to this camp being impassable – we have decided to keep it closed until 01 June 2007, as we cannot transport provisions and equipment into the area.Clients will be offered alternative accommodation, and our Reservations Office will be liaising with you on this matter.

3.)LECHWE TENTED CAMP
This camp will reopen on the 01July 2007 – as we originally stated.

4.)SUSSI AND CHUMA LODGES
Though the Zambezi water level has been rising – its business as usual with no untoward reports.

Update 2:

Destination: Zambia

Topic: The Islands of Siankaba Lodge

Update: The Zambezi River’s water levels have dropped consistently over the last week. Management at The Islands of Siankaba Lodge therefore plan to re-open from the 31st March 2007.The water levels are still high, therefore for safety reasons some of the lodge activities will not be possible. These activities include mokoro trips, limited nature trails and sunset cruises.

Update 3:

Destination: Mozambique

Topic: Pestana Bazaruto Lodge restoration delay.

Update: Following the assessment of the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Favio, the first phase of restoration to Pestana Bazaruto Lodge has been carried out.Due to a strain on resources in the Archipelago they regrettably wish to advise a delay with the opening date of Pestana Bazaruto Lodge. As much as they aimed to keep to the original date of 01 June, unfortunately the facilities would not be restored to offer any service to their guests. Currently the lodge reopening date has been set for 01 July 2007, weather permitting and provided the restoration goes according to plan. You will be notified about our progress at a later stage. As you may know,they were busy adding additional rooms to the Lodge and this will unfortunately now be setback until further notice.Their reservation teams are currently reviewing options for future available dates at Pestana Bazaruto Lodge and they will assist you with any of your bookings confirmed for June 2007.

They sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and trust that at the end of it all, you can look forward to Pestana Bazaruto Lodge restored with the original 26 bungalows offering better facilities for everyone. In fact, once completed, the only thing missing will be you!

Update 4:

Destination: Botswana

Company: Orient Express

Topic 1: Fishing excursions now offered at Eagle Island Camp

Update: Orient-Express Safaris is very privileged to be able to offer guests of Eagle Island Camp the opportunity of a fishing excursion along the Boro channel, one of the main tributaries that feed the Okavango Delta. The main fish specie is tilapia, commonly known as “bream” in Botswana. There are also fresh water pike and cat fish but these are uncommon. Basic rods and reels are available in camp - but for the more professional we recommend you bring your own equipment which should include mainly light tackle, with mepps spinners (No 3), and small FZ spoons (8grms), as well as spinning tackle. Please note Eagle Island Camp practices fishing strictly on a ‘catch and release basis. The three hour trips are offered from May to October and are limited to two people, at a cost of US$ 275.00 for the excursion. Further details are available on request.

Topic 2: New Trans-Frontier Park

Update: In December 2006, some very exciting developments took place in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). Botswana and its neighbouring countries Namibia, Angola, Zambia and Zimbabwe signed a memorandum of understanding in which they all agreed to participate in a joint effort to create a Kavango-Zambezi Tran frontier Conservation Area (KAZA).The area covered within these five countries will be about 287 132 square kilometres and it will join 36 national parks, game reserves, conservancies and game management areas. To put this into perspective, this vast area will be almost the size of Italy, 14 times the size of the Kruger National Park in South Africa and to put it simply, it will be the biggest conservation area in the world.

The driving force behind the concept has been the Peace Parks Foundation and together with the World Wide Fund (WWF) and the Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation, they have estimated this fantastic prospect to be in place by the year 2010.The benefits of this concept are huge; it will unite the five countries through conservation and tourism, provide vast employment opportunities and importantly, restore age old migratory routes.Numerous migratory animals will obviously benefit from this but the African elephant will benefit the most.

Botswana is at present overpopulated with these beautiful giants and their numbers are estimated to be over 120 000. These majestic animals will now have the opportunity to roam over a vast area thereby reducing their localized impact on vegetation as is the case here in Botswana. Their numbers within this proposed (KAZA) conservation area will be estimated to be over 250 000, the biggest population of elephant in the world.For Africa, this will be the most significant effort towards conservation for the past century.

So guys, this is all the updates I have for know.Please let me or the team know, of anything else.You can contact me at the above mentioned e-mail addresses.

Thank You
The Island Safari Team

Island Safari Updates

Hi fellow travelers, welcome to another update from the one and only Island Safari team.I hope the blog readers on here are founding our blog interesting, if not please email me at: david@island-safari.com with some ideas and suggestions.

About the updates, please read through it and if there are further inquiries, please send them to this email address: info@island-safari.com

On the with the updates then:

Update 1:

Destinations: Seychelles

Company: Seychelles Helicopters




Update:Following my email sent out to the industry in February 2007, I understand that there has been some confusion on what baggage limitations apply.

I quote the following Limitations from our Services Manual Page 19:

Baggage Charter Flights:

Each aircraft can normally carry the full airline 20kg baggage allowance per person, but space is the limiting factor.
Soft luggage is preferred to the rigid variety.

If a charter is for less than the full compliment of four passengers, baggage space and weight is less critical.

On Shuttle Flights:

Experience has shown that excessive baggage can sometimes pose a problem, although the magnitude of this problem depends on a number of factors, which are difficult to predetermine.

10 kgs of soft luggage is desirable and will ensure smooth operations.

Please note the following:

Charter flights are dealt with on a case by case basis, with the pilot in command ensuring that the helicopter is flown within the helicopter MAXIMUM ALL UP WEIGHT. We have operated in this manner for 14 years and NOTHING has changed in this respect. Shuttle Flights are HSL’s ’reduced rate' flights that are sold on a per seat basis and as such are subject to certain limitations. Passengers on these Shuttle Flights were only expected to carry limited luggage (weighing around 10kgs). Unfortunately, these shuttle flights have been abused by allowing up to 4 holidaymakers, each with their full airline baggage allowance (20-30kg each and sometimes with their golf clubs) as a cheaper option to them chartering a helicopter.

Abuse of the Shuttle Flights leads to overcrowding of the luggage bay, often with the extra baggage put on the floor or on passenger's knees inside the cabin.

This has become a FLIGHT SAFETY RISK and carrying more than 10 kg each on Shuttle Flights MUST CEASE IMMEDIATELY.

Note: Every helicopter booking confirmation must emphasize that there is a 10 kg restriction per passenger on all shuttle flights.

Should you have any further queries, please liase with Clara at marketing@helicopterseychelles.sc

Update 2:

Destination:Zimbabwe

Topic:CAMOUFLAGE-patterned clothing

Update:CAMOUFLAGE-patterned clothing is not permitted in Zimbabwe, says the Zimbabwe Consulate in Johannesburg.Although the ruling is not directly on camouflage clothing, says Ndaipaneyi Mukwena from the Johannesburg office of Zimbabwe Tourism, it applies to any clothing that could be construed as mimicking military-wear. Tourists are urged not to wear, or even carry, any military-inspired clothing while travelling in Zimbabwe.

Update 3:

Destination: South Africa

Company:Southern Sun

Update:Please be advised that the Southern Sun Elangeni hotel has commenced with the refurbishment of rooms, suites and corridors, plus the Convention Centre Fitness Room. It is anticipated that the project will continue until October 2008.One floor will be blocked off at a time -so guests will not be exposed to any contractors on the floors Noise factors will be kept to a minimum and construction and demolitions take place during the day - 09h00 until 16h00.