Back again for some more Island Safari updates!

Hi Guys,

I am back today, bringing you all the latest news and updates from the Island Safari camp.Sorry for the delay, but as I stated. I was gone for a while, but now I am back again.So without further delay, here follows all the updates for July 2007.

Update 1:

Company: Zambia Airways

Info: Due to the demand on Livingstone flights, we have decided to re-open our evening Livingstone flight at an earlier time for the month of August.Please note that Q3502/503 will operate on Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun at timings below For August.This gives us additional MFULVI, NLALVI and LVINLA connections on select days, as below.

We have also increased capacity on Q3500/501 LUNLVILUN on Tue, Thu, Sat for August. This flight will be operated by both Embraer and 1900, to allow extra capacity.

Therefore, if you were looking for seats in August to L’stone, please re-check availability now.For individual existing bookings on August Q3502/503, our Email Centre will be advising you on the new PNR details:

Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun
502 LUNLVI 1515-1615
503 LVILUN 1635-1735
802 MFULVI 1350-1615 (Mon, Wed, Fri)
401 NLALVI 1400-1615 (Wed, Fri)
503 LVINLA 1635-1830 (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun)


Update 2:

Country: Mozambique

Company: Rani Resorts

info: Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa welcomed guests at the beginning of July, following closure of the hotel for renovations after Cyclone Favio struck the Bazaruto Archipelago in February. The Beach Chalets, guest areas and all activities are fully operational. The Bay View Villas will be complete in August and the spectacular Sanctuary Spa will be operational later in the year. It seems everyone wants a taste of the newly-opened Indigo Bay – whether to escape from the cold Southern Hemisphere winter or to escape to an exotic African island haven - August is filling up rapidly. We urge you to book soon to avoid disappointment


New Lugenda Concession

Info: Rani Resorts has been granted a second concession in the Niassa Reserve, northern Mozambique. With Lugenda Wilderness Camp as Rani Resorts' first venture into thisextraordinary wilderness wonderland, the new concession will add further value to the region and our guests' experience. Located within the Niassa Reserve.

Pemba Spa Open

Info: Earlier this month, the first of four planned Sanctuary Spas in Mozambique, The Sanctuary Spa at Pemba Beach, opened its doors to Pemba Beach Hotel and Spa guests and the frontier town of Pemba.

With a steam chamber, dry and wet treatment rooms, as well as an outside double treatment room overlooking the azure Indian Ocean, a seaside Hydro pool and Juice Bar, The Sanctuary Spa at Pemba Beach provides an oasis of relaxation, revitalisation and rejuvenation for your body, mind and soul in a truly remarkable setting.

Marlon Fishing Season

Info:Only three months to go until the Marlin fishing season in the Bazaruto
Archipelago begins. We are delighted to offer you special packages which include either 4 (or 6) nights' accommodation at Indigo Bay Island Resort and Spa with 3 (or 5) full day fishing excursions, where our professional skippers and crew will help you on your quest to tackle the mighty Marlin! Food (or is that bait?) for a fisherman's soul...

Update 3:

Country: South Africa

SA Horseback Safaris: Important Update

Info: Please note the following instructions from our car transfer company with regards to collection of clients from Johannesburg airport, effective from 1st September 2007.

Important Notice : Due to the on going re-construction of the O.R.Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport Waterberg Transfers would like to suggest the following meet and greet strategy for the future to ensure all guest receive the best possible service when being meet by their driver. In preparation for the FIFA 2010 world cup football tournament many of the existing terminals are currently under construction and with some entrances in the arrivals lounge only measuring 1 metre wide this is proving to be problem with clients finding the Waterberg Transfers designated driver.

We would like to suggest that from the 01st September 2007 all clients arriving on International flight only, to be instructed by reservations / agents / lodges /hotels to make their way to the Information desk in International Arrivals where their driver will be waiting with sign in hand. This will avoid the clients having to read 100's of signs before finding their name. The information desk at international arrivals in positioned in the centre of the arrivals lounge and is well sign posted. There are a lot less people around this area which should make finding clients much easier.

The information desk is also central to all currency exchange and close to bathrooms/toilets and shops.On a separate note, can I please ask that you try to persuade all clients to take the option of the car transfer as opposed to flying to Nelspruit Airport from Johannesburg. We are seeing a high incidence of lost baggage for clients taking this route and it really does take much longer than the car transfer direct from Johannesburg.

Company: Sun International

Info: Due to emergency repairs that need to be carried out on the pool at The Table Bay Hotel please note that the whole pool area will be closed with effect from 23 July to 31 August 2007. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Company: Sefofane Air Charters

Info: SEFOFANE Air Charters has introduced new flights between Lanseria and Welgevonden Game Reserve in Limpopo. The flights will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays departing Lanseria at 10h30 with the return flight departing Welgevonden at 15h20. Depending on the number of passengers, the aircraft used for this route will either be a Cessna Grand Caravan, Cessna 402 or Cessna 210. If passengers then need to be transported to the Pafuri Camp in the Kruger National Park, this can be arranged. This is in addition to the existing flights between Lanseria and Pafuri.

More Island Safari Updates!

Hi Guys.

Some more quick updates from the infamous Island Safari team.Just a quick note, the blog posts will continue again on the 6th of August 2007.

Update 1:

Destination: Ilala Lodge, Zimbabwe

Info: I would advise that your clients bring either US$ or rand cash, as the rate at present has dropped to around the 120,000 - 1. Please ensure they do not get any Zim cash and if they are self catering to bring most of their goods with them as product is very short at the moment.Most places still have fruit and veg, though meat is in short supply in the shops. When coming through the border, they must state that it will be for personal consumption, though let me just confirm with customs what the deal will be, as we will no longer be able to import goods with out a permit. I will get back to you on this.Please ensure that the clients do not change any of their monies into Zim $ as they will be taken for a ride. Rather just pay for activities and extra in forex (US$ & Rand)

Update 2:

Company: SA Express

Info: South African Express will introduce thrice-weekly flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls from August 2. The flights will operate on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing Johannesburg at 10h00 and arriving in Victoria Falls at 11h45. The return flight will depart Victoria Falls at 12h35 and arrive in Johannesburg at 14h20.

Update 3:

Company: Shearwater

Info: Please note that due to the extreme conditions experienced in the gorge during this high water season the jet boat will not be available as a product for the next few months. We are in the process of totally refurbishing this product so as to provide a high quality reliable experience for our clients. We were hoping to get the boat back on track to be ready for the start of the low water season, but have been challenged by a few factors including the high water levels experienced in the gorge. We will keep you full informed in terms of our progress in this regard and apologise for any inconvenience to you and your clients.

Update 4:

Company: Rani

Info: RANI Resorts has a special package on offer for the Stanley and Livingstone at Victoria Falls.From R4 699 pps or R5 695 pp single (excluding taxes), the package includes return airfare departing JNB on British Airways, two nights' accommodation with breakfast and a guided tour of the Victoria Falls.

Update 5:

Company: Sun International, Zambia

Info: I am not sure if it is common knowledge but The Royal Livingstone and Zambezi Sun will apply for visas on guest’s behalf. That is for nationalities where they cannot arrange a visa waiver and that require a pre-approved visa.

When the hotel gets the visa back from the embassy, they scan it and send it to you so you can give it to the guest. This can only be arranged with a min on 21 days.

This has come in very handy as I have a guest who said she was Italian but it turns out her passport is Croatian!!!

Update 6:

Company: Pelican Air, Mozambique

Info: From September 1, Pelican Air will operate twice weekly flights between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) and Inhambane (INH) on Tuesdays and Fridays.It will also fly between JNB and INH four times a week; direct on Wednesdays and Sundays and via MQP on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Update 7:

Country: South Africa

Info: Passenger service charges at SA airports are set to increase in October by 50% (to R105, 26) for international flights; 49%, (to R79, 82) for regional flights and 47% (to R38, 59) for domestic flights. ACSA’s group executive corporate affairs, Solomon Makgale, told TNN that although this set of increases for 2007 was between 45% and 50%, the average yearly increase
for the five-year cycle would be 11%. He said the increases were necessary in view of ACSA’s infrastructure needs between 2008 and 2012.

(Note – these will be included in tickets costs, but still useful to know)

Update 8:

Country: Madagascar

Info: As of August 4, Airlink will no longer operate its service between Johannesburg and Nosy Be. This service was introduced on June 16. “Uptake has been extremely poor on the direct Saturday JNB-NOS service,” says Airlink marketing manager, Karin Murray. She says the trade prefers to book their passengers on flights to Antananarivo, which she says could be due to more favourable fares.Another reason for the route not receiving strong support, according to Murray, is that accommodation in Nosy Be, between August and November, is scarce due to the European summer peak. The airline will re-accommodate passengers already booked on the flights between August and October on its Sunday flights to Antananarivo, which provide same-day connections to and from Nosy Be. Passengers ticketed after October 27 will be re-accommodated on Air Madagascar’s Saturday services.

That is all for now folks

The Island Safari Team

More Island Safari Updates!

Hi Guys.

Some more quick updates from the infamous Island Safari team.Just a quick note, the blog posts will continue again on the 6th of August 2007.


Update 1:

Destination: Ilala Lodge, Zimbabwe

Info: I would advise that your clients bring either US$ or rand cash, as the rate at present has dropped to around the 120,000 - 1. Please ensure they do not get any Zim cash and if they are self catering to bring most of their goods with them as product is very short at the moment.Most places still have fruit and veg, though meat is in short supply in the shops. When coming through the border, they must state that it will be for personal consumption, though let me just confirm with customs what the deal will be, as we will no longer be able to import goods with out a permit. I will get back to you on this.Please ensure that the clients do not change any of their monies into Zim $ as they will be taken for a ride. Rather just pay for activities and extra in forex (US$ & Rand)

Update 2:

Company: SA Express

Info: SOUTH African Express will introduce thrice-weekly flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls from August 2. The flights will operate on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays, departing Johannesburg at 10h00 and arriving in Victoria Falls at 11h45. The return flight will depart Victoria Falls at 12h35 and arrive in Johannesburg at 14h20.

Update 3:

Company: Shearwater

Info: Please note that due to the extreme conditions experienced in the gorge during this high water season the jet boat will not be available as a product for the next few months. We are in the process of totally refurbishing this product so as to provide a high quality reliable experience for our clients. We were hoping to get the boat back on track to be ready for the start of the low water season, but have been challenged by a few factors including the high water levels experienced in the gorge. We will keep you full informed in terms of our progress in this regard and apologise for any inconvenience to you and your clients.

Update 4:

Company: Rani

Info: RANI Resorts has a special package on offer for the Stanley and Livingstone at Victoria Falls.From R4 699 pps or R5 695 pp single (excluding taxes), the package includes return airfare departing JNB on British Airways, two nights' accommodation with breakfast and a guided tour of the Victoria Falls.

Update 5:

Company: Sun International, Zambia

Info: I am not sure if it is common knowledge but The Royal Livingstone and Zambezi Sun will apply for visas on guest’s behalf. That is for nationalities where they cannot arrange a visa waiver and that require a pre-approved visa.

When the hotel gets the visa back from the embassy, they scan it and send it to you so you can give it to the guest. This can only be arranged with a min on 21 days.

This has come in very handy as I have a guest who said she was Italian but it turns out her passport is Croatian!!!

Update 6:

Company: Pelican Air, Mozambique

Info: FROM September 1, Pelican Air will operate twice weekly flights between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (MQP) and Inhambane (INH) on Tuesdays and Fridays.It will also fly between JNB and INH four times a week; direct on Wednesdays and Sundays and via MQP on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Update 7:

Country: South Africa

Info: PASSENGER service charges at SA airports are set to increase in October by 50% (to R105, 26) for international flights; 49%, (to R79, 82) for regional flights and 47% (to R38, 59) for domestic flights. ACSA’s group executive corporate affairs, Solomon Makgale, told TNN that although this set of increases for 2007 was between 45% and 50%, the average yearly increase
for the five-year cycle would be 11%. He said the increases were necessary in view of ACSA’s infrastructure needs between 2008 and 2012.

(Note – these will be included in tickets costs, but still useful to know)

Update 8:

Country: Madagascar

Info:AS of August 4, Airlink will no longer operate its service between Johannesburg and Nosy Be. This service was introduced on June 16. “Uptake has been extremely poor on the direct Saturday JNB-NOS service,” says Airlink marketing manager, Karin Murray. She says the trade prefers to book their passengers on flights to Antananarivo, which she says could be due to more favourable fares.Another reason for the route not receiving strong support, according to Murray, is that accommodation in Nosy Be, between August and November, is scarce due to the European summer peak. The airline will re-accommodate passengers already booked on the flights between August and October on its Sunday flights to Antananarivo, which provide same-day connections to and from Nosy Be. Passengers ticketed after October 27 will be re-accommodated on Air Madagascar’s Saturday services.

That is all for now folks

The Island Safari Team

Island Safari Update

Hi Guys,

It is that time again.Yip, another update from the Island Safari team.

Read and be informed!

Update 1:

Destination: Norman Carr, Zambia

Info: The Government has recently announced that fee waived visas, which have been available to tourists in Zambia for a number of years now, will only be offered to visitors staying 14 days or less.Those tourists planning to spend more than 2 weeks in Zambia will, with immediate effect,need to buy a visa on entry.We have staff at Lusaka Airport to meet our guests off of all international flights,assist them with immigration and customs formalities and see them safely onto their connecting flights.We can therefore guarantee a smooth arrival into the country but there is nothing we can do about the new interpretation of the existing law.

Those of you requiring more clarification on this subject will be interested to read the information put out by the Ministry of Home Affairs on their web site.

Update 2:

Company: Zambian Airways

Info: We have just received notice from National Airports that the construction on the runway lights at Livingstone airport is further delayed. The lights are not anticipated to be ready until mid-August.Therefore, we cannot operate Q3502/503 until such time, as we cannot land/takeoff after 1800hrs.This is really a disappointment for us, as Livingstone is demanding more flight frequencies and the Spice Islands-Victoria Falls connection.We have officially complained to National Airports, explaining this major setback to the Zambia tourism industry and the late notices we have received on the continued delays.

We will be going through the scheduled flights and moving all passengers onto Q3500/501 up to 1Sep07.In some cases, we may be able to move the 502/503 flight earlier and still operate.We will be contacting you individually for affected bookings.

We will keep you updated on any further developments.We thank you for your patience and understanding, we want you to know that we understand the frustrations this causes to tourists and travellers.

Update 3:

Destination: Dugong Beach Lodge, Mozambique

Update: RE-OPENING – OCTOBER 2007

Info: Following the cyclone, which hit Mozambique in February, extensive renovations, alternations and additions are taking place at Dugong Beach Lodge.Major changes include: 14 newly constructed, air-conditioned chalets, Individual walkways to the beach, Private Sala with day beds, Baths & showers overlooking private garden courtyards, Island style bar with martini seats, Boma and deck with open fire, Inter-flowing swimming pools, Floating jetty for easier access

It is the intention of Legend Lodges, Hotels & Resorts that the accommodation, facilities and activities on offer at Dugong Beach Lodge will ensure that guests experience the ultimate in barefoot luxury in this magnificent, unique wilderness.

Update 5:

Destination: Lodges of Botswana, Botswana

Info: I'm writing this from a freezing but very sunny deck at Delta Camp. Elize's Hoffman x 4 have just gone out for the day, after an early breakfast, with a picnic lunch, the next guests don't arrive until lunchtime, so all is peace and quiet.Maggie is singing in the kitchen and the hippo are grunting down in the channel.

We've had good game recently, plenty of lion. Ken and Sheenah Sullivan,fresh out from Ireland, spent 10 minutes raving about the wonderful sighting of a Pel’s Fishing Owl they had on their afternoon walk, before remembering that during their morning excursion they had been charged by six (yes, six)lion, to a distance of 3 or 4 metres. They were completely unfazed. But the owl.....!

Apart from that, just the usual - lions, hyena, jackals, lechwe, impala, wildebeest, tsessebe, zebra, giraffes, reedbuck (going through something of a revival), warthog, monkeys, baboons, elephant, hippo, crocodile, plenty of genet, great birding (including wattled cranes), a Pearl-Spotted Owl that has taken to visiting during breakfast......no leopard for a week now.

At Delta Camp the new lights' installation starts today. It has taken our supplier well over a year to get them right, and the new towels arrived in Maun several days ago and await space on a plane. We have been so busy the priority has been getting the food in fast enough. Lena is doing such a good job here and getting such rave reviews that I'm forced to realise that not only am I not indispensable, but that the less time I spend here the better.

Stone, our buyer extraordinaire, is back from a well-deserved 4-week break.He is so quietly efficient that despite being our newest employee, he was unanimously voted Man of the Year. He makes everyone else's life so easy.MD took a break from Oddballs' and did an excellent job of covering for Stone while he was away. That's my story for the week. Not quite Jo Pope, I know............

Fun Fact!

The new Seven Wonders of the World have been announced. After a global vote, in which 100 million people cast their ballots via the Internet and by phone, the Great Wall of China, India's Taj Mahal, Machu Picchu in Peru, Brazil's Statue of Christ the Redeemer, the Colosseum in Rome, the Mayan ruins at Chichen Itza in Mexico and Jordan's Petra were declared the new Seven Wonders of the World. The Pyramids of Giza were given honorary status as they are the only wonder of the original seven that remains standing today.

Until Next Time

The Island Safari Team