Sometimes we're so busy concentrating on the bush and wildlife that we forget to notice the people and they are one of the most amazing aspects of travelling in Africa. None more so than the independent entrepreneurs you can spot in any village or along any road.

These bush entrepreneurs recycle any materials to hand, grow organic vegetables and fruit behind their shops, operate without running water or power and generate a miniscule carbon footprint. Their children are brought up by an extended family and are never left in child care; teenagers understand how to take responsibility for themselves and small boys look after huge herds of animals from as young as 4yrs old.

Talk about a greener, better environment!

6 nights fully inclusive in the South Luangwa Valley (luxury camps)
2 nights fully inclusive in Victoria Falls (5 star lodge)
All flights and transfers in Zambia to connect to camps/lodges
£2100.00 or US$4200.00 per person

Incudes:
All road + flight transfers in Zambia; activities, meals, drinks, guides, equipment, accommodation, laundry

Excludes:
Visa fees, international flights, drinks on 3 nights, tips, items of a personal nature, parks fees and departure taxes

African style ipod

Nationwide Airlines Closure:

In an unexpected announcement Nationwide Airlines ‘closed shop’ on the 29th April 2008. If you're ticketed on any Nationwide flights which have been booked through us, you are covered by our trust insurances and we will re-book you onto new flights on BA/Comair and SAA from Johannesburg into Livingstone and vice versa. This is also a good time to reiterate this is one of the main reasons for booking your safari through a registered tour operator.

Due to capacity, some guests will have to be re-routed via Victoria Falls Airport (Zimbabwe).  If you have booked your own flights and are affected, please inform our offices at your earliest convenience so we are able to assist you with re-arranging your flights in the best way possible. Please also note there is a difference in rates between Livingstone and Victoria Falls transfers. 

Victoria Falls Border Post – (Zambia/Zimbabwe)

For those guests being re-routed through Victoria Falls Airport please take note the border post between Zimbabwe and Zambia is highly congested at present.  As a result the normal two hour transfer is not sufficient time. Please plan for a four hour transfer from Zambia to Zimbabwe or vice versa.

Zimbabwe

Although most of our major safaris skip Zimbabwe at present, we do have clients who will travel into Mana Pools, Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park and this section is for you.

All of our suppliers on the Zimbabwe side of the Zambezi River, have been in operation for many years and have withstood the economic and political challenges of the last 8 years. One of our suppliers in Victoria Falls alone, employs 65 professionals and 300 staff who are resident in the Falls with their families.

We are in touch with many Zimbabweans on a daily basis including our own office in the Zambezi Valley. There have been no "incidents" in Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park or on the Lower Zambezi (Mana Pools National Park) during the election period. We would recommend avoiding Harare and the agricultural regions until the election results have been announced.

To end off we would like to pass on the following message from the Zambezi Valley: we as Zimbabweans living, working and travelling on a day to day basis, would like to reassure you from the bottom of our hearts, that you will be safe from the political turmoil anywhere along the Zambezi River and in our national parks. Should this situation change, we will in a heartbeat, contact you and advise you accordingly. Your greatest challenge, as always, will be having to leave at the end of your stay.

Chris has just burst into the office after a very successful trip he has been guiding to Gabon. He and our clients saw 6 truly wild gorillas in the baie at Ivindo, experienced the night train, were bitten by forest ants and tracked mandrill in Lope. More feedback next month plus news of an exciting safari to include Central African Republic in 2009.

John sent a message yesterday from Uganda to let us know he'd survived the Grade 5 rapids on the Nile and was trying to survive the traffic jam in Kampala on his way back at the end of the day.

Jane and Debbie are deserting the office to check out several lodges in the Caprivi strip on the banks of the Zambezi river - good fishing, good game viewing and great sundowners will result no doubt.

And a guest comment to end ...

Dear Delene

Thank you for your email. Yes, we are safely back home. We had the most marvellous time in Zimbabwe and Zambia and thank you so much for organising a smooth and unforgettable trip. The Natureways Safari in Mana Pools exceeded expectations and while we have canoed on the Zambezi before, this was by far our favourite experience. Our guide, Gus, and his phenomenal team, could not have treated us better and we received 6-star service from the moment we landed at Mana Pools. Gus is incredibly enthusiastic and knowledgeable and no question or request was ever too much. We cannot rate the trip highly enough and yearn to be back on the banks of the mighty Zambezi under the shade of a Natal Mahogany!!!
Tongabezi was an altogether other-world experience and unbelievingly spoiling. Our private valet did everything for us, stopping just short of brushing our teeth!! Their service was impeccable and again the Zambezi did not disappoint with excellent sightings both mornings of the ever-elusive Africa Finfoot.
So thank you, thank you, thank you. Use our comments without reserve as we rate your service and that of your operators very highly. We would not hesitate to book a safari through your company again.

Regards
Keith and Karen Middlemass

That's the round-up for this month, take care and happy Africa Day!