NATURE TOUR UPDATE #5:  JULY 1995

SEVEN MORE FLIGHTS PER WEEK TO SOUTH AFRICA?

TWA, United Airlines, World Airways and South African Airways are reportedly awaiting U.S. Government approval for seven flights per week to South Africa.  According to well-informed sources a decision is imminent.  This will increase the number of weekly flights from the U.S. to South Africa from eight to 15.  Six flights per week were formerly operated by USAfrica Airlines.   South Africa's Jan Smuts Airport near Johannesburg is the gateway to many popular southern African travel destinations such as the Kruger National Park, Botswana's Okavango Delta, the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Etosha Game Reserve in Namibia.  

Due to a strong upsurge in foreign travel to South Africa over the last six months demand for seats has been heavy.  It is anticipated that the pressure on flights and accommodation will remain for the duration of the annual safari season from July to the end of October. The longer term outlook is equally promising, with indications that some of the biggest package tour operators in the United States are poised for entry into the South African market.  

AFFORDABLE GAME LODGES IN TRANSVAAL LOWVELD

Many travellers to Africa wish to enjoy the experience of a private game lodge, but cannot afford, or are simply not prepared to part with $500 to spend one pampered night at a famous-name lodge.  In response to reader inquiries South Africa's leading  adventure travel and eco-tourism magazine, Getaway, recently concluded an in-depth series of articles on affordable lodges, evaluating each lodge based on facilities, cuisine, character, game-viewing potential and overall value-for-money.   The magazine looked at about 20 game lodges in the Eastern Transvaal lowveld,  ranging in price from about $55 to $200 per day.  Moholoholo Forest Camp, which offers an all-inclusive rate of $85 per person per day, received the best overall rating, scoring a whopping 4 out of 5 each for wildlife, character and value-for-money.  The camp is particularly recommended for bird-watching as the diverse habitat is home to more than 300 species.  However, other game is common and during a short visit the author saw large concentrations of giraffe, impala, sable, nyala, eland and other mammals.    

Rates (per person, per day, sharing) at some of the other recommended  lodges are as follows:

Djuma Bush Lodge (special winter rate for group of 6 or more):  $140 p.p. per day, including three meals, two game-drives and one bush walk. The regular rate per person is $208 per day. Djuma Bush Lodge lies in the north of the Sabi Sand Game Reserve on land that is unfenced from MalaMala and the Kruger National Park and so offers a superb opportunity to view the "Big Five", namely elephant, lion, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard.  According to Getaway, Djuma is a little off the beaten track, but "it offers a lavish yet refreshingly uncommercialized bushveld experience."

Kapama Game Reserve (Buffalo Tented Camp):  $130 per day, including meals, morning and evening game drives in open safari vehicles and guided bush walks.  Kapama gets high marks from Getaway for accommodation and wildlife:  "Kapama is a tightly run and seemingly very successful eco-tourism operation.  The superb accommodation represents good value-for-money."  Kapama recently hosted the King and Queen of Greece, as well as South Africa's former State President FW de Klerk.  

Kapama Game Reserve (Lion Den):  $60 per day, including accommodation, afternoon game drive and dinner in the Elephant Inn.  Morning game drive extra at $15 pp.  The Lion Den is a three-storey building constructed of wood with bathroom, kitchen, six beds and an open-air lookout on the top floor.  

Honeyguide Tented Safari Camp:  $125 per day, including all meals, day and night game drives and walking trails. According to Getaway, Honeyguide "... has everything you would expect from an exclusive game lodge and ... remains good value for money."  There are seldom more than three vehicles in Honeyguide's huge game-viewing area in the Manyeleti reserve.   

Chitwa Chitwa Game Lodge:  $192 per day, including 3 meals, 2 game drives, a bush walk and all teas & coffees. Chitwa Chitwa is a trendy, up-market game lodge in the northern Sabi Sand Game Reserve likely to appeal to young-spirited game-viewing enthusiasts.   

AFRICAN NATURE BOOK SERVICE

Russel Friedman Books, one of southern Africa's largest natural history book services, has established a new office in Atlanta, Georgia.  All aspects of wildlife are catered for, including birds, plants, mammals, reptiles, conservation and ecology, making the service an essential part of planning a trip to Africa.  According to General Manager Arnold Blumberg his prices compare very well with those of other nature book dealers, as he buys directly from book publishers in South Africa.  A  recommended reading list is available on request by calling 800/513-5222.

$400 DISCOUNT ON BIRDING TOUR TO SOUTH AFRICA

Due to a cancellation, Fish Eagle Safaris now have two spots open on their October 9 to 28, 1995 bird-watching tour to South Africa.  On a first-come, first-served basis the seats are being offered at a price of $3,000 per person, sharing, which is $400 off the regular fare of $3,400. This annual trip, which is limited to 6 participants, traverses all major habitats in the area, including such rarely-visited localities as the Sani Pass in the southern Drakensberg and Bushmanland in the arid north-western Cape.  In 1994 participants spotted a grand total of  484 species of which 126 were endemic to the area.  New for 1995 is a pelagic excursion from Hout Bay harbor near Cape Town.  For a detailed itinerary and bird-list, please e-mail or call Bert du Plessis at 800/513-5222.

SAFARIS TO KENYA & TANZANIA

Fish Eagle Safaris now act as an agent for Let's Go Travel, one of Kenya's foremost nature and adventure travel agencies.  As a result, we can offer a wide range of overland and fly-in safaris, accommodation and transfers in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Ethiopia at very competitive prices.  An 8-day, 7-night lodge safari in Kenya, including a Treehotel, Samburu Game Reserve, the spectacular bird-life of Lake Baringo and one of the other Rift Valley lakes as well as the rolling grasslands of the Masai Mara Game Reserve costs $1,195 per person, sharing, for a group of 4 in high season (July through March).  This includes all meals and several game drives.  

If you have four or more people Let's Go Travel can arrange literally any type of safari for you, from camping to cycling, trekking in the rain forest or horseback riding alongside herds of game. Prices for camping safaris average about $130 per person per night for a group of 4.  This includes transport by two-wheel drive safari cruiser with pop-up roof and English-speaking driver/guide, all game drives, conservation area and camping fees, accommodation in two-person tents and meals in camp.  You would need to bring your personal belongings, drinks, a sleeping bag and a good sense of adventure.  E-mail or call for details of these and other trips available. 

WRITE FOR FREE FIELD GUIDE REVIEW, TOUR BROCHURE & TRIP ITINERARIES

We still have copies of Wilderness Safaris’ 1995 brochure containing details of nature tours to Botswana, Malawi, Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.  If you’re looking for a quality wilderness experience at a reasonable price, have a look at Wilderness Safaris’ brochure. We offer a 5% discount on all scheduled departure safaris, 10% on groups of four or more. Our acclaimed “African Field Guide Review”, which reviews 100 bird, mammal & other field guides and travel guides, is available free on request.  Snail-mail: 102 Stoney Creek Dr. Houston TX 77024. E-mail:  exafrica@aol.com