YELLOW FEVER VACCINATIONS NOW REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL TO ZAMBIA

The South African Department of Health has issued a statement that all returning travelers from South Africa to Zambia and travelers from Zambia to South Africa will now require proof of yellow fever vaccination. Previously, this was not required. All in-transit passengers between the two destinations, irrespective of the time period in transit, will also require proof of yellow fever vaccination.

WILDERNESS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES NEW BRANDING (South Africa)

The Wilderness group recently celebrated the official launch of its new branding campaign. Over the past six months, Wilderness has rolled out a number of new brands and reorganised its business in a way that makes the features of each of the different elements of the company clearer and allows them to focus on their core purpose.

As such, the parent or group brand is now simply ‘Wilderness’. The tag line ‘for the long run’ pays homage to its roots in sustainability.

Associated with this parent brand are two well-known non-profit entities, namely the Wilderness Wildlife Trust and Children in the Wilderness, as well as what are now termed the trading brands, including:

• Wilderness Safaris: camp operator and tour operating business for its own and others’ camps in Southern Africa.
• Wilderness Adventures: camp operator and bed night booking business of only Wilderness Adventures camps.
• Wilderness Exploration: an operator of mobile safaris booked through Wilderness Safaris.
• Wilderness Air: The former Sefofane Air Charters.
• Wilderness Collection: a new brand that includes North Island and Abu Camp.

The newest addition, the Wilderness Collection, followed CEO Andy Payne’s announcement of the acquisition of camps in two new destinations never before included in the Wilderness portfolio: Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Segera on the Laikipia Plateau in Kenya and Odzala in the rainforest of Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Brazzaville) are due to open in early 2012.

Please contact sandra@africadynamics.com for more information.

ABU SPECIAL (Botswana)

To celebrate the reopening of a fully refurbished Abu Camp and the appointment of Wilderness Safaris as both the camp operator as well as marketer of Abu and sister camp Seba, we are thrilled to announce this opening special throughout 2011 (applies only to new bookings).

The Abu elephant herd are ambassadors for the natural heritage of Botswana and offer an incomparable opportunity to truly appreciate our environment and connect to it, becoming fully immersed in a whole new world. To explore the vast, pristine wilderness of Botswana’s Okavango Delta in the company of the herd is an extraordinary experience – an adventure that transforms our perceptions of elephants, wildlife and the environment.

Please contact sandra@africadynamics.com for more information.

EMIRATES AIRLINES ADDING ADDITIONAL FLIGHTS TO CAPE TOWN (South Africa)

Starting March 27, 2011 Emirates will introduce an additional daily service to the beautiful city of Cape Town, South Africa. Flights will depart Dubai at 03h50, arriving in Cape Town at 11h40. The return service will depart Cape Town at 13h40, arriving in Dubai at 01h15 the following day.

The airline says the second service “vastly” improves connections to the Americas and Europe. EK773 is operated by an Airbus 340-500 carrying 258 passengers in a three-class configuration.

With the introduction of the additional flight Emirates now operates six daily international flights out of South Africa, increasing its frequencies to a total of 42 per week.

In addition, the airline has also announced 100% increase in frequency between Dubai and Seychelles. This route will be serviced by 14 flights a week by the end of the year.

RELOCATED RHINOS THRIVE IN THEIR NEW HOME (Tanzania)

Singita Grumeti Reserves has reported that the five Eastern Black rhinoceros relocated recently from South Africa to their new home in East Africa, are healthy and adapting well.

The critically endangered rhinos, the first of a group of 32 to be relocated, will be released from the current temporary enclosures where they have been monitored since their arrival, into an electrified sanctuary spanning some 43 sq km. The remainder of the group will be introduced to the Serengeti over a period of two years.

The joint venture between the Singita Grumeti Fund, in collaboration with Tanzania National Parks and the Frankfurt Zoological Society, aims to return the rhinos back to their natural habitat in the Serengeti. Just over four decades ago, black rhino populations in East Africa were flourishing, however poaching within the Serengeti National Park has resulted in the black rhino population dwindling from 1 000 to fewer than 70. To ensure the protection of the rhinos during the relocation process and their long-term sustainability in the future, an elite Serengeti Rhino Protection Unit of 23 carefully selected and trained rangers has been established.

ADVENTURER EXPLORATION (Botswana)

We would like to introduce our new 5 night / 6 day Adventurer Exploration to you - Delta Adventurer.

Be the first to experience this new Exploration! The Delta Adventurer will appeal to those looking to explore the Okavango Delta in Botswana, the largest inland delta system in the world. An area of 15 000 km2 filled with water channels, lagoons and islands, this is a place where you’ll find scenic beauty and extraordinary wildlife encounters.

The first camp, Xigera Mokoro Trails, is set up on a vegetated island in the remote Xigera area, exposing the permanently flooded inner Delta. Here the islands and serene waterways enable up close and personal encounters with birdlife and wildlife, particularly those specially adapted to water. Khwai Discoverer Camp in the Khwai Concession just north of the Khwai River is where woodland meets floodplains, wetlands and grasslands. The area is home to a plethora of large mammals and elusive predators.

This is the ultimate African adventure where you’ll be exploring this land by foot, traditional mokoro and game drives. Your journey is rounded off with aerial views of this beautiful area, not for nothing known as the “Jewel of the Kalahari.”

Brief itinerary

Days 1 - 2: Fly by light aircraft from Maun Airport to Xigera Concession (Moremi Game Reserve), then by mokoro to Xigera Mokoro Trails Camp, set on a remote island.
Days 3 - 5: Transfer by light aircraft to Khwai Discoverer Camp, Khwai Concession.
Day 6: Bid farewell to the adventure as we transfer by light aircraft to Maun Airport.

Features of this Exploration

• Access to the exclusive wilderness sanctuaries of the Okavango Delta in concessions mainly exclusive to Wilderness
Safaris guests.
• Specifically tailored for enjoyment of the varied species within the different habitats of the Okavango Delta (both
permanently and seasonally flooded).
• Both camps are fully serviced and allow a sublime “back to nature” experience.
• Experienced, knowledgeable and passionate guides travel with the guests throughout the journey.
• Air transfers showcase the vast wilderness and denizens of Botswana and complete the beauty of
the journey.