January – Dry season for gorilla tracking in Uganda

Where better to be based for gorilla tracking than Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest? This UNESCO World Heritage site in Uganda is home to half the world’s remaining mountain gorillas and recently welcomed two new gorilla families in June 2011.

This has allowed an increase in the number of daily gorilla tracking permits for guests, although due to the luxury camp’s unique location, many guests encounter the gorilla families without even leaving the grounds!

February – Celebrate Valentine’s Day with sky beds & star baths

The five suites at the intimate Sanctuary Baines’ Camp in Botswana all have private viewing decks where an intimate bath for two can be arranged. Guests also have the option to roll out their four-poster bed for a night under the stars, overlooking the shimmering waters of the Boro River.

March – First waters start to flood the Okavango Delta in Botswana

The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta, formed by the flooding of the Okavango River in the Kalahari Desert.

In March, guests at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp witness the first waters pushing through the Delta.

April – Celebrate Easter on the Yangzi in China

Sanctuary Yangzi Explorer offers the finest and most personalized service on the river, carrying just 124 passengers. Easter cruises include special activities like Easter Egg painting, an Easter Egg hunt and dinner with the Easter Bunny!

May – Marvel at the Victoria Falls in full flow
Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and rightly so! Spray from the falls typically rises to a height of over 400 meters, sometimes surpassing even that. It is visible from up to 50 kilometers away, hence the local name for the falls and the surrounding national park, Mosi-Oa-Tunya, “the Smoke that Thunders.”

Minutes away from Victoria Falls, Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma, is a collection of 12 tree houses situated on a dramatic bend in the Zambezi, providing guests with amazing views.

June – A walking safari in Zambia’s South Luangwa

The South Luangwa National Park is the birthplace of the walking safari and home to Sanctuary Retreats’ newest camp, Sanctuary Zebra Plains.

Guests can explore the pristine and unspoiled wilderness with one of the country’s most experienced guides.

The diversity of the surrounding habitat, home to large populations of zebra, elephant, buffalo, crocodile, puku, and over 400 bird species, provides some of the most spectacular walking in Africa.

July – See the Great Migration in the Masai Mara

From July to October, the Masai Mara is the stage for the Wildebeest Migration, one of nature’s greatest shows.

Guests staying at Sanctuary Olonana in Kenya can see millions of wildebeest and zebra journey between the Masai Mara and Serengeti in search of greener pastures.

August – Improve photography skills in the Galapagos

In August, Galapagos hawks court on Espanola and Santiago Islands, migrant shore birds begin to arrive, giant tortoises return to the highlands of Santa Cruz Island and Sanctuary Retreats is hosting a special photography workshop cruise with an award-winning photographer aboard the MV Eclipse!

September – Dry season for superb cheetah viewing in the Serengeti

With endless plains, the wildebeest migration, and countless big cats, the Serengeti is undoubtedly an epic safari destination. Sanctuary Kusini, the only permanently tented camp in the southern Serengeti, is located directly in the path of the seasonal cheetah movement, making it an ideal place to spot cheetah year-round.

October – Experience the Abu Simbel Sun Festival in Egypt

Twice a year, in February and October, the inner sanctum of the temple at Abu Simbel is illuminated by the sun’s rays.

It is believed Ramses II designed the temple to celebrate his ascension to the throne and his birthday. Guests can experience this wondrous sight aboard the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer.

November – Prime bird-watching in Tanzania’s Tarangire

Tarangire, in northern Tanzania, is known for its baobab trees and large herds of elephants. Additionally, the park is home to approximately 550 different types of birds, including many rare species. Sanctuary Swala offers both walking and night drives, providing countless opportunities for bird spotting.

December – Swap tradition for the exotic!
This year, why not celebrate the festive season by dining with elephants in the Okavango Delta? Or with a Maasai celebration in the Masai Mara? Or an exploration of ancient Egypt with a Nile cruise? The options are endless with Sanctuary Retreats.

The Sanctuary Sale:

Book before February 29, 2012 and save 25% in China, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. For more information on travel dates and conditions please visit: www.sanctuaryretreats.com/sanctuary_sale.cfm

About Sanctuary Retreats

Sanctuary Retreats’ collection of luxury safari lodges and explorer ships bring the boutique experience to guests with the added promise of authenticity. Each property is completely individual in its design and operated around the philosophy of “Luxury, naturally.”

All have the same aim: to allow guests to have a “real” experience and enjoy a more natural kind of luxury in properties that have a strong commitment to conservation and responsible tourism. The Sanctuary portfolio includes safari camps and lodges in Botswana, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, as well as expedition cruise ships on the Nile, Yangzi and Galapagos Islands.

For more information about Sanctuary Retreats, please visit www.sanctuaryretreats.com,  email info@sanctuaryretreats.com  or call +44 (0)207 190 7739.

January – India
January is the breeding season for the green sea turtles around the Galapagos Islands – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour – is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594 per person (pp)
This is also an excellent time of year to go tiger spotting in India when the clement weather facilitates close study of these rare and endangered big cats – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-kanha-and-bandhavagarh – a six day safari itinerary including elephant rides in Central India priced at £756/US$1,180pp

February – Nepal
February is a good time to go trekking in Nepal with better than usual odds of spotting the famed Bengal Tiger – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/chitwan-explorer  is a nine-day itinerary in Chitwan National Park priced at £1,465/US$2,287pp. This is also an ideal month for tracking the rare and beautiful snow
leopard in nearby Ladakh, India – visit www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/snow-leopard-experience  for a 13-day trekking adventure priced at £2,163/US$3,377pp.

February also sees the gathering of hundreds of thousands of spectacular pink flamingos on Lake Nakuru in Kenya, Africa – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp.

March – the Arctic
When the days start to lengthen and become milder in the Arctic region, this is an ideal time to spot Aurora Borealis – the Northern Lights – and a cruise is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience this natural wonder – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/lofoten-aurora-borealis through Norway is an eight-day journey on the schooner ‘Noorderlicht’ priced at £1,979/US$3,090pp.

April – Galapagos
April presents another excellent opportunity to go bird-watching in Galapagos where enthusiasts can spot blue-footed boobies, swallow tailed gullies, frigate birds and red-billed tropic birds amongst others. www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/galapagos-island-hopping-tour is a five-day itinerary priced at £1,661/US$2,594pp).

May – India – Ladhak and Karnataka
In India, the weather is perfect for an extensive trek around Ladhak in the Himalayas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/amazing-leh-community-service-trek – presents an unusual 13-day itinerary and the opportunity to become involved in local community service in the villages of Spango Valley while learning about and tracking the elusive snow leopard – priced at just £569/US$888pp.

This is also an opportune month to visit Karnataka in India and the Bandipur National Park and Tiger Reserve, the natural habitat of Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants and hyenas – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/classic-explorer-karnataka  is a five-day itinerary including the fascinating cities of Bangalore and Mysore and priced at £1,330/US$2,076pp.

June – Rwanda
Head to Rwanda this month to witness a unique baby gorilla naming ceremony, “KwitaIzina” – an annual ceremony attended by hundreds of local villagers but international visitors are also welcome – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/gorillas-wildlife-and-chimpanzees is a comprehensive seven-day adventure through some of Uganda’s best national parks of Kibale, Queen Elizabeth and Bwindi and is priced at £4,457/US$6,958pp.

July – Costa Rica and Brazil
Latin America is the destination to head for this month to spot the endangered green and hawksbill turtles nest on the beautiful Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica. The park is also home to manatees, crocodiles, tropical gar, jaguars, sloths and basilisks, amongst other exotic wildlife – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/forests-and-volcanoes-costa-rica  is a 15-day excursion round Costa Rica and the Caribbean priced at £3,662/US$5,717pp.

Alternatively, in Brazil’s Pantanal area this is the best time of year for jaguar sightings and for close study of many other endangered species including the hyacinth macaw and the maned wolf – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/voyage-heart-amazon  is an eight-day voyage to the heart of the Amazon and is priced at £2,940/US$4,590pp

August – Kenya
Head to Kenya this month to be amongst the first to witness one of nature’s greatest shows – the annual Great Migration sees thousands of wildebeest, gazelles and zebras make a dash across the Mara River risking death from predators such as the crocodile – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/simba-safari  is a seven-day safari priced at £2,027/US$3,164pp

September – Botswana
This is an ideal time to ravel to Botswana and explore the wilderness of Chobe National Park and the Okavango delta and take in the full majesty of the famed Victoria Falls – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/best-botswana-chobe-and-okavango  is an eight-day itinerary commencing in Maun and finishing at the Victoria Falls prices at £2,664/US$4,159pp

October – Madagascar
During this dry month off the coast of Africa, lemurs are particularly active and playful on the island of Madagascar – www.planetwildlife.in/travel/itineraries/magical-madagascar  is an exciting eight-day adventure combining lemurs and bird-watching as well as interaction with tribal villagers and is priced at £1,713/US$2,674pp.

November – the Falkland Islands

Head to the bottom of the world to the Falkland Islands (classified under the Antarctic zone) to watch five different species of penguins breed at this special time: the King, Rockhopper, Gentoo, Magallanic and Macaroni penguins – the islands also present a chance to spot the rare black-browed albatross – www.planetwildlife.com/travel/itineraries/antarctic-peninsula-weddell-see-falkland-islands  is a 14-day cruise from Ushuaia in Argentina to the Falklands priced at £8,995/US$14,041pp

December – Sri Lanka
In southern Sri Lanka, this is the best time of year to spot one of the natural wonders of the world – the Blue Whale….nowhere else do they come as close to the land as they do near the coast of Sri Lanka. The www.planetwildlife.com/trave/itineraries/blue-whale-and-leopard-experience  is a nine-day itinerary commencing in Colombo which combines blue whale and dolphin spotting with safaris in Yala, home to elephants and leopards – priced at £2,520/US$3,934pp.

For further information, please visit www.planetwildlife.com  or contact a PlanetWildlife office (listed on the website). PlanetWildlife is as a leading international provider of diverse wildlife and safari tours with over 300 creative itineraries in 26 countries around the world catering to a wide range of interests and budgets.

About PlanetWildlife:

PlanetWildlife is an international travel company based in India with sales offices in UK, India, Australia, Hong Kong and Sweden. It is backed by highly successful entrepreneurs and managed by a professional team who are passionate about wildlife and have been involved in a variety of nature conservation activities over the years. The www.PlanetWildlife.com website features over 300 itineraries to Africa, India, and South America comprising a diverse range of photography safaris, hiking expeditions and bird-watching adventures, including ocean cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica.

Most tours offer daily departure dates and each is well-organised, competitively priced, environmentally responsible and tailored to suit the requirements of group or individual travellers. In all instances they are led by highly qualified and experienced leaders. Respected travel industry professionals and wildlife experts work in consultation with PlanetWildlife and are instrumental in designing each themed itinerary Via the website, a comprehensive and continuously expanding reference library on species and destinations is readily accessible and is regularly updated to ensure its usefulness to travellers, students, wildlife enthusiasts and bloggers.

PlanetWildlife is committed to responsible tourism, and in particular: minimising negative environmental impact; contributing to the conservation of natural and cultural heritages and embracing diversity; providing rewarding experiences for visitors through meaningful interaction with local communities to the economic benefit of those communities; and promoting a greater understanding and respect for local cultural, social and environmental issues. It is part of PlanetWildlife’s corporate policy to fund selected awareness drives and wildlife conservation programmes and welcomes suggestions from the public in this regard.

A vacation to Africa has so much more to offer than just a jeep safari! With African Travel, Inc. , your trip to Africa can include unique and varied experiences you may have never even thought of! Different and wonderful experiences abound, and African Travel can add one or all of these unique adventures to your African Travel vacation plans for a trip that will create memories to last a lifetime! Here are the top 10 Unique Travel Experiences chosen by African Travel’s expert Safari Consultants:

Top 10 Unique Travel Experiences

Get Up Close and Personal with Great White Sharks
Explore the Terrain on Elephant Back
Ride the Dunes on a Quad Bike
Sail in a Dhow in Mozambique
Try a Camel Back Riding Safari
See the Terrain on Horseback
Enjoy a Balloon Ride
Take a Bicycle Safari
Go On a Walking Safari
Voluntourism: Give the Gift of Your Time

1. Get Up Close and Personal with Great White Sharks. Think of Africa and lions and elephants instantly leap to mind. But South Africa is also undoubtedly one of the top shark dive regions in the world! Great white shark diving at Gansbaai and Cape Town is possibly the greatest thrill you will ever experience. From both the boat deck and submerged in the safety of the specially designed cage, you will certainly get the view you are looking for of these magnificent and feared creatures. A full day tour can easily be added to any of our Popular Journeys that include a stop in Cape Town.

2. Explore the Terrain on Elephant Back.Share in the ultimate African experience. View tree tops, birds’ nests, and giraffes almost face to face. Sail high above the bushveld and feel part of the environment, instead of being just a passive observer. On elephant back, you are truly an integral part of the experience. Half day elephant safaris are easily added to any stay in the Victoria Falls area and are an included highlight to our Wild Kingdoms of Southern Africa Popular Journey safari. For the ultimate elephant experience, consider another Popular Journey, South Africa’s Finest, which includes a two-night stay at Camp Jabulani. This property takes luxury to its highest level while also devoting attention to the care and well-being of orphaned elephants. Imagine an evening elephant-back safari followed by a romantic setting of a lantern lit bush dinner -a white linen table adorned with a selection of beverages, crystal glasses, fresh flowers and delectable canapés specially prepared by the chef. It is not hard to feel that “Life is good” as you unwind at the end of another day at Camp Jabulani.

3. Ride the Dunes on a Quad Bike. Namibia is bordered on two sides by deserts, the Kalahari and Namib, which have the largest sand dunes anywhere. By far the most exciting thing on four wheels, Quad Biking on the sand dunes is a rush like no other. Whether you’re speeding through the fast stretches or navigating the technical sections, Quadding will knock your socks off! All bikes are fully automatic. Quad Biking on the sand dunes is truly an amazing and unique experience. Quad Biking is offered as a safari activity on the Roaring Dunes and Soaring Skies of Namibia and the Footprints of the Bushmen in Botswana, to name just a few.

For more information and reservations contact African Travel at (800) 421-8907 or visit www.africantravelinc.com . CST 2071444-20

Coming Soon! Look for the new African Travel, Inc. Journal Page. Get travel tips, travel photos and testimonials, stories from the bush, and you can subscribe to the RSS feed to get all of these things in one place!

About African Travel, Inc.

African Travel crafts personalized African safaris and adventures for today’s travelers who crave an experience of a lifetime. With over 35 years providing authentic African experiences, African Travel knows all the options to ensure a wonderful custom wildlife adventure to South Africa , Botswana, Namibia, Zambia including Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Kenya , Tanzania including Zanzibar, Rwanda and Uganda including gorilla trekking, Mozambique, Seychelles, Mauritius, Egypt and Dubai .

African Travel, Inc. was nominated by Travel Weekly in their 2010 Readers’ Choice Awards as a Top Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter in Travel +Leisure’s World’s Best Awards.

African Travel, Inc. is part of The Travel Corporation, which also includes Trafalgar, Contiki, Brendan Vacations, Insight Vacations, Red Carnation Hotel Collection, and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection.

A recent column in the New York Times lamented the absence of silence in our lives, saying, “There will be fewer and fewer of what Virginia Woolf called ‘moments of being,’ intense sensations that stand apart from the ‘cottonwool of daily life.’”

One place to experience “moments of being” is in the middle of the northern Kalahari, an area of huge, flat saltpans. The Makgadikgadi and Nxai pans were at the center of a great lake that dried up thousands of years ago, leaving behind some of the largest saltpans in the world. It’s a harsh, sparse landscape, but it offers isolation as complete as anywhere in Southern Africa, and a wealth of hidden treasures. The pans play a vital role in the area’s ecosystems; their geology is unique, their history is fascinating, and they’re incredibly photogenic.

There’s a saying that the silence is so complete in the vast, silvery-white Makgadikgadi Pans that you can hear your own blood flowing. Occasionally, the pans host fleeting herds of Kalahari game, but essentially it’s a wilderness. For most of the year, these great pans cover some 3,900 square miles of the Kalahari in a thin crust of salt. It’s an eerie, other-worldly environment.

“Around January to March, if the rains have been good, the pans flood,” said McIntyre. “Then grasses spring to life, and often flamingos arrive, together with a huge migration of zebra and wildebeest. Although unpredictable, this is one of Africa’s great wildlife spectacles.”

Another spectacle is the millions of stars that can be seen through the pollution-free environment. McIntyre’s expertise is based on years of travel and research within Southern Africa. He is the author of more than a dozen guidebooks to Southern Africa, from the first English-language guide to Namibia and Botswana, first published more than 20 years ago, to all three editions of the Botswana guidebook published by Bradt Travel Guides. Rates for the 10-night safari that includes Botswana’s Nxai and Makgadikgadi pans, as well as the Okavango Delta, start at $5,183 per person, double occupancy.

With African Travel, Inc.

Have you been looking for the ideal way to get the most out of your trip to Southern Africa? Are you short on time but want to see everything? African Travel, Inc. has the answer for you– Wild Kingdoms of Southern Africa ! This Southern Africa wildlife odyssey covers South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, and it has a little bit of everything. This awe-inspiring journey will take you through some of the best safari destinations in Africa where you’ll discover the heartbeat of Africa through its scenic landscapes, incredible wildlife and wonderful people.

According to Jim Holden, president of African Travel, “For a safari enthusiast, this is the best southern Africa has to offer. And this year has proven to be an especially good one for game viewing! In Zimbabwe, most of the major game are seen on a daily basis.

I would like to point out that Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world, and if you’re going to see a waterfall take time to see this one!

When you choose African Travel, you benefit from our 35 years of experience in taking you to the right places for the best game viewing experience. Not every part of Africa is necessarily good for game viewing, so you want to trust an experienced operator with the right connections to optimize your vacation and see the best of African wildlife.”

African Travel works hard to be sure its guests only stay in the best locations. Somalisa Camp in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, offers truly spectacular game viewing. Near Somalisa is Ngweshla Pan, and this is a major attraction for large herds of elephant and buffalo.

All around the pan is grassland where zebra, kudu, impala, ostrich, and wildebeest graze happily with a watchful eye open for predators. Prides of lion relax under the shade of trees and even leopards can be seen coming to feed in the area.

The opportunities for wildlife viewing are far beyond your wildest expectations and you will never forget this once in a lifetime experience.

Muchenje Safari Lodge provides some of Botswana’s finest safari accommodation.

Its unparalleled safari experiences are ideal for both discerning patrons and newcomers to the bush alike. Situated on the western edge of Chobe National park, Muchenje is the only accommodation in this area, offering unique, prolific game experiences.

Chobe is famous for its large herds of elephant and buffalo, along with numerous predators, including lions, leopards and wild dogs.

There is a great diversity of plains game and an astonishing array of bird species. This is one of the best wildlife viewing areas in the whole of Botswana, if not all of Africa!

Southern Africa Wildlife Tour – Wild Kingdoms Of Southern Africa

10 Days from $4,595 per person, land only; includes South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana

MARVEL at of the most stunning waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls, “the Smoke that Thunders ”

DISCOVER wildlife galore on early morning walking safaris as the sun rises over the bush, night game drives with a spotlight in search of the nocturnal species, and the unique perspective from the back of an elephant. The opportunities and activities are endless

EXPERIENCE the friendly culture of Botswana village life when you visit the local community and school

ENJOY authentic bush camps which blend African charm and elegance together with an excellent game viewing experience for the perfect safari recipe

Accommodations

1 Night Johannesburg

2 Nights Ilala Hotel, Victoria Falls

3 Nights Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park

3 Nights Muchenje Lodge, Chobe National Park

For more information and reservations visit www.africantravelinc.com  or call (800) 421-8907. Read Jetsetters Magazineadventure feature stories about South Africa with African Travel Inc.

The thirst for silence is evident in the rise of travelers looking for “retreats,” places free of TV, Internet, computers, cell phones and other electronic devices, where luxury is the location. Some of these are “reading retreats,” others are spiritual; still others are trips into the wilderness, such as EXPERT AFRICA’S Kalahari Safari of Silence (see rates and details below). A recent column in t
LONDON, England (12/2011
he New York Times lamented the absence of silence in our lives, saying, “There will be fewer and fewer of what Virginia Woolf called ‘moments of being,’ intense sensations that stand apart from the ‘cottonwool of daily life.’”

One place to experience “moments of being” is in the middle of the northern Kalahari, an area of huge, flat saltpans. The Makgadikgadi and Nxai pans were at the center of a great lake that dried up thousands of years ago, leaving behind some of the largest saltpans in the world. It’s a harsh, sparse landscape, but it offers isolation as complete as anywhere in Southern Africa, and a wealth of hidden treasures. The pans play a vital role in the area’s ecosystems; their geology is unique, their history is fascinating, and they’re incredibly photogenic.

There’s a saying that the silence is so complete in the vast, silvery-white Makgadikgadi Pans that you can hear your own blood flowing. Occasionally, the pans host fleeting herds of Kalahari game, but essentially this is a wilderness. For most of the year, these great pans cover some 3900 square miles of the Kalahari in a thin crust of salt. It’s an eerie, other-worldly environment. “Around January to March, if the rains have been good, the pans flood,” says McIntyre. “Then grasses spring to life, and often flamingos arrive, together with a huge migration of zebra and wildebeest. Although unpredictable, this is one of Africa’s great wildlife spectacles.” Another spectacle is the millions of stars that can be seen through the pollution-free environment.

McIntyre’s expertise is based on years of travel and research within Southern Africa. He is the author of more than a dozen guidebooks to Southern Africa, from the first English-language guide to Namibia and Botswana,first published more than 20 years ago, to all three editions of the Botswana guidebook published by Bradt Travel Guides.

KALAHARI SAFARI OF SILENCE

Rates for the 10-night safari that includes Botswana’s Nxai and Makgadikgadi pans as well as the Okavango Delta start at US$5,183 per person sharing.

Flights ex-Maun, Botswana
4 nights Nxai Pan Camp, Nxai Pan
3 nights Kwara Camp, Okavango Delta
3 nights Camp Kalahari, Makgadikgadi Pans

Costs from US$5,183 per person sharing.

Includes:
All flights and transfers, starting in Maun and ending in Maun.
All meals, non-premium drinks (including South African wine, beers and local spirits) and activities.
All park fees.

Excludes:
Flights to and from Maun, Botswana
Any fine wines, champagnes and premium spirits

For more information, visit: www.expertafrica.com  or + 44 20 8232 9777

San Camp has undergone a complete transformation and redesign. The new property offers a desert experience with a spiritual focus in one of the world’s most remote and inspiring landscapes. Nestled in a reef of palms on the edge of the Pans, San Camp is truly secluded, a place where you can look out onto the endless lunar landscape of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. A special tented yoga pavilion encourages guests to shed their urban lives and get in touch with their spirituality through this meditative experience.

San Camp is a true enclave of style, luxury, serenity and oneness with nature. Spacious and airy, the white tents, paired with a traditional décor, are designed to transport guests to the original days of safari under canvas. The camp offers a large mess tent with a unique collection of historic artifacts, antiques and books along with a special tea tent, while the six stylish guest tents offer four-poster beds, en-suite bathrooms and spacious verandas.

San Camp was built with the utmost respect for the environment. Not only does San Camp run almost entirely on solar energy, dramatically reducing the camp’s carbon footprint and consumption of fossil fuels, but sustainably harvested teak from Zimbabwe was exclusively used in the construction of San Camp, all of which is in strict accordance with Forest Stewardship Council principles and guidelines. This protocol guarantees sustainable standards and aims to protect and preserve Zimbabwe’s beautiful indigenous forests.

Safaris in the Makgadikgadi are unlike those found anywhere else, as the unique species that inhabit the area have all adapted to life in this harsh wilderness. Aardvark, brown hyena and springbuck are just a few of the fascinating creatures that guests have the chance to observe on game drives. That is not to mention the ability to interact with the Kalahari’s famed meerkats. Journeying out into the middle of the Salt Pans on adrenaline filled quad bike rides is a true thrill and allows guests to get an understanding of what the middle of nowhere really is. You can see the curve of the earth in this place as the nothingness stretches for miles and total quiet makes it possible to hear the blood flow in your ears. It is in this rugged environment that the Ju’hoasi Bushmen have lived for tens of thousands of years, and cultural interactions with them leave travellers changed forever.

Hearkening back to the rustic early days of African exploration, Uncharted Africa Safari co. is one of the last truly authentic safari operations. The old-world styling and superb cuisine conspire to delight and indulge guests during their stay. The company includes a portfolio of three other exquisite properties: Jack’s Camp is a true pioneer in the industry, just as its namesake was; Camp Kalahari is a rustic retreat into the bush, with unparalleled comfort; while Planet Baobab is pure funky heaven. Uncharted Africa Safari co. also operates unique and luxurious mobile safari expeditions into Botswana’s most inspired destinations, offering game and cultural experiences unmatched anywhere on the continent.

More information about San Camp or Uncharted Africa Safari co.’s portfolio of safari experiences is available online at www.unchartedafrica.com . Reservations inquiries should be directed to reservations@unchartedafrica.com 

About Uncharted Africa Safari Co.
Founded in 1993 by Catherine Raphaely and Ralph Bousfield, Uncharted Africa captures the spirit of Ralph’s legendary father and pioneering African adventurer Jack Bousfield. Uncharted Africa realizes Jack’s vision of bringing travelers to the otherworldly Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana. It is one of the last truly traditional safari operations in all of Africa, and home to the famous Makgadikgadi meerkats. www.unchartedafrica.com

A trip to Africa could be just the ticket for a wildlife-packed winter warmer. The following seasonal specials from The Zambezi Safari and Travel Company (www.zambezi.com  01548 830059) should be top of Santa’s list.

Botswana horse riding safari, 3 nights from £1,865 – David and Robyn Foot are revered across Africa for their horse riding safaris, now guests can join them in Botswana at Thamalakane River Ride.

Their base is Royal Tree Lodge, a small intimate camp with luxurious tented accommodation nestled in 400 acres of riverine trees and acacia woodland on the edge of the Thamalakane River, a short drive from Maun.

Mornings and afternoons are spent riding within the environs of the reserve where the resident wildlife have become relaxed with the horses presence allowing for close encounters and great photographic opportunities.

Suitable for riders of all abilities, the trip makes for the perfect family safari adventure.

The three night safari costs from £1,865 per person including:

Return flights from London Heathrow to Johannesburg and on to Maun

Airport transfers

All meals and drinks (excluding premium)

Additional nights on safari in the Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert can be arranged on request.

Tanzania migration safari and beach, 8 nights from £3,750 – Catch the Great Migration without the crowds on this privately guided safari. By flying between semi-permanent and seasonal camps safari-enthusiasts can enjoy the best year round advantage of the region’s wildlife, shadowing the migration – which between January and April can be found in the southern Serengeti.

Finish off with three nights at an idyllic beach getaway located on the tranquil Indian Ocean. With long stretches of pristine beach and warm blue seas, this romantic hide-away is the perfect tonic to the winter blues.

The package costs from £3,750 per person including:
Full board accommodation – 5 nights on safari, 3 at the beach

Park and concession fees and camping fees

All drinks (except champagne) on safari

Laundry

Transfers

All safari activities with private guide and exclusive vehicle

Scheduled flights and Flying Doctor medical cover

Flights from London to Kilimanjaro with Kenya Airways

Affordable Island Hopping in Mauritius, 12 nights from £2,095 -

This 12-night tailor made trip includes three nights on Mauritius, three nights on little-known Rodrigues Island as well as four nights back on Mauritius.

And with holiday highlights including swimming with dolphins and walking with lions, this is no run of the mill fly-and-flop winter sun break.

The package costs from £2,095 per person including:

3 nights at Andrea Lodge, Mauritius, in a Premium Room on a half board basis

Swimming with dolphins and walking with lions experience

3 nights at Domaine Decide, Rodrigues, in an Auberge Suite on a bed and breakfast basis

Full day excursion around the small islands, lunch included

4 nights at Veranda Grand Baie Hotel, Mauritius, in a Superior Room on a half board basis, water sport and indoor games

Full Day catamaran cruise to the North Islands, lunch included

Flights from London Private transfers

Meet and Greet at the airports (Mauritius & Rodrigues)
All Taxes

The company, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year (2011), is now the only major UK operator to offer overland trips to Georgia, Malaysia (and Singapore), Mongolia and Morocco, and several more countries in West Africa including Angola, The Congo, DRC and Gabon – destinations new to the company for 2012.

As a result of adding these new West Africa destinations to complement Dragoman’s existing comprehensive South, East and North Africa portfolio, travellers will now be able to overland around almost the entire African continent, from Casablanca to Cape Town, Cape Town to Cairo.

Dragoman is also launching a new range of ‘in-depth’ Africa overland adventures in response to customer feedback. “Customers have told us they want the option of experiencing overlanding ‘like it used to be’, says Charlie Hopkinson, Dragoman’s Managing Director. “You could say that we’re going back to our roots,” he adds. Customers can now choose from classic ‘standard’ overland routes, many of which were pioneered by Dragoman, and more immersive adventures (with additional inclusions) operated at a more considered, relaxed pace.

The soaring popularity of Nile adventures, Central Asia and China trips has led the company to significantly increase its departures there.

The 2012 brochure is also previewing trips to be launched in 2013, including a truly epic overland journey of almost 10,000 miles from Anchorage to Ushuaia. It’s anticipated that the North America section will see overlanders’ swap the usual purpose-built Mercedes Benz 4WD trucks for a specially adapted iconic American school bus. As well as journeying through North America, Canada and Mexico, the company will be launching new trips through Central America, from Mexico City to Antigua, Antigua to Panama City from where travellers will join trips already operated by the company, overlanding down the entire South American continent to Ushuaia at its southern-most tip.

As well as showcasing 30 new trips in its 2012 brochure, Dragoman, a company which has always been committed to offering responsible, sustainable and culturally immersive ‘grass-roots’ adventure, has increased the number of homestays it uses (everything from gers, yurts and traditional local homes) by over 50%, in Asia, Africa and South America.

The company has also invested significantly into building new trucks and refurbishing others in its 24 strong fleet for the start of 2012, with plans for further improvements during the year, to optimise customer comfort and safety.

All trips that Dragoman offers are carbon offset.
For the full range of new trips, click on http://www.dragoman.com/about-us/news/497-new-for-2012-be-the-first-to-check-out-our-new-trips-

“We know that for many of our clients, Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime trip,” explained Jane Reed, Peregrine Marketing Manager. “They tend to stay longer than in other destinations, and want to cover more territory. These new trips are designed to be the once-in-a-lifetime answer.”

The new 33-day Classic Africa overland trip is expected to be particularly popular. It starts in Nairobi, Kenya and includes watching the vast flocks of flamingos at Lake Nakuru and game drives on the broad savannah of the Masai Mara, Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater. Mid trip, there’s a few days relaxation on the sandy beaches of Zanzibar.

From Tanzania, the group flies south to Victoria Falls for the second stage of the journey. There are more wildlife encounters against a backdrop of contrasting terrain, from the pristine Okavango wetlands to the stark desert and dunes of Sossusvlei and the life-giving waterholes of one of Africa’s most extraordinary wildlife reserves: Etosha, in the remote north of Namibia. The trip travels south via the Fish River Canyon – the world’s second-largest – to end in Cape Town.

Along the way, transport ranges from purpose-built safari vehicles to dugout canoes and accommodation ranges from a houseboat to luxury tented camps. Offering considerably more comfort and inclusions than the ‘traditional’ overland Africa safari, groups are limited to a maximum of 12 passengers; all accommodation, entry fees and excursions are included, as well as flights between Zanzibar and Victoria Falls, most meals, a Peregrine local leader and specialist local guides.

The Classic Africa safari costs $13 445 per person, twin share and has departures from Nairobi in July, August and September, 2012; January and March 2013.

Another new trip for 2012 is the Best of Botswana – which caters for travellers who like their African adventure underpinned by comfort. The trip travels between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls in a small (12-passenger), private, purpose-built Peregrine vehicle, staying at the very comfortable lodges that make up the Under One Botswana Sky portfolio of properties, including a scenic flight in the Okavango Delta and two nights in a permanent tented safari camp.

The trip visits some of Botswana’s most famous highlights, including Chobe National Park, renowned for its huge elephant populations; the blinding white salt pans of Makgadikgadi; the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls. But it also visits the Cape Vulture colony (the world’s largest, with 800 breeding pairs) in Marakele National Park and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary – a community-based project that is a vital link in Botswana’s efforts to conserve these endangered animals.

The 12-day Best of Botswana tour starts in Johannesburg and ends in Victoria Falls, and also runs in reverse. There are monthly departures, year-round. The trip costs $4635 per person, twin share, including all transport, accommodation, entry fees, Peregrine local leader and specialist guides, and most meals.

For more information contact your travel agent or Peregrine Adventures on 1300 854 500 or to download a copy of the new Peregrine Africa 2012-13 brochure, visit www.peregrineadventures.com