Jetsettersblog

Presenting the Sanctuary Guide to 2012

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.

The new itineraries include:
- two days gorilla tracking in Rwanda, staying at Virunga Lodge, followed by chimp tracking and game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park
- a trip to the dramatic Kyambura Gorge to track the threatened community of chimpanzees

ECO-LODGES IN UGANDA AND RWANDA

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Volcanoes Safaris is one of Africa’s most sought after luxury safaris offering life enriching travel experiences. Following an exciting year of refurbishments, continued conservation commitment and many stories from the gorilla and chimpanzee lodges, the 2012 itineraries offer guests an incredible, exhilarating and unrivaled journey.

7 day Gorillas in Rwanda and Chimp with wildlife in Uganda
This safari features two of the most spectacular wildlife experiences in Uganda and Rwanda: two days gorilla tracking in Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda staying at Virunga Lodge, followed by chimp tracking and game viewing in Queen Elizabeth National Park, staying at the recently opened Kyambura Gorge Lodge.

6 day Gorillas in Parc National des Volcans and Culture in Mgahinga
This fascinating safari offers guests a unique insight into gorilla and local community life in Uganda and Rwanda and demonstrates how they are linked by responsible tourism. It offers guests the opportunity to spend two days tracking mountain gorillas on the slopes of the volcanoes before transferring to Mount Gahinga in Uganda where they can spend time with the Batwa community to learn about this ancient way of life.

4 day Wildlife and Chimps in Kyambura Gorge
Either as an extension or a short safari, a trip to the dramatic Kyambura Gorge to track the threatened community of chimpanzees is an exhilarating experience. When not in the Gorge, guests can spot an amazing array of birds and experience the game of the Kasenyi plains. Guests will stay at the newest addition to the Volcanoes Collection, Kyambura Gorge Lodge, a unique lodge which has been described as “a celebration of contemporary Africa”.

6 day Wildlife and Chimps in Uganda
This 6 day safari takes you to of one Uganda’s best destinations for chimp tracking, Kibale forest. In addition to the community of approximately 120 habituated chimpanzees, the forest is home to twelve other species of primate including black and white colobus monkeys. Guests will spend two nights at Ndali lodge which overlooks a spectacular crater lake, before transferring to Kyambura Gorge Lodge in Queen Elizabeth where they will have the opportunity to view game and over 600 species of birds.

“The focus for 2012 is to give our guests the opportunity to explore an amazing combination of wildlife and primates that the areas have to offer whether at the contemporary Kyambura Gorge, where you can track chimpanzees and view over 600 species of bird; or at the newly refurbished Bwindi Lodge where there are 4 gorilla families that can be seen in their natural habitat” says Praveen Moman, co-founder and managing director of Volcanoes Safaris.

Volcanoes Lodges are the only properties in Uganda and Rwanda to be sold on an all-inclusive basis including all meals, soft and alcoholic drinks, complimentary massage and any activities guests may wish to indulge in whilst at the lodge. The itineraries are available on a scheduled group departure or private, tailor made basis.

With the opening of Volcanoes Kyambura Gorge Lodge in July 2011, there are now four lodges in the Volcanoes Collection, enabling guests to experience all the highlights of Uganda and Rwanda in exceptional comfort and style. Guests can also visit some fascinating community and cultural projects near the lodges which are supported by Volcanoes Safaris.

For additional information, please visit www.volcanoessafaris.com  or call 1.866.599.APES (2737).

About Volcanoes Safaris
The Volcanoes Safaris Group (VS) is a unique great ape ecotourism business specializing in mountain gorilla safaris to Uganda and Rwanda. Established in 1997 in Kampala, Uganda, no other company in the world has invested so heavily in the area around the mountain gorilla parks in these two countries. VS offers an integrated set of services including safaris and eco safari lodges. Kyambura Gorge Lodge is the latest addition the Volcanoes Collection of leading lodges in Uganda and Rwanda. The other three properties are Virunga Lodge in Rwanda – a luxury gorilla lodge; Bwindi the jungle gorilla lodge and Mount Gahinga offer hiking and cultural tourism. The company has also set up the Volcanoes Safaris Partnership Trust, which links neighboring communities to conservation and ecotourism in keeping with Volcanoes distinctive vision for great ape eco-tourism. It also promotes the conservation of chimpanzees through the creation of a buffer zone along the gorge and reclamation of 40-acre wetland that was previously used as illegal brickworks.

Goway Travel is offering a package for gorilla tracking in the remote Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, one of only three countries that are home to the rare mountain gorillas. The Goway trip is based in the Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, which receives visits from gorillas up to six times a month.

Guests stay in one of eight tents overlooking the jungle. The tents have hardwood floors, bathtubs and decks supporting beds. The camp has a bar and dining cottage with a raised platform for dining under the stars. Goway’s Uganda Gorilla Forest Camp trip package is priced from $2,914, including three nights’ accommodation, return airport transfers, all transportation by a comfortable land cruiser jeep, local guides, Batwa tribe experience or community walk or forest walk, laundry, picnic lunches both days of transfers, some meals and one gorilla permit. For more information, call 800-245-0920or email info@africaexperts.com .

Get out of the Jeep and Discover a Whole Different Africa! ~

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.

African Travel, Inc. is offering The Pearl of Africa, a spectacular way to see the enchanting wildlife of Uganda – and featuring the magnificent, endangered Mountain Gorillas. Renowned for its physical beauty, Uganda offers a variety of wildlife viewing experiences in the Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park and Bwindi. The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is a sanctuary for 13 different species of primate, colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and many birds (such as hornbills and turacos).

It is perhaps most notable for the approximately 300 Bwindi Mountain Gorillas, half the world’s population of the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas. The region around Ishasha is noted for its tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging in old fig trees.

The photographic opportunities are plentiful as you experience a country that is also the source of the Nile River.

Mountain gorillas are among the most famous of all endangered animals. These majestic animals are lately finding it very hard to survive, and as recently as 2006, they were at the brink of extinction.

Fortunately, recent conservation efforts have been quite successful, the primary factor responsible for this positive trend being an effort by organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda to protect the gorillas and their habitat.

Another significant contributor towards protection of the Mountain Gorillas is Americans visiting them! When travelers visit Africa using a knowledgeable company such as African Travel, Inc. they are making a huge contribution to the conservation of Mountain Gorillas.

Despite these positive efforts, mountain gorillas are still under threat of extinction, and more conservation efforts will be necessary to remove gorillas from the endangered animals list. Now is an excellent time to visit these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
The Pearl of Africa—8 days. Uganda, Rwanda.

Highlights

EXPLORE the shores of the Kazinga Channel in search of pink backed pelicans, saddle billed storks, buffalo, Nile crocodile, and hippo from the comfort of your cruise boat

DISCOVER the forest dwelling indigenous pygmy tribes of Uganda

EXPERIENCE the coveted hour with the rare and endangered Mountain Gorillas of Uganda. Watch the family, with its dominant male silverback leader and protector, attentive mothers, and playful juveniles, move through their forest home

ENJOY observing the fascinating chimpanzees as they traverse the tree canopy and forage on the forest floor

Accommodations

1 Night in Lake Victoria Serena Resort, Entebbe
2 Nights in Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale Forest
2 Nights in Kyambura Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park

2 Nights in Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest

Priced from $4995 per person land only, based on double occupancy.

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

About African Travel, Inc.

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 recently 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. Read the Jetsetters Magazine features about South Africa with African Travel Inc.

Known as The Pearl of Africa and the source of the River Nile, Uganda is an unspoilt destination where the East African savannah meets the West African Jungle, offering visitors an experience of a lifetime. Boasting an exciting variety of natural and cultural wonders, it is easy to understand why Lonely Planet has recently listed this beautiful and charming location as the number one holiday destination for 2012.

The country’s charm lies in its impressive variety of wildlife species and stunning scenery. In addition to boasting Africa’s largest variety of bird species it is also renowned for its primate species including the endangered Mountain Gorilla which is undeniably one of Uganda’s finest tourist attractions. Over half of the world’s remaining population of the Mountain Gorilla live within Uganda’s borders and it is in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park where visitors can experience this remarkable wildlife encounter.

Gorillas In The Mist – Tracking the mountain gorilla is an exclusive jungle adventure and a truly memorable lifetime opportunity. Explorers will have the chance to spend an hour with these rare and intelligent creatures and observe them interact in their natural habitat.

Brand New 5* Mahogany Springs – Set back on the clear waters of the Munyanga river and facing Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, lies the brand new, five star lodge, Mahogany Springs. Its exotic gardens, breathtaking mountain views and luxurious all suite accommodation offers guests unrivalled luxury in one of the world’s most beautiful natural settings. The suites feature their own private terraces together with en suite bathrooms, advanced mosquito net system and beautiful finishing touches.

Mahogany Springs also prides itself on serving excellent a la carte cuisine. The in house chef prepares culinary masterpieces every day enabling guests to enjoy a variety of foods and with most of the produce grown on site, all meals are created with the freshest ingredients. A stay at this luxurious lodge is a must when exploring the delights of Uganda.

Book Now! Specialist tour operator Lets Go Travel is currently offering a 10 day Full Board tour which includes two nights at the luxury five star Mahogany Springs from £2499 per adult based on 2 adults and from £2099 per adult based on 4 adults. All prices are subject to availability.

The tour price includes all lodge accommodation, park entrance fees, game drives and a boat ride in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Chimp Trekking permits and a Gorilla Tracking tour in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. The price also includes a luxury safari Jeep with a personalised driver for the duration of the trip and return airport transfers. Flights are NOT included.

To book call Uniglobe Total Travel on 020 8736 0700
For further information visit www.ugandaletsgotravel.com
For further information on the 5-star Mahogany Springs visit www.mahoganysprings.com

African Travel is offering a new program called The Pearl of Africa for travel in Uganda and Rwanda.

It includes wildlife viewing experiences in the Kibale Forest, Queen Elizabeth National Park, Windy and The Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, which is a sanctuary for 13 different species of primate, colobus monkeys, chimpanzees and many birds (such as hornbills and turacos). Bwindi’s most famous inhabitant species is the mountain gorilla. The Bwindi is home to 300 of the mountain gorillas, about half the world’s population of the endangered primates.

The region around Ishasha is exceptional for its tree-climbing lions, often seen lounging in old fig trees. The eight-day Pearl of Africa program includes a cruise on the Kazinga Channel in search of pink-backed pelicans, saddle-billed storks, buffalo, Nile crocodile and hippo; an encounter with forest-dwelling pygmy tribes of Uganda; an hour spent with the mountain gorillas, and a chance to observe chimpanzees.

The package includes one night in Lake Victoria Serena Resort, Entebbe; two nights in Kyaninga Lodge, Kibale Forest; two nights in Kyambura Lodge, Queen Elizabeth National Park; and two nights in Volcanoes Bwindi Lodge, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

The program is priced from $4,995 per person, double occupancy, land only.

WHEN YOU THINK YOU’VE “DONE” EAST AFRICA

1. Listen to stories of the Royal Kingdom and local folklore told by members of the Ruboni community.

2. Go mongoose trekking at Mweya Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park

3. See the famous “Mountains of the Moon,” so-named because of the numerous craters in the landscape.

4. Marvel at the tree-climbing lions of Edward Flats in Ishasha Plains, one of only two places in Africa to see them.

5. Go on an Agro-Tour through community farmland and learn about farming methods, medicinal plants and bee-keeping (aside from honey, the bees keep elephants at bay)

6. Track lions and do field research, monitoring their activities via a radio collar.

7. Cruise through the beautiful Kazinga Channel, the body of water that connects salt water Lake Edward with fresh water Lake Albert.

8. Meet the Batwa Pygmies on the Batwa Trail: hear their ancient legends and songs, join a mock hunting party, participate in their traditional dances.

9. Observe the majestic Mountain Gorillas and their tender interaction with their families.

10. Traipse through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the densest and most bio-diverse rainforests on earth.

11. Take a water safari on the River Nile, the planet’s longest (and one of its most spectacular) rivers.

12. Visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a refuge created to re-introduce rhino to Uganda after their near extinction in 1982.

13. Journey to Jinja on the shores of Lake Victoria, the closest city to the source of the White Nile, whose location was the subject of great mystery from antiquity until its discovery in 1856 by explorer John Hanning Speke.

14. Fly fish at Chobe Safari Lodge, a key spot for anglers and riverscape aficionados .

15. Take the three-hour launch trip to Murchison Falls, where the River Nile explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge 140 feet into a foaming pool below.

16. Re-live history at Paraa Safari Lodge, located near the area where The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn was filmed, and where Ernest Hemingway and his wife crashed in their plane as their pilot flew close to Murchison Falls to get a bird’s eye view.

17. Straddle the Equator (in Queen Elizabeth National Park) for photo ops and experiments (does water flow in opposite directions at Latitude 00?).

18. Take in Katwe Salt Lake and learn how salt has been mined there using traditional methods since the 16th century.

19. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Baboon Cliffs Lookout.

20. See the phenomenal “Cormorant House” – a large tree in the forest made white by roosting birds.

21. Drive a road less traveled – the sixteen miles between Kataboro Gate and the Queen’s Pavillion that takes visitors past 72 gigantic basins scattered across the Equator that are evidence of the Albertine Rift’s volatile volcanic past.

22. Bring your bird-watching binoculars – no fewer than 600 species may be found in Uganda.

Experience an underground forest at the Kyambura Gorge, best known for its resident chimpanzees. With limited space in the gorge, the chimps are usually easy to spot, leaving visitors time to watch our closest relatives eat, play, fight and socialize.
Get up close to African wildlife through experiential tourism: count hippo, learn habituation calls, monitor weather, observe creatures’ behavior, all to be recorded for essential research.
And when you go, “Pack for a Purpose,” a non-profit organization that suggests tourists use available space in their luggage to bring school and medical supplies to needy communities abroad. Pack five pounds of needed items – 400 pencils; five deflated soccer balls (and an inflation device); a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff and 500 band-aids – and you will bring wide smiles to some of the world’s neediest children.

With lions, tigers, and other big cats diminishing in population, African Travel reports more travelers than ever calling to find out about how to see the big cats while they can. According to a report in USA Today, “The populations of lions, leopards, cheetahs and especially tigers have been decimated in the past half-century.” The safari consultants at African Travel will suggest the top areas for clients to go in Africa to see the lions, leopards and cheetahs.

“Big cat sightings are a sure bet in Zambia,” said Jim Holden, president of African Travel. “The interior parks in Zambia such as Kafue are often referred to as the ‘gems of Africa’ and are teeming with wildlife, especially big cats.” Other recommended places for big cat seekers are Cape Town’s Cheetah Outreach (cheetahs); Kafue National Park in the Busanga Plains, Zambia (lions); Londolozi, South Africa (leopards); Linyanti, Botswana (lions); Luangwa, Zambia (leopards); Manyara, Tanzania (tree-climbing lions); Manyara, Tanzania (leopards); Masai Mara, Kenya (cheetahs); Masai Mara, Kenya (lions); and Namibia (cheetahs).

Also recommended are Southern Explorer, including 10 days in South Africa and Zimbabwe, priced from $4,895 per person double occupancy land only; the eight-day Kenyan Horizons, priced from $4,295 per person land only, based on double occupancy; and The Last Refuge, with nine days in Botswana and Zambia, priced from $6,795 per person land only, based on double occupancy.

African Travel has 35 years experiences offering custom wildlife adventures 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 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. For more information, visit www.africantravelinc.com

Starting October 10, 2011, Marasa’s Mweya Safari Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda will launch the “$1 for the Future” Campaign in tandem with two supporting organizations: USAID’s Sustainable Tourism in the Albertine Rift Program (USAID-STAR) and the Uganda Community Tourism Association’s Pearls of Uganda Program.

The new travel philanthropy partnership resulted from guests of the lodge asking if they could make a contribution to something local that would become part of their experience at the property. Marasa approached USAID-STAR for help in creating such a program. Out of this dialogue was born the “$1 For the Future” Campaign.

How it works: The initiativewill invite guests of Mweya Safari Lodge to donate, on a voluntary basis, $1 a day per length of stay to help repair and re-construct one school in its pilot year. The program includes creating murals in the school themed around conservation. To bring home the importance of conservation and sustainable tourism, the Wildlife Clubs of Uganda, a non-sectarian society of young people’s environmental clubs, will visit the school to instruct pupils on the values of protecting wildlife.

The “$1 for the Future” Campaign is a part of Marasa Africa’s larger commitment to benefit some of the most sought-after, pristine destinations in East Africa through conservation practices and improving livelihoods

Another initiative that Marasa supports is “Pack for a Purpose”- a not-for-profit organization that suggests to tourists they use available space in their luggage to bring school and medical supplies to needy communities abroad. Their message is simple: Pack five pounds — 400 pencils; five deflated soccer balls (along with an inflation device); a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff and 500 band-aids — and you will bring wide smiles to some of the world’s neediest children.

Education and Conservation in East Africa are key values of Marasa. The “$1 For the Future” Campaign and Pack For a Purpose highlight ways tourism can directly support conservation and education in ways that benefit all.

For more information, visit www.marasa.net