Jetsettersblog

Chiawa Camp, on the banks of the Zambezi River deep in Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia, is offering Zambezi Dream Honeymoon package. The vacation begins with sparkling wine and roses, and includes a secluded picnic lunch, a private candlelight dinner on a pontoon boat moored on the river and a breakfast for two while drifting down the Zambezi River.

Accommodations are in the Honeymoon Tent, the most private of Chiawa’s suites, set on a high ridge with a fine view. The king size bed is draped in Egyptian cotton linens. The outdoor verandah is a split-level deck with a private dining area, day bed and comfortable furniture. The bathroom features an indoor and outdoor shower, his and hers washbasins and ball-and-claw bathtub, all with a view of the Zambezi River. Located on the deck, the bathroom is the only outdoor facility at Chiawa Camp.

Chiawa Camp offers nine luxury tents with spectacular views of the Zambezi River and its resident wildlife, with game drives, canoeing, boating and angling. Rates at Chiawa Camp range from $565 to $940 depending on the season, with the Zambezi Dream Honeymoon package at an additional $300 per booking.

Expert Africa, a specialist in trips to Southern Africa, is offering a new seven-night itinerary in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park during April of the country’s Emerald Season. The price starts at $2,933 per person double occupancy, including roundtrip internal flights in Zambia from Lusaka to Mfuwe with Proflight airlines; six nights at Robin Pope Safaris’ camps (two nights at Luangwa River Camp, one night at Ebony Grove Bushcamp and three nights at Nkwali), and one night in Lusaka at Eight Reedbuck; all meals, most drinks, safari activities and laundry while on safari; and bed and breakfast in Lusaka. International air is not included. Taxes of $11 per flight on internal flights is also not included. The Emerald Season is during Zambia’s summer months when rainfall causes the bush to turn green, birdlife is abundant and many animals give birth. For more information, email info@expertafrica.com

Chiawa Camp, situated on the banks of the Zambezi River deep in Lower Zambezi National Park and chosen as Best Safari Property in Africa by Good Safari Guide Awards 2011, has caught Cupid’s attention with the Zambezi Dream Honeymoon package – perhaps the most unique and romantic honeymoon package there is to offer.

After being whisked away to the exotic land of Zambia, start off your vacation with bubbly and roses. Enjoy a secluded picnic lunch, dine privately at a candlelight dinner on a pontoon boat moored on the gentle waves and partake in a breakfast for two while drifting down the Zambezi River.

The harmonious balance of romance and nature is continued in the Honeymoon Tent, the most private of Chiawa’s suites, set on a high ridge with a commanding view. In this spacious tent, the king size bed is draped in Egyptian cotton linens.

The outdoor verandah is a gorgeous split level deck with a private dining area, day bed and comfy furniture.

The bathroom features an indoor and outdoor shower, his & hers washbasins and ball & claw bath tub, all with a fabulous view of the Zambezi River.

Located on the deck, the bathroom is the only outdoor facility at Chiawa Camp.

As one of Africa’s premier safari camps, Chiawa Camp offers attentive yet unpretentious personalized service, wonderful cuisine and nine fantastic “tents” with spectacular views of the Zambezi River and its resident wildlife.

And, while you are able to leisurely take in the scenery, you will also be able to bond over adventurous outings of game drives, canoeing, boating and angling.

Rates at Chiawa Camp range from $565 to $940 depending on the season, with the Zambezi Dream Honeymoon package at an additional $300 per booking.

For reservations and more information:

http://www.chiawa.com/home.php

Email: res@chiawa.com  (Petrinah)

or info@chiawa.com  (Jenny)

Phone: +260-211-262683, +260-211-261588 (24 hrs for emergency)

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.

O.A.R.S. is introducing three new nature-based adventures, bringing its number of offerings to more than 80 itineraries on five continents. T

he new tours include Bosnia Three River rafting expedition, the Sea Kayaking the Dalmatian Coast tour and the Zambezi River & Botswana Safari tour.

The nine-day Bosnia trip includes three days of rafting the Vrbas, Tara and Neretva rivers. O.A.R.S.’ new Sea Kayaking the Dalmatian Coast tour focuses on Croatia. Trip participants will paddle sea kayaks as they navigate the rocky headlands, sandy beaches, turquoise bays and ancient coastal towns of this beautiful coastline. Each village along the way provides opportunities to interact with the locals and enjoy authentic Mediterranean cuisine while taking in the scenery, architecture and culture of the region.

A relaxing four-day catamaran cruise down the coast rounds out this idyllic experience in the Adriatic Sea.

The new eight-day Zambezi River & Botswana Safari combines a four-day rafting expedition on the Zambezi with a three-day wildlife safari in neighboring Botswana.

For more information, call 800-346-6277.

With savings like this there’s no better time to plan a trip to Southern Africa. Great Safari’s is offering two for one travel on their Luxe level package or free coach airfare on their Premier and Platinum level packages.
Great Safaris
Contact: Dave Herbert
TEL: 1-800-409-7755
EMAIL: info@greatsafaris.com
WEB: www.greatsafaris.com

Luxury African safari outfitter Great Safaris has just sweetened the best deal in travel to Africa: travelers booking their Luxe level Great Southern Safari will receive TWO-for-one pricing on their land arrangements, while travelers upgrading to the Premiere or Platinum level Great Southern Safari packages will receive free international airfare with an optional upgrade to business class for Platinum level travelers.

Great Safari’s signature itinerary, the Great Southern Safari, spends 12 glorious days showcasing the best experiences that Southern Africa has to offer. Guests will explore cosmopolitan Cape Town before visiting the beautiful Cape of Good Hope and Cape Winelands.

Then travelers will fly to Kruger National Park for a world class safari experience on one of the park’s private game reserves.

Finally, travelers will jet to Zambia to take in the awe and splendor of Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi River during a sunset river cruise. An elephant back safari through the African bush caps off this wonderful adventure.

Luxe Level Package, $6,265 for TWO, plus $495 park fees and service charges per person.

Travelers choosing the Luxe Level package will receive a Two for One promotional rate of $6265 on their land arrangements. Accommodations include the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town, the Savanna Private Game Reserve in Kruger, the Westcliff Hotel in Johannesburg, and the Victoria Falls Hotel.

This promotional rate is valid only for departures on 1/15, 2/19, 3/18/2012.

Premiere Level Package, $8,395 per person, double occupancy.
Travelers choosing to upgrade to the Premiere Level package will receive free international airfare for two from New York City’s JFK or Washington DC’s IAD to Cape Town, South Africa. The premiere level package includes upgrades to the Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town and the Lion Sands Ivory Lodge in Kruger National Park. Valid weekly departures January to May 2012

Platinum Level Package, $10,495 per person, double occupancy.
An upgrade to the exclusive Premiere Level package includes free international airfare for two from New York City’s JFK or Washington DC’s IAD to Cape Town, South Africa.

An optional upgrade to business class airfare is available to Platinum level travelers for just $2,995.

Premiere level travelers receive upgrades to southern Africa’s most exclusive hotels and lodges, including The Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town, the Royal Livingston Hotel in Victoria Falls, and the Singita Ebony and Boulders lodges in Kruger, all ranked among Travel + Leisure 2011 World’s Best Hotels and Conde Nast Traveler’s Gold List. Promotion valid for select weekly departures December 2011 to May 2012.

All tours and rates subject to availability; travel and tour dates vary based on level of accommodations. Taxes, park fees, intra-Africa airfare and service charges are not included in promotional rates. Any of these promotional packages can be booked by contacting Great Safaris at 800 409 7755, or by booking with your favorite travel agent.

Great Safaris is a luxury African safari outfitter offering the convenience of a US booking office coupled with seven fully-staffed on-site offices in Africa. Destinations include Botswana, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, the Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Great Safaris offers luxury programs to help adventurous travelers explore Africa and create enriching life experiences. For more information please visit Great Safaris’ web site at www.greatsafaris.com. Great Safaris is a proud member of the United States Tour Operators Association, ASTA Tops, and ARC.

In May, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will start flying to Lusaka, Zambia. Passengers now can book the flights through KLM’s reservation system at www.klm.com  Lusaka will become KLM’s 72nd intercontinental destination. Flight KL561 will depart from Schiphol on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays at 12:30 p.m., arriving in Lusaka the same day at 10:10 p.m. The return flight, KL562, will depart Lusaka at 11:55 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday nights and arrive in Amsterdam at 9:55 a.m. the next morning. For more information, visit www.klm.com

Advanced Tracking Skills Come to the Fore to Reveal Unhabituated Wildlife in the Raw

Wildlife viewing specialist Wild Planet Adventures http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/ announces five 2012 departures of an 18-day/17-night itinerary the company promises will be “the most comprehensive wildlife itinerary possible for Zambia” thanks to the expertise of three legendary master guides. http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/content/view/372/1331/

Tour dates for Zambia -The Ultimate Wildlife Safari are May 25 – June 11, June 29 – July 16, Aug 10-27, Sept 4-21 and Oct 5-22, 2012. The per person double occupancy rate is $13,998 exclusive of domestic air (approximately $1,396 per person). This program is also available in 7, 10, 12, 13 and 15-day custom group versions. A 7-day program is $3,998 per person exclusive of domestic flights. Included are world-class safari bush and mobile camp accommodations, all meals, guides and more.

Typically Wild Planet Adventures discriminates against heavily visited regions. Wildlife-rich (including the “Big 5”) Zambia is no exception. It is among the few places in Africa where safaris can include walking and canoeing, in addition to jeeps. Included are the Nsefu and Zebra Plains sectors of South Luangwa National Park, the under-visited Busanga Plains of Kafue National Park (a prime place to see Cheetah), the Lower Zambezi River with canoe safari on the most beautiful section of the river in Mana Pools National Park, rife with wildlife.

On the 18-day (only) program a trio of master guides will reveal Zambia’s secrets of nature.

“The walking safari originated in South Luangwa and the emphasis on walking requires advanced tracking skills. Even so, most walking guides tend to avoid big game and predators. Only the most advanced guides take on this challenge, and only an elite few are qualified to teach other guides these advanced skills, which can take a lifetime to master. These master guides prefer tracking in the most remote and isolated destinations where wildlife behavior remains truly “wild” and unaffected by human presence. I’ve brought the three most legendary master guides in the country together for the first time ever on one trip,” says Director Josh Cohen.

He explains that the mounting pressure of eco-tourism on wildlife populations means it’s more important than ever to manage traveler impact.

“Nowhere is this more evident than in Africa, where you regularly have 10 jeeps chasing a lion,” explained Cohen. “When guides radio the location of predators or other coveted animals to each other – instead of relying on advanced tracking skills — the result is overly habituated animals that have become tamer and less wild. They begin to adapt their instinctual ways as a result of being bombarded by too much human presence. Under these conditions, even the fiercest of lions may become less aggressive, just like in a commercial drive-through open zoo park. Wild Planet Adventures goes to great lengths to preserve the authentic safari experience by combining truly isolated and remote locations with master guides who exemplify tracking as an art form, so travelers see authentic “wild” animal behavior while minimizing adaptation.”

About the Guides

Deb Tittle is widely considered to be one of the top guides in all of Africa. Her wealth of knowledge, 15 years of experience, extraordinary passion and uncanny tracking expertise ensure once-in-a-lifetime wildlife viewing opportunities. She has trained over 45 guides in advanced tracking skills for Robin Pope Safaris and other safari companies.

Garth Hovell has 20 years experience and was one of the best-loved guides in Zimbabwe prior to heading Zambia’s remote Zebra Plains Camp. He has guided all over Southern Africa, tracked tigers in India, guided in Australia and Russia, and now trains guides for Sanctuary Retreats in Zambia.

Henry Bandure is one of the most experienced professional canoe guides on the Zambezi River, legendary for his ability to identify and communicate with specific hippos out of thousands along the way. He is as skilled at navigating the river as he is getting close to big game on land. An accomplished wildlife photographer, he trains canoe guides for Wilderness Safaris.

About Wild Planet Adventures

The expert wildlife guides of Wild Planet Adventures go the extra mile to explore remote wildlife habitat and study wildlife patterns in destinations not often accessible to the general public. Thanks to the company’s comprehensive itineraries that balance diverse and complex ecosystems and habitats, guests enjoy wildlife and game viewing that is carefully aligned with animals’ seasonal, daily and nocturnal migrations.

Following a philosophy that interacting with nature has the power to transform lives, tours are conducted in Africa, Baja, Belize, Brazil, Costa Rica, Galapagos, India, Laos, Panama, Peru, Thailand and Zambia. Wild Planet Adventures is recognized by top publications in the travel industry for its itineraries that combine intimate encounters with nature with local culture.

For a more information and a complimentary 2012 catalog call toll-free 1.800.990.4376, or e-mail: trips@wildplanetadventures.com  To review current trips, schedules and itineraries log onto: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com

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

AmaWaterways officially launched its new “Africa Safaris and Wildlife Cruise.”

The new program, which was first revealed in Travel Pulse on Oct. 14, includes a four-night cruise aboard the Zambezi Queen on the Chobe River, which begins in Kasane, Botswana.

The ship travels along the banks of Chobe National Park, home to elephants, leopards, lions, sable and buffalo. Wildlife excursions can be taken by boat or open-air vehicles. Guests also will visit a local village and take part in a traditional “boma” dinner.

In addition to the safari cruise, the program features a choice of three land tours to the Serengeti, Chobe National Park and Mount Kilimanjaro.

Each tour concludes with two nights in Victoria Falls.

A new 20-page brochure details the three AmaVoyages in Africa itineraries.

Ranging from 16 to 19 days, the Africa program commences in June.

For more information, call 800-626-0126 or visit www.amawaterways.com