Zambia with the Experts - A Photographer's Dream!

What's new at Africa Adventure Consultants for 2010? Well, we have lots to report and stay tuned for the January edition of our Safari News coming out next week. For now, we'll give you a sneak peek at one of our most exciting new trips for 2010. It's not often that we offer a single-departure safari, but this trip is simply too amazing to pass up!

On our Zambia with the Experts Safari, head to Zambia for a week (or more) of incredible photographic opportunities, and direction, by some of the best in the business. Jonathan Scott, professional wildlife photographer and presenter of "Big Cat Diaries," and Phil Berry, master Zambian naturalist guide, take a very small group of photographers and safari-goers into the wilds of the South Luangwa National Park for some of the best game viewing in Southern Africa. Also, there are great optional trip extensions to the Lower Zambezi with Jonathan and to Kasanka to see the fruit bat migration with Phil.

Throughout the safari accommodations are quite luxurious - including the (recently refurbished as of May 2010) Mfuwe Lodge, home to the famous annual elephant "lobby" migration, the private and intimate Chongwe River House and the classic African estate of Shiwa N’gandu . The group will spend mornings and evenings on game drives - taking advantage of the best lighting conditions and most active wildlife. Afternoons are at leisure with time for a siesta, catching up in your travel journal or even enjoying a spa treatment in the Bush Spa. Each day Jonathan and Phil (and other local experts) will provide insight into photography and wildlife issues in the South Luangwa, as well as one-on-one time with guests who desire additional photographic instruction.

Read more for complete details on the daily itinerary, extensions and more information on Jonathan and Phil or contact us at 1-866-778-1089 to confirm your spot on this trip - space is VERY limited and filling fast!

Elephant Conservation at Zarafa Camp in Botswana

Great Plains Conservation if a group initiative to develop conservation-based tourism with the mission to find the right formula between conservation, communities and commerce. Great Plains Conservation's model takes stressed and threatened environments, surrounds them with compassionate protection and intelligent management.

The projects are funded by blend of sensitive, low volume, low impact tourism, frequently coupled with the sale of carbon credits and in some cases with the sale of a small number of villas or bush-homes for tourism. Together, these private sector initiatives create the capital needed to help fund the overall conservation initiatives.

One of the current Great Plains Conservation Projects is found in northern Botswana's Selinda Reserve where the organization aims to expand the migration corridor of the elephant and create more of a barrier between human and elephant interaction (hunting, culling and poaching). The Selinda Reserve is in the heart of Africa's last great elephant range, stretching from Zambia to Angola to Zimbabwe and Namibia. At the end of the dry season each year, when the elephants are seeking water, Selinda is home to around 9000 elephants!

The Selinda Reserve is the springboard for an enormous no hunting elephant sanctuary, which will connect Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve in northern Botswana, and in time, expand west to Namibia's Caprivi Strip, northwest to Angola's Luiana Partial Reserve and north into Zambia's Sioma Ngwezi National Park. The next phase of this ambitious plan is to ensure that more land falls under formal conservation protection and in the long term, a massive area is created that allow elephants free and unfettered access to their ancient migration routes.

When Great Plains Conservation took over the Selinda Reserve just a few years ago, 80% of area was being used for trophy hunting. On the first day of tenure Great Plains stopped all hunting. Since then, in a mere 3 years, a tremendous difference in the wildlife density, diversity and disposition has been reported. Elephants now calmly drink as you pass by. The whole area seems to now breathe a deep sigh of relief.

See what Great Plains is doing in the Selinda Reserve first-hand while staying at the beautiful Zarafa Camp or Selinda Camp. Call us for more details on designing a custom safari to include either of these camps in the Selinda Reserve in Botswana: 1-866-778-1089.


Information courtesy Great Plains Conservation. Images courtesy Great Plains and Wilderness Safaris.

The Chimps of Greystoke Mahale!

The chimps of Mahale Mountains National Park are some of our favorite characters in Tanzania (Kelly recently voted the Wildest Tanzania Safari her favorite Tanzania safari). Luckily, we're able to follow along with their latest antics all the way on this "side" of the World thanks to the Mahale Greystoke Guide's Blog. The latest blog posting is particularly interesting; guide Gabriel recounts his sighting of an adult chimp "stealing" a baby colobus monkey.

"We found a group of four chimpanzees; Abi and her baby, Darwin and Kalunde. Abi and her baby were in one tree; Darwin and Kalunde were in another tree some distance away. In that same area, there was a small troop of red colobus up in the canopies of tall trees. Repeatedly the colobus gave sui-suiii alarm calls, warning one another of the danger around..." read more on Gabriel's report.

Greystoke Mahale Camp rests on the white sandy shore of Lake Tanganyika in Tanzania's remote Mahale Mountains National Park. If you ask any one of us at Africa Adventure Consultants who has experienced the camp, you're sure to get a reply of "best experience in Africa" or "It's on my Top 5 Safari To-Do List." Secreted away in a corner of the world where you feel like you are the only person for miles, travelers consistently report back to us that Mahale Greystoke is truly a hidden gem.

Right now we have an incredible offer (it's not often that discounts are available at Mahale!) on our 8-day Wildest Tanzania Safari that pairs Greystoke Mahale Camp with the equally exciting Chada Katavi Camp. If you book by March 31, 2010 for travel in 2010, you'll save up to $1350 per person! We're calling this one of the best deals we've seen all year. Call 1-866-778-1089 or email info@adventuresinafrica.com for more details or to book your Wildest Tanzania Safari and see the chimps in person!


Photos courtesy Mahale Greystoke Camp.

Ethiopia's Historical North

Have you dreamed of losing yourself in a place where time seemingly stands still? A place where history is truly "living" and tourists are few...journey to Ethiopia with us. Our Ethiopia program, including our Historical Ethiopia Tour, was just recommended by the San Francisco Chronicle in this weekend's article " A leap of faith to Ethiopia's ancient holy sites."

Ethiopia is one of the oldest civilizations and offers unique experiences in history, archeology, culture and nature. Discover the wonders of the Blue Nile, Gondar, Lalibela and Axum on this journey through multiple eras and civilizations. Friendly and knowledgeable local guides make your trip special. This adventure in Ethiopia is for travelers with an adventurous spirit who are willing to occasionally sacrifice their own comfort to experience a new culture.

Some of our favorite highlights include exploring the ancient subterranean churches in Lalibela as priests chant in the ancient Ge'ez language; wandering through the castles and baths in Gondar - especially at Timkat (Epiphany); gazing up at the massive steale in Axum or trying to catch a glimpse of the priest who guards the Ark...In Ethiopia adventure is a bit different from other places in Africa and that's what makes it so unique. The intact culture and living history are there waiting to be experienced.

In addition to our Historical Ethiopia Tour, we also offer a more comprehensive tour that includes the wild Lower Omo Valley - the Ethiopian Epic and fully customizable trekking options in the Simien Mountains. For more information, please email info@adventuresinafrica.com or call 1-866-778-1089.

Photos courtesy Andy Richter, Andy Richter Photography.

Beauty and Her Cubs at Jao Camp!

Jao Camp's famous leopard supermodel, Beauty, has given birth to another litter of cubs! Visit Jao Camp in Botswana and hopefully sneak a peak at Beauty and her new cubs on our Ultimate Botswana Safari. Yesterday while on an early morning activity, she was observed crossing the Jao Bridge on her way off the island. After being trailed by one of the Jao guides for approximately 20 minutes she lay down in some thick brush. A short while later she stood up, turned in circles, and lay down again. A few minutes later, soft mewing sounds could be heard and we then knew for sure that she had just given birth to at least one cub.

Once it was established that she was in the process of giving birth, all vehicles backed off immediately to give her the space and freedom to do what is necessary for the best chance of survival for her cubs.

The gestation period of leopards is between 90 - 100 days, and she is spot on for her due date. Around the third week of August, she was viewed copulating with a resident male that we have named Pink Nose. He is a very shy male that is seldom seen, but he has a particularly pink nose that is very recognizable.

Beauty, as a single parent will have to be extremely protective and cautious over the next couple of months. Other predators such as spotted hyaena will find the cubs if she is not vigilant, but she is an experienced mother and has successfully raised a number of litters over the past years - the most famous and recent cub being Motsumi - a beautiful male (bottom left with Beauty) that left Jao Island and its surrounds to make his own way in life in August. It was shortly after this that Beauty started "advertising" for a male by calling and scent-marking her area.

Over the next couple of days and weeks, we will all be keeping our distance while monitoring for further news. These are crucial and very dangerous times for young leopards and their mothers, and no interference or harassment of this young family can or will be tolerated.


Report and photos courtesy of Wilderness Safaris.