Migration Update - Tanzania

The latest migration reports from Tanzania and our partners at Nomad Serengeti Safari Camp:

Serengeti Safari Camp guides are still seeing big herds of wildees between Wogakuria and Kogatende in the northern Serengeti. Kennedy reports “wonderful game with lots of cat in Bologonja and rhino sightings in Kogatende”. Chediel has been watching “awesome crossings” at the Mara River with his guests; long lines of wildebeest that seem to go on for ever, all chancing their luck crossing the croc-infested river. Emmanuel watched a pride of lion work so cleverly to take down a stray wildebeest with military precision. They're all reporting rain - heavy at times - but say it's cooling things down during the heat of the day.

Earlier in September, rain fell in the northern Serengeti and the previously burned areas are greening up nicely. Guides are reporting that there are still huge herds on the Tanzania side of the Mara River – between Kogatende and Bologonja. Emmanual said they’d been seeing lots and lots of cats; leopards hunting, leopards mating, cheetah and babies hunting, and Sylvanus and his guests were lucky enough to have a great rhino sighting. All the guides say the area is particularly beautiful at the moment, due to the green shoots everywhere, and the views are spectacular. Read more about our fabulous Nomad private guides here.

Serengeti Safari Camp is currently offering a 15% discount if you book by October 31, 2010. Call us for more details: 866-778-1089.

Images courtesy Nomad Tanzania.

Upcoming Events in Cape Town

Looking for something fun to do while you are in Cape Town, South Africa this October or November? Read on for some great ways to explore Cape Town and hang out with the locals! Contact us for more details on booking our Cape Town Highlights or designing a custom safari that includes Cape Town

OCTOBER

Petersburg Quartet Tour 2010: An award winning Russian Vocal Ensemble. Held at the Rotunda at the Bay (Camps Bay). 2 October 2010.

Nedbank Cape Winemakers Guild Auction

Everybody is welcome. Come and bid for rare and unique wines specially produced for the Auction by the members of the Guild. Foreshore / Cape Town.

2 October 2010

Chelsea Flower Show Exhibit at Kirstenbosch

Recreation of this years successful Chelsea Flower Show. This is South Africa’s 30th gold medal. The “Havens of Diversity” will be recreated on the Marquee Lawn. The Garden is open from 08h00 to 19h00. 3 October to 11 October 2010

Carmen (Ballet)

Trailblazer Dada Masilo, has made a name for herself both as a dancer and as a choreographer in recent years. Her Carmen dazzled audiences at the 2009 National Arts and Joburg Arts Alive Festivals. For music, she has chosen Rodion Shchedrin`s Carmen Suite. Staged at Baxter Theatre. 5 to 10 October 2010

Red Cello Electrified

SA`s premier electric cellist Carol Thorns together with her VJ (Visual Jockey), transforms the traditional cello, taking it to a new level with an aurally and visually arresting multi-media performance. Audiences are carried through a series of surreal musical landscapes that incorporate aspects of World Music and Ambient Electronica. Performed at On Broadway.

17 October 2010

Berlin Wall

John Maythem, directed by Matthew Wild, brings two new monologues by the Oscar-nominated (The Hours and The Reader) and multi award-winning playwright David Hare, to the stage. John Maythem is one of the foremost presenters in talk radio today, but calls himself `a journalist doing a daily job.’ To be presented at Theatre on the Bay in Camps Bay. 19 to 30 October 2010

Cape Town International Kite Festival

This is the 16th Cape Town International Kite Festival, hosted by Cape Mental Health in Muizenberg. It includes some of the biggest names in kiting in South Africa and the world who fly their magnificent creations. 23 & 24 October 2010.

NOVEMBER

FNB Whisky Live Festival

The festival features more than 180 top brands, including whiskies of the world from as far as Japan and Wales. Various whisky tasting workshops will be held. Held at Cape Town International Convention Centre.

3 November to 5 November 2010

Evita – The Musical

Beginning with a young and ambitious Eva, the production follows her meteoric rise to virtual sainthood. The story tells of the enormous wealth and power she gained and the means by which she became the beloved Evita. Dinner served from 18h00, show starts at 20h00. Held at Theatre on the Bay. 8 November to 18 December 2010

The Gugulethu Tenors in Concert

From the dusty streets of the township to the country`s top concert halls, the Gugulethu Tenors’ raw talent has captured the hearts of audiences across South Africa. They`ve performed to politicians, dignitaries and superstars including Oprah Winfrey, Chris Rock and Mariah Carey. With a stunning operatic cross-over act `Il Divo` style - which appeals to all, the performance will include opera favourites such as O Sole Mio, as well as popular songs like The Prayer and Miriam Makeba`s Pata Pata. Held at Theatre on Broadway. 14 November 2010

Uganda and Rwanda Updates

Lots of great updates coming straight to us from our partners in Rwanda and Uganda. Read on for the latest information on this exciting region where chimp trekking, game viewing and gorilla trekking are safari highlights!

Nyungwe Forest Lodge has just opened in Rwanda's Nyungwe Forest. The lodge was built to blend in with the surrounding environment and is situated in a tea plantation on the edge of the forest. All of the luxurious rooms are forest facing and offer a king bed or twins beautifully crafted furnishings and balconies on some rooms. The lodge has an outdoor heated pool and jacuzzi and fitness center.

Additionally, a new canopy walk has been built in Nyungwe and will be open to the public soon. Stay tuned for updates!

The Kyaninga Lodge recently opened near Fort Portal, about a 1 hour drive from Kibale Forest and chimpanzee trekking opportunities. The Lodge is situated on a picturesque plot of land with a large crater lake and surrounded by a natural forest that is home to four troops of Black and White colobus monkey. The lodge offers 8 cozy log cabins with large verandahs.

KLM airlines is introducing a new flight from Amsterdam to Kigali (with a stopover in Entebbe). The service will begin October 31, 2010 and the flight will operate Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays departing Amsterdam Schiphol at 10:15 and

arriving Kigali the same day at 21:25. The return flight from Kigali departs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays at 22:30 arriving Amsterdam at 08:15.

For more information on safaris in Rwanda and Uganda, please contact us for more information.

Photos courtesy Nyungwe Forest Lodge.

Explore Namibia and Save!

Explore the remote and unique landscapes of Namibia on one of our favorite safaris or we will work with you to design the custom safari of your dreams.

Vast, dry and desolate, yet full of life. Namibia is one of the most fantastic spots in Africa. Sand Dunes roll over the land, reaching toward the sea and burying wrecked ships in their wake. Desert adapted elephants, rhinos and oryx make a living in seemingly inhospitable land. Vast salt pans and wide-open cheetah country. Namibia - home to the oldest desert in the world, the Namib - is a must-see destination in Africa.

Namibia is known for its stark beauty, huge sand dunes and unique wildlife, and on our Best of Namibia Safari you will experience it all--the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, remote Damaraland and the wildlife of Etosha National Park. Accommodations are in luxury tented camps and lodges, where every comfort is attended to, and guides and vehicles are top-notch. This trip is an affordable way to experience Namibia priced at under $5,000 per person for much of the year.

The Great Namibian Journey encompasses Namibia as a whole: a land of stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife. Explore the dunes of Sossusvlei, encounter the stark beauty of the Skeleton Coast, view amazing marine life just off Swakopmund, absorb the volcanic rock-strewn landscape of Damaraland and enjoy the game-filled savannahs of Etosha. Enjoy activities such as scenic flights into the Skeleton Coast, a dolphin cruise with private beach lunch, hiking and cycling in Damaraland, walking in the Namib's great dunes and interacting with traditional Himba people. This is a small group departure with set dates throughout the year.

Another great option for Namibia is to create a custom safari to suit your interests, travel dates and budget. Right now, if you book any combination of Wilderness Safaris camps in Namibia and stay for three nights at each, you pay for just two nights each! The Skeleton Coast Safari offers 15% off when combined with three nights at another Wilderness Safaris Camp in Namibia. Contact us for more information on planning your custom safari to Namibia: 1-866-778-1089.

Photos courtesy Wilderness Safaris.