Sanctuary Zebra Plains camp opens

We are excited to announce that Sanctuary Zebra Plains, Sanctuary Retreats first luxury walking safari camp in Zambia’s fabled South Luangwa, is now open! This is a fantastic bush adventure by foot as you experience the sights, sounds and smells of the bush while enjoying personalised service, fine dining and the most luxurious tented accommodation.

Garth Hovell, one of Africa’s most highly respected guides and explorers with twenty years of experience, will host guests at Sanctuary Zebra Plains and lead two walks each day. Even after twelve years of guiding walking safaris, for Garth there is simply no match for the adrenaline rush of a walking safari: “On foot your senses are heightened by all that surrounds you to give you the ultimate safari high.”

I had the pleasure of going on a walking safari with Garth last month at Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge in the South Luangwa and it was one of the best walking safaris I've ever enjoyed. Garth is an amazing guide and is incredibly passionate about his work, which he demonstrates on every walk. You'll hear more about that walk in an upcoming trip report.

We're equally excited to bring you this special opening offer. If you book a stay for two at Sanctuary Zebra Plains, the second guest’s stay is half price – a savings of up to $825. Valid for new bookings with travel between June 1 and October 31, 2011.

Zebra Plains is a seasonal camp operating from June to October each year. The camp has been designed to leave the lowest possible carbon footprint and will be packed up completely between seasons leaving no trace that it was ever there.

There are set departures on Mondays and Thursdays, with a three night stay. We recommend combining a Zebra Plains walking safari with a stay at Sanctuary Puku Ridge Camp or the newly renovated Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge. We are currently offering three nights for the price of two at the Presidential Lodge. These permanent properties in the South Luangwa both offer morning and evening game drives so that you have a diverse safari experience.

Call us for more details or to plan your safari!

Photos courtesy Sanctuary Zebra Plains

Top 5 Wildlife Encounters

Lioness stalking and strangling a lone wildebeest calf near Lake Masek, Serengeti, Tanzania, March 2007. Gorilla babies playing in the rain, Bwindi, Uganda, November 2006. The season's first Okavango River's floodwaters coming into Maun, Botswana, September 2001. Digging up a croc's nest, Lower Zambezi, Zambia, November, 2008 (see photo left). Baby zebra born and walking within minutes at Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania, March 2000.

That I, with my black hole of a brain, can remember these wildlife sightings illustrates how powerful they were. We strive to help our clients have their own unforgettable wildlife experiences, and we know from all the feedback we get, that we almost always succeed. But where to start? Here are a few of our personal favorites...

#1) Ultimate Botswana Safari - Game viewing in the Mombo Concession on Chief's Island in the Okavango Delta is considered some of the best in Botswana, and possibly Africa. Game can be found near camp and guests can often see animals without leaving their tent. Game drives offer lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, elephant, giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and buffalo.

#2) Zambia Walking Safari - Enjoy a walking safari in the South Luangwa National Park - the birthplace of walking safaris. Amazing wildlife viewing includes wild dog, leopard, buffalo, zebra and herds of elephant numbering up to 70.

#3) Sabi Sand & Cape Town Safari - Sabi Sand offers unsurpassed leopard sightings among other wildlife. This safari features Exeter River Lodge, which affords an ideal location overlooking the river in prime leopard-viewing territory.

#4) Ultimate Uganda Safari - Gorilla trekking in the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest can't be missed. Uganda offers more than 13 primate species, rare birds and tree climbing lions. On this adventure, explore remote Uganda - including Murchison Falls.

#5) Wildest Tanzania Safari - Trek chimpanzee in the Mahale Mountains National Park. Spend your days tracking these fascinating creatures, watching their daily routines and comic antics. Fish in the late or enjoy a dhow cruise at sunset! This trip is currently 15% off land cost if booked by October 31, 2010!

For more information on any of these top wildlife encounters, contact us by calling 1-866-778-1089 or email info@adventuresinafrica.com.


Photos by Kent Redding, Wilderness Safaris and Phil Ward.