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

Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge reopens!

On Wednesday 13 April, His Excellency Dr Kenneth Kaunda visited Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge to officially re-open the property after an extensive refurbishment. The lodge was originally built in the 1970s for Dr Kaunda, the first Republican president of Zambia, as his private retreat in the South Luangwa National Park.

The opening ceremony was also attended by other dignitaries including former First Lady and now Deputy Minister of Tourism Vera Tembo, The Honourable Minister of Eastern Province Isaac Banda, His Royal Highness Chief Makumbi and Timothy Mushibwe, Chairman of the Zambian Tourism Board, along with members of the local media.

During his speech, former president Dr Kaunda thanked Sanctuary Retreats for the significant investment made in Zambia and the role they are playing in promoting tourism in the country. He emphasised that tourism is critical for the development of the local economy in Zambia as it provides employment for local people and assists in the fight against HIV and Aids.

His Excellency also had time for a game drive in the valley where he spotted plenty of wildlife including the notorious Chichele pride of lions on a buffalo kill with their three small cubs, before ending the day with celebratory sundowner drinks on the magnificent Chichele Hill.

Stay tuned to the blog as we will have a trip report in May that includes this newly reopened lodge!

Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge Opens

Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge has opened and they are welcoming their first guests. In celebration of the opening of the iconic hilltop game lodge in Zambia’s South Luangwa, we are pleased to offer three nights for the price of two. This historic property is open year round. In addition, the lodge accepts children of all ages – making it the ideal destination for the family holiday of a lifetime! It has one interconnecting suite and two triple rooms that are perfect for families. This special opening offer is valid for travel from 1 February–15 June 2011 and for new bookings from 15 January 2011. Call us to book now.

Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge was originally built for Kenneth Kaunda, the former Zambian president, in the 1970s and the original colonial style has been retained in the furnishings. A long veranda stretches outside the dining room, from which guests are afforded views down the valley to the Luangwa itself. When possible, dinner is served outside. On cooler nights, roaring fires take the chill out of the air. The roar of lions or the saw of leopards can often be heard from the wooded valleys that surround the lodge.

Each of the ten elegant suites at Sanctuary Chichele comprise of four-poster beds, air conditioning, and private veranda. In keeping with the rest of Chichele, the suites are decorated in an understated colonial style with a fully appointed en-suite bathroom. Large French windows offer a light, airy feel to the suites, opening onto your private terraces -the ideal vantage point to relax and enjoy the wildlife.

Game viewing at South Luangwa is considered to be some of the best in the world. It is a notably good place to see leopards, particularly in the dry season when they have less cover in which to hide. From Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge, guests have the particular privilege of being able to go on night game drives when it is possible to see all sorts of animals that are seldom seen by day - like leopard, hyena and bush baby. Plains game, such as antelope and zebra, are not scared by the lights so guests are able to get very close to animals for fabulous photographs. The early evening is the best possible time to see diurnal animals and a little later is the best time for nocturnal wildlife, so a game drive combined with sundowners gives guests the best of both worlds.

There are also wonderful opportunities in the area for walking safaris. Guided walks are conducted by a professional guide and an armed parks scout. It is on foot that Sanctuary’s guides can show travellers some of the most fascinating signs of the bush, many of which are hard to spot from a vehicle. Out in the bush with an armed game scout and a guide, travellers can follow animal tracks along sandy paths. It’s not just the big animals that are fascinating – termites, dung beetles and chameleons all have their stories to tell too. The park hosts many herds of the endemic Thornicroft giraffe which can always be found in the prolific Mopane woodland on the valley floor.

Call us so we may work with you to craft a customized Zambian adventure that includes a visit to Chichele Presidential Lodge and all the wonders that Zambia has to offer.

Kent's first report from Kenya

To be certain we can plan the best trip for each of our clients, we at AAC travel to Africa several times each year to visit a variety of accommodations and to get the latest information. Kent is presently in Kenya visiting the top wildlife areas and various lodges. He's had an interesting start to his trip. Without further ado, here's the latest - straight from Kenya!

I have been on safari so many times. I can pack for safari in my sleep. I could practically fly there myself if I needed to. But things were very hectic before leaving this time. Work was hectic. My wife Kelly was out of town and I had our two small boys on my own. My dad had surgery...

Now it's 6:15 a.m. in Lewa Conservancy and the sky is turning shades of orange, pink, yellow and blue and my troubles have washed away. Emerald spotted wood doves are calling, "work har-der, work har-der, work har-der." It's another beautiful African dawn and I am enjoying the strong coffee with hot milk that was delivered to my tent a few minutes ago.

Yesterday was a good safari day. Lewa Downs, as many people still call it, is a 64,000-acre private conservancy just north of Mt Kenya in central Kenya. It is home to the largest concentration of black rhinos in the world and boasts more than 110 rhinos after also counting the white ones. It has three subspecies of giraffe and more than 20 percent of the world's endangered Grevy's zebra. The reserve also has abundant elephants, lion, leopard, plains zebra, buffaloes, and cheetah (our group saw three brothers on a eland kill).

Being a private reserve, guests can enjoy game drives, night drives, horse and camel-back rides and walks. This afternoon, we went on a great game walk through the rolling hills, plains, and valleys of Lewa. We saw elephants, bushbuck, impala, zebra and buffalo, but not too close. We hiked a tall hill for stunning views and a sundowner, then drove back to camp for a piping hot shower and a delicious steak dinner. All in all, it was a good day.

In addition to Lewa safari camp there are other more upscale accommodations - Lewa House, Sirikai, and Lewa Wilderness Trails. For more info on Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, visit their website. You can find a sample Kenya safari itinerary including a Lewa visit here.

Pre-Safari Tips

1. Read your itinerary carefully, paying close attention to the dates before booking your flight! When you reserve your flights, have somebody else double check them, or have us book them for you.
2. Pack a week or so before your safari. That way you won't be rushed and forget anything important like your camera battery. It also gives you time to buy last-minute items.
3. Pack really light. Besides having to comply with baggage weight restrictions you really don't need all that stuff anyway.
4. Check that your passport is valid for six months after your arrival date and that there are several blank pages left.
5. Bring comfortable shoes. I have ditched my sturdy hikers for a pair of comfortable (and stylish!) cross trainers.
6. Bring Ambien or another sleep aid and take it right away if you wake in the middle of the night.
7. Read up on your destination before you go. It will enhance your experince.
8. When flying, ask about upgrades or the availability of better seats. I upgraded to 'enhanced economy' on British Airways from London to Nairobi for about $150 after asking at the transfer desk. It was a "last-minute special."
9. Bring an elastic exercise band. They are small and light, take up very little space in your bag, and enable you to work out in your tent.
10. Bring snacks. They are nice to have on long flights, espeially if the meal is particularly bad. Be sure to finish them before checking in to your first camp however; you don't want to keep food in your tent!