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By Great Safaris Tours
 
ENRICHING LIFE EXPERIENCES
 

The magic has already begun! Can you hear it? Like the distant rumble of a million migratory hooves. Can you feel it? Like the warm caress of an African breeze, carrying the rich aroma of wild thyme.

Can you picture yourself in Africa… standing on an ancient salt pan, watching a family of ostrich marching across the shimmering mirage? Can you imagine yourself sitting beside a blue-green lake while sly crocs bask on the shoreline and pods of hippos grunt curiously from the deep?

Can you envision yourself in an open safari jeep surrounded by buffalo… herds so huge they appear as an undulating sea of brown and black. Giraffe loping in ghostly silence across a yellow-flecked savanna. Lions patrolling at sundown. Hyenas nervous, laughing… darting in an out of the full moon shadows.

We hope you will consider Great Safaris as your partner in magic. Together we can conjure up your perfect life- vacation and lead you down a path that you have only walked in your dreams. 

And why can we do this? Because we have, ourselves, walked that path time and time again. There is nothing that gives us more pleasure than to gather new friends within our magic circle, and lead them to the Africa that we know and love so well. 

Africa speaks in a language that our reasoning has forgotten. It insinuates into our subconscious. It sings a siren song that cannot be ignored. A journey to Africa is a trek into the magical and it is a journey you have already begun. Step inside a bit further… pass through the Great Safaris' portal and discover what an African safari can do for the sanity and the soul.

YOU SHOULD EXPERIENCE THE INCREDIBLE AFRICAN ELEPHANT SAFARI & CRUISE 2015
 

Safari-goers will arrive in Victoria Falls to behold the breathtaking “Smoke that Thunders”. They will begin their tour with a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, listening to the roaring Falls and enjoying a sundowner cocktail while crocodiles and hippos float by. The next morning, travelers will explore the impressive Falls on a guided walking tour through the rainforest, then feed and interact with local elephants after an adventurous day.

Your clients will then travel to the Kazangula Border of Botswana, along the banks of the great Zambezi River, to board the world-class Zambezi Queen. Unlike a land-based lodge, the ZQ allows guests to explore an entire stretch of river from this comfortable and elegant, air-conditioned 14-suite ship. All suites offer unobstructed views of the river, vistas and wildlife through floor-to-ceiling windows and outer decks. Guests can partake in game drives via tender boat along the banks of the Chobe River; fish for Tiger and Bream; watch a magnificent array of wildlife and birdlife; and visit a Namibian village to interact with locals and purchase handmade crafts. Guests will feast on a full English breakfast, buffet lunch and fresh, locally-sourced evening meal everyday, and enjoy local as well as imported wine, beer and spirits (locally-sourced drinks are included). 

Travelers will disembark from the cruise and overnight in Johannesburg before heading to the renowned Kruger National Park. Adventurers will relish daily game drives, getting up close to lion prides, capricious buffalo and herds of elephant to name a few. Special treat: Your clients will enjoy the all-inclusive hospitality of Camp Jabulani including a night safari on elephant back, the ultimate African experience.

The 12-day African Elephant Safari & Cruise covers South Africa, Victoria Falls and Botswana. Land rates for Apr.-Dec. 2015 are $7,595 per person, with Wednesday arrivals in Victoria Falls (single supplement additional 40%).

Recommended Extension: Cape Town & the Winelands (5 Days). Includes transfers,
privately guided sightseeing of the city, Table Mountain, the Cape Peninsula and the Winelands. Breakfasts and lunches included. Land rate: $2,395 per person, sharing accommodation.

Great Safaris, 800.409.7755; www.greatsafaris.com

African Travel, Inc.’s new Distinctive Safari Collection offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to explore a side of Africa very few get to know. This one-time-only tour in the Distinctive Safari Collection,Behind the Scenes with Lloyd Camp, is an exclusive opportunity to spend time with native South African cultural and wildlife expert Lloyd Camp learning about the Rainbow Nation’s inspirational leaders, its dedicated wildlife conservation efforts and fascinating and multi-faceted culture. On this unforgettable tour, guests will cook Malay cuisine in the Bo-Kaap and taste South Africa’s fine winesin the verdant Winelands, stay in gorgeous five-star properties such as The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spasafari and photograph the Big Five in pristine game sanctuaries, then learn about Zululand’s struggles to halt rhino poaching, and visit the townships where Nelson Mandela struck out against apartheid, and meet the real South Africans, ever resilient as their nation evolves. Only 18 guests will have the opportunity to join this 12-day fully escorted luxury safari journey from August 4 - August 15, 2014.

 
Lloyd Camp was raised in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and grew up camping, birding and hiking among  the grasslands, forests and streams of the Drakensberg Mountains and the game-rich game reserves of the South African east coast. In 1997, he and his wife moved to the Okavango Delta of Botswana to manage high-end safari camps for Wilderness Safaris. Since 2009, Lloyd has specialized as a freelance private guide and guide trainer for a number of prominent safari organizations. He has led private client safaris as well as trips for Bukela Africa and Wilderness Safaris in all the wildlife areas of southern Africa. He also spends time in East Africa, guiding people to the mountain gorillas of Uganda and Rwanda, and the wildlife areas of Tanzania. His enormous ground base and experience in a wide range of differing ecosystems and cultures makes him a particularly engaging and knowledgeable guide and host. In 2012, he established Blue Crane Tourism, a private company which focuses on elegantly-designed safari experiences and itineraries, most of which he leads personally. 

Some Highlights of Behind the Scenes with Lloyd Camp:
  • Explore Johannesburg’s townships and the Apartheid Museum with author/historian Robin Binckes and experience the deep impact of South Africa’s defunct apartheid policies.
  • Discover Cape Town’s historic Bo-Kaap neighborhood and prepare a meal of Malay specialties at a private cooking class.
  • Experience expertly guided game drives and bush walks in the wildlife-rich tribal lands of the famous King Shaka, ruler of the Zulu Empire; spot leopards and their Big Five brethren at the pristine Mala Mala Game Preserve.
  • Enjoy exclusive presentations and the in-depth insight of cultural and wildlife expert Lloyd Camp, your Tour Director and host.
Only 18 guests will have the opportunity to join Behind the Scenes with Lloyd Camp, so book soon! This 12-day fully escorted luxury safari journey from August 4 - August 15, 2014 is priced from $12,835 per person, land only, based on double occupancy. 

For more information and to book this exciting Distinctive Safari, contact your favorite Travel Professional, call African Travel, Inc. at (800) 421-8907, or visit www.africantravelinc.com. CST 2071444-20

Don’t forget to check out African Travel, Inc.’s Journal Page! Get travel tips, photos and testimonials, and stories from the bush. Subscribe to the RSS feed to get all of these things in one place! 

Follow Jim Holden, president of African Travel, Inc. on Twitter @JimHoldenAfrica
 
About African Travel, Inc.
African Travel, Inc. creates personalized African safaris and adventures for today's travelers seeking an experience of a lifetime. Established for over 37 years, and with more than 100,000 past travelers, African Travel knows all the different ways to safari and how to match each individual client to their own unique experience. 

Kagga Kamma and South Africa's Bushmen Culture

Paintings on rock facePhotos and story begin on next page.

Watch for stories from our South African tours. Guide (left) explains ancient paintings on a rock face in this private game reserve north of Cape Town. Africa Travel Magazine salutes the organizations, whose services and attractions were available to our members attending the Africa Travel Association 26th World Congress in Cape Town.
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Underground Adventures in Karoo Country

In another section, we talk about the Amboni Caves in Northern Tanzania at Tanga near the Indian Ocean Coast. Now we've news about the famous caves of South Africa, including the Cango Caves in the Karoo area. It is said that the word is derived from the Khoi (San) language (relatives of the Bushmen), and means " Water between the Hills." Karoo is a Hotentot word meaning "extremely dry or bitter."

Dedicated as a National Monument in the early part of the last century, the incredible Cango Caves have a variety of unique halls and chambers with formations such as the Fairy Palace, the Throne Room, the Bridal Chamber, Roman Candle and Crystal Forest - names that conjure up all sorts of impressions for the imaginative visitor.

Information: http://www.gardenroute.co.za/oudts/cango/

Watch for more on this exciting attraction, or if you have enjoyed an experience at Cango Caves, E-Mail the editor: africa@dowco.com, fax (604) 681-6595

Kalahari Adventure Centre
River and Desert Experiences
Augrabies Falls / Orange River - South Africa
info@kalahari.co.za www.kalahari.co.za
Andrew Hockly: Tel (054) 451 0177 Fax (054)451 0218
"The river will let you breathe, the desert will make you think."
(
sample itinerary below)

 

SOUTH AFRICA ADVENTURE TRAVEL
AQUATRAILS LAUNCHES NEW SPECIALIST RAFTING TRIPS
Besides their standard Orange, Breede and Doring River wilderness adventures, Aquatrails has now launched 3 special Orange River trips. These are: Birding & Astronomy Trips as well as the monthly Full Moon Cruise, during which couples spend at least 1-2 nights drifting down the river under the full moon. Aquatrails are now also catering for End-of-Year Parties with fun beach and sea rafting activities, as well as motorized cruises. For more information please call Philip or Harry on (021) 762-7916.

TOUR BOOKING FORM: http://www.responders.net/form.asp
e-mail: inbound.africa@ct.lia.net, ULR:
http://www.aquatrails.co.za

 

KALAHARI BACKROADS SAFARI

5 Days 4 Nights &endash; Kalahari Gemsbok Park / Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, salt pans, rolling Kalahari Dunes, Riemvasmaak hot springs, Molopo Gorge, Orange river trip, Augrabies Falls National Park

Day 1: Early morning pick-up in Upington. Orientation tour before driving through the desert to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. Afternoon game drive to Nossob. Overnight at Nossob or Mata-Mata, depending on availability. (450 km)

Day 2: Full-day game drives to Union's End, Mata-Mata or the dune road, using local reports of game sightings: lion, leopard, cheetah, gemsbok, springbok, wildebeest, jackal and hyaena, a wide variety of raptors and many other game species.

Day 3: Game drive to Twee Rivieren. Souvenier and supply shopping at Twee Rivieren. Lunch at the saltpans at Loch Marie before driving along the Molopo River to Riemvasmaak (570 km). Stop off at Noenieput before arriving at Riemvasmaak in the late afternoon. Relax in the hot springs while viewing the infinite canopy of stars of the Milky Way above the gorge.

Day 4: Morning walk to the waterfalls (3 km) Last swim in the hot springs before driving to Augrabies (100 km). View the spectacular Augrabies Falls followed by sundowners in the Augrabies Falls National Park. Overnight at the Kalahari Adventure Centre, 10 km from the Park. (320 km)

Day 5: Augrabies Rush white water rafting (grade 2/3) through a pristine part of the Park not otherwise accessible to the public. Lunch at our base camp. Last view of the Park before being dropped off in Upington. 

Price: R2450 per person Now includes Orange River rafting!

Includes all transport ex Upington, entry fees and meals. Tents, camp chairs, eating utensils and camping mats are also included. Alternative accommodation may sometimes be available at the client's expense.

You need to bring a sleeping bag, liquid refreshments, sun block and clothing suitable for both the desert and the morning on the river, torch and a camera. During the winter months a warm sweater or fleece is recommended. Clients are requested to keep luggage to a minimum.

Please note that this route takes you to some remote regions and covers vast distances. Although we try to keep to the itinerary as far as possible, road and weather conditions may dictate that alternative routes be taken. No matter where the road takes you, the Kalahari experience is unforgettable.

Getting here:

Intercape ex Cape Town: Departs Sunday PM
Fly-in with SA Airlink

Johannesburg: Departs Sunday AM

"PROBABLY THE BEST KALAHARI TOUR AVAILABLE!"

Kalahari Adventure Centre
River and Desert Experiences
Augrabies Falls / Orange River - South Africa
info@kalahari.co.za www.kalahari.co.za
Tel(054) 451 0177 Fax (054)451 0218
"The river will let you breathe, the desert will
make you think." 

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Photo Credits: Jerry W. Bird / Kagga Kamma Resot, South Africa