Photo of the Week 24th December 2009

Two Jackass Penguins on Cape Town Beaches– African (Jackass) Penguins are so called for the donkey-like braying sounds they make when on land.

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Best of two countries

Please note that this is a suggested itinerary only…..if this does not suit your needs exactly, then we can create an itinerary that does

DAYS 1-3

Depart Johannesburg on your flight to Lusaka airport, where you will connect onto a light aircraft flight to the Lower Zambezi National Park. Spend the next three nights at a luxury lodge or camp of your choice. There are of plenty of activities to keep you busy – join a guided walking safari or a 4×4 game drive. Experience a thrilling guided canoe safari on the Zambezi, or try your hand at tiger fishing. Whatever your choice the experience will touch the soul.

DAYS 4 & 5

Transfer back to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Lusaka and connecting flight to Livingstone, on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls. On Arrival, transfer to one of the hotels or lodge, or tented camp of your choice. Explore the Victoria Falls on your own, or on a guided tour. Enjoy one or more of the many optional activities offered at your lodge or hotel such as an elephant back safari, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, a flight over the Falls, a historical tour of Livingstone, a visit to a local village, a game drive in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park and more.

DAYS 6 – 8

Transfer to Chobe National Park in Botswana. Spend 3 nights at a lodge or tented camp of your choice. Safari activities are diverse – game drives are conducted in open 4×4 vehicles, normally in the early morning; game viewing and fishing from small boats is a special Chobe experience; and there is a sunset cruise, which provides spectacular wildlife viewing and vistas of an African sunset.

DAY 9

Transfer to Livingstone airport for your onward flight connection. Or alternatively to Kasane airport if you would like to continue onto other camps in Botswana.

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Carols By Candle Light in Kirstenbosch Cape Town

Carols by Candlelight Traditional Christmas Carols, accompanied by the Cape Town Concert Brass Band and the Cape Town Male Voice Choir, and organised by the Rotary Club of Kirstenbosch. The entrance fee includes a candle and song-sheet.

The Cape Town Male Voice Choir is a voluntary community-based association that has been in operation for the last 29 years. The choir of 40 strong aims to bring the joy of choral music to both its members and audiences alike. They have a varied repertoire covering a selection of classical, popular, sacred and traditional music styles. The band members themselves come from a variety of professions – and include engineers, pharmacists, an actuary, a surgeon and accountants, to name but a few.

Gates open at 17h00 and the carols by candlelight will start at 20h00. Tickets are available from the information centres of Pick ‘n Pay stores in the Western Cape, and at Kirstenbosch on the day.

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Legendary Lower Zambezi

The best thing about the Lower Zambezi for Janine (Our African Travel Expert) is the remoteness of the park, cut off from the rest of the world by the Zambezi escarpment on one side, and the Zambezi River on the other.

Zambezi River eases through a valley that lies between two great escarpments and it is here in this valley that ancient drama’s play out. This is the Africa of legend and the part of the valley known as Lower Zambezi has risen from the ashes of past devastation into the legend.

The Lower Zambezi National Park went through turmoil during the poaching wars of the eighties and nineties with most of the rhino having being wiped out and the elephant population suffering dramatic decline in numbers. Zambia’s new dawn has however reversed the trend and the Lower Zambezi is fast becoming the place it was.

The heart of the valley is the mighty Zambezi River which today provides some of the most dramatic wilderness experiences and activities. Besides game drives the valley provides for canoeing, walking safaris and fishing, adding up to a safari that will trap the imagination forever.

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Photo of the Week 17th December 2009

This photo was talken of a ground Squirrel, they mainly occur in the dry, semi-desert regions of southern Africa.

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99th South African Open Championship

What’s Happening in Cape Town and Surrounds this weekend:

The 99th South African Open Championship will tee off at Pearl Valley Golf Estates near Paarl in the Western Cape from 17-20 December 2009, with the next generation of global young golf stars seeking to take their place alongside the greats in the second oldest national Open in the game.

South Africa’s rising international stars Richard Sterne, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen and James Kamte head an impressive field of golfers who will challenge for the €1-million purse in the Sunshine and European Tour co-sanctioned event that has – over the decades – established itself as the defining Championship for some of the biggest names in world golf.

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Spectacular Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it “Mosi-oa-Tunya” — the smoke that thunders and the Falls are remarkable. The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic metres of water plummet over the edge every minute.

The Victoria Falls area is Africa’s adventure capital with any number of white-knuckle activities to choose from, including white-water rafting, bungi jumping and gorge swinging. Ideally situated at the center of the safari destinations of Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana the Victoria Falls are a great way to start or end an African safari.

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African Travel Quiz 6

Where can you find the worlds longest wine Route? See options below

A) France

B) Australia

C) South Africa

Add your answer to the comments

Last weeks answer to the Quiz- B)- Charlize Theron

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Photo of the Week 10 December 2009

This photo of a Lion was taken in the Duba Plains Camp in Botswana

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Honeymoon Featured Itinerary

Northern Tanzania and Zanzibar – Luxury bush and beach

Day 1 – Arusha

You will arrive in Tanzania to spend your first night in the safari capital, Arusha. Your stay will be at the luxurious Arusha Coffee Lodge, which is located among the coffee plantations just outside town.

Day 2 – Lake Manyara

The next day you will start your Tanzania safari with a short flight to the Manyara Airstrip. A vehicle from Lake Manyara Tree Lodge will be waiting to take you to the Lodge, where you will enjoy two nights in a luxurious stilted tree house. Enjoy twice daily game drives in the Lake Manyara National Park known for its tree climbing lions, and its huge flamingo population that flocks to the lake each year.

Day 4 – Serengeti National Park

Your journey continues with an exciting flight to the Serengeti, known for the annual wildebeest migration that occurs in the park from November – July each year. Depending on the time of year, you will either stay at Grumeti Camp or Klein’s Camp. Both camps are well located to see the wildebeest migration at different times of the year.

The Serengeti is teeming with wildlife – apart from the wildebeest migration, herds of zebra and gazelle, cheetah and prides of lion are commonly seen.

Spend three nights at one of these camps enjoying twice daily game drives and spending the rest of your time enjoying the facilities the camp has to offer.

Day 7 – Ngorongoro Crater

Your safari will finally end with a magical two nights at the incredible Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, overlooking the crater down below. While you’re there, take in some of the most spectacular views on the African continent. Enjoy a game drive into the crater where you will experience an abundance of wildlife such as rhino, elephant, lion, hyena and plenty more.

Day 9 – Zanzibar

The perfect way to end your holiday is to add on a few nights at Mnemba Island Lodge, located on Mnemba Island just off Zanzibar. Zanzibar is one of Africa’s most culturally interesting and beautiful islands, with pristine beaches, warm turquoise waters and friendly people. Spend your last four nights relaxing, snorkelling, diving or visiting the historical town of Stone Town.

Day 13

You will be transferred back to Zanzibar airport in time for your departure flight.

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