The Explorer Camp at Jock Safari Lodge offers guests a unique experiential insight of a bygone era, a time when exploring really was an adventure into this unknown Big 5 wilderness, as did the legendary Percy Fitzpatrick in the 18th century. The camp and tents have been meticulously recreated with the similar style camp beds, canvas washing basins, lanterns etc in order to transport guests back in time.

This two day educational, walking safari is lead by two highly specialised guides and nights are spent around the camp fire enjoying hearty bush meals whilst learning more about the history of Jock of the Bushveld, Percy Fitzpatrick and how the Kruger was born. During the day, guests explore on foot, a remote part of this private concession in the heart of the Kruger National Park, to get a real sense of how trekking was done during the early days of exploration – a tribute to the original and authentic African safari adventure.

General Information

• The Explorer Camp operates during the cooler months with the first trail in April and the last trail at the end of October.
• Each trail is 2 nights with a set departure each Friday of the week.
• The walking trails are hosted and guided by 2 armed qualified walking guides. Due to the high density of Big 5 in the area the trails are conducted by a “Lead” Guide and a “Back-up” Guide.
• Distances walked vary each day but can last up to 3 hours.
• A game viewing vehicle remains in camp and depending on where guests walk that day, the trail may start from camp or depart camp by vehicle to visit another area of the concession.
• We regret that no persons younger than 16 years will be able to participate.
• Participants older than 60 years will be required to provide a medical clearance certificate in order to participate.

Camp Site

The camp site is unfenced to provide the true explorer ambience and tents are placed in fairly close proximity without encroaching on other tents privacy. Wild animals are able to move through the camp at any time and although all safety precautions have been followed in setting up the camp; this remains a reality.

Tents: 3 x spacious campaign canvas tents sleeping a maximum of 2 people each

Meals: Rustic safari meals are prepared and enjoyed under the African skies by your personal Shangaan Chef

Ablutions: Each Tent has a bucket outside shower. Each tent has an en-suite bio box toilet (portable) with canvas for privacy.

Tent Details

• 2 x Old style beds with white linen, safari blanket & throw and pillows
• 2 x Roorkhee campaign chairs & table
• 1 x LED light for night time use
• 1 x Old style hand basin (warm water is supplied on request or at first light in the morning)
• En-suite bio box toilet (portable)
• Paraffin lanterns
• Guest amenities include insect repellent, toilet paper, towels, tissues, sanitary bags as well as bio- degradable shower gel and shampoo.

What to Pack

• Clothing of neutral colors that is light in weight, but warm
• Bright colored clothing must be avoided
• 3 x Shirts
• 3 x Shorts
• 2 x pants (long)
• 1 x warm jersey or jacket as the evenings can get cold
• Hiking or trail shoes
• Sandals for showering
• Sun block
• Hat
• Camera
• Binoculars

A Typical Stay

The following program is a guideline as all timings are subject to discussions upon arrival.

Day 1, day of arrival (Friday)

• All guests arrive at Jock Safari Lodge (Main Jock) by 13h00
• Meet your specialist guide who will host you for lunch at either Main Jock or Fitzpatrick’s at Jock.
• Transfer in an open game viewing vehicle to the Explorer Camp
• Afternoon walk
• Sundowner snacks are enjoyed upon return to camp
• Enjoy dinner and an evening around the fire

Day 2 (Saturday)

• Early rising can be expected due to the nature of walking and temperatures
• Enjoy muffins, fruit sticks, biscuits, tea and coffee amongst Mother Nature
• Morning walk commences and can last up to 3 hours
• Enjoy a hearty brunch upon arrival at the camp
• Relax in your tent, catch up on some rest or simply adore the wild
• A variety of light sandwiches, cake with fresh fruits will be enjoyed for afternoon tea
• Afternoon hike
• Sundowner drinks are enjoyed in the bush, close to camp
• Enjoy dinner and an evening around the fire

Day 3, day of departure (Sunday)

• Early rising can be expected due to temperatures
• Enjoy a breakfast in the bush before departing at 10h00 in order to depart from Main Jock at 11h00
• A brief walk on morning of departure is optional

Between 2007 and 2011, Fisher conducted five consecutive Explorers Club flag-sanctioned research expeditions to the African continent.  In 2012-13, he guided an Expedition Team that included David Baker, great-great-grandson of renowned Victorian-age explorer Sir Samuel White Baker, retracing Baker’s 1860’s route from Cairo to Murchison Falls in Uganda.

For plucky travelers who crave adventure, Premier Safaris will tailor an exciting African safari with Julian Fisher as guide.  Along the way, he will share tales, historical facts and anecdotes from his twenty years of leading expeditions across the continent. Journeys begin in Uganda, the “pearl of Africa,” where one of the great 19^th century quests – the source of the White Nile – was fulfilled, when Jack Speke discovered it in Lake Victoria.  Adventurers can map out an itinerary with Premier Safaris and Julian Fisher to retrace the explored or hazard the unexplored, just like Livingstone, Sir Richard Burton, Jane Digby and other intrepid Africaphiles.

For more information, contact Corne Schalkwyk at gm@premiersafaris.com  visit www.premiersafaris.com or go to Fisher’s website: www.JulianMonroeFisher.com

Thanks Travel Weekly for the nice article

Travel Weekly – April 8, 2013 – travelweekly20130408-13654300070004e732ced34-pp

Wild dogs at Aberdare Country Club

The much-awaited Supreme Court ruling was delivered on 30th March 2013, ending two weeks of waiting to know who would be Kenya’s next President. The delay arose from an election petition that was filed, disputing the election results as announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The six Supreme Court judges unanimously upheld the validity of the election of President–elect Uhuru Kenyatta as the 4th President of the Republic of Kenya and William Ruto as his Deputy President-elect.

Despite the historic and very peaceful elections, there had been concerns expressed in some quarters that Kenya could experience problems similar to those of 2007/2008 arising from this petition. The people of Kenyan however once again showed political maturity by leaving the entire matter to the Supreme Court to determine. Except for a few isolated incidents in some areas, the verdict of the Supreme Court was largely accepted by all Kenyans, effectively ending the entire electoral process. Calm immediately returned to the affected areas and continues to prevail.

The President elect and his Deputy will now be sworn in on Tuesday 9th April 2013. The County Governors, Senators and Members of Parliament have already been sworn in.

The business community through the National umbrella body – Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has already met with the President elect and presented the National Business Agenda, which included the submission from the Tourism Private Sector. The President-elect has previously served as a Chairman of the Kenya Tourist Board, which gives tourism players great expectation that the Government will favourably consider the needs of the sector.

As a tourism sector, we are proud of the conduct of the people of Kenyan who maintained peace against great expectations that the hotly contested race could lead to violence. They have truly demonstrated a maturity that can serve as an example for the rest of Africa.

Jacqui Sugden of Nordic Travel, a DMC in Tanzania, recently visited Buffalo Luxury Camp, and had this to say about the camp,  which is managed by Intimate Places.

Sometimes being on the edge has its advantages. That certainly rings true at Buffalo Luxury Camp, where we stayed recently as part of our tour in search of the best accommodation for our safari guests.

Being located just outside of the Serengeti National Park allows Buffalo Camp to offer one of the most intimate African wilderness experiences of all – a walking safari. With the expertise of a Maasai tracker and the protection of an armed ranger, guests get to experience a truly immersive trip through the African bush. The area features a vast array of wildlife, including elephants, giraffes and, as you’d expect from the camp’s name, buffalo, so, although there’s no guarantee of sighting game while out on foot, it’s certainly a lot of fun trying.

And with the Serengeti on the camp’s doorstep, the thrill of game drives in one of Africa’s most famous and stunning wild regions is only a short journey away. This is a chance to search the classic African savannah landscape for precious sightings of its amazing wildlife. What’s more, Buffalo Camp runs night game drives, providing a magical insight into the haunting African night and a glimpse into the secret nocturnal lives of some of its wildlife. A night drive can reveal animals as diverse as aardvarks, owls, bush babies and night jars, as well as some of the Serengeti’s more familiar residents, like hyenas, lions, leopards, elephants and zebras.

When you’re not out enjoying the natural delights that surround you, Buffalo Lodge makes relaxing very easy. The style is simple but sophisticated, with the calming natural tone of wood dressed up with chic design touches. The recycled aluminium beds adorned with Maasai beadwork and gorgeous tiled bathrooms with statement twin sinks are among details that convey its restrained luxury. And crucially, every tent is positioned to take full advantage of the breathtaking views over the Serengeti’s beautiful Lobo Valley.

Buffalo Camp’s many merits are completed by its attentive service. With great food and generous hospitality, it’s certainly somewhere we felt well looked after. What’s more, the camp welcomes children – and even offers fun wildlife tracking and star-spotting activities – so this makes the ideal accommodation for a family safari. If Buffalo Camp sounds like your kind of safari camp, let us know and we’ll take you there!

The Seven Natural Wonders Project, a non-profit conservation initiative based in Dallas, Texas and spearheaded by Dr. Phillip Imler, has declared award winners of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and they are:  The River Nile; Mt. Kilimanjaro; The Red Sea; Ngorongoro Crater; Sahara Desert; Okavango Delta; and the Serengeti Migration. Tanzania’s Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador K. Kagasheki, presided over the awards ceremony which was sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines.

The voting process was conducted by specialists* and criteria included “grandeur; amazement and wonder.”

Uganda’s Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Hon. Agnes Egunyu, accepted the award for “The Nile, longest river in the world with its source in Uganda.”  She noted that this prestigious award is yet another in a series of accolades bestowed on Uganda, among which was being selected in 2012 by the New York Times as a top tourist destination.

To experience some of the wonders of this exciting country and The River Nile in all its glory, Premier Safaris has developed a six-night, all-inclusive package called Nile Spectacle, a water safari that comprises visiting the source of the White Nile, river rafting, and a boat trip to world-famous Murchison Falls and the foaming pool at its base known as the Devil’s Cauldron. Guests will enjoy stays at luxury lodges including Paraa Safari Lodge and Chobe Safari Lodge, both of which afford spectacular views of the Nile.

The rate per person for six nights, all-inclusive, is US$6282.  For two people sharing, the rate drops to $9000.

For more information, contact operations@premiersafaris.com or Jane Behrend jane@emergingdestinations.com

*The Declaration Committee of the Seven Natural Wonders Project includes Alexandra Cousteau, daughter of the legendary marine explorer and founder of Blue Legacy International; Rich Beattie, executive editor of Travel + Leisure; Dr. John Francis, a vice president of the National Geographic Society; TV host Julia Dimon;  Dr. Frank Gill, president of Audubon; and Arend de Haas, co-founder of the Africa Conservation Society.

The primary objective of the work will be to upgrade and bring a fresh and appealing new look to the bedrooms and bathrooms of the hotel together with an exciting new presentation to all central areas.

We wish to thank you for the support which you have given to our wonderful hotel since its inception in 2000.

We ask you to please stand ready to enhance your bookings for what we believe will become Zanzibar’s very best hotel.

With best regards

Andrew

Andrew Smith
DIRECTOR
Bluebay Hotels Zanzibar
Kiwengwa | P. O. Box 3276 | Zanzibar | Tanzania
( +254 (0)20 260 8360/1 or +254 716 959 958

In addition the property has been sold by the previous owner to new owners who will take over on 1st April 2013.

At this time of writing we have no particular information about the plans of the new owners but it is not expected that the hotel will re-open on 1st April and that in all probability the new owners will want to carry out some re-furbishment before re-opening later.

Accordingly we have to advise you that we will not be able to accept any booking for Beyt al Chai for the period after 1st April 2013.

At present, as we have explained, we do not have up-to-date communication details for you to contact the new owners.

As soon as these comes to hand we will send the details to you.

We thank you for the support over the years which you have given to Beyt al Chai and we hope that you will give us added support at Bluebay Beach Resort and Spa and at Sultan Sands Island Resort in Kiwengwa, Zanzibar.

With all good wishes for 2013 and with kindest regards.

ANDREW SMITH
Director

1. Listen to stories of the Royal Kingdom and local folklore told by members of the Ruboni community.
2. Go mongoose trekking at Mweya Lodge in Queen Elizabeth National Park
3. See the famous “Mountains of the Moon,” so-named because of the numerous craters in the landscape.
4. Marvel at the tree-climbing lions of Edward Flats in Ishasha http://mweyalodge.com/attractions/tree-climbing-lions Plains at Queen Elizabeth National Park, one of only two places in Africa to see them.
5. Go on an Agro-Tour through community farmland and learn about farming methods, medicinal plants and bee-keeping (aside from honey, the bees keep elephants at bay)
6. Track lions and do field research, monitoring their activities via a radio collar.
7. Cruise through the beautiful Kazinga Channel, the body of water that connects salt water Lake Edward with fresh water Lake Albert.
8. Meet the Batwa Pygmies on the Batwa Trail: hear their ancient legends and songs, join a mock hunting party, participate in their traditional dances.
9. Observe the majestic Mountain Gorillas and their tender interaction with their families.
10. Traipse through Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, one of the densest and most bio-diverse rainforests on earth.
11. Take a water safari on the River Nile, the planet’s longest (and one of its most spectacular) rivers.
12. Visit the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, a refuge created to re-introduce rhino to Uganda after their near extinction in 1982.
13. Journey to Jinja on the shores of Lake Victoria, the closest city to the source of the White Nile, whose location was the subject of great mystery from antiquity until its discovery in 1856 by explorer John Hanning Speke.
14. Fly fish at Chobe Safari Lodge, a key spot for anglers and riverscape aficionados .
15. Take the three-hour launch trip to Murchison Falls, where the River Nile explodes violently through a narrow cleft in the Rift Valley escarpment to plunge 140 feet into a foaming pool below.
16. Re-live history at Paraa Safari Lodge, located near the area where The African Queen starring Humphrey Bogart and Kathryn Hepburn was filmed, and where Ernest Hemingway and his wife crashed in their plane as their pilot flew close to Murchison Falls to get a bird’s eye view.
17. Straddle the Equator for photo ops and experiments (does water flow in opposite directions at Latitude 00?).
18. Take in Katwe Salt Lake and learn how salt has been mined there using traditional methods since the 16^th century.
19. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Baboon Cliffs Lookout.
20. See the phenomenal “Cormorant House” – a large tree in the forest made white by roosting birds.
21. Drive a road less traveled at Queen Elizabeth National Park– the sixteen miles between Kataboro Gate and the Queen’s Pavillion that takes visitors past 72 gigantic basins scattered across the Equator that are evidence of the Albertine Rift’s volatile volcanic past.
22. Bring your bird-watching binoculars – no fewer than 600 species may be found in Uganda.
23. Experience an underground forest at the Kyambura Gorge http://mweyalodge.com/attractions/chimpanzee-trekking, best known for its resident chimpanzees.  Visitors get to watch our closest relatives eat, play, fight and socialize.
24. Get up close to African wildlife through experiential tourism:  count hippo, learn habituation calls, monitor weather, observe creatures’ behavior, all to be recorded for essential research.
25. And when you go, “Pack for a Purpose,” a non-profit organization that suggests tourists use available space in their luggage to bring school and medical supplies to needy communities abroad. Pack five pounds of needed items – 400 pencils; five deflated soccer balls (and an inflation device); a stethoscope, a blood pressure cuff and 500 band-aids – and you will bring wide smiles to some of the world’s neediest children.

Each of the Shamwari Group properties – Shamwari Game Reserve situated in the Eastern Cape, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve just outside Cape Town, Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park and Nkomazi Game Reserve in Mpumalanga have over the last 12 months taken part in the Forever Wild campaign by offering guests a discounted rate if guests donated a minimum of R100 per person per night. Shamwari Group then donated R500 for every room night sold on this offer.

Shamwari Group General Manager Joe Cloete says: “We at the Shamwari Group are now more than ever committed to make a real difference in the fight against rhino poaching. The onslaught has gathered momentum if you compare the statistics since 2011. The numbers of rhino poached have increased by 40% year on year and to date the number for 2013 is at 88.

Along with our conservation partner, The Wilderness Foundation, we would like to extend our sincere appreciation to all our guests and agents who have contributed to the Forever Wild campaign. The campaign is a partnership with contributions coming from the public, agents and from The Shamwari Group. The funds are audited by Grant Thornton and handed over to The Wilderness Foundation where they are allocated to various projects to combat rhino poaching in South Africa. Jointly, we have now raised R1 million in 12 months towards the campaign. The battle is ongoing but we will not relent and with your help we can make a huge difference.”

The Wilderness Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Andrew Muir says: “The Wilderness Foundation and its Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative have been blown away by the generous support of the Shamwari Group and its guests. It is only through the combined efforts of government, corporates and the public that we can put an end to this crisis. The funds will go towards our numerous anti-poaching activities around South Africa, with a special focus on the Eastern Cape, including purchasing vital equipment, educating the public and training on-the-ground anti-poaching teams.”

Shamwari Group’s Forever Wild Offer has been an ongoing initiative since March 2012 and will continue until December 2013 with the 2013 reduced rate of R3, 000 per person per night by donating a minimum of R100 per person per night, valid at selected Shamwari Group game reserves – Jock Safari Lodge, April to July 2013, Shamwari Game Reserve and Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, May to September 2013 applicable to new bookings only.

If you still wish to book your safari that makes a difference please contact the Central Reservations team at reservations@shamwarigroup.com