New flights to Serengeti National Park

Auric Air Services Ltd proudly announces its new flights to Serengeti National Park.

The flight departs from Arusha daily at 08.00am to connect all airstrips in Serengeti National Park and Lake Manyara National Park and arrives back to Arusha at 12:20 pm. They will fly to all the major airstrips such as Seronera, Grumeti, Klein’s Camp, Kogatende, Lobo, Manyara, Ndutu, and Sasakwa. Fort  Ikoma on inducement.

Please contact our safari experts for more info.

Safari Feedback

I recently went on a Great Wilderness Journey with two families, with the trip starting at Jacana Camp and ending at Linyanti Discoverer where we had great sightings. The area around Jacana camp was inundated with the water from the annual floods - so the three days that we spent here were spectacular. We focused on water activities, enjoying a peaceful mokoro trip, as well as an afternoon boat trip. We also did some game drives on the bigger Jao Island and it was very educational. We had a lovely sighting of Glossy Ibis killing a frog and of three lions crossing the flood plain. On our first drive we also had an amazing sighting of two lioness’ stalking red lechwe and after a considerable wait, they were successful. They caught a male red lechwe just a few meters from us...we were incredibly lucky! We continued to watch them feed on the carcass for a while.

At Khwai Discover we enjoyed sightings of general game with the highlight being a sighting of three wild dogs hunting late in the evening very close to camp. We went on a night game drive where we encountered hyenas patrolling the area and hippos grazing. We stopped in the bush and had a talk about astronomy, as the sky was so clear and the stars so bright...On our last morning we woke up to some visitors - there were two young male lions relaxing in the camp by room number 4.They moved off far enough so we could get to breakfast, but only left camp island that evening.

At Linyanti Discoverer, we enjoyed an unbelievable sighting of a female leopard feeding on a dead hippo. We witnessed a face to face stand-off, between a hippo (in the water) and a lioness which was feeding on a partially submerged giraffe carcass along the Linyanti river system. The hippo was "guarding" the carcass, and the lioness was actually on top of the carcass. It was amazing to watch the lioness growling, hissing and spitting at the hippo - defending her meal. There were about 15 Nile crocodiles, waiting in the wings for the lioness to move away from the carcass, so that they could come and feed on it…a once in a lifetime sighting!

The Chobe boat cruise was very productive, as we spent some time watching white fronted bee-eaters preparing their nests in the banks of the river. It was a fantastic way to finish up what was a truly spectacular trip!

The staff at all camps were fabulous.              

Thanks,

Richard 


Please follow the link for more info and reservations: Great Wilderness Journey

Happy Africa Day!

Africa Day is the annual commemoration on May 25 of the 1963 founding of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). On this day, leaders of 30 of the 32 independent African states signed a founding charter in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In 1991, the OAU established the African Economic Community, and in 2002 the OAU established its own successor, the African Union. However, the name and date of Africa Day has been retained as a celebration of African unity.





2012's theme of Africa Day is "Africa and the Diaspora." The New York celebration was held in New York City on May 31, 2011. In Nairobi, it was celebrated at Uhuru Park Recreational Park. It should also be noted that Africa Day is observed as a public holiday in only four African countries, that is, Ghana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. However, celebrations are held in some African countries, as well as by Africans in the diaspora.

Please contact us for more info and to find out about Safari's to Africa

Fly Uganda Goes Carbon Neutral

We took the decision to go Carbon Neutral in April 2012 as part of its ‘green’ commitment to lead Africa’s aviation fraternity in becoming more environmentally aware. Becoming Africa’s first “Carbon Neutral” Aviation Company.

We have purchased a number of Plan Vivocarbon credits from the acclaimed Trees for Global Benefits project in Bushenyi. This project is a smallholder tree-planting scheme located just south of Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda. The tree growers not only increase biodiversity in the area, but they are protecting the watershed, controlling soil erosion, and are increasing household incomes from the payments they receive for the carbon stored in their trees. The project provides technical advice on tree growing to farmers.

Please follow the link for more information on safari holidays.

Planet Earth Live - What is the point?

Bits of the Planet, screened all over the Earth, Occasionally Live
BBC is considered the best in the world at making wildlife programmes, and rightly so. They have set the standard with pioneering techniques, the best presenters and innovation. Planet Earth Live has none of these qualities, and there appears to be little live about it either.

Been done before
Almost all the wildlife has been covered in a similar fashion before. Big cat diaries, Elephant diaries, Big bear week, Meerkat manor, Last Chance To See - The Great Grey Whale - All great programmes that were eventually taken off the TV due to falling viewing figures.

Planet Earth - Hardly
Hardly global coverage for this ‘global' programme. With just 9 locations (3 in Africa, 3 in North America, 1 each in Peru, Sri Lanka & The Arctic) and the key species being studied all being mammals, it covers a very narrow spectrum of species and locations. Planet seems to mean it is broadcast all over the world, rather than filmed.

Presenters
The choice of presenters has created much debate too. We question why none of the BBC's range of outstanding wildlife presenters were chosen? Perhaps the Beeb wanted to create more mass appeal by bringing (dumbing down?) more mainstream presenters, or perhaps none of the wildlife presenters wanted the job?

Ultimate global wildlife drama - Or just the last?
BBC's strapline for Planet Earth Live is "Join us for the ultimate global wildlife drama. Real animals. Real lives. In real time." Look ‘ultimate' up in the dictionary - it means last. Frankly, I am not surprised.


For more info and safaris that make the difference please visit: http://www.puresafari.co.uk

KIZINGONI BEACH LAMU SPECIAL

 EXTENDED LOW SEASON RATES

Kizingoni beach will be offering  low season rates on all your 2012 bookings that are confirmed with full payment, before 30th June 2012 (not including Xmas Season).  So hurry up and book this super special with us. 

Please call: 01227 753181 or email: info@puresafari.co.uk for more. 

Client Feedback: Kalahari Plains Camp

The group arrived in Maun off air Botswana where I met them before flying to Kalahari Plains Camp. The stay here was really excellent all round, we saw some amazing game in the valley. We had good sightings of three lioness and leopard hunting springboks not far from the camp. The valley proved to be productive as we managed to pick up a female cheetah with 2 sub –adults males. On our last night at this camp we had the privilege to have a male lion pass through the camp roaring. One of the other highlights was a surprise bush brunch set up by the Kalahari team at deception valley.

Need more info?

Please contact our Safari Experts on 01227 783181