Zambia Departure Tax

The cost of the $5 for international departures is NOT in the ticket and this is payable at departure in Cash at the same desk where the departure tax is paid for internal flights. This tax will eventually be in the ticket but as of now the above procedure has to be undertaken. This also applies for all international travel regardless of where the tickets were issued or the date of issue. This causes long lines at the airport and passengers should check in at least 3 hours before departure until this tax is in the ticket.

Client Feedback - Lake Manze

Please view the latest feedback writen by our guests in the Lake Manze guest book.


Angeli x4 21-24 Dec.

Jambo. Had a beautiful time here at the camp, the people were really very nice and open. Don?t want to go, will be back soon!
Chloe



A fantastic place, with wonderful views, so many things to do, so much to see, not enough time. Staff and camp are excellent, the real Africa! A return trip a definite.
Christine



Jambo, incredible and wonderful scenery! (nini) what a safari. Everything is as it should be! The wild life is amazing! The staffs are brilliant. Just perfect. Thanks
Amelia

Seychelles Guide

Looking for a guide to the Seychelles? Look no further. Please follow the links.

Looking for somewhere to stay in the Seychelles? Check out the stunning, North Island in the Seychelles - absolute paradise.

Two more windmills

In Hwange, there are no natural rivers and so wildlife must get their water from pans that are filled in the rainy season. In the dry season though, these pans must be pumped. Up until now Wilderness Safaris and Wilderness Trust have been helping out in keeping some 22 diesel pumps working throughout winter so that our wildlife will survive. Recently, with the support of Hwange National Park, we have been looking into erecting windmills instead as these are more environmentally friendly - although they do not draw as much water from the depths. One windmill - or wind pump - was tested over the past year to great success.

We are therefore extremely grateful to report that there two more windmills in the Wilderness Safaris concession, thanks to the kind donation of Rich Jones. These 12-metre wind pumps were installed at two very active waterholes by the manufacturers Villiers Aqua Engineering from South Africa. Fraimie Vorster and his crew of six came from South Africa to install the pumps at Ngamo Pan and Airstrip Two Pan.

Installation took about two days per wind pump and within 36 hours of being active, the Ngamo Pan pump had drawn 22 000 litres of water. The maximum output of these pumps is roughly 30 000 litres per day and they seem to average about 10 to 15 000, depending on the wind. Flow meters were installed on both to monitor output and these records will go a long way to helping design an efficient water-management system within the concession.

Water is life in Hwange and animals come in their droves to the waterholes each evening. It is gratifying to see them slake their thirst on the new water pumped by the windmills. We have recently seen herds of up to 200 elephant making their way to the new water.

Space at these pans is shared between all the wildlife - eland drink neck to neck with buffalo while the elegant sable line up along the water's edge with giraffe in the heat of the day. Inquisitive jackal dart in amongst the elephant feet as the light fades and quickly drink before heading off into the night. Flocks of sandgrouse fill up their feathers as the light finally fades and are seen flying off to distant places in a flurry of near silent wings.

Rhino poached in Serengeti

We regret to bring you this news. But perhaps the life and death of this one unfortunate rhino will be the tipping point in the decision to stop the Serengeti highway.

Last May, there was celebration as five black rhinos were translocated from South Africa to the Serengeti National Park. President Kikwete himself went to hail the occasion.

The rhinos were introduced into the very area where the new highway is to be carved out.

Now one of those rhinos is dead, the victim of poachers, it's horns likely on the way to a shop in China. The introduced rhinos were supposed to be carefully protected with satellite tracking and special guards. Donors are questioning whether to bring up the 32 other rhinos that are scheduled for relocation in the Serengeti.

The Frankfurt Zoological Society reported:

"Though the rhinos are all under 24-hour surveillance by the special Serengeti Rhino Protection Unit and were equipped with radio transmitters prior to their release, George has none-the-less fallen claim to the brutal actions of poachers - he was shot dead and found with his horns sawed off."


Read more on how to stop the Serengeti Highway

Lawsuit filed against highway

A Kenya organization, African Network for Animal Welfare, has filed an injunction to stop the Government of Tanzania from constructing the Serengeti highway. Lawyer Saitabao ole Kanchory of Kanchory & Co Advocates, representing ANAW, last Friday filed the case at the East African Community chambers in Arusha.

Besides an interim injunction, ANAW asks that the court declare the road unlawful under provisions of the East African Community Treaty.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS: THE MIGRATION REACHES THE SOUTHERN SERENGETI

The vast migratory herds of zebra and wildebeest have now settled in the Southern Serengeti in the Ndutu region. The Serengeti Under Canvas camps are perfectly situated at Ndutu, within close range of the impressive herds. The enormous herds are overwhelming and the sightings have been unbelievable. Watch this space for more updates in the New Year! Wishing everyone a happy, healthy and safe holiday season and an exciting new year ahead.