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Ultimate Africa travel and wildlife news archive

July 2004

400,000 Tourists Expected for Victoria Falls Centenary, July 4 2004

More than 400,000 tourists are expected to visit to Zambia in 2005 for the centenary celebrations of the city of Livingstone (Zambian side of Victoria Falls) and 150 years since David Livingstone first saw the Victoria Falls.

Robin Pope Safaris Weekly Update, July 4 2004

Robin and Jo Pope operate Robin Pope Safaris in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Here is their latest update:

Well it has been a busy and interesting week with some amazing and unusual game viewing up at Nsefu and Tena Tena. Our first guests went into our Fly Camps this week and to celebrate the occasion we had sundowners, in fine Robin Pope Safaris style, at one of the sites, with lots of champagne flowing!

The most peculiar sighting we had was a 4 meter python in one of our game viewing vehicles. Fortunately there were no guests on board when the python took up residence but there were a whole bunch of staff on board who very rapidly got off the car! Debs was on a pre fly camping excursion when she spotted the python on the side of the road. On getting out of the car to have a closer look at the massive snake it took fright and headed for the only available hiding place which was the vehicle! As you can imagine all the staff that were still sitting in the vehicle leapt out! On close inspection the python has squeezed itself into the gap between the cab and the back of car and was not going to be harmed by any moving parts of engine so Deb decided to take the large snake back to Nsefu and try and remove it there. Convincing the staff to get back in the vehicle with this massive reptile was almost impossible, as you can imagine.

Every method conceivable was tried to remove the snake but it would not budge! Ammonia was wafted around the snakes head, smoke was tried hoping that it would think there was a fire nearby, ropes were used to try and pull it out but all to no avail. Things were getting a little desperate as the vehicle in question needed to be at Nkwali camp by the following morning for a game drive but had been hijacked by this very large snake. Eventually, as darkness fell we parked the vehicle next to a bush and the snake finally left! I do not think that the guests at Nkwali would have been pleased if they had to share their vehicle with a four meter python.

We also had a couple of really amazing sightings which certainly rate up there with my most memorable outings in the last few years. Just north of Nsefu camp we came across crocodiles feeding on a baby hippo. There must have been twenty to thirty large crocodiles thrashing around, twisting off large chunks of flesh and gulping it down when we noticed an adult hippo approaching the scene. I suspect it was the mother as she sailed straight into this seething mass of crocs and started trying to bite anything in range. The crocodiles had to take evasive action as a bite from a hippo will certainly kill a crocodile, even a big croc. Amazingly I did not actually see the hippo get hold of any crocs but it was such a confusing scene anything could have happened in the chaos. The crocodiles eventually drifted downstream with their kill, away from the angry hippo.

One morning, on a drive from Tena Tena we saw one of the most extraordinary pieces of wildlife interaction that I have ever seen. A leopard was having a tug-of-war with a crocodile over a dead baboon. The crocodile was in a narrow but obviously fairly deep channel in a small lagoon. I can only guess what actually happened as we did not see the beginning of the saga but I think a big baboon must have gone down to the waters edge for a drink and been grabbed by the croc. Being a small stretch of water the croc did not appear to have the leverage that it required for a quick getaway and I can only think the leopard nearby saw an opportunity to try and steal the baboon from the crocodile. We sat for about forty five minutes catching the leopard tugging and pulling at the baboon, half of which was in the mouth of the crocodile! The croc knew that if it let go to try and get a better grip then it would lose its kill. The leopard just sat there eating at the back end of the baboon and occasionally hissing at the crocodile and swatting it on the head with it's front paw. Eventually the leopard gave the baboon one big tug and it tore off a large chunk and walked off with its prize. Quite exceptional gameviewing!

Uganda Raises Gorilla Park Fees, July 11 2004

Uganda has increased permits for gorilla viewing from US $275 to US $360 for foreign tourists in a bid to raise more revenue to fund conservation initiatives in the country.

Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) chief Dr. Arthur Mugisha said the new rates, which include new entrance fees into parks, take effect August 1, 2004.

Mugisha said the gorilla rates would match Rwanda's charges of US $375 per permit, but added that UWA would maintain six permits to view a group of gorillas per day as opposed to Rwanda's eight. He said Uganda, DR Congo and Rwanda share the global population of 670 gorillas and would harmonize their conservation programs.

US Government Updates Zimbabwe Travel Warning, July 11 2004

The US State Department has updated its Zimbabwe travel warning. In short it re-emphasizes to avoid farming areas and political gatherings. The fuel shortages do not affect Ultimate Africa as the tour operators we work with bring their own fuel supplies into the country. Here is the warning in full:

This Travel Warning is being issued to remind Americans of the political, economic and humanitarian crises in Zimbabwe. This supersedes the Travel Warning of January 22, 2004.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe continues to be in the midst of political, economic and humanitarian crises. All U.S. citizens in Zimbabwe are urged to take those measures they deem appropriate to ensure their well-being.

The Zimbabwean economy is in precipitous decline, with high rates of unemployment and inflation. The economic crisis has led to a serious increase in crime. Zimbabwe is still experiencing spot fuel shortages that can hinder in-country travel.

Zimbabwe's food shortages are expected to continue, although, it is difficult to assess the severity of the situation given government secrecy surrounding agricultural production. The humanitarian crisis is expected to worsen in coming months and may lead to possible large-scale migration of Zimbabweans to urban or border areas, with further disruption and an increase in crime and instability.

Commercial farms should be avoided at all times, especially those occupied by settlers or so-called "war veterans," who are typically young government supporters acting with impunity outside the law.

Kruger's Elephants Under Fire, July 11 2004

Professional hunters in South Africa are capitalizing on Kruger National Park's growing elephant population by selling "canned" elephant hunts to wealthy American clients. Police and conservation officials are investigating the "hunting" of a Kruger bull within hours of its delivery to a safari outfit in North West province. Sedated and disoriented after being plucked out of the wild and transported hundreds of kilometers, the bull was reportedly shot by a Texas oil magnate.

Three other bulls have been delivered to the Orion Safari Lodge and farm near Rustenburg in the past fortnight, where New York hotel and casino tycoon Donald Trump is among the clients expected soon.

They may arrive to find their intended trophies have fled the "postage-stamp size" property where they will be hunted. Two of the bulls have already escaped and one traveled about 200km northwards before both were recaptured and returned to the property.

The hunters charge their clients up to $50 000 to shoot a mature Kruger elephant. Their own costs involved in buying the elephants and moving them to the hunting destination are unlikely to amount to more than US $15,000. "Taking an animal like this out of the Kruger park, transporting it hundreds of kilometers and then shooting it within hours is immoral and unacceptable," says a conservation official who did not want to be named. "If it is an issue of too many elephants, then they should rather be honest and cull the elephants on their home ground. But, of course, there is not as much money to be made in culling. This is a false pretence. It is not the way South Africa should handle its wildlife."

The four bulls were bought by hunting outfitter Hugo Ras from the Sabi Sands Game Reserve on the western boundary of the Kruger. Home to luxury tourism lodges such as Mala Mala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi, the reserve says it has an overpopulation of elephants coming from the Kruger.

Sabi Sands has sold about 80 elephants to private buyers in the past two years and plans to sell off more family groups. Controversies around culling Kruger's elephants, which was stopped in 1995, have resurfaced recently as scientists say there are too many elephants in the world-famous park.

Gavin Hulett, warden at Sabi Sands, says it was a condition of the sale to Ras that the elephants would not be hunted. But it is clear Ras did not feel obliged to abide by this condition - he obtained a hunting permit from the North West authorities even before the bulls arrived at the Orion premises.

Ras has also recently acquired a small family group of seven elephants, which he bought from insurance tycoon Douw Steyn's reserve in Limpopo. Breeding herds of elephants need about 1,500ha per elephant - Orion, which Ras is in the process of buying from fellow professional hunter Johan Botha, covers about 4,500ha and now has 10 elephants.

Ras admitted that the elephant bull was shot within hours of being offloaded. He said it had broken out of a camp and was causing mayhem. "I am no elephant killer. I am a farmer dealing in wildlife," he said.

Ras has faced a number of charges of illegal hunting in Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal. Limpopo officials say they are investigating him in connection with further irregularities in that province.

They are also trying to find out the fate of four lions Ras has moved to Orion. The lions were wild-caught at a reserve in Limpopo and the condition of their sale to Ras was that they must be free-ranging. For years American hunters have been complaining about corruption and a lack of ethics in the South African hunting industry, including "canned" lion hunts. These complaints led to Safari Club International (SCI), the biggest hunting organization in the United States, opening an office in South Africa nine years ago, says Linda Venter, SCI's Africa office manager.

SCI still outlaws records of lion-hunting trophies from South Africa as a result of the scandal surrounding canned lion hunting. SCI will be part of a high-level annual Africa Wildlife Consultative Forum discussing hunting and other conservation-related issues at Sun City early next week.

It will not be surprising if canned elephant hunting in South Africa becomes part of those discussions.

South African Airways First Class Ranks Among Best, July 11 2004

First Class on board South African Airways (SAA), the top airline serving Africa, ranks with the best the world has to offer.

SAA, who annually wins various awards as the Best airline in Africa, finds itself listed with top Asian airlines as one of the world's leaders when it comes to what passengers can expect in First Class. SAA moved up three positions from last year to be ranked by Skytrax in 6th place, for the complete First Class product and service offering, beating the likes of Swiss, Qantas, Emirates, British Airways, Malaysia, Lufthansa, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines and Asiana Airlines.

"No small feat if you consider who we managed to outshine and leave behind," says André Viljoen, SAA President and CEO.

For the 2004 Skytrax rankings only Cathay Pacific, Singapore, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways and ANA All Nippon Airways could beat SAA.

Skytrax is a British-based leading specialist advisor to the airline industry that provides intensive product and service research, quality evaluation audits to airlines and airport operators around the world. Skytrax offers a detailed and highly valued ranking system on various aspects relating to the airline industry. This British company audits airlines annually in all travel classes on product and the quality of service offered.

The reason for SAA's success is its constant striving for service excellence in the global arena and to be among the leaders in First Class service delivery to meet our discerning passenger's needs and expectations. The First Class product and service is still part of our destination network to London, Lagos and Luanda on the Boeing 747-400s.

First Class curbside check-in now ranks number two in the world with its service and product. This includes enhanced branding with a unique South African touch. SAA works closely with community development projects that supply craft work in line with the SAA brand.

The First class lounge, known as the Cycad Premium lounge, ranks number four in the world and has a dedicated chef that prepares an a la carte menu. The First Class lounge is a luxury facility for our Premium Plus passengers, featuring luxurious showers, a boardroom, state-of the art business facilities and snooze rooms.

"Our First Class offers our passengers the best the world's greatest airlines have. For the first time ever we have climbed the ranks to group ourselves with Asian airlines whose service cultures are the world's benchmark. For this a warm thank you to all SAA's staff that helped towards this achievement," says Viljoen.

Kenya Tourism Board Update on Travel Warning, July 11 2004

The Kenya Tourist Board has recently had several meetings with the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy to attempt to further progress on getting the East Africa Travel Warning lifted. With the help and immense assistance of the Kenyan Government, the KTF Travel Advisory Committee and the Kenyan Embassy in the U.S., the Kenya Tourist Board is pleased to note that the Travel Warning was reissued recently having dropped the specific warnings about non-essential travel and the reference to shoulder fired missiles. "Although we are still working hard at getting the warning lifted altogether we are pleased with the recent changes in verbiage and are working together at next steps for lifting the Warning or getting it downgraded to a Public Announcement."

Robin Pope Safaris Weekly Update, July 11 2004

Robin and Jo Pope operate safaris in Zambia's South Luangwa Park. Here is their latest update:

It's Kim here in the bush! Mark Patrick, who was on last week's mobile camping safari, wrote a little report for us and I would like to share an extract from it with you;

"As the sun goes down we are sitting in easy chairs, on the big bend, reviewing the day's and week's achievements, this having been the last walk on the mobile part of the safari. Under Robins' gentle guidance everyone is perhaps surprised how they were able to exceed their expectations and leave with a more balanced view of Africa. We had walked for quite long periods but again thanks to Robin's powers of observation and to his realization of human frailty, we found ourselves pausing to absorb yet another extraordinary facet of the animal world whilst resting weary limbs. The enthusiasm of Robin and his guides moved us from observers to participants - for which we shall all feel privileged. And so to a camp dinner with the realization that we had viewed many of the excitements of wild Africa, a leopard in its prime, the tail of a disturbed lion from 15 yards and all in a sequence of natural progression, a world away from the package safari."

I hate to mention this as it is unusual for this time of year - but - guests saw a pack of 11 wild dog yesterday. Just by the pontoon, they were clearly visible and a real treat - no guarantees that they will hang around but wouldn't that be fantastic….

Nsefu report that a leopard has been seen on several occasions at tea time on the beach opposite camp. Guests also had the amazing sight of a journey of 19 giraffe - unusual to see this many in one group.

Full moon has now come and gone but both Tena Tena and Nsefu have taken full advantage with Nsefu organizing an amazing full moon dinner out in the bush and Tena Tena breaking tradition and having a Moonupper cocktail party at Chris's Tree rather than the normal sundowners! What ingenious caterers we have.

Stay well and have a great week -Cheers, Kim

Robin Pope Safaris Weekly Update, July 18 2004

Robin and Jo Pope operate safaris in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Here is their latest update:

Last week we had 2 elephants sleeping at the lagoon in front of the lunch platform at Nkwali Camp. Needless to say as this was during lunch the guests sat and watched them for ages and lunch almost ran into tea.

Kate and Daudi decided to surprise guests by meeting them for sundowners with champagne and snacks recently. They packed up the vehicle and headed off to Warthog Park. Finding a nice spot, they set up the table and chairs. Putting the champagne in the bucket and the little sausages on the table, they sat down to a cold beer. Not long after this they heard lions calling and then saw them in the distance walking towards them. At about the same time Daudi heard a leopard calling from the other direction. A little while after this Jacob radioed in to say that they may be late as they were watching the leopard - fine, champagne can wait. However, the lions were getting closer and Daudi and Kate retreated to the vehicle, which was hidden behind a bush to aid the surprise. There were 2 lions and one walked right passed the vehicle and had a good sniff at the table loaded with snacks etc which had been abandoned. At this point Jacob arrived on the scene. Daudi quickly radioed him to warn him not to let the guests off the vehicle as the lions were there - however, Daudi had only seen one and was not sure where the other one was. Jacob soon came back to inform him that it was actually sitting just behind them… Deciding that this was not the ideal spot to quaff their champagne, being almost dark by this point anyway - the kit was grabbed and all headed back to Nsefu bar for the party.

Ross reports a beautiful new male lion in the area. Not a scratch on him and a fantastic full mane making him look very grand and regal. Lion sightings have been good at both Nsefu and Tena Tena of late which is always good news. Tena Tena have also had some great fishing parties, the latest being a combination of marabou and yellow billed storks.

Jo has been busy on yet another new project - Kawaza School has been in desperate need of new building and the work is galloping ahead. However, the whole project is costly and we are looking for donations from anyone who has visited this fantastic school and would like to help out. Please contact Ultimate Africa is you would like to offer assistance.

Stay well and have a great week. Cheers - Kim

Cape Town Voted #1 City in Africa, July 25 2004

Cape Town has recently been voted by Travel and Leisure as the number city in Africa (again) and number 5 overall in the World. Singita Safari Lodge was voted the best hotel in the world, and five of the top ten are in South Africa. In the world!

That means that half the top ten scored better than hotels in Paris, London, New York, Monaco, Caribbean, Hawaii and so on.

Ol Donyo Wuas News, July 25 2004

Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge is located in Kenya's beautiful Chyulu Hills. Here is Richard Bonham's latest news:

The world news is so bad these days that I thought it time to give you some good news - there are lots of good things happening at Ol Donyo Wuas Lodge. First of all the swimming pool that we have talked about for 17 years - after 15 bowsers of water and 1,700 kilometers of dusty road trips, is full to the brim. Yesterday we were swimming with Kilimanjaro in the background and 6 bull elephant in the foreground! A long term dream comes true. There is also another sitting/dining room area by the pool where guests may have lunch or dinner on their own.

Other good news. I know we have a reputation for rather clapped out cars - well get your guests ready for a shock! Our fleet has been overhauled.

Trish and Tara have been very busy over the past few months refurbishing the interiors of all the cottages, the sitting room and dining room and Quentin has been busy pulling out every non-indigenous plant and madly planting with any tree, bush and shrub that flowers in the Chyulus.

We have been exceptionally lucky in that Marc Weiner has joined us to train our guides and to spend time with those guests who would like to learn more about the many subtle and less known details of the bush.

On the game side, we have good news too. The lion project is underway and we now have five lion collared which enables us to monitor them and hopefully keep them out of trouble if they decide to raid Maasai cattle. On one day this week, we saw 13 different cheetah, one very pregnant - so hopefully we will soon break our record of 16 in one day. Rhino - the closest we usually get to rhino is a steaming pile of dung or if we are lucky the site of a rear end disappearing through the bush but last week we had a first when we caught a rhino shuffling across the plains at 9 in the morning. This is a tribute to our ten game scouts who are dedicated to providing security and surveillance for the rhino in the area. We have now confirmed 7 individuals but I wouldn't be surprised if we find more.

As we write we are putting the final touches to a tree house overlooking the lodge water hole which every day is visited by elephant, eland, impala, oryx and the occasional cheetah and leopard. The hide has a loo and a shower and a platform where the more adventurous can spend the night under the stars. Can't wait to christen it on a full moon. As if all that is not enough, we have four more horses bringing our stable to twelve. This will allow us to outfit more riding safaris which are becoming more and more popular, thanks to Monica's efforts. Monica is now leading more adventurous rides into the hills and we have just got permission to ride to Amboseli National Park. This area is made for horse riding.

The season is looking great compared to the previous lean years and we would like to thank you all for your support. All the best, Richard Bonham

Hoopoe Safaris Update, July 25 2004

Stephen Laiser, a Tanzanian Masai and former national park game warden, started Hoopoe Adventure Tours in 1992. Three years later, seeing how little East Africa's safari lodges were doing to protect the environment and help locals, he opened Kirurumu Tented Lodge in lush Lake Manyara National Park. It was one of the region's original eco-lodges and the first stop on my Hoopoe tour this spring.

My tent, furnished with solar-powered lights and biodegradable soap (sink and bath runoff is used to irrigate the landscape), stood at the end of a stone path surrounded by the native trees that Hoopoe workers have reintroduced to this once-degraded area. A quarter of the staff come from nearby villages, which also supply the kitchen with its fresh food.

Our two Tanzanian guides, both fluent in English, were able to quickly extricate our vehicle from deep mud, explain eccentric animal behaviors, set up afternoon tea at a remote hippo pool, and even spot a two-inch pygmy kingfisher while driving. Their knowledge of animals went well beyond pointing out the "Big Five": When we saw two lions hunting during the day, our guide Pascal explained that though cats prefer nocturnal hunting, the previous night's rain had made it hard to track prey by smell, so this pair was hungry and irritated. When two giraffes rubbed their long necks against each other in slow motion, another guide told us that the affectionate-looking display was actually two males sparring, each trying to dislodge a vertebra in the other's neck. To further such in-depth knowledge, Hoopoe holds annual courses on everything from botany to hospitality for guides and staff; the company also encourages entrepreneurship by allowing drivers to buy vehicles at a considerable discount and start their own safari businesses.

We spent a night at a guesthouse on a working farm, followed a cheetah hunting a wildebeest in the Ngorongoro Crater, and witnessed the spectacle of thousands of migrating wildebeests in Serengeti National Park. But the highlight of the safari was Hoopoe's camp at Oloipiri, which is on the animal migration route between Serengeti National Park and Kenya's Masai Mara National Park. A village of 700 Masai near the western border of the Serengeti, Oloipiri is one of three community-based tourism projects managed by the company. For the past four years, Hoopoe has paid the village between $15,000 and $20,000 annually for the use of 80 square miles of communal land, and has also employed Masai as guards and guides. On every visit, Hoopoe sets up luxury tents with hot showers, chemical toilets, and solar-powered lights, but leaves not so much as a fruit peel behind. The operator has also renovated a neighboring village's well, helped fund a school and build a medical clinic, and sends four village students to secondary school each year. Such community partnerships have served as models for similar programs throughout East Africa.

Elikana, our Masai guide, took us on a hike around the camp, which is set among spectacular giant kopjes and stands of whistling thorn trees. Dressed in traditional checkered cloth and armed with a bow and a quiver full of arrows, he pointed out wildlife and medicinal plants, including aloe, which he applied to my sunburned arms.

Peter Lindstrom, a third-generation Kenyan and Hoopoe's managing director, was in Oloipiri attending a meeting with the village's elders. To determine what impact the nomadic Masai herders have had on the environment, Lindstrom is cataloging flora and fauna in the district. "In Oloipiri," he says, "we are trying to create sustainable, low-impact ecotourism to bring enough revenue into the village so that the Masai won't have to turn to growing wheat or allowing hunting."

Wildlife Increases at Stanley & Livingstone, July 25 2004

There has been a substantial increase in the game numbers on the Stanley and Livingstone estate near Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe as most species including zebra, waterbuck, wildebeest, buffalo, kudus and eland are now being seen with numerous young ones.

Three tsessebe have also been spotted and it would appear that they have come in from the neighboring estate. There have also been sightings of a pair of hyena as well as tracks of a pair of cheetah.

Stanley & Livingstone will be embarking on a joint venture with Shearwater's Elephant Company, offering a night game-drive activity on the Stanley & Livingstone estate. Game-drive vehicle, guides and chefs will be provided for an African bush braai (BBQ) experience!

Zimbabwe on German Television, July 25 2004

A German television crew recently traveled to Zimbabwe and visited Great Zimbabwe, Kariba (including the Matusadona National Park) and Victoria Falls for a travel feature on Zimbabwe. According to the crew they experienced a fascinating destination and hospitable people during their tour of the country. The German Foreign Office's travel advice has now been relaxed to 'normal'. They were previously warning against travel to Zimbabwe.

Robin Pope Safaris Weekly Update, July 25 2004

Robin and Jo Pope operate safaris in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park. Here is their latest update:

Nsefu had an unusual visitor for breakfast this week. A hyena brought down a puku in the lagoon next to the bar just as the guests were tucking into their porridge. A feast for the eyes and quite a start to the day.

Another incredible sight was wild dog at the Nsefu Salt Pan - this really is turning into an amazing season for them and we hope that the increased numbers mean that they will stick around throughout the year. It is such a joy to see these rare animals and lets hope that the increased sighting means that they are edging away for being one of Africa's most endangered species.

Meanwhile Tena Tena report 3 new lion cubs in the area - very sweet and tiny - about 6 weeks old. Simon found them as the mother appeared to be introducing them to the pride. And can you believe it, as they were watching this amazing scene, a leopard came down to the near by water to drink.

On the lion front Nkwali have had plenty of lion sightings lately. Some guests who had just arrived from Australia, their first night in Africa, saw 11 lionesses milling around the pontoon area. Pam was overwhelmed!

Jo and I sneaked out for a night and stayed at a non RPS bushcamp. It was great to be out there…lots of eles, excellent giraffe sightings and a huge herd of buffalo. The carmine bee-eaters are now starting to arrive - and are beginning their annual digging session in the banks - such a colorful sight.

Kate and Ross have just come back from a few days off. They popped down to Chongwe River Camp on the Lower Zambezi and did some fishing - Ross being the expert was rather upstaged by Kate on her first fly fishing trip. She caught a monster tiger fish. Thankfully for Kate, her trade mark pink hat did not put the fish off - indeed they seemed to be attracted to her side of the boat for some reason. Maybe Ross should take her lead and start wearing pink instead of khaki... Stay well and have a great week. Cheers - Kim

Star of Africa Zambia Update, July 25 2004

Star of Africa are Zambia's leading luxury tour operator. Here is the latest news:

Justice and Tendayi at Sussi and Chuma report that the elephants are back in Livingstone after having made their annual trip up north to the Kafue National Park in search of greener pastures. Feeding and swimming in and around camp they have kept guests well entertained and we look forward to having them around for the rest of the season. With water levels dropping the many islands around the lodge have come to life and fishing has improved with good size tigerfish coming back on the bite.

Construction is underway to complete a log hide and this should be finished shortly enabling guests to get up close and personal with the waterhole's new arrivals. Sussi's infamous family of monkeys have been as cheeky as ever and have had their work cut out for them with the passing through of another family who quite obviously took a liking to the area. We wait and see the outcome.

We are delighted to advise that Chuma House is now fully up and running and during the months of May and June have had various VIP's staying there. Mike Muvishi, who many of you will know from his days at Chizarira, has been doing our private guiding at Chuma House and has given all guests a very memorable and enjoyable experience.

Sussi Lodge has been very busy over the past couple of months with a fantastic vibe in camp and all sorts of wonderful and interesting people staying with us. Here is what just a few had to say:

"A real dream, much more than we could have imagined"! Wally Brand and Thomas (Luxembourg)

"We only wish we could stay longer! The country is magnificent but the best memory will include your lovely staff who are so warm and professional as well. Thank you for everything"! Barbara and Ivor Freeman (Newbury, USA)

"Great place, great people, beautiful accommodation. A window to heaven". Bill Hayward and Adriana Lyles (California, USA)

Petros Guwa at Lechwe Plains reports that although many migrating birds have now gone back north, this has not detracted from the wonderful birding to be experienced. The excellent rains they had during the rainy season have ensured that birding is better than ever, with the plains behind the camp being particularly prolific in birdlife, especially with cranes. A guide friend of mine who has been in the field for over fifteen years and is now working in Botswana has come to agree that Lochinvar National Park has more cranes than in Botswana, widely believed to hold the largest number of cranes in the past. Whilst the cranes are definitely the highlight other interesting birds to be seen are the yellow-throated sand grouse, which move around in very large numbers.

The lechwe, zebra and wildebeest herds are truly unbelievable and buffalo have been seen on several game drives this last month. Mike Muvishi and I also recently had an amazing sighting of serval in the southern part of the park, resulting in the decision to put new game drive tracks in this area adding some more interest to the game drives.

The Nyimba Fishing village trip has once again proved to be the most popular activity for guests. Following recent discussions with the local headman and elders, we have developed this tour further and now offer a traditional dance show at the school. Through its Community Projects Division, Star of Africa has set up a special fund for this school which will assist in finishing the building of the school, buying desks and chairs and sourcing suitable reading and learning material for children.

Catherine and Andy have brought a huge amount of experience and expertise to Kulefu Tented Camp, each in different areas. Catherine started her career with Zimsun Leisure group at Carribea Bay resort in Kariba and later moved to Troutbeck Sun in the Eastern Highlands before crossing the river to join Star of Africa first at Sussi and Chuma in October last year. Catherine is hands on with the day to day running of the camp and takes superb care looking after all guest needs. Andy has vast experience guiding in both Zimbabwe and Zambia in the prime areas of Kariba, Victoria Falls and Lower Zambezi and has added huge value to the guest game experience in this stunning park.Catherine and Andy report game viewing has been really fantastic. Imagine having the opportunity of watching a lion as close as three meters from the game drive vehicle….. Leopards have been seen regularly and recently clients had the pleasure of watching a male leopard on a hunt and kill. Kulefu is home to a variety of other animals including hippo, buffalo, waterbuck, and elephant just to mention a few. Kulefu has been working on their half day and full day canoeing trips with Morad, better known to most as the "Waterman" and are very excited with the various enhancements that they have added.

Clients have had fantastic sunset viewing along the river as they sail the Zambezi guarded by hundreds of hippos and at times elephant that frequent the islands. Fishing has also been excellent with a record 4.2 kg tigerfish being caught in May by one client.

At Chichele and Puku Ridge in the South Luangwa Nick, Tracey and Rodgers report that they have had a busy couple of months at both camps and a great start to the season. On the guiding side, they have employed a new guide by the name of Zebrone Chiirwa. Zebron is exceptionally knowledgeable and has been guiding for the past 9 years in Zambia and sits on the professional guides examining board. He is very well respected by his piers. Nic has passed his South Luangwa Guides license, so is now qualified to guide in 3 countries, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia!

The game viewing was quiet for a couple of weeks but has now picked up nicely. They've had sightings of lion, leopard, wild dog, buffalo, elephant, zebra, impala, kudu, puku, giraffe, warthog, not to mention all the birds. One clients staying with for 3 nights in June had 5 different leopard sightings on game drives - something that she had never before experienced. Guests have also watched yellow billed storks fishing, amazing!

The temperatures have now dropped quite a bit and early morning game drives are very cool! Daytime temperatures are pleasant and night times are cool.

The game viewing in front of Puku Ridge has been really good with hippos and elephants being seen every night. Impala, zebra, puku, baboons, lions, leopards, and buffalo have all been seen out on the open plains in front of the camp.

Some other super comments from the last two months:

"Beautiful lodge, excellent service and scenery. Nick and Tracey thanks for everything"! Ian Swain

"Thank you Nic, Tracey, Kari, Rodgers and all the staff for a wonderful stay. Great hospitality and lodge". Chris & Felicity Bradshaw

"Wow - what a fantastic stay. So relaxing & lovely & friendly. Saw lion as we were having breakfast the last day - just amazing. Thanks"! Suzie Saunders

"Love this place and how welcome we feel. The sighting of lions while having tea on our balcony was huge bonus!! Wonderful time - thank you". Carolyn Price

"Thank you all of you for this memorable stay. Beautiful place friendly staff. Incredible experience"!! Frederique Tanner

"Excellent guides, excellent staff excellent hosts. Make me feel like QEII. Thanks so much"! The Nathons

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