December 27, 2006 - Botswana's Green Season
Few people know that Botswana's wet season is categorized into two time periods, October, November and December and then the second half of the season being January, February and March. The onset of the rains also signals the start of summer.

Research has shown that Botswana's rainfall is linked to the warming or cooling of the tropical Pacific Ocean. El-Niño, the warming of the tropical Pacific is known to result into drier than normal rainfall over Botswana whereas La-Nina, the cooling of the tropical ocean brings wet conditions. According to Meteorologists, the tropical Pacific Ocean is slightly warmer ( 0.5°C) than average for this first part of the wet season and is expected to result in a weak El-Niño effect for the last part of our rainy season. With this in mind we can then presume a normal to below normal rainfall for the final part of the season.

From the onset of early localized rainfall in September, the central Botswana, Ngamiland and Chobe rainfall zone has transformed into a wonderland of greenery. At the moment the Delta, Moremi and the Chobe areas are wonderfully green with even some standing water from convectional downpours in drier places like the Savute. These downpours have altered animal concentrations in certain areas. Water dependent species that are reliant on permanent water can now spread out into wider home ranges. This is obviously very beneficial for areas that have had a high concentration of animals during the dry, giving the vegetation a chance to recuperate.

October 19, 2006 - Zambian Visa Fee Increased
With immediate effect the Zambian Government has increased the visa fee for USA passport holders from US $25 cash per person to US $100 cash per person. Please note that travelers overnighting in Zambia will not be subject to this fee as it will be paid by the hotel / lodge / camp that you are staying at (as long as we have each traveler's passport information at least 30 days prior to travel)(please note we cannot guarentee any government waiver of visa fees).

October 17, 2006 - Zambian Departure Tax Increased
With immediate effect the Zambian Government has increased the airport departure tax from US $20 cash per person to US $25 cash per person. We suggest that each traveler bring the exact amount as large bills such as US $50 and US $100 are not typically accepted.

September 1, 2006 - All Travelers Advised to Review TSA Luggage Rules
In light of recent changes to luggage rules all travelers are advised to review the Transportation Security Administration's website at www.tsa.gov prior to traveling.

September 1, 2006 - South African Airways #2 Business Class in World
South African Airways' (SAA) Business Class (which offers full lie flat seats) was voted world's second best at the 2006 World Airline Awards. British Airways topped the list, while Virgin Atlantic, Qantas Airways and Cathay Pacific came in third, fourth and fifth place respectively. The survey measures over 35 different aspects of passenger satisfaction for each airline's product and service standards in both the airport and on board.

September 1, 2006 - Zimbabwe's Currency Revalued
Due to a 'revaluation' of the Zimbabwe Dollar in which the last 3 zeroes in any domination have been 'knocked' off ( i.e. Z $1,000,000 is now Z $1,000). This has been done to cope with the country's hyper-inflation and does nothing to change the value of goods or services. It is imperative that visitors to Zimbabwe carry foreign currency and in small denominations. US currency is most widely accepted. Some Zimbabwean businesses are not accepting credit cards.

July 31, 2006 - International Flight Carry On Luggage Rules
Effective August 1, 2006 hand baggage on international flights must have a maximum length of 22 inches, width of 18 inches and depth of 10 inches. The maxiumum weight will be  17.5 pounds. These dimensions include wheels, handles, side pockets, etc. If your hand baggage exceeds the IATA standard size, you will be asked to return to check-in and check the bag into the hold.

July 13, 2006 - Livingstone Island Re-Opened
Livingstone Island, in the middle of the Zambezi River at the edge of Victoria Falls, is once again open after closing due to high water levels. Bookings are flooding in - no pun intended. For those interested in seeing the Falls from this unique and exciting viewpoint Ultimate Africa highly recommends pre-booking either lunch or afternoon tea on the island.

On the subject of pre-booking activities at Victoria Falls we recommend the same for elephant back safaris and the helicopter rides in order to avoid disappointment.

July 13, 2006 - Golf Course Opens at Victoria Falls
As of July 1, 2006 the Livingstone Royal Golf and Country Club has re-opened. Originally established in 1908, the Livingstone Club and course was redesigned in 1936 and now has been completely restored. Set on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, in a veritable botanical garden with over 118 tree species, the nine-hole golf course provides a unique African golfing experience. The second nine holes are being renovated and will be ready by the beginning of 2007.

The distinctive Edwardian style Club House extends a very warm welcome to all guests, offering a five star restaurant experience and club bar both overlooking the golf course. Food with drinks are served throughout the day. In the near future the club will also offer tennis, a heated swimming pool and gymnasium.

July 13, 2006 - "Still not Convinced" about Kenya
Ultimate Africa consultant Lorna Davidson has spent the last 14 days inspecting safari properties in Kenya. The fact that she can be reached by cell phone at almost anytime is disconcerting when compared to the wild remote areas of southern Africa where you can go days if not weeks without cell phone reception when on safari. A recent text message from Lorna read "In Amboseli National Park viewing elephants - still not convinced"...this refers to our feeling that Kenya's safari offerings do not match the quality experience that can be had in other areas such as Tanzania or Botswana...Upon her return to the office she will put together an update for the website.

July 13, 2006 - Wilderness Safaris World's Second Best Tour Operator
South Africa based Wilderness Safaris is the second best tour operator in the world, according to Travel + Leisure (USA). In the magazine's 11th annual poll. Readers were asked to name the best in travel - hotels, islands, cities and tour operators. In the category "Top 15 Tour Operators and Safari Outfitters" Wilderness Safaris came 2nd, one up from last year's ranking. Wilderness Safaris has operations in Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

Wilderness Safaris' Mombo Camp also featured in the prestigious list and joined the ranks of the world's best hotels, coming third in the category – Top 25 Hotels in Africa and the Middle East, and 15th in the Top Small Hotels worldwide, with a score of 90.39 (out of 100).

Travel + Leisure Editor-in-Chief Nancy Novogrod said, "The 2006 World's Best Awards reveal a preference for places farther away, smaller, and more unique than ever before."

June 22, 2006 - Polio Advisory for Namibia
There is currently an outbreak of polio in Namibia. Incidents of fatalities and paralysis have been reported but clients travelling to the country over June and July should not be alarmed and the risk of contracting polio or being exposed to conditions in which polio is a threat are minimal. The diagnosis of polio has been limited to that age group of people who missed polio vaccinations in the years immediately following Namibia's independence. The statement from the Namibia Tourism Board, while confirming that the risks of infection are very slight and the cases so far restricted to a limited area, includes the following recommendations: "visitors should get a booster dose of polio vaccine at least 10 to 14 days before arrival; wash all fruits and vegetables with a safe water supply before use; always wash hands with soap and water before handling food and after visiting the toilet." This has been echoed by the Namibian Ministry of Health which has urged similar precautions although pointing out that polio vaccinations for travellers are not required by international law. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office for the UK advises that travellers to the country ensure that their polio vaccination is up to date. The South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases has also issued a statement of caution recommending a polio vaccine booster. Again, please do not be alarmed by this news. We regard the risk of exposure to be minimal so long as guests are informed. Polio boosters are recommended but are not essential, or compulsory.

June 19, 2006 - Space for 2007 Limited
Rooms at a number of east and southern Africa's most popular lodges and camps are booking up earlier and earlier each year. As of early June 2006 both Mombo and Little Mombo Camps in Botswana are nearly fully booked for most of high season 2007 (June 15 through October 31, 2007). Space for Tanzania during the period January through March is also limited. As always we suggest clients book their travel arrangements at least 12+ months in advance of their intended travel dates.

May 23, 2006 – Room Keys Pose Security Risk
Did you know that your name, partial home address hotel room number, check in and check out date, and your credit card number and expiration date is embedded in the credit card type hotel room keys used throughout the world?

When you turn them in to the front desk your personal information is there for any employee to access by simply scanning the card in the hotel scanner. An employee can take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense.

Simply put, hotels do not erase the information on these cards until an employee re-issues the card to the next hotel guest. At that time, the new guest's information is electronically "overwritten" on the card and the previous guest's information is erased in the overwriting process. But until the card is rewritten for the next guest, it usually is kept in a drawer at the front desk with your information on it.

We suggest you keep the cards; take them home with you or destroy them. Never leave them behind in the room or room wastebasket, and never turn them in to the front desk when you check out. The hotel will not charge you for the card (its illegal) and you'll be sure you are not leaving valuable personal information behind.

For the same reason, if you arrive at the airport and discover you still have the card key in your pocket, do not toss it in an airport trash basket. Take it home or destroy it by cutting it up, especially the electronic information strip!