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Kulefu Camp on the Lower Zambezi, May 28, 2010:
The Zambezi River rises in north-western Zambia and its catchment area covers 1,352,000 square kilometers and eight countries. The water levels of the Zambezi River in the Lower Zambezi National Park are currently very high due to the Zambezi River Authority being forced to partially open 3 sluice gates at Kariba Dam. This has been necessitated by the high rainfall in the catchment areas last year and also by the high rainfall experienced in the region this year so far. At Zambezi Kulefu Camp the swimming pool has been closed. The transfers from Jeki airstrip are in a game drive vehicle to a pick up point along the Zambezi river where guests are then transferred by boat to the camp for the last 20 minutes of their journey. Wildlife viewing drives in the National Park are as per usual however it is a short boat trip to the vehicles from where drives will commence. They are currently not able to offer night drives as boats are not permitted on the river after sunset.

Vumbura Airstrip Closed, May 25, 2010:
The Vumbura airstrip has been closed as it has too much water on it to be safe for use. Guests staying at Little Vumbura and Vumbura Plains will be flown to the Duba (Omdop) airstrip and then ferried into camp by helicopter from there.

Okavango Delta Flood, March 26, 2010:
The annual Okavango flood waters have reached Jacana Camp. Water levels rose just under a meter in four days. Early indications are that 2010 will have a big flood. The waters will now push down the main channels to Xigera and also through the east towards Little Vumbura, before spreading out onto the seasonal floodplains at Jao, Kwetsani, Tubu Tree, and Vumbura Plains. In addition, for the foreseeable future (possibly 3-4 months) the game drive transfer from Chitabe airstrip to Chitabe Camp will be closer to an hour (as opposed to the current 20 minutes) due to floodwaters on the normal route.

Zimbabwe ATM's Dispense US Dollars, March 3, 2010
The Zimbabwean government has adopted a multiple currency trading system where the Rand, the US Dollar and Botswana Pula operate as legal tender alongside the Zimbabwean Dollar. Visitors are now able to use their Visa, MasterCard or debit cards at Barclays Bank to withdraw US Dollars cash. Other banks will, in all likelihood, offer this service soon. Payment by credit card is accepted by a few suppliers, but this is not advised as the conversion rate is disadvantageous.

Botswana VAT increases by 2%, February 12, 2010
In the opening of Botswana’s Parliament and in the recent Botswana budget speech, it was announced that VAT (Value Added Tax) will be increased from 10% to 12%, effective from April 1, 2010. As this is a government tax beyond our control we regret to advise that a 2% surcharge will be added to all Botswana bookings travelling from April 1, 2010 onwards.