Photograph by Frans Lanting
FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC:
While on assignment in Namibia for National Geographic magazine, Frans Lanting captured this surreal landscape image in a location called Dead Vlei. Read more…
Oct 212011
Oct 182011
Are you dreaming of Africa? Take advantage of this last minute deal to Kenya and South African Airways airfare sale! Please contact us for information on other travel deals to Africa at info@exploreafrica.net….
South African Airways “Fall in Love with Africa” sale is on until the end of the month! Fares from $1200 roundtrip*! Offer valid for new bookings until the end of the month for departures through December 9, 2011.
*Visit flysaa.com today and check out the terms and conditions.
Stay 3, Pay for 2 nights in Kenya! Last minute deals with Great Plains Conservation’s properties in Kenya… at both Ol Donyo Lodge and Mara Plains Camp. Applies to any new bookings for travel between Nov 1 – Dec 19, 2011.
EXPLORE would like to thank Bushmans Kloof for giving three orphaned boys a wonderful and unique experience!
This month Bushmans Kloof generously donated a 2 night stay for 3 of Cape Town’s orphaned boys, sponsored by Cape Town based Children’s Aids Art Programme (CAAP).
Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat is an extraordinary haven nestled at the foothills of the Cederberg mountains near Cape Town. Malaria and predator free, the reserve is a natural playground with wide open plains, mystical rock formations, crystal clear water falls, and an abundance of flora and fauna. The warm, caring service and hospitality, delicious organic cuisine, breathtaking dining venues, superb facilities and accommodation have repeatedly won Bushmans Kloof international recognition and awards and provided the boys with an experience that was well beyond their wildest dreams.
Mary Miyata, founder of CAAP, said “the boys were over the moon with excitement!” CAAP has made a marked difference to the plight of countless AIDS-afflicted orphans. Founded in 2005 by Mary, the first CAAP art school was successfully opened in 2009 at the Baphumelele Children’s Home in the township of Khayelista, South Africa. The children are regularly taken out for exciting excursions on the weekends giving them opportunities to encounter new experiences, such as art lessons and exhibitions, exposing them to everyday life and practices that would otherwise have remained unknown to them.]
Bushmans Kloof
Oct 132011
Zambia has proven that democracy thrives in Africa with the recent election of President Michael Sata. I was most fortunate to have the experience of being in Lusaka during the elections. The lack of violence, smooth transition and gracious handing over of power by incumbent Rupiah Banda proves that not only is the democratic process alive and well in Africa’s Southern region, but brings Zambia to the forefront as an example of stability to the region.
Over the weeks before the election Attny Musa Mwenya, President of the Law Society of Zambia, played a strong role in ensuring that the election was entirely above board and that the law regarding voting prodecures was followed exactingly. When the new President was announced on September 23, there was dancing and celebration in the streets, and a new democratic government was born.
President Sata’s new government promises to ensure that Zambia’s economy and resources are managed wisely with increasing focus on sustainable development, improving labor conditions and creating opportunity for local people.
If you are interested in the Patriotic Front’s Manifesto and plans for Zambia, please click here. Better yet, come to Zambia and experience some of the best Africa has to offer while supporting a democratic, stable country which thrives with wildlife and is home to a friendly, welcoming people!
~Cherri
We are happy to announce that Emirates Air will start flying into Lusaka next year as it continues to expand to destinations throughout Africa. Zambia and Zimbabwe will be linked with five flights in a week from Dubai, starting from February 1, 2012. This makes it very easy for travelers to visit the Seychelles before coming on safari in Zambia or Zimbabwe as there are direct links from Dubai to Mahe, Seychelles. EXPLORE travelers love to fly Emirates because of the extra leg room and easy prices. Yet another great way to get to Africa!
Full press release from Emirates Air
Sep 272011
Jim Steinberg is a noted nature photographer, particularly for his images of wildflowers. Here is a link to Jim Steinberg’s blog from his recent trip to South Africa. He was there researching sites and scenes for two upcoming photography workshops that will be held in 2012. The two workshops will focus on different interests – one with a clear wildflower focus and one for food and wine enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more details to be posted on the EXPLORE website…
Photos courtesy of Jim Steinberg
Sep 192011
Finkelstein Family with Cheetah
Our trip – organized by Explore – to Botswana and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in late June was perfectly planned by Elizabeth providing us a myriad of animal life and creature comforts that could not be improved upon. We – family of 4 with two older children – stayed at four locations: three in Botswana – Pom-Pom Camp, Gunns Camp, and Chobe Safari Lodge and at the Elephant Camp in Zimbabwe. Each was spectacular yet different from one another. All provided both wonderful experiences with the African flora and fauna along with terrific food, lodging, and interaction with the staff.
The abundant animal life at Pom-Pom is a highlight we will not forget. Seeing 7 lion cubs and 4 adult females eating the remains of a giraffe on the very first jeep ride was shocking yet amazing. Gunns is a smaller camp but our most relaxing stop. Chobe 
Safari Lodge is a fine hotel and its design more familiar to us but we enjoyed the camps more. The Chobe National Park is a treasure but one only needs two jeep rides and one boat trip (lunch boat trip was more fun than the evening one). We had three days there and spent some time reading by the pool and watching the monkeys try to steal our Fantas. At no time were we bored. Lastly, we traveled into Zimbabwe and stayed at the Elephant Camp which was our favorite lodging. The tent rooms are luxurious and the setting spectacular. Seeing and interacting with their pet cheetah is a memory we will all cherish. Getting into Zimbabwe is a pain but worth it despite the visa cost for four people. Victoria Falls is great fun and the town curio shop prices quite reasonable. We kept away from the crafts market and the many street hawkers (although I nearly traded my Explore cap for a bowl). If I was there without my children I may have been a bit more curious. At no time did we fell unsafe. All of the camp guides (one or two assigned only to your group) and 
staff are knowledgeable and go out of their way to assist. At the Chobe Safari Lodge it is a little different as each trip into the Park is staffed by a different person so the individual connection is somewhat lost.
At each stop, the camp/hotel was expecting us and the small plane flights/auto rides to the next location always on schedule. All of the journeys into the bush or river at the camps/lodge are perfectly timed. We had two point and shoot cameras (Canon, Olympus) both with up to 80X that took fabulous pictures/movies so spending over $500 ($1000!) for a SLR with a powerful telephoto lens is, in our opinion, not necessary.
~K. Finkelstein
Proving once again that travelers are seeking quality, authenticity and genuine custom care….
EXPLORE ranks #3 in the world on Travel & Leisure’s 2011 “World’s Best” list for Tour Operators | Safari Outfitters!
Our deepest thanks goes to the intrepid EXPLORE travelers who voted for us, our superb lodges and operators who deliver the experience, and the irreplaceable guides who produce the magic.
We were thrilled to see that the top 4 “hotels” in the world are in Africa. All are EXPLORE favorites!
TRUNKS UP TO ALL!!
SAA is offering 2 for 1 tickets to South Africa through July 15th (from $1899* RT)! Click the links below to book:
TO JOHANESSBURG OR CAPE TOWN (from NY or Washington DC)
TO DURBAN (from NY or Washington DC)
SAA’s Terms and Conditions: *TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Fares include fuel surcharges and are valid on SAA operated flights from New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD). Offer valid on the purchase of round-trip, economy class tickets only. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. Departure taxes and Sept. 11th security fees of approximately $130-140 (depending on itinerary) per passenger are additional and payable at time of ticketing. Passengers must travel together to qualify for this offer. Tickets must be paid for and issued at time of reservation. Fare is non-refundable and change fees of $250 apply. Re-routing is not permitted. Offer valid for reservations ticketed June 28, 2011-July 15, 2011. Valid for departures from theUSA between September 13 and December 10, 2011. Maximum stay one month. All travel must be completed by December 10, 2011. Price is for new bookings only, is subject to availability, may change without notice and is not retroactive.
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Road Scholar Traveler Blog: Wild Africa | Botswana and Zambia
I recently went on the “Wild Africa: Botswana and Zambia” tour in Sept 2011. I am retired, have traveled quite a bit, and do occasional contract work to help pay for extra special trips. This was my first Road Scholar trip. (I had so much fun that I’m about to sign up for another Road Scholar adventure.) The blog was started in response to requests from my friends to describe my travels because they wanted to experience my adventures vicariously. With that in mind, I try to provide a more experiential description than just a dry itinerary. Please bear in mind, that anything I post on my blog is strictly my own thoughts, which do not necessarily reflect the experience of other travelers. All my entries about the safari are posted in Sept and Oct 2011.
Enjoy,
Ronya
http://www.willworkforairfare.blogspot.com/
Link for more information on the Wild Africa Road Scholar program or to enroll