Monday, May 21, 2012

LION’S ROAR RETURNS TO MAJETE FOREST IN MALAWI MAKING IT A BIG FIVE DESTINATION


LILONGWE, Malawi (05/2012)
  Through the generous sponsorship of Robin Pope Safaris, four lions from South Africa will re-locate in August to Majete Wildlife Reserve in southwestern Malawi, completing the return of the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant) to this pristine forest situated in the lower Shire River valley.

The reintroduction of lions marks a milestone in the rehabilitation of the 173,000-acre Majete reserve. At one time lions were common in the Lower Shire Valley, but over the years, poaching took its toll, and no lions have been reported in the region since the 1980’s.

Since assuming management of the park in 2003, the non-profit organization, African Parks, has been systematically resurrecting Majete: the park has been fenced, infrastructure developed and more than 12 different species, totaling some 2500 animals, introduced. The safety that the perimeter fence and law enforcement programs provide, along with an abundance of prey, has now created an environment in which lions can once again thrive.

Because there are no suitable lion populations available in Malawi, two male and two female lions, are being sourced through the North West Parks and Tourism Board in South Africa. Healthy animals at the beginning of their reproductive lives have been selected from Pilanesberg National Park and Madikwe Reserve. The intricate relocation process will involve weeks of quarantine on both sides of the border. It will be a costly operation with holding facilities erected and flights chartered to transport the predators to their new home. These costs are being covered by Robin Pope Safaris (RPS), the celebrated photographic safari company with properties in both Zambia and Malawi, including the luxury lodge Mkulumadzi in Majete. RPS is passionate about and committed to the preservation of the eco-systems within which they operate, as evidenced by their numerous responsible tourism initiatives, from reforestation programs, to financial support for a number of conservations projects (e.g., preservation of various wildlife and fish species), from recycling to energy-saving ventures and more.

The reintroduction of lions to the Majete forest will not only restore the park to a naturally-functioning eco-system, but will once again render Majete a Big Five reserve: it already boasts elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard.  With the opening last year Robin Pope Safaris’ luxury lodge, Mkulumadzi, and with the only Big Five game-viewing experience available in Malawi, Majete’s future looks bright.

Contact:  African Parks
Mrs. Jane Edge, Director of Marketing and Philanthropy

Contact: Robin Pope Safaris

TOP SAFARI COMPANY TO OPEN FIRST LUXURY LODGE IN ZAMBIA’S LUANGWA VALLEY


SOUTH LUANGWA, Zambia (05/2012)  - Norman Carr Safaris, the classic safari company whose founder, renowned conservationist Norman Carr, pioneered the walking safari, announced that it will open a luxury lodge on the banks of the Luangwa River, just upstream from their flagship, Kapani Lodge. “This is something completely new for the Luangwa Valley,” said Christina Carr, marketing director.  “It will be super luxurious with spacious living areas that melt into the surroundings of the exquisite, tranquil site.” Rates begin at $575 per person per night for a twin or double.

The new lodge will be called Chinzombo. Christina Carr pointed out that in the 1970’s, Norman Carr was based at Chinzombo during the Luangwa’s Emerald Season. “The Carr family, partners and staff are thrilled to be giving this historic place a new lease on life,” she said. 

Architects of Chinzombo are Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, whose signature style is beautiful, low-impact, eco-design, using local craftsmen (among their other projects are the celebrated North Island Resort in the Seychelles and Little Vumbura Camp in Botswana). Construction has already begun; completion is expected in late 2012, with the official opening planned for January, 2013.

The new venue will comprise six villas, one of which will be configured as a suite for families and small groups.  All suites will have private plunge pools, cooled sleeping areas, massive bathrooms with luxurious spa amenities and internet connections.  Ancient shade trees abound here; wildlife wanders through the camp; and the animal and bird life of the river can be viewed from the villas.

Guests of Chinzombo will have private river access to the South Luangwa National Park, considered one of the last unspoiled wilderness areas and one of the finest wildlife sanctuaries in Africa. The Luangwa Valley marks the end of and is an offshoot of the Great Rift Valley, and covers an area of more than two million acres, through which the meandering Luangwa River flows. The oxbow lagoons, woodland and plains of the valley host huge concentrations of game – including elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, giraffe, hippo – and more than 400 species of birds. Guests will be able to fully appreciate this pristine wild:  Norman Carr Safaris has one of the best guiding teams in Africa and is known for its exclusive and exciting safari adventures. Game drives, night drives and walking safaris will all be available.

For more information, contact Kapani@normancarrsfaris.com or visit www.normancarrsafaris.com

MARASA AFRICA ACQUIRES SILVERBACK LODGE TO OFFER TOP-VALUE, ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME GORILLA EXPERIENCE

KAMPALA, Uganda (05/2012) The Madhvani Group, one of the largest diversified private-sector investors in Uganda, has recently acquired (April 1, 2012) through Marasa Africa, its tourism subsidiary, Silverback Lodge in Buhoma, Western Uganda, proximate to the rare, beloved and endangered Mountain Gorillas. Through its acquisition of Silverback and its existing portfolio of Mweya Safari Lodge (Queen Elizabeth National Park), Paraa and Chobe Safari Lodges (Murchison Falls National Park), Marasa Africa is able to offer travelers the definitive Uganda experience.

Silverback Lodge, the largest property in Buhoma, comprises 12 self-contained rooms overlooking nearby Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, home to Mountain Gorillas, other primates, including chimpanzees, 346 species of birds and 163 species of trees. The Lodge is excellently located, just a short walk to the forest park headquarters, and affords the best, most sweeping views of the valley. In time to welcome guests this season, Silverback will immediately undergo basic upgrading (new bedding, china, glassware, etc.). Thereafter, it will undergo soft refurbishment in keeping with its rustic, traditional style and homey feel. In addition, new kitchens will be introduced, some new furniture added, and infrastructure, including water supply and pressure, will be improved. Rates start at an exceptionally reasonable $380 full board for a double twin room. Because of its size, the lodge can accommodate larger groups.

To observe the gorillas, visitors need a seasoned guide and a permit secured well in advance, usually by the tour operator. While rates for gorilla trekking permits have recently increased by half in Rwanda to $750 per person, rates have remained at $500 in Uganda. Those who have experienced seeing the gorillas in their natural habitat invariably say, “It’s the thrill of a lifetime.”

Before farmers cleared the slopes for cultivation some 900 years ago, Bwindi was part of a larger forest that extended along the Rift Valley escarpment south to the Virunga volcanoes. In 1961, Bwindi became a Game Reserve as well as a Forest Reserve with its size increasing to 127 square miles. Then, thirty years later, as its attraction for gorilla tourism was recognized, Bwindi was elevated to a National Park. That same year habituation of two gorilla families began, and two years later the “Mubare” group was made available to tourists. Another family was habituated the following year. More groups have since been habituated, and some were even split into two to increase the number of families. Today, some three hundred plus Mountain Gorillas – half the world’s population of this highly-endangered species – live here.

Because of its outstanding beauty and scientific value as one of the densest rainforests on the planet, in 1994, the entirety of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park was declared a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. At the time it was said that Bwindi’s eco-system “defines the very essence of the continent.”

In addition to gorilla trekking, visitors can hike in the park, meet the diminutive-sized indigenous peoples (once called Pygmies) through the Batwa Trail, tour the local Bwindi Community Hospital, and stroll through the community gardens.

Silverback Lodge is an hour’s flight from Entebbe or a three-hour drive from Mweya Safari Lodge, an ideal stop-over. It can also be reached directly from Kampala by road (takes an entire day) or from Kigali (a six-hour drive).

Reservations may be made through the Marasa Africa Reservations Office:

Marasa Central Reservations
Plot 96-98, 5th Street, Industrial Area
P O Box 22827, Kampala, Uganda
Ph: +256 (0) 41 4255992
Ph: +256 (0) 31 2260260/1
Fax: +256 (0) 31 2260262
Email: mweyaparaa@africaonline.co.ug
Website: www.silverbacklodge.com