MARASA PROPERTIES ROAR INTO ACTION FOR WORLD LION DAY – AUGUST 10, 2013

KAMPALA, Uganda (05/2013) Marasa, a member of the Madhvani Group of Companies, one of the largest private-sector groups in East Africa, announces its participation in World Lion Day, August 10, 2013, a day that will be marked around the world to call attention to the endangerment of the King of Beasts.  On that date, Marasa properties in Uganda – Chobe Safari Lodge; Paraa Safari Lodge and Mweya Safari Lodge, will donate $1.00 for each room night at these lodges to the non-profit Uganda Conservation Foundation which helps free lions from snares.

World Lion Day is the first global campaign to celebrate the importance of the lion worldwide and to call attention to the need for conservation efforts in the lions’ behalf.  Organizers say, “Since the dawn of man, the lion has played an integral role in our lives:  symbolically, religiously, culturally, economically and biologically.  To lose the lion from our world would be to lose part of our global heritage.”

Guests can see the splendid lion in his natural habitat by going on game drives at Chobe Safari Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodge, both in Murchison Falls National Park, and both scenically situated on the River Nile.  And they can view a particular wonderment – tree-climbing lions – while on safari at Mweya Safari Lodge. Mweya is located in Queen Elizabeth National Park on the amazing natural channel, Kazinga, running between salt water Lake Edward and fresh water Lake George. The channel attracts a varied range of animals and birds, with one of the world’s largest concentrations of hippos and numerous Nile crocodiles.

Arrangements to see the Ugandan lions can be made through Premier Safaris. 

For more information on World Lion Day, visit: www.worldlionday.com

UGANDA WILDLIFE AUTHORITY OFFERING ADDITIONAL GORILLA PERMITS

KAMPALA, Uganda- What was once the world’s largest family of mountain gorillas, the Nshongi, located in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, has been reconfigured into three families.  At the same time, another band, the Kahungye, has split into two.  “These additions bring the total family groups in this sector to five, meaning more gorilla permits and more tracking options for tourists,” says Corne Schalkwyk, general manager of Premier Safaris, a specialist in adventure/luxury safaris in East Africa

Of all the groups, Schalkwyk believes the most interesting is the Busingye, led by a chest-thumping Silverback, a veritable King Kong, whose legendary forays in the wild for adult females have earned him a privileged place among gorilla Don Juans.  “He mercilessly grabs females from groups that he encounters and has grown his turf (and his brood) faster than other gorillas. Visitors can expect great encounters and interesting animal behavior to absorb,” says Schalkwyk.

Research from the BMCA (Bwindi Mkahinga Conservation Area) monitoring team led by Research Warden Kato Raymond indicates no intention of the breakaway groups returning to their parent families in the future. (Unlike today’s college kids). Interactions between the “mother” families and their seceding factions have been characterized by fierce battles mostly restricted to dominant males guarding their turf. Each group tries to avoid direct interaction with one another for fear of losing members in a fight.

Premier Safaris will arrange gorilla treks into Bwindi with stays at Silverback Lodge, the largest property in Buhoma, comprising 12 self-contained rooms overlooking the Forest. The Lodge is excellently located, just a short walk to the forest park headquarters, and affords the best, most sweeping views of the valley

Mountain Gorillas are a critically endangered species. Of the 800 or so remaining in the world (none survive outside their natural habitat), more than half are to be found in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. F.Y.I. The word gorilla derives from the Greek word Gorillai meaning hairy women.

For more information:  contact gm@premiersafaris.com or visit: www.silverbacklodge.com

A CRASH, A TOWER AND A DAZZLE: SAFARI EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

SOUTH AFRICA – Most people know that a group of lions is called a PRIDE, a bunch of birds together a FLOCK and a large number of ants a COLONY. But what about collections of zebras, hippos, rhinos or the myriad of other creatures that inhabit South Africa’s Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve…

A CRASH of heavy rhino looks in your general direction, ready to charge should you come any closer. A TOWER of regal giraffe poses almost purposefully as your game vehicle comes to a stop. And a DAZZLE of zebra flashes in front of you, galloping in a mass of black and white as the sun sets.

Bush Lodge Barman, Simon Matsane, keeps guests engrossed not only with tales of the bushveld he loves so much, but also with unusual collective nouns and the Shangaan names of various animals and birds. Simon, who is studying to become a ranger, will gladly share his exceptional knowledge of the bush.

While unusual, many of the collective nouns make perfect sense: a CACKLE of hyena vividly describes a spotted hyena’s high pitched and laughter-like call. A BASK of crocodiles is a logical link given that most of their days are spent soaking in the warm African sun. And, a BLOAT of hippos is exactly what you may think of while looking at their enormous girth.

Louise Barlow, area marketing manager, says, “No matter what their odd collective names, the ‘abundance’, ‘assortment’, ‘enthrallment’ of wildlife at Sabi Sabi continues to captivate visitors to this untamed paradise on the African continent.”

Rates for Sabi Sabi start at $583* per person sharing, depending on the season, and include game drives, environmental awareness walking safaris, all meals, a house selection of beverages and transfers to the Sabi Sabi airstrip. For reservations, contact res@sabisabi.com, email warren@warrengreenandassociates.com, or call (804) 767-8770. For more information, visit www.sabisabi.com.

*Based on the exchange rate between USD and South African Rand on 05/13/13.

A Safari List:

Bask – a group of crocodiles

Bloat – a group of hippos

Brace –a group of ducks*

Crash – a group of rhinos

Cluster – a group of spiders

Coalition – a group of cheetahs

Colony – a group of ants

Corps – a group of giraffes*

Cackle – a group of hyenas

Colony – a group of frogs*
Dazzle – a group of zebras
Flush – a group of ducks*
Gang – a group of buffalo*
Herd – a group of buffalo*
Journey – a group of giraffes*
Knot – a group of frogs*
Leap – a group of leopards
Mischief – a group of mice

Murder – a group of crows
Obstinacy – a group of buffalo*
Paddling – a group of ducks*

Parliament – a group of owls

Prickle – a group of porcupines

Pride – a group of lions
Tower – a group of giraffes*
Venue – a group of vultures

*These animals have multiple collective nouns