CHELI & PEACOCK COMMUNITY TRUST BRANCHES INTO HEALTHCARE WITH NEW PROJECT: AITONG MEDICAL CLINIC

KENYA – The Cheli & Peacock Community Trust announces a new initiative at Elephant Pepper Camp (EPC) in the heart of the Mara North Conservancy with the introduction of a healthcare project at the Aitong Medical Clinic. This follows the great success of education-based projects surrounding Cheli & Peacock’s six high end camps, including EPC.

It began when Cheli & Peacock Community Trust coordinated a successful medical camp at the Aitong Medical Clinic, during which a team of five trained Red Cross personnel provided free medical advice, treatment and prescriptions, as well as emergency health kits that could treat 10,000 in the local community for three months. Feedback from local clinicians concluded that the supplies of drugs and equipment at the clinic were excellent, but they needed the skills and expertise to use them.

This is where Elephant Pepper Camp comes in: the Cheli & Peacock Community Trust pledged to arrange for a trained General Practitioner to visit the Aitong Medical Clinic three times per year for three to four days at a time, pro bono. Dr. Richard Ayah, a University of Nairobi lecturer and qualified medic, and his wife Dr. Violet Naanyu, a doctor of medical anthropology and sociology, will begin their visit to the clinic in June 2013. EPC, the driving force in creating the Mara North Conservancy*, will host these doctors and will provide complimentary board and some of the country’s best game drives.

The Cheli & Peacock Community Trust has also promised to fundraise and secure the remaining contributions to the sustainable stock replenishment program. Stefano Cheli, owner of Cheli & Peacock, states: “Sustainable ecotourism is at the very heart of what we do. We are delighted to work with Aitong Medical Clinic to support the healthcare needs of their local community and look forward to hosting Richard and Violet at Elephant Pepper Camp.”

The goal is to provide a community of approximately 3,000 local people with improved healthcare by maintaining supplies and stock replenishment, raising training standards and growing clinical expertise, while also focusing on peer education programs on key topics, such as HIV/AIDS.

With the collaboration of everyone mentioned above, this goal will be efficiently reached.

For more information on the Cheli & Peacock Community Trust, visit http://chelipeacock.com/conservation/community-trust/. For more information on Elephant Pepper Camp, visit http://elephantpeppercamp.com/ or email info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

* Mara North Conservancy covers more than 70,000 acres between Musiara and Aitong, a core parcel within the Masai Mara ecosystem, and maintains the land solely for wildlife conservation. Mara North Conservancy also guarantees its 750 Masai landowners stable revenue, transparent financial management and the preservation of the ancient balance between wildlife and traditional pastoralism.

NEW STAR ON ZIMBABWE BORDER: VICTORIA FALLS RIVER LODGE

In a move that signifies the positive changes in Zimbabwe, five-star Victoria Falls River Lodge opened its doors in April 2012. This is the first luxury lodge to open in several years and the first private game lodge to be set in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park. The boutique lodge is built on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, and is close enough to Victoria Falls to see the spray of the “Smoke that Thunders.”

With uninterrupted panoramic views of African sunsets, each of the seven luxury tents’ locations is carefully chosen for its own unique views of the river and for the surrounding trees that provide maximum privacy (three of the tents are suitable for families). Sit back on your private deck and spot one of the 415 bird species recorded in the park – or opt for in-room massage, manicure and pedicure services.

Designer and co-owner, Amanda Bosch, envisioned and outlined the layout of Victoria Falls River Lodge in the sand on site – the location chosen because of her affection for a particular dead Leadwood tree and its beautiful color. In fact, a dead Leadwood tree is incorporated in every room.

Amanda’s vision became a crescent-shaped lodge (with no sharp edges) set in front of a towering Baobab tree and back from the river to encourage elephants to keep their natural evening route as smaller game graze in front on the lawn. The main lodge has an open plan design with a beautiful thatched roof and allows guests to easily migrate from the lounge to the bar to the dining area within the structure.

As a five-star lodge, fine dining is made possible by a Blue Ribbon designed kitchen. Bruce Bromberg, American celebrity chef, personally designed the space, continuing his nature of setting culinary trends and igniting passions. He is most noted as a founder of Blue Ribbon Restaurant Group, which has accumulated a slew of awards from top US publications for the past decade. Victoria Falls River Lodge’s menu caters to all tastes and includes a variety of local traditional dishes prepared by its expert Zimbabwean Chef.

In this remote location, you have two safari options: river cruise along the Zambezi or the ultimate bush experience within the expansive park where you are located. A safari by water is a perspective not many have the opportunity to experience – and the closest you may get to a hippo in the wild. Or, explore the 150,000 acres that make up Zambezi National Park and track the elephant herds as they move silently through the bush (by car or on foot). And, because the lodge is so close to Victoria Falls and the bridge that connects Zimbabwe and Zambia, the activity options of a typical safari lodge are doubled. Choices include rafting, the bungee jump, bridge swing, canoeing the Zambezi wine route, tours of the Falls, helicopter flights, a boma dinner experience (sample some local Mopani Worms), village tours, sunset steam train trip and a guided tour of the town of Victoria Falls (note: some activities may be an additional cost).

Then return back to the spacious lodge for a dip in the swimming pool or a nap on the relaxation deck. Victoria Falls River Lodge is child-friendly with special activities and tours for children, as well as the option of child minding services. Children are invited to participate in local activities like grass weaving, bread-making and fishing. And, family tents offer an additional tented room, with one single and one double bunk bed, allowing three children to sleep comfortably. (Children 0-3 years old are accommodated at no extra cost, but are not permitted on game drives.)

Known for its many years of turmoil, Zimbabwe has opened up to the world as an up-and-coming destination. Its economy is on the upswing, especially since it now has the US dollar as its currency. And, Zimbabwe’s government has identified the revival of tourism as a factor for its economy, and is focusing on the tourism sector with renewed fervor.

The parks have not been visited in depth for some time, and are waiting to be explore once again (notably, Hwange National Park, Mana Pools National Park and Matusadona National Park). And remember, Zimbabwe’s side has the best view of the Falls when water levels are low. To top it off, Zimbabwe has always had the best guides, with the continent’s most stringent regulations to gain a guiding license. Your safari guide will make or break your experience, so ensure it’s a great one by going to Zimbabwe.

Rates for Victoria Falls River Lodge start at $435 per person sharing per night and include a daily choice of game drives in Zambezi National Park or a sunset river cruise, bird watching on Kandahar Island, access to the Tree Hide, daily transfers to Victoria Falls town, a tour of the Falls, meals, local beverages and transfers to/from Victoria Falls Airport.

For more information, visit www.zambezicrescent.com. For reservations and a custom itinerary, visit www.zambezicrescent.com/EN/make-a-booking.html or email reservations@zambezicrescent.com.

PAMPERED IN PARADISE: INDULGE IN A GRANDHOTEL LIENZ BEAUTY WEEK TREATMENTS, FITNESS AND FINE DINING

Established by World Travel Awards as the World's Leading Medical/Wellness Spa, Austria's GrandHotel Lienz presents a special Beauty Week package for 2013. Ideal for both men and women, enjoy nourishing luxury - from gourmet meals and a lavish suite to daily fitness programs and various body treatments.

Built from scratch on the banks of the River Isel in a region surrounded by majestic mountains, this state-of-the-art facility has raised the bar for excellence in wellness tourism. From May 8 to October 31, 2013, take part in this all-inclusive offer for $1,690* per person per week, and from November 1 to December 15, 2013, enjoy everything for only $1,300* per person per week.

A Beauty Week consists of seven nights in a Superior Suite with scenic views from the balcony; breakfast buffet; 5-course gourmet dinner; a special fitness program (includes full body toning and aerobic training); an Immersion massage; the "St. Barth Chill out" - a deeply relaxing body treatment with warm clams; "St. Barth Softness" - a Caribbean body scrub massage; "St. Barth Sensation" massage; "Intuitive & Sensitive" massage, adjusted to your needs; anti-stress massage with scalp treatment and aromatic oils; a "Serail steam bath"; wellness bag with a fluffy bathrobe, towels and slippers for use during your stay; use of all facilities in the spa and fitness area (indoor and outdoor relaxation pool, sauna complex, steam baths, Solarium, etc...); and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Treat the body and soul, and feel rejuvenated at the end of a week.

For more information, visit www.grandhotel-lienz.com/en/.

*Rates are based on the exchange rate between the Euro and the US dollar as of 03/08/13.

ARCHITECTURE OF AFRICA’S MOST ICONIC SAFARI HOUSE INSPIRES NEW ORGANIC INTERIORS

Interiors of the extraordinary Neil Rocher-designed Chongwe River House, chosen Best Safari House in Africa by Good Safari Guides in both 2011 and 2012, have been refurbished by a creative team led by Gillie Lightfoot, the well-regarded visionary behind Zambia’s Tribal Textiles and Jackal and Hide. Lightfoot’s focus for the new look was “hand-designed, beautifully crafted and organic interiors …specifically inspired by the unique design of Chongwe House and its surroundings.”

To realize this vision, Lightfoot pulled together a small design team of artists she has worked with over the past 10 years:  Abi James of Soul Design (who recruited Riaan Chambers); Nicola Swynnerton of Nzito Furniture; and Suzie Lightfoot of Katundu.

Perhaps the most dramatic feature of the re-imagined interiors is a stunning chandelier suspended above the main dining room area, sourced by Abi James and created by Riaan Chambers.  This statement piece, fashioned from recycled glass, resembles a cascading waterfall.  It draws the eye and, when the breezes blow through the house, the soft tinkle of glass and the sound of plashing water from the indoor fountain combine to make charming background music.

For larger pieces, such as wooden dressers and outdoor chairs, Nicola Swynnerton of Nzito Furniture commissioned local Zambian carpenters to craft hand-made, contemporary pieces from recycled wood taken from old fishing boats and dhows that have finished their life at sea

The color scheme now incorporates greens and teal blues, and each room has its own unique palette. Suzie Lightfoot’s Malawi-based company, Katundu, supplied much of the soft upgrade that includes hand-produced and ethically traded bedspreads, cushions and lampshades embellished with glass beads, shells and natural seeds. 

To ensure that all corners of the house are intriguing, Gillie Lightfoot added many touches such as commissioning a six-foot mobile wall hanging and juxtaposing wild wood, horn, hand-painted tribal textiles, leather and metal.

The front deck has been extended to create a functional, casual space that has become the center of activity at the House. Guests relish relaxing on a chaise longue or curling up on a sofa with a cold beverage while drinking in the view that has made Chongwe famous.

For reservations, Email: reservations@chongweriver.net or visit: www.chongwe.com

ROBIN POPE SAFARIS ANNOUNCE THE SHOEBILL SAFARI: THE ULTIMATE “BUSH & BIRDS” EXPERIENCE IN THE ZAMBIAN WILD

One of Africa’s legendary safari companies, Robin Pope Safaris (RPS), has launched a six-night SHOEBILL SAFARI that comprises stays in RPS’ Nkwali Camp in the South Luangwa National Park, the Shoebill Camp in the remote Bangweulu Wetlands and at Wasa Camp in Kasanka National Park, famous for its annual bat migration and known as one of Zambia’s best birding destinations, inhabited by no fewer than 457 different species. Guests will be under the wing of acclaimed safari guide Jacob Shawa.

Rates (based on a minimum of four and a maximum of six guests) start at US$4350 per person, sharing, and include everything except Visa, airport departure taxes and international flights.

Ornithologists rank the SHOEBILL as one of the five most desirable birds in Africa.   It can stand as high as five feet tall.  Its bill is as big as a boot, and its wingspan can reach eight feet.  Ancient Egyptians depicted it; ancient Arabs referred to it as abu markub, or one with a shoe. Some scientists claim it is the “missing link” between storks and pelicans.  Stork or pelican, this blue-gray “statue-like” bird resembles a creature from Alice in Wonderland (or possibly from The Black Lagoon).

But it’s not just their strange, alien looks; it’s their voices, too.  Shoebills are known to moo like a cow; whine like a persistent kid at a candy store, and clatter their bills during nesting season.  The sound of young birds begging for food is “uncannily like human hiccups.”  Loners, Shoebills typically forage in muddy waters and spread out from each other (sometimes as far as 66 feet), the way people unconsciously step apart in an elevator. To see these wonderful creatures and many other exotic birds and wildlife species, book THE SHOEBILL SAFARI with Robin Pope Safaris. 

For bookings or additional information: info@robinpopesafaris.net or call +265 (0) 179 4491 / 5483.

Or visit: www.robinpopesafaris.net.  Detailed itinerary follows.

ROBIN POPE SAFARIS SHOEBILL SAFARI – DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 On arrival at Lusaka International Airport, you will be met by a representative from Robin Pope, who will assist you with your luggage and check-in for your flight to Mfuwe. Jacob will be waiting for you at the Mfuwe airport, where he will drive you to Nkwali Camp. The drive to Nkwali Camp is one hour through colorful local scenes of villages, agriculture as well as bush. Nkwali Camp has a wide view of the Luangwa River. On Robin Pope’s private land, and overlooking the South Luangwa National Park, Nkwali is ideally situated for the start of your safari. The six rooms all look out over the river and have open air bathrooms. Depending on your arrival time, you will enjoy either a lunch looking out over the lagoon to the back of Nkwali, or afternoon tea as well as afternoon and night game drives. Nkwali Camp

Day 2 This is a full day to explore the Luangwa, on board a vehicle or on foot. Nkwali Camp

Day 3 After breakfast around the camp fire, you will be transferred to Mfuwe Airport with Jacob for the 50 minutes flight to Kasanka National Park. Depending on your flight, you may arrive in time for lunch and then enjoy birding for the afternoon with Jacob along the Luwombwa River. With luck, you may see African finfoot, ross’ lourie, pel’s fishing owl and osprey. Returning to camp for dinner and an early night. Alternatively, enjoy after-dinner drinks around the camp fire. Wasa Camp

Day 4 Enjoy a day of birding and game watching in the hope of seeing many mammal species, such as Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, sable antelope, reedbuck and the rare blue monkey. Visit the sitatunga hide with its panoramic views over the Kapabi Swamp where you can spot as many as 40 sitatunga feeding at one time. Wasa Camp

Day 5 Transfer by plane to Bangweulu Swamps, arriving at Shoebill Camp by boat from the airstrip. The search to track down the elusive Shoebill by  boat and foot will start.  Back to camp for lunch and out again after tea to see the herds of antelope for which the area is famous. Dinner is simple but adequate and then an early night. Shoebill Camp

Day 6 A full day of birding and soaking up the surroundings. Watch from the hide at dawn or dusk as thousands of waterfowl fly overhead. Shoebill Camp

Day 7 Today you will take a flight back to Lusaka for your onward connection. END OF SAFARI

ANNOUNCING THE OSCARS OF THE NATURAL WORLD – AFRICA THE ENVELOPE, PLEASE

The Seven Natural Wonders Project, a non-profit conservation initiative based in Dallas, Texas and spearheaded by Dr. Phillip Imler, has declared award winners of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and they are:  The River Nile; Mt. Kilimanjaro; The Red Sea; Ngorongoro Crater; Sahara Desert; Okavango Delta; and the Serengeti Migration. Tanzania’s Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Ambassador K. Kagasheki, presided over the awards ceremony which was sponsored by Ethiopian Airlines.

The voting process was conducted by specialists* and criteria included “grandeur; amazement and wonder.” 

Uganda’s Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, the Hon. Agnes Egunyu, accepted the award for “The Nile, longest river in the world with its source in Uganda.”  She noted that this prestigious award is yet another in a series of accolades bestowed on Uganda, among which was being selected in 2012 by the New York Times as a top tourist destination.

To experience some of the wonders of this exciting country and The River Nile in all its glory, Premier Safaris has developed a six-night, all-inclusive package called Nile Spectacle, a water safari that comprises visiting the source of the White Nile, river rafting, and a boat trip to world-famous Murchison Falls and the foaming pool at its base known as the Devil’s Cauldron. Guests will enjoy stays at luxury lodges including Paraa Safari Lodge and Chobe Safari Lodge, both of which afford spectacular views of the Nile.

The rate per person for six nights, all-inclusive, start at US$3000. 

For more information, contact gm@premiersafaris.com Or call toll free +1-877-620-9329

*The Declaration Committee of the Seven Natural Wonders Project includes Alexandra Cousteau, daughter of the legendary marine explorer and founder of Blue Legacy International; Rich Beattie, executive editor of Travel + Leisure; Dr. John Francis, a vice president of the National Geographic Society; TV host Julia Dimon;  Dr. Frank Gill, president of Audubon; and Arend de Haas, co-founder of the Africa Conservation Society.

CHELI & PEACOCK SAFARIS INVITES GUESTS TO EXPLORE THE HEIGHTS OF LOVE WITH A MOUNTAIN-TOP PICNIC

Cheli & Peacock Safaris, a collection of award-winning boutique safari camps and lodges in Kenya, is offering a fresh, new take on the traditional bush picnic. Upping the ante a few couple thousand feet, they have arranged for adventurous couples to helicopter to the top of Mount Kenya for a romantic picnic lunch.

The breathtaking ride over Kenya’s sprawling wilderness is topped only by the dramatic location of the picnic – couples will feel like they’re on top of the world. Upon arrival, plush blankets are spread and the picnic basket unpacked. The picnic lunch consists of crisp salads and herbs from the camp’s on-site gardens, freshly baked breads, and for dessert: homemade Danish Layer Cake. Fine South African wines and bubbly accompany the meal, with coffee and tea to finish.  

From Elsa’s Kopje, a spectacular lodge in Meru National Park, the helicopter trip to Mount Kenya is just 45 minutes. Trips may be also arranged from any of the C&P Portfolio’s properties including Joy’s Camp, LewaSafari Camp, Loisaba Lodge and Kitich Camp.  

Mountain-top picnic excursions to Mount Kenya are available starting from $430 per person per hour, depending on helicopter size, number of passengers, distance, etc. If they wish, guests may also indulge in light hiking and/or fishing at Lake Alice, located on the Northern slopes on the Mountain. Helicopters can accommodate up to six guests, and as with all C&P Portfolio properties, children are welcome. Excursions should be booked in advance, preferably at the time of reservation.

For more information visit www.chelipeacock.com

KENYA’S THE ARK KICKS OFF WEBCAM: TWO BY TWO OR FIVE BY FIVE, CREATURES GREAT AND SMALL ARE STREAMED LIVE

For lovers of all creatures great and small, Kenya’s The Ark, set in the game-rich Aberdare National Park, has launched a webcam that streams live video 24/7 of wild animals coming to its floodlit watering hole and salt lick.  Guest wannabes, Ark-o-philes or the just plain curious can virtually observe elephants, buffalo, impala and other game quench their thirsts, soak up nutrients, vie for position or try to get “teen-agers” to obey. Simply double click http: http://www.thearkkenya.com/live-webcam-feed.

 Of course, nothing beats the real thing.  Visitors to the quirky venue, modeled after Noah’s Ark, have the advantage of not only watching the phenomenon first-hand from one of the boat-shaped lodge’s four “decks” -- they can take unforgettable photographs and videos.

Those who want to stay at The Ark will not have to suffer 40 days and 40 nights of rain – instead they will be treated to a cool climate and gorgeous scenery including nearby Mt. Kenya, highest mountain in this East African nation and a World Heritage Site.  The Ark is an historic and “must-see” Kenyan property whose uniqueness comes from a reversal of the game drive – animals come to the people instead of the other way around. Die-hards can make use at night of a buzzer system that alerts guests to sightings at the watering hole: one buzz for elephant, two for rhino, three for leopard, and four for something even more dramatic (use your imagination).

Come to The Ark two by two:  Rates start at: US$255 for a double room, and include full board, taxes and service charge. Rates for a single start at US$150 with same inclusions.

For more information, contact:  www.marasa.net; www.premiersafaris.com

FAMILY HOLIDAYS AT THE STEENBERG IN SOUTH AFRICA

Situated on the Cape’s oldest farm, only 20 minutes from the center of Cape Town, the five-star Steenberg offers an activity-packed package for the whole family. The hotel has conjured plenty of fun things to do at the hotel and nearby to keep everyone busy while enjoying the Constantia area, one of the most beautiful on the Western Cape. Accommodation for a family is in the two-bedroom Khoi Khoi Suite duplex at R14,850 (approximately $1,750) per night per family.

Upon arrival, each child under the age of two will find a soft toy in their room and children over two receive a treat-filled gift packet. Kids enjoy meals from the kiddie menus and are free to play with the pool items and games at the pool.  DVDs for children are available and there are croquet and boules on the lawns. Two mountain bikes for adults and one for a child are available for complimentary use. A trunk of toys and craft items that guests may use is also available and nannies are on call 24 hours so parents may have a little down time too.

Near the Steenberg is Planet Kids, a large indoor/outdoor activity center catering to all children. The Porter Estate Market held every Saturday is family friendly and offers kids activities. Boulder’s Beach at Simon’s Town is a great place to swim with the penguins. There are also sandboarding lessons in Fish Hoek and Atlantic Rail train rides from Cape Town to Kalk Bay to Simon’s Town daily. Kite watching is great on Muizenberg Beach where an annual Kite Festival is held every October. Excursions to Cape Peninsula National Park take guests to Cape Point where they can view bocks, baboons, ostriches and a wide range of bird life. Whale watching season is between August and December and can be experienced from the shore. Dolphins can be viewed all year round.

Adults have their activities at the Steenberg, too. Wine tastings are held every day in the new winery tasting room either inside or on the outside with reflecting pools overlooking the gardens.  Dining is either in BistroSixteen82 in the winery or in the more formal Catharina’s.  A championship 18-hole golf course, spa, walking trails and nearby shopping keep parents busy and happy.

Accommodations at the Steenberg are luxurious but very comfortable for families with children. The Khoi Khoi Suite is lavished with amenities. It covers 1,753 sq. ft. and contains artifacts and original illustrations depicting the Khoi-Khoi tribe’s marvelous animal paintings found on rocks and cave walls throughout South Africa. Like all three Heritage Suites, the Khoi Khoi Suite offers butler service, in-room complimentary refreshment bar, complimentary laundry service, complimentary wi-fi and internet service, and an audio entertainment system.  There is a working fireplace for nippy Cape nights, big thirsty bathrobes, indulgent sleeping on Egyptian cotton sheets and a soft duvet, flat screen TV in bedroom, I-pod station, large work desk, extra-length King-Size beds, professional hair-dryer, original art work, separate bedroom, living room and dining room.  The bathrooms hold a walk-in shower, large separate tub, mini TV and mist-free mirrors. 

The family package includes breakfast, complimentary use of the mini-bar, butler service and babysitting. A family is considered a maximum of two adults and three children.

For further information or reservations at the Steenberg Hotel and its spa, please visit the web site at www.steenberghotel.com.

FANCOURT AND STEENBERG LAUNCH SIX-NIGHT “GOLF TOTAL” PACKAGE WITH ROUNDS ON GARY PLAYER- AND PETER MATKOVICH-DESIGNED COURSES

Steenberg, the award-winning hotel and winery that offers the ultimate Cape Experience, and Fancourt, member of the Leading Hotels of the World, have joined forces to offer golfers a six-night package that includes rounds of golf on world-class designer courses as well as a variety of perks.  Rates for a six-night package per person sharing range from US$1491.53* to US$1567.57*, depending on the season.  There is a supplement for singles. The package is valid for all of 2013.

FANCOURT INCLUSIONS	STEENBERG INCLUSIONS
3 nights’ accommodations in a Fancourt Luxury Room including daily breakfast	3 nights’ accommodation in a Standard Luxury Room including daily breakfast
Complimentary use of the driving range	Welcome cocktail on arrival
A round of golf per person, per night stay on either the Montagu or the Outeniqua course	1 three-course dinner Set Menu per person in Catharina’s Restaurant or tapas in BistroSixteen82 during guest’s stay
Non-golfers are entitle to 3 US$52.43* Spa vouchers per person	2 complimentary rounds of golf per person during stay at Steenberg Complimentary shuttle to the Victoria & Albert Waterfront in Cape Town twice daily
Welcome gift in room on arrival	Wine tasting and Cellar Tour at Steenberg Winery
Complimentary access to the Hot Spa area and the Fancourt Gym in the Leisure Centre	Transfers within a 3-mile radius of the hotel

*Based on exchange rates of 01/09/2013 and subject to change

Championship Steenberg Golf Club, a Par 72, was chosen in 2012 by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (CNT) as the Top Foreign Golf Resort. The course was designed by world-renowned course architect Peter Matkovich.  Steenberg Hotel, “minutes from Cape Town, miles from the world,” was chosen in 2011 by the readers of CNT as the number one hotel in Africa.  It is the oldest wine farm on the Western Cape, features charming Cape Dutch architecture, modern luxuries, gourmet cuisine and world-class wines.

Fancourt boasts no fewer than three original Gary Player-designed courses, which Golf Digest ranked #1, #7 and #18 in South Africa for 2011.  The Fancourt Hotel, a fine blend of modern luxury and classic elegance, is located along South Africa’s storied Garden Route, a verdant trail that meanders along the coast’s numerous lagoons and lakes.

Fancourt:

Tel:  +27 44 804 0100

reservations@fancourt.co.za

Steenberg

Tel: +27 21 713 2222

reservations@steenberghotel.com

THE WILDER SHORES OF LOVE: EXPEDITION TO RE-TRACE DISCOVERY OF LAKE ALBERT & MURCHISON FALLS, UGANDA

A four-night expedition to re-trace and document the African explorations of Sir Samuel Baker, one of the more courageous and colorful 19^th century European adventurers, and his second wife, Florence, a Hungarian beauty who was a former slave, is being led by Julian Fisher and accompanied on the Uganda leg by Baker’s great-great-grandson, David Baker.

A widower and committed abolitionist, Baker attended a white slave auction in Bulgaria and rescued a beautiful blonde girl twenty years his junior, who was about to be sold into a Turkish harem. In 1864, Baker and Florence, after withstanding hunger, disease, and myriad deprivations and threats, arrived at the shores of a lake in what is now Uganda, and identified the place where the White Nile enters the lake. Baker christened the lake “Albert,” after England’s late Prince Regent. Then, upstream the couple discovered the mighty Murchison Falls, where the Nile flows through a 23-foot-wide cleft in the rocks to plunge 148 feet below, forming a spectacular rainbow. Baker named the falls in honor of the then president of the Royal Geographic Society, Sir Roderick Murchison.

Those enchanted by the romance and derring-do of Africa’s great explorers can follow in the footsteps of Samuel and Florence, who became notorious in Victorian England because they traveled as an unwed couple.  After their incredible adventures, notoriety turned into fame:  he for his discoveries, she for her resourcefulness (among other gifts, she was an expert seamstress, who made all their clothes) and together for their unconventional romance (they later married).

Premier Safaris, a specialist in adventure/luxury safaris in East Africa, is packaging a trip for those who want to follow Samuel’s and Florence’s journey to Lake Albert. It includes a boating safari on the Nile to Murchison Falls, game drives, and stays in Murchison Falls National Park at two luxury lodges:  Chobe Safari Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodge.  Located in a little-known section of the Park, Chobe boasts breathtaking, panoramic views of the River Nile, coupled with the sounds of its frothing rapids.  Paraa, known as the “jewel of the Nile,” also offers delightful views of the river and its resident population of hippos and crocodiles.

Rates for the four-night safari are $1,975 per person sharing; single room supplement is $118. Rates are valid from 1 January 2013 – 31 December 2013. There is a minimum of two guests per departure. 
Included in the rates are two nights at Chobe Safari Lodge and two nights at Paraa Safari Lodge, Murchinson Falls National Park, most meals, ground transportation in custom built safari vehicles with English speaking guides, all park fees (as specified in the program) and government taxes.

For reservations, email: GM@premiersafaris.com or visit:  www.premiersafaris.com

VAMIZI ISLAND ANNOUNCES DIVING PACKAGE AT ONE OF WORLD’S BEST DIVE DESTINATIONS

Vamizi Island, an eco-active African island in the Indian Ocean waters of Mozambique, with 15 extraordinary dive sites, announces a vacation for divers that offers beginners, intermediate and advanced divers eight fully-guided dives with a seven-night stay throughout 2013.  Rates start at $4190 per person and go up to $5870 per person depending on the time of year.

The package includes seven nights’ accommodations in an ocean-facing villa; all meals; soft drinks, local beer, wine, basic spirits, bottled water, daily laundry serve and guided activities including shore-based snorkeling, sea kayaking, birding, walking trails, beach picnics, dhow sailing and Hobie Cat sailing.

Opened in 2005 and located in Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago, the Lodge is already known for its diversified dives, especially Neptune’s Arm, voted one of the world’s top ten dive sites.  Many diving experts have deemed it the best dive they have ever experienced.  A short boat ride from the Lodge, this underwater island envelops spectacular scenery with a canyon plunging more than 200m deep with steep cliffs and filled with colorful marine life.

While there are now 15 dive sites, more are being discovered all the time, including sites for all diving abilities.  The island boasts a pristine coral reef, deemed one of the healthiest coral reef eco-systems in the world, abounding with what ecologists call “indicator species” – species so sensitive to changes in the marine climate that they serve as the proverbial “canary in the coal mine.” The reefs – a seascape of mountains, valleys, plateaus and cliffs – teem- with an array of whales, dolphins, turtles and reef sharks to Gregorian corals and giant clams. A survey carried out on the waters of Vamizi identified 46 genera of coral species and more than 400 species of fish. This kaleidescope of colorful sea creatures is a must for any serious diver. But the sheer beauty of Vamizi and its surrounding crystal-clear waters appeals to anyone who loves island living.

Vamizi is located in Mozambique’s Quirimbas Archipelago and is only seven and a half miles long by about a mile wide.  Vamizi Island Resort is the only resort on the island, a conservation project in partnership with WWF and funded through carefully considered low impact, high-end tourism.  Each of the 13 one and two bedroom villas was constructed of local building materials and by the local community to blend into the landscape.  The island has one of the longest turtle conservation operations in East Africa and fishing is sustainable.  The integration of local knowledge and traditions with world-class scientific understanding benefits everyone:  the community, wildlife, and visitors.

For complete itinerary, rates for specific dates and transfers to the island, call +44 1285 762218 or visit:  www.vamizi.com

For reservations:  reservations@vamizi.com

SAXON BOUTIQUE HOTEL, VILLAS AND SPA OFFERS JET-SETTING LOVEBIRDS A “SUITE VALENTINE’S PACKAGE”

This February, the award-winning Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa is offering a Valentine’s Package designed to have jet-setters swooning. The package includes one night’s accommodations for two in an elegant Egoli Suite, a full English breakfast for two, a “Rain of the Gods” spa treatment for both, candle-lit dinner at a Saxon dining location of guests choosing (up to value of $ 285*), a rose petal and chocolate truffle turndown, and a welcome gift comprising a bottle of sparkling wine and vase of roses. The package is available for the price of $1,083.29* and includes complimentary use of the plunge pool, floatation pool, steam room and Jacuzzi.

Located in the exclusive Sandton suburb of Johannesburg, the Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa provides glorious respite from the hustle, bustle and excitement of Johannesburg. Lovers can get lost in the ten acres of lush landscaped gardens, admiring the intricate Amalie von Maltitz sculptures along their way.

The full-service spa offers therapies and treatments fit for royalty, utilizing the finest beauty products and state of the art equipment. The “Rain of the Gods” treatment included in the package involves a welcome ritual, a full-body exfoliation, and a revitalizing Olive & Shea Butter Massage.

To further luxuriate, couples can lounge on the pool terrace, enjoy cocktails at the Olive Bar, or linger over lunch in the dining gazebo. In fact, there are a number of dining options for lovebirds to choose from, including private dining and two signature restaurants, all of which have been thoughtfully conceptualized by the renowned South African Chef, David Higgs.

For more availability and reservations, email reservations@thesaxon.co.za.

GORILLAS UP; PRICES DOWN: TIME TO GO TO BWINDI IMPENETRABLE FOREST/UGANDA

According to the just-released 2011 Census by the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the critically-endangered mountain gorilla population in Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is confirmed at 400. The prior census in 2006 put the number at 302.  Part of the increase is due to improved census methods and conservation through daily ranger monitoring, but it is also due to actual population growth.  Aiding in the rising numbers is veterinary care provided by Gorilla Doctors. Their Uganda field team, led by Dr. Fred Nizeyimana, regularly monitors all of the habituated gorillas in the Park for health problems and performs medical interventions when it is determined that an individual has a life-threatening disease or illness.

Those travelers who have placed on their bucket list seeing the mountain gorillas should plan a trip to Uganda now.  The Uganda Wildlife Authority, in celebration of the country’s 50^th anniversary of independence next year, is cutting gorilla fees in April and May 2013 by $150, thus putting gorilla fees in Uganda during those two months at $350.  Beyond that, Ugandan gorilla fees, usually $500, are substantially below those of Rwanda and the Republic of the Congo – now at $750.

There are other reasons to go, too.  Marasa Africa, one of the largest diversified private-sector investors in Uganda, is offering a special fly-in three-day package to track the gorillas in the Park at $2,156 per person sharing.  The rain-forest is spectacular with a heavily vegetated and dense landscape and spending time with the shy and peaceful gorillas is an unforgettable experience.

Marasa’s fly-in four-day package at $2,693 per person sharing includes everything on the three-day package and an additional day on an escorted trek with the Batwa, the pygmies who live just outside the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park.  The Batwa guides will discuss how they hunt and the medicinal plants they use.  They will also share a traditional meal and relate ancient legends and traditional songs.   It is a cultural experience like no other.

Accommodations for both packages are in the recently purchased and refurbished Silverback Lodge, part of the Marasa portfolio of quality tourism products in East Africa.  Silverback is situated in the Buhoma section of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, a UNESCO site home to almost half of the world’s mountain gorilla population.  In Bwindi that includes 36 family groups and 16 lone males. Ten family groups totaling 168 gorillas are habituated to human presence for tourism. The 124-square-mile Bwindi is also inhabited by non-habituated chimpanzees, more than 100 other species of mammals, 346 species of birds, and 163 species of trees.

The rates includes accommodation with meals while on safari, domestic scheduled flights and ground transfers in custom built safari vehicles with English speaking guides, gorilla permits, all park fees, and government taxes.

There are many other reasons to go to Uganda, including a safari on the Nile River.  More internal flights are being offered there than ever before.  Premier Safaris is ready to assist.  Please contact:  operations@premiersafaris.com for itinerary suggestions and quote.

CLIFF-TOP WEDDINGS ABOVE THE AMALFI COAST AT MONASTERO SANTA ROSA

Perched high atop a cliff on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa practically floats over the sparkling Gulf of Salerno below. The former monastery features a variety of unique venues to make for a dream-like wedding or reception. From small, intimate fetes to large, festive affairs, weddings may be held anywhere on the property, day or evening.

The gardens comprise four levels of lush landscape and terraced walkways – any of which can be easily transformed into an aisle for an al fresco “I do”. The lower lawn and infinity pool deck, hovering over the Gulf of Salerno, make a perfect location for a reception. Guests can gather to toast to forever while they watch the sky transform as the sun sets.

The Sunset Terrace, located on the highest level of the hotel, features a full panorama overlooking the coast with views stretching from Amalfi to Positano. The expansive terrace has a number of individual seating areas as well as retractable canopies for shade.

For an indoor event, Monastero Santa Rosa has several of spacious indoor suites, luxuriously decorated in contemporary Italian style, all with windows overlooking the sea and many with their own private outdoor terraces.   

Those interested in religious ceremonies will delight in the choice of four local chapels in the charming town of Conca dei Marini. The helpful Monastero Santa Rosa staff is able to take care of all the church arrangements. 

As for dining, Monastero Santa Rosa’s Michelin-starred chef and his culinary team will create a custom-designed wedding menu. Whether it’s Mediterranean cuisine like homemade pasta and freshly caught seafood or personal dishes that convey individual tastes, the team will whip up a multi-course meal comprised of the highest quality ingredients.

After the festivities, the couple can retire to the comforts of one of the suites. The Sea View Premium Terrace Suite, in particular, has been dubbed as the most romantic. The bedroom features a king-sized bed swathed in fine Italian linens while the extraordinary stone bathroom features a walk-in shower and a double-wide tub. The living and dining room are adorned with one-of-a-kind antiques and the enormous outdoor terrace comes complete with a dining table, lounge chairs, lemon trees and a retractable canopy for shade.

The entire property – all guest rooms and suites, restaurant, and spa – may be privately reserved, turning the hotel into a fully equipped Italian villa.

Monastero Santa Rosa’s Special Events Concierge is available to provide guidance and inspiration for all aspects of planning. All arrangements may be left to the dedicated team of staff who will immaculately execute every tailor-made detail for the ceremony, interior and exterior decorations, floral arrangements, photographic and video services, tailor-made dining, guest accommodation, exclusive hire of the spa, childcare and babysitting, limousine and car hire, musical accompaniment for the ceremony and reception as well as make-up application and hair styling. 

Rates at Monastero Santa Rosa start at $480* per room per night and include breakfast. To rent the entire 20 rooms and suites in the low season (April 18 – May 20, October 7 – November 4) the net total daily rate will be $ 28,801* plus VAT & city tax. During the high season (May 21 – October 6), the net total daily rate will be $ 37,762* plus VAT and city tax.

The above mentioned rates are inclusive of full breakfast daily, complimentary daily use of the Thermal Spa Suite (including the Stone Sauna, Domed Herbal Steam Room, Hydrotherapy Pool, Experience Shower, Crushed Ice Fountain and Tepidarium), complimentary use of the fitness facilities, free Wi-Fi internet throughout the hotel, and free shuttle service to Amalfi. Spa treatment packages can be arranged upon request as can meal plans and special menus. 

For further information on getting married or honeymooning at Monastero Santa Rosa visit www.monasterosantarosa.com

*Based on the exchange rates on 11/20/12

FULLY-STAFFED PRIVATE VILLA OFFERED IN FAVORED NEW DESTINATION, MALAWI GREAT GETAWAY FOR FAMILY OR GROUP OF FRIENDS

Kaya Mawa, an eco-luxe beach resort on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi, offers Ndomo Point House, a private villa for those travelers desirous of total seclusion and personal service, but who don’t want to relinquish the benefits of being at a lodge. A magical getaway for a family or a group of friends, Ndomo Point House comprises four en suite bedrooms, a sitting room, family kitchen, pool, courtyard, five terraces and decks all set on a private beach with uninterrupted views across Lake Malawi. The house is fully staffed with a nanny, a cook, a housekeeper, ground staff and watchmen.

Rates start at $460 per person per night with a three-night minimum and a minimum of four and maximum of eight adults.  Rate includes:  All meals, accommodations, transfer to and from Likoma Aerodrome to Kaya Mawa, mountain bikes, walks, kayaking, snorkeling and sailing.

The dream of owners James and Suzie Lightfoot, Ndomo Point House was originally planned as a two-bedroom beach “shack.”  Over three years the shack evolved into a character-filled villa containing elements derived from the couple’s journeys in Zambia, Zanzibar, Malawi and Lamu, Kenya’s oldest continually inhabited town and a World Heritage Site.

All the facilities of Kaya Mawa Lodge are just six-tenths of a mile away:  a PADI dive school, the Lake's only kite-boarding school, plus kayaks and quad bikes are there for the taking. Guests are invited to spend as much time as they like at the lodge, and even take their meals there, should they wish.  A boat and vehicles are just a radio call away.

Ndomo Point House is located on the Southwestern corner of Likoma Island with views across to the neighboring island, Chizimulu, and on to mainland Malawi. A year-round sunset is a secret surprise!

For more information, contact:  James@kayamawa.com

CALLING ALL CAT LOVERS: LOISABA INVITES GUESTS TO JOIN THEM IN THEIR CONSERVATION OF KENYA’S BIG CATS

Loisaba, a member of the esteemed C&P Portfolio of eco-luxe safari camps and lodges, has long been a proponent of responsible tourism. In their continuous effort to support and protect their local community and environment, they now offer guests the chance to get in on the conservation action too – by tracking and monitoring the area’s leopards and lions.  

Loisaba has partnered with the Laikipia Predator Project, a local program that aims to protect the area’s large cats by studying their behaviors, monitoring their response to conservation actions and improving livestock practices (to diffuse human-wildlife conflict). Guests are able to become involved in the Laikipia Predator Project’s conservation efforts by using receivers and antennae to monitor the movements of Loisaba’s leopards and lions.

Marc Napao, the Laikipia Predator Project’s key researcher, is based at Loisaba and has developed an online database which allows guests to report their predator sightings after each game drive. They can upload pictures and even provide their own reports on what they saw. It’s a fun, hands-on activity for families or couples, and it adds a more personal element to the standard game drive.  

The assorted accommodations at Loisaba gives guests the choice to have a private safari experience, at the House or Cottage (their own exclusive home-away-from-home), or to mix with others, at Loisaba Lodge or the Star beds.

Rates at Loisaba Lodge and Star Beds start at $ 520 per person per night during mid-season. Rates at the House begin at $ 3,060 for a family or group of four people per night and at $ 2,200 for a family or group of four people per night at the Cottage. Package includes full board, an assortment of drinks and spirits, day and night game drives, guided bush walks, transfers to cultural visits, bush breakfasts and sundowners, airstrip transfers, river rafting and fishing, horse riding, camel riding, quad biking, limited laundry and of course, lion tracking.

For more information about Loisaba or the Laikipia Predator Project, please contact info@chelipeacock.co.ke.

FULL MOON CHIAWA ISLAND DINNER: A SURPRISE ZAMBIAN TREAT

Once a month, Chiawa Camp, offers the Full Moon Chiawa Island Dinner in a romantic location under the full moon. The surprise is when the event will take place, a decision the managers make depending on the weather and moon. So, if your timing is right, enjoy an authentic African menu in a magical setting on an island in the Lower Zambezi National Park.

The ambiance is nothing short of romantic as you take in 360 degree views of the Zambezi River, the glow from the moonlight dancing on the water. Dinner itself is lit with hurricane lamps and a blazing campfire, firing up an appetite for a sumptuous meal. The menu is a very African one in honor of the setting and location. Chiawa Camp offers a braai (BBQ) with popular entrees including pepper crusted fillet steak, chicken and vegetable kebabs, boerewors (South African spicy beef sausage) and Chiawa’s famous “lion stick bread” from the grill. Of course there’s a story behind the lion stick bread, named for a close encounter with a roaring lion as a stick was sharpened for placement in the delicious dough – so ask a guide to dish out the details.

From the campfire and cooked in traditional three-legged pots comes a selection of satisfying Zambian dishes. This includes maize meal (like grits), pumpkin or sweet potato (helped along the way with cinnamon), “kariri” – a tomato and onion sauce that perfectly enhances the maize meal and boerewors, kapenta (deep fried “whitebait” fish from Lake Kariba) and a three bean mix. Alongside this already succulent meal are beer bread, baked on the fire in the pot with Zambia’s infamous Mosi beer as a chief ingredient, and malva pudding – also cooked on the fire. Malva pudding is a sponge bake with syrup, served with crème anglaise.

The meal is accompanied with fine South African wines, the harmonic tones of the Chiawa Camp choir and, of course, the distant roars of lions often drowned out by the not-so-distant hippos.

As one of Africa’s premier safari camps, Chiawa Camp offers attentive yet unpretentious personalized service, wonderful cuisine and nine fantastic “tents” with spectacular views of the Zambezi River and its resident wildlife. While you are able to leisurely take in the scenery, you will also be able to partake in game drives, canoeing, boating and angling.

The Full Moon Chiawa Island Dinner is included in the accommodations. Nightly rates start at $565, depending on the season. Even if your timing doesn’t coincide with the Full Moon Chiawa Island Dinner, all guests will experience a floating lunch on the Zambezi, and some will be able to relish a bush BBQ that occurs once a week.

For more information, e-mail info@chiawa.com or visit the website at www.chiawa.com.

CRUCEROS AUSTRALIS COMMEMORATES WHALE CONSERVATION WITH SPECIAL DEPARTURES

This year marks the 30^th anniversary of the vote to end whaling. To show future generations the importance of the conservation of whales and dolphins, cruise specialist, Cruceros Australis, invites travelers to come to Patagonia and join one of four special departures that will take place early 2013. With Zodiac excursions and complementary lectures, Cruceros Australis displays both the beauty and history of Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego at the bottom of the world.

These four-night expedition cruises include special programs that incorporate the observation of humpback whales in the Strait of Magellan to effectively demonstrate that education is part of conservation. Guests are taken to Francisco Coloane Park, Chile’s first marine park. In this protected area, they will be on the lookout for humpback whales and will be able to speak with a leading scientist while surrounded by the typical landscape encountered in Patagonia: fjords, canals and glaciers.

The newest ship, Stella Australis, will host the first departure on January 12, 2013. The Via Australis will then take over for February 4, February 20 and March 8, 2013 departures.

Day 1: Departure from Punta Arenas, Chile

Day 2: Humpback whale watching around Carlos III Island

Day 3: Disembarkation at the bays of Garibaldi and Pia Glaciers

Day 4: Disembarkation on Hornos Island and Wulaia Bay

Day 5: Disembarkation in Ushuaia, Argentina. Check-out is 8am

(Whale sightings cannot be guaranteed due to their natural habits and constant movement.)

A cruise with Cruceros Australis is an all-inclusive experience including sea transportation, shore excursions, onboard entertainment, all meals and an open bar. Passengers will also enjoy local Chilean and Argentinean wines. The menu combines international cuisine and local recipes to highlight the delicious and varied regional fare. Rates start at $1,989 for these departures.

For more information, visit www.australis.com.