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

A WALK IN YOUR SAFARI GUIDE’S SHOES: SHANGAAN CLAN TOUR

SOUTH AFRICA (04/2013) – Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve now offers the Shangaan Clan Tour, an opportunity to explore the folklore and traditions of the local tribe from where the majority of Sabi Sabi’s employees hail. In exchange for opening a door to their lives, to their homes, schools and community centers, community members will receive proceeds from a donation given by guests.

En-route to the first stop, Sabi Sabi community liaison officer Lodrick Manyathele speaks on architecture of the area, rural agriculture with all its challenges, traditional art and preparation of ethnic food. On the way, guests will be able to admire the crafts of the talented bead-workers, grass weavers and wood carvers, and to listen to both the harmonies of the local choir and the heart-thumping beat of the local drummers.

A favorite stop on the tour is the local sangoma (traditional healer) who enjoys special stature and is much revered in the community. The sangoma is regularly called upon to give advice, healing and blessings.

There are three varying itineraries with the first stop dependent upon the day of the week: Mazinyane Pre-school, a local shop or a local church. At each stop on the tour, guests are welcome to take photographs to cement their memories of an enriching and enlightening visit. A conversation with a safari guide on his life is one thing; to see the community from where he derives is another.

The tour is available for a minimum of four guests and can accommodate up to 32 guests. Rates for the tour start at $45* per person, and can be booked at the lodge.

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 04/30/13.

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.

EXCLUSIVE, NEW FINE-DINING SIGNATURE RESTAURANT OPENS AT WORLD-RENOWNED SAXON BOUTIQUE HOTEL IN JOBURG

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa- Thanks to the culinary flair and creative vision of star Executive Chef David Higgs (considered by many the best chef in South Africa), the Saxon Boutique Hotel, Villas and Spa in Johannesburg has opened a new and exclusive fine dining restaurant in a space that was formerly Suite 500, the Presidential Suite of owner Douw Steyn.  In his honor, the new restaurant has been named “five hundred.” The concept is a dining experience where food, wine and art converge, and where chefs and sommeliers interact with guests. The intimate, 40-seat restaurant offers a menu of dishes prepared with simple, fresh, flavorful and high-quality ingredients as well as wines from an extensive, well-curated cellar.

The Saxon’s luxurious signature restaurant fulfills the food philosophy of Chef Higgs, who says, "A successful restaurant is based upon repeat business resulting from the artistic preparation and presentation of its food. Classical or modern, a dish must be eye-catching, whether it’s visually colorful or a counter-play of textures.”
“Five hundred” comprises a private entrance; a reception area and the Ruinart Room which can accommodate up to eight guests for private dining at the Chef’s Table. In the main dining room, tables are set up side-by-side in a collegial arrangement with the open Chef’s Kitchen the focal point. Décor is dramatic yet simple: dark background hues counterpoint vibrant orange accents; bold, contemporary art on the walls echo the palette of oils on each table.
The dinner experience is an extraordinary journey of either four or six tasting courses, each paired with expertly selected local and international wines and vintages, under the direction of award-winning Head Sommelier, Francis Krone. While the menu is perused, a sommelier pours the guest a glass of Champagne and describes its virtues.  Then, once chosen, each dish is presented by a chef who explains how it was cooked and what may be expected of it. For the six-course menu, the sommelier discusses with the guest the personality of each vintage, the region that produced it, and its idiosyncrasies of flavor and aroma.
The Saxon’s new menus are designed to entice guests to return, not only from the point of view of flavor satisfaction, but from the hospitality proffered. Higgs was given carte blanche to change the entire food and beverage offering at The Saxon and to position it once again as the “most exceptional dining experience” in Johannesburg.
For further information or reservations contact +27 11 292 6000 or visit: www.saxon.co.za  

PREMIER SAFARIS’ ANNOUNCES NOVEL EXPLORER-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM

KAMPALA, Uganda-  Premier Safaris, a specialist in adventure/luxury safaris in East Africa, is launching a unique program – customized safaris with Explorer-in-Residence Julian Monroe Fisher, a 21^st century David Livingstone. Fisher, an American currently based in Austria, is an explorer, author, anthropologist, ethnographer, filmmaker, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, member of the American Anthropological Association and an International Fellow of the British Chapter of The Explorers Club in New York City.  

Between 2007 and 2011, Fisher conducted five consecutive Explorers Club flag-sanctioned research expeditions to the African continent. In 2012-13, he guided an expedition team that included David Baker, great-great-grandson of renowned Victorian-age explorer Sir Samuel White Baker, retracing Baker’s 1860’s route from Cairo to Murchison Falls in Uganda.

Open to two – six people who crave adventure, Premier Safaris will tailor an African safari with emphasis on Uganda, the “pearl of Africa,” and stays at Chobe Safari Lodge and Paraa Safari Lodge. Fisher as well as a local guide will be along for the duration of the trip. Beyond leading the safari, he will share tales, historical facts, anthropological information and anecdotes from his twenty years of spearheading expeditions across the continent. Journeys include Lake Victoria, where one of the great 19^th century quests – the source of the White Nile – was fulfilled, when Jack Speke discovered it at Jinja.

Adventurers can visit the explored or hazard the unexplored, just like Livingstone, Sir Richard Burton, Beryl Markham and other intrepid Africaphiles.  Rates vary, depending on accommodations, number of people and activities required.  General rate: about US$3300 per person for a trip with five people over seven days. Trips can be extended to 10 days for those who want to retrace Baker’s footsteps in Uganda.

For more information, contact Corne Schalkwyk at gm@premiersafaris.com  visit www.premiersafaris.com or go to Fisher’s website: www.JulianMonroeFisher.com