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Benefits

• 10% discount per person per night on Kanga camp
• spend a night at ‘Kanga Under the Stars’ open-air bedded platforms.

Conditions

• Minimum stay: 2 nights (3 nights for “Kanga under the stars”)
• Between 1st April and 30th June 2012

Please note that the additional 10% discount is not applicable to the special packages and 6 night specials already in place for 2012.

Details

As a world heritage site, Mana Pools offers guests an incredible and unique wilderness experience, with a variety of activities and exceptional wildlife sightings. And now, with our Safari Logistics Scheduled Seat Rate Charters, it is easier and more cost effective to travel to Mana Pools and enjoy this wonderful wilderness haven.

In 2011, Kanga Camp wowed our guests with the frequent visitors that drank from the cool waters of the Kanga Pan. Providing up close and personal experiences, guests were often more inclined to sit at the camp in the luxurious lounge decking and watch animals coming down to the Pan to drink, rather than go out on activities, searching for the wildlife in game drive vehicles and on foot.

African Bush Camps now offer a 10% discount per person per night for all guests looking to stay at Kanga Camp for a minimum of 2 nights between 1st April and 30th June 2012.

In addition, guests staying at Kanga Camp for a minimum of three nights will have the opportunity to spend a night at our ‘Kanga Under the Stars’ open-air bedded platforms built on the edge of a dry riverbed. Enjoy falling asleep under a starlit African sky whilst listen to the calls of the wild.

Book now!

For further enquiries on availability and to make a booking for this special, please send us your enquiry now or contact our team at info@africanbushcamps.com.

During their ten day trip of the country, Joshua and Hakan had the opportunity to visit Somalisa Camp in Hwange National Park , where they interviewed Beks Ndlovu, Founder and CEO of African Bush Camps and labeled him one of the country’s most successful black safari operators and one of the most enterprising new players emerging in the Tourism Industry today.

Encouraged, new players are emerging in Hwange. Among the most enterprising is Beks Ndlovu, a thirty-five-year-old former guide who owns Somalisa Camp. Somalisa is in a grove of acacia trees at the edge of a pan that draws a steady flow of animals throughout the day, including a breeding herd of elephants which appear at sunset to drink. I chat with Ndlovu, one of the country’s most successful black safari operators, on a teak deck leading to a small swimming pool, where guests sip drinks while bobbing in the chilly water, waiting for the elephants to arrive. In 2005, Ndlovu, who grew up near Hwange, saw an opportunity. “The white tour operators were put out of business. They left and went to Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, other neighboring countries,” he says. “The parks department was desperate to revive tourism in Hwange and bring in some revenue.” With a handful of European investors, he put in an offer for a concession in Hwange. He’s now turning a profit and operates another tent camp in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park and two more in Botswana.

Ndlovu tells me he believes the unity government has provided the economic stability to attract tourism. As we sit talking on the deck, I hear a rustle in the trees, and a procession of elephants approaches the pan. The animals—mothers and calves, including two wobbly infants—crowd around the water hole. A few braver ones approach the swimming pool, where the water apparently tastes better. They’re so close that I could lean forward and touch them, but I sit frozen in place, silently observing the spectacle.

Having visited the country several times during both its hay-day and the turbulent political and economic situation, Hammer states , ‘This time, everywhere I go on my ten-day tour, I’m struck by the beauty, the abundance of wildlife, and the optimism that’s taking hold.’

Positive publicity on Zimbabwe as a tourism destination continues and increased interest and travel to the country is being noted country-wide, with evidence provided in the increased occupancy levels at all major hotels and lodges. Offering competitive pricing compared with that of neighboring countries, whilst providing visitors with exceptional and unique safari and wilderness experiences, Zimbabwe is fast becoming the sought after destination it once was, and remains the unrecognized gem of Africa.

To review Joshua Hammer’s full article in the Conde Naste Traveller, please visit Conde Nast Traveler Magazine article “A new day for Zimbabwe”.

The African Bush Camps Foundation runs a variety of community development projects focused on sustaining and empowering the local communities in each of the areas in which African Bush Camps operate.

In addition, African Bush Camps will work to establish additional partnerships with like-minded organization’s whose initiatives focus on supporting and conserving the wildlife and communities in the areas in which we operate.African Bush Camps is therefore proud to announce three new partnerships with organisations which we will be supporting in our efforts to conserve and develop the local communities and wildlife of Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Pack for a Purpose believes people fortunate enough to travel to other countries often wish they could make meaningful contributions to help meet the needs of the people living in the places they visit. Pack for a purpose’s goal is to assist travelers who want to say ‘thank you’ in this manner, or who simply want to expand their generosity beyond their own communities. Pack 5lb (2.25kgs) of supplies as directed, bring it to one of our camps, and your donation will benefit communities within projects developed by the African Bush Camps Foundation.
> Read more on our blog, or Pack for a purpose website.

Jane Bubear Sports Foundation (“JBSF”) was launched in 2009 to help young people in communities under challenge by the provision of high-end personalised sports kit. The charity is named in honour of Jane Bubear, who was a British international waterski champion who died of cancer at 37. The Jane Bubear Foundation now hosts an Annual run in Hwange in collaboration with the African Bush Camps Foundation .

Since 1927, Wildlife & Environment Zimbabwe (WEZ) has fought for the conservation and protection of Zimbabwe’s environment. Since then WEZ has been on the forefront of conservation, lobbying for the establishment of National Parks and protected areas, assisting in the management of these, and spreading knowledge on conservation and environmental issues through magazine publications, and different environmental education projects. Moving forward in 2012, African Bush Camps will be working with WEZ in support of their Hwange Water and Game Consensus projects, as well as supporting their fund raising events.

February saw our annual refurbishments of all properties take place, and guests visiting in March 2012 have been privy to the revamped tents and main areas in both Botswana and Zimbabwe.

In addition to the refurbishments, African Bush Camps is delighted to introduce a variety of new and fresh faces and expertise that have joined the African Bush Camps Team in 2012.

Smilo Mabhena

Group Travel Coordinator – Safari Logistics (Zimbabwe)

Smilo Mabhena was born and bred in Victoria Falls Zimbabwe where she group up with the ‘Smoke that thunders’ on her doorstep. From a very young age Smilo took an interest in Tourism and in 1997 she began working for UTC as a tour guide and Group Co-ordinator. Seven years later, Smilo moved across to Wilderness Air Charters as their Scheduling Co-ordinator until she was promoted to Operations Manager in 2006. In 2012 Smilo takes on a new and exciting challenge, joining the African Bush Camps Team as the Group Travel Co-ordinater for Safari Logistics, and brings with her exceptional knowledge of the tourism industry, and with particular reference to Charters within Zimbabwe.

Sean Hind & Sara Short

Camp Managers at Kanga Camp and Zambezi Life Styles (Mana Pools, Zimbabwe)

Having both grown up in Zimbabwe, Sara and Sean formed a deep love of the bush at a young age, with regular camping trips and school holidays spent in Kariba and Hwange National Park.

After school, Sara went into accounts but then decided to move across to the UK and Europe for a couple years to work and travel, before coming home and going into the safari industry. She began her Safari career on Lake Kariba, and in 2011 Sara completed her Learner Guides License.

Sean always knew he wanted to work in the bush and went straight from school to work in various camps in the Matusadona region of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and even for a short time in an animal park in the UK. Having spent 14 years in the industry, Sean qualified as a professional guide in 2007.

With the amazing opportunities they come across working in the bush on a daily basis, photography has become their passion. Both Sara and Sean bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, experience and passion to the African Bush Camps Team, and in particular Kanga Camp and Zambezi Life Styles in Mana Pools.

Ivan & Christie Strydom

Camp Managers at Somalisa Concession (Hwange National Park , Zimbabwe)

Ivan & Christie are are both passionate about the hospitality industry, with a particular affiliation to safaris and the African Bush.

Having grown up from farming stock, Ivan spent his childhood exploring the bush and living each day working the land. After School, Ivan decided to explore new horizons and set off for the UK where he spent two years managing hotels in Devon.

Christie also grew up on a farm that ran a lodge and as a young girl, she fell in love with the concept of running a lodge and spending each day in the African wilderness. In 2006 Christie travelled to Australia to obtain her Swiss Advanced Diploma in Lodge and Hospitality Management.

Bitten by the bug to come home to Africa, Christie and Ivan returned to Zimbabwe where Christie went on to work as the Functions Manager and then Hotel Manager at the Nesbitt Castle for 2 years whilst Ivan ran his own business. In 2010 Ivan and Christie got married and decided that they would follow their passion to work in the Safari Industry as Lodge Managers.

2012 brings them to African Bush Camps as Managers of Somalisa Camp, where their International exposure, qualifications and experience as well as their love for the surrounding wilderness, will all become additional strengths of the fantastic team at Somalisa (Hwange National Park).

Wilhelm & Natalie Grouws

Concession Managers at Linyanti Concession (Chobe Enclave, Botswana)

Originally a platoon Sergeant in the Infantry of the South African army, after completion of his military service, Willem went on to work for the South African Police Service as detective for 18 years. In 2005 he decided to follow his passion and ventured into the African wilderness to study Professional field guiding and lodge management at the Bush Academy outside Thabazimbi . Having gained experience at Madikwe Game Reserve, Willem returned to the African Bush Academy to become an instructor teaching prospective students Level one and level two Professional Field Guiding.

Natalie began her working career for an IT company in South Africa. In 2006 she decided to leave the city to move to Madikwe River Lodge in the North West Province to follow Willem and to experience a new challenge. Her journey then took her to the Bush Academy in Thabazimbi where whilst working at the Campus she completed her training in Lodge management. In 2007 Natalie and Willem decided to move to Ubizane Game Reserve to manage Zululand Safari Lodge in Kwa Zulu Natal Province and in 2009 they decided to venture further afield to Zambia to manage a 9 bedroom lodge on the Zambezi River. During this time, Natalie was also very involved with the HIV program and Tourism awareness.

Willem loves interacting with people and believes that the bush is food for the soul. Natalie is a real peoples person, loves the admin side of running a lodge and enjoys watching the interaction between animals. Both Natalie and Willem share a passion for Astronomy and photography. Interestingly, Willem and Natalie got married at a lodge on the Zambezi river where elephants and lions were “guests” at the wedding. Both Natalie and Willem bring a deep love for the African bush, as well as extensive knowledge and skills to the African Bush Camps Team, and in particular the Linyanti Concession.

And just a reminder of our existing Camp Management in Botswana

Isaac Seredile

Camp Manager Linyanti Bush Camp & Saile Tented Camp (Botswana)

Isaac originates from the Bayei tribe in Botswana. From an early age, both his mother and father instilled within Isaac a deep love and respect for the African wilderness and river systems. At the young age of 7, Isaac was taught to hunt and gather wild fruits from the natural surroundings. Isaac first started in the tourism industry in the early 1990’s when he became a camp assistant and Barman. With his love for nature & wild life, he soon realised that he would need a Guides License, and in November 1993 he obtained his Professional Guides License, giving him the opportunity to share his passion with other people. For nine years Isaac worked at the same safari company conducting walking safaris, game drives and boat trips with international guests in remote and wild areas, including the Okavango Delta.

Isaacs experience is not limited to being an excellent guide and includes having been an accomplished camp manager. Isaac has continually expanded and extended his qualifications through rifle courses, personal guide training, etiquette and safety procedures, handling of dangerous game and leading teams. These advanced courses were held in Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. In February 2009 Isaac was appointed as a member of the Materials Development Panel (MDP). As a member of MDP in the Botswana Tourism Guiding field, Isaac’s work entails developing assessment instruments for the registration of the Tourism Qualification in wild life Guiding. This is a body made up of few individuals, who come from different departments, and Isaac only became involved because of the guide training course that he had been doing with one of the private Institutions, supported by BOTA (Botswana Training Authority).

Isaac continues to expand on his qualifications and is currently looking to enroll for a FAGSA standard in guiding. In addition Isaac is trying to learn the fields of astronomy and anthology. In August 2009 Isaac joined the African Bush Camps Team as a camp manager and as the resident professional guide in the Botswana Camps which include Linyanti Bush Camp, Linyanti Ebony and Khwai Tented Camp.

Pilot Manga

Camp Manager Khwai Tented Camp and Botswana Mobiles (Botswana)

Pilot was born in a small village, Shorobe, on the edge of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. He spent his early life in the bush on a remote cattle post attending Shorobe Primary School. Shopping trips with his parents would entail travel to Maun by Mokoro (a traditional mug canoe). In 1986 he was employed by Wilderness safaris in Botswana where he worked until the end of 2005 as a Safari assistant in the Overland Department. In 1991 he qualified as a professional safari guide and assisted overland safaris taking guests through most of northern Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. There he learnt the operations and logistics of the company by managing stock and food orders, to the cooking details in camp, scheduling etc.

Through the year the department changed to Guided Safaris and then finally to Explorations. He attended and passed various professional guiding, walking, field & weaponary skills training courses, including the advanced guides training course, in Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Pilot brings a wealth of experience in guided and overland safaris to the Botswana mobiles of African Bush Camps.

(c) copyright by cpeer

Why do we call it “green season”, well with the onset of the rains comes new life, the bush thickens up and the foliage becomes heavy, the grass tall and lush, the African bush turns from a dusty brown into a beautiful green paradise. Usually re-knowned for being a less likely time of year to experience wildlife up close and personal.  The magic about Africa is that not everything is as it seems, the last three months at Somalisa are testimony to how wrong we can be. The resident pride of Lion from the Ngweshla and Kennedy Areas seems to be spending more of their time on the Somalisa concession and a coalition of four male cheetahs’ have been regularly spotted on and around the concession hunting the smaller plains game species.

Interesting Facts: Unlike female cheetahs who are re-knowned for being solitary animals, male Cheetahs are more social and may group together for life forming a coalition, either with brothers from the same litter or with other lone males. The advantage in the species forming coalitions is that they are six times more likely to obtain and maintain a territory than a lone male. In addition, despite their speed and hunting prowess, cheetahs are largely outranked by other large predators, evolved for short bursts of extreme speed at the expense of overall strength and power, Cheetah generally cannot defend themselves against larger carnivores such as lions, leopards and hyena. Infact Cheetah have a 50% chance of losing their prey to these larger predators. Usually avoiding confrontation, Cheetahs are more likely to surrender a kill, rather than risk injury.  As a coalition however Cheetah’s stand more chance of defending their meal from these opportunists.

The idea behind the course is to inspire and educate the younger and future generations traveling to Africa, by teaching them about the various animals, birds, plants and general conservation issues relevant to the African continent.

Recent guests were put to the ‘test’ on what they had learnt and a ceremony was held to award and celebrate their achievement in successfully passing the African Bush Camps Junior Field Guides test.

African Bush Camps is delighted to announce the names of the first guests to be awarded the ‘Junior Field Guide’ Certificate:

• Jane Osbourne
• Laura Osbourne
• Michael Osborne

Our new Linyanti Concession Managers, Natalie and Wilhelm, who implemented the initiative stated, ‘We hope this new activity for our younger guests will sow the seeds for them to become future ambassadors for conserving nature.’

Pack for a Purpose

There is need everywhere in the world. It can sometimes be difficult, however, to identify specific needs in places far from home. Pack for a Purpose believes people fortunate enough to travel to other countries often wish they could make meaningful contributions to help meet the needs of the places they visit. Such contributions are one way of expressing appreciation for the experiences and hospitality they enjoyed in other lands.

Pack for a purpose’s goal is to assist travelers who want to say thank you in this manner, or who simply want to expand their generosity beyond their own communities.

By asking travelers to pack 5 lbs (2.27 kg’s) of supplies, Pack for a Purpose involves everyone who wants to add value to his or her trip. By delivering the supplies directly to a ground person at key airports or directly at the traveler’s accommodation, it is possible for every traveler to contribute and requires no logistical support. That amount takes only a small space, requires little effort and still makes a big impact.

> Visit the web site: packforapurpose.org, and read about the project with the African Bush Camps Foundation

The African Bush Camps Foundation

The African Bush Camps Foundation is a registered non-profit charity that supports sustainable community development in the wildlife areas surrounding our camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is active in the following areas:

- Education: The Foundation supports orphans and vulnerable children within primary schools, teachers as well as a large range of students with high school scholarships.

- Income-Generating Projects: currently operating in the Hwange/Dete area on the outskirt of Hwange national park, including an organic vegetable garden, a sewing project, a chicken project and recycled paper making project.

- Sports Events: these which aim at bringing together the community in a positive context, building community spirit as well as sourcing specific donations that benefit some of the remote villages who usually do not receive any attention with things such as sporting equipment, uniforms, stationary and text books and using these events as a platform to educate the communities about environmental sustainability and health.

> Learn more about the projects: African Bush Camps Foundation.

How you can help

Pack 5lb (2.25kgs) of supplies as directed, bring it to one of our camps, and your donation will benefit communities within projects run by the African Bush Camps Foundation in the Dete area, by Hwange (Zimbabwe).

What you can bring:

• School supplies: Pencils, pens, colored and white chalk, crayons, mighty markers, colored pencils, paints, paint brushes, erasers, pencil sharpeners, solar calculators, mathematics and geometry sets,  educational wall charts and maps, reading books in English for children of all ages, Bibles, atlas’s, encyclopedia’s,
• School supplies (hardware): working laptops, USB sticks,
• Sports / Outdoor activities: new or used sports equipment, particularly deflated soccer balls, netballs, volleyballs and nets, inflation pumps,
• Clothing: second hand primary school uniforms, school shoes and sports shoes, nursery school sized clothes, shoes and toys,
• Craft supplies: sewing machines, thread, needles, sewing scissors, tape measures, magazines, glue, glass beads, earing hooks and 15 – 17 inch gage wire, wire cutters, rulers, scissors,
• Gardening supplies: organic and bio-dynamic vegetable seeds.

Thanks for your great support!

Overview of Itinerary

10^th April               Arrive Bulawayo

10^th April               1 night Bulawayo Club

11^th April               Road Transfer to Hwange National Park

11 – 14^th April        3 nights Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park

14^th April               Transfer to Miombo Lodge

14^th April               1 night Miombo Lodge, Dete

15^th April               7am Fun Run in Dete

15^th April               Afternoon Road Transfer to Victoria Falls

15 – 17^th April        2 nights Vic Falls Hotel

17^th April               Transfer to Vic Falls Airport

17^th – 20^th April     Optional 3 night Botswana extension

If you would like to take part in the Fun Run to be held in April 2012, and would like more information on the above Safari Itinerary, please contact Sophia@africanbushcamps.com

Zimbabwe has been crippled from many sides, the HIV/AIDS virus causing the break up of families and large pockets of poverty, especially in rural settings such as Dete and the internal turmoil has brought further struggle to the every day life of Zimbabweans.  Zimbabwe’s economic and political instability has added to the crippled nations rural communities. This year it is expected that the poor rainfalls will result in poor harvests, which in turn will debilitate and dis-empower these communities even more.

Day to day survival for the average Zimbabwean is tough, especially so in rural villages such as Dete. In the local primary schools in the area, over 50% of the students are orphans or vulnerable children where they live with a relative or older sibling. Schools in rural areas struggle especially as they have few teachers, little to no stationary, text books or sporting equipment, often no electricity and children can walk up to 7km every day just to get to school.

The fun run is an opportunity to bring together people as a community, to celebrate life through sport, to just simply have fun in a world where every day is a struggle just to survive. Every runner receives a prize for participating which is much treasured and celebrated.

In 2011 the first 2km run for the Primary School children was held prior to the main event and it was a huge success with over 200 students participating. This year we expect 1000 participants in total, a large number for this small rural community.

Over the past few years we have managed to identify key schools which are in need of support and donated fleece jumpers to a whole primary school of 600 students (Dete is in an area that reaches below 0 degree’s Celsius in winter and these fleece jumpers go a long way, especially when pupils have to walk many km’s to school every day, leaving their homes before the sun is even up), sports uniforms, modems for schools to get online and sporting equipment.

Our aim this year is to again provide fleece jumpers to rural schools as well as textbooks, laptop computers and modems as well as sporting equipment. This year our aim is to provide soccer and netball shoes to all of the 18 Primary Schools in the area as without proper shoes they are excluded from all inter-school tournaments, whether local or regional.

In August 2011 the Jane Bubear Sports Foundation sponsored another annual event held by the African Bush Camps Foundation in Dete which brought together 16 local soccer clubs for a very successful soccer tournament and managed to donate sports equipment to a rural school who literally did not have even one ball, since then the school morale and school attendance has soon a tremendous turn around.

Through sporting events such as the Zim 10K fun run and the soccer tournament, we are able provide fun events to the community who have very little to celebrate or look forward to, provide schools with uniforms and sports equipment as well as teaching local people conservation in an area where poaching is high because of the level of poverty that people are in, living a day to day subsistence life. We partner with local safari companies such as African Bush Camps who have safari camps within Hwange National Park and together we can help the local people feel a real and lasting impact of tourism though community development.

How To Get involved:

1.Come to the run and let African Bush Camps organise a Safari Itinerary around the date, where you can experience the incredible wealth of wildlife Zimbabwe has to offer as well as the rich culture of the local people and get the chance to visit communities and school children who’s lives have already been transformed by the Jane Bubear Sports Foundation as well as participate in actual event of the Zim 10k 2012 fun run.

2. Donate towards our target of $22,000 which will go towards much needed sports uniforms, sports equipment, fleece jumpers, books, laptops for schools which will be handed out at this year’s run.

3. Collect any old sports equipment, shoes, clothes, books, educational toys, wall charts, dictionaries, atlas’, encyclopedia’s, pen’s pencils, crayons, pencil cases, games, old draw string or duffle bags and we will take them over for you preferably in a soft case bag.

For more information or to enquire about getting involved please contact sophia@africanbushcamps.com or shelley@africanbushcamps.com.

The first of the series took place on Thursday 19th January where Dr Netty Purchase discussed the myth of Cheetahs and whether they are genetically doomed. Providing an informative talk on the make-up and genetics of these beautiful animals, Dr Netty purchase put forward a strong argument showing that there are about four variances of the genetic pools of cheetah throughout Africa and that the theory that these creatures are genetically doomed, may in fact be in correct. Dr. Netty Purchase went on further to discuss the human / predator conflict that has arisen with the ever increasing spread of human developments into wildlife areas, and the ever increasing need for humans to preserve these areas for the future of African conservation.

The next of the lectures in the Lecture Series Programme will take place on Thursday February 16 and will focus on whether trophy hunting is bad for lion conservation. The lecture will be given by Brent Staplekamp from the Lion Research Project in Hwange National Park who is currently studying the human / predator conflict.

Lecture Series Programme:

• Thursday 16th February:
  Lions – dispelling the myth that trophy hunting is bad for lion conservation
• Thursday 22nd March:
  Wild Dog – dispelling the myth that they are cruel hunters that decimate wild prey populations
• Thursday 19th April:
  Leopard – dispelling the myth that there are plenty of leopards, and that they are simply a problem animal that we can continue hunting indefinitely with no problem.
• Thursday 17th May:
  Spotted Hyena – dispelling the myth that they are simply lowly scavengers that impact on lions

All lectures will take place at 5.15 pm at the Zimbabwe Academy of Music in Bulawayo.