For many years Zimbabwe has been an integral part of our Safaris visiting Southern Africa. Sadly the unrest in 2008 resulted in us making the decision to reroute away from this beautiful nation. With the help of our network of on the ground contacts we have been monitoring security and the facilities and now, nearly 2 years later, we are happy to say that some of our safaris are Zimbabwe bound once again!! We retained the options of 2 nights relaxing on a houseboat on Lake Kariba by utilizing a vessel on the Zambian side of the lake. Now at times we have the opportunity to return to the larger Zimbabwean section of the Lake with the added attraction of the Matusadona National Park, which forms a mountainous southern boundary to the eastern basin of the lake and provides refuge to a vast array of wildlife.
The town of Victoria Falls offers unsurpassed views of the magnificent Mosi-oa-Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders) from its spray drenched rainforests and has retained its up-beat and happening vibe. Add cheaper activity prices, great facilities and a friendly atmosphere and it is not surprising that visitors are being drawn back across the mighty Zambezi from neighbouring Zambia.
From here is a relatively short trip to Hwange National Park, the largest park in Zimbabwe, and one of the biggest in Africa. For more details about what Hwange has to offer see the next story . . . .
Our new Brochure is available
The new Absolute brochure is now available. In addition to all the old favourites, it is packed full of new itineraries for you to peruse!
Just send an email to absaf@absoluteafrica.com to request a copy.
Community work in Africa
Want to spend some time on the ground getting involved in some community work before or after your safari?
We also work closely with Madventurer.
MAD have a Vision.
By 2012 they aim to have achieved several development goals including providing 100,000 extra hours of teaching and coaching sessions for children worldwide, to build 500 individual toilets in Ghana, to build 200 classroom blocks in Africa, to lay 50 miles of water pipeline and to construct 1250 sinks in family homes in Peru and to build 10 health centres.
Get involved by 'building some bogs' or by helping out on one of the many other projects for which they provide financial and physical assistance in communities in Africa, Asia and South America.
Madventurers join for 2, 4 or 6 weeks. The choice is yours. Just let us know what might suit.
SOUTHERN CROSS TO JOHANNESBURG
ITS BACK!! Due to popular demand we are resuming finishing this safari again in Johannesburg for all departures from 30th October. The price into Johannesburg from 30th October will be £680 for the full 31 days from Nairobi to Johannesburg.
This will also allow us to run a bolt on for all safaris that finish at Livingstone or Victoria Falls to Johannesburg. The 3 day bolt on is priced at £200. Don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to know more.
CATCH THE ACTION NOW!
We have opened up extra spaces on most of our overland safaris departing from September to November, and are running some blinding specials.
So catch the action now......The vast herds of wildebeest and zebra are grazing happily on the north western plains of the Serengeti and the Mara Triangle, closely followed by the big cats and other predators. Now is the time to catch the migration.
Dont be caught napping as availability will go fast........
Kenyan visas
Great news from Kenya
Visas have now dropped to 25 USD.
Please dont arrange your visa ahead of time. The Kenyan visa is easily arranged at Jomo Kenyatta airport when you land, payable in USD cash on arrival.
The Migration in the Mara game park 2009 update
Due to the popularity and success of these safaris in the past four years we incorporate the Masai Mara in most of our safaris visiting Kenya from mid June to mid October aiming to see the migration in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Please remember that the quality of game viewing is very dependent on the rainy season in East Africa. By late October the migrations can be starting to return to the Serengeti where our programs visits each month.
On safaris visiting the Mara we will visit the Mara and Sand rivers where the famous wildebeest and zebra crossings occur. Also the Talek gate area where you have the best chance of seeing lions on a kill.
The safari to the mara is free for safaris visiting Kenya between these months as detailed on the web, in dossiers and in the brochure with a small increase to the kitty being added to cover the park entry making it extremely good value for money.
Please note that game dwelling in the Ngorongoro Crater rarely shifts as their ecosystem is self contained and not as affected by the rains. The Crater in consequence always makes for great game viewing.
Mountain Gorillas
The media has recently been reporting heavy fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and the tragic plight of thousands of displaced refugees.
Due to ongoing security concerns in the region Absolute Africa have not trekked in the Congo for a number of years. We instead organise gorilla permit trekking in the Rwandan Parc Nacional de Volcans. This area remains secure and the British Foreign Office Travel Advisory continues to support trekking in the area as part of an organised tour, whilst encouraging caution.
Whilst, as with many travel destinations around the globe, security can never be completely guaranteed, be assured the Govenments of Rwanda and Uganda continue to make an ongoing concerted effort to ensure the safety of tourists in the Gorilla Parks. When trekking do note you will head out with armed guards and security will be often quite evident. In the event that we perceive an increased security risk, or the Foreign Office Travel Advisory for the region is altered, we would immediately reroute your safari.
A reminder as well that we pre-book gorilla permits for our groups well in advance. Remember that the mountain gorillas are an endangered species with limited numbers (approximately 720 at the last census), so in order to ensure permits for your safari these need to be booked well ahead of time, so do get in as early as you can if you want to trek to see the 'Big Gs'.
