The Last Word Intimate Hotels are pleased to announce that they have successfully completed and re-opened The Last Word Franschhoek on schedule. They are also very excited to let you know that they have added 4 Superior Double rooms upstairs to the hotel. Due to the high demand for rooms at The Last Word Franschhoek, they took the opportunity during our shut down period to build these rooms upstairs. The rooms are nearing completion and will be available from 15 May 2014 – just in time for the Franschhoek Literary Festival. As in keeping with the elegant style and understated sophistication that The Last Word offers, these rooms are extremely spacious and offer all the 5 star amenities that our guests have come to love.

Governors' Camp Collection News October / November 2013

This month has seen the great herds of the wildebeest migration moving all round the Mara with some impressive river crossings, the Marsh Pride of lions has been feeding on this bounty of prey with the males moving about and new cubs added to the fold. In Rwanda, Nelis took a trek to see the Agashya Gorilla family and updates us on their news and at Loldia clients have been enjoying some great wildlife viewing from Lake Nakuru National Park. We have some fabulous special offers in place for the remainder of 2013 and 2014 for you to take advantage of. Jonathan and Angie Scott who are based at Governors Camp in Masai Mara will be doing regular updates for us with their new blog Scotts on Safari and at the start of the month we were very proud to have opened a new clinic for our Masai community neighbours at Mara Rianda. We hope to welcome you to this magical corner of Africa sometime soon.

Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report, the most respected publication in luxury travel, has revealed its 2012 Grand Award winners. We are pleased to announce that Elsa's Kopje was named on the prestigious list, which is comprised of Mr. Harper's favourite 19 properties he visited within the past calendar year.

Each of Mr. Harper's Grand Award winners possesses exceptional character, a commitment to classic hospitality and a profound sense of place. Mr. Harper does not evaluate hotels by means of a checklist, but uses his three decades of experience to distinguish the truly enchanting from the merely excellent.

You can view the full list of winners and their reviews, including Special Recognitions and Indelible Memories of 2011, by downloading the January 2012 issue of Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report online at AndrewHarper.com/grand-awards-2012.

About Andrew Harper: Free of advertising since its inception in June 1979, Andrew Harper's Hideaway Report is a private monthly publication for sophisticated travelers. The selection of hotels, resorts and restaurants for inclusion in this newsletter is made on a completely independent basis, with Andrew Harper LLC paying full rate for all meals, lodging and related travel expenses. Andrew Harper and his editors travel incognito to write candid and unbiased travel reviews for a private membership service, which provides personalized travel-planning assistance to its members.

For more information about Elsa's Kopje contact Africa Select on 01670 787646

Affordable Botswana Safari

OKAVANGO & KALAHARI CONTRASTS

6 NIGHTS BOTSWANA

Price: £2,200 per person sharing (does not include international flight)

Northern Botswana is all about contrasting ecosystems: different scenery, activities, vegetation and the mammals and birds these ecosystems support. This 6-night package allows you to experience the best of two extremes that our planet has to offer. Kalahari Plains Camp is the perfect location to explore the remoteness of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. You will be awestruck as you learn how animals survive in this harsh landscape. After Kalahari Plains, head to Banoka Bush Camp where you will be able to contrast this experience with the oasis that is the Okavango Delta.

3 nights Kalahari Plains Camp " Diverse desert-adapted wildlife: springbok, oryx, red hartebeest and steenbok. " Predator viewing: lion, cheetah, black-backed jackal and honey badger. " Authentic Bushman experience. " Sleep-out platforms under the stars. " 100% solar-powered camp. " Game drives and cultural walks.

3 nights Banoka Bush Camp " Diverse savannah and wetland wildlife: elephant, hippo, buffalo, lechwe, impala, plains zebra and giraffe. " Predator sightings: lion, spotted hyaena and leopard. " Sleep-out hides at waterholes in mopane woodland. " Game drives, mokoro trips and walks.

When & How: Including 2 camp activities per day. Nights in camp can be extended. Includes all flying between camps from Maun to Maun; excluding drinks. Family rooms and reduced rates for children are available.

Availability : Valid 19th of September 31st of December 2010

Affordable Africa Safari - Zambia

LIVINGSTONE & LUFUPA – 6 NIGHTS
Zambia is one of the most rewarding wildlife destinations in Africa. It’s a land of rivers, plains and remote wilderness areas. Combine Livingstone and the magnificent Victoria Falls with Kafue National Park, one of the largest and most beautiful National Parks in Africa. Lufupa, situated at the confluence of the Kafue and Lufupa Rivers, is perfectly situated to explore the Park. Game view from a vehicle or boat, or alternatively explore the area on foot. You can also take a day trip up to the iconic Busanga Plains – a must see destination for any nature lover. From Kafue, head down to Livingstone to explore the majestic Victoria Falls and all it has to offer.

3 nights Lufupa River or Tented Camp:
• Diverse wildlife including puku, Defassa waterbuck, elephant and buffalo.
• Frequent predator sightings: lion and leopard.
• 400 bird species makes this an outstanding birding destination.
• Game drives, guided nature walks, boat trips and fishing.

3 nights Toka Leya Camp:
• Visit the mighty Victoria Falls.
• Boat trips on the Zambezi River.
• Game drives into Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, track rhino on foot.
• Tours of historic Livingstone and visits to a traditional local village.

When & How: Including 2 camp activities per day at Lufupa Tented /River Camp. Nights in camp can be extended. Includes all road/air transfers from Livingstone to Livingstone; excluding drinks. Family rooms and reduced rates for children are available.

Availability : Valid 1st of May – 15th of December 2010
Recommended extensions: Lower Zambezi for the complete Zambian experience; or Hwange National Park for extended game viewing.
Price: £1,750.00 per person escluding international flights

Big Cat Diary Episode Three is Out Now

The Governors' Camp Collection have the latest episode of the Governors' Camp Big Cat Updates (Episode 3) available on You Tube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvmYInEm1M8

The Governors' Camp area of the Masai Mara is one of the best places to see the spectacular wildlife of the African savanna in its natural environment. Governors' Camp Collection together with Screaming Reels Productions have joined forces to film and produce Governors' Big Cat Updates a series of documentary films where we bring you regular updates on the big cats of our area of the Masai Mara. The series is filmed by Warren Samuels an accomplished and highly respected wildlife filmmaker with over 11years experience filming for the BBC, Big Cat Diary and Big Cat Live.

Ulusaba Free Night Offer

SPEND 4 NIGHTS ON SAFARI AT ULUSABA FOR THE PRICE OF 3!

Or, stay a little longer and

SPEND 5 NIGHTS AT ULUSABA FOR THE PRICE OF 4!
Or, stay even longer and

SPEND 7 NIGHTS AT ULUSABA FOR THE PRICE OF 6!

When is the offer available?
For arrivals until 30th September 2010

How much?
This offer is based on our current rates. Stays at Safari Lodge start from £390 per person per night, stays at Rock Lodge start from £570 per person per night and stays at Cliff Lodge start from £1,050 per person per night.
Our rates include accommodation, all meals and drinks, high quality wines and champagne, as well as a team of fabulous staff.

When you’re at Ulusaba…

Look out for the ‘Big Five’ on the twice daily game viewing drives traversing an area of 13,500 hectares, accompanied by a fully trained and experienced ranger and tracker

Nose and swirl around a few South African reds and whites in the wine cellar at Safari Lodge

Experience traditional music in the great outdoors while you dine by firelight and starlight

Unwind with a soothing Aroma Boma beauty treatment (at an additional cost)

Be inspired on a visit to a local crèche on the "It’s Child’s Play" excursion (at an additional cost)
　
Terms and Conditions

Stays can be split between Safari Lodge and Rock Lodge; the last night of your stay will be complimentary
Offer is subject to availability and applies to any new bookings made for arrivals until 30th September 2010.
Offer available for selected dates during this period. Black out dates may apply, including the World Cup between 11th June and 15th July 2010.
All our normal booking terms and conditions apply

Offer can be combined with other packages and offers, please contact us for further information
To book please contact:

Philip Gregory Africa Select 01670 787646

Sabyinyo Silverback Lodge Newsletter April / May 2010

Despite it being the rainy season here, very few guests have been troubled by the rain. Most days it has stopped raining well before the gorilla trek starts but, of course, it is still very wet and muddy while trekking through the forest. Total rainfall for the month was 323.5mm, a little higher than March. Gorilla news: The Kwitonda Group, which has 3 males, now has a new leader, Kighoma. This group has been unsettled for some time and the establishment of a new leader should help them to settle down In the Pabios Group one of the males, 15 year old Rukundu left to form his own group and, on the 29th, a new baby was seen for the first time, which is great news.

During the month chameleons were particularly common in the lodge grounds and were almost certainly breeding although, as far as I know, no very small babies were seen. While they are very similar in appearance and their habitat and size all fit the Western form of the Ruenzori Side-striped Chameleon Chamaeleo rudis, the males differ in having very distinctive yellow colouring around the eyes.

What was almost certainly an African Wild Cat Felis sylvestris was seen and photographed in the lodge grounds. These days African Wild cats are rarely seen, except in the southern Serengeti Plains and in Botswana so this is exciting news. Another exciting mammal observed in the lodge grounds was a very large Mongoose, which almost certainly, had to be an Ichneumon (Egyptian) Mongoose Herpestes ichneumon. During the month, we also enjoyed some wonderful birdwatching. During the first two weeks of April flocks of Eurasian Bee-Eaters could be heard passing high overhead usually above the clouds but, occasionally, a few would drop down lower. A nice surprise was to find a pair of White-Starred Forest Robins resident in the bush near the main building. These birds are normally found in highland forests so to find them at the lodge was a special sighting. A pair of Olive Thrushes have two young and, both Mountain Yellow Warblers and Cinnamon Bracken Warblers are singing, which indicates they will be breeding any time soon. And, finally, I must mention a pair of White-Necked Ravens which visit every breakfast time. Ravens, like other members of the family of Crows, are very intelligent birds. This pair regularly digs small holes in the ground and buries extra food they can't eat and stores it for later. We hope to share the magic of the Virunga Volcanoes with you sometime soon.

News From The Makgadikgadi

It seems The Makgadikgadi is hell bent on reclaiming its ancient super-lake status!

We are experiencing an unusually long rainy season, and this will obviously impact on our traditional dry season activities. Guests on safari at Jack's Camp, Camp Kalahari and Planet Baobab will therefore unfortunately not be able to do the quad biking activity until the pans are dry enough. We will keep you posted as to when quad biking activities will be resumed.

The upside of all this water is an increasing abundance of wildlife: The annual zebra and wildebeest migration is out in full force, along with large numbers of gemsbuck, springbuck and the traditional predators that follow them!

We've had great cheetah and lion sightings and our meerkats continue to charm all our Guests!

Africa Select can arrange safaris to the Makgadikagi as part of a trip to Botswana and teh Victoria Falls

SUMMER SAFARI SUPER SAVER

Valid June 21st to July 31st 2010

7 night trip INCLUDING return flights from UK and Lusaka to Mfuwe and an overnight in Lusaka just £3,140.00 per person inc International flights

Equates to approx 25% discount

Because of, or maybe despite the World Cup (we haven't yet quite worked out which!) we still have some spaces in camps at the end of June and into July so have come up with this AMAZING special offer to help you escape, or get closer to the World Cup action!! For football fans we can make sure you get to see the important matches and for those not wanting to have anything to do with the soccer.... the bush is a wonderful place to escape it all!


Fits perfectly with BA from Heathrow. Offer valid from June 21st to July 31st - no single supplement!

Itinerary;
Day 1 - Arrive Lusaka ex British Airways
Flight Lusaka to Mfuwe
6 nights in Norman Carr Safaris camps - exact order of camps to be decided 2 weeks prior to travel but at least 2 camps guaranteed

Day 7 - Flight to Lusaka
Transer for overnight at Pioneer Camp in Lusaka

Day 8 - transfer to Lusaka Airport for British Airways flight home

Includes international and domestic flights and transfers, full board accommodation and drinks, national park fees, all activities, laundry and taxes. Only extras are visa and flight departure fees. Offer applies only to new bookings.

Norman Carr Lodge & Bush Camps
Between our five camps we are able to offer the variety of a luxury safari lodge and a selection of the best Zambian bushcamps. You can choose between a longer safari holiday combining accommodation in all of our camps or alternatively an extended stay at just one or two.

Each of our Zambian safari holidays is individually tailored to meet your needs and each camp is designed differently in an attempt to offer our guests the true feeling of a safari adventure as they move from one camp to the next.

Most of our Zambian safari holidays start with a night or two in the luxury of Kapani Safari Lodge and then progress to accommodation in one of our bush camps. We are the only safari company in Zambia to offer a true walking safari from camp to camp. Our camps are situated along the course of the Luwi River, within easy walking distance from each other and all in areas renowned for their excellent wildlife. They range from the stylish simplicity of Luwi Bush Camp, one of the most traditional of all Zambia's bush camps, to the elegance and sophistication of Mchenja Camp.

When booking 2 adults on The Great Wilderness Journey, Migration Routes, The Great Namibia Journey or Spirit of the Namib, the second adult gets a 40% saving!

These safaris are Discoverer and Adventurer Explorations, deluxe mobile safaris that have the advantage of superb locations in private concessions, and itineraries that provide exciting encounters with the most diverse, renowned and scenic areas in Botswana and Namibia.Valid for new bookings only and for travel date beginning before 15 June 2010.

In an exciting new opportunity, Explorations in Botswana will no longer be travelling to Lechwe Camp on Migration Routes and Motswiri Camp on the Great Wilderness Journey. Instead, we are excited to announce two new Explorations camps for these safaris, operating from 01 May 2010 onwards: Khwai Adventurer Camp and Khwai Discoverer Camp respectively.

Both these camps are located in the exclusive Khwai Concession which adjoins Moremi Game Reserve. The Khwai Concession is one of the most diverse areas in northern Botswana which seldom disappoints when it comes to producing extraordinary wildlife experiences. The life source for this area is the Khwai River – the northernmost “finger” of the Okavango Delta alluvial fan, which provides vital sustenance to numerous animals.

Over time, the Khwai area has metamorphosed into a wide range of exciting wildlife habitats – some of the most varied to be found in the entire Okavango Delta: a blend of forests, floodplain, wetland and grasslands. The narrow Khwai Channel is home to large mammals such as hippo and crocodile with buffalo and red lechwe often seen grazing along the fringe. The beautiful gallery riverine woodland found along the river provides further sanctuary to birds, primates and leopard. Elusive roan antelope often come to the river to drink. Activities focus around day and night game drives, nature walks and seasonal mekoro excursions.

Away from the river there is a wonderful mix of acacia and leadwood trees of varying sizes that abuts into mopane woodland. The latter, together with the permanent presence of water, attracts large numbers of elephant to the area. Larger predators include lion, wild dog and spotted hyaena, while birdlife found here is just as varied thanks to the colourful palette of habitats.

For further information on any of the camps or explorations please consult our website or email your dedicated consultant pg@africaselect.com

Tourism is very much at the frontline of the climate change and emissions reduction issue. Popular coastal destinations around the world face serious threats from rising sea levels and tsunamis. Desertification and drought impact on the viability of many tourism destinations due to lack of water. The tourism industry in South Africa is very conscious about its "green" responsibility. Airlines, hotels and game lodges have been rapidly introducing measures which are environmentally friendly and reduce the carbon footprint. The term 'green' certainly can be misused (often used loosely as a marketing mantra). Below we highlight some of our partners - true eco-tourism establishments that follow the fundamentals of environmental integrity, social justice and economic development.

Four Rosmead Guest House (Cape Town) An exclusive guesthouse situated on the slopes of Table Mountain. Rooms are equipped with an energy saving device that switches off all high consumption items such as air conditioners when the room is not occupied. A grey water recycling system has been installed to ensure that bath, basin and shower water is used to water the gardens. All excess food is donated to Feedback which is a program aimed at feeding the poor and needy in the Cape Town area.

Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve (Western Cape) This lodge, one of the world's top 25 eco lodges, is situated in the Cederberg mountains about 270km north of Cape Town. It boasts more than 130 rock art sites, some of which have been dated back to 10 000 years ago. Bushmans Kloof is a leading participant in the 1 600km Agter-Pakhuis Conservancy project, which encourages farmers to employ ecotourism principles wherever possible. The reserve also boasts a heritage centre where photographs and artefacts pay homage to the culture of the Bushmen.

Grootbos Nature Reserve (Western Cape) Nestled in the fynbos clad hills above Walker Bay, it offers the classic Garden Lodge and the Forest Lodge set in a Milkwood forest. Grootbos' Conservation Foundation supports various projects such as the sustainable harvesting of Fynbos flowers. The Green Futures Project is a social development project which provides practical training programs for unemployed people in the fields of landscaping, horticulture and eco tourism. The Siyakula Township greening project has facilitated the establishment of vegetable

growing, greening projects, and feeding scheme at the local creche.

Hog Hollow (close to Plettenberg Bay / Garden Route) Hog Hollow is a 4-star lodge set on the edge of an indigenous forest in a private nature reserve with panoramic views of the surrounding indigenous forests, valleys and mountains, close to Plettenberg Bay. Their Initiatives include study sponsorships, supporting various soccer teams, a robust recycling programme, vegetable waste is given to local emerging pig farmers, ongoing de-wattling programme and sponsoring the Orca Foundation towards Marine conservation

Londolozi Game Reserve (Sabi Sands in Kruger region) Renowned for its pioneering work in conservation development, Londolozi has now introduced a fully functional prototype electric Land Rover which moves guests silently through the wilderness with a lower carbon footprint than the conventional game vehicle. It is charged by connecting it to a wall plug socket. The third phase of the project will be about further progression towards lighter, longer lasting, eco friendly batteries and moving towards solar energy.

Pafuri Camp This camp situated in the most northern parts of the Kruger Park enjoys wonderful sunshine year-round. Taking full advantage of this, all guest units including the staff village have solar geysers. Food waste is separated and removed from the reserve to an officially approved dump. Water Cooler to be installed to encourage guests to fill up their water bottles. Elephant monitoring and Rhino re-introduction projects on the go. Currently assessing other alternative energy options.

Rocktail Beach Camp We continue our involvement and commitment in the Maputaland Sea Turtle conservation programme. The construction practices used in the development of Beach Camp were highly praised by the Green Leaf Environmental Standard Organisation. All plastic, metal, and paper waste is separated and removed off-site by a waste specialist. Food waste is sent to a pig farm in the local community. Solar geysers, water cooler and rainwater harvesting will be implemented

News From Our Camps in Botswana and Zambia

Botswana

Kalahari Plains Camp is still on track to open early December, and from an environmental point of view is looking outstanding.

A "Children's Tree house" is being built for kids to hang out in at Chitabe Camp. In the style of a "Robinson Crusoe tree house" the area will have a library full of African storybooks, as well as flora and fauna books, all geared for kids, along with comfy cushions on which to laze and read. Activities will include painting ceramics and fabric paints (all with animal themes), doing puzzles and learn about the area using seed pods, a 'spoor' sandpit and clay for moulding animals plus a CD player for listening to animal and bird calls.

Abu Camp is closed from January to mid-May for refurbishment of the main area, elephant boma and back of house. Additions include a library which will house all research material on elephants, a large pool and star beds for sleep-outs in the boma.

Jao Camp will be closed from 9 January to 11 March for major refurbishments, including rethatching the roofs of the main area and all the guest rooms. There is nothing quite like a beautiful newly thatched roof... The Jao Spa is being taken to the next level with the addition of a double treatment room and provision of some water therapies.

Zambia

At The River Club, the summer house/snooker room, the colonnade (covered walkway connecting the summer house to the main area) and the tennis pavilion are all complete. The tennis court is nearing completion; racquets and balls are supplied at the Club.

Selinda Canoe Trail completed its first season to much fanfare and rave reviews. Guests who experienced this once in a lifetime opportunity have spread the word quickly. The Selinda Canoe Trails has been listed in National Geographic Adventure's November issue as one of the "25 Best New Trips for 2010". The departure dates for next year have been confirmed so please join us for this truly authentic experience.