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A proud WINNER of the Zimbabwe Achievers Tourism Award!
We promote travel opportunities to the wild areas of the Zambezi Valley
WILD ZAMBEZI invites you to a world of nature where the pace is slow, the sun is warm, the sky is huge and the people are friendly.  Our travel promotion focus is the Zambezi River and its iconic wildernesses, including the Victoria Falls & Zambezi National Parks, Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park and Mana Pools National Park & World Heritage Site.  We provide web-based, up-to-date information on operators, activities, accommodation choices, tours and services in this magnificent area, and offer a reliable, independent travel advisory service.

WILD ZAMBEZI NEWS - JANUARY 2016

Explore our travel listings & share your own experiences
on our website
Wild Zambezi.com

PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-NEWSLETTER!
ZIM-ZAM UNI-VISA - LATEST 
Following on from recent reports that the US$50 Uni-Visa introduced in 2014 to ease travel between Zimbabwe and Zambia had been suspended,  the KAZA TFCA UNIVISA PROJECT issued the following statement on 7th January 2016:-

We, the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe, two Partner Countries of the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA), participating in the pilot phase of the KAZA UNIVISA Project wish to advise our valued stakeholders of the following regarding the KAZA UNIVISA Project:

1. The Pilot Phase of the KAZA UNIVISA PROJECT which was launched on 28 November 2014 for an initial period of six months to 31 May 2015 and subsequently extended by the Ministers responsible for KAZA TFCA for a further six months to 31 December 2015 has come to an end.

2. While the Pilot Phase has come to an end, issuance of the UNIVISA will continue while Zambia and Zimbabwe address challenges faced during the pilot phase in preparation for inviting the other KAZA Partner Countries i.e. Angola, Botswana and Namibia to join the UNIVISA PROJECT as was directed by the Ministers responsible for KAZA TFCA.

3. The UNIVISA will continue to be issued in the same format as in the Pilot Phase and among the challenges to be addressed will result in the reduction of the time it takes to issue the visa.

4. We would like to inform our valued stakeholders and customers that, KAZA TFCA Partner Countries are desirous to easy movement of tourist across the five Partner Countries and increase tourist arrivals and length of stay in the region, therefore we would like to recognize stakeholder’s role in publicizing the KAZA UNIVISA.

5. We therefore wish to thank all our valued stakeholders and customers who participated in the Pilot Phase and call for your continued support to make the UNIVISA a reality first in the KAZA TFCA and subsequently in the SADC region.

According to the Zambian Tourism Board, the recent non-availability of the visa has been due to the fact that visa stickers are out of stock. New visa stickers have apparently been ordered and should be available shortly at the borders once again.

The KAZA Uni-Visa is seen as a win-win for Southern African tourism.    “It is a wonderfully positive initiative by the two governments and the addition of neighbouring countries in our tourism hub will be extremely well received by many source markets. Hats off to all involved in getting this fully launched and working efficiently and smoothly...as soon as possible."  said Ross Kennedy, CEO of Africa Albida Tourism which operates the popular Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and its associated facilities.  

According to Dave Bennett, Chief Sales Officer for Wilderness Safaris “The UniVisa will do much to promote hassle-free cross-country combinations. It is also an opportunity for joint marketing between these southern African countries, as they each have unique and complementary offerings for travellers.” 
(Map Image courtesy of SA Tourism Update)

FASTJET INTRODUCES DAILY JOHANNESBURG - HARARE FLIGHTS
From 1st February, low-cost airline, FastJet, introduces a new daily flight service between Johannesburg and Harare to the following schedule:- 
Depart Harare at 6.15a.m.
Arrive Jhb at 7.55a.m
Depart Jhb at  8.40a.m.
Arrive Harare at 10.15a.m.
Current fare (including taxes) is around US$244 (less on Sundays).

Fastjet Plc chief executive Ed Winter says the airline is establishing itself as a key player in the low cost market.  “There is clearly significant demand for affordable travel between Harare and Johannesburg. As we have seen in other markets, we expect many passengers currently undertaking the journey by bus to switch to flying, taking advantage of Fastjet’s low fares and safe reliable flights,” he said.

The airline is also planning to launch a Victoria Falls-Johannesburg flight, but this has not yet been approved by the authorities.

Fastjet has been operational in Zimbabwe since last year, plying the popular Harare-Tanzania route. It launched the Harare-Victoria Falls route last October.

EMIRATES UPGRADES AIRCRAFT INTO ZIMBABWE
Emirates has enhanced its on-board experience and increased capacity on its Dubai -Zambia and Zimbabwe route with the deployment of a larger Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from 1 February 2016.  

The Boeing 777-300ER will replace the current Airbus A340-300 and offer an additional 97 Economy Class seats per flight.  
The aircraft will have eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 213 spacious seats in Economy Class.

EK713 departs Dubai every day at 0925hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 1440hrs. The flight then departs Lusaka at 1610hrs, arriving in Harare at 1715hrs. The return flight, EK714 leaves Harare at 1850hrs, arriving Lusaka at 1955hrs. It departs Lusaka at 2140hrs and lands in Dubai at 0650hrs the next day.

Wild Zambezi recommends its nework partners Premier Travel & Tours in Harare for flight-bookings.

LATEST TRAVEL REVIEWS WILDZAMBEZI.COM 
January 2016
 

Take a look at what people are saying about their travel experiences at these latest Travel Review postings on WildZambezi.com.  
Follow the links (scroll down to the bottom of each page for the Review section):-
Baobab Bookings – agency for accommodation, houseboats, transfers and activities throughout Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba specialists.
Zim4x4 – self-drive, guided, wilderness tours into the Zambezi Valley and on Lake Kariba.

Have something to say about a place you have visited or a service you have experienced?  Tell others about it by submitting a Travel Review on the relevant page on Wild Zambezi.com

CHECK OUT THESE TRAVEL SPECIALS ON WILDZAMBEZI.COM 
Don’t forget the great SPECIALS on offer from some of Wild Zambezi’s network partners.  
Check them out on each of these page links (scroll down and to the right):-
African Bush Camps (Kanga & Zambezi Life Styles camps, Mana Pools):  MANA MADNESS SPECIAL – stay min 3 nights at one of these properties (6 nights altogether at African Bush Camps facilities) and get FREE flights in and out of Mana Pools. (Valid 1 April – 30 June 2016)    LONG STAY SPECIAL – at any combo of African Bush Camps – 5% discount for 6+ nights; 10% discount for 9+ nights. 
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge & Spa (Lake Kariba):  3-night fly-in package from Vic Falls or Harare  Valid until 1 April 2016
Changa Safari Camp (Lake Kariba/Matusadona):  Various Specials for Internationals.  Special local residents rates until March 2016 
Chirundu Safari Lodge & Camp (Zambezi River downstream of Chirundu)  20% off for February 2016 (excluding 19 - 22nd Feb when normal rates apply)
Dunhu Ramambo - Umbozha Houseboats (Lake Kariba): Reduced rates on all the Lake Kariba houseboats in this luxury fleet (6 Jan – end March) 
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge (Zambezi River upstream from Victoria Falls):  Imbabala-Elephant Camp combo special.  3 nights Imbabala, 1 night The Elephant Camp. Includes tour of Vic Falls.

Musango Island Safari Camp (Lake Kariba):  Cool Waters Package (Vic Falls/Kariba/Mana Pools) and Get a Night on Us (Stay for 4 nights, pay for 3)
Rhino Safari Camp (Lake Kariba/Matusadona) – Green Season Specials for locals and internationals
Ruckomechi Camp (Wilderness Safaris) (Mana Pools/Hwange):  Special rates for local residents until end June 2016.
Spurwing Island  (Lake Kariba/Matusadona) - Fisherman Special :  US$85 per person per night (excluding Park fees, transfers & activities).  Valid until 29th Feb (excluding 19-22nd Feb). 
Wild Dog Tours (Kariba) - Various discount specials on Kariba houseboat charters and self-catering accommodation. 
Wild Horizons (Victoria Falls) - 2016 lodge combo special - 3 x nights Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge, Vic Falls tour & 1 x night  Elephant Camp.  Also   "Zim Specials Promotion" for Zimbabwean residents.

KARIBA
IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETE AT MUSANGO ISLAND 
Wendy and Steve Edwards, owners of the long-established Musango Island Safari Camp (on its own island off the western end of the Lake Kariba's Matusadona National Park) report that they have now completed all their new rooms and refurbishments!  

"They are spacious , light and airy, and insect proof , all have fantastic panoramic views of the Lake, and are still completely private."  (The above images show the considerably-lightened entrance to one of the double stone-under-thatch en-suite chalets and one of the airy twin tented rooms).   

Says Wendy:  "Steve and I are permanently resident on the Island once again , and are loving it!   Game viewing this season has been fantastic, with the lower lake levels exposing all the lakeshore grasses and attracting the grazers (including large herds of buffalo).  The bird life is incredible, and so, of course are the classic Kariba sunscapes from the new rooms" - see below.  

For more information and contact details for rates etc, see Musango Island Safari Lodge on WildZambezi.com 
If you have stayed at Musango and would like to share your experience with others, please submit a Travel Review on WildZambezi.com at the above link (scroll down the page). 

KARIBA, MATUSADONA & MANA POOLS ACCESSIBLE BY SEAT-RATE CHARTER WITH SAFARI LOGISTICS 
Safari Logistics offer a seat-rate air charter service out of Victoria Falls, linking some of the country’s top safari and wildlife areas.  Flights make a rotation between the various airstrips serving Hwange National ParkLake Kariba,  Matusadona National ParkKariba Town and Mana Pools National Park.  The flight then returns to Victoria Falls the same day.  This way, travellers get to choose the flight sector they need and plan their safari to take advantage of this cost-effective way to fly.
 
In 2016 seat-rate flights will operate to the following schedule:
Up to 31st April 2016 – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
1st May 2016 - 31st October 2016 – Every day
1st Nov 2016 - 31st December 2016 – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays

The flights link the Victoria Falls with safari properties in Hwange National Park and with the following airstrips and safari properties along the Zambezi Valley within Zimbabwe:-
- Bumi Hills airstrip (Lake Kariba) - for Bumi Hills Safari LodgeMusango Island Safari CampRhino Safari Camp
- Kiplings (Rokari) airstrip (Lake Kariba) - for Rhino Safari Camp
- Fothergill airstrip (Lake Kariba)  - for Changa Safari Camp
- Kariba airport (Kariba town) - Fuel Stop & for Houseboats
- Mana Main airstrip (Mana Pools) -  for Goliath SafarisVundu CampZambezi Life StylesRuwezi Canoe TrailsTailormade SafarisNatureways canoeing safaris
- Mana West airstrip (Mana Pools)  - Ruckomechi Camp
- Dandawa airstrip (west of Mana Pools) for Kanga Camp
- Chikwenya airstrip (east of Mana Pools) for Chikwenya Safari Lodge

Flight departure times will be confirmed 24 hours prior to departure and are dependent on the routes required by passengers flying on that day.

Changa Safari Camp recently announced special deals on these Safari Logistics flights in partnership with its sister property The Hide Safari Camp in Hwange.

For more information and contact details, see Safari Logistics on WildZambezi.com

If you have experienced this service and would like to share your experience with others, please submit a Travel Review on WildZambezi.com at the above link (scroll down the page).  
ZAMBEZI VALLEY
STATE OF THE ART VIDEO FROM AFRICAN BUSH CAMPS
African Bush Camps have recently launched a "virtual safari 360-degree" video experience promoting their bush camps and safari experiences in Southern Africa.  

Visit the African Bush Camps 360 Degree Safari Channel by clicking on the image above and watch the video whilst clicking and dragging your computer mouse across the footage, or move around and immerse yourself in the beautiful wilderness areas in which Africa Bush Camps work and operate every day.

In the Zambezi Valley area, African Bush Camps operate Kanga Camp and Zambezi Life Styles (a mobile tented camp) in the Mana Pools National Park.

Take advantage of their amazing FREE FLIGHTS INTO MANA special which is valid between 1st April and 30 June 2016 if you stay for a minimum of 3 nights at either Kanga Camp or Zambezi Life Styles when visiting Mana Pools for 6 nights altogether.

F
or more information and contact details, see African Bush Camps on WildZambezi.com
If you have stayed in Mana Pools with African Bush Camps, and would like to share your experience with others, please submit a Travel Review on WildZambezi.com at the above link (scroll down the page). 
VUNDU CAMP, MANA POOLS:
- Filming wild dogs with the BBC & 

- Assisting with anti-poaching 


Vundu Camp in Mana Pools reports that between February and November last year, they hosted a BBC film crew of Nick (producer) and Warrick (camera man) who have a combined 40 years of  wildlife documentary filming and were in Mana Pools to film wild dogs. 

"It was been a long year but very interesting and we have learned a lot about the dogs, having observed some very unusual behavior among the dogs themselves as well as interaction with other species." says Vundu owner, Nick Murray.   "The crew collected some excellent footage, including of the pups at the dens...  We are all looking forward to the final product and feel extremely honoured to have been part of this journey with them."

In the meantime,  the spacious tent-under thatch chalet rooms at Vundu Camp underwent upgrading in 2015, with new tiled floors, new beds and headboards and new mosquito nets.  Each room also now has its own inside bathroom.


In the latter part of the year, thanks to the efforts and donations of some very generous Vundu Camp guests from America and Canada, Nick and his team formed the Romara Anti Poaching Unit (RAPU).

"We are helping National Parks with their anti poaching efforts by deploying rangers with food and supplying the vehicle and fuel to do so.  We are also assisting with the construction of a ranger base at Nyakasikana in the centre  of Mana Pools National Park 
 
For those of you who have travelled with us in Mana Pools National Park, you will know what a special relationship we have with the elephants that live here. The sad part is that we are losing elephants to high levels of poaching. The onslaught of the elephant on the continent as a whole has reached an all time high. We are not alone in this, the time has come for us to really do something  to stop this. For many years now we have been assisting National Parks on the ground wherever possible but it is nowhere near the scale that can make a real difference.

The Great Elephant Census, funded by Paul Allen of Microsoft, has thrown a lot of light on the situation. Teams of ecologists have been flying around the continent counting elephants. We hosted the survey team at Little Vundu last year in August when they flew the Lower Zambezi Valley on the Zimbabwe side in order to count the elephant.

The Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority is hampered by a severe lack of resources . We have been asked to help with this problem directly by our Wardens and we cannot ignore this plea , we have to help.  There are many people doing their bit , 
(see article below) so we hope the combined efforts will be successful .They have to be !

For more information and contact details, see Vundu Camp on WildZambezi.com
If you have stayed at this camp would like to share your experience with others, please submit a Travel Review on WildZambezi.com at the above link (scroll down the page).

COLLABORATING TO TACKLE THE POACHING SCOURGE
Wild Zambezi is pleased to see from recent reports that as a result of collaborative anti-poaching efforts in the Mana Pools and Matusadona National Parks and other areas within the  Zambezi Valley, there have been some recent successes. Several elephant poachers have recently been caught, arrested and convicted and a number of  ivory tusks have been recovered by the authorities.   (Photo courtesy of MAPP).  

Apart from Vundu Camp's Romara Anti-Poaching Unit (mentioned above) the following organisations are doing good work in the area in collaboration with ZimParks and law-enforcement agencies:-
The Zambezi Elephant Fund (ZEF)
MAPP (Matusadona Anti-Poaching Project)
The Zambezi Society
The Tashinga Initiative
KAWFT(Kariba Animal Welfare Fund Trust)
Bumi Hills Anti-Poaching Unit (BHAPU)
Gache Gache Wilderness Area Anti-Poaching Unit (WEPU) 
Flying for Wildlife 
RIFA Conservation Education Camp
and a number of other groups working within the Safari Areas of the Zambezi Valley.

VICTORIA FALLS

VICTORIA FALLS WATER LEVELS RISING FAST

The two comparative aerial images above show the world’s largest waterfall,  Victoria Falls ,during the months of December 2015 and January 2016.  

Daily water level readings are taken from a hydrological station gauge in the Zambezi River upstream of Victoria Falls.  
Low rainfall in the catchment area north of Victoria Falls during the 2014-2015 rainy season brought the water to its lowest level last year since 1995.  However, the river has been rising steadily since November, and will continue to do so for some months.

Contrary to some recent "alarmist" media reports about the "drying up" of Victoria Falls, this large fluctuation of the Zambezi River’s water levels is in fact part of a normal annual cycle, with the minimum flow, which occurs in November, on average a tenth of the maximum flow in April, says a recent blog by tour operator Wild Horizons.

“This phenomenon means that viewing the waterfall at different times of the year produces vastly different experiences … in high flow the entire length of the Falls is a thundering wall of falling water, whereas in low water the underlying structure can be seen and visibility is far better,” it said.

African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) chairman Ross Kennedy (who is also CEO of Africa Albida Tourism), believes that Victoria Falls is a year-round natural wonder.  "It perhaps should in fact be a TWICE in your lifetime experience - to see the Falls at both times!” he says. 

Like any piece of beautiful art, you can look at and admire at different times of the day, light, season, year, angles, and in this case from two countries, and appreciate different virtues and attributes of this incredible world wonder.   High or low water, Victoria Falls offers utterly different splendour, majesty, raw beauty and power." 

IT'S HIGH WATER RAFTING SEASON ONCE AGAIN!
With the rising water levels at Victoria Falls after heavy localized rains, white-water rafting specialists, Wild Horizons,  have announced that their operations have moved to "high water" as from 28th January 2016.

"The High Water run begins at Rapid #11 and goes to rapid #23. 
Arguably the wildest white water in the world, rafting on the Zambezi River is an adrenaline rush not to be missed. The rapids on the Zambezi River are officially defined as “Grade 5” by the British Canoe Union (Grade 6 being commercially un-runnable). Clients should be reasonably fit for this activity, as there is a steep walk into and out of the Batoka Gorge as well as the white water rafting activity itself.

Also due to the high water levels, the 'Devil's pool' on Livingstone Island has been closed. The closure was caused by the rising water levels. The 'Angel's Pool' will still be available for swimming and Livingstone Island visits will continue until further notice."

Wild Horizons also offers multi-day rafting trips for solo travellers and small groups on set dates during August and September this year:-
2 x day/2 x night trip - 27th - 29th August 2016
5 x day/6 night trip - 12th - 16th September 2016

For contact details, see Wild Horizons on WildZambezi.com
If you have been rafting with Wild Horizons and would like to share your experience with others, please submit a Travel Review on WildZambezi.com at the above link (scroll down the page).

"LITTLE GORGES" - A LUXURY TENTED ADDITION PERCHED ON THE EDGE

Imvelo Safari Lodges are about to open (beginning February 2016) a new tented addition to Gorges Lodge near Victoria Falls.  "Little Gorges", like the main lodge, is perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, with awesome views of the Zambezi River 250 metres below, and across into Zambia.

The new extension has five tented bedrooms and a stone-under-thatch central dining and entertainment area - all overlooking the dramatic junction of the Dibu Dibu River and the Zambezi, where black eagles and lanner falcons nest in the sheer cliff faces. 

The bedrooms are under canvas on platforms made from steel with a wooden deck.  They are spacious with 60 sq. m. of living and veranda space.  Four rooms have twin double beds and the fifth a king bed, under mosquito nets, with mini bar fridge, fans, hairdryers and all the other amenities currently offered at Gorges Lodge.

Bathrooms are cut back into the terrain, constructed from brick under canvas.  They each have a spacious shower, twin basins and separate toilet.  

Furnishings maximise use of local materials, including the splendid deep red wood of the indigenous Zambezi teak. 

Guests can relax with a cold drink from the bar or make use of the swimming pool and WiFi at the main Gorges Lodge. 

Little Gorges is a 30 minute transfer by road from Victoria Falls town, with all its attractions of shopping, restaurants and activities, as well as the Falls themselves - a walk through the rain forest is an essential experience for every visitor!

Little Gorges is line-priced with main Gorges Lodge in 2016 and guests will be able to partake in all the same activities.  

For more information and contact details, see Gorges Lodge on WildZambezi.com  
If you have stayed at this lodge and would like to share your experience with others, please submit a Travel Review on WildZambezi.com at the above link (scroll down the page).

NEW RIVERSIDE BAR AND SPA AT VICTORIA FALLS RIVER LODGE

The Victoria Falls River Lodge situated on the banks of the Zambezi River inside the Zambezi National Park and within sight of the "smoke" of the Victoria Falls downstream, has two exciting additions.

 Its new riverside bar (pictured above) has an awesome location.  Situated to one side of the main lodge, it directly overlooks a quiet backwater of the river, a perfect birding and wildlife-viewing spot, with the wide expanses of the main river just beyond.  


In addition, the newly built Toa Spa offers guests the opportunity to truly relax and unwind in peaceful surroundings overlooking the Zambezi River at a discreet distance from the lodge itself.

At Victoria Falls River Lodge, guests are accommodated in 13 large, luxurious double or twin canvas-under-thatch suites.  Families are welcome and five of the suites have an extra bedroom which can accommodate up to three sharing children under 17 years.  Each suite has its own bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers, large decked verandah, air conditioning, fans, and tea/coffee-making facilities. 

The spacious, thatched, central dining, sitting, bar & pool areas with Wi-Fi facilities overlook the Zambezi River. 

Transfers to the Falls can be undertaken by river, using the lodge's powerful speedlaunch, or, in a more leisurely fashion by road through the Zambezi National Park (an enjoyable 10km-long leisurely game-drive).

For contact details, see Victoria Falls River Lodge on WildZambezi.com
We'd love to hear from you if you have stayed at this lodge. Share your experience by submitting a Travel Review on WildZambezi.com at the above link (scroll down the page).

CONGRATULATIONS!
SAFARIS 4 AFRICA DO IT AGAIN!

Harare-based Destination Management Company, Safaris 4 Africa for yet another year, have been named by Africa Albida Tourism as their Best Overall Supplier , and Best Supplier for the Victoria Falls Safari Suites during 2015.

The Africa Albida Tourism Group is well-known as the owner of  the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Safari SuitesLokuthula Lodges and The Boma - Place of Eating, as well as Ngoma Safari Lodge in Chobe, Botswana.

The travel team at Safaris 4 Africa have nearly 25 years of experience putting together carefully planned, tailormade holidays to Zimbabwe's beautiful wild areas and elsewhere in southern and central Africa.  They are passionate about the culture, wilderness and wildlife of Africa and each of them has travelled extensively to the destinations that they sell.   They have developed an international reputation as experts in their field, with an attention to detail that is unrivalled  among their peers.   Wild Zambezi is proud to have them as part of our travel network.

For more information and contact details, see Safaris 4 Africa on  WildZambezi.com
If you have experienced the service offered by Safaris 4 Africa would like to tell others about it, please submit a Travel Review on WildZambezi.com at the above link (scroll down the page). 

TAIL ENDER....
May your travels in 2016 be WILD and filled with moments of sheer, unbridled delight! 


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info@wildzambezi.com
WILD ZAMBEZI ASSOCIATES :-      

THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ON THE BANKS OF THE
ZAMBEZI!  
PLEASE PASS ON THIS NEWSLETTER! 
Copyright © 2016 Wild Zambezi, All rights reserved.


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