The Zambezi Safari & Travel Co Ltd

Family safaris this season

Africa's a wild playground.  You'll find a small selection of places that are safe, comfortable and which actively welcome and cater specifically for children. Here're some pointers:

• Private Houses and villas are clearly the best solution for extended family trips with some extra comfort. Zambia and Kenya are outstanding - if the emphasis is wildlife then go to Zambia, if variety is the key then go to Kenya.

• There's also an especially good private family-sized camp in Tanzania's Selous that makes a full safari and beach combination easy and well priced. Best time of year is July, August, September and December - advance bookings recommended.

• If you're looking for a guaranteed malaria-free safari then South Africa's Cape is first choice for a "soft safari". You'll find a full range of facilities, lots of activities and keen prices. Best time of year is December.

• Botswana is ideal for "young explorers". You'll have family-friendly facilities with top notch guides to uncover the "Little Five" in addition to the "Big Five". Victoria Falls is the hub - perfect for kids.  Botswana is good anytime of year!

• Private guides needn't break the bank! Uganda offers huge variety from gorillas to chimps to birds and butterflies and so much more - few adventures in Africa are better suited to a small family group with an experienced private guide. Similarly Tanzania is best done on a semi-mobile basis with a private guide especially when the migration is active in the northern Serengeti/Mara during July to October.

• In Tanzania, kids rates apply up to the age of 21.  (That's a 40% discount!)  In Kenya, we have some long stay trips for families on a 30% discount.  In Zambia, every 2nd kid is free.  Don't miss out in 2010!

Safari & Beach combinations

With the northern hemisphere in the depth of winter we simply wanted to run a refresher on how warm the African coast line is!

Take a peak at our African beach guide on best places to go with best times of year - "laid back luxury", "affordable Zanzibar", "exclusive island retreats" and more from Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Seychelles and Mauritius.

If you're planning on combining a safari with your beach break, then:

• February and March: loads of variety in Kenya, perfect for the migration in Tanzania's southern Serengeti

• September, October, November: best "dry season" safari action in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe - use Victoria Falls as your hub

...and for something very different, "fresh water beaches"

May to October: combine Katavi and Mahale in Tanzania or Lake Malawi with Zambia's Luangwa valley

The Bush and Beach Safaris
 

Destinations Show - Earl's Court 1, London

So here's an invitation to join Trish, Fi and John on stand AF47. Come and catch up with some African news, take a look at some safari plans for the 2010 season or just pop by for a chat.

Meet the Experts

Aside from lots of developments in East and southern Africa, John Berry is hosting a presentation on "Rediscovering Zimbabwe" at Meet the Experts theatre on Friday 5th from 11:00-11:30. Expect a lively discussion!

Smart Safaris on special

We've taken a few trips run in association with our best preferred suppliers and they're exclusive to us - very keenly priced to Zambezi members.

Snippets

• Migration update: with good rains since mid November the migration is spread widely over the short grass plains of Tanzania's southern Serengeti. The area is very green and lush with wildebeest "as far as the eye can see" around Ndutu. Nomad guides reported 15 black rhino sightings over one day in Ngorongoro Crater.

• Okavango inflow: Map Ives of Wilderness Botswana has reported high flood levels on the Kavango River at Rundu. Average level this time of year is 4,73m. Last year which was a 30 year flood, level at this time was 5,32m. This season's equivalent is 7,24m. Watch this space!

• Rains have been erratic in southern Africa with good falls in western Zambia and Botswana but poor rain in Zimbabwe and north into the Luangwa.

• Kenya's had very good rains and temperatures are very high on the coast.

• Victoria Falls MTB Challenge: Brent Williamson of SafPar has announced 3 day event on 20, 21, 22 May. Format is 2 riders per team racing over 275km - 1st day is out and back on the crest of Batoka Gorge, 2nd day out and back through forestry areas, 3rd day runs along the Zambezi from Kazangula (Botswana) through National Park and back to Victoria Falls. Find out more from Mark.

• Ngamba Island, Uganda: Last year we had some free gorilla permits available in Bwindi, Uganda. We currently have complementary nights available to view chimps on Ngamba Island between now and April. Speak to Jackie.

• Climbing Kilimanjaro for MacMillan: Here's a cool thing - clients Debbie and Steve who for the past 21 years have worked hard running their family hotel and getting the brood into University have decided to "ditch the kids for Kilimanjaro". They summit this weekend - go to the blog. 

• World Cup 2010 takes place in South Africa from 11 June and 11 July. Flights and accommodation prices are expensive. If you're a fan then make sure you've at least sorted out your flights. If you're regular safari client then avoid the period in Southern Africa. Visit during the southern "green season" between January and May or join us towards the end of the dry season when gameviewing is traditionally at its best. Alternatively look for space in Namibia or visit Kenya, Tanzania or go looking for gorillas, chimps and other primates in Uganda or Rwanda.