SOUTHERN AFRICA HIGHLIGHTS
neighbours,” says Ellie Dunkels from Expert Africa. “We are seeing a steady increase in visitor numbers but the fact that numbers are still relatively light means that the game experience is excellent.” Namibia is a wonderful country for self-drive travel, according to Africa Collection’s Fortescue: “Namibia is known for its long straight roads with very little traffi c and magnifi cent scenery wherever you look. Plus, with the current exchange rate being pegged to the South African rand it is also exceptionally good value for money at the moment; agents should be recommending it to clients now.” Namibia’s vast wilderness areas and long driving distances makes it a destination for adventurous, confi dent travellers, but those who journey there are rewarded by a unique mix of landscapes – towering dunes, saltpans, wildlife preserves, the eerie Skeleton Coast, ‘colonial’ coastal towns like Walvis Bay and Swakopmund and bushmen culture along the way.
Rhino conservation The loss of elephants and rhinos to poachers across Southern Africa is a huge problem – to the extent that some environmentalists are predicting that rhinos could be extinct within years rather than decades. Mantis, a group with over 45 boutique hotels and eco-escapes in all seven continents, wants visitors to be aware of how critical the problem is and to do their bit to help both before and during their visit. Says Paul Gardiner, Marketing
Director of Mantis: “With a history in
conservation, and as a company who operates in Southern Africa, we feel a responsibility to start conversations about the critical problem of rhino poaching and to play a role in saving this iconic African species.” He added: “Travel agents should be
encouraging people to visit private reserves and bigger game reserves to maintain the wildlife. Through helping to provide the capitol for the upkeep of the lodges, they can directly contribute to ensuring the welfare of these animals is upheld. “ The International Anti-Poaching Foundation (IAPF) is based at the Stanley & Livingstone Game
Reserve in Zimbabwe and guests are encouraged to visit to see what it is doing to curb the rhino slaughter. Worldwide Experience, the education arm of Mantis, is also based at Victoria Falls and offers a number of volunteer programmes, such as snare sweeps, waterhole creation, game counts and road maintenance.
What’s new Airlines: South African feeder
airline Airlink has introduced daily fl ights from Johannesburg to Maun (gateway to the Okavango) and Kasane (gateway to Chobe), bringing to an end Air Botswana’s monopoly.
“Strict government legislation means Botswana’s camps normally only have a handful of rooms, so booking even a year in advance is highly recommended”
LOUISE STANION PRODUCT MANAGER, COX & KINGS
Clockwise from top: Dawn over the Okavango; Crimson-breasted
roller, Botswana; Leopard in Zambia; Opposite: Light plane bush landing; African Jacana, Botswana; Sanctuary Zambezi Kulefu Camp, Zambia
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