Great Day at #Juneteenth 2024 Camp Humphreys South Korea
#ThrowbackThursday Honeymoon Couple in Mara North Conservancy
“Honeymoon Couple” is what you call when the male Lion of a pride takes a young Lioness out to mate for the first time. This Lioness was young and still had some of her spots! While you can’t see him, the male Lion’s brother is nearby, for protection.
Last November I had the most romantic, perfect Safari with my husband in Mara North Conservancy. It was his first trip to Kenya. After 31 years of marriage, it felt like we too were on our Honeymoon. 💜💜💜
#TravelTuesday New for 2024 - South Africa Family Safari
South Africa Family Safari
Highlights:
· Introducing one of the most exciting new Safari experiences in South Africa, the Kapama Kruger Homestead, offering a truly Private Family Safari. The Homestead, an exclusive use Lodge, is a family-style Homestead with 3 Ensuite Bedrooms. Includes:
- Private Game Drive Vehicle, with a Guide and Assistant Guide
- Private Chef
- Assigned Concierge
· Jock Safari Lodge Wilderness Walk allowing children over the age of 12 to participate.
· Private Robben Island Tour with Christo Brand, a former prison guard, who was responsible for guarding Nelson Mandela. Christo and Mandela developed a close friendship over the course of many years. He is the co-author of his book, Doing Life with Mandela: My Prisoner, My Friend (2014).
Discover Africa Together!
#TravelTuesday Africa's Best - The most aspirational Africa destination book - Ever!
While on Safari in Kenya last November, I picked up “home” a Southern African Magazine. Their tagline line is “your guide to beautiful living”. I like that. In the back of the magazine (where good surprises are always found), under the Shopping Guide was:
Stay in Africa’s Best
This book was compiled by a team who travelled to some of the most breathtaking places in Africa. And the focus isn’t just on elegance or style. They’ve considered social initiatives, environmental impact, management styles and visitor’s experiences. In Africa’s Best, you will find everything from a beach holiday to a safari and cultural experiences.
Count me in! There was an email that I quickly sent asking if they were in bookstores in Nairobi. Tanith “Tan” Hobson quickly got back to me with a friendly email saying not yet. Well, as I now must have this book
Tan kindly indulged me as we checked into shipping either to the United States or South Korea. When she came back with the pricing, while taking a deep breath, I realized this wasn’t the little book on sustainability I had imagined. This was a REAL book.
As I had to get home from Kenya and get a bank transfer done, I thought I’d be lucky to get the book by my birthday in February. The book made its way from South Africa, to the United States, and then shipped via the Army Post Office to me. It arrived on January 6th. Tan had kindly sent me happy birthday wishes. And while we are not Orthodox Christians & January 7th is Orthodox Christmas, we had been to Greece last year & I pretended it was my Christmas Eve gift.
First a bit about the book. It is, without a doubt, the most beautiful book on Africa I have ever seen. Aspirational. The book weighs 3.475 KG (just under 10 pounds) and is 5 cms (over 2 inches thick). Africa’s Best covers 94 destinations in 15 countries.
Each country starts with an overview and then offers unique “Bucket List Experiences” found in that country. Then, for each destination, there are three catagories:
How They Dazzle Us
Why We Love Them
Their Sustainable Superpower
When I asked my husband why he thought I am so in love with the book, he said, “Its been a long time since we had a good book.” I think that’s true. The book is a breath of fresh air in the age of everything digital and audio books.
There are a few ads in Africa’s Best, but they fit with the book. I appreciate the information. The book will hopefully be available for international shipping via Amazon later this year. The ISBN is 978-0-6397-3020-2
If you truly want to know the destinations that should be on everyone’s bucket list - that is Africa’s Best!
This is how thick Africa’s Best is! #love it
#WildlifeWednesday No two Safaris are the same - ever! And, elusive Leopards only show themselves when they want to!
The same is true for me. After countless Safaris, living and working in Africa, 15 years & 3 months since my first Safari in Madikwe Game Reserve, South Africa, the Leopards decided to appear for me in Kenya.
Starting with Samburu National Reserve, followed by Maasai Mara National Park, and ending with so much time with this beauty from Mara North Conservancy - Leopards in all three. Of course, if I were to be truly African, I’d say the Leopards were pleased I finally brought my husband to Magical Kenya. May be true!
Leopard Mara North Conservancy ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Thank you Kenya's One Way
There are few things I love more than a Date Book. One of my beloved Kenyan Suppliers, One Way Clothing, gave me this beautifully designed Date Book as a Thank You Gift. #LoveIt
#SafariSaturday Great Day at Osan Air Base Fall Market!
Thank you to all who attended.
Loved meeting so many people enthusiastic about African Safaris!
#TravelTuesday Thank you Erin Henderson Media for the Shout Out and Beautiful Pictures from Your South Africa Safari Adventure!
#WildlifeWednesday Want to go Back to School with Elephants, Lions, & Giraffes? Try EcoTraining!
Happy #TravelTuesday The Shoutout that moved me to tears this morning!
Kenya Wildlife Services & Maasai© Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Great Juneteenth Celebration at Camp Humphreys, South Korea! #celebratefreedom #safari #wildlifeconservation
Great event at Camp Humphreys Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Festival!
#TravelTuesday What's Happening With 2024 Safari Pricing?
While working on a Safari for 2024, my South African Travel Partner, Nikki Thaver of Southern Africa 360, informed me that South Africa 2024 rates would be going up between 10%-15%. In my opinion, East Africa will follow suit.
These increases are not random “money grabs.” Rather, they are in response to immense outside factors. Increasing prices is vital for Sustainable Tourism, Wildlife Conservation, and Supporting Local Communities.
Below is an email I recently received from Joe Cloete, Shamwari CEO. Joe’s email is the most thorough and transparent discussion, I have seen, of what is happening in the Safari industry. With permission, I am sharing this information. I am honored to work in an industry with such examples of honesty and integrity.
Thank you Shamwari!
Zebras South Africa©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Dear Travel Partner
I thought it would be prudent to inform you about the challenges that the hospitality sector and, in particular, private game reserves are facing due to the current economic climate and some of the hard decisions we’re having to make as a result.
Having emerged from three years during which the Covid-19 pandemic devastated the sector and affected many people’s lives and livelihoods, intense cost pressures are now causing further serious headwinds.
It is apparent that we will face at least four to six stages of load shedding [rolling blackouts] and possibly worse throughout 2023/24. This means our back-up generators will have to run for between six and 12 hours a day.
Eskom [South Africa's state-owned electricty utility] has announced that when electricity is available it will be at a higher price. Tariffs will increase by 34% over the next two years. In addition, the price of fuel has increased by 52% year-on-year.
Given this we are investing in hybrid solar-energy solutions across the reserve during 2023/24. Unfortunately, while a judicious investment under the circumstances, the capital cost runs into millions of rands.
Other costs that are beyond our control are food-price inflation, which is at its highest in 14 years and a 9.6% increase in the national minimum wage from April 2023.
All these rising costs are putting incredible pressure on our business.
Shamwari has always prided itself on running a successful conservation project that is sustainable and self-funding. We get no help from Government, despite the considerable contribution private game reserves make to conservation. For example, a recent University of Stellenbosch study found that private reserves support the largest number of white rhino on the continent.
To continue this work and secure our future we only have two options: to increase revenue or to reduce costs.
Our revenue model is already finely tuned and there’s very little we can realistically do to grow income and offset the considerable and rising costs we now have to bear.
We have, however, reviewed our current seasonal rate structures. As of April 2024, we will offer two rate seasons i.e. Winter (April to September) and Summer (October to March). The winter rate will be the extension of April 2024 rate, which is already contracted with you. The Summer rate increases by 10% from October 2024.
The existing conservation levy of R150 per person daily is being increased to R650 per adult / R300 each for children between the ages of four and 11 years old. The levy is used to support local community projects, our considerable anti-poaching efforts and our Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. This has already been implemented with our direct bookings as of 01 March 2023.
Please note the new conservation levy applies to all bookings, direct or otherwise.
Our 2024/2025 rates are now available. To request Shamwari Private Game Reserve rates please fill out the form below.
I hope you will understand the unprecedented circumstances that have forced us to make such a difficult decision. I acknowledge and greatly appreciate your support, which has contributed to making Shamwari a 30-year conservation success story. I trust that we can rely on you to continue this legacy.
Best Regards
Joe Cloete
CEO
Shamwari, meaning "my friend" in Shona is the pinnacle of private game reserves and home to the coveted Big 5. Stretching over a vast, malaria free landscape, it offers an award-winning nature experience and is one of the largest private conservation initiatives in Southern Africa. Shamwari incorporates six lodges and an explorer camp: each unique in its own essence.
Video Credit: Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
#TravelTuesday Able Seaman Just Nuisance - YouTube Star?
During World War II, Just Nuisance began to ride the trains to Cape Town, with the Sailors on leave. With the threat of his being barred from the trains, the Commander-in-Chief intervened. Thus, it was decided that Just Nuisance would be enlisted into the Royal Navy as Able Seaman Just Nuisance, enabling his railway travels, for free, like other Sailors.
From the YouTube Channel, Drachinifel, comes Able Seaman Just Nuisance - A Great Doggo. This is a wonderful introduction to the story of AB Just Nuisance, whose statue you can visit in Simon’s Town, South Africa. The local museum also carries Just Nuisance souvenirs.
Click below to enjoy AB Nuisance’s adventures and heroics! Happy Travel Tuesday!
#TravelTuesday Great Day at Osan Air Base Spring Bazaar!
A bit windy, but wonderful talking to the Airmen & all who support them.
Click here to see my Military History Safari.
Happy Day! Safe Safari!
#TravelTuesday Grateful to ArmaSkin asking me to continue as Ambassador!
Whether at the Acropolis in Athens, on Safari in Africa,
or Hiking your Local Trails,
Armaskin has you covered!
Your blister protections socks!
EcoTraining South Africa ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
#TravelTuesday Thank you United on the RoK for the Feature
Why Perspective Is the Best Guide:
How Embracing Adventure Opened the Door to Flyga Twiga
Please turn to page 58.
