Thank you to USAA and National Military Spouse Network (NMSN) for the opportunity to share my Military Spouse career journey!
My conversation with Sue
was so much fun!
#WildlifeWednesday Why my passion for Humans and Wildlife coexisting? My Grandfather!
As many know, I was raised by my Maternal Grandparents. My Grandfather spent part of his youth on a Farm in rural Southwest Virginia. In order to help me sleep, my Grandaddy told me “Big Black Bear” stories.
Each story was about how a Big Black Bear would have some sort of interaction with humans. Each encounter would be resolved without anyone, bear or human, getting hurt. Peacefully co-existing.
Sometimes the Farmer would find the Big Black Bear in his orchard. When the parents went to town, the Bear would get in the house. The children would hide, watching the Bear eating their food. One of my favorites was coming upon a Bear, on our way to go fishing.
I was raised believing there was a way to live with Wildlife. Now, my business is dedicated to African Wildlife Conservation through Safari Adventures.
I think my Grandaddy would be proud.
Big Black Bear Stories © Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Commissioned Artist: Kazakhstani Korean Tanya Kim
Great Day at #Juneteenth 2024 Camp Humphreys South Korea
#TravelTuesday Updated Safari Guides are Now Up!
Samburu Jackal ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
#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 Chef’s Garden Sharing Kenya’s Culinary Heritage
#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!
Happy First #TravelTuesday of 2024! Pleased to announce my New Uganda and Rwanda DMC Ellington Safaris!
Last November, during our time in Kenya, I met Jenny and Shaun of Ellington Safaris to solidify our Partnership. Ellington Safaris is now Flyga Twiga’s Destination Management Company for Uganda and Rwanda.
They join my strong team of DMCs including Nikki and Collin of Southern Africa 360, and Diana and Richard of Adventure Expeditions Kenya.
2024 is quickly booking up - but there is still room & we can work with you to make your dream Safari a reality!
As always, Happy Day! Safe Safari!
#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
#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!
Happy #TravelTuesday The Shoutout that moved me to tears this morning!
Kenya Wildlife Services & Maasai© Flyga Twiga™ LLC
#WildlifeWednesday Wildlife Conservation, Sustainable Tourism & Friendship in Challenging Times
Great Juneteenth Celebration at Camp Humphreys, South Korea! #celebratefreedom #safari #wildlifeconservation
#TravelTuesday So proud to be an ArmaSkin Ambassador! Please use promocode Flyga20 to get 20% off!
My favorite Aussie product! If you’ve ever suffered from blisters, you know how devastating it can be.
Please visit the ArmaSkin Store to find out more about this amazing product!
ArmaSkin at Acropolis of Athens, Greece ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
#TravelTuesday Sustainable Tourism - Who's Really Sustainable?
Great event at Camp Humphreys Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Festival!
#TravelTuesday New! South Africa Girls Getaway Safari
Penguins South Africa ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
#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.