ADVENTURE SAFARIS
Botswana May 2009 — wanted an interesting hands-on participation adventure. Two years ago they enjoyed an overland camping expedition in Botswana's Okavango Delta.
Without hesitation, I suggested our amazing twelve day driving package through the south west sector of Angola. This is a small camping mobile expedition. The dates are fixed but routing is flexible and you travel in two Toyota Land-Cruisers. When you arrive at the Angolan border you know you are heading into something exotic because everything is suddenly Portuguese: the language, the signs, the architecture and the paperwork. Southwest Angola feels like northern Namibia but the mountains are bigger, the roads are tracks and the locals have not been exposed to commercialism for over thirty years. This expedition is not a wildlife safari. This trip is an explorer's dream adventure that traverses a path way off the beaten track.
They went on the adventure of a lifetime in May 2009.
Air Namibia schedule from Windhoek Eros to Ondangwa town.
1 night Ruacana Namibia 188km
1 night Ruacana Angola 38km
1 night bush riverbed camp 100km
1 night Iona National Park 155km
1 night Foz do Cunene (Cunene River Mouth) 170km
2 nights beach drive to Camp Flamingo 400km
2 nights Leba Pass drive and Tunda Vala escarpment 300km
1 night Otchinjau 300km
1 night Ondangwa Namibia 350km
Air Namibia schedule
Skeleton Coast September 2008 — wanted a one-week Namibian desert and Skeleton Coast experience. They had been on a Botswana flying safari with Eco Logical Africa and were looking for an interesting desert experience. Unfortunately, all our aeroplanes and pilots were busy over their September 2008 travel period. I worked a mix of private charters and a packaged trip. They were able to experience the Namib Rand desert, Sandwich Harbour, Swakopmund and the Skeleton Coast.
Air Namibia from London Gatwick to Windhoek
Private charter to Wolwedans
2 nights Wolwedans Dunes Lodge - Namib Rand Desert
Road transfer to Kulala Desert Lodge
1 night Kulala Desert Lodge - Sossousvlei
Private charter to Swakopmund
2 nights Hansa Hotel - Swakopmund
3 night Skeleton Coast fly-in package
Air Namibia from Windhoek to London Gatwick
Mozambique August 2008 — from London wanted information on scuba diving in Southern Africa. I sent them information on the popular South African dive sites and two diving operations in Mozambique - Benguerra in the Bazaruto Archipelago and Quilalea in the Quirimba Archipelago. After some deliberation and questions on facilities and access, they decided on Benguerra Lodge in the Bazaruto Archipelago. They travelled in early August 2008.
I have dived off three mile reef, snorkelled around Neptune's nursery and ended it all with a delightful picnic on Pansy Island. My couple dived off Bazaruto point, five mile reef, Paradise Island and the other regular archipelago sites. Next year they plan on diving in the Quirimba Archipelago.
Pelican Airways from Johannesburg's OR Tambo to Vilanculos return
Boat transfer from Vilanculos to Benguerra island return
7 nights of Benguerra Lodge's special honeymoon package
Southern Africa March 2008 — , seeking their first adventure to Africa, contacted Eco Logical Africa for a two week adventure safari in May. The couple, in their early forties, wanted interesting, unusual and exciting destinations. I sent them three adventure safari options; two flying safari itineraries and a self drive itinerary. We discussed the options of each. What each had to offer.
They opted for a privately guided flying safari.
This safari went way beyond the clients wildest dreams. Sentinel, on the Limpopo River, was a highlight because of the dinosaur and archaeological sites.
SAA Johannesburg to Harare
2 nights Chikwenya - Lower Zambezi Zimbabwe
2 nights Musango - Lake Kariba Zimbabwe
2 nights Mahenya Lodge - south east lowveld Zimbabwe
2 nights Sentinel - Limpopo River Zimbabwe
2 nights Mashatu Tented Camp - Limpopo Valley Botswana
2 nights San Camp - Makgadigadi Pans Botswana
2 nights Mombo Camp - Okavango Delta Botswana
Air Botswana Maun to Johannesburg
Southern Africa January 2008 — that were on safari with Eco logical Africa last year emailed me for another adventure safari. There were seven adults in the party and they were interested in two weeks during June or July. They wanted the Skeleton Coast experience, Mana Pools and a visit to the Tsodilo Hills in Botswana. For the Tsodilo Hills, I booked two nights at Ngepi and did a day trip into Botswana for the hills.
The croc-hippo cage pool at Ngepi was a major hit. These clients have booked their next adventure with Eco Logical Africa.
SAA Johannesburg to Windhoek connecting to Ondangwa on Air Namibia
3 nights Skeleton Coast Camp - Skeleton Coast Namibia
1 night Okahirongo Lodge - Purros Namibia
2 nights Ongava Tented Camp - Etosha Pans Namibia
2 nights Ngepi - Caprivi Strip Namibia
1 night Ntwala Luxury Lodge - Impalila Island Namibia
3 nights Mana Pools - Mana Pools National Parks Zimbabwe
SAA Harare to Johannesburg
Southern Africa November 2007 — contacted Eco Logical Africa after reading an article on flying safaris in a magazine called Travel Africa. The Australians wanted an adventurous three week safari across Southern Africa in September. Availability was restrictive and I designed their itinerary on wilderness diversity and adventure.
The highlights of their safari were walking in Hwange and the boat cruises on Lake Kariba.
SAA Johannesburg to Windhoek
1 night Little Kulala - Sosousvlei Namibia
1 night Swakopmund Hansa Hotel - Namibia
2 nights Tubu Tree - Okavango Delta Botswana
2 nights Selinda - Linyanti Explorations Botswana
1 night Victoria Falls Hotel - Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
2 nights The Hide - Hwange National Park Zimbabwe
2 nights Musango - Lake Kariba Zimbabwe
2 nights Sausage Tree - Lower Zambezi Zambia
2 nights Tafika - Luangwa National Park Zambia
2 nights Kaya Mawa - Lake Malawi Malawi
2 nights Moja - Niassa National Park Mozambique
2 nights Quilalea Island - Quirimba Archipelago Mozambique
SA Airlink Pemba to Johannesburg
Botswana September 2007 — , in their mid fifties, are interested in a 12-day Botswana adventure in September. They were referred to Eco Logical Africa by past clients. Happy to say everyone we have on safari is recommending others to us.
Emails flew back and forth. I offered the choice of a Botswana Wilderness Safaris ten night package or a privately guided flying adventure as detailed below. Both couples opted for the privately guided adventure. But, as they said, it's good to have options.
I started the trip in Botswana's Limpopo Valley because of the amazing wildlife diversity. Everyone becomes a kid again here. Look at that? No look over there! I have a 100% wild Leopard sighting.
The Makgadigadi Pan experience is a refreshing abstract contrast to normal Botswana safari wildlife destinations. From San Camp we fly directly into the heart of the Okavango Delta for two nights of Delta magic.
The Savuti channel is a winner in the dry early spring period because the extensive wildlife herds concentrate on the channel for grazing and water.
I always finish a safari at a destination that will facilitate convenient connections for the journey home. Victoria Falls is ideal for this inward or outward connection.
The safari was a huge success. If I learned one thing it is we should have spent more time in the Okavango.
SA Airlink to Polokwane and transit to the Limpopo Valley runway.
3 nights Mashatu Main Camp - Limpopo Valley
2 nights San camp - Makgadigadi Pans
2 nights Chief's Camp - Chief's Island Okavango Delta
2 nights Savuti Camp - Linyanti area
1 night Victoria Falls Hotel - Victoria Falls
SAA one way connection from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg.
South Africa April 2007 — asked many agents and Eco Logical Africa for a ten day safari linking Victoria Falls and the Indian Ocean in April.
I sent them our standard "milk run" itinerary and they accepted it with an extension to Cape Town for three nights.
We saw lots of general wildlife with the highlight being Lebala where a large crocodile stole a buffalo from four lions that were feeding on it.
SAA Johannesburg to Victoria Falls
2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel - Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
2 nights Lebala - Kwando Concession Botswana
2 nights Chitabe - Okavango Delta Botswana
2 nights Mashatu Tented Camp - Limpopo Valley Botswana
2 nights Azura Luxury Lodge - Bazaruto Archipelago Mozambique
Pelican Airlines Vilanculos to Johannesburg.
SAA Johannesburg to Cape Town
Southern Africa June 2006 — contacted Eco Logical Africa with an enquiry for two couples that were interested in a privately guided walking safari. The Australians wanted ten days in different wilderness areas. I suggested June as this period is in our winter which makes any physical activity more comfortable. I also suggested Zimbabwe because the wilderness areas are fantastic for walking and the Zimbabwe guides are the best in Africa.
The clients have booked another safari for the following winter and said that the safari was way beyond their wildest expectations.
SAA Johannesburg to Victoria Falls return
2 nights The Hide - Hwange National Park Zimbabwe
2 nights Musango Lodge - Lake Kariba Zimbabwe
3 nights Chitake Springs - Mana Pools Zimbabwe
2 nights Chikwenya - Mana Pools Zimbabwe
1 night Victoria Falls Hotel - Victoria Falls Zimbabwe