“We are proud to have launched a camp aimed at uplifting young women. It is important that young women believe in themselves and understand that they too have an important role to play in the conservation of the country’s untouched wilderness areas, which continue to positively impact local economies”, says Sue Goatley, CITW Zambezi Programme Coordinator.

While the primary focus of the camp was on environmental education, life skills, business and enterprise in communities, great emphasis was placed on women. By talking about their personal life journeys, Barbara Murasiranwa and Prudence Chinyemba motivated the learners and showed them that with passion and determination anything is possible. Barbara is a successful businesswoman based in Victoria Falls, and Prudence works as a Wilderness Air flight dispatcher while she fits in some flying time in her quest to attain her commercial pilot’s license.

“On the last day of the camp, our girls teamed up with 12 students from The Traveling School, an organisation based in the United States that aims to empower teenage girls by providing them with an overseas high school semester of experiential learning. It was such a pleasure watching the girls take advantage of the opportunity and make the best of the time they had together, as both groups had much to teach and learn from each other”, notes Sue.

“Wilderness Safaris’ aim has always been to restore and conserve thriving populations of both black and white rhino in Botswana. With funding from the Wilderness Wildlife Trust and on the ground support that we provide, and the unique collaboration of private and governmental enterprise, this vision continues to be sustainable”, said Kim Nixon, Wilderness Safaris Botswana MD.

This latest operation involves darting rhino for the purpose of ear notching, DNA collection and transmitter fitting, so that the animals can be tracked and kept safe. The core team on the ground comprises veterinarians, capture personnel and pilots from DWNP, Rhino Conservation Botswana (RCB), Rhinos Without Borders (RWB) and the Botswana Defence Force. The Wilderness Wildlife Trust was able to contribute all the required flight time and veterinary drugs, as well as logistical support from Wilderness Safaris camps and dedicated rhino monitoring teams.

The operation takes place with speed and precision. Once a rhino is located by a fixed-wing aircraft, it is darted from a helicopter, and the ground team and veterinarians move in quickly to notch the ear, collect a DNA sample and fit a tracking device. The veterinarians are helicopter based, whilst the ground teams are equipped with all the necessary ropes, water, drills and drill bits, acrylic and other items required to fit transmitters. This group is assisted by government officials and nearby lodges, as well as by local Wilderness Safaris, RWB and RCB teams.

“It is from the air that one can truly appreciate the wonders of the Linyanti, which is why we’re thrilled to launch this new activity for our guests on the day that King’s Pool reopens. This gives us another opportunity to share the wonders of the Linyanti with our guests, whilst at the same time making a positive difference to the conservation of this vast, pristine concession. Not only do the helicopter flights offer life-changing adventures, they will also perform an additional security role; assisting our conservation team with wildlife monitoring and monthly wildlife counts in the more remote areas of the Linyanti”, commented Kim Nixon, Wilderness Safaris Botswana MD.

Although based at King’s Pool, the helicopter flight is available from all Wilderness Safaris camps in the Linyanti. Departing between 11h00 and 15h00 daily when wildlife density is high, the scenic flight will soar along the last clearly visible fault line of the Great African Rift Valley and out over the Linyanti wetlands to the river, where massive pods of hippo and huge crocodiles splash and roll. Sitatunga look up from the reeds and elephant in their hundreds are grey spots amongst the green and khaki. It then follows the snaking curves of the Savute Channel from its source, landing at the headwaters, for guests to celebrate the huge densities of game seen from the air with a glass of champagne before returning to camp.

“We are thrilled with our elegant new camp, which is looking incredible thanks to the collective efforts of our Rwanda team and lead designers, Caline Williams-Wynn and Nilfah Adams from Artichoke. Our Magashi team has already started to work their magic and exceed our guests’ expectations, and we are looking forward to sharing the area’s wonders with many more guests in the future”, commented Ingrid Baas, Wilderness Safaris Rwanda General Manager.

Comprising a traditional East African “safari under canvas” feel, Magashi’s six airy tented suites and main guest areas have been designed to take full advantage of the beautiful wilderness surrounds and tranquil, uninterrupted views over Lake Rwanyakazinga. Paying homage to Rwandan culture through locally-inspired interior design and architecture, Magashi truly celebrates the country’s inspiring renaissance – a huge part of which has seen the reinvention of traditional textiles and ceremonies in a modern context.

Click here for additional architectural and design details on Magashi.

“By rebuilding King’s Pool, we are showcasing our commitment to driving sustainable ecotourism in the Linyanti – a truly remarkable wildlife destination”, commented Kim Nixon, Wilderness Safaris Botswana MD.

“And to celebrate the romance of the camp’s history, we will ensure that the new look retains the traits of a traditional safari camp, but with a renewed authentic, yet classic, Botswana flair”, added Lead Designer, Caline Williams-Wynn from Artichoke.

A thatch roof structure is therefore consistent throughout the camp to blend in with the surrounds, and the ancient Batswana craft of weaving is expressed in a number of architectural details – the imprint design applied to the camp’s screen walls, woven rope detail on vertical supports, as well as on the balustrades. “We’ve also carried the basket theme throughout the interiors, and will be embroidering abstract images of baskets on the scatter cushions, hand-painting basket murals on the walls, and using various design elements on the curtains, as well as installing impressive woven chandeliers in the dining room”, Caline noted.

Special care has also been taken to balance privacy, safety and comfort whilst still “inviting the outside in”, to create a signature immersive Wilderness Safaris experience. Thus, the main area, deck and bar offer uninterrupted views, with closer proximity to the water, while parts of the roof extend down to ensure privacy.

“We are thrilled to have introduced this new service to our Bush Buddy programme in the Zambezi region. Our Bush Buddies are chosen based on the extensive experience they all have in childcare. They have now received additional specialist training on the educational aspects of looking after children in the bush, to ensure that children get the most out of their Wilderness journey – learning about wildlife and the natural environment while still having fun”, commented Dean Morton, Wilderness Safaris Zambezi Operations Manager.

This complimentary service is available on request prior to arrival. The Bush Buddy arrives a day before the family to ensure that all the necessary arrangements have been made before they arrive in camp. After meeting the family, the Bush Buddy will discuss the wide range of entertaining and educational activities available, tailor-making each experience to suit the children’s ages and individual interests.

Daytime activities may include nature walks, where the Bush Buddy will explain the minutiae of the natural world often missed during game drives, tracking lessons, bird- and animal-call identification, treasure hunts, creating natural sculptures out of collected materials, painting with natural dyes, and jewellery making. In the evenings, children are introduced to frogging, star-gazing and storytelling. All activities are supervised by the Bush Buddy, who does everything they can to ensure the children have a life-changing safari adventure.

Wilderness Safaris began 35 years ago, offering mobile camping safaris as the cornerstone of its operation. “It has remained our passion to seek out prime wilderness areas and to share these extraordinary natural wonders with our guests. This is why we are so excited about offering these unique, tailor-made, fully-serviced camping adventures in Namibia, going back to our roots and offering a truly authentic bush adventure”, commented Annah Kekana, Wilderness Safaris Explorations Reservations Manager.

Suggested camping itineraries include a 4-night/5-day serviced camping safari in Namibia’s Kaokoland. The dry river systems of the arid north-west are vital oases for the elephant and other desert-adapted wildlife that eke out an existence here. This is pure adventure, following sinuous riverbeds in search of an unexpected and delightful diversity of life at every turn.

Another 4-night/5-day suggested camping safari explores the exclusive 450 000-hectare Palmwag Concession in north-west Namibia. Guests track desert-adapted black rhino in the company of an experienced guide and Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) trackers.

These tailor-made camping safaris can also be shortened or extended, or even combined with any of Wilderness Safaris’ camps in this area of Namibia, including Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp, Serra Cafema, Damaraland Camp and Desert Rhino Camp, offering the perfect combination of a rustic bush experience with luxury and style.

“When we originally built Chitabe over 20 years ago, it was the first completely elevated camp in the Delta”, commented Helene Hamman, Chitabe CEO. “Since then we have welcomed and created a lifetime of memories for many guests and are absolutely delighted to reveal the camp’s new look and feel to raise the bar yet again and continue to exceed our guests’ expectations”.

Created by lead architects Mark Thomas and Chris Bisset, in collaboration with Henry Fagan Engineers, Chitabe’s new design features sinuous curves and soft lines inspired by the graceful meandering of the Okavango waterways. Nestling in the natural beauty of Chitabe Island, the walkways now feature low-footprint longer spans and a more delicate-looking structure that weaves through the treeline.

The main area features both indoor and under-star dining experiences whilst a unique, elevated white Kalahari sand deck forms the heart of Chitabe. A new lap pool, relaxation lounge and a gym provides guests with healthy exercise opportunities while moments for introspection will be found in the new library. An evaporative cooling system has also been installed in the main areas to offer guests ample cool spaces to escape to during the warmer summer months.

Staying true to its philosophy of ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’, all of the hardwood timber from the original structure was repurposed and used to create the fire of a million stars, decorative cladding and ceilings. “The beautiful and creative use of our old decking serves as a reminder of where we all started”, Helene added. “We are confident that the new Chitabe will be a huge success, and are looking forward to sharing its magic with our guests and trade partners”.

The new Chikwenya Camp, situated at the confluence of the Sapi and Zambezi Rivers on the eastern boundary of the Park, will be opening for guests on 1 October 2018.

Overlooking the Zambezi River and the Rift Valley escarpment in the distance, Chikwenya will open as a six-tented camp. The canvas tents are erected on low wooden decks and pine walkways link them to the raised main area. A lounge, dining and bar area offer a place of hospitality and relaxation, and a pool and deck and fireplace offer alternate spaces to enjoy the scenery and passing wildlife.

The camp is situated on a private concession, offering guests exclusive access to the lower reaches and mouth of the Sapi River as well as Chikwenya Island. The varied habitat, from verdant riverine forest to floodplain grasslands, attracts a range of wildlife in considerable numbers. Key mammals seen include buffalo, elephant, kudu, zebra, waterbuck, hippo, lion, wild dog, leopard and occasionally nyala, while species such as black-throated wattle-eye, red-necked falcon, eastern nicator, Narina trogon and Livingstone flycatcher make this a birder’s paradise.

All safari activities at Chikwenya will be led by skilled guides, and include interpretive day and night game drives, guided nature walks, boating and catch-and-release fishing (canoeing will be available for the 2019 season, which will run from 1 April to 15 November).

When North Island was abandoned in the 1970s following the collapse of the coconut industry, many unwanted, non-indigenous and intrusive species of flora and fauna remained behind. These unwanted elements threatened the island’s indigenous plants, decimated the bird life and dried up the marshland that is the lifeblood of the island. Wilderness Safaris assumed the challenge of taking the long road towards the restoration of North Island by introducing the Noah’s Ark rehabilitation programme which has played a pivotal role in the restoration and conservation of the island’s precious biodiversity over the past 21 years.

“Whilst the Noah’s Ark Project has been a tremendous success to date, restoring the island to its former glory and paving the way for the return of at least three indigenous and threatened bird species, there is still much to be done to ensure the ongoing preservation of the island. We are therefore thrilled to support Wilderness Safaris’ Travel with Purpose campaign by hosting this exclusive itinerary on North Island in order to raise funds for the Noah’s Ark Project”, says Bruce Simpson, North Island Managing Director.

The six-day journey will be led by a variety of experts, including conservation scientist, Dr Gérard Rocamora from Island Conservation Society and Dr Darren Pietersen from SAFRING, as well as North Island’s Conservation Coordinator, Tarryn Havemann, and Environmental Manager, Carl (CJ) Havemann. In addition to actively participating in a Seychelles white-eye survey, collecting data, setting up mist nets and then capturing and releasing the birds on Grand Soeur Island, guests will be able to observe the various other conservation initiatives that make up the island’s Noah’s Ark Project, including the island’s giant Aldabra tortoises, island rehabilitation programmes and monitoring the growth in nesting sea turtles.

“All funds raised from this itinerary will be directly channelled into specific initiatives that form part of the greater Noah’s Ark Project, such as the Seychelles magpie robin introduction, Seychelles white-eye relocation, marine conservation and genetic diversity introductions. As neither North Island nor Wilderness Safaris will receive any payment or mark-up from this trip, we are looking forward to hosting like-minded conservationists who realise the importance of protecting our planet’s pristine wilderness areas, which forms part of our core values”, added North Island’s General Manager, Jonathan Lithgow, who will be hosting this Travel with Purpose journey.

The Noah’s Ark Project is one of the most ambitious island rehabilitation programmes ever undertaken by a private company and a handful of NGO partners. An entire island ecosystem that was degraded and overrun with invasive plant and animal species was restored to its original natural abundance. In an ongoing project lasting 21 years, North Island has painstakingly removed alien plant and animals, planting over 100 000 indigenous seedlings from the island’s nursery, and bringing in indigenous fauna such as the Seychelles white-eye, one of the rarest birds in the world that has been saved from extinction.