Tuesday 11 August 2015

Next Time Try An Elephant Safari

Experience African wilderness from a whole new angle, from the back of an elephant on an adventure safari.

Caprivi Strip: An Incredible Gate Away Experience

In the northeast of the country, Namibia reaches out to touch the great Zambezi. Here, in the Caprivi Strip, wide tropical rivers bear names to conjure with – the Zambezi, the Okavango, the Chobe and the Linyanti. The vegetation is lush and supports a dense population, making this a unique corner of Namibia which, in many ways, feels much more like a part of Botswana or Zambia than it does a part of the rest of Namibia.

On a trip across the Caprivi you will come across many villages and their inhabitants. Children herding goats wander back and forth across the road, women sell fruits, carvings, pots and pans from makeshift stalls, and everywhere you will be warmly welcomed. Even the Strip's main town, Katima Mulilo, is fairly small.
The town of Rundu gives access to the Caprivi Strip, meanwhile if you're driving past, consider dropping into Botswana for just a taste of that country during your trip.

National parks & reserves in the Caprivi Strip

There are five protected areas within the Caprivi Strip – and in all of them you'll find big game, including water-loving species – like hippo, crocodile, sable, waterbuck, reedbuck and buffalo – which are largely absent from the rest of Namibia.

Popa Falls Reserve

Popa Falls lie at a point where the Okavango River breaks up and drops 2.5m over a rocky section, caused by the first of five geological faults. Essentially they are a series of rapids, pretty rather than spectacular; even the warden at the entrance admits that many visitors are disappointed. Beyond the falls, the Okavango begins gradually to spread out across the Kalahari.

The area by the riverside at Popa Falls is thickly vegetated with tall riverine trees and lush green shrubs, which encourage waterbirds and a variety of small reptiles. Footbridges have been built between some of the islands, and it's worth an hour's stop to spend hopping among the rushing channels, or walking upstream a little where there's a good view of the river before it plunges over the rapids. In a few hours you can see all of this tiny reserve, and have a good chance of spotting a leguvaan (water monitor), a snake or two, and many different frogs.

Mahango National Park

The eastern boundary of Mahango National Park is the Okavango River, which is also the reserve's focus. Here the river forms channels between huge, permanent papyrus reedbeds. Adjacent are extensive floodplain areas, where you're quite likely to spot red lechwe or sable.

Beside these, on the higher and drier land of the bank, are wide belts of wild date palm-forest, as well as the lush riverine vegetation that you'd expect. Further from the river are dry woodlands and acacia thickets, dotted with a few large baobabs. This rich variety of greenery attracts an impressive range of animals including the water-loving buffalo, elephant, sable, reedbuck, bushbuck and waterbuck and the more specialist red lechwe and sitatunga. Good numbers of hippo and crocodile are also present.

Mahango is a great favourite with birdwatchers; more species can be found here than in any other park in Namibia. This variation should come as no surprise, as the reserve has one of Namibia's few wetland habitats, adjacent to large stretches of pristine Kalahari sandveld. Thus many water-loving ducks, geese, herons, plovers, egrets, kingfishers and various waders occur here, along with the dry-country birds that you'll find in the rest of Namibia. Okavango specialities like the slaty egret can sometimes be spotted, and for many birds – including the lesser jacana, coppery-tailed coucal and racket-tailed roller – Mahango marks the western limit of their distributions.

Bwabwata National Park

Bwabwata National Park (frequently pronounced 'Babatwa') covers a large chunk of the Caprivi Strip. This is a largely undeveloped park which, whilst home to much wildlife, has few facilities and little in the way of marked game-viewing side roads. Most visitors just pass through, saving their time for other parks. All that you can usually see from the road are a few raptors aloft and the occasional elephant dropping on the road – but drive carefully in case something does appear unexpectedly. The park is very sparsely populated, with a few settlements: Omega, Chetto, and Omega III.

Mudumu National Park

The more northerly of Eastern Caprivi's two reserves, Mudumu, covers 850km² of riverine forest south of Kongola. Bordered by the Kwando River on the west, the reserve has good populations of a large variety of animals. Together with Mamili and the Triangle, Mudumu is notable for its buffalo (otherwise uncommon in Namibia), roan and sable antelope (both generally uncommon species), the water-loving lechwe and sitatunga, and often large herds of elephant.

Mamili National Park

This unfenced swampland reserve of about 350km² was created shortly before Namibia's independence and consists largely of marshland, veined by a network of reed-lined channels. It includes two large islands: Nkasa and Lupala. Together with Mudumu National Park, it has the vast majority of Namibia's population of sitatunga, red lechwe and puku, as well as large herds of buffalo, and a recorded 430 bird species.
Mamili is located in the southwest corner of the eastern Caprivi Strip, where the Kwando sharply changes direction to become the Linyanti. As yet there are few facilities for visitors.
If you really want to see Mamili, then one easy way is probably to stay on the other side of the river, in one of several exclusive camps in Botswana, which overlook the park.

History of the Caprivi Strip

The Caprivi strip consists of a 450km strip of land from Rundu westwards to Katima Mulilo in Zambia and Chobe on the Botswana border. It's an unusual corridor in that it is really very different from the rest of the country.

Briefly delving into the history of the region sheds light on why it is so. Germany annexed South West Africa (modern day Namibia) in 1884. At the Berlin Conference of July 1890 Britain agreed to slice off the Caprivi corridor from their Protectorate of Bechuanaland (modern day Botswana) for Germany in exchange for the island of Zanzibar. Thus were lines on the map decided and they still hold today.

A Taste of Botswana: the Panhandle

If you plan to drive across the Caprivi Strip, then there are several possibilities which would allow you to drop from Namibia into Botswana for a few days.

For a fascinating introduction to the Okavango Delta, drive south of Mahango for an hour or so, into Botswana's Panhandle area.

Meanwhile, if you plan to continue through the Caprivi to Livingstone, then you will usually pass through Chobe National Park renowned for its high concentrations of elephant and buffalo – and where Muchenje Safari Lodge often makes a good stop to explore.

The Wild about Africa website has a large selection of small group camping and lodge safaris to Namibia, including some which visit the Caprivi Strip; all of which are backed by the expertise of the Expert Africa team.

What to See & Do

Botswana is world renowned as the premier safari destination in Africa. With nearly 40% its land reserved as unfenced national parks and game reserves teeming with abundant wildlife and wetlands, it's no surprise that safari activities are at the top of every vacationer's "must-do" list.

But a vacation in Botswana is not complete without making time to visit with local Batswana, explore Botswana's culture and heritage sights, and do a little shopping for that "just right" souvenir to remind you of your perfect Botswana vacation.

Top Things to Do

Experience a sundowner. Sip a cool drink and enjoy a glorious sunset at the end of a satisfying afternoon game drive.
Go on a walking safari - not for the faint-hearted but an exhilarating experience. In the hands of an experienced guide, you'll see nature in close-up, and may, if you're lucky, get thrillingly close to wild animals.
Climb on the back of an elephant for a safari trek to remember. As well as learning all about elephants, you may see zebras, giraffes, gazelles and other animals - with no distracting vehicle noise.
Float along on a mokoro, a traditional Okavango Delta canoe, expertly poled by a local guide who stands in the stern. Originally made from hollowed-out wood, but now just as likely to be fibre glass, they offer an unforgettable perspective.
Fly over the Kalahari Desert in a hot-air balloon, and experience the thrill of landing in an open floodplain.
Experience some of the best sport fishing in Botswana, in the Okavango Delta and Chobe river systems. You can also fish near Shashe, Bokaa or Gaborone.

Mountain bike through the bush of the Mashatu Game Reserve in the Tuli Block, stopping to watch passing elephants.
Take off from Maun by helicopter or light aircraft to get a bird's eye view (and take some amazing photographs) of the Okavango.
Experience Botswana's culture in Serowe, a village with historic royal cemetery; in Lobatse with its Livingstone Memorial and the Botswana High Court, and in Gabororne.
Roar across the Makgadikgadi Pans on a quad bike, reveling in the wide-open vistas.

Top Things to See

Spot antelopes in the Gaborone Game Reserve and the Mokolodi Nature Reserve, and giraffes striding through the Khutse Game Reserve. Be dazzled by flamingoes on the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Search for lions and leopards stalking their prey or just lazing around in the shade in the Moremi Game Reserve.
Steer clear of charging buffalo in Chobe National Park, and marvel at hippos, while watching out for crocodiles, along the Chobe River.
Grimace at rare brown hyenas in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier National Park, a bi-national Peace Park created on ancient animal migration routes between Botswana and South Africa.
Admire Botswana's remaining rhinos, carefully protected from poachers, at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary inSerowe.
Watch baboons playing in scattered rocky kopjes in the Savute area, the northern shore of the prehistoric lake that once covered most of Botswana.
Visit the Tsodilo Hills, considered a sacred site by the Bushmen; known to have been inhabited for at least 100,000 years, these isolated hills are decorated with thousands of rock paintings.
Venture into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Remote and virtually unexplored, it's a refuge both for animals and the country's few remaining Bushmen.
Gaze at the pot pourri of rocks, millions of years old, that make up the incredible scenery of the Tuli Block. For a longer gaze, stay at one of the private game ranches in this ruggedly beautiful countryside.
See the Okavango Delta, an extremely beautiful region of vast grass flats, low tree-covered ridges and narrow, shallow waterways opening into lagoons which fill with water during the annual flood.

Each of Botswana's geographic regions has its own unique appeal, attractions and activities. Want to learn more? More Highlights of What to See and Do are outlined in this section.

Safari Activities

Game Drives - Botswana's game drives, in open 4WD vehicles, offer superb wild-and-bird life viewing. Many experts claim game drives in Botswana are the best in all of Africa due to the quality of wildlife, the ability to drive off road, exclusivity with few other vehicles, as well as the ability to offer night drives in selct privatee reserves areas throughout the country.

Mokoro - Think gondolas on canals in Venice and you have the right mental picture. Long the local mode of transportation in the Delta, the mokoro is a dugout canoe that is powered by a guide standing up and poling through the wetlands of the Delta. The ultimate in relaxation and serenity while viewing wildlife at water level, a mokoro ride is paramount for a proper Delta experience.
Walking - Guided walking safaris are typically a two to three hour activity in the Delta-Chobe area. This type of safari provides a different, and highly recommended, perspective by moving slowly over the ground,

Interacting with the bushman culture - Genetic studies have shown that the Kalahari bushman are the original humans on earth. Learning their ancient survival skills is a unique and amazing opportunity, and you can experience their tremendous skills in action as they guide visitors to find lions, leopards, and other predators.

Horseback / elephant riding - There are just a few camps that offer horseback or elephant riding in Botswana safari areas, but for the adventurous this is an experience not to be missed.

Quad biking (a.k.a. ATV riding) -This is done at the Makgadikgadi Pans, Racing across the pans on quad bikes is an exhilarating experience. It is possible while quad biking in the pans to find stone age tools made thousands of years ago by ancient bushmen, you Quad biking is a seasonal activity depending on when the pans are dry but typically done between June 1 and the end of October. Once the rains come it is not possible to quad bike because it will damage the pans.

Mountain biking - Active adventure travelers can experience a safari - from a few hours to multiple days, on a guided cycling safari in the Tuli Block.
Hot Air Ballooning - This "uplifting" experience can be enjoyed in the Tuli region or in the Kalahari Desert.

Cecil The Slain Lion

I once visited a nature reserve in Mutare, Zimbabwe, that had an interesting sign that read as follows:

Leave nothing but footprints
Kill nothing but time
Take nothing but pictures

I remembered those words when i heard about Cecil's fate. A majestic and truly loved animal was lured out of its protected area to be killed by a trophy hunter from America.

The outrage that followed this killing is justified as killing lions for fun is not part of sustainable tourism.

Learn more about Cecil The Lion:

Cecil was a 13-year-old male Southwest African lion (Panthera leo bleyenberghi) who primarily lived in the Hwange National Park inMatabeleland North, Zimbabwe. He was a major attraction at the park and was being studied and tracked by the University of Oxford as part of a larger study.

Cecil was wounded with an arrow by Walter Palmer, an American recreational big-game hunter, was then tracked, and on 1 July 2015, approximately 40 hours later, killed with a rifle.The killing drew international media attention and sparked outrage among animal conservationists, politicians and celebrities, as well as a strong negative response against Palmer. Two other men are being prosecuted in relation to the hunt, and the Zimbabwean government has stated it will seek Palmer's extradition.

Background

Cecil in 2010

Cecil—named after Cecil Rhodes,and another lion believed to be Cecil's brother were noticed in Hwange National Park in 2008.In 2009, Cecil and his brother encountered an established pride, which resulted in a fight in which Cecil's brother was killed and both Cecil and the leader of the pride were seriously wounded; the leader was subsequently killed by park rangers because of the wounds he had received in the fight with Cecil. Cecil retreated to another part of the park where he eventually established his own pride which had up to 22 members. In 2013, Cecil was forced out from the area by two young male lions into the eastern border of the park.

There, he created a coalition with another male lion named Jericho to establish two prides which consisted of Cecil, Jericho, half a dozen females and up to a dozen cubs sired by Cecil or Jericho.^[14]

Cecil was the best-known animal in the national park and was identifiable by his black-fringed mane and a GPS tracking collar. The lions in the park, including Cecil, have been studied by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit at Oxford University as part of a scientific project that has run since 1999, and his movements had been followed since 2008. Of the 62 lions tagged during the study period, 34 have died. One of the researchers on the project suggested that Cecil had become so popular because he was accustomed to people, allowing vehicles sometimes as close as 10 metres (33 ft), making it easy for tourists and researchers to photograph and observe him.

It is estimated there are between 25,000 and 30,000 lions alive in Africa. In 2013, 49 hunted lion carcasses were exported from Zimbabwe as trophies; the 2005-2008 Zimbabwe hunt "off-take" (licensed kills) average was 42 lions per year.

Death[edit]

In June 2015, Walter Palmer, an American dentist and recreational game hunter from Minnesota, reportedly paid US$50,000 to a professional hunter / guide, Theo Bronkhorst, to enable him to kill a lion. Cecil was allegedly lured out of the sanctuary where he was shot and wounded with an arrow. He was tracked, and approximately 40 hours later was killed with a rifle. He was then skinned and his head was removed.When his headless skeleton was found by park investigators, his tracking collar was missing.

On 28 July the UK's The Daily Telegraph reported that independent sources had "seen a copy of the relevant hunting permit".

Zimbabwe National Parks have stated that neither Bronkhorst nor the landowner, Honest Ndlovu, on whose property Cecil was believed to have been shot, had the appropriate permit for a lion. On 31 July 2015, Agence France Presse AFP reported that the Zimbabwean hunt guide, Bronkhorst, declared: "We had obtained the permit for bow hunting, we had obtained the permit for the lion from the council. The two Zimbabweans were arrested by Zimbabwe police and accused of assisting Palmer in the killing. Palmer had already returned to the United States, where he issued a statement that he had "relied on the expertise of my local professional guides to ensure a legal hunt" and "deeply regret that my pursuit of an activity I love and practice responsibly and legally resulted in the taking of this lion".

For more information about visiting Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or an unforgettable safari adventure in Botswana or Namibia email us on info@falconsafaris.com

Thursday 6 August 2015

Incredible Vicotria Falls Wildlife

Besides the majestic Victoria Falls, tourists can also experience the African wildlife in its unspoilt habitat.

This is a preview of what awaits you on your Victoria Falls safaris:

The Mighty African Elephants are always close by.

The King of the Jungle...Watching Lions is one of the highlights of an African Safari

Squirrels sighting is common place

The legendary black rhino - Straight from pre-historic times

Buffalo soldier - Nothing is tougher

Warthogs - Another common sight

You can view leopards in the raw royal splendour

Somebody is watching me! Buffaloes galore

Naughty savanna monkeys will give you laughs with their antics!

Hippos!

Contact Falcon Safaris today on email info@falconsafaris.com for more information on how to book your next African safari

Victoria Falls Quick Facts

1. The spray from the falls make the River Zambezi Rain Forest the only place that receives rainfall 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

2. What is a Moonbow? Any ideas? Well, it is the rainbow formed by the reflection of moonlight on the water. At night, you will see the light from the moon forming a beautiful rainbow on the waters of the Victoria Waterfalls.

3. During the months of September to December, tourists enjoy 'toying with danger' on the edge of the waterfalls at the naturally formed Devil's Swimming Pool.

4. River Zambezi, the river that forms the Victoria Water Falls is the fourth largest African River after River Nile, River Congo and River Niger.

5 Although the most famous stretches of River Zambezi are in Zambia and Zimbabwe, the river traverses a whopping six countries that include; Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

6. The Victoria Waterfalls seems to dissect the River Zambezi almost by two. It sits halfway the 1677 miles from the source to the sea.

8. After all the factors are put into place; the Victoria Waterfalls are the largest in the world. They measure 5577 feet wide and varies in height from 262- 304 feet.

9. The first European to see the waterfalls was David Livingstone. In order to see the majestic waterfalls, he stood on a small outcrop christened the Livingstone Island that is on the edge of the waterfalls.

10. It is estimated that roughly 600 million cubic liters of water hit the ground every minute on the Victoria Waterfalls.

Saturday 1 August 2015

Game Drives in Victoria Falls

What is a game drive?

The word ‘gamedrive’ can be split into 2 different words: Game and Drive

‘Game’ is generally referred to as ‘animals that are not domesticated and are roaming the plains of Africa. In general we speak about ‘big game’ if we refer to animals like elephants, Cape buffaloes and other larger mammals.

‘Drive’ is referred to as a ‘drive with a vehicle’.

The combination of the words could therefore be described as a ‘drive with a vehicle in/over the plains of Africa in order to view these animals. Over time however, the word became mostly known as a ‘drive with a vehicle in Africa, in order to find (large) game for photographic reasons’.

Victoria Falls has a wide variety of game that includes the Big 5 as well as antelopes, crocodiles, velvet monkeys and hippo

Victoria Falls Safari Adventures

Falcon Safaris are the leading travel experts when it comes to crafting a truly memorable safari in Victoria Falls.

Here is what you are missing at Victoria Falls!

Bungee Jumping

This is an incredible bungi jumping experience like no other. You will jump off the bridge and dangle a few metres away from the roaring waters of the Zambezi river.

Walking with lions

This is more than a perfect picture moment for Facebook or Instagram! Walking with the King of the Jungle in the African bushes will leave you exhilarated and with an indelible memory of the experience.

This is one of the popular highlights of the Victoria Falls safari adventures.

Sunset Dinners on the Zambezi River

Want to experience a truly spell-binding romantic experience on your honeymoon or as an expression of your love to your partner? Then you must book a sunset cruise on the Zambezi. The wildlife and African night sky will provide a perfect backdrop.

Contact Falcon safaris to make your booking today!

We also tailor-make safari adventures according to your tastes or budget..We see ourselves more of as your travel companion than anything else!

Tuesday 7 July 2015

Dos and Dont's On An African Safari

It is essential to behave properly near wild animals, to respect the environment and avoid potentially dangerous situations. If you are camping on safari for the first time you may feel some anxiety by the possibility of elephants, lion, hyenas or other animals roaming freely around the campsite.

This does take some getting used to, and your first reaction may be to flee. It would be wise to discuss the best reaction response to an aggressive animal encounter with an experienced guide or animal expert -- preferably before you are out on safari. Different behavior is recommended for different animals, and it is important to get it right. However, in the unlikely event of an animal becoming aggressive towards you, do not panic, but stay calm and keep quiet. Whatever you do, don't run.

When visiting or staying in the animals' habitat, remember these rules:

Always sleep in your tent or vehicle. Make sure your tent zips up completely.
Do not sleep with legs or arms protruding from the tent.
Carry away or burn all rubbish. Many areas do not have rubbish disposal facilities.
Cigarette butts should be well extinguished and placed in a rubbish bag, not thrown out.
Make sure the campfire is well extinguished at the end of the evening, and cover it with sand.
Bury all fecal matter and burn all toilet paper.
In most parks and reserves you should camp in designated camping areas where basic amenities are provided. Outside the parks, reserves and wildlife management areas, you are free to camp anywhere you like.
Do not sleep on bridges or animal paths, particularly those of elephant or hippo.
Do not bathe in or drink from still bodies of water, as there is the danger of bilharzias.
In the Okavango, it is tempting to dive into a lagoon or stream, especially after a hot, dusty drive. This is forbidden. Not to mention there is the obvious danger of crocodiles or hippo.
Do not go near the water at night. If you want to wash or refresh yourself it is best to go to the water with another person. Have him or her stand near you and be on the lookout while you wash. Watch out for eyes or nostrils protruding from the water.
Be wary of animals with young. Never feed the animals or try to touch them. The feeding of monkeys, baboons and mongoose at various campsites has led to these animals' atrocious, and at times aggressive, harassing behavior.
In the Okavango and Chobe, where animal density is high, do not stray far from the campsite or walk in the bush, unless you are accompanying an experienced guide.

For more information contact us on +263 13 41841 or email info@falconsafaris.com

Best Times To Go On A Safari

April through early November offer the best times to view large numbers of animals as they migrate towards the waterways of the Okavango Delta. It is during this dry season period that the big game, wildlife and birds congregate around water sources - the natural waterholes and the borehole-fed dams - and are at their most visible.

But Botswana is truly a year-round tourist destination. The landscapes change dramatically with the seasons, and wildlife roams freely across the game reserves and parks, providing unique safari experiences year-round.

November and December - the calving months - are an excellent time to witness nature's own timetable of regeneration.

December through February/March is the wet summer season. Temperatures during these months can be quite hot and rain may make some roads muddy and impassable. During the rainy summer season, animals in many game areas disperse, offering a different safari experience for the visitor.

The wet season, from January to March, sees the migration of large numbers of game into the summer grazing areas, while the delta comes alive with sounds of hundreds of bird species.

In March and April thousands of zebras and other animals migrate towards the Savuti area of Chobe National Park.

Experience The Unforgettable Botswana Safaris

For more information contact Falcon Safaris on +2631341841 or email us on info@falconsafaris.com

Want To Explore Botswana On A Safari? Fast Facts

Botswana Fast Facts

Official Name: Republic of Botswana

Area: 582,000 sq. km. (224,710 sq. mi.), about the size of Texas.

Capital City (2001 census): Gaborone (pronounced ha-bo-ro-neh), pop. 186,007.

Other Urban Centers: Francistown (pop. 105,000); Lobatse (pop. 60,000), Selebi-Phikwe (pop. 50,000), Ghanzi, Mahalapye, Maun, and Kasane.

Terrain: Desert and savanna.

Climate: Mostly subtropical; semi-arid.

Nationality: Noun and adjective--Motswana (sing.), Batswana (pl.).

Population (est.): 1.84 million.

Annual population growth rate (2008): 1.434%.

Ethnic groups: Tswana 79%; Kalanga 11%; Kgalagadi, Herero, Bayeyi, Hambukush, Basarwa ("San"), Khoi, whites 10%.

Religions: Christianity 70%, none 20%, indigenous beliefs 6%, other 4%.

Primary Languages: English (official), Setswana (widely spoken)

Education: Adult literacy--81%.

Independence: September 30, 1966.

Type: Republic, parliamentary democracy.

Head of State: President Ian Khama Seretse Khama..

Nominal GDP (2007): $11.9 billion.

Real GDP growth rate (2007 est.): 4.8%.

Per capita nominal GDP (2007): $6,742.

Key Industry Sectors: Precious minerals mining, Tourism,. Agriculture, Construction, Beef processing, Chemical products production, Food and beverage production.

220-240 volts AC, 50Hz.

Pula. One pula = 100 thebe.

Private sector: Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm

Government offices: Monday to Friday 7:30am – 4:30pm

1 January: New Year's Day

2 January: Public Holiday

March/April (variable): Good Friday and Easter Monday

1 May: Labor Day

May (variable): Ascension Day

1 July: Sir Seretse Khama Day

July (variable): President Day and following day

30 September: Botswana Independence Day

1 October: Public Holiday

25 December: Christmas Day

26 December: Boxing Day

Location: Central southern Africa.

Time: GMT + 2 hours

International Dialing Code: +267

Geography

People

Government

Economy

Electricity/voltage

Currency

Business Hours

Public Holidays

Contact Falcon Safaris on +263 13 41841 or email info@falconsafaris.com

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Tuesday 11 August 2015

Next Time Try An Elephant Safari

Caprivi Strip: An Incredible Gate Away Experience