|
The Safari company we use have become the world’s first recipient of the newly introduced World Legacy Awards, in the Nature Travel Category, as created by National Geographic Traveler and Conservation International.
This unique award system is set to recognize and profile leading examples of sustainable tourism and nature conservation efforts around the world, where environmentally and socially responsible tourism practices are helping protect and nurture our planet’s precious natural and cultural resource-base.
Chitabe Camp and Chitabe Trails Camp offers a two night Chitabe Walking Trail experience for those who want to be closest to nature.
Guests will be accompanied by an armed and licensed "accredited" walking guide who will take them on the informative and adventurous walk through the grasslands and woodlands of the Okavango Delta.
The party will sleep out at two of the hides which are located in the Chitabe concession.
Both hides accommodate guests on elevated platforms and each guest will sleep in the hide under a mosquito net, but still being able to gaze up towards the spectacular African night sky.
Long drop toilets and hot bucket showers will provide the ablution facilities.
Dinners at the hide will be home cooked style meals on the open camp fire.
Beautifully appointed dining tables and chairs will help complete the dining experience.
The two hides at Chitabe are located in very different habitats.
One hide is situated on the edge of a floodplain which often contains water and enables one to see the wet side of the Okavango.
The other hide is within the woodland on the edge of an extensive pan system, which often sees an abundance of elephant activity.
The walking trail experience allows guests to get their feet on the ground and really feel, smell and touch Africa.
We will walk for several hours a day, but it is not a strenuous walk and can be enjoyed by almost all guests.
The absolute silence, except for the nocturnal sounds of the Okavango's insects and wildlife which one can experience by sleeping "out in the bush" is a magical one that all guests will mark as one of the highlights of their African safari.
Guests can spend the first and/or their last night back at Chitabe Camp or Chitabe Trails Camp.
Contact us for rates this package can be added onto other Safari packages.
HEALTH
There are a few basic health matters that require care and attention. We are obviously not medical practitioners and the following points are recommended guidelines only. Please consult your doctor and also check with your health department prior to departure for any changes in health regulations.
Water
It is very important that you drink plenty of water especially during the warmer months. It is generally recommended that guests drink at least 2 to 3 litres (4 to 6 pints) of water per day to limit the effects of dehydration. This excludes tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, which act as diuretics and can actually contribute to dehydration.
Generally, water throughout Southern Africa is safe to drink directly from the tap. However, bottled water is readily available, so please do not allow yourself to become dehydrated. INSURANCE
It is a condition of booking, that the sole responsibility lies with the guest to ensure that they carry the correct comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover themselves, as well as any dependants/travelling companions for the duration of their trip to Southern Africa.
This insurance should include cover in respect of, but not limited to, the following eventualities: cancellation or curtailment of the safari, emergency evacuation expenses, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, damage/theft/loss of personal baggage, money and goods.
AIR TRANSFERS
Should your journey with us include any non-scheduled airline flights, please be advised that we offer two types of air transfer - either a private charter where your party has sole use of the aircraft, or a scheduled air transfer, where guests share the aircraft with others.
Scheduled air transfers.
Unless specifically requested to do otherwise, we will automatically book you onto the scheduled air transfer with other guests.
When we package an itinerary using scheduled air transfers, we book the aircraft and pilot through licensed charter companies. This portion of your trip is therefore sub-chartered. All the flight times between lodges are arranged a few days before the flights take place so that there are not endless schedule changes. The lodge or camp where you are staying will be advised of your departure time the day before travel and will ensure that you are at the airstrip on time.
We cannot be more specific about the exact timings of these air transfers as the charter companies are compelled to service their aircraft every 100 hours. This could mean that all arrangements pertaining to air travel have to be rescheduled at the last moment thus making flight times changeable. At certain times of the year it may be necessary (for safety reasons) to transfer you during the cooler times of the day, in early morning or late afternoon only. Once the departure times have been set, they usually cannot be changed, without incurring considerable extra cost.
Private air transfers
If specifically requested, then private air transfers will be confirmed for your holiday at an additional cost. This service, being private, usually allows more flexibility on flight times and luggage restrictions (dependant on the number of guests and size of the aircraft).
Please note that if combining scheduled and private air transfers, then the specified luggage restriction for scheduled transfers will apply.
LUGGAGE ON SCHEDULED FLIGHTS
Scheduled airlines generally carry a weight restriction of 20kg (44lbs) per economy class traveler in one suitcase / bag as well as one item of hand baggage (the total dimensions - height, width and length may not exceed 115cm or 45 inches).
Please note that if combining scheduled airline flights and air transfers, then the specified luggage restriction for air transfers will apply. LUGGAGE ON BUSH AIR TRANSFERS
For these types of fly-in safaris:
- Luggage is restricted to 12kg (26 lbs) maximum per person for travel to Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Air transfers in South Africa have a luggage restriction of 20kg (44 lbs) maximum per person.
- Only soft bags (no hard suitcases can be transported as they physically cannot fit into the aircraft) will be accepted. This includes camera equipment and hand luggage.
- Passengers weighing more than 100kg (220 lbs) must please advise us in advance as an extra seat will then have to be costed in to the package for safety purposes.
These luggage restrictions for luggage sound like very little but bear in mind the following:
- Most safari camps / lodges and hotels provide basic toilet amenities
- Laundry can be done on a daily basis (and many camps provide this service free of charge but hotels do charge a nominal fee)
- Mainly casual clothing is required As no formal clothes are needed throughout most of southern Africa, we recommend that you limit your luggage to the basics. More formal attire is usually required only when staying in the more prestigious city hotel establishments or on any of the luxury trains. On a game safari, casual clothing is the order of the day. We have included a suggested packing list at the end of this document for your information. PHOTOGRAPHY
The choice of the correct camera equipment and film will determine the quality of your photographs on the trip. For good photography of birds and animals, a good SLR camera and telephoto lens is necessary. A zoom lens can be extremely useful on safari and the minimum recommended size is 200mm.
Consideration should be given before travelling with any lens bigger than 400 mm as most interesting shots are taken using hand held equipment. The new high-resolution digital cameras are outstanding and give great quality images, especially if you are using a digital camera body which takes normal camera lenses.
Camera bodies like the Canon D60 and 1D are superb. The advantage of digital photography is that one can get instant feedback and adjustments can be made in the field to your techniques to ensure that your photographs are the quality that you would like.
Colour reversal film (slides) will give far better quality than prints. The guides have found that they are getting the best results using Fuji film. Fuji has brought out a good high-speed film that gives good colour with very little grain (less so than any of their competitors).
This is especially useful when using a big lens in low light situations. The guides' personal preference is the slower film (either 50 or 100 ASA) as this gives almost perfect quality for normal light. However, you may consider going to 200 ASA for a larger lens in low lighting conditions.
The new Fuji 400, we believe is giving great results too. The only disadvantage with the low ASA film is that you need a tripod for the early morning and evening shots.
IMPORTANT: BRING SPARE FILM (ALTHOUGH IT IS AVAILABLE IN MOST CAMPS/LODGES) AND A SPARE CAMERA BATTERY.
RESPECTING WILDLIFE & SAFETY WHEN STAYING AT SAFARI CAMPS/LODGES
- The wild animals are not like those found in theme parks - they aren't tame.
- Most of the safari camps are unfenced and dangerous animals can (and do!) wander through the camps. Many of the animals and reptiles you will see are potentially dangerous. Attacks by wild animals are rare. However, there are no guarantees that such incidents will not occur. None of the touroperators or this agency or any group of companies, their staff members, associates, agents, or their suppliers can be held liable for any injuries caused during an incident involving the behaviour of wild animals.
- Please listen to the camp staff and guides. The safety precautions need to be taken seriously, and strictly adhered to.
- Don't go wandering off on your own without a guide - even to your rooms. After retiring to your rooms at night, don't leave them.
- Observe animals silently and with a minimum of disturbance to their natural activities. Loud talking on game drives can frighten the animals away.
- Never attempt to attract an animal's attention. Don't imitate animal sounds, clap your hands, pound the vehicle or throw objects.
- Please respect your driver-guide's judgment about proximity to lions, cheetahs and leopards. Don't insist that he take the vehicle closer so you can get a better photograph.
A vehicle driven too close can hinder a hunt or cause animals to abandon a hard-earned meal.
- Litter tossed on the ground can choke or poison animals and birds and is unsightly.
- Never attempt to feed or approach any wild animal on foot. This is especially important near lodges or in campsites where animals may have become accustomed to human visitors.
- Refrain from smoking on game drives. The dry African bush ignites very easily, and a flash fire can kill animals.
LAUNDRY
Laundry can be done at most camps. This service is complimentary at most managed camps but there may be a nominal charge at other establishments. The camp staff will not wash underwear, due to prevailing local traditions in the country.
|
