 Welcome to our first edition of Drumbeats, our quarterly publication that is designed to bring the pulse of Africa’s bush into the middle of your busy lifestyle. In this edition, our focus is on Southern Africa; the gloriously gorgeous countries that occupy the lower third of the African continent. Together, they offer adventurers some of the most diverse travel experiences to be found anywhere on the globe. Enjoy! — Anne Bellamy, President |
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 Susannah Zani, Safari Consultant, ext. 111 Susannah joined African Travel 6 years ago with a wealth of knowledge, having both lived and extensively traveled through Eastern and Southern Africa. She especially enjoys creating Adventure and Luxury itineraries, sharing her destination knowledge, and introducing travelers to Africa’s colorful cultures, phenomenal scenery and unique wildlife. |
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 In this issue you will find several words that are this color green. When these words are put together with the green words that WILL APPEAR in the Fall issue of the newsletter, they will spell out a sentence. If you submit that sentence to us correctly by Dec. 31 2004, you will be entered in a drawing to win a free safari! December’s issue will tell you how to submit your SAFARI SCRAMBLE SENTENCE TO BE ENTERED IN THE DRAWING. |
 Dave Herbert, Director |
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| Clothing
Tip: Choose your safari clothing
according
to the Bush Color Codes: wear neutral colors such as
earth
tones and soft pastels. White, black and primary colors are
a no
no! Believe it or not, wildlife can distinguish the
intensity and
contrast of different hues. Language Tip: Despite the fact that all the African safari countries are fluent in English, one might be influenced by celebrity, Johnny Carson, who when traveling to Kenya many years ago became fluent in Swahili. Our suggestion to make your trip more enjoyable is try learning some local words. For South Africa try “Good Morning” in Xhosa which is Molo pronounced maw-law or in Zulu which is Sawubona pronounced sah-woo-baw- nah. Or for Botswana, in Tswana, one would say Dumela pronounced doo-mee-lah. |
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 A safari to Africa is a life-long ‘dream come true’. African Travel, Inc. is dedicated to assisting our customers create, plan and experience the best possible safari adventure. By sharing our knowledge, experience and expertise, our simple mission is to breathe life into fantasies and help our clients truly ‘live the dream’… |
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 Where? South Africa. What? The whales have arrived! Annually, between June and November, these majestic mammals move into the coastal waters off the Western Cape to calve and nurse their young …often mere yards from the shore. The Great White Shark and Southern Right Whales, together with the traditional Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, rhino and elephant) — expand the ‘must see’ safari animals to the Big Seven! Three of our favorite spots to stay when visiting this area are: Birkenhead House in Hermanus, nominated as one of Conde Nast’s “Hot Spots in the World”. It’s a romantic, 11- room boutique hotel known for its intimate stylishness, lavish cuisine and ocean-side spa treatments. This elegant lodging is a great place to relax and to explore wineries, the small villages of the area, and take in scenic Walker Bay. Down the road is Grootbos Nature Reserve, recommended for families and activity-oriented folks. The family-owned Grootbos Lodge overlooking the sea, set amidst acres of virgin flora and pristine countryside, offers dune rides in open 4x4 vehicles, horseback riding, and guided excursions to watch the whales, sharks, seals and penguins. The Twelve Apostles Hotel enjoys a fabulous seaside location and is the perfect base to visit the Cape Peninsula, the Winelands and Cape Town itself. Guests whale watch from the comfort of their own suites, enjoy 5 star cuisine, and are pampered in the state-of-the-art Health and Beauty Spa. Where? Botswana. What? #1 Ladies Detective Agency! Fans of Alexander McCall Smith’s best selling “#1 Ladies Detective Agency” series, can now follow in the footsteps of lead character, Mma Precious Ramotswe, and explore her hometown of Gaborone and Mochudi, her colorful birth village. You’ll experience the eclectic mix of people, cattle donkeys and small houses that are woven through the tapestry of Mma Ramotswe’s life, and visit the tiny shops with names like Try Again Butchery, Last Chance Beauty Salon and the Honesty First Clothes Shop. Where? Zambia. What? It’s a gusher! Victoria Falls — one of our world’s Natural Wonders — is experiencing record water levels now, as a result of the incredible rainfall this year. Visitors are thrilling to the Fall’s deafening roar and cascading torrents that send clouds of spray several hundred feet into the air. Our favorite hotel, located just a short stroll from the falls is The Royal Livingstone, with it’s magnificent viewing deck, famous as a meeting spot for sundowners. |
From her corner office at New Act Travel, a VIRTUOSO agency based in Los Angeles. Antoinette Mose’s mantra is to surpass the vacation dreams of a very select, upscale clientele. She teams up with Susannah Zani, a Senior Safari Consultant at African Travel (see Staff Spotlight) to tailor the safari to the precise specifications of Antoinette’s clients. They have arranged elements such as private jets, specialist guides to travel with the clients throughout, a private barrel tasting at vineyards normally closed to the public, an African nanny for the children, etc. Having sent high profile families, as well as quite a few honeymooners to Africa, Antoinette understands the importance of discretion, attention to detail, as well as managing expectations about what to expect on safari. Antoinette never realized she would become so passionate about Africa. Following her first trip visiting Botswana, Victoria Falls, and South Africa; Antoinette came back thoroughly amazed. “I never knew I loved animals so much!” She was captured by the same spell she knows mesmerizes all who travel there. We salute Antoinette Mose as our Travel Agent Most Extra-Roar-Dinaire! |
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$
No single supplement at any of the CCAfrica lodges in
Southern and
Eastern Africa. Solo travelers finally get a break! $ 3 free nights in Cape Town, at the legendary 5 star Mt. Nelson Hotel, when you book our Last Refuge or #1 Ladies Detective Botswana program. Valid for travel in July and August — the best time to visit the Botswana bush! $ Free cell phone rental during your travels through South Africa. Every African Travel client is eligible for a free phone, featuring low cost international calling plans to stay in touch with friends and family. |
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WIN a copy of
THE FULL
CUPBOARD OF LIFE, the newest in the #1 Ladies Detective
Agency Book
series about the Lighter Side of Botswana… Q: What town is the gateway to the Okavango Delta? CLUE: Go online to our website, www.africantravelinc.com. Under Safaris, look at Southern Africa, and under the safari called, “The Last Refuge” you’ll find the answer. Submit by emailing us the answer at ati@africantravelinc.com. In the subject line; type Quarterly Question. To qualify, please include your name, full address and email. The first 15 respondees to answer this question correctly will win the FREE BOOK! good luck! |
 African Travel staff has over 420 total years of combined experience in the Travel Industry. Our average industry seniority is 22 years! Do we love to travel? Well, let’s take a look at who in our herd is recently Back from the Bush… Fay explored South Africa and Senegal. Anne visited Kenya and South Africa. Susannah went gorilla trekking in Rwanda and Uganda. Karin led 10 travel agents through South Africa. Hilda journeyed through South Africa and Zambia. Dave traveled to Mozambique. Johann visited his native South Africa. |
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| Boat based whale watching in South Africa | Birkenhead House, Hermanus, South Africa |
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Request a catalog from African Travel Inc. EDITOR
IN CHIEF: ANNE BELLAMY; CA
Sellers #20714420 |