We had a note from friends tucked away down in Mana Pools (Zimbabwe) last week. 

Their message was captioned “two thousand and fine” to herald in the New Year.  Their season is finished as the heavy rains will shortly make remoter parts of Mana Pools impassable.  

Stretch Ferreira and Flo Coughlan's news was simply brimful of optimism and promise.

"There’s an air of expectancy about the Zambezi Valley right now. Most of Mana’s inhabitants may have dropped their young late last year but the heavy clouds above the valley have by no means delivered all of their promises yet. Around mid-day most days, the benign morning sky gathers itself together and begins the big afternoon build-up.

Cumulus nimbus wisps of white moisture converge and condense until they form a solid inky indigo backdrop. The wind picks up a beat, and in the distance drum rolls of thunder never miss one. Shards of white lightening zigzag across the stage intermittently and so the scene is set for one of nature’s finest shows.

And what a show Mana puts on.

This of course comes as no surprise, having as it does the finest setting on earth. Towering mahoganys, grey green leadwoods, heavily podded lime green kigelias and a carpet of lush grass provide the background basecoat, its luxuriance broken only by the stark bare branches of the albidas, nature’s trump card in this verdant pasture.

Come winter and it’ll be their turn to be the stars of the show as they spring to life and provide the only nutrition for miles around.

Nursery herds of gambolling lambs and calves are the extras in this production, elegant eland and regal kudu provide the beauty and grace whilst the majestic elephant and buffalo command the lead roles.

The predators attempt to provide a dark side to it all but somehow in a setting as beautiful as this, such a role seems incongruous.

An element of comedy is needed in any scene and for this the primates and their newborns don’t even have to audition, unless of course if Stretch is in town.

Bucket loads of butterflies and finely preened water birds help to balance the picture and should you by some stroke of fortune or good planning be there, you must surely count yourself as one of the luckiest people on this planet. No telephone, television or tetchy secretary to interrupt the show or remind you of the world’s troubles. You’ll find that the hardest part of each day will be to decide just how relaxed and de-stressed you’d like to become."

This is in a country where cholera is rife, a Z$100 trillion bank note issued last week was worth US$30, where the daily battle to purchase food and fuel wears everybody out, in a place where electricity and water supplies are never certain. 

There’s a lot to be said for the therapeutic value of being immersed in the bush…despite other woes your perspective changes for the better!

...more about Mana Pools

In December, Trish spent some time with family and friends in Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. 

She also managed to get some safari time in and continually recounts two moments. 

One with a 9 month old lion cub, the second was with a big elephant – both in Victoria Falls. 

The “Lion Encounter”

This is part of Africa's first genuine programme to ethically re-introduce the offspring of rehabilitated captive-bred African lion back into the wild. 

It’s an opportunity to spend an hour or so in the close company of cubs as they go about their routines. 

No leashes, no collars, just a natural African wildlife adventure. 

Look into those eyes…

Elephant Trails

Stepping back to 1990, Randall Moore was instrumental in setting up the first elephant back safaris at Abu Camp in Botswana. This was all as a result of efforts to take elephants destined for circuses, zoos and safari parks in America and to return them to Africa where they were reintroduced to the wild.

Since then other conservationists have used training techniques based on positive reinforcement to give orphaned African elephants a second chance.  In doing so a number of research objectives are being met and huge educational benefits are being achieved. 

The elephant encounters and interactions range from several days on safari to a few hours with these habituated elephants. 

Some say that if you only have one safari experience then make sure that you spend some time with elephants, wild or otherwise. 

They’re intelligent, emotional creatures with a complex social structure and a deep capacity to feel. 

Trish shed a tear when she left Madinda in Victoria Falls.  She thinks he did the same.  

...more about elephant trails and safaris and Victoria Falls

In East Africa

Good rains early in December attracted plenty of game into the Naabi/Ndutu/Gol areas of the southern Serengeti.  With a drier spell that followed much of the herds have travelled west to the longer grass plains around Hidden Valley and Moru. The onset of the green season is often unpredictable with dry spells after the initial rain. 

Perhaps more generous rains are on their way?  One way or another we’re likely to see the migration within easy reach of Ngorongoro Crater and the camps based in the south for the next few months. 

...more about our migration safaris in Tanzania and Kenya

In southern Africa

The “emerald season” in the Luangwa and Zambezi valleys is a celebration every year.  There’s little dust, skies and clouds are dramatic, colours are vibrant and light conditions are ideal for photographers.  The region’s awash with migrant birds, the bush is lush and whilst game is often dispersed, there’s no shortage of action. 

In the Luangwa we hear of a great battle between the Chichele and Mfuwe lion prides, good leopard sightings and super inquisitive wild dog! 

In Mana Pools a huge black-maned lion that “commands an awesome presence with pugmarks that could provide a home for small fish” has joined the Nyamepi pride. 

He’s been named “Mane Man”.  Stretch Ferreira recently watched him successfully defend his eland kill against a pack of 21 hyenas. 

Stretch’s Goliath camp closes shortly but when he reopens in May he hopes to offer as always, “the safari of a lifetime.. one that will feed your soul today, re-energize your mind for tomorrow and give you stories to bore your grandchildren with one day.” 

If you’re going to miss the 2009 green season then make a note in your diary now for 2010.

...more on our "green season safaris " in southern Africa

Just about everybody in the safari industry has sharpened up on prices and value.  There’s no shortage of good offers.  Some camps are holding 2008 rates for part of the season, others have very specific seasonal offers, other have attractive last minute deals.  Generally savings can be substantial. 

Examples of current offers are on our “Zambezi members ” site. 

Don’t forget these tips: concentrate on one region for your entire safari and if possible spend more time in fewer camps, travel in shoulder season (May/June and November), ask for a “family discount” and ask for a last-minute discount if you’re travelling within 30 days.

Speak to us now about your safari plans in 2009 or 2010.

Craig MacRae, one of our founding partners passed away in the night on the 22 January 2009 after a short battle with cancer. 

Many of our old clients will have visited his Sengwa Safaris camp on the Matusadona lakeshore through the years.

We remember Craig for his great love of the bush, his battered land rovers, his delightful stories and his contribution to the safari industry in those old days when we were trying so hard to “get Kariba on the map”. 

We mocked the vulture on his logo - "he'll pick your wallet clean" - he gave us as much jip in return plus more.  He'll be sorely missed by us all.

Craig's View - Muchirara Valley, Kariba

Zambezi Members : we’ve had some wonderful feedback from many old friends who’ve revisited us through this semi-private spot on the web – lots of inside information and latest updates. 

Destinations Show at Earl’s Court, London :  For those of you in the UK between 5 and 8 February, join Trish, Jackie, Chris and John if you can.  Catch up on some African news, visit the the boys at the “Meet the Experts Theatre” or just pop in for a quick chat.  We have a limited number of complimentary tickets - drop Debbie a note.

Until next month…promise to take a few more moments to smile every day.

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