October is always the end of the busiest period for our camps and lodges apart from Christmas and just as the pretty spring blossoms throw their scent into the Southern hemisphere, most of our clients are digging out their winter jackets and holing up in their homes for the northern winter.

Of some comfort to those living in the north is that Cape Town has had exceptional rains while in central Africa, Uganda has had almost 9 months of rainy season and virtually no dry season. Around this time last year the Luangwa Valley in Zambia received heavy rains which resulted in the valley flooding. Good always comes out of bad they say and oh how fabulous are some of the rebuilt camps.

This month I've been travelling on the very northern border of Uganda where we looked upon the Sudan separated from us only by the spectacular, jagged mountains fringing the Kidepo Valley National Park. This beautiful park is a wide, shallow basin of perfect savannah parkland  filled with herds of beefy buffalo, rock climbing lions, the elusive Somali ostrich and a host of birds and antelope. The only lodge in the entire park hosts a maximum of 16 guests - exclusivity indeed!  

We criss crossed the Nile River on our way out, flying over Murchison Falls and landing on the tip of Lake Albert far to the west and on the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. After a hair raising boat trip on the stormy waters we found 2 wild shoebills and returned to our lodge in Semliki - ecstatic!

It was incredible to see the pride and respect with which Ugandan citizens are preparing for the forthcoming visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles amongst others, in November for CHOGM (Commonwealth Head of Government meeting)

With delight I overnighted and tested the facilities at the hotel where Prince Charles will be staying and checked on the improvements to the lodge where her majesty will soon be game viewing the giant forest hog, lazy fig tree hugging lions and the highly habituated plains game.  

This very special country with its turbulent history is, for the second time, hosting one of the most protected families on earth - if it's safe enough for the Queen, its safe enough for us!

This month we thought we'd bring you a couple of really good specials for anyone with some spare air miles to use up out of season and a yearning to be in the middle of nowhere joining in with frollicking baby antelope, cute little cubs and very special migratory birds!

Zambia - 8 night green season safari
£1620.00 or US$3275.00 per person
Normal price £2000.00 or US$4000.00 per person
Valid 1st Nov - 31st Dec 2007
1st Feb to 30th April 2008
Includes: 2 nights luxury lodges, 6 nights in exclusive bush camps,
all parks fees, activities, accommodation, food, laundry, all transfers
Excludes: Visa fees, departure taxes and flights to and from Zambia, Christmas period

Close to the Falls luxury 5 star lodge 
US$1550.00 or £775.00 per person
Normal price US$2000.00 or £1000.00
Valid 1st Nov 2007 - 31st May 2008
Includes:  5 nights all inclusive lodge and island camps
with all drinks, activities, accommodation, food and laundry
Excludes: Visa fees, departure taxes and flights to and from Zambia,
Christmas period 

Secluded 5 star river island lodge
US$305.00 or £152.00 per person per night
Normal price US$365.00 or £182.00
Valid 1st Dec 2007 - 31st May 2008
Includes:  all drinks, activities, accommodation, food and
laundry plus transfers from Livingstone airport
Excludes: Visa fees, departure taxes and flights to and from Zambia,
Christmas period

Join us for a one or two week stay living on a remote forested island assisting with the care and rehabilitation of chimpanzees rescued from the wilds.

£1500 for a 2 week stay - all accommodation, meals, laundry and transfers - uniform provided!