Soul Safari to Africa with Ainslie MacLeod: The Itinerary

Are you ready to take a once in this lifetime journey to South Africa where you will uncover the innermost secrets of your life's purpose and discover the spiritual pathway to Living the Life your Soul Intended?

Then, join author and psychic Ainslie MacLeod on an expedition to uncover your soul’s unique purpose in this life. On this 9-day Soul Safari, you’ll explore the mysteries of the life plan your soul created before you were even born, and learn to harness your own spirituality to create a happier and more fulfilling future—one of total self-acceptance and endless potential.


THE ITINERARY
Dates: October 19–27, 2009
9 days/8 nights
We carefully crafted the itinerary for our “Soul Safari with Ainslie MacLeod.” It consists of only 2 destinations; Madikwe and Cape Town, but don’t let its simplicity fool you. It is one powerful journey!

October 19 – 23 (1st 4 nights)
Destination: Madikwe
Accommodation: Madikwe Safari Lodge

Madikwe Game Reserve

Madikwe Game Reserve marks the ecological transition point from the Savannah to the Kalahari Desert. This diversity of ecological habitat results in a very broad base of animals. Home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) game viewing is excellent. Professional and skilled rangers will deliver a world-class interpretive experience of the bush in 4X4 safari vehicles. Photographic opportunities of the reserve’s fauna, flora and topography are excellent.

The reserve was proclaimed in August 1991 and is currently one of South Africa's largest game reserves and best-kept secrets. This reserve has the distinction of being one of the few game reserves in the world to be established purely because it was the most appropriate and sustainable land use for the area. The reserve consists of vast plains of open woodlands and grasslands, dissected and bordered by rugged mountain ranges and rocky hills. The re-stocking of Madikwe with animals indigenous to the area began in mid-1991. Since then, more than 8,000 animals of 28 species have been introduced in the largest game translocation exercise in the world at that time.

Madikwe Safari Lodge
Madikwe Safari Lodge offers nothing short of luxurious hospitality and spectacular wildlife encounters in a malaria-free environment. The camp has a total of 20 suites with no luxury forgotten. Guests will enjoy the large bedroom area, their own private plunge pool, circular fireplace, spacious dressing area, personal bar, and private bathroom with a choice of indoor or outdoor shower.



October 23– 27 (2nd 4 nights)

Destination: Cape Town
Accommodation: 12 Apostles

Cape Town

The "Mother City" was the first South African port established by European settlers in the 16th century. Cape Town is the cultural and creative epicenter of South Africa, with more artists, designers and poets choosing the melting-pot palette of people and natural beauty of Cape Town as their inspirational home.

Visitors to Cape Town can explore the dichotomy of a less-than-perfect past with a present and future full of possibility – a discourse that many creative people can fully engage with and which visitors will instinctively relate to.

From the curated exploration of cultural, historical and social issues by Iziko Museums to the exhibition of musical street life in the Mother City’s townships, Cape Town has a strong creative economy and a treasure chest of talent of music, dance, theatre, poetry, fashion, art, culinary skill and design.

Cape Point and Boulders Beach
One of the most popular tours which offers a spectacular coastal journey through to Cape Point – the romantic meeting point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. This area along the Peninsula boasts some of the most breathtaking and unique scenery in the world. It combines a fascinating collage of beaches, mountain ranges and wildlife.

Boulders Beach and the Penguin Colony
Boulders beach is an idyllic beach located close to Simonstown heading towards Cape Point. This unique beach is perhaps more popular due to its inhabitants, a colony of some 3000 African Jackass penguins. It is said a pair of the penguins first settled in 1982 and the colony has steadily grown ever since.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is well known around the world for the diversity of indigenous plants cultivated there and the scenic mountain setting. Half of South Africa's species of flowering plants are cultivated, including about 9000 varieties of indigenous plants unique to the Cape South Africa - locally known as Cape 'fynbos'. There are also many specimens of rare and endangered plants on display.

Cape Town City and Table Mountain

Take a step back in time and join us on an exploration of the “Mother City” – its views, its history and its people.

Table Mountain
The ancient Table Mountain often draped in swirling cloud and flanked by its attendants Devil's Peak and Lion's Head, forms an impressive backdrop to the sprawling city of Cape Town and is a well known subject for many postcards and photographs. It stands at the head of a chain of mountains forming the Cape Peninsula National Park which follow the line of the Peninsula to Cape Point.

Daily Activities
Table Mountain October 19 – arrival, afternoon game drive, lunch and dinner at Madikwe Safari Lodge, evening workshop with Ainslie MacLeod

October 20, 21 and 22 - morning game drive, full English breakfast, mid-day, 3 hour workshop with Ainslie MacLeod, tea, afternoon game drive, lunch and dinner at Madikwe Safari Lodge

October 23 – breakfast, morning game drive, check out of Madikwe, charter flight to Johannesburg (50 min), domestic flight to Cape Town (90 min) transfer to 12 Apostles Hotel in Cape Town, assignment of new rooms, Dinner with Ainslie MacLeod at 12 Apostles

October 24 – breakfast, full day, private guide wine tasting tour with lunch at Grande Provence and dinner at Africa Café. Evening workshop with Ainslie MacLeod.

October 25 – breakfast, full day, private guide tour of Cape Point, Hout Bay, Simons Town, Cape of Good Hope and Boulders Beach with lunch at Black Marlin and dinner at Five Flies.

October 26 - Cape Town City Tour and Table Mountain, lunch will be at a restaurant of your choosing, dinner will be an Andulela cooking experience.

October 27 –breakfast, transfer to airport.

THE COST:
ITINERARY COST: $7,497pp
(Per Person Cost is based upon 2 people sharing – we will assign room mates for those traveling alone)

Includes: -
• Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival at JNB
• Charter flight from Johannesburg Airport to Madikwe Game Reserve
• 4 nights all inclusive accommodation at Madikwe Safari Lodge, South Africa
• Charter flight from Madikwe Game Reserve to Johannesburg
• Airport Meet & Greet upon arrival at Cape Town and transfer to hotel
• 4 nights B&B accommodation at 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa, Cape Town, South Africa
• Lunch and Dinner at Select restaurants per the itinerary on Oct 24 and 25
• Full day, private guided tour of Cape Winelands on Oct 24
• Full day, private guided tour of Cape Point on Oct 25
• Half day, private guided tour of Cape Town city on Oct 26
• Andulela Cooking experience on Oct 26
• Road transfer from 12 Apostles to Cape Town Airport for return flight

Excludes: -
• International Flights: USA to JNB, round-trip, to arrive JNB by 10AM on October 19, 2009 and depart Cape Town on October 27, 2009
• Domestic Flight: JOHANNESBURG to CAPE TOWN, to depart JNB no earlier than 3PM on October 23
• The following meals are not included: Dinner on Oct 23, Lunch on Oct 26, Lunch on Oct 27
• Gratuities
• Items of a Personal Nature

What are you waiting for? We can't wait to show you the Magic of Africa and help you Live the Life Your Soul Intended.

Click here to book your Soul Safari to Africa with Ainslie MacLeod.

The Soul Safari with Ainslie MacLeod

A once-in-this-lifetime journey to South Africa where you will uncover the innermost secrets of your life’s purpose and discover the spiritual pathway to Living the Life Your Soul Intended.


Join author and psychic Ainslie MacLeod on an expedition to uncover your soul’s unique purpose in this life. On this 9-day Soul Safari, you’ll explore the mysteries of the life plan your soul created before you were even born, and learn to harness your own spirituality to create a happier and more fulfilling future—one of total self-acceptance and endless potential.


Enjoy 4 Spectacular Days on Safari

• Spectacular game-viewing in one of South Africa’s largest game reserves and best-kept secrets.
• View all the big 5 and then some: Lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, elephant, wild dog, zebra, giraffe, impala, wildebeest, and more.
• Luxurious accommodation with individual bungalows and private plunge pools at Madikwe Safari Lodge.
• Dine on 5-star meals paired perfectly with fine South African wine.
• Feel good about patronizing a safari lodge that sets a fine example in sustainable tourism and interact with the locals that benefit.
• No need to worry about malaria – this is a malaria FREE game reserve.

Experience Ainslie MacLeod and His Soul World

• Explore the world of your soul, including its age, its type, and its missions, and uncover the plan your soul created for you in this lifetime.
• Discover the impact of your previous incarnations, and learn how to use your past to enhance the present.
• Be the first to learn fascinating information Ainslie has garnered from his spirit guides, but NOT found in his book The Instruction.
• Get insightful, helpful information about yourself that is not available elsewhere.
• Questions for Ainslie? Enjoy 9 full days of VIP access.


Exhilarating Travel Experiences Continue in Cape Town

• Rejuvenate yourself in the lap of luxury at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa.
• Perched perfectly between stunning mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, enjoy spectacular 360 degree views, day and night.
• Spend a glorious day tasting the finest of South Africa’s wines, set in some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.
• Spend a magnificent day seeing the scenic splendors of the Cape area, including a ride in a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, a visit to the penguins at Boulders Beach, the stunning cliffs at the Cape of Good Hope and the charming marina village of Simons Town.

What are you waiting for? There are only 32 spaces available on this journey and they won’t last. Book Now

Walking Safari: Top Ten Tips for Walkers

To enjoy an African walking safari, you do not have to have the endurance levels to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.

An African Safari is not just about seeing the Big Five, it's about the small stuff. You get to distinguish between the different foot prints, you get to check out flowers, trees, plants, you get to see the insects, you even get to inspect dung!

Here are few tips to help make your walk a trip of a lifetime:

1. Wear neutral colors (greens and browns); avoid white, bright or very pale colors.
   
   
2. Lightweight long pants are better than shorts, they help protect you against ticks and thorns.
   
   
3. Make sure you wear a hat to protect you from the sun (neutral color).
   
   
4. Go without deodorant (animals sniff out artificial scents).
   
   
5. Make sure to use sun protection, even when it is cloudy and overcast.
   
   
6. Take a small backpack with you containing a bottle of water, your camera and a Field Guide.
   
   
7. Make sure to listen to your guide and do EXACTLY AS HE SAYS.
   
   
8. Keep binoculars handy, preferably on a strap around your neck, they will come in very handy.
   
   
9. Bring a lens in your backpack that can take close-up pictures, also a long distance lens to capture the animals in the distance.
   
   
10. Whatever you want to do (go for a bathroom break, tie your laces) make sure to tell your guide.

Learn how Hills of Africa Travel can help you experience a Zambia honeymoon safari or Zambia family safari of a lifetime by calling us today at (877) 845-4802.

An African Safari Different From The Rest

At the southern bank of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe lies the Mana Pools National Park. Famous for its plentiful wildlife, majestic scenery, and unspoiled terrain, this Park is often referred to as Zimbabwe’s Wildlife Riviera. The river is an excellent magnet for a spectrum of wildlife, making a canoe safari a must.

These safaris are an outstanding way to enjoy game viewing from a new perspective. Instead of the traditional bumpy, off-road safari, a canoe safari quietly takes you down the Zambezi River. It’s so smooth you can even hold a cocktail while enjoying the surrounding wildlife and grandiose beauty.

The river is home to spectacular animals different from those observed in the dry arid plains of Africa. A canoe safari down the Zambezi River offers the amazing opportunity to observe wildlife not seen during off-road safaris. The combination of the quiet river, unspoiled nature, and canopying trees, can be matched by no other place on earth.

On your canoe safari in the Mana Pools National Park, you’ll be within feet of:

• Over 380 species of bird.

• An animal known as one of the Big Five—the buffalo.

• A sneaky crocodile lurking on the river bank.

• Elephants bathing with their young.

• Hippos charging in the water with magnificent power.

Build memories that will last a lifetime as you journey down the Zambezi River on a blissful canoe safari. Contact Hills of Africa Travel today at (877) 845-4802, and let us plan something special for you. The magic of Africa awaits you…

Amazing Botswana: Free Flights!

Hills of Africa Travel is pleased to offer a great 7-night package to Botswana that will simply add to the incredible value of getting international airfare free.

If you book 6 nights or more on an African Bush Camps mobile tented safari, your charter flights are free!!! Botswana is one of the best safari destinations in the world. It offers incredible wildlife, stunning scenery, an exclusiveness found in few other places, and an enormous variety in game viewing. The cost of flying from camp to camp makes it price prohibitive for many, many travelers. Thanks to this deal, it is affordable for lots more people. But you must book by February 28 to take advantage of this deal.

We have put together a lovely itinerary that consists of 7 nights at 3 camps in Botswana, for travel February through end of May. The total package price is $4,550 per person and includes:

• 7 nights accommodation at 3 different camps throughout Botswana;
• All meals and drinks;
• All game-viewing activities;
• All charter flights for transportation between camps;
• Round-trip airfare from Johannesburg to Maun

The only additional cost is international airfare. If you put this together with the South African Airways special, you will be making out like bandits!!!

Talk about a great Valentine's Day gift!!!!

Call (704) 296-2644 or e-mail sandy@hillsofafrica.com to book!

Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized and personalized African Safari Vacations.

Join Hills of Africa Travel for a trip down memory lane in Victoria Falls

David Livingstone said "A sight so wonderful that angels must have gazed down on it in flight". That's Victoria Falls.

Our friend and guide, Russell Gammon, who is an exceptional historian with a special interest for African heritage, is passionate about The Victoria Falls and Africa. Russell conducts the popular "Mists of Time" heritage tour in Victoria Falls.

Whilst with Russell, you will explore the origins of the waterfall and the people who have lived in the land anointed by its mists. You will come to understand their traditions and culture and how the environment shaped these aspects of their heritage.

You will follow the tale through the arrival of the first European explorers and then the years of colonization and finally liberation. This tour de force will give you a breathtaking insight to the sweeping history of Africa and how it has shaped the destiny of a continent.

Russell will guide you on a visit to the world renowned Victoria Falls and explore the geological pre-history of the area that created this amazing spectacle. You will then have the privilege to visit Monde Village for a taste of how the people of Africa live their daily lives which has largely remained unchanged for millennia. From here the tour goes on to "The Lookout" overlooking the Falls and the Gorges for refreshments and a presentation on the life of David Livingstone and the impact his life had on the course of African history.

We can't wait to introduce our friend and amazing guide Russell Gammon to you. Call Hills of Africa Travel to arrange a private guided tour of Victoria Falls and we will make your dreams come true.

Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized South Africa family safaris, honeymoon safari, Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa. Contact us today to Live the Magic of Africa.

Victoria Falls is the Adrenalin Capital of The World

Picture Niagara Falls twice as tall and twice as wide, and you still won't be prepared for the spectacle of Victoria Falls. The locals refer to Victoria Falls as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning the smoke that thunders. The mighty Zambezi River hurls itself off the top of a 300-foot cliff into a gorge below—becoming one of the most fantastic sights of the natural world. Nothing can compare to the sight of the roaring water, the white mist dancing in the air, and a shimmering rainbow of light above the land. The spray from the falls can be seen up to 50 miles away.

Experience an adrenaline rush of a lifetime at Victoria Falls

• Known as one of the world's best areas for white-knuckle activities, such as white-water rafting - you can take a full day or a half day's rafting trip - it is sure to change your life forever. Spectacular rapids and warm water, make it a "Must Do" activity. (The above video is courtesy of our favorite activity company, Shearwater Adventures in Victoria Falls).
• Seek adventure on the highest commercial bungee jump in the world off the bridge that crosses the Zambezi River, connecting Zimbabwe with Zambia. 364 feet of pure adrenalin rush.
• Gorge Swing - imagine a giant swing high above the water ... now imagine a 230 feet free fall before you begin swinging. Stop imagining and try it out.
• Flying Fox - imagine taking a running jump into thin air over the gorge, soaring horizontally through the air over the raging Zambezi waters below you - yes, keep seeing yourself doing it.
• Zip Line or Foofie Slide - You're going to travel at a speed of 50 miles an hour, hurtling 1,395 feet across the gorge, whilst suspended 364 feet above the breathtaking beauty of the Zambezi water below!
• Take the Flight of Angels in a small, four-seat airplane, helicopter or microlight above the falls. Enjoy the rare opportunity to observe the rapids from a bird’s-eye view as you fly through the mist and enchantment of the Falls.

Yes, you can do it!

Hills of Africa Travel can bring your imagination to life, call us to plan your adrenalin activities in Victoria Falls and Live the Magic of Africa. We plan each itinerary to your desires and we guarantee a trip of a lifetime.

Where are you celebrating New Year's Eve?

We all like to celebrate the arrival of a new year, where are you celebrating this year?

I will be on a beach in Hilton Head, celebrating with friends and family.

Last year, our clients James and Jennifer Fox, celebrated in style at Azura in Mozambique whilst on their African safari honeymoon, and Dennis & Michelle Ventry celebrated with full champagne glasses at Kensington Place in Cape Town.

This year, the Heneault family will be celebrating at Makalolo Plains in Hwange National Park, whilst on their African Safari vacation.

Hills of Africa Travel would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very happy, healthy and abundant 2009!

Live the Magic of Africa - call Hills of Africa Travel today and book your trip of a lifetime.

Traveling to South Africa - How to Get There?

There are so many options for you to think about when planning for your African Safari Vacation.

One of these is flights and how to get there?

Hills of Africa Travel is here to help you plan your trip of a lifetime and we know the best and easiest ways in getting there.

South African Airways currently flies out of New York Kennedy and Washington Dulles to Johannesburg on a daily basis.

Delta Airlines flies out of Atlanta and New York Kennedy to Johannesburg on a daily basis. Here's a little secret - if you want to fly to Cape Town and begin your Africa family safari in the Cape region, you can connect in Dakar to a direct flight to Cape Town. Plus you get to go into the private Delta Airlines lounge and freshen up - magic.

You can also fly through Europe with night flights and a day to spend exploring in one of the European cities, eg. London.

Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African vacations. We offer spectacular adventures with personalized and customized service, guaranteed to provide you with the experience of a lifetime.

The Hills of Africa Travel team is ready to send you on a life-altering experience like no other. Call us today at 1-877-845-4802, or email us at hoainfo@hillsofafrica.com.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

We would like to wish all of our clients, friends, family and travelers to Africa a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Here are some translations for "Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year" in the African languages:

Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees en 'n gelukkige nuwe jaar
Somali: Ciid wanaagsan iyo sanad cusub oo fiican
Swahili: Krismasi Njema / Heri ya krismas
Xhosa: Siniqwenelela Ikrisimesi Emnandi Nonyaka Omtsha Ozele Iintsikelelo
Zulu: Sinifesela uKhisimusi oMuhle noNyaka oMusha oNempumelelo

Hills of Africa Travel offers customized itinerary planning and guidance on travel to Southern Africa. To book your trip of a lifetime, contact us.