Little Vumbura: Experience the Magic of this Spectacular Oasis

Explore the unspoiled wilderness of the eclectic Little Vumbura, as you enjoy an authentic African safari vacation. With its private feel and stunning landscape, it’s no wonder Little Vumbura is one of the most highly acclaimed destinations in Africa. Situated at the northern region of the Okavango Delta, this island is nothing short of fascinating.

Adding to the memorable experience, the prestigious ecotourism company, Wilderness Safaris, offers exceptional accommodations, excursions, safaris, and amenities for all its visitors. Little Vumbura has six luxurious tents, which is the perfect way to spend your evenings among the serenity of nature. Situated in a legendary Okavango forest, the camp has a pool and patio area overlooking the sprawling landscape.

The bushveld and floodplains in the area offer spectacular game-viewing year-round. The wide spectrum of vegetation is a haven for exotic birds and other forms of intriguing wildlife, while the multiple waterways spread throughout the area are home to hippos, antelope, and crocodile.

The surrounding floodplains are a popular place to view zebra, wildebeest, and Cape buffalo as they quench their thirst in the hot African sun.

An adventurous Little Vumbura safari is nothing short of a sheer delight! Not only is the area one of the best spots for game-viewing in Africa, but the landscape is absolutely stunning.

Little Vumbura safaris:

• Enjoy a wide spectrum of game, such as the waterbuck, giraffe, elephant, Cape buffalo, vervet monkey, cheetah, lion, and baboon. The full range of creatures in the area, and the opportunity to see all of the animals known as the Big Five, makes this location a must-see destination.
  


• Observe a vast amount of vibrant birds, such as the wattled crane, egret, little bee-eater, and fan-tailed widowbird.
  


• Choose from various types of safaris in the area, such as a game drive, walking safari, dug-out canoe (Mokoro) safari, or power boat safari. Whatever your preference, Wilderness Safaris is there to make sure you’re satisfied.

Experience a world like no other on the eclectic island of Little Vumbura. Hills of Africa Travel is dedicated to creating the perfect itinerary for you, around your every preference. Whether planning an African family safari, or honeymoon safari, Hills of Africa Travel is there to make your dreams come true. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802. Isn’t it time you took the trip of a lifetime in the hills of Africa?

What is an African Safari Vacation?

When many people think of an African safari, they only envision one type—an adventure in a rugged vehicle, bouncing about the rolling terrain of Africa. This is absolutely true, but there are also several other types of safaris that are just as exhilarating, and shouldn’t be overlooked when planning your trip to Africa. Although a vehicle safari is a must while on your African safari trip, there are plenty of other types of safaris you may not be aware of, that are unique and just as exciting.

Did you ever think there could be five different types of an African safari vacation?

• A game-drive safari or vehicle safari could be considered the most traditional. The thrill of the vehicle’s invigorating speed and ruggedness create a truly authentic safari. Vehicle safaris offer an exceptional view of wild game throughout the area, and allow you to sit back and enjoy the excitement of a lion attacking its prey unravel before your eyes. Most luxurious lodges and camps offer excellent vehicle safaris.
  
  
• A walking safari allows you to connect with nature on a whole new level. The movement and feel of this safari is completely opposite to a vehicle safari, as you can feel the ground beneath your feet, and are on a different height level than a vehicle. A walking safari offers the same fantastic game-viewing experience and adventure as a vehicle safari, while offering a different perspective on nature. Zambia’s Luangwa National Park is famous for its exceptional walking safaris.
  
  
  
• A canoe safari boasts a fresh perspective on animal behavior. The rivers and water holes provide a place for animals to bathe, play, and drink from. Watch a hippo charge into the water or a baby elephant play with his mother. In addition to observing animals behaving in a different environment, a canoe safari boasts a large variety of birds and water-dwelling animals, which cannot be seen on any other type of safari. The Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe is the ideal place to enjoy a canoe safari.
  
  
• A balloon safari is one of the most interesting safaris there is. This one-of-a-kind safari is truly a unique adventure since riders have a bird’s-eye-view of the land, and can observe nature from a whole new perspective. Game-viewing is spectacular as you glide above the treetops, and soak in the picturesque moments. Enjoy a hot-air balloon safari at Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania, and experience an out-of-this-world escapade.
  
  
• A horseback safari is arguably one of the most adventurous safaris there is. Running with a herd of zebra on horseback is an experience that cannot be matched by any other. Feel the adrenaline rush through your veins as you ride along the sprawling hills and observe spectacular creatures and the Big Five at close proximity. Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania now offers horseback safaris for experienced riders.

Don’t miss the bountiful opportunities that await you in Africa. Let Hills of Africa Travel plan the perfect, tailored itinerary for your next African family safari or honeymoon safari. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802, and experience an unforgettable journey.

Singita Grumeti Reserve Introduces Two New, Highly-Adventurous Safaris

Explore the unspoiled outdoors of the Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania, on an African family safari, or honeymoon safari. This magnificent Reserve provides some of the most exciting African safari adventures in the entire continent.

Captivating wild-game, exotic birds, grazing mammals, and intriguing reptiles are prolific throughout the entire Reserve, offering the most memorable experiences for all who visit. With some of the greatest excursions and fascinating wildlife in all of Africa, it’s no wonder the Singita Grumeti Reserve is rated as one of the greatest places to take an African safari vacation.

The Singita Grumeti Reserve now offers balloon and horseback safaris, for those looking for a new spin on the traditional vehicle safari. Both the balloon and horseback safaris offer a unique and exciting look into the wilderness of the land.

Balloon Safari

Enjoy a soothing trip through the clouds and above the treetops on one of Singita Grumeti Reserve’s balloon safaris. Experience a unique look at the Serengeti Plains as you glide through the air on a one hour hot-air balloon ride, guaranteed to tickle you with delight. Boasting fantastic game-viewing, this safari is a must for those interested in utilizing their photography skills. Souring above the vast plains on this tranquil safari, you’ll observe a variety of game and stunning landscape as far as the eye can see. A balloon safari is an excellent way to enjoy nature in a blissful setting, while experiencing a new and exciting form of transportation.

Horseback Safari

Ever wonder what safari is the most thrilling of them all? A horseback safari is at the top of the list. You can’t get any closer to nature than riding on the back of an animal, while it runs next to a herd of mesmerizing zebra. This safari places you right in the middle of the action. Feel the exhilaration as you run next to a herd of antelope, encounter a lion stalking its prey, or trot next to a baby elephant and its mother. From the very beginning of this safari to the very end, you’ll experience the most thrilling and life-altering experience you could ever imagine. If you’re an experienced rider and want to take an unforgettable African safari vacation, a horseback safari is perfect for you.

After an exhilarating day with nature, enjoy a luxurious 4-night stay at Singita Grumeti Reserve’s exclusive Sasakwa and Faru Faru lodges.

If you are truly ready for the trip of a lifetime, than the Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania is the perfect destination for you. Hills of Africa Travel is dedicated to crafting personalized itineraries for all client preferences. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802, and let us create for you a life-altering African family safari, honeymoon safari, or any safari in between.

The Best of Wilderness Safaris’ Botswana Excursions—Part II

Wilderness Safaris is one of our favorite suppliers in Botswana, offering a large variety of exciting game-viewing experiences and wild safari excursions. In addition to the safaris mentioned in the post before this one, they offer:

The Green Desert Expedition:

Enjoy the magic of the Kalahari Desert, as our expert guides uncover the geology, anthropology, and archeology of the land.

Explore Deception Valley’s legendary rivers in the Kalahari Desert. This expedition takes place during Kalahari Desert’s prime time, when a large variety of animals travel to the area for its abundant water supply. Deception Valley, located on the Kalahari Game Reserve, offers fantastic game-viewing. Frequent visitors to the land include the brown hyaena, meerkat, gemsbok, springbok, and the great black-maned Kalahari lion.

As you travel along the Kalahari Desert on this adventurous expedition, the saltpans of Makgadikgadi are worth stopping at to observe flamingos, wildebeest, and zebras drinking from the water filled saltpans with their young. This large breeding ground is one of the greatest areas to view animals migrating from all over.

The Okavango Delta is another stop on this exciting expedition and offers a stunning view of flourishing wildlife, crystal blue waterways, and breathtaking backdrops.

The Migration Routes:

Explore the magnificent islands of Botswana on walking expeditions, while taking in the spectacular scenery and fresh air. Discover the migration patterns of the animals and follow their patterns when you decide to take your next Botswana safari vacation! The changing of the Kalahari Desert from dry season to rainy season creates a diverse population of animals coming and going during these seasonal changes throughout the year. Follow elephant herds as they travel to the Linyanti concession, or follow a zebra migration to Savuti. The possibilities are endless . . .

Safari for All Seasons:

If you’re looking for an African safari trip filled with adventures and spectacular game viewing, Safari for All Seasons is the perfect safari package for you. During this safari, you travel to three different countries, each full of new and exciting explorations. The wildlife and scenery vary between countries, providing you with a well-rounded experience of Africa, and a new realization of life.

Bring your African safari vacation to life as you travel through South Africa’s various ecosystems to explore budding plants, animals giving birth, vibrant colors in all directions, magnificent scenery, galloping antelope, viscous game, and so much more.

Let Hills of Africa Travel create for you, a spectacular safari itinerary with Wilderness Safaris. Experience the perfect African family safari, or honeymoon safari in the diverse lands of Africa. To learn more about these amazing safari opportunities, contact us today at (877) 845-4802.

Walking Safari: The Complete Connection to Nature

Are you ready to take a vacation full of fresh perspectives and life-altering adventures? Zambia’s Luangwa National Park is the place to go. Famous for its exceptional walking safaris, exotic wildlife, unspoiled wilderness, and infinite beauty, the Luangwa National Park is a must see destination for safari enthusiasts.

Filled with a wide spectrum of wildlife, the Luangwa National Park is the ideal haven for water dwellers, land animals, and tree habitants. The intricate streams, which weave throughout the land, stimulating heavy plant growth, and the bending trees, which canopy the streams and earth, create the perfect place for a walking safari.

Celebrating over a 100 different species of mammal, 500 species of bird, and nearly 50 species of reptile, you’re guaranteed to see something extraordinary in Luangwa National Park’s wilderness. Walking safaris bring you closer to exotic wildlife than ever before. No longer do you have a safari vehicle between you and nature. It’s the raw feeling of being among nature with no barriers, which creates a sense of fulfillment and thrill.

During your walking safari, a personal tour guide takes you through the untouched woodlands, open grasslands, and dense forests. You’ll see lions yawning as the afternoon slowly passes, crocodiles waiting patiently in the water, and elephants bathing in the stream with their young. The feeling of pure excitement washes over your body as you stand merely a few feet from these magnificent creatures.

This is not a vacation. This is a one-of-a-kind experience. A perfect memory. Let Hills of Africa Travel plan your African family safari or honeymoon safari. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802. A world of radiating beauty, breath-taking creatures, and fantastic adventure awaits you in the hills of Africa.

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.

Exploring Cape Town - A World in One Country

Cape Town is one of the world’s most marvelous cities with its gorgeous white beaches and magnificent rolling mountains. It boasts Dutch architecture, beautiful waterfront, and a mountainous backdrop, eliciting feelings of a quaint and charming European city. Cape Town offers excellent accommodations with stellar service and extraordinary varieties of food, rich with culture and unique flavors.

Rolling roads lined with tall pine trees in the wine regions are reminiscent of northern California. The food and wine are truly delightful and the people extremely hospitable. The road systems are sophisticated and wide, offering an extra boost of confidence to those intimidated by driving on the left side of the road.

Stepping foot onto African soil will bring a smile to your face that won’t escape for the rest of your African safari vacation. The stunning days of dry and sunny weather offer a prime environment for the beginning or ending of an enchanting African family safari or romantic African honeymoon safari.

To start preparing for your African family safari or romantic African honeymoon safari, contact Hills of Africa Travel and we will guarantee you a trip of a lifetime. Call us today to Live the Magic of Africa.

Animal Spotlight: The Cheetah

Known as the world's fastest land animal, the cheetah falls at the bottom of the hierarchy of big cats, with the lion first and the leopard second. The cheetah is mostly a solitary animal and does not benefit from pooling of resources when it comes to kills, like the lion prides.

The secret to a cheetah's speed is its supple spine, which coils and uncoils like a spring, catapulting the cat forward. In the cheetah, the hind limbs push sequentially, rather than together, as in slower animals. Thus for about half the time, a running cheetah has all four feet off the ground and is literally flying. In the air, the flying cheetah moves so fast that it uses its tail as a rudder.

Such speed demands a short, enormous surge of energy. On its hunts, the cheetah is well aware of the limits of its built-for-speed body. Most other cats hunt at night and ambush their prey. Cheetahs will hunt at night, but are frequently seen hunting in the early morning or late afternoon. A cheetah stalks its prey until only about 50 yards separate the hunter and the hunted. At this point the cheetah charges, its elongated eyes giving it a wide-angle view as the prey tries to evade with tight turns. Lions give up the chase after 100 yards or so, but cheetahs can run more that three miles, at an average speed of 45 miles per hour. The hunt may end in a sprint that lasts from 20 seconds to 60 seconds.

Here are five fantastic safari destinations to see the cheetah:

1. Kruger National Park
2. Okavango Delta
3. Hwange National Park
4. South Luangwa National Park
5. Madikwe Game Reserve

Another exciting and educating way to spend time with cheetahs, is to visit The Cheetah Outreach program at Spier in Stellenbosch. You can visit for the day and spend time with the cheetahs. Cheetah Outreach is a fantastic program by promoting the survival of the cheetah through environmental education.

Book a trip with Hills of Africa Travel and we will guarantee you Live the Magic of Africa. Contact us today and we can help you plan your trip of a lifetime.

Now is a great time to book a Safari to South Africa

With the strong US dollar to the South African Rand, NOW is a good time to start booking your travel to South Africa. The current exchange rate is 10 ZAR to 1 USD - WOW!

Even if you are only planning to travel in August of 2009, you should consider booking your travel now.

Why?

Because if you book and pre-pay all South African costs, then you are locked in at today's very good exchange rate and we are able to pass on fantastic savings to you.

Imagine all the amazing experiences you could have:

• Walk to the top of Table Mountain and have a picnic whilst taking in the beautiful scenery below you
• Take a wine tour and taste some of the best South African wines in the Winelands
  
• Go on safari and watch lions lazing under trees, and sit back whilst watching a huge herd of elephant walk right past you
• Stay at Birkenhead House in Hermanus where you will see amazing whale sightings from your own balcony
• Take a tour along the famed Cape Point Peninsula where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet, see some of the most breathtaking scenery
  
• See African penguins
  

Hills of Africa Travel customizes all of our safari vacations to South Africa and will create a trip of a lifetime. Call us today and we will make certain you Live the Magic of Africa.

Amazing Sightings on Safari

Imagine what memories this family returned with? Our friend and professional private guide, Mark Homann, took this clip whilst private guiding in Zimbabwe.

Click HERE to see an amazing sighting on video.

Safaris are memories. You adventure into the bush to see The Big Five up close and personal. You want to Live the Magic of Africa.

Hills of Africa Travel creates memories of a lifetime. Call us today and we will plan a memory filled vacation with The Big Five up close and personal.

Hills of Africa Travel is so proud of our new consultants

Hills of Africa Travel is so pleased to announce that we have two new consultants. Actually one new and one we've never wanted to share with you because she's so brilliant.

Michelle Potuzak joined Hills of Africa Travel in January 2008. We absolutely love her and we haven't told you about her because we didn't want to share our secret. But she's too wonderful not to share. Michelle is so excited to be sharing her love of animals, safari, Cape Town and Africa with you.


We have just added Marcia Sandry to our growing company and we are so excited that she's decided to come work with us. Marcia is so looking forward to sharing the Magic of Africa with you.

So come visit us at Hills of Africa Travel and we look forward to giving you an Africa trip of a lifetime. We can't wait for you to Live the Magic of Africa.

Hills of Africa Cares About Your Safety & Health During Your Travels in Africa

Hills of Africa Travel prides itself in giving timely and accurate information. Travelers often have health concerns when traveling to Africa and we want to give you the right information to keep you safe and healthy. Victoria Falls is a popular destination with so much to do. We want to give you the health facts to know when you're visiting.

Zimbabwe has made the news recently with an outbreak of cholera. We want to let you know that there is no cholera threat in Victoria Falls.

People planning to visit Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, are assured that there have been no reports of Cholera in the Victoria Falls region to date.

The District Medical Officer for Victoria Falls has assured GoToVictoriaFalls and all visitors that:

• There have been no reported cases of cholera in the region to date.

• The area is safe. However, as usual all are advised to take standard precautions such as washing hands before eating and after using the bathroom, cleaning all vegetables and fruit in clean, fresh water, etc.

• For visitors intending to visit outlying areas, such as villages, we highly recommend that guests and activity operators carry bottled mineral water.

• Public health authorities are regularly in touch with stakeholders, keeping them informed and updated on all matters of public health.

• Community awareness and education is carried out in the schools and general communities. The Environmental Health Department also carries out monthly water quality monitoring exercises, and communicates with the private sector.

• The key operators in Victoria Falls ensure that all sanitation and water reticulation systems are maintained to the highest possible standard. They are heavily involved in supporting maintenance of infrastructure and assisting with water treatment chemicals for the Municipality, to ensure the health and safety of both residents and visitors.

If you have any concerns or questions please don't hesitate to contact us at Hills of Africa Travel.

To plan your trip of a lifetime, please contact us at Hills of Africa Travel. We look forward to sharing the Magic of Africa with you.