WILD ZAMBEZI NEWS - MAY 2016  Explore our travel listings & share your own experiences on our website Wild Zambezi.com. PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-NEWSLETTER! | | | KAZA UNIVISA: CLARITY NEEDED
 According to South African travel trade journal, Tourism Update, (24th May 2016), the Zimbabwean travel industry has appealed to its government to explain the situation regarding the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Univisa, which is currently suspended after Zambia apparently ran out of the special paper required to print it.
At the Indaba 2016 Travel Show in Durban this year, strong rumours that the Univisa was shortly to be re-launched sent a buzz of excitement through the tourism industry which is concerned that the suspension has had a negative impact on travel into Zimbabwe. However, nothing has yet materialised despite the rumours.
The Univisa regime was piloted between Zimbabwe and Zambia last year, as a six-month programme, following the 2014 UN World Tourism Organisation general assembly co-hosted by the two countries in Victoria Falls & Livingstone.
Plans were afoot to extend the Univisa to all countries in the Kavango-Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area (including Namibia, Botswana and Angola) as a convenience for visitors and to promote tourism to the region.
The tourism industry fears that the current suspension of the Zim-Zam Univisa could derail plans to replicate the system into five other countries in the region.
Zimbabwe Tourism Minister, Walter Mzembi, is apparently battling to bring all relevant parties in both countries together to find a solution to the problem. Meanwhile, Zambia is advising visitors that the Univisa is not operational and that it will announce its resumption in due course.
Meanwhile, in the absence of the convenient Univisa, Wild Zambezi advises all visitors to Zimbabwe or Zambia who wish to make a cross-border trip between the two countries (e.g. a day trip across the Victoria Falls Bridge) to purchase a multi-entry visa at their initial port of entry. This will be more cost-effective than paying full visa charges on re-entry.
| | THE WILD ZAMBEZI STAND AT INDABA 2016, DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA
Thank you to the many members of the travel trade who visited Wild Zambezi's stand at the Indaba Travel Show in Durban, South Africa in May. Ten of our travel network partners were represented on our stand at this year's Show. It was most encouraging for all of us to meet, not only with our existing regional and international market, but also with a large number of new agents and buyers from Europe, Australia and the Americas who are showing an increasing interest in Zimbabwe (and the Zambezi River's wild areas) as a travel destination.
| | ACE AIR & AMBULANCE INTERNATIONALLY ACCREDITED FOR CRITICAL CAR TRANSPORT 
Congratulations to Wild Zambezi network partners, ACE Air and Ambulance, who have just been accredited by the European Aeromedical Institution for Critical Care Transportation.
They have been named as an accredited air ambulance for Africa.
Find out more about the services offered by ACE Air & Ambulance on their listings page on WildZambezi.com | |  LATEST TRAVEL REVIEWS ON WILDZAMBEZI.COM
May 2016
Take a look at what people are saying about their travel experiences at these latest Travel Review postings on WildZambezi.com.
Follow the links below (click on REVIEWS or scroll down to the bottom of each page for the Review section):-
Baobab Bookings – agency for accommodation, houseboats, transfers and activities throughout Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba specialists.
Changa Safari Camp - Lake Kariba shoreline luxury tented camp within the Matusadona National Park
Marineland - Kariba's largest marina and harbour, offering houseboats for charter, mooring, launching, boat transfers, fuel, drinks, ice, fishing bait and supplies.
Have something to say about a place you have visited or a service you have experienced? Tell others about it by submitting a Travel Review on the relevant page on Wild Zambezi.com. | | CHECK OUT THESE TRAVEL SPECIALS ON WILDZAMBEZI.COM
 Don't forget the great SPECIALS on offer from some of Wild Zambezi's network partners.
Check them out on each of these page links (scroll down and to the right):-
African Bush Camps (Kanga & Zambezi Expeditions, Mana Pools): MANA MADNESS SPECIAL – stay min 3 nights at one of these properties (6 nights altogether at African Bush Camps facilities) and get FREE flights in and out of Mana Pools. (Valid until 30 June 2016) LONG STAY SPECIAL – at any combo of African Bush Camps – 5% discount for 6+ nights; 10% discount for 9+ nights. LOVEBIRD SPECIAL - spend your honeymoon at any African Bush Camps properties and get 1 Night FREE when you spend 6 nights or more. AUGUST FAMILY SPECIAL - Spend 3 nights or more with African Bush Camps and the 5th person stays free.
Changa Safari Camp (Lake Kariba/Matusadona): ZIMBABWE WINTER SPECIALS for June & July; COMBO SPECIAL with The Hide (Hwange) - stay 6 nights (3 in each camp) and pay for 5. INTERNATIONAL SPECIALS for Nov-Dec 2016.
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge (Zambezi River upstream from Victoria Falls): Imbabala-Elephant Camp combo special. 3 nights Imbabala, 1 night The Elephant Camp. Includes tour of Vic Falls.
Marineland (Lake Kariba): Winter specials on selected houseboat charters
Musango Island Safari Camp (Lake Kariba): Cool Waters Package (Vic Falls/Kariba/Mana Pools) and Get a Night on Us (Stay for 4 nights, pay for 3)
Ruckomechi Camp (Wilderness Safaris) (Mana Pools/Hwange): Special rates for local residents until end June 2016.
Spurwing Island (Lake Kariba/Matusadona): Winter Special valid June & July 2016 (not applicable 16-20 June).
Victoria Falls River Lodge (Zambezi National Park/Victoria Falls): FAMILY VALUE SPECIAL Share a Family Suite with 2 or more children (4-17 years) and the youngest child stays for FREE. In the case of a twin or a triplet, 1 x child stays for free. (Valid between 1 Nov & 20 Dec 2016 and 7 Jan - 31 March 2017.)
Wild Dog Tours (Kariba): Special Discounts on selected Lake Kariba houseboats and self-catering accommodation in Kariba Town. Valid until July 2016 (excluding 17th - 20th June).
| | NEWS FROM MARINELAND HARBOUR
- KARIBA WATER LEVEL STILL RISING;
- LIONS AND MORE LIONS
- HANDIGAS NOW AVAILABLE
Water Levels
Once again, we are most grateful to Marineland Harbour in Kariba for keeping excellent track of the water levels in the Zambezi River and in Lake Kariba and publishing the current figures in their newsletters.
Points of interest for May include the following:-
- Upper Zambezi River flows recorded at Chavuma upstream of the Barotseland Floodplains in western Zambezi show that, after heavy rains in the upper catchment area, the waters are now subsiding very fast.
- Zambezi water flows out of Barotseland are still substantial
- River flows at Victoria Falls peaked at 3000 cu/m/sec in April, but they are now dropping.
- Lake Kariba has risen by 2.61 meters since February this year, and continues to do so at an average rate of 2.58 cm per day. With the late rains this year, it is expected that this increase could continue into July this year. However, the high level water mark for 2016 depends on the rate of water discharge through Kariba Dam's hydro-electric turbines. This has has already increased substantially since the lake started to rise.
Lion sightings
 Marineland also reports that the pride of lions that was present within Kariba town during March and April appears to have moved out of town. However another pride of 6 has been recently been sighted a few times by different travellers about 25 km out of town along the Kariba-Makuti Road.
The picture above, taken by Barbara Bourne and kindly shared with Marineland, shows that they appear to be in good condition. Keep a look out for them if you are travelling along this road in the near future!
Handigas available
Marineland have recently obtained the distributorship for BOC Handigas in the Kariba area and will be stocking their gas and products shortly. All sizes of Handigas will be available as well as the capability of filling and replacing gas bottles. This will be useful for the tourism industry and for self-drivers and campers travelling the Zambezi areas.
Contact Marineland directly via their details listed on WildZambezi.com.
| | NEW VIDEO FOR RHINO SAFARI CAMP
Check out this lovely new video showcasing Rhino Safari Camp - an intimate and authentic bushcamp situated on the shores of Lake Kariba in the Matusadona National Park. Click on the image below and scroll down to the video. ENJOY!
Contact Rhino Safari Camp directly via their details listed on WildZambezi.com.
| | CHANGA SAFARI CAMP GOES SOLAR!
Changa Safari Camp, in the Matusadona National Park on Lake Kariba, has introduced a new solar system in order to benefit from the natural free resource of all that Kariba sunshine!
 They have installed 60 solar panels on the roof of their workshop and vehicle garage at the camp. These charge 12 super long-life flooded batteries which are especially designed for a hot climate.
The system produces enough power to run the entire camp i.e. fridges, deep freezes, ice machine, water pumps and other day to day electrics, as well as providing 24-hour lighting and fans in the guest tents.
Generator fuel consumption (and all the associated problems of procurement, delivery, storage and maintenance) has now been removed completely for the running of the camp!
Solar energy was the obvious choice for a remote location like this. The system requires very little maintenance other than a simple battery check with distilled water once a week . The panels are washed with water only (no detergents needed) to clear off the dust.
For more information and contact details, see the Changa Safari Camp listings page on WildZambezi.com.
| | ZIM4X4: WILD AREAS LOOKING GOOD AFTER LATE RAINS
Self-drive wilderness operators, Zim4x4, report that they are just back from a delightful safari in the Zambezi Valley, spending time in Kariba, Matusadona and Mana Pools.
"The cool winter weather has set in." reports Dick Pitman. "We had cloudy dawns and pleasantly cool days and the fishing was slow because of lower water temperatures. We had to work for our wildlife sightings - many species still widely dispersed after late rains. But it was such a pleasure to see plentiful grazing and browsing and animals in good condition to face the dry months to come."
For more information and contact details, see the Zim4x4 listings page on WildZambezi.com.
| | KAVINGA SAFARI CAMP OPENS IN MANA POOLS
The newly-constructed Kavinga Safari Camp, perched on top of a cliff overlooking the wide, sandy expanses of the Ruckomechi River in the southern sector of Mana Pools National Park, officially opened its doors to visitors in May. The images above show the 10-bedded camp from the air (left), from the base of the cliff (centre) and from the waterhole and wildlife observation hide in front of the camp (right).
The camp is located near the Zambezi escarpment mountains off the main Mana Pools access road, about 9 kilometres away from the famous Chitake Spring. It consists of five spacious double or twin-bedded, en-suite, tented units with wide verandahs built on raised platforms overlooking the mountains and the sunrise. The central reception/dining/lounge area has an upstairs wooden deck with magnificent views over the waterhole and the Ruckomechi River.
A stepped pathway leads visitors down the cliff into a cleverly-disguised wildlife observation hide built into the ground to provide close-up views and incredible opportunities to photograph wild animals and birds drinking at the camp waterhole.
Kavinga Safari Camp has professional guides on hand to offer a true wilderness experience to wildlife enthusiasts, walkers, hikers and photographers wanting to explore this lesser-known part of the magnificent Mana Pools Park and World Heritage Site.
Get in touch with Kavinga Safari Camp directly via their contact details listed on WildZambezi.com.
| | WILDERNESS SAFARIS RE-OPENS THE RE-BUILT RUCKOMECHI CAMP
Wilderness Safaris' beautiful Ruckomechi Camp on the banks of the Zambezi River at the edge of Mana Pools National Park has reopened after extensive renovations.
The camp has been completely rebuilt from ground up on the same extraordinary spot overlooking the Zambezi River, with the magnificent escarpment mountains as a backdrop. Eight spacious and elegant new guest tents with wooden decking looking out over the Zambezi River floodplain,are located either side of the pool, lounge, main and dining areas. Two new family rooms will be finished by August.
In the meantime, work is progressing with the new Little Ruckomechi camp - an additional separate, tented camp for small parties and exclusive use. This will open in July 2016.
Check out the listings page for Wilderness Safaris' Ruckomechi Camp on WildZambezi.com and contact them direct from there.
| | AFRICAN BUSH CAMPS BIDS FAREWELL TO A CHAMPION
 Zimbabwean tour operator Africa Bush Camps, which runs Kanga Camp and Zambezi Expeditions in Mana Pools National Park (as well as camps in Hwange and Botswana), has announced that their Head of Marketing, Shelley Cox, leaves the company at the end of May.
Shelley has been a tremendous champion of African Bush Camps and a true Ambassador of our growing brand, says founder-owner, Beks Ndlovu. Her desire to further herself with diverse experiences is testament to her ever increasing passion for life, people, conservation and tourism. We wish her the very best as she discovers her new journey. With sadness we accept this great loss knowing that she will continue to be a part of what African Bush Camps aims to achieve for Africa, its people and wildlife.
Wild Zambezi wishes Shelley all the very best in her new direction. We very much appreciate the loyal support she has always shown for our work to promote tourism opportunities to the wild areas of the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe.
For more information and contact details about African Bush Camps properties in the Zambezi Valley, see their listings page on WildZambezi.com.
| | BRAND NEW LOOK FOR THE BOMA - DINNER & DRUM SHOW
The famous Boma Restaurant in Victoria Falls has changed its name and branding and is having an exciting new upgrade. Now called The Boma - Dinner & Drum Show, the restaurant's food offering is being fine-tuned under the guidance of South African celebrity chef Arnold Tanzer (pictured here with some of the staff of The Boma).
Mr Tanzer and his team have introduced a delicious four-course meal that combines a mouth-watering shared starter platter featuring skewered peppered impala, smoked crocodile tail, corn ciabatta and "nyimo" fritters, soup from the campfire, a braai (barbecue) buffet and desserts. The Boma is known for its local Zimbabwean delicacies, such as mopane worms, warthog steak and Zambezi bream, as well as beef, pork and chicken dishes, and vegetarian, ensuring there is something to suit every palate.
Mr Tanzer says: "The Boma is iconic in Victoria Falls. It tells a story about the food and culture of Zimbabwe, and so it has to be treated carefully. The essence of The Boma will remain – we are not trying to change it, but just re-energise and contemporise it without losing its traditional feel.... Africa is about hospitality and generosity. Wherever you go people always offer you food. Our idea is to bring wholesome food, chunk up the salads, and also to present them in slightly bigger, beautiful platters," Mr Tanzer said.
Africa Albida Tourism chief executive Ross Kennedy adds: "The Boma - Dinner & Drum Show is so much more than a meal - it's a whole evening of entertainment featuring energetic dance performances, lively songs, story-telling, face painting and an incredible interactive drumming show. It is a celebration of Zimbabwe." The upgrade will include the introduction of new entertainment elements, as well as new crockery for the buffet and new staff uniforms.
The Boma opened in 1992 on property adjacent to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, with just 60 seats as an open air "bush" restaurant to cater for guests at Lokuthula Lodges. It has since grown into a "must do" Victoria Falls experience, able to accommodate 320 diners, and has welcomed more than one million guests since it opened. "It is not being changed", says Kennedy, "but rejuvenated to ensure it remains a favourite Victoria Falls experience" .
Contact The Boma - Dinner & Drum Show directly via their details listed on WildZambezi.com.
| |  ENJOY A RIVER SAFARI ON THE ZAMBEZI WITH WILDERNESS TOURING
Available for breakfast, lunch or at sunset, this is an ideal way to experience the "mighty Zambezi" - especially with the water levels nice and high again. Cruise to amazing parts of the Zambezi that have previously been out of reach and enjoy the thrill of speeding over rapids before slowing down for a leisurely game viewing trip around the islands.
An experienced skipper will conduct your safari, and will explain the river, the wildlife, the people and the history of the area.
For more information, contact Wilderness Touring directly via their details listed on WildZambezi.com.
| | CALLING INTREPID ADVENTURERS: WILD HORIZONS OFFERS:-
- HIGH WATER RAFTING (CURRENTLY UNDERWAY)
- MULTI-DAY RAFTING TRIPS (AUG & SEPT)
 The pounding high water-levels of the Zambezi River over Victoria Falls have started to subside a little and, after a short closure this year, Wild Horizons opened their High Water white water rafting activities on 18th May 2016. Trips are now running from Rapid No.15 to Rapid No.24.
The Zambezi River offers arguably the biggest, wildest, most exciting one-day White Water Rafting experience on the planet. Wild Horizons' finest river crew will help adventurers take on the Grade 5 rapids and pounding white water of the Batoka Gorge below Victoria Falls.
The company is also offering set-departure, multi-day rafting trips in August and September this year (ideal for solo travellers and small groups). These will offer not only thrills and spills, but also the chance to see hippos, crocodiles and prolific birdlife, to camp on sparkling white beaches and to enjoy hearty meals under starlight.
For more information, contact Wild Horizons directly via their details listed on WildZambezi.com.
| | CANOEING THE ZAMBEZI ABOVE VICTORIA FALLS 
A sunset canoe trip on the Zambezi River is one of the many activities offered by Imvelo Safari Lodges out of their Victoria Falls properties (Gorges Lodge and Zambezi Sands River Camp).
For more information, contact Imvelo Safari Lodges directly via their listings page links(above) on WildZambezi.com.
| | 
TAIL ENDER....
How cute is this?
(Thanks to Africa Geographic.
Photo by Lets Kamogelo)
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WILD ZAMBEZI TRAVEL ASSOCIATES :-    | | | THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ON THE BANKS OF THE ZAMBEZI! PLEASE PASS ON THIS NEWSLETTER! | | | | |
