Travel Butlers African Safari Blog.

Makalali, home of the stunning Garonga Safari Camp,  released their first herd of buffalo into the reserve yesterday.  The reserve  is now host to all of the Big 5 animals for the first time in 80 years!

We have some good news: as initially reported last week, the Zambian Government has now reduced visa fees payable by foreign nationals visiting the country with the aim of encouraging more tourists to visit Victoria Falls and other parts of the country.

The newly revised fees apply to all nationalities requiring a visa to visit Zambia, and have come into effect today (19th November 2008):

Single Entry: $50-00

Double Entry: $80-00

This is a substantial reduction for countries such as Britain and the United States of America.

It should however be noted that visa entry requirements remain unchanged, and while certain guests may need to apply for their visa prior to travelling, most can obtain a visa on arrival in Zambia.

Springbok Captain John Smit says that this week’s match against England will define the Boks tour, and indeed their year…it will also be the last Test the Boks play until the first Test against the Lions in June.

“We have been inconsistent this season, but to go undefeated on this tour, and in doing so play well against England, would mean a lot to us,” says Smit.

“England at Twickenham always provides a special challenge to us, and we look forward to seeing what Australia got right against them.”

Smit did a marvellous job in setting the example for the listless Boks against the Scots. He had a super game, making big tackles and taking the ball up powerfully, and in renewing his lineout duties, he hit his jumpers on every single occasion, having had to take over from hamstrung Bismarck du Plessis as early as the fifth minute.

Bismarck du Plessis has been given until this afternoon to show that he has a chance of recovering by Saturday. He will almost certainly be ruled out and then the call will go out to brother Jannie to get on the first plane to London.

The other casualty from Murrayfield, Gurthro Steenkamp, had a scan on the ankle he turned over and there is no serious damage.

You can read more about the South African view on the tour and upcoming England game on the IOL Sport website.

Anyone who missed “Natural World: A Wild Dog’s Story” on BBC TV this weekend should have a look at the video on the BBC iPlayer site.

The film follows the remarkable story of an African Wild Dog called Newky and follows his life from puppy to adulthood…it is a magnificent film, and really captures the hardship of these fascinating animals lives.

The autumn rugby internationals continue to provide somewhat depressing food for thought ahead on next year’s British Lions tour of South Africa.

All three of the big Southern Hemisphere teams managed to post victories over the Home Nations, with only the Springboks looking in any way vulnerable.  Even here, the second half comeback that saw them post 14 points without reply emphasises how difficult it will be in South Africa next year - there are few teams in any sport which are as dangerous as the Springboks when their backs are against the wall.

England enjoyed good possession against the Aussies, but ultimately gave away far too many penalties and lacked the true attacking flair to turn possession into points.  The English scrum also looked unconvincing against Austrailia, and this is an area that the South Africans will be looking to exploit next week.

It appears the next week’s England v South Africa game will be the only realistic chance of the Home Nations getting a victory against any of the Southern Hemisphere teams - I cannot see the All Blacks or Aussie slipping up in any of their remaining games, although Wales will be keen to push them all the way.

Match reports and opinion on the BBC Sport web site.

The Western Cape of South Africa has been hit hard by severe storms this week as reported in The Cape Argus. The N1 and many roads in the Overberg area are closed due to flooding, and the town of Montagu has been totally cut off. The N2 coastal road that links Cape Town to the Garden Route and Port Elizabeth remains open.

Cape Town appears to be over the worst of it for the moment, however more rain is expected for the Garden Route and Overberg over the weekend, and November rainfall stats look certain to set new records.   See the 3 day weather forecasts for more details.

Holidaymakers should check their routes before heading off, and it would probably be wise to avoid unnessesary trips as those roads that are open will have more traffic than usual and the weather conditions will also cause more problems.

Congratulations to Ghost Mountain Innin KwaZulu-Natal which has just raised R80,000 (approx £5,500) for their local Mtwazi Combined School and have bought desks and chairs for the Grade 3 class and set work language books. Many of the hotels and lodges we work with in Africa do substantial charity work with their local communities, and this is just one example of the benefits that tourism can bring to poor local communities along with jobs and protection of the environment.

Between fundraising events, they have also been very active upgrading rooms at the hotel to include minibars and safes, replacing all the beds and linen and upgrading twin beds to ¾ and king size beds in the Executive rooms.  They also now offer complimentary wireless internet access for those who cannot keep away from their email or the business news whilst they are away.

 Congratulations to Craig and his team on a very busy and successful couple of months!

Want to experience the bush from the comfort of your living room? iafrica.com is reporting that National Geographic Wild Channel is broadcating twice-daily game drives this week ‘live’ from Singita Lebombo in the Kruger National Park, to 166 countries worldwide.

The programme, called ‘Caught on Safari: Live’, is presented by safari legend John Varty and Andy Coetzee, and will feature morning and afternoon game drives that are being broadcast ‘live’ until Saturday 15 November. The drives will take place from 6am-8am, and again from 5pm-7pm daily.

The programme will be hosted by UK wildlife presenter Michaela Strachan and will be broadcast on National Geographic Wild, as well as online at www.natgeotv.com. Game rangers and wildlife trackers from Singita, along with veterinarians and ecologists, will also share insight into Africa’s conservation issues, as well as specific initiatives taking place in the Kruger National Park.

The ‘virtual safari’ will cover the length and breadth of the 15 000 hectare Singita Kruger National Park concession, situated along South Africa’s border with Mozambique on the far eastern reaches of the Kruger National Park.

Today is the fifth anniversary of Travel Butlers’ first client booking

We have come a long way since that warm and sunny spring day in Cape Town  - our first client booked a few nights at Tsitsikamma Lodge on the Garden Route, and since then we have helped many thousands of people plan their safaris, honeymoons, and family holidays to Southern Africa. 

We have also literally come a long way, moving the company from  South Africa back to the UK in 2004. So whilst we celebrated our first booking in a beach-front bar in Camps Bay, we will be toasting our fifth anniversary in a cosy pub in Weybridge (just outside London).  At least it is not raining at the moment…although it probably won’t be long before the next downpour!

Many thanks to all the people who have made this such a successful and enjoyable period for us, especially the many wonderful guests we have helped plan honeymoons, African safari holidays and other special trips for; our friends in the trade in South Africa, Namibia, and the surrounding countries; and of course the excellent people who have worked so hard with us over the years: Susan, Anneli, Bryony, and Alys.

Here’s to the next 25 years!

Tracey & Paul Campbell.

We have just received notification that the Zambian government have put forward plans to REDUCE the current visa fees from US$150 to US$50 for single entry while double or multiple-entry fee will be reduced from US$340 to US$80.

However, please note that these new visa fees would only come into effect once the Minister of Home Affairs signs the statutory instrument. President Rupiah Banda had promised during his electioneering campaign that once elected into office he would slash the visa fees.

Watch this space …. !