Image taken by the Traigers

Recently returned from a trip to Africa, Dr. Dean Traiger and Tami Traiger share their photographs and experiences below:

What was your greatest interest/challenge/obstacle that brought you to Africa?

Our passion is to travel and to visit exotic places. Our biggest obstacle was figuring out the logistics (What? Where? When? How?), and that is where Hills of Africa’s expertise really shined!

Image taken by the Traigers

What was the experience while traveling and working with Hills of Africa Travel?

Working with Hills of Africa was very easy. Mark and Sandy were quickly available by email or phone whenever we had an issue or question. While in Africa we had contact numbers to call for help but thankfully we didn’t need it. That was a great anxiety reducer to know that if we had trouble we were not completely on our own.

Image taken by the Traigers

What has changed for you since your travels?

Learned more about African culture and the jewel that this continent represents and the importance of preserving it for others to experience. I want to take my children there when they are a few years older.

Image taken by the Traigers

Image taken by the Traigers

Image taken by the Traigers

Below is a spotlight on a variety of southern African parks and reserves to make your decision process go a bit more smoothly:

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Perfect for . . .

• Honeymooners who are looking for the ultimate romantic setting with a seamless combination of adventure and relaxation.
• Families who want to experience some of Africa’s most highly acclaimed safari tours.
• Bird lovers who want to exercise their photography skills in the bush.
• The adventurous and the non-adventurous. With accommodations for all preferences, travelers can choose from adventurous camps to more refined, luxury lodges and hotels.

When to go: Although the Okavango Delta offers year-round beauty, the best time for game viewing is during the months when vegetation has dried out, between May and October. And for bird lovers, the months between November and April are an exciting time as migrant bird populations return to the area.

What to see and do:

• Enjoy adventurous game drives where you’ll witness exotic birds, elephants, zebras, buffalo, red lechwe, wattled crane, lion, buffalo, hippos, and giraffes.
• Visit Moremi National Park and witness breathtaking scenery comprised of cracked, red-mud plains and glistening lagoons hidden between the solid trunks of towering baobabs.
• Experience glorious boat rides through the blue lagoons and witness some of Africa’s most exotic bird life.
• Enjoy a delightful picnic on one of the Okavango Delta’s exclusive islands.
• Embark on a journey above the treetops in a helicopter safari.

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

Perfect for . . .

• Honeymooners who are interested in spending most of their days exploring one of the world’s most magnificent wildlife sanctuaries.
• Adventurists looking to explore and discover the unknown on walking safaris.
• Avid birdwatchers.

When to go: Although South Luangwa National Park is open year-round, the best time to visit is during the months between April and November.

What to see and do:

• As one of Africa’s leading safari destinations, South Luangwa National Park is ideal for walking safaris and game drives where visitors often witness the elusive leopard.
• Strewn with interlacing networks of streams and tributaries, South Luangwa National Park is comprised of thriving eco-systems that are home to over 100 different species of mammals and more than 500 species of birds.
• Enjoy a mountain biking safari tour through game trails and paths.

Mana Pools, Zimbabwe

Perfect for . . .

• Honeymooners interested in African safari tours.
• Adventurous families.
• Photographers looking to capture some of the most beautiful areas of Africa on camera.

When to go: The best time to visit this park is during the months of March to early October. These months offer fantastic weather and game viewing at its best.

What to see and do:

• Located on the southern bank of the Zambezi River, Mana Pools encompasses 541,000 acres of unspoiled wilderness—commonly called Zimbabwe’s Wildlife Riviera because of its abundant wildlife.
• Experience walking safaris among the roaming wildlife and discover animal tracks, callings, and behaviors.
• Take a wild journey on an adventurous canoeing safari as you trail down the Zambezi from Kariba in the west and reach Kanyemba in the east.
• Observe grazing buffalo, still crocodiles, wading elephants, hippo families and over 380 species of bird, such as as goliath herons and malachite kingfishers.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in our comments section.

Image taken from Manyara Ranch Conservancy website (http://www.manyararanch.com/)

Imagine experiencing a trip to Africa that is built around exclusivity, pure wilderness, and complete luxury. Manyara Ranch Conservancy has the exact formula for the ultimate African safari vacation you’ve been looking for.  With 35,000 acres of pristine wilderness and cultural enlightenment, it’s no wonder Manyara Ranch Conservancy has been referred to as the most exciting tourism project to come out of Tanzania.

Below is a 4-day sample itinerary of just a few things you can experience at Manyara Ranch Conservancy:

Day 1

After arriving at the Manyara Ranch Conservancy, enjoy an energizing lunch and experience an exceptional game drive where you’ll witness the Big Five as well as other mesmerizing animals such as the African wild dog, the zebra, and exotic bird species. After a day of excitement, relax with refreshing sundowners and a scrumptious bush dinner before a good night’s rest at the Manyara Ranch Tented Camp.

Image taken from Manyara Ranch Conservancy website (http://www.manyararanch.com/)

Day 2

Awake to the refreshing aromas of a bush breakfast and prepare yourself for an early morning game walk where you’ll venture though the bush to discover new and exciting creatures.

When you return from your adventurous walk, visit the local primary school and enjoy a Maasai cultural visit where you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn about the Maasai culture and lifestyle, directly from the locals. Because the neighboring Maasai communities own the Manyara Ranch, everyone who visits the Conservancy has a direct contribution to helping the Maasai sustain their ancient cultural heritage.

The day ends with a night game drive through the lively bush, followed by a traditional bush dinner.

Image taken from Manyara Ranch Conservancy website (http://www.manyararanch.com/)

Day 3

Delight in breakfast at the camp before you embark on a horseback safari through the sprawling plains of Tanzania and the local villages. With a plethora of wilderness beauty and wild game, the Manyara Conservancy is one of the best places in Tanzania to experience a horseback safari. These breathtaking safaris are led by professional equestrian guides and are offered in one-day tours and multiday safaris.

After your adventurous horseback safari, enjoy a private dinner beneath Tanzania’s velvety and star-sprinkled sky.

Image taken from Manyara Ranch Conservancy website (http://www.manyararanch.com/)

Day 4

After breakfast, embark on a drive to Lake Manyara National Park for a game drive where you’ll witness some of the most fascinating wildlife Tanzania has to offer.

You’ll then be transported to the luxurious Ngorongoro Crater Lodge where you will take pleasure in traditional Tanzanian cuisine before you retire to your lavish suite in the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge.

Day 5

Embark on one of the most unique tours of your trip, a thrilling full-day crater tour. On this tour, you’ll be able to walk through the Ngorongoro Crater and discover thousands of residential wild game within this spectacular World Heritage Site. From sightings of lions, elephants, wildebeests, gazelles, rhinos, and zebras, this once-volcanic site is the perfect way to end your adventurous stay with the Conservancy.

After your tour, enjoy relaxing sundowners before your dinner at the lodge, where you will stay until it’s time for your next adventure!

Discover more of what Manyara Ranch Conservancy has to offer by visiting their website.

Flying to Africa, spending long days in a safari vehicle or mokoro, and taking road and airplane transfers to and from your accommodations within Africa can leave you feeling pretty stiff and sluggish. But this is your vacation–you should be feeling fresh and limber each day! So, for those long days traveling or experiencing long game drives, incorporate a body-stimulating activity into your itinerary for the day. You’ll feel more energized and ready for the next adventure!

Below are 4 activities to participate in, in order to break up sitting time:

Spa Treatments: Not only is a spa treatment one of the most rejuvenating and detoxifying things you can do to your body, but it’s also a wonderful way to find your balance within your mind, body, and soul. And when you feel a sense of peace within your entire being, you are ready to take on anything. Whether you enjoy customized facials, deep massages, soothing wraps, or detoxifying scrubs, luxury spas found throughout Africa offer services that fuse the traditional healing powers of nature with revolutionary spa treatments.

Some of southern Africa’s top spas include Pezula Spa, The Birkenhead Spa, and The Saxon. Specifically, the Pezula Spa is famous for signature treatments that include scrubs, wraps, massages, milk baths, and hydrotherapies, that all incorporate the natural elements and essence of the Western Cape’s indigenous fynbos.

The Birkenhead spa, on the other hand, is celebrated for its holistic outdoor treatments, while The Saxon is known for its Signature Sound Therapy experience. This treatment incorporates the Zen-inducing sounds of gongs, cymbals, singing bowls and bells, and powerful color therapy, and is the ultimate in holistic therapy for the mind, body, and soul.

Walking Safaris or City Tours: Walking safaris can be experienced throughout many countries in Africa and are an excellent way to get up close to the wildlife while remaining active. As you journey through the varying terrain on a walking safari, you’ll learn to listen for the distinct callings of wildlife, search for animal markings, and track paths of residential lions and elephants with the invaluable expertise of  certified local guides. These highly knowledgeable guides introduce you to the hidden elements of indigenous wildlife that ranges from larger game to intricate wildlife hidden beneath rocks and inside crevasses. More specialized walking safaris include gorilla, rhino, or chimpanzee trekking, and birding safaris.

City tours are another excellent way to observe new elements, while stimulating the body. Depending on the city tour you wish to embark on, you’ll discover ancient architecture, historical significance, fascinating foods, new cultures, and much more.

And when it comes to walking safaris and city tours, don’t fret about the distance you have to walk. All of the high-end tours are customized to fit your personal needs and wishes. But that’s not to say some tours don’t require more physical strength and stamina than others. So, before booking a customized tour, always learn as much about the tour as possible before booking and–if needed–ask if there are any physical prerequisites.

Beach Visit: Whether you’re shelling, swimming, or taking a sunset stroll, the beach is the ultimate place to stretch out and stimulate the body.

The best places to enjoy a dip in the ocean include the pristine coastlines of Zanzibar, Mozambique, the Garden Route, and the Cape Peninsula. Each beach, however, offers differing activities for visitors to enjoy. Specifically, Zanzibar and Mozambique are ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling, and shelling, and the Garden Route and Cape Peninsula are great for long walks and relaxing swims. Cape Peninsula is also particularly famous for Boulders Beach, which is home to a colony of African penguins. Here, visitors can swim with the penguins and interact with them in their natural environments.

Cape Winelands tours

Wine Tasting: Walk or hike along the many winding trails of Cape Winelands and take in the scenic beauty and serenity of the countryside. Whether you’re looking to delight in a peaceful evening stroll or a hike to some of the region’s most fantastic vineyards, the surrounding trails are there for your pleasure and convenience.

As you walk past charming, century-old estates, stop by for a few wine tastings or olive oil tastings at your leisure and experience Cape Winelands on your time.

Some of the local villages you can visit by foot include Franschhoek’s historic French Huguenot Village, Paarl, and Stellenbosch. As you walk through these quaint cities you will observe all-encompassing, classic Cape Dutch style architecture and spectacular sight-seeing. You can also enjoy a variety of personalized one day wine tasting and olive tasting walking tours for an even deeper insight into the region’s history and cultural roots.

How would you want to rejuvenate your body after a day of travel? Tell us in our comments section.

Today, the Sans—who also continue to be called the Bushmen—are one of our only living links to ancient Africa, and continue to uphold some of their traditional hunter-gatherer ways of life dating back more than 20,000 years ago. Living throughout various countries in Africa including Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, and the Kalahari Desert, many of the Bushmen today have taken on modern lifestyle practices. Some grow crops, work on farms, receive water supply from manmade wells, and receive meat and food from the government.

But, there are still Bushmen today who only use traditional practices. This group consists of less than 2,000 individuals. Below are some of the traditional Bushmen practices that this small segment of Bushmen still use today:

Bushmen Hunting and Gathering Practices: Considered a social activity among the men of the Sans Tribe, hunting excursions require poisonous bows and arrows to kill prey. Used to kill large animals such as antelopes, the Bushmen use a poisonous concoction to stun and kill their prey. Some Bushmen use a mixture of poisonous beetle larvae, others use scorpion and spider essence, while others use a lethal mixture of snake venom and cactus juice. As the arrow penetrates the body, the poisonous mixture works to paralyze the victim and eventually kill it.

Because the animal does not die instantly from the shot, and often runs off after impact, the Bushmen must track the animal several hours after it is fatally wounded. The toxic concoction then works its way through the animal’s body and eventually stops its heart. The area where the arrow penetrated is the only inedible section of meat on the animal and is cut out before eating. The meat and bone marrow is shared by all of the individuals within the tribe and the hides are used for blankets and shelter.

While the men take responsibility for all of the hunting, the women do the gathering. Nearly 80% of food consumed by the San is from gathering. Most of this gathered food consists of berries, fruits, nuts, melons, and other plants. The women often gather three to four days out of the week and sometimes must travel great distances to find the food.

Water is collected by both genders and is often squeezed from plant roots or found when digging deep holes.

Finite Tracking Skills: One of the most enchanting elements of the Bushmen culture is the traditional tracking methods used for hunting. The direction of a single blade of grass, the gathering of twigs and fallen debris in a hoof print, the positioning of a hoof print, and the insects surrounding a print, are just a few observations that enable the Bushmen to track animals.

Through their tracking methods, the Bushmen can determine the sex and age of an animal, the time of day it was in a particular area, its diet, whether it’s injured or traveling with other animals, and its species, as well as the age of the track.

The age of an animal can be determined by observing the animal droppings. If the droppings are rough and not digested completely, this could determine that the animal is older. The age of a track can be determined by the debris that has fallen into it or by the residential termites that have gathered in the track to rebuild their crushed home.

Interact with the Bushmen: Many accommodations and safari tour outfitters throughout Botswana, and Namibia offer interactive bush walks with the San Tribe through the villages in which the tribes live. These local Bushmen share their extensive knowledge about survival and the secrets of the land, and also share their ancient survival skills, hunting techniques, tribal weaponry, and the laws of nature with visitors.

In addition to learning about nature, and hunting and gathering techniques directly from the Bushmen, visitors also witness the Bushmen interact in their unique language, which consists of various “click” sounds.

Packing for any trip, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a week-long trip, isn’t the most relaxing way to spend your afternoons and nights prior to your departure. The stress of forgetting something important or packing too much is always on the back-burner of your mind. But now, you’re days away from departing on your next big trip: a 10 day safari vacation in Africa. And the sheer thought of packing sends your stress levels sky rocketing.

But with the right packing tips, the only emotion you’ll feel in the weeks, days, and seconds prior to your trip to Africa is sheer excitement!

Rest assured that with the below packing tips, you’ll be relaxed and ready for your trip of a lifetime in the few weeks leading up to your departure.

Packing tips

1. Know the climate: Because you don’t want to over-stuff your bag with unnecessary items, ask your safari travel agent what the climate will be like in the country(s) you’ll be visiting in Africa.

Ask the following:

• Is it winter time or summer time?
• Is it the dry season or the wet season?

This should give you a better idea of what to pack in terms of heavy clothing or lighter attire.

2. Clothing: Whether you plan on partaking in walking safaris, canoe safaris, or game drives during your stay in Africa, long-sleeve shirts and pants are essential to prevent bugs, small scratches (walking safaris), and sunburns.

If you are traveling to Africa in the summer months, a rule of thumb is to bring light-cotton clothing, and if you’re traveling to Africa in the winter, bring heavier items in addition to a few lighter items so that you can remove layers if necessary.

For each item you choose to put in your suitcase, ask yourself:

• Is it comfortable and semi-casual / casual?
• Is it a neutral color? (Bright colors and white alert the animals; therefore, stick to basic colors such as khaki, tan, brown, off-white, forest green, etc.).

Because it depends on the time of year you travel to Africa and the duration of your trip, here are a few suggestions / guidelines to keep in mind while packing clothing:

• 2 pairs of long, casual pants.
• 2 – 4 pairs of shorts.
• 7 – 10 shirts (a mixture of long-sleeve and short-sleeve).
• 2 sweaters for chilly evenings / mornings.
• Thick jacket (only if you are visiting in the winter months).
• Hiking boots for walking safaris and game drives.
• Flip flops or waterproof shoes for canoe safaris (only if you are traveling in the summer should you pack flip flops).
• 1 cocktail dress / light-weight suit ONLY if you have plans to attend an event that requires this attire.
• 1 – 2 bathing suits.
• 1 light rain jacket.
• Clean underwear, socks, and undershirts for each day. Some accommodations offer complimentary or non-complimentary laundry services. Check before packing.

3. Sun and Bug Protection:

In addition to wearing long-sleeve shirts and pants to prevent bug bites and sunburns, you will also need some other items for proper preventative measures:

For Bugs: One bottle of bug repellent and a bug repellent designed to treat clothing.

For the Sun: Sunglasses with high UV protection, sunscreen (SPF 15 or 30) for your face and body, and a wide brim hat.

4. Documents:

If you are a U.S. citizen, South Africa doesn’t require you to have a visa. It’s crucial for you to have at least two blank pages per entry into South Africa for entry stamping. It’s also a requirement that your passport be valid for six months after date of travel.

Before you leave for your trip to Africa, make two copies of your passport and driver’s license. Take your original documents and a copy of your passport and driver’s license and give the other copy of these items to a responsible and readily available individual at home. Also leave a copy of your itinerary with this person so that they can contact you if an emergency should arise.

5. Money / Credit Cards:

Most establishments accept international credit cards as a standard form of payment. Major international credit cards such as VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Diners Club are accepted throughout the region, with VISA being the most widely used. In addition, ATMs are easily accessible in all major cities.

The U.S. dollar is accepted at many safari accommodations.

6. Toiletries (pack all liquid / powder toiletries in a sturdy, plastic zip lock bag):

• Toothbrush and toothpaste.
• Shampoo and conditioner.
• Deodorant.
• Hair brush.
• Disposable shavers.
• Face / body lotions.
• Aloe (to soothe any sunburns).
• Tweezers.
• Body soap.
• Makeup.
• Hair ties.
• You may bring your hairdryer and appliance chargers, but be sure to bring appropriate adaptors. Check with your safari travel agent for a list of appropriate adaptors.

7. Additional Accessories:

• Pen and notebook.
• Camera, lenses (if needed), and extra batteries / charger.
• Reading glasses or any other type of glasses. Contacts can often get dry and can be irritating to your eyes.
• Reading materials or field guide books.
• Binoculars.
• Wet wipes.
• Anti-bacterial hand sanitizer for traveling.

8. Medications: If you are in a malaria-prone region, be sure to bring necessary antibiotics / medications to prevent against the disease. Your doctor can advise you on / prescribe you with malaria prevention medications.

For muscle soreness, headaches, and other small aches and pains, bring Tylenol / Advil, anti-diarrhea medicine, and bug bite soothing cream.

Did you find this post helpful? If so, let us know in our comments section.

Yum!

You might want to wait until AFTER you eat lunch to read the below . . . Fascinating stuff!

Sacred to ancient Egyptians, the Dung Beetle is truly a fascinating beetle. Without these busy creatures we could not live in the tropics as we would be knee high in dung and swamped by flies. The picture of a happy couple rolling their dung ball down the road gets great attention and brings great joy to our guests on African safari tours. Being hit on the head while driving home at night after a successful days game-viewing by a dung beetle flying in the opposite direction at 20 miles an hour does not bring as much happiness.

There are thousands of types of dung beetle found all over the world on every continent except Antarctica. True Dung Beetles eat dung and do not need to eat or drink anything else because the dung provides all the necessary nutrients. The larvae feed on the undigested plant fiber in the dung, while the adults do not eat solid food at all. Instead, they use their mouthparts to squeeze and suck the juice from the manure, a liquid full of micro-organisms and other nutrients.

The Dung Beetles’ importance to the ecosystem can be seen in the study of a small 1.5 Kg pile of Elephant dung on the African savannah. In two hours, the small pile of dung attracted 16 000 dung beetles of various shapes and sizes. Between the beetles, they had eaten and / or buried that dung completely in just those two hours.

Another good example can be seen in Australia. Before 1788 there were no cattle in Australia, and therefore, the dung beetles had not evolved the ability to deal with all the cow dung–they were only specialists at eating marsupial dung. There are about 20 million cattle in Australia and each one drops about 12 pads a day. This is a huge amount of dung with no beetles to get rid of it. The dung fouled millions of hectares of grazing land and gave birth to Australia’s infamous fly reputation. They brought in new types of dung beetles to manage the cow dung and the problem is being solved.

There are three basic groups of dung beetles: rollers, tunnelers, and dwellers. The dwellers simply live and breed in the dung, the tunnelers bury the dung where they find it, and the rollers roll round balls of dung off to a safe place to bury it. Regardless as to how they do it, they all lay their eggs in the dung and leave them to hatch with a food source of dung that allows the larva to grow and metamorphosis into adult beetles.

See below for the ultimate dung beetle race!

Here are a few unique projects you can do to help preserve all of your African safari memories—no matter how small they may seem at the time:

Lunch at La Colombe Restaurant

1. The written word: Prior to your African safari vacation, you’ll already have your perfectly planned safari itinerary prepared, outlining each day’s activities and destinations. Before leaving for Africa, purchase a journal and breakdown your itinerary into categories. You could break them down into countries you will be visiting, lodges or camps you’ll be staying in, or types of destinations you’re headed to—whether it’s urban or rural, historical or cultural, or on the coast. There’s no right or wrong way to create your journal. It’s yours.

Then, create detailed sections within each category. For example, if you’re going to Cape Winelands for three days, designate three separate sections of your journal for each day you spend in Cape Winelands. Within each section, create your very own subcategories such as Where I had breakfast, Most exciting adventure of the day, Most beautiful thing I saw today, Favorite wine I tasted today, Favorite food I tasted today, etc. The possibilities are endless!

This allows you to leisurely capture every moment of your day without having to struggle through all the day’s events, trying to get them down into words. This also ensures you don’t forget to write down some of the greatest parts of the day.

2. The perfect coffee table book: Scrap booking is a wonderful way to capture your adventures into a fun-filled read after returning home from your African safari vacation. While you are in Africa, collect tourist pamphlets and hotel cards, save your itineraries, and keep two or three money bills to put into your scrap book. Any authentic keepsakes you can find that would fit into a scrap book are perfect.

When you return home, purchase stickers related to your adventures, construction paper to use as the background of your scrap book pages, write small notes or funny quotes you remember from your trip and paste them next to photos you took, use different shaped scissors to cut your photo edges with, and paste photos throughout the book. Burn the edges of paper that you write mini notes on or burn the edges of construction paper to give your scrap book a worn look. Have fun!

Once you are finished with your scrap book, you can place it on your living room coffee table and present it to guests. This form of memory preservation is not only fun to create, but it’s also an engaging work of art.

3. Preservation of individual moments in time: Although photographing is an obvious form of memory preservation, there are a variety of unique ways to organize your photos and share them with others. You could create an album for each country you visited, make animal and bird albums, or create a slideshow that you can put onto a CD and send to family and friends. Remember to write up notes associated with each photograph and paste them into the album.

4. Split seconds of excitement: In order to simultaneously capture the sounds and sights of Africa, you’ll need to invest in a mini video camera. A Flip video is a small, handheld video camera with excellent picture and sound, that enables you to take it anywhere and everywhere during your African safari vacation. Its sleek build makes it easily accessible for those split second captures of a lion killing a zebra, or a hyena stalking its prey.

And when you go back to edit your video, you can select single images to make into photos.

5. Artistic interpretations: This may not be appealing to some, which is completely understandable, but drawing allows you to express the emotions you feel at that particular moment. Drawings don’t have to be the work of artistic masterminds such as Monet or Michelangelo, they are your own personal feelings toward what you are experiencing or seeing that day. Perhaps a drawing means more to you than a photographic image, because they are your own interpretation of what you see and feel. If you are going to be drawing on your trip, don’t forget to pack all of your artistic materials. Don’t get crazy though. Some pencils and paper will do just fine. Maybe even some soft pastels.

Bringing to life this exotic fairy tale is Tango-Tensity, a company specializing in Tango inspired trips to Africa and South America. Their newest South African safari trip, Big 5 and Tango, immerses travelers into the African bush, while incorporating Tango workshops into the many adventures of the day.

Leading the Tango workshops is the son of Carlos Copello, internationally acclaimed Argentine Tango master and founder of Escuela Carlos Copello dance academy, Maxi Copello. Renowned for his brilliant choreography and authentic dance skills, Maxi Copello and his partner, Nadia Johnson, seamlessly integrate this timeless dance style into the spirit of the African bush. To be taught and guided by Maxi Copello is a rare and highly-rewarding experience to be had.

When and where does the Big 5 and Tango take place?

The Big 5 and Tango safari trip takes place in South Africa from May 3 – May 9, 2010. Guests will stay at Madikwe Game Reserve’s 5-Star accommodation, Tau Safari Lodge, where they’ll experience everything from an extremely luxurious and comfortable stay, to adventures in the African bush and sensual dancing beneath the stars.

What is on the itinerary?

Filled with adventurous activities, exceptional dance workshops, and relaxation time, the Big 5 and Tango itinerary incorporates everything you need for an unforgettable African safari vacation.

The first day you arrive to South Africa’s OR Tambo International Airport, you’ll be greeted by a Tango-Tensity team member. In the afternoon, enjoy a half-day guided city tour of Johannesburg. Afterward, a relaxing and delectable dinner will be served with a special welcome from Tango maestros Maxi Copello and Nadia Johnson from Buenos Aires.

The following day you will be escorted to the Madikwe Game Reserve where, upon arrival, you will be greeted with a lunch followed by an exciting game drive through the surrounding area.

For each of the following days, you will experience a morning game drive, followed by a delicious breakfast, as well as three hours of morning Tango, one and half hours of afternoon Tango, a night drive, and a romantic dinner beneath the stars.

While on your safari tours, you’ll have the opportunity to see some of Africa’s most riveting game including the Big 5 and more than 20 other species of large animals. In addition to the large game, smaller game as well as reptiles, birds, and amphibians are often spotted and provide an eclectic mix of visual pleasures.

When you’re not on your game drive, you’ll be enjoying the fresh Argentine sounds of the Tango. Over the course of your South African safari trip, you’ll learn a variety of techniques from Maxi and Nadia including prolixity, walking, ochos, connection, double-bit, sequences, rhythm, embellishments, lead, and more.

On May 8, the day before your departure home, you’ll check out of Tau Safari Lodge after an early morning game drive and breakfast, at which time, you’ll be escorted back to Johannesburg. During the afternoon, Maxi and Nadia will be available for private lessons.

Do I need experience in the Tango?

Whether you’re new to the Tango or a Tango connoisseur, Big 5 and Tango can be enjoyed by all couples alike. But it is important to note that each day incorporates roughly three hours of Tango dancing into the schedule. So be prepared for some exercise and exciting dance routines.

For more on the Big 5 and Tango, visit Tango-Tensity’s website.

Sandy on safari in Madikwe

Why do I do this and why do clients come to me to do this?  We in the travel industry are facing lots of consumers scouring the internet looking for deals, when to go on vacation, where to go, how long etc?  So the question begs …. why should you book your vacation with a specialist?  It shouldn’t only be because I love what I do.  I have spent the past week thinking about this question and the comments posted on my friend’s blog.  If you are in the travel industry, I would love to hear your feedback, but in the meantime I’ve come up with some answers.

Here are 10 reasons travelers should book with a specialist.

1. Clients come to a travel agent or tour operator for their expertise, knowledge and advice. Most travel agents have a specialty or niche.  At Hills of Africa we have three specialists who have been in the industry working as guides, working at hotels and working in the travel industry for over 15 years.  We spend large amounts of time investing in ourselves to make sure we know our product.  In my case I take 2-3 three-week trips to Africa every year to educate myself on my product and the destinations I promote.  I never recommend a product to a client that I have never visited.  It is important for me to be able to talk with my clients about the different types of accommodation, the game viewing experience, the cuisine, the quality of guides, even their names.

2.  More for your money. If you are scouring the internet for the best deals, you might not come up with the best deal.  Those of us in the industry are kept up to date on deals, for example some properties offer a “stay for 3, pay for 2″ deal, or even a combination of staying at three different properties with a “stay for 9, pay for 6″.  As they say, the lowest price isn’t always the best deal, travel agents are aware of the deals that are only available to the travel agent trade.

Surprises for our clients

3.  Personal Service. Even if you are not going for a special occasion, it is worth noting that travel agents and tour operators take the time to get to know you; they find out what your favorite drink is, what type of chocolate you like, what your favorite flower is.  Now I might be giving away trade secrets here, but how surprising and special would it be to receive a bottle of your favorite bubbly with a welcome note in your room on arrival, or a surprise “massage for two” after a long flight from your travel agent.  We enjoy spoiling you.

4.  Preparing you for your Trip. We like to prepare you for your trip from the moment you leave home to the moment you return.  You are our responsibility once you get on that airplane, and so it is important for us to make sure you are well prepared.  At Hills of Africa, we send you a Question and Answer document which answers every question you might have about an African safari vacation, from how long your passport needs to be valid after entering the country to what type of inoculations and medicine you might need for Africa, to whether or not you should take a hairdryer with you.  We also prepare destination guides for the countries you will be visiting which will include restaurants (and of course we know which table to book!), tours, bank hours, markets worth visiting.  Travel agents leave no details out and our mission is to help prepare you for your vacation so that you will be able to enjoy yourselves without worry or hassle.

A friendly face welcoming you

5. We are there to help you when something goes wrong. Every step of the way, travel agents are with you.  Because we know your itinerary, we will be there to help you when something goes wrong.  If your flight happens to be canceled or delayed we are there to help ensure that you get on the next available flight.  Not only that, because we have staff on the ground in the countries that you will be visiting, our staff will know that you have been delayed.  They will be waiting for you, you won’t have to go find a tax and make your own way to your destination. We will have informed the hotel or safari camp that you are staying at, and on your arrival you’ll have your favorite beverage ready for you (because we have taken the time to get to know you and your preferences!) with a warm and inviting smile.  Having a travel agent working with you, can save you hundreds of hours and money when something goes wrong.

Celebrating after a soccer match in the local community

6.  Custom designing your vacation of a lifetime. I think most travel agents and tour operators are like us at Hills of Africa Travel.  When a client comes to us with a request we spent a lot of time designing their itinerary to meet their travel needs and desires.  I love the fact that we are small, we are proud of it too.  As a small tour operator we don’t have to worry about volume discounts with specific properties and then having to push clients to those properties to meet contractual obligations.  What we take pride in is actually listening to our clients, incorporating everything they desire and then presenting them with an itinerary that matches exactly what they are looking for in terms of budget, time frame and travel tastes.  This could be something like a family wanting to be more involved in the community, so arranging a soccer match in the local village they will be visiting, or arranging a surprise dinner in the African bush, or volunteering for a day in a local community to prepare a field for vegetable gardening.  All travel agents and tour operators are passionate about their work, but we are even more passionate about our clients’ experiences.

Giving back

7.  Giving Back. Travel agents have a desire to give back.  At Hills of Africa Travel our mission is “changing lives one journey at a time, every time”.  What I mean by this, is that it is our intention for you to have a life changing journey to Africa by being mesmerized by it’s beauty, captivated by its animals and your hearts warmed by the smiles of the people you will meet.  It is also so that the people of Africa to get to know you and their lives are changed forever by having been given the chance of getting to know you and learning about your family, your history and your culture. Now I know that everyone has the right intention to do good, but is it going to the right place?  We make sure that your travel dollars go into the right hands, by choosing travel providers who make a difference, who are passionate about Fair Trade and equality for their staff and their families and who are willing to make a difference.

8.  Booking with a travel agent, saves you bank fees! When you book your travel with a travel agent, you are only paying one bill.  We organize your itinerary to include someone to meet you as you exit the airplane, transfers, hotel and safari accommodation, tours, restaurant bookings.  If you were to organize this yourself you would have to pay numerous companies (let alone keep track of all the confirmation numbers, dates, times, places, etc), we take this hassle away from you and pay all of these suppliers on your behalf.  With African bookings as well, the travel agent takes the exchange currency risk, not you.

Relaxing at Azura in Mozambique

9.  More time for you. A travel agent can save you countless hours of scouring the internet, when you could be making money doing your own job.  A travel agent has many more avenues to search from, we know our business well and we take pride in what we offer to you.  We spend a lot of time researching and making sure that each transfer is with a trusted agent, each hotel room is in perfect condition, your flights have you in your preferred seating.  We have taken the time to be the very best agents by investing in our education and knowledge so that you don’t have to spend your time doing planning a vacation when you could be spending quality time with loved ones, or making money in your own day job.

10.  We think of you. Travel agents have the knowledge, expertise and the “in” on what you need to do to plan your vacation, what you need to do make your dream trip a reality and not just a dream.  We make sure that you are looked after from the time you leave home to the time you return.  All the worry and stress of having to sort out the details are taken away from you, leaving you with the opportunity of being able to enjoy every single treasured moment of your vacation.

If you are planning a dream vacation will you trust your vacation of a lifetime to a travel agent?  Travel agents, I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts and what actions you take to make your clients’ dream vacations a reality.