jiggs
11-10-2009, 06:23 PM
http://www.wildzambezi.com/
See the website for the pictures very good
PLEASE FORWARD this e-newsletter!
We promote travel opportunities to the wild areas of Lake Kariba and the Zambezi Valley
WILD ZAMBEZI invites you to a world of nature where the pace is slow, the sun is warm, the sky is huge and the people are friendly. Our travel promotion focus is the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba, including the Mana Pools World Heritage Site and the Matusadona National Park. We provide web-based, up-to-date information on operators, activities, accommodation choices, tours and services in the Kariba and Zambezi valley areas, and a reliable, independent travel advisory service.
Visit us at www.wildzambezi.com (http://www.wildzambezi.com)
E-mail us: info@wildzambezi.com
LIONS 16: CROCS 1 .....AND HEREIN LIES A TALE....
Jenny Nobes of Rhino Safari Camp sent us this amazing photograph taken earlier this year near her camp in the Matusadona National Park, south of Lake Kariba. A pride of five lionesses with their eleven cubs were feasting on a large crocodile near the Mucheni River.
"This was quite an adventure" she says. "We had seen the lions eating a kudu they had killed the previous evening, and when we returned the next evening to see what had happened, we discovered they had taken this croc! It could possibly have come out of the water wanting to share their kudu. They had also killed a bateleur eagle which must have also come along to have a look at what was going on and see what he could get. The vultures were looking very nervous!"
It is unusual for lions to take crocodiles. This may simply have been a case of opportunism on the part of the lions. When lake levels are high and the shorelines flooded, grazing animals are often forced to move inland to find grass. This reduces the grabbable prey options for less mobile species like crocs. In trying to steal the lions' kill, the croc may have underestimated the extent of his opposition!
CASH NOW DRAWABLE IN ZIMBABWE WITH VISA CARDS
Barclays Bank in Zimbabwe recently announced that holders of Visa branded cards can now withdraw money in US$ from any of the institution's Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
"As long as your card is Visa branded you can withdraw money from a Barclays' ATM. Our next step is to allow those with Master cards to withdraw money," said George Guvamatanga, Barclays' managing director.
Standard Chartered bank informed Wild Zambezi that while it is not yet ready to allow ATM credit card cash withdrawals, holders of International Visa credit cards can use them in any shop, hotel or restaurant with Standard Chartered credit card facilities.
Stanbic Bank also reported that they are working on a card cash withdrawal system which should be ready in a month or so.
WILD ZAMBEZI A WINNER AT SANGANAI
Wild Zambezi is proud to announce that it won a “Best Stand” award at Zimbabwe’s Sanganai World Travel and Tourism Africa Fair held in Harare between 14th and 18th October 2009.
The judges liked our stand design which featured a simple Zambezi valley campsite, complete with campfire, tent, chairs, trunk, paraffin lamps, mossie nets and associated camping paraphernalia, and also scored us highly for “interaction with the public”.
The Fair afforded us the opportunity to discuss tourism opportunities in the Kariba and Zambezi valley areas with buyers from the Southern African region, the UK, Germany, Belgium, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Iran as well as with Zimbabwean agents and operators. We were also able to meet with several representatives from the international and regional press and conduct interviews for television, radio and the print media.
Wild Zambezi will not be attending the World Travel Market in London in person in November this year, but our information will be available on the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority stand.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR MEDICAL RESCUE
Zimbabwe's Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS) has issued Wild Zambezi with a list of phone and mobile numbers in case of medical emergency. If in Zimbabwe, please keep these to hand so that in the event of a life threatening situation, you are always well prepared:
TOLL FREE: 0800 3 222 911
Econet MobileToll Free: 112
Netone MobileToll Free: 114
Dial your nearest MARS number as follows:
KARIBA + 263 (0) 61 3006 or 3007 Mobile: +263 912 560445 or +263 912 412763 (Mars Doctor, Kariba)
VICTORIA FALLS + 263 (0)13 44646 or 44764
HARARE +263 (0)4 707956 or 706034 Mobile: +263 11 600002 or +263 912 235461
BULAWAYO
+263 (0)9 64082 or 60351 Mobile: +263 912 220618
GWERU +263 (0)54 223339 or 223337
MUTARE +263 (0)20 66466 or 64647
KWEKWE +263 (0)55 21999 or 22761
MASVINGO +263 (0)39 63222 or 264336 Mobile: +263 11 214222
Radio Call Sign - HF
HARARE Z2J10 (MARS)
VICTORIA FALLS Z2J11 (MARS)
Day & Night Radio Frequencies:
USB 5714 KHZ
USB 6240 KHZ
USB 6267 KHZ
USB 8440 KHZ
USB 3569 KHZ
NEWS FROM KARIBA
MONSTER TIGERFISH LANDS NISSAN 4X4 AT KARIBA TOURNAMENT!
The biggest tigerfish ever caught in the history of the Kariba Invitation Tigerfishing Tournament weighed in at 12.735kg and won Martinhus Van Rensburg of team Motolac, a brand new Nissan 4x4 Patrol pick-up!
The Nissan Big Fish Competition was held during the annual tournament which this year took place on Lake Kariba between 21st and 23rd October and attracted 552 anglers and 131 teams, of which 10 were international.
The rules were simple, catch the biggest tigerfish over 10kgs during the tournament and drive away in a brand new Nissan 4x4! Martinhus achieved this on day 2 of the event, but only after a little drama with Sandra Pienaar of team Charter 'J', who landed a 10.55kg fish earlier same day (also over the existing record)!
Martinhus landed his catch near Antelope Island while trawling the area around the bream farms. He was using 10 pound line and estimates that he had 200 meters of line out when this big fish took the bait.
The overall winning team for this year's tournament was Toyota Zimbabwe/Ram Petroleum.
For more information visit www.kitft.co.zw (http://www.kitft.co.zw)
KARIBA - MLIBIZI FERRY ANNOUNCES BOOKING DATES FOR DECEMBER/JANUARY
The very popular ferry which carries passengers and their cars on a pleasant 22-hour trip the length of Lake Kariba from Andora Harbour to Mlibizi Harbour and vice versa has announced that it has opened the following dates for bookings this December and January:
Departure Kariba, Andora Harbour 09.00 hrs (be there by 08.00 hrs)
Arrival Mlibizi Harbour 07.00 hrs the next day
Monday 7th Dec - possible
Monday 14th Dec - possible
Monday 21st Dec - confirmed sailing
Monday 28th Dec - confirmed sailing
Monday 4th Jan - possible
Departure Mlibizi Harbour 09.00 hrs (be there by 08.00 hrs)
Arrival Kariba, Andora Harbour 07.00 hrs the next day
Tuesday 8th Dec - possible
Tuesday 15th Dec - possible
Tuesday 22nd Dec - confirmed sailing
Tuesday 29th Dec - confirmed sailing
Tuesday 5th Jan - possible
Three meals are provided: lunch and dinner on day of departure, and breakfast on the day of arrival. Sleeping is communal in the ferry's large saloon, the rear deck & front sundeck, weather permitting.
Tariffs (inclusive of taxes) one-way are:
Adults $100, Children under 12 years $50 and children under 2 years free.
Cars: Sedan $100, 4 x 2 pickup or station wagon $140, 4x4 $160.
National Parks fees not included.
NEWS FROM THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY
BATTLE OF THE GIANTS AT RUCHOMECHI
Ruchomechi Camp (Wilderness Safaris) sent in this report about an extraordinary confrontation between a Goliath Heron and a Fish Eagle, witnessed and photographed by their guide Kevin, and his guests on the Zambezi River at Mana Pools.
“A Goliath Heron flew up and away from the river bank as our boat slowly approached the mouth of the harbour. As the heron flew across the mouth it was attacked in the air by a territorial Fish Eagle. The heron avoided this by landing in the water and submerging its head underwater at just the right moment. It then took to the air again and was closely followed by the fish eagle which had the advantage of greater speed. Before it could reach the safety of the bank, the heron was forced to turn its head in mid air to defend itself from another attack by the fish eagle. The eagle lashed out at the heron with its talons out. The heron tried to deflect the talons by lowering its lower beak over its neck to protect itself. The two birds tumbled briefly in the air and when they separated, the heron tumbled out of control into the water just metres from a basking crocodile. The fish eagle few off while the croc, noticing the flailing heron, slid speedily into the water. It rushed across the surface towards the heron which fortunately managed to reach the safety of the bank and escape!"
MANA POOLS AND BOATS: SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK
There have been very mixed reactions to the news that Mana Pools National Park is to introduce motorboats on the Zambezi River on an experimental basis, with restrictions, during the rainy-season months November to February, as announced in our last newsletter (September-October 2009). Some people, especially anglers, are delighted and can't wait to go. Others are horrified and say that the impacts of boats on an already stressed hippo population will have dire consequences for tourism. Wild Zambezi encourages you to voice your opinion (whether it is positive or negative) about this new development. E-mail your comments to Wild Zambezi on info@wildzambezi.com and we will make sure that they are passed on to the Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Management Authority for feedback on the experiment.
TRADE NEWS
NEW 4X4 TRAILTHROUGH THE EASTERN ZAMBEZI VALLEY
Self-drive 4x4 visitors now have the option of an adventurous alternative route either into or out of the Zambezi Valley and Mana Pools guided by ZIM4x4. The trail passes through some exceptionally wild and remote terrain in the Zambezi Escarpment, with self-catering night stops at camps that are generally unavailable to casual visitors.
The new three-day Eastern
...
[Message clipped] View entire message
See the website for the pictures very good
PLEASE FORWARD this e-newsletter!
We promote travel opportunities to the wild areas of Lake Kariba and the Zambezi Valley
WILD ZAMBEZI invites you to a world of nature where the pace is slow, the sun is warm, the sky is huge and the people are friendly. Our travel promotion focus is the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba, including the Mana Pools World Heritage Site and the Matusadona National Park. We provide web-based, up-to-date information on operators, activities, accommodation choices, tours and services in the Kariba and Zambezi valley areas, and a reliable, independent travel advisory service.
Visit us at www.wildzambezi.com (http://www.wildzambezi.com)
E-mail us: info@wildzambezi.com
LIONS 16: CROCS 1 .....AND HEREIN LIES A TALE....
Jenny Nobes of Rhino Safari Camp sent us this amazing photograph taken earlier this year near her camp in the Matusadona National Park, south of Lake Kariba. A pride of five lionesses with their eleven cubs were feasting on a large crocodile near the Mucheni River.
"This was quite an adventure" she says. "We had seen the lions eating a kudu they had killed the previous evening, and when we returned the next evening to see what had happened, we discovered they had taken this croc! It could possibly have come out of the water wanting to share their kudu. They had also killed a bateleur eagle which must have also come along to have a look at what was going on and see what he could get. The vultures were looking very nervous!"
It is unusual for lions to take crocodiles. This may simply have been a case of opportunism on the part of the lions. When lake levels are high and the shorelines flooded, grazing animals are often forced to move inland to find grass. This reduces the grabbable prey options for less mobile species like crocs. In trying to steal the lions' kill, the croc may have underestimated the extent of his opposition!
CASH NOW DRAWABLE IN ZIMBABWE WITH VISA CARDS
Barclays Bank in Zimbabwe recently announced that holders of Visa branded cards can now withdraw money in US$ from any of the institution's Automated Teller Machines (ATMs).
"As long as your card is Visa branded you can withdraw money from a Barclays' ATM. Our next step is to allow those with Master cards to withdraw money," said George Guvamatanga, Barclays' managing director.
Standard Chartered bank informed Wild Zambezi that while it is not yet ready to allow ATM credit card cash withdrawals, holders of International Visa credit cards can use them in any shop, hotel or restaurant with Standard Chartered credit card facilities.
Stanbic Bank also reported that they are working on a card cash withdrawal system which should be ready in a month or so.
WILD ZAMBEZI A WINNER AT SANGANAI
Wild Zambezi is proud to announce that it won a “Best Stand” award at Zimbabwe’s Sanganai World Travel and Tourism Africa Fair held in Harare between 14th and 18th October 2009.
The judges liked our stand design which featured a simple Zambezi valley campsite, complete with campfire, tent, chairs, trunk, paraffin lamps, mossie nets and associated camping paraphernalia, and also scored us highly for “interaction with the public”.
The Fair afforded us the opportunity to discuss tourism opportunities in the Kariba and Zambezi valley areas with buyers from the Southern African region, the UK, Germany, Belgium, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Iran as well as with Zimbabwean agents and operators. We were also able to meet with several representatives from the international and regional press and conduct interviews for television, radio and the print media.
Wild Zambezi will not be attending the World Travel Market in London in person in November this year, but our information will be available on the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority stand.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS FOR MEDICAL RESCUE
Zimbabwe's Medical Air Rescue Service (MARS) has issued Wild Zambezi with a list of phone and mobile numbers in case of medical emergency. If in Zimbabwe, please keep these to hand so that in the event of a life threatening situation, you are always well prepared:
TOLL FREE: 0800 3 222 911
Econet MobileToll Free: 112
Netone MobileToll Free: 114
Dial your nearest MARS number as follows:
KARIBA + 263 (0) 61 3006 or 3007 Mobile: +263 912 560445 or +263 912 412763 (Mars Doctor, Kariba)
VICTORIA FALLS + 263 (0)13 44646 or 44764
HARARE +263 (0)4 707956 or 706034 Mobile: +263 11 600002 or +263 912 235461
BULAWAYO
+263 (0)9 64082 or 60351 Mobile: +263 912 220618
GWERU +263 (0)54 223339 or 223337
MUTARE +263 (0)20 66466 or 64647
KWEKWE +263 (0)55 21999 or 22761
MASVINGO +263 (0)39 63222 or 264336 Mobile: +263 11 214222
Radio Call Sign - HF
HARARE Z2J10 (MARS)
VICTORIA FALLS Z2J11 (MARS)
Day & Night Radio Frequencies:
USB 5714 KHZ
USB 6240 KHZ
USB 6267 KHZ
USB 8440 KHZ
USB 3569 KHZ
NEWS FROM KARIBA
MONSTER TIGERFISH LANDS NISSAN 4X4 AT KARIBA TOURNAMENT!
The biggest tigerfish ever caught in the history of the Kariba Invitation Tigerfishing Tournament weighed in at 12.735kg and won Martinhus Van Rensburg of team Motolac, a brand new Nissan 4x4 Patrol pick-up!
The Nissan Big Fish Competition was held during the annual tournament which this year took place on Lake Kariba between 21st and 23rd October and attracted 552 anglers and 131 teams, of which 10 were international.
The rules were simple, catch the biggest tigerfish over 10kgs during the tournament and drive away in a brand new Nissan 4x4! Martinhus achieved this on day 2 of the event, but only after a little drama with Sandra Pienaar of team Charter 'J', who landed a 10.55kg fish earlier same day (also over the existing record)!
Martinhus landed his catch near Antelope Island while trawling the area around the bream farms. He was using 10 pound line and estimates that he had 200 meters of line out when this big fish took the bait.
The overall winning team for this year's tournament was Toyota Zimbabwe/Ram Petroleum.
For more information visit www.kitft.co.zw (http://www.kitft.co.zw)
KARIBA - MLIBIZI FERRY ANNOUNCES BOOKING DATES FOR DECEMBER/JANUARY
The very popular ferry which carries passengers and their cars on a pleasant 22-hour trip the length of Lake Kariba from Andora Harbour to Mlibizi Harbour and vice versa has announced that it has opened the following dates for bookings this December and January:
Departure Kariba, Andora Harbour 09.00 hrs (be there by 08.00 hrs)
Arrival Mlibizi Harbour 07.00 hrs the next day
Monday 7th Dec - possible
Monday 14th Dec - possible
Monday 21st Dec - confirmed sailing
Monday 28th Dec - confirmed sailing
Monday 4th Jan - possible
Departure Mlibizi Harbour 09.00 hrs (be there by 08.00 hrs)
Arrival Kariba, Andora Harbour 07.00 hrs the next day
Tuesday 8th Dec - possible
Tuesday 15th Dec - possible
Tuesday 22nd Dec - confirmed sailing
Tuesday 29th Dec - confirmed sailing
Tuesday 5th Jan - possible
Three meals are provided: lunch and dinner on day of departure, and breakfast on the day of arrival. Sleeping is communal in the ferry's large saloon, the rear deck & front sundeck, weather permitting.
Tariffs (inclusive of taxes) one-way are:
Adults $100, Children under 12 years $50 and children under 2 years free.
Cars: Sedan $100, 4 x 2 pickup or station wagon $140, 4x4 $160.
National Parks fees not included.
NEWS FROM THE ZAMBEZI VALLEY
BATTLE OF THE GIANTS AT RUCHOMECHI
Ruchomechi Camp (Wilderness Safaris) sent in this report about an extraordinary confrontation between a Goliath Heron and a Fish Eagle, witnessed and photographed by their guide Kevin, and his guests on the Zambezi River at Mana Pools.
“A Goliath Heron flew up and away from the river bank as our boat slowly approached the mouth of the harbour. As the heron flew across the mouth it was attacked in the air by a territorial Fish Eagle. The heron avoided this by landing in the water and submerging its head underwater at just the right moment. It then took to the air again and was closely followed by the fish eagle which had the advantage of greater speed. Before it could reach the safety of the bank, the heron was forced to turn its head in mid air to defend itself from another attack by the fish eagle. The eagle lashed out at the heron with its talons out. The heron tried to deflect the talons by lowering its lower beak over its neck to protect itself. The two birds tumbled briefly in the air and when they separated, the heron tumbled out of control into the water just metres from a basking crocodile. The fish eagle few off while the croc, noticing the flailing heron, slid speedily into the water. It rushed across the surface towards the heron which fortunately managed to reach the safety of the bank and escape!"
MANA POOLS AND BOATS: SEND US YOUR FEEDBACK
There have been very mixed reactions to the news that Mana Pools National Park is to introduce motorboats on the Zambezi River on an experimental basis, with restrictions, during the rainy-season months November to February, as announced in our last newsletter (September-October 2009). Some people, especially anglers, are delighted and can't wait to go. Others are horrified and say that the impacts of boats on an already stressed hippo population will have dire consequences for tourism. Wild Zambezi encourages you to voice your opinion (whether it is positive or negative) about this new development. E-mail your comments to Wild Zambezi on info@wildzambezi.com and we will make sure that they are passed on to the Zimbabwe's Parks and Wildlife Management Authority for feedback on the experiment.
TRADE NEWS
NEW 4X4 TRAILTHROUGH THE EASTERN ZAMBEZI VALLEY
Self-drive 4x4 visitors now have the option of an adventurous alternative route either into or out of the Zambezi Valley and Mana Pools guided by ZIM4x4. The trail passes through some exceptionally wild and remote terrain in the Zambezi Escarpment, with self-catering night stops at camps that are generally unavailable to casual visitors.
The new three-day Eastern
...
[Message clipped] View entire message