#TravelTuesday Thank you Erin Henderson Media for the Shout Out and Beautiful Pictures from Your South Africa Safari Adventure!
#WildlifeWednesday Want to go Back to School with Elephants, Lions, & Giraffes? Try EcoTraining!
Happy #TravelTuesday The Shoutout that moved me to tears this morning!
Kenya Wildlife Services & Maasai© Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Fun at Camp Humphreys STEM Scouts of Pack 203 Event - Wildlife Conservation & EcoTraining
No.…the stuffed Twiga isn’t mine. One of the parents brought it & I added the hat. Camp Humphreys has some extremely bright children!
#WildlifeWednesday Wildlife Conservation, Sustainable Tourism & Friendship in Challenging Times
Great Juneteenth Celebration at Camp Humphreys, South Korea! #celebratefreedom #safari #wildlifeconservation
#TravelTuesday So proud to be an ArmaSkin Ambassador! Please use promocode Flyga20 to get 20% off!
My favorite Aussie product! If you’ve ever suffered from blisters, you know how devastating it can be.
Please visit the ArmaSkin Store to find out more about this amazing product!
ArmaSkin at Acropolis of Athens, Greece ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
#TravelTuesday Sustainable Tourism - Who's Really Sustainable?
Great event at Camp Humphreys Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) Festival!
#TravelTuesday New! South Africa Girls Getaway Safari
Penguins South Africa ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
#TravelTuesday What's Happening With 2024 Safari Pricing?
While working on a Safari for 2024, my South African Travel Partner, Nikki Thaver of Southern Africa 360, informed me that South Africa 2024 rates would be going up between 10%-15%. In my opinion, East Africa will follow suit.
These increases are not random “money grabs.” Rather, they are in response to immense outside factors. Increasing prices is vital for Sustainable Tourism, Wildlife Conservation, and Supporting Local Communities.
Below is an email I recently received from Joe Cloete, Shamwari CEO. Joe’s email is the most thorough and transparent discussion, I have seen, of what is happening in the Safari industry. With permission, I am sharing this information. I am honored to work in an industry with such examples of honesty and integrity.
Thank you Shamwari!
Zebras South Africa©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
Dear Travel Partner
I thought it would be prudent to inform you about the challenges that the hospitality sector and, in particular, private game reserves are facing due to the current economic climate and some of the hard decisions we’re having to make as a result.
Having emerged from three years during which the Covid-19 pandemic devastated the sector and affected many people’s lives and livelihoods, intense cost pressures are now causing further serious headwinds.
It is apparent that we will face at least four to six stages of load shedding [rolling blackouts] and possibly worse throughout 2023/24. This means our back-up generators will have to run for between six and 12 hours a day.
Eskom [South Africa's state-owned electricty utility] has announced that when electricity is available it will be at a higher price. Tariffs will increase by 34% over the next two years. In addition, the price of fuel has increased by 52% year-on-year.
Given this we are investing in hybrid solar-energy solutions across the reserve during 2023/24. Unfortunately, while a judicious investment under the circumstances, the capital cost runs into millions of rands.
Other costs that are beyond our control are food-price inflation, which is at its highest in 14 years and a 9.6% increase in the national minimum wage from April 2023.
All these rising costs are putting incredible pressure on our business.
Shamwari has always prided itself on running a successful conservation project that is sustainable and self-funding. We get no help from Government, despite the considerable contribution private game reserves make to conservation. For example, a recent University of Stellenbosch study found that private reserves support the largest number of white rhino on the continent.
To continue this work and secure our future we only have two options: to increase revenue or to reduce costs.
Our revenue model is already finely tuned and there’s very little we can realistically do to grow income and offset the considerable and rising costs we now have to bear.
We have, however, reviewed our current seasonal rate structures. As of April 2024, we will offer two rate seasons i.e. Winter (April to September) and Summer (October to March). The winter rate will be the extension of April 2024 rate, which is already contracted with you. The Summer rate increases by 10% from October 2024.
The existing conservation levy of R150 per person daily is being increased to R650 per adult / R300 each for children between the ages of four and 11 years old. The levy is used to support local community projects, our considerable anti-poaching efforts and our Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre. This has already been implemented with our direct bookings as of 01 March 2023.
Please note the new conservation levy applies to all bookings, direct or otherwise.
Our 2024/2025 rates are now available. To request Shamwari Private Game Reserve rates please fill out the form below.
I hope you will understand the unprecedented circumstances that have forced us to make such a difficult decision. I acknowledge and greatly appreciate your support, which has contributed to making Shamwari a 30-year conservation success story. I trust that we can rely on you to continue this legacy.
Best Regards
Joe Cloete
CEO
Shamwari, meaning "my friend" in Shona is the pinnacle of private game reserves and home to the coveted Big 5. Stretching over a vast, malaria free landscape, it offers an award-winning nature experience and is one of the largest private conservation initiatives in Southern Africa. Shamwari incorporates six lodges and an explorer camp: each unique in its own essence.
Video Credit: Shamwari Private Game Reserve.
#TravelTuesday How Do You Practice Sustainable Tourism? Supporting Local Nonprofits
Photo Courtesy of Barocco Foundation
#TravelTuesday Able Seaman Just Nuisance - YouTube Star?
During World War II, Just Nuisance began to ride the trains to Cape Town, with the Sailors on leave. With the threat of his being barred from the trains, the Commander-in-Chief intervened. Thus, it was decided that Just Nuisance would be enlisted into the Royal Navy as Able Seaman Just Nuisance, enabling his railway travels, for free, like other Sailors.
From the YouTube Channel, Drachinifel, comes Able Seaman Just Nuisance - A Great Doggo. This is a wonderful introduction to the story of AB Just Nuisance, whose statue you can visit in Simon’s Town, South Africa. The local museum also carries Just Nuisance souvenirs.
Click below to enjoy AB Nuisance’s adventures and heroics! Happy Travel Tuesday!
#TravelTuesday Great Day at Osan Air Base Spring Bazaar!
A bit windy, but wonderful talking to the Airmen & all who support them.
Click here to see my Military History Safari.
Happy Day! Safe Safari!
#TravelTuesday Grateful to ArmaSkin asking me to continue as Ambassador!
Whether at the Acropolis in Athens, on Safari in Africa,
or Hiking your Local Trails,
Armaskin has you covered!
Your blister protections socks!
EcoTraining South Africa ©Flyga Twiga™ LLC
#TravelTuesday Thank you United on the RoK for the Feature
Why Perspective Is the Best Guide:
How Embracing Adventure Opened the Door to Flyga Twiga
Please turn to page 58.
#WildlifeWednesday Thank You Kenya Kait for the Awesome Shout Out!
Great Advice!
#WildlifeWednesday Thank you EcoTraining for the Awesome New Flyer Design!
#TravelTuesday Travel is Back!!!
Saturday’s booth at Osan was the busiest - ever. People were lining up to talk about going to Africa. Already helping several Airmen plan their 1st Safari. What I love doing so much!