In this newsletter:

• The Kalahari: Botswana’s Hidden Treasure

• East Africa: Safari by Air

• Gem of Namibia: Etosha Pan

• Romance in Africa: what better place to spend your honeymoon?

• Featured Special

1) Our Africa travel consultants have the knowledge and expertise in all the products and destinations we offer.

2) We are accredited by SATSA and ATTA.

3) With our offices based in Cape Town, South Africa, should a problem arise, we will be able to respond to the relative issue in the same time zone as you are located. We are contactable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

4) Since all products and services are pre–paid through Uyaphi.com you are never surprised with any additional costs, with this in mind you can budget properly for your Africa safari.

5) Uyaphi.com does not charge any credit card surcharges.

Uyaphi.com’s service shines bright as the African Sun...

“ ...A very big thank you for all your work on our bookings for our African Overland trip. The trip was amazing and we were very impressed with the way our trip ran with ease compared to some of our fellow travellers. We will gladly recomend Africa Travel to all our friends. ...”

Pam and Graham (New Zealand)

Greetings once again from Uyaphi.com headquarters in Cape Town. March has been a sizzling month for us with temperatures consistently above 30 degree celsius, sending most residents off to the sea to cool off!

March is also the month of the famous Cape Argus Cycle race which saw 35,000 riders cycle 109 kilometres around the most scenic route in Cape Town. There were fears that the heat would deter many entrants, but temperatures were not too bad on the day. However this year’s event was characterised by gale force winds which resulted in many people pulling out of the race that has now been dubbed the “cycle of storms”! There was much excitement amongst locals with the news that actor Matt Damon had entered the race. Matt is in town shooting his latest movie and took time off to join the throngs, young and old, taking on Cape Town’s famous hills.

In this month’s newsletter we take a look at some of Africa’s hidden desert destinations. And for those of you who dream of a Safari but are limited for time, read on for more on the Fly-In Safari option.

Happy Reading!

Regards,
The Uyaphi.com Team

The Kalahari: Botswana’s Hidden Treasure

Botswana is most famous for the Okavango Delta, a miracle of nature that sees the mighty Okavango River empty itself onto the parched sands of the Kalahari Desert. While the delta is a definite must for any safari veteran, the desert holds a fascination all of its own … this is one of the oldest and largest semi-desert regions of the world.

In the Kalahari time stands still … a fascinating world filled with an astounding array of wildlife adapted to life in extreme conditions. The San (or bushmen) have survived here for over 30,000 years and the remaining few offer outsiders a unique perspective on life forged by their ancient experiences.

We take a look at some of these fascinating desert destinations: an ideal add-on to your delta experience and true African adventure with a difference.

Deception Valley
Deception Valley lies in the heart of the Central Kalahari, an ancient dried up riverbed made famous by the book Cry of the Kalahari. Experience the true grandeur of the Kalahari and see the desert through the eyes of the resident bushmen whose ancestors have survived in this arid area for aeons.
Accommodation: Deception Valley Lodge

Makgadikgadi Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans are vast, dazzling white salt pans in the middle of the Kalahari. Go wild in the miles of nothingness on quad bikes or explore ancient fossil beds of extinct giant zebra and hippo. When it rains the pans flood, attracting flamingos and pelicans to the salty waters and huge migratory herds to the fresh grasses that spring up around the edges of the pan as if by magic.
Accommodation: Jacks Camp

Tuli Block
Huge private farms in the area bordering South Africa and Zimbabwe were amalgamated to form Mashatu Game Reserve which derives its name from the magnificent Mashatu trees found here. The park is a mere 5 hours drive from Johannesburg. Cycle-Mashatu offers a unique 3-night guided mountain biking adventure through the area. Accommodation: Mashatu Main Camp

East Africa: Safari by Air

The Fly-in Safari: experience the African bush even if you’re pushed for time … Not only do you save on arduous travel time, you get to see visit remote corners of Africa too. And the spectacular vistas you see from the air are an unforgettable experience in itself!

Uyaphi.com has a full portfolio of Fly-In Safari packages to suit everyone, for those with limited time on their hands to those looking for the ultimate Safari adventure:

Fly-In Express:
Masai Mara Fly-in Express
Serengeti Fly-in Express
Amboseli Fly-In Express
Samburu Fly-In Express
Maximise your time spent in the bush: the Fly-in Express is ideal for those with only a few days to spare. These 3-day trips take you into the heart of prime East African Safari territory and daily departures mean you can travel when it suits you most.

Governors Fly-in Safari
Spend 6 days on a small and exclusive safari with East Africa’s leading safari guides at Lake Naivasha and an exclusive camp in the Masai Mara. Daily departures available.

Adamson's Footsteps
Follow in the footsteps of George and Joy Adamson and their lioness made famous in their film Born Free. This 10 Day Fly-in safari takes you on a whirlwind visit of Kenya’s highlights, from Nairobi to Meru National Park, Shaba National Reserve and the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Northern Frontier Safari
The ultimate Fly-In Safari: 13 glorious days exploring the delights of places like Meru National Park, Laikipia Plateau and the Masai Mara Game Reserve.

Gem of Namibia: Etosha Pan

Etosha ('great white place') is an immense 5,000 square kilometre salt pan in the heart of Namibia, and Etosha National Park is the first safari destination on any Namibian adventure … the reserve boasts a surprising variety of vegetation around the edges of this vast pan and wildlife concentrates around the waterholes, making for easy game spotting.

Ongava Game Reserve lies on the southern boundary of the park, boasting unlimited access to Etosha and an additional 70,000 acre private reserve with its own resident rhino population. This is one of the few places where you will get to see both white and black desert-adapted rhinos, perfect for learning to tell the difference between the two species!

Ongava has a range of accommodation options to suit all tastes. Each camp enjoys views over its own waterhole, making for exciting night time game viewing in the comfort of your own home-from-home:

Ongava Lodge
The main lodge has 10 private chalets, each with glass fronted doors and private veranda overlooking the bush. Dine under the stars while taking in the beautiful views over the floodlit waterhole and plains stretching beyond.

Little Ongava
Enjoy the privacy of this small camp sitting on the crest of a hill with sweeping views over the plains below. There are only 3 suites, each with private plunge pool, en-suite bathroom and outdoor shower with views of the waterhole.

Ongava Tented Camp
This is Etosha “Out of Africa” style, sleeping in Safari tents, each with its own veranda and views of the bush and waterhole. While away the evening round the fireplace and swimming pool while you watch the activity at the floodlit waterhole.

Romance in Africa: what better place to spend your honeymoon?

Africa: the ultimate romantic destination whether you’re after private seclusion in an exotic bush location, the chic city attractions of Cape Town (undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world) or a seaside retreat with wild untamed beaches, azure seas and unspoiled coral reefs.

Our Africa Travel Ideas section on Uyaphi.com has a dedicated honeymoons page. African Honeymoons brings you our roundup of the ultimate in African romance … honeymoon options from the intimate to the extravagant.

Click here to read more.

Featured Newsletter Special

Spend 3 nights in a luxury bush lodge and we’ll give you 3 nights in the Cape for free! This is the ultimate combination for a taste of the African bush and a chance to cool off in one of the most beautiful destinations in the world.

Speak to one of our consultants and be sure to mention that you are a newsletter subscriber.

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