Return of the rustic bush camps
 

Well, it looks like Wilderness Safaris finally have heard the more adventurous of us...

WS just have launched a new company, Safari & Adventure Co., that will offer a suite of affordable lodges and camps in key wildlife areas of SA, Namibia and Zambia (Botswana under consideration).

Quote from the press release: "Safari & Adventure Co. camps staffed by young and enthusiastic southern Africans offer a return to a rustic bush camp experience."

Thanks for this good news... how exciting. I can't wait to learn more...

Count me in as being excited.

Hope that their idea of affordable is the same as mine.

Nyama,

Sounds fantastic!!! Plans still on the drawing board? can't wait to hear the details of these new options .....

Cheers,
Hari

Bravo! Bravo!

nyama, can you post a link to the full press release?

rickmck -- WS sent me this press release by email, I'm not aware of an online version.

Some more info: Emphasis will be on lively interaction and activity in the communal spaces with well appointed rooms. Their aim is to create a space where young and old couples, families, single travellers and groups are equally comfortable. Nature experience is important above all else and camps are situated in prime locations in or adjacent to Kruger National Park, iSimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park, Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Etosha, Caprivi and Kafue National Park. WS will be announcing specific camp details at regular intervals over the coming four months.

A website of the new company is not available yet, but you should check www.safariadventure.co.za in the future.

My guess (not confirmed): Safari & Adventure Co. will use WS's Discoverer Camps which are currently used exclusively for WS Explorations safaris and which are indeed situated in prime locations. I'm thinking about places such as Musanza Camp (Kafue/Zambia) or Hoanib Camp (Palmwag/Namibia), and I've waited for such a strategic decision already for a long time. But as said, this has to be confirmed.

Looking forward to more details.

Sherry,
I was thinking the same thing ;)

Sign me up for Greater St Lucia

Haha, I hear the birder speaking...

Nyama,

Sounds like it could be a step back in the right direction. You'll forgive my caution. You have to wonder why Botswana is merely 'under consideration' when WS probably has access to more territory there than anywhere else, including many of the 'key wildlife areas.'

John

John -- 'under consideration' were my own words, the original text is: "we... intend expanding this product offering into Botswana and beyond as opportunities for development arise."

The Botswana product is the cash cow for WS, and number of beds in each concession are strictly limited. As I understand they don't want to 'disturb' their current business in this country and are waiting for either a change in allowed bed numbers or even new concessions.

Maybe they are also waiting that their deal with OAT phases out, but this is purely speculative...

Nyama,

"Cash cow" -- yeah, your words again, I know, but how true :)

John

I've just received the same press release.

John

ttt

Here is the full press release

THE LAUNCH OF SAFARI & ADVENTURE CO.

A NEW WILDERNESS SAFARIS COMPANY

The Wilderness Safaris Group and our local partners are excited to announce the launch of a new company: Safari & Adventure Co.

The bed-night-based Safari & Adventure Co. has been launched in response to the market demand seeking product across southern Africa in the mid-tier ecotourism and adventure market. The imperative values of sustainable and responsible tourism and commitment to local community economies are integral to Safari & Adventure Co.

We will be launching a suite of affordable lodges and camps in key wildlife and nature areas of South Africa, Namibia and Zambia and intend expanding this product offering into Botswana and beyond as opportunities for development arise.

Safari & Adventure Co. camps staffed by young and enthusiastic southern Africans offer a return to a rustic bush camp experience. The emphasis is on lively interaction and activity in the communal spaces with well appointed rooms. Our aim is to create a space where young and old couples, families, single travellers and groups are equally comfortable.

The nature experience is important above all else and camps are situated in prime locations in or adjacent to Kruger National Park, iSimangaliso (Greater St Lucia) Wetland Park, Sossusvlei, Damaraland, Etosha, Caprivi and Kafue National Park.

We will be announcing specific camp details at regular intervals over the coming four months and look forward to continuing old and embracing new relationships.

ENDS

I think that its just another way of marketing 4 paw camps.

Forum rules forbid copying and posting of longer texts from other sources. That's why I didn't make it this way...

Update: the website has been launched but currently only features the initial press release,
www.safari-adventure-company.com

Nyama,

The link mentions Kafue NP. Should be a good alternate to thier other camps.

Hari

Hari -- why looking for something new? I already told you about a wonderful alternative in the Busanga Plains, in a prime location, right between the WS camps. Only three tents, comfortable, but very close to nature.

Here are some of my photos:
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200....MainArea.jpeg
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200...pfireArea.jpeg
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200...ndParking.jpeg
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200...amp.Tent1.jpeg
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200...1Interior.jpeg
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200...FromTent1.jpeg
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200...rBathroom.jpeg
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200...eaAtNight.jpeg
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200...t1AtNight.jpeg

The name of this place is The Plains Camp. It's run by a small independent Zambian operator, Mukambi Lodge (www.mukambi.com), who is operating in this area for years.

So why throwing more bucks in the mouth of that big corporate operator?

Nyama,

I get the hint!!! ;)

Always looking for something new - just visited Pench national park in Central India this past weekend. ;)

Btw, nice pictures - loved the bush loo next to the big tree!!!

Cheers,
Hari

"loved the bush loo next to the big tree..."

Well, I regard this bucket shower under the big fig tree as one of the most romantic I ever used.

Well, I guess this is the most romantic one:
http://www.bums-aus.de/published/200...mp.Shower.jpeg
(unfortunately you couldn't use it at night...:D)

The Plains looks wonderful, Nyama. Just my kind of camp.

And your most romantic shower? I like it a lot, but Y isn't so sure...not keen on having everything hanging out in daylight :D

John

John, none of animals complained. :D

I wonder if this new Wilderness venture is linked to this -

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/sa...mp;method=menu

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/sa...mp;method=menu

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/sa...mp;method=menu

http://www.wilderness-safaris.com/sa...mp;method=menu

Nyama - Plains Camp looks intriguing. A couple of questions:

1) Do they walk or is this mostly drives?

2) Single supplements?

3) How did you get there? Fly,self drive or driven?

4) I love staying longer periods in fewer camps rather than hopping around. Is this a camp from you perspective that would be good for +5 day stay?

Thanks

Thanks

GreenDrake - to answer your questions:

1. Drives. I wouldn't regard this as good walking area.

2. Yes

3. Driven. You should plan extra nights at Mukambi Lodge. Driving time from Lusaka Intl to Mukambi Lodge is about 5-5.5 hours, from Mukambi Lodge to Plains Camp another 5-5.5 hours. You can self-drive to Mukambi Lodge, but self-driving to Busanga Plains is no longer an option since WS enforced the new rule that you must be accompanied by a ZAWA guide. Mukambi will do the transfers Mukambi Lodge to/from Plains Camp, but you must organize your own transfers to/from Lusaka. (Mukambi sent me an address of someone who drove me - 380US$ for one transfer.)

4. YES (if you stay there from mid-August to mid-September)

Plains Camp looks awesome.

The only drawback: sometimes the peace of nature is disturbed by the noise of helicopter transfers to/from the neighbouring camps...
(Wasn't this called 'low-impact tourism'...? Reminds me on Ian Michler's comments on 'greenwashing' in the latest Africa Geographic...)

Thanks Nyama

That is very helpful. You thoughts are similar to those of my guide in the North Luangwa who had who had previously guided in the Busanga Plains - great gameviewing and wild, but the expansive flat plains are not good for walking.

I guess you're talking about Ernst Jacobs... I made my first walks in Africa with him.

Yes Nyama it was Ernst. He spoke highly of his experience in the Busansga Plains, which really convinced me that I should consider that area for future trips. I just won't pay the current Wilderness Camp rates in that area, so the Mukambi camps may be a nice alternative.

bit of a newbie here,so apologies if this is a stupid question.... but one thing puzzles me - why do WS always use "young South Africans", in various countries, and, why do they think that's an attraction?

I've nothing against young South Africans, but the ones I've met in Namibia and Botswana, make me think that local guys could probably do a better job half the time.

Certainly the Botswanan guys in Kwando didn't seem to be pining for a "young South African" to help them.

Maybe since the market demands it...?

When WS overtook Shumba they banned local John Chibwantu from guiding there and replaced him with a young South African. John had guided in the Plains for nearly 25 years and knew almost each animal, literally. The lion pride males had his name, Big John & Little John. And you can find John's name in François d'Elbée's Busanga books.

No, they didn't fire him - he was still allowed to guide in the Lufupa area. His 'fault': he is a more quiet man and not an entertainer (whereas his replacement really knew how to entertain, knowledge of wildlife secondary...)

It broke John's heart (and nearly mine). This is one of the several stories why I have become very critical regarding a certain operator who always praises his support of local communities.

But most clients don't care, never ask questions, just believe the big marketing blitz. And that's why such stories will happen again and again...

Regarding McWomble's comments on staffing at WS camps...the term "young south Africans" was used. However, if it supposed to be a quote from Nyama's first posting - it is misquoted -

Here's the first posting by Nyama:
Quote from the press release: "Safari & Adventure Co. camps staffed by young and enthusiastic southern Africans offer a return to a rustic bush camp experience."

With the word "southern" not capitalized I would take it to mean the general southern Africa area - not South Africa in particular. Am I correct in this assumption?

I agree with VeeR, the website (and press release quoted here) definitely says young southern Africans, not young South Africans, so I guess I don't see what some people seem to be reading into this. I've only been to WS camps in Botswana, but definitely all of our guides have been from Botswana, and I believe most of the staff. Granted, some of the managers have been South African (or maybe even from UK?).

"so I guess I don't see what some people seem to be reading into this..."

Maybe you read the 12th post in "Predator Biologist to explore some of Botswana's independent camps", http://www.fodors.travel/forums/thre...p;tid=35045458

After my visit in Zambia last year I found the situation in certain camps very similar to that described in the quoted paper of that post.

Most of the South Africans employed by Wilderness do not even have work permits but use touriast visas stay for 3 months and then leave and return. Who honestly bel;ieves their bull sh*t?

Ken,

I would be very keen to try some their "rustic bush camps" if they are in prime wildlife viewing areas and the gameviewing is acceptable. I personally think it's a great new venture!

Hari