Botswana Tourism Consumer Enewsletter http://www.botswanatourism.us 1-888-675-7660 Welcome to Around the Campfire, formally known as Botswana Tourism e-newsletter. Yes…we have changed our name, but we will continue bringing you the latest tourism news and travel specials form Botswana. Read on to start planning your next Botswana adventure today!. In this issue: Announcing the Latest Botswana Travel Specials Tourism Industry is "Doing Well by Doing Good" Upcoming National Geographic Channel Documentary Series, Great Migrations, Showcases Botswana's Zebra Migration Spotlight on Botswana Suppliers... Doing Well by Doing Good This month, Botswana Tourism recognizes tourism professionals and companies whose philanthropic initiatives positively impact the quality of life for the people and wildlife of Botswana. Garcin Safaris and the Journey of Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Ride Across Botswana Ker & Downey Botswana Specialist Guide to Run in New York City Marathon to Support Bana Ba Letsatsi Desert & Delta Safaris... Supporting Botswana's Rhino Population Award Winning Botswana Filmmakers are Honored by Botswana President for Conservation Work Marilyn and Natacia Garcin Ride on to Support Breast Cancer Awareness in Botswana Marilyn and Natacia Garcin of Gaborone-based Garcin Safaris were amongst the group of 12 women that participated in the Maun to Gaborone “Journey of Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Ride Across Botswana”, in late August 2010. Marilyn and Natacia, along with fellow volunteers, stopped in villages along the way to educate the public on early breast cancer detection and breast self-examination. Response from the villages was excellent and volunteers had overwhelming support from local people. Local businesses and generous members of the community sponsored the pink Vespas driven by the volunteers and breast cancer survivors. The mission of the Journey of Hope charity is to raise one million Pula for women in Botswana who are unable to afford breast cancer treatment and reconstruction. To learn more about Journey of Hope and how you can help, visit www.journeyofhopebotswana.com back to top Safari Guide Paul Moleseng Running in NYC Marathon for Bana Ba Letsatsi Next month on November 7, 2010 Paul Moleseng, a specialist guide with Ker and Downey Botswana, will run in the ING New York City Marathon. Paul is running to support Bana Ba Letsatsi (BBL), which means “children of the sun.” BBL is a nonprofit organization that strives to support orphaned children in Maun, Botswana. Running alongside Paul in the marathon will be nineteen year old orphaned twins Itsing and Tirafalo Batsholelewang, who have been supported by BBL for six years. If you or someone you know would like to support Paul and Bana Ba Lesatsi, visit Paul’s active giving page Click Here. If you are in the New York City area November 7th you can support Paul, Itsing and Tirafalo by attending the marathon and cheering them on! To learn more about Bana Ba Letsatsi, visit www.banabaletsatsi.com back to top Desert & Delta Safaris Support Rhino Conservation Due to the demand for Rhino horn in the Asian markets, approximately 600 rhinos have been poached across the African continent in the past five years. These numbers suggest that Africa is losing rhino to poachers faster than the current populations can reproduce. Desert & Delta Safaris is working once again with the Botswana Rhino Relocation and Reintroduction Project to ensure the well being of the existing rhino population in Botswana as well as to bring in additional animals to supplement the current populations. This initiative, which began in 2001, is a Public Private Partnership which operates on the combined efforts of Botswana’s Department of Wildlife, the Botswana Government, the Botswana Defense Force (Anti Poaching Unit) and the tourism industry private sector. The project has proven to be a true success story. Since the re-introduction of both white and black rhino onto Chiefs Island in the Okavango Delta, there are now an estimated 38 white and 4 black rhino in Botswana.. Two female white rhino moved from the Mombo area in the Okavango to an area in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park near Leroo La Tau. Desert & Delta Safaris built and financed the rhino boma near Leroo La Tau to house a white rhino bull, who was then released into the wild on June 14, 2008. The bull very quickly joined up with the two females and Desert & Delta Safaris has been keeping a very close eye on this new happy family. Desert & Delta Safaris continues to support the Botswana Rhino Relocation and Reintroduction Project, and now travelers to this region can also support the desperate plight of the rhino through Desert & Delta’s Rhino safari packages. For more information, please contact info@desertdelta.com. back to top Award Winning Botswana Filmmakers are Honored by Botswana President for Conservation Work The Botswana Tourism Organization congratulates Dereck and Beverly Joubert on recently being awarded the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service by Botswana President Ian Khama. The Jouberts, along with fellow recipients Bill and Melinda Gates, were honored for having made outstanding contributions which have brought honor to the country of Botswana and its people. The Jouberts were recognized for both their conservation work and the outstanding impact that their films, books and appearances have brought to Botswana. Their commitment to conservation has had a significant positive impact on sustainable tourism policy and development in Botswana and throughout Africa. Photo Credit: Honours Ceremony, Photo by Yobe Shonga of Botswana Press Agency back to top New Travel Specials Await Your Booking Muchenje Safari Lodge... Green Season Packages for Individuals and Families with Children! Support Rhino Conservation with a Stay at Desert & Delta Safaris Leroo La Tau Bush Lodge Foot Steps in Africa Announces Kalahari Summer Travel Special Sanctuary Retreats Announces Green Season Rates Botswana Trek with Popular Photography's Mentor Series... March 16-25, 2011 Muchenje Safari Lodge… Green Season Packages for Individuals and Families with Children! Travel Special #1: From November 2010 through March 2011, guests can stay at the Muchenje Safari Lodge , located in the Chobe Forest Reserve, for just $350 per person/per night, inclusive of room, meals, and safari activities. Take in the lodge’s romantic atmosphere, unparalleled sunset views, and more. Travel Special #2: Muchenje has also launched an outstanding all-inclusive family safari special. For $750 a night, your family (2 adults and 2 children up to 12 years old, staying in a large family suite) can take part in an adventure of a lifetime. Package includes: Private Family-Sized Accommodation Private Game Vehicle Personal Safari Guide Special Child-Friendly Game Drives Special Junior-Ranger Training Course (learn to track certain animals and recognize their different footprints) Special Bush Crafts and Skills Course (make rope, find things to drink in the desert and learn how to make a fire) "Make an African Friend" Session (see everyday life for a local African child and visit their school) A ‘ Junior Ranger’ Certificate (as an Honorary Custodian of Chobe) For more information about these specials, or to book your stay, contact your travel advisor, info@muchenje.com or mallory@travelmarketingworldwide.com back to top Support Rhino Conservation with a Stay at Desert & Delta Safaris’ Leroo La Tau Desert & Delta Safaris offers guests the opportunity to enjoy an amazing safari experience while making a positive contribution to the increasingly dire situation of the Rhino in Africa. World Wildlife Fund has designated September as Rhino Month, and Desert and Delta Safaris has developed yearlong Rhino safari packages to support the cause. A portion of the proceeds from the Rhino safari packages will go directly to the Rhino project in Botswana. The following packages are valid for travel from November 1, 2010 through November 30, 2011, and are now available for booking. 4 Night Leroo La Tau Rhino Package This 4-night package is inclusive of charter flights to and from Maun, 2 nights accommodation at Leroo La Tau Bush Camp, inter-camp charters and two nights accommodation at either Camp Moremi, Camp Okavango, Xugana Island Lodge or Savute Safari Lodge. 6 Night Leroo La Tau Rhino Package This 6-night package is inclusive of charter flights to and from Maun, 2 nights accommodation at Leroo La Tau, a choice of 2 nights accommodation at any of Desert & Delta Safaris camps and lodges, inclusive of Chobe Game Lodge and Chobe Savanna Lodge. A Kasane charter surcharge applies. For more information and special package rates, contact your travel advisor or visit http://www.desertdelta.com. back to top Foot Steps in Africa Announces Kalahari Summer Travel Special Experience all the green season has to offer with Foot Steps in Africa’s Kalahari Summer promotion, valid from December 1, 2010- March 31, 2011. With this offer, you may choose between fourteen camps at seven prime tourism regions including the Chobe riverfront, Savuti, Chobe National Park, Moremi Game Reserve, Linyanti, Okavango Delta, Central Kalahari, and the Makadikgadi and Nxai Pans. For more information please contact rihanna@foot-steps-in-Africa.com or info@kainyc.com. back to top Sanctuary Retreats Announces Green Season Rates Sanctuary Retreats happily announces its new green season rates for Botswana lodges and camps. The green season is an ideal travel time for those of you who want to experience the wonder of wildlife interacting with their young, take part in phenomenal bird watching and witness the movement of large numbers of game. For more information and rates, please contact sasales@sanctuaryretreats.com back to top Botswana Trek with Popular Photography’s Mentor Series… March 16-25, 2011 Join The Mentor Series on a photographic workshop journey through Botswana, filled with breathtaking adventure, stunning landscape and diverse wildlife at every turn! Nikon professional, Reed Hoffman, will be guiding this trek, offering his photographic expertise along the way. To sign up for this trek or for more information click here Click Here back to top Dereck and Beverly Joubert Document Zebra Migration for National Geographic Channel's Upcoming Series - Great Migrations The film work of conservationists and National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence Dereck and Beverly Joubert will be featured on the National Geographic Channel's new series, Great Migrations, which begins airing this November 7th. This seven-part global television event takes viewers around the world, highlighting the arduous journeys millions of animals undertake to ensure the survival of their species. The Joubert's filmed the zebra migration in Botswana, from the Okavango Delta to the Makgadikgadi Pans... and back again... for this riveting documentary. For a "behind the scenes look" at the Joubert's contribution to the Great Migration series click here. back to top We hope you enjoyed reading this latest issue of Around the Campfire, and hope you will share this with family and friends, to begin planning your dream safari adventure in Botswana. Tsamaya Sentle ("go well" in Setswana), You are receiving this newsletter because you have either signed up for the Botswana Tourism - enewsletter or you have requested information on international destination news. Website - Contact Us - Travel Offers - Previous Newsletter Issues 127 Lubrano Drive - Suite 203 - Annapolis, MD 21401