iSafari.com News

photographer Michael Poliza reticulated giraffe on the open green savanna of Laikipia Plateau in Kenya

Safari News - April 2016

See what's happening on safari this month!

Kenya Visa Fees Waived for Children

As of February 1, 2016 children under 16 years old will be exempt from paying visa fees upon arrival in Kenya. Click here to read more about Kenya, and browse safaris.

Duba Plains Reopens as Duba Expedition Camp

Situated in a remote area of the western Okavango Delta in northern Botswana, Duba Island has long been known for its unique lion and buffalo interactions, where fierce lion prides have famously hunted buffalo traveling in massive herds. Within the 77,000-acre private reserve, Duba Expedition Camp — formerly Duba Plains — offers just six intimate tented suites. The camp has been rebuilt in many aspects to exhibit a higher level of luxury. The main areas now invite the wilderness in with 360-degree views, and en suite bathrooms in each tent have been made more spacious, with a separate toilet and shower flanking each side of the dressing area. Click here to view all-new images!

NEW - Hot Air Ballooning Offered in Botswana

Botswana's Okavango Delta is one of the largest inland deltas in the world and is truly a magnificent sight from above. Low-flying charter planes or helicopter flights offer an incredible bird's-eye view, but now you can enjoy the vista from a hot air balloon! Drifting silently above the meandering waterways and the green, red and brown earth-formed islands is spectacular. Between April 18 and September 30 this year, guests at Vumbura Plains and Little Vumbura Camp can opt for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Ballooning starts from $430 per person, plus transfers to the ballooning site. Please contact your Safari Specialist at 800-543-8917 or info@isafari.com for more information.

South African Rand Still Low

With the South African rand (and Namibian dollar, its Namibia equivalent) holding fairly steady between 15 to 16 rand to the U.S. dollar, there has not been a better time to visit South Africa and Namibia in many years! The rand reached about 9.3 in March 2013, 10.8 in March 2014 and 12.5 in March 2015, against the dollar. In other words, you're getting about 28 percent more bang for your buck in 2016 versus 2015, or saving upwards of $2000 per person on an average 10-day safari! Click here to see the Hidden South Africa safari, including three nights FREE and starting at just $455 per person per day!

Little Ruckomechi Opening July 1st

The classic Ruckomechi Camp in Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe, will re-open for the season May 1 with some welcome refurbishments. The camp will now offer eight double/twin tents with two family tents opening August 1. Opening July 1, the new Little Ruckomechi Camp is located just upstream, with three eco-friendly tented suites plus intimate public areas and a plunge pool overlooking 12 miles of prime Zambezi River frontage. The camp is ideal for private groups and families. Offering just three tents for individual bookings, an additional fourth tent can be booked by private groups only, allowing up to eight guests to enjoy an exclusive secluded experience.

NEW Pictures and Vehicles for Linkwasha Camp

Linkwasha Camp in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park has replaced its vehicles with new custom-built Toyota HiLuxes, highly reliable and comfortable safari trucks. Linkwasha also has lovely NEW images! The camp reopened in May 2015 after a complete rebuild. Click here to see the beautiful new images of the camp since it's fashionable update.