Lluis Gonzalez & Family Malawi Safari July 2009

Dear Timothy,

We are happy to tell you that our trip around Malawi was really great. We didn't have any problems. Regarding Land and Lake Safaris, everything turned out to be as planned. Kuchawe Inn is still only for well-off people. The manager was very kind to us.

Zomba Forest Lodge was wonderful in landscape and situation, as you said to us, it is to feel at home. To us, from Spain, it was like a British home, but at home we have electricity... I liked Salomon and his cuisine. Salima was good, but the weather was bad. The lake was really rough.

Liwonde National Park, Mvuu camp, was great. Just missed the rhino, as you had expected and informed us.

I have to say that one of the best things has been Henry, the guide: educated, punctual, good driver, always kind and patient, answering all our questions and sensitive to our needs and tastes. Honestly, much better than the guides we had in Namibia. And Henry, speaks English in a way, we from Spain, can understand, different from the usual English in Africa. I hope Henry is also happy with us? In short, we are very happy about our tour there, I'd recommend your company to everyone going to Malawi. You can quote me whenever you wish, if you think this can be useful for your business.

Thanks again. It's been so pleasant to deal with you. Sincerely, Lluis Gonzalez and family

THANKS TO THE GONZALEZ FAMILY FOR SHARING!

BEST REGARDS,

TIMOTHY

Malawi Music Festival - Lake of the Stars!

Malawi’s LAKE OF STARS FESTIVAL...described as second only to Glastonbury in the world of music festivals, this year moves location to the southern reaches of Lake Malawi – the Lake of Stars. Such has been the festival’s growing popularity, a new site, capable of accommodating the numbers of international visitors attending the event, has been chosen. The Festival will be held from 15 to 18 October at the southern reaches of the Lake, based on the Sunbird Nkopola Lodge and with a host of other lodges and hotels nearby. The eclectic mix of Western and African music draws an audience from across the world as well as being one of Malawi’s most popular events of the year. The opportunities offered to international visitors, to add to the Festival, and the chance to tour in one of Africa’s most attractive destinations are all added bonuses. Most visitors are keen to enjoy the water sports offered on the Lake, to view the magnificent scenery and to join a game safari, extending the four day festival into a fourteen day holiday or whatever works for you can be arranged... Contact me to organize your Festival experience and safari experience in malawi... www.Vintage-Destinations.com or email info@Vintage-Destinations.com Checkout the photo library at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lakeofstars/show/with/3031699347/ Malawi is the best!

Zambia & Malawi Safari Tour - 12th September - 2nd October 2009

Destination: Zambia & Malawi

Travel Dates: 12th September to
2nd October 2009

'The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.' St. Augustine

One of a kind Wilderness Odyssey to Zambia & Malawi!

Highlights

Vintage Destinations Tour Leader

Lilongwe (The Sancturary Lodge & Wildlife Sanctuary)

South Luangwa National Park (Mushroom Lodge & Presidential House)

North Luangwa National Park (Delia Camp)

Shiwa Ng'andu (Africa House)

Setamwa Tea Estates (Highland Tea and Coffee Estates of Malawi)

Mulange Biosphere Reserve

Zomba Mountain KuChawe Inn (Said to be some of the best views in Africa)

Liwonde National Park (Mvuu Wilderness Lodge)

Lake Malawi (Livingstonia Beach Hotel)

Itinerary

12th September

Arrive Lilongwe and transfer to The Sanctuary Lodge to O/N on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis.

13th - 15th September
Fly from Lilongwe to South Luangwa National Park, Zambia - Lunch on arrival at Mushroom Lodge & Presidential House on Full board and activities including; Game drives, walks and local community activities/visits.

16th - 18th September

Fly from Mfuwe to North Luangwa National Park Delia Camp on Full board and activities; Game drives, walks and local community activities/visits.

19th - 21st September

Road transfer to Shiwa Ng'andu(Africa House)

Shiwa House on full board and activities; Shiwa House tour (We stay in the house), visit to Kapishya Hot Springs, game walks, game drives, school & hospital visits, Shiwa farm estate tour and much more.22nd - 24th SeptemberCharter flight from Shiwa Ng'andu to South Luangwa (Mfuwe) and connect with another flight to Lilongwe and road transfer to Thyolo Highlands Satemwa guest houses on a full board and activites basis.Tea estate factory tour, tea tasting and walks around the estate. Day trip to Mount Mulange Bioshere Reserve for a walk to the falls in the reserve.

25th - 26th September

Road transfer from Thyolo to Zomba plateau.Kuchawe Inn on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis. Some of the best views in Africa are to be seen here, with spectacular gardens and wonderful hospitality this is a treat.

27th - 28th September

Road transfer to Liwonde National Park for a boat crossing to Mvuu Lodge on a full board and activities basis; game drives, walks and boat safaris (strongly encouraged over the other activities - The Shire River boasts great game, landscape and bird viewing).

29th September - 1st October

Road transfer from Liwonde to Senga Bay/Salima - Livingstonia Beach Hotel on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis. The opportunity to enjoy visiting the local fishing villages, the David Stuart Aquarium and the water activities on the lake; swimming, snorkling, kayaking, diving and more.

2nd October

Airport transfer [Senga Bay to Airport]Flight from Lilongwe airport back home

End of Services

Tour cost notes - Important information about the price on this tour: Due to the nature of this exclusive tour, and the locations we visit, we have priced the tour, based on the total number of people signed up. As we don't know this in advance, we have broken this down, to reflect different numbers of guests, to a maximum of 12. (No place can sleep more than 12 sharing on this tour). Check with us for the number of people signed up, and we will honour the price listed below, to all as the group grows. If you would like this tour 100% exclusive, (Just your party) these prices will be effective for the size of your group. Please ask for clarification if you need more information.

Note: If your an experienced traveler, and you would like to do this tour without a tour leader, or as a camping trip/budget hotels, Please ask for details.

Tour cost, per person sharing, for this comfort & luxury tour...
Minimum # of Guests / USD
2
14,720.00
4
11,100.00
6
10,060.00
8
9,540.00
10
9,220.00
12
8,995.00

Single Room Supplement - US$1,290.00 To help singles - As this tour fills we will try and match up singles to share rooms if you desire.Tour cost notes: Special rate available for group booking - ask for details(4+).

Included

All road transfers, Vintage Destinations tour leader, Land Cruiser game drive vehicles, Local guide/drivers and safari chef (at Setamwa) Internal flights, (Lilongwe - South Luangwa - North Luangwa & Shiwa Ng'andu - South Luangwa to Lilongwe - 5 seater aircraft) Accommodation, Meals, Park entrance fees for South Luangwa, North Luangwa, and Liwonde National Park, Activities as indicated in itinerary

Excluded

Bar in some locations, Airport taxes, Travel and medical insurance, Tips, Any other items not mentioned in the itinerary.

Contact us for details - Timothy info@Vintage-Destinations.com

No Water - No Life - Mara River Expedition

No Water No Life ®


NWNL Seeks Funding for a Mara River Expedition”

• GOOD NEWS!!! NWNL has received 2 grants this week from The Scott Pearlman Field Awards for the project’s upcoming “Length of the Mara River” Expedition. This fund provides grants for professional artists, writers, photographers, film-makers, and journalists in support of scientific expeditions sponsored by The Explorers Club. This grant was requested by the Pearlman Awards and is the second NWNL expedition they have funded. As well, the NWNL Mara Expedition has received the honor of carrying two Expedition Flags – from The Explorers Club and from Wings World Quest.

• WHAT IS NWNL? It is a project that combines the powers of photography and science to raise awareness of fresh water availability, quality and usage. Contrasting these issues in developed and developing nations, NWNL researches and documents six cases-study watersheds: the Columbia, Mississippi and Raritan River Basins in North America; and the Nile, Omo and Mara River Basins in northeastern Africa. For more information about the project, go to the NWNL website: www.nowater-nolife.org

• ABOUT THE MARA EXPEDITION: NWNL’s Mara River Expedition (late August-early October 2009) will document the Mara River from its deforested headwaters in Kenya’s Mau Forest, through the Maasai Mara and Serengeti Ecosystems and to its terminus on the Tanzanian shores of Lake Victoria. The only perennial river in this ecosystem, Mara River dried up this year for the first time, threatening the survival of world-renowned wildlife species and the sustainability of local human communities.

If this ecosystem loses its famous wildebeest/zebra migration and “Big Five” wildlife species due to lack of water, it will lose its tourism, a highly-valued revenue to East Africa and one of Kenya’s principle providers of employment. When Kenya’s tourism declines, crime and poaching climb to high levels, infrastructure disintegrates and ethnic violence escalates. The implications of that in today’s world is lack of regional stability combined with poverty, which tends to foster violence and terrorism. Beyond that there is the spiritual and ecological loss of the Mara-Serengeti ecosystem and its biodiversity – a uniquely protected balance of predators and prey.• PAST PERFORMANCE: To see how NWNL conducts its expeditions check out our ’07 Columbia River Expedition itinerary and report. This expedition also received funding from the Scott Pearlman Field Awards.• DONATIONS: Best made via checks. For a tax-deductible donation, please write your check to “WINGS World-Quest -No Water No Life.” (WINGS is NWNL’s fiscal sponsor and covers NWNL with its 501c3 status, deducting 10% for administrative fees.) Otherwise, please make checks out directly to No Water No Life ®. Either way, checks should be mailed to Alison Jones, Director of No Water No Life at the address below. (alison@nowater-nolife.org).

Many Thanks for everyone's support in this project, I Timothy Jackson, owner of Vintage Destinations, am simply supporting this venture, and hope you can too. Please feel free to contact Alison directly or myself, at info@Vintage-Destinations.com

Uganda Safari - Departs 8th - 17th August 2009

Destination: Uganda Travel Dates: 8th to17th August 2009
Contact us directly for more information - info@Vintage-Destinations.com

'Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey.' Babs Hoffman

Highlights

Vintage Destinations Tour Leader

Mbamba Swamp - seach for the Shoebill Bird!

Kibale Forest or Kyambura Gorge Walking Safari in search of Chimps and other Primates in their natural habitat

Queen Elizabeth National Park to search for Ishasha’s Infamous Tree Climbing Lions

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

Trek for Gorillas in the Habinyanja, Mubare or Rushegura Groups which are located in the Buhoma region of Bwindi

Lake Mburo National Park

Entebbe

Itinerary

8th August

Arrive in Entebbe, Uganda. Met and transferred to O/N at the Boma Guest House (optional afternoon activity, time permitting).

9th August

Mbamba Swamp - Search the papyrus laden swamps by dug-out boat for the elusive shoebill bird and other aquatic bird species. Continue west until we reach the emerald green tea plantations of Fort Portal and Ndali Lodge. Optional afternoon walk around the Nyinambuga crater-lake or watch the spectacular sunset over the Rwenzori Mountains. O/N in Ndali Lodge.

10th August

Depart for Kibale Forest National Park. (30 minute drive) On arrival, you will be assigned to your chimp trek group. (maximum 6 per group) The trek in search of the chimps can take anywhere from 30 minutes to four hours, the paths are easy and the forest is magnificent. Apart from chimps, Kibale is home to 12 other primate species, spectacular birds, plant and butterfly life. Lunch will be back at the lodge with the afternoon free to explore Ndali Farm, visit a local school or simply relax whilst absorbing the magnificent views.

11th August

Depart for Queen Elizabeth National Park. We cross the equator from the southern to the northern hemisphere, cross the bridge which bisects Lake George with Lake Edward, and continue along the floor of the Great Rift Valley. The plan will be to reach the Ishasha sector of the Queen Elizabeth National Park by late morning, in time for a quick lion search before arriving at the camp. O/N at Ishasha Wilderness Tented Camp.

12th August

Explore the Ishasha plains in search of wildlife including; tree-climbing lions, large herds of buffalo, elephant, ugandan kob, topi, warthog and defassa waterbuck. For birders, the park boasts over 615 species, from raptors to bee-eaters, the birdlife is just phenomenal.

13th - 15th

August Early morning game drive before departing towards Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, home to the critically endangered mountain gorillas. Along the way we stop off at a local school where we will meet the students and plant trees. The drive to Bwindi is roughly 1 ½ hours and the plan is to arrive for lunch. Time for an optional self guided walking trail, guided forest walk or community visit. A briefing will be held in preperation for the next two days in regards to the gorilla treks and other activities. O/N at Buhoma Lodge for 3 nights. On the first day we will visit the Habinyanja group and on day two we will search for the Mubare group.

August 16th

After three memorable days in the rainforest, it will be time to depart for the journey back to Entebbe breaking for a night in the Lake Mburo National Park. O/N at the stylish Mihingo Lodge. Here we have spectacular views of the surrounding park.

August 17th

On route back we stop at the Equator Café, this will be your last chance to take the ideal equator picture. On arriving in Entebbe, you will either overnight or proceed to the international airport for your outbound flight. (Time permitting, you will be able to freshen up in a day-room before heading to the airport). O/N Boma Lodge.

End of services

Tour cost notes - Important information about the price on this tour: Due to the nature of this exclusive tour, and the locations we visit, we have priced the tour, based on the total number of people signed up. As we don't know this in advance, we have broken this down, to reflect different numbers of guests, to a maximum of 6 for this departure.Check with us for the number of people signed up, and we will honour the price listed below, to all as the group grows. If you would like this tour 100% exclusive, (Just your party) these prices will be effective for the size of your group. Please ask for clarification if you need more information. Note: If you would like to do this tour at another departure time, or as a camping trip/budget hotels, Please ask for details.

Tour cost, per person sharing, for this comfort & luxury tour...
Minimum # of Guests - USD
2 - 5,600.00
3 - 4,925.00
4 - 4,705.00
5 - 4,380.00
6 - 4,085.00

Single Room Supplement - USD500.00

To help singles - As this tour fills we will try and match up singles to share rooms if you desire.

Notes: Special rate available for group booking - ask for details(6+)

Included

Accommodation on a shared basisMeals as specified (Bed & Breakfast on the first night and Dinner, Bed & Breakfast on the last night)

Water in the vehicle and bedrooms

Chimp permit for Kibale Forest

All game drives, swamp walk in Kibale, guided bush walk or boat trip in Lake Mburo National Park.

A guided forest walk or community visit in Buhoma, Bwindi

Relevant park fees & government taxes

Transport in a 4 x 4 Land-Cruiser with open roof hatch, fuel & vehicle insurance

Vehicle equipped with first aid kit, complimentary tea & coffee, bird books, maps, etc

All airport transfers

Excluded

Gorilla trek permits - US$500.00 each (current rate)

Entry visa - US$50.00 (current rate & obtained on arrival at Entebbe Int'l Airport)

Dinner at Boma Guest House the first evening. (dependent on arrival time)

All drinks, alcohol, laundry, gratuities, curios and items of a personal nature

Internal charters which are available for each leg/route

International flights

Any additional days added to or deducted off the trip will require re-quoting

Comprehensive travel insurance, cancellation and curtailment

Please note:

Gorilla and chimp trek permits, Permits are non-refundable and non-transferable and subject to availability at the time of booking unless pre-booked such as the ones we have booked for this tour. Should the permits increase during the year, this will not affect the price at which your permits were purchased at. The price is fixed at $500 per permit per day. A gorilla permit entitles you to one hours viewing from the time you locate your gorilla family. A total of 24 permits are issued per day in the Buhoma area. They are divided into the three habituated gorilla families. Walks begin at 08:00 sharp. The minimum age limit for visiting the gorillas is 15 years. The quote is subject to VAT, levy, fuel or any other industry related increases that are beyond our control. The above itinerary include camps / lodges which are located in Malaria areas. Please consult your doctor or local travel clinic and establish what precautions might be required. Please ensure that you are covered with comprehensive travel, medical, cancellation, curtailment and default insurance for the duration of your trip.

Contact us for more information - info@Vintage-Destinations.com