Alan

DELRAY BEACH, FL, Sept. 26, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Exceptional South Africa is an
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Marketing, Lion World Travel
Telephone: 1-416-920-5466
Email:

Wildlife safari guides are given the fright of their lives – as a territorial elephant charges and rams into their vehicle.

Professional guide Johann Lombard was leading a South African safari when their group encountered a herd of elephants at the Kruger National Park.

Two of the elephants begin to charge towards the vehicle before stopping in their tracks.

But a third, female elephant emerges from the back of the herd and smashes head first into the truck carrying terrified guides.

The group who filmed the charge insisted the elephants had not been provoked and the situation had not been set up in any way.

The elephant emerges from the back of the herd and makes tracks for the vehicle. (Newsflare)
The enraged animals heads straight towards the safari guide. (Newsflare)Guides are sent ducking for cover as the elephant smashes into the truck. (Newsflare)Luckily noone was injured by the charging, and the elephant eventually walked away unharmed.

Johann and his team had taken all necessary precautions before the trip, but the video shows that sometimes animals can act out without any provocation.

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Close encounters: Wildlife can be readily caught by the eager snapper. Photo: Theo Allofs/Corbis

It’s game on for an unforgettable adventure, writes Katrina Lobley in this first-timers’ safari guide.

The urge to go on safari strikes me suddenly and unexpectedly, in the way some people fall head over heels in love. Out of the blue – maybe it’s a mid-40s thing – I want to see Africa’s animals roaming the land under huge skies instead of behind bars in a zoo.

Almost as soon as I think it, I’m booked on a Botswana safari. I borrow Alexander McCall Smith novels from the library, hoping to understand Botswana, but I’m just delaying what’s really stopped me going to Africa all these years: vaccinations. For I have a needle phobia bigger than a herd of African elephants.

Zebras on the move in Chobe National Park, Botswana. Photo: Corbis

THE JABS

No vaccinations are compulsory for Botswana but, because I’m detouring into Zambia post-safari, I need a yellow fever shot to re-enter South Africa on the way home. Damn. For this, not all medical centres are equal – you need one that’s yellow fever-accredited.

The doctor reels off a recommended vaccination schedule – the possible diseases blur into one as blood drains from my face. The doctor jokes, “Why do you want to travel to Africa anyway?”

Park here: A giraffe crosses the road. Photo: Corbis

At this point, I can’t remember.

I take tetanus along with yellow fever – the tetanus shot hurts, yellow fever doesn’t.

I’m also prescribed the anti-malarial Malarone (my fellow safari-goers from England and Canada are taking these tablets too). The doc warns they’re expensive but I still reel when the pharmacist announces 24 tablets will cost $128. This safari better be worth it.

THE EQUIPMENT

This once-in-a-lifetime trip prompts a reassessment of my camera. I’m unhappy with its 5x zoom and search, “best zoom on a point-and-shoot”. The Canon SX50HS, with a 50x zoom, induces zoom-envy from fellow safari-goers: it’s particularly brilliant for capturing birds in far-off branches. A few days after visiting the camera store, I return for a spare battery because I’m unsure if our remote camps can recharge them (turns out they can but it’s reassuring to have the spare).

THE OUTFIT

There’s a certain type of safari-goer who kits him or herself out in top-to-toe khaki – the only thing missing is the pith helmet. At the other end of the scale, backpackers happily tour Chobe National Park looking like they’ve bounced straight from a nightclub: they’re not too worried about scaring animals with their fluorescent sunglasses and skimpy threads. Remember you’ll be sitting for many hours in a safari vehicle rather than walking around (which is dangerous), so running shoes are fine. Pack loose, comfortable clothes, including a long-sleeved shirt and wide-brimmed hat to fend off harsh rays angling in from the side of the vehicle.

THE ITINERARY

AndBeyond’s 10-day Explorer Expedition safari starts in Maun, Botswana, near the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta – an inland delta that sprawls over 16,000 square kilometres as it empties into the Kalahari Desert. Safari-goers continue to Chobe National Park in the country’s north-eastern corner before finishing in neighbouring Zimbabwe. I’m doing a potted highlights bespoke itinerary – two nights in the delta and two in the national park.

THE SEASONS

Dry winter months – from May to August – are considered Botswana’s best game-viewing months, along with September and October, when animals congregate near water. We head to the delta at the end of summer when the grass is long and lush and animal-spotting is supposedly difficult.

Within an hour of arriving, we’re tracking lion prints on a sandy road. Soon, furry ears pop above the grass. It’s all we can do to not squeal like schoolkids. It’s not only a surreal sight but a total adrenalin rush.

We calm down and park just metres from the pride of six lions lazing in the shade of a feverberry tree. A smear of blood on a cheek tells us they’ve just eaten. They laze with full stomachs, rolling on their backs like super-sized domestic kitties.

“This is one of the top experiences, to see them like this,” whispers our guide, Chief Marota.

We realise life in Africa is gloriously unpredictable and wonder what could top this.

OKAVANGO DELTA

While Chief drives, tracker Kux Mobe keeps his eyes peeled for animals and birds from a seat precariously perched above a headlight. In the delta, vehicles can go off-road so we veer off over grasslands to pull closer to a dazzle of zebras and a journey of giraffes. I adore these collective nouns and the thrill of spotting something new. Field guides in the vehicle tell us more about these exotic creatures. One of my favourite sights is two adorable spotted hyena cubs playing near their den while mum is off finding dinner.

The birds – a pretty lilac-breasted roller perched in a leadwood tree, a woodland kingfisher flitting from a sausage tree and a large saddle-billed stork high-stepping through a marsh – are enthralling.

Tall termite mounds play a pivotal role in the delta, attracting animals whose droppings contain seeds that then sprout, helping to form small islands. “If we didn’t have termite mounds, the delta would be a very big lake,” says Chief.

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Unlike the delta, Chobe National Park is a strictly on-road experience – but that doesn’t detract from game-viewing. The park, divided from neighbouring Namibia by the Chobe River, is so packed with wildlife that there’s always another thrilling encounter just around the corner.

The world’s largest elephant herd – estimated to number more than 120,000 – roams northern Botswana including Chobe (billboards around Kasane, the nearest town, describe the park as “the land of giants”). You may even – gasp – grow tired of the sight of elephant and impala, our most oft-spotted species. Our safari includes a river cruise past elephants frolicking in the water.

Back on land, we’re riveted by more giraffes, a lone hyena and a pair of industrious dung beetles rolling a dung ball – many times bigger than them – along the road.

THE WATERWAYS

In the delta, we board a flat-bottomed boat to cruise into a maze of narrow, papyrus-shaded channels that’s all very Indiana Jones and take morning tea among the waterlilies.

“If you follow this channel, you get to Angola,” says Kux.

Chief scoops up the water in a bottle to show its clarity – it looks perfect, but foreigners of course can’t drink it. Later, we’re poled along in canoes known as makoro and sit riveted, listening to grunts, hoots and calls as the day darkens.

At Chobe National Park, cruising the hippo-laden river separating Botswana from Namibia is a highlight. Along the riverbank herds of elephant are at play, spraying mud and water, drinking and swimming. Crocodiles bask in the sunshine.

LIFE AT CAMP

At the Nxabega delta camp, the camp cook, Priscillah, welcomes us with ululations so thrilling I wish I’d recorded them so I could channel Africa on demand. The unfenced camp overlooks a marsh favoured by red lechwe – an antelope that has adapted to live in swamps.

One afternoon I emerge from my tent to startle something just metres away. I’m left wondering what scampered off into the grass – a warthog, maybe?

Because anything could wander through the campsite, we’re fetched from our tents for dinner even though it’s only a short walk to the lantern-ringed table.

We might be in the middle of nowhere but the menu is gourmet: chickpea soup, roasted bream fillet with baby potatoes, carrots and beans for mains and panna cotta to finish. Another day we lunch on eggplant and spinach bake, rice, beef with almonds and capsicum salad and bread.

Tents contain a full-size bed and side tables holding an emergency horn, lamps and two types of insect repellent. Between the sleeping and toilet tents is an open-air bathroom – staff fill the bucket shower with warm water in the morning (their arrival doubles as a wake-up call). There’s also a dressing table with a mirror, toiletries, tub and some detergent.

TOILETS

For those worried about such things, here’s the lowdown on toilets. At the camps, each sleeping tent is paired to a toilet tent with a flushable porcelain loo that wouldn’t disappoint the most high-maintenance safari-goer. If the urge strikes on a game drive, you may have to go behind a bush (once a guide has checked for lurking lions) or behind the vehicle. Believe me, no one cares.

WHAT I’D PACK NEXT TIME

All that sitting and bouncing around in the Toyota can induce a condition known as “LandRover back”. Next time, I’d take a yoga mat to do some serious stretching at camp between game drives.

WHAT I TELL FRIENDS

Wildlife tourism is big in Botswana’s economy, so not surprisingly the safari is like a well-oiled machine. The only thing to worry about is what amazing sight is next. I can’t wait to return, even if it means more jabs.

The writer was a guest of safari provider andBeyond.

 

TRIP NOTES

GETTING THERE

South African Airways flies daily from Sydney to Johannesburg, South Africa. From Johannesburg, it connects to Maun, Botswana, and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. See flysaa.com.

SIGNING UP

AndBeyond’s safaris have a minimum age of 12 years; those aged 70 to 75 must be certified fit to travel. The 10-day Explorer Expedition safari starts in Maun and ends in Victoria Falls. It costs $US5960 ($6400) a person twin-share until October 31, dropping to $US5255 a person twin-share from November 1 until December 31.

See andbeyond.com.

MORE INFORMATION

botswanatourism.co.bw.

ABOUT THE WRITER

Katrina Lobley grew up among a menagerie on the outskirts of Brisbane. Even with all that animal experience, the freelance arts and travel writer found Botswana’s wildlife astounding.

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Local Hunters Experienced African Safari

Kittanning Native Tom Kunst shot his approximately-350 pound lion the first day of an African game safari at the beginning of August near the Botswana border.

by Jonathan Weaver

Two Kittanning-native hunters went on their own hunting adventure overseas during the summer.

Tom Kunst and Ed Bearer – the latter still living in Kittanning Borough – went on a Lions and Plains Game Safari July 31-August 8 in South Africa.

The good friends “as long as I can remember,” according to Bearer, explained the pair weren’t supposed to attend for another year.

“We were talking about going this summer – Summer of 2014 – so I thought ‘That’s great – now I’ll have time to plan,’ but they had a last-minute cancellation so we bumped it up a year and knew about 4-6 months in advance,” Bearer said. “We decided ‘Let’s do it.’”

Their first stop required nearly 40 hours of travel time – beginning in Pittsburgh – to the Botswana border – seven hours north of the main hunting lodge in the Kalahari Desert of South Africa. Kunst had a permit for lion, and explained the strategy was to drive the sand-covered dirt roads until finding lion tracks and then to track the lion on foot using two of the local native trackers.

The two trackers spotted the lioness in thick brush shortly after tracking on foot. However after pursuit for about 300 yards, the lion became agitated and was ready to charge. Kunst had to use two Ultra mag shots in the shoulders before two follow-up shots at close range to finish the deal.

The lion was estimated to be 9-10 years old and weighted between 350 and 400 pounds.

After the lion hunt, the pair traveled back to the border. On the second day, Kunst shot a warthog and then on the third day, shot a gemsbok – a large antelope – and a wildebeest from 300-plus yards.

That same day, Bearer had his first kill with his own gemsbok and a blesbok – another breed of antelope.

Leechburg Area School District Teacher Ed Bearer was proud of killing a spiral-horned kudu – a woodland antelope referred to as the ‘grey ghost of Africa’ because of its ability to blend in to surroundings.

At a water hole the fourth day, each shot impalas – Bearer with two and Kunst with one.

Neither hunter had any luck the fifth day. On the sixth, Bearer shot a spiral-horned kudu and Kunst a springbok.

Bearer – a 5th grade teacher at David Leech Elementary in the Leechburg Area School District- finished his safari package the seventh day by tagging a large wildebeest and a springbok while Tom was able to shoot his own kudu.

With all the tags filled, the eighth and final day was spent doing some wing shooting for Sand Grouse and doves.

In total, the Safari produced a pair of Kudus, Wildebeests, Gemsboks, Impalas and Springboks for both – plus Tom’s Lion Warthog and Ed’s Blesbok.

“It was a pretty intense hunt,” Bearer said.

Both men ate meat from several of the animals, with Bearer most enjoying the impala.

Several of the animals were mounted in South Africa, but Bearer is unsure what they will do with them. It could take up to a year before they arrive in the United States when they decide.

Bearer already has some mounts at his campsite in Benezette (Elk County), Pa.

The trip cost $6,400, with a third of that going toward airfare. Weapons had to be secured through the Department of Homeland Security and the airlines before transport – which is something Bearer said was discouraging enough that he might consider renting guns next time.

Both are already talking about returning to South Africa. Though Kunst wants to go next year, Bearer imagines returning in 3-5 years.

“We had a good time – I’d recommend it,” Bearer said.

He said he didn’t teach his students about the hunt and that they won’t learn about world geography this school year.

The men will next hunt together with muzzleloaders after Christmas.

 

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Webcams streaming live wildlife footage enable viewers to experience nature as it really is, says WildEarth.tv’s Graham Wallington.

Satellite technology is boosting SA’s virtual tourism industry.

This is due to its ability to reach remote areas, which lack access to reliable ADSL connectivity, says Graham Wallington, co-founder and CEO of WildEarth.tv.

In January this year, 600 000 viewers across the world tuned in to watch Nina the chimp give birth live on camera, via Vox Telecom’s YahClick satellite connection at the Jane Goodall Chimp Eden Institute, in Mpumalanga.

Wallington believes this is just the tip of the iceberg for live wildlife streaming in SA. “WildEarth.tv has cameras stationed across the globe, streaming live from locations including black bear dens in the United States and storks’ nests in Romania,” he says.

“However, Africa has some of the most fascinating and diverse wildlife viewing opportunities in the world. People would love to watch wildebeest migrating or to peek inside wild dog dens. That’s never been practical until now.”

The problem, says Wallington, lies with the high cost of bandwidth and the lack of connectivity in rural locations. “Even if you could obtain a satellite link, VSAT technology was just completely unaffordable for us,” he says. “Fortunately, with the arrival of services like the YahClick Service from Vox Telecom, we’re able to broadcast from any remote location in South Africa, at a low cost.”

WildEarth.tv now streams footage live from several locations across the country, including Thornybush Private Game Reserve, the Madikwe Nature Reserve, Pete’s Pond, and Djuma.

“We are also using a connection to shoot a 3D documentary about baboons in the Soutpansberg. The crew is sending us daily footage and communicating so that we can stay up to date with what’s going on in the field and offer advice and instructions.”

Wallington points out that, although some might question whether “Web cam” tourism can compare to the real thing, fans would disagree. “We have viewers in the States who purposefully go to bed in the early evening just so that they can wake up at 3am to watch the game drives live in South Africa. People are drawn to the unpredictability of it. Just like a real game drive, you have no idea what you will see or experience next.”

He also believes that virtual tourism has had a positive impact on both eco-tourism and conservation. “The benefit is that viewers see nature as it really is, and not in a condensed format, such as a wildlife documentary,” he explains.

“Documentaries are shot over a year and then edited into an hour’s worth of footage, often which has created poor perceptions of creatures such as sharks, which are portrayed as very active and vicious hunters. Live streaming leaves the interpretation largely up to the viewer. They feel more connected and gain a better understanding of what these animals are really like, day to day.”

The increased awareness also assists conservationists with fundraising. “When we broadcast Lily the black bear giving birth in the wild for the North American Bear Centre, we created a Facebook page for her. On the back of the awareness created through the Web cam, over $1 million in donations has been raised for the project, which was among others put towards building a new educational centre,” Wallington says.

“Pete’s Pond also saw an influx of tourists – who call themselves “Pondies” – who have bonded over the video feed and pooled funds to travel to Africa to see the sights in person. More people are “visiting” South Africa through the various cams in a day than actual tourists do in six months, generating online ad revenues and awareness,” he says.

“Our game drives from Thornybush generated over half-a-million views over the last three months. There is no way to accommodate that many visits to the reserve in real life without destroying the plant and animal life that we’re trying to protect. We can share the bush experience in a non-invasive way.”

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FLORENCE, S.C. —  A trip last May to South Africa got Wayne Jackson closer to completing his bucket list of hunting adventures.

“It was a trip of a lifetime,” Jackson said. “I grew up small game hunting in South Carolina, but going on an African safari is something I wanted to do my whole life.”

Jackson spent 24 years in the United States Air Force before retiring as a colonel in the medical services corps four years ago and moving to Florence.

During his career, he was stationed all over the world, but hunting was not a priority. The closest he ever got to South Africa was Egypt.

While stationed in Colorado, North Dakota and Mississippi, Jackson was able to hunt infrequently for elk or Mule Deer. Africa, though, was what he set his sights and heart on.

“In the states, it’s kind of the same experience,” Jackson said. “It’s fun, but Africa is the ultimate to take it to the next level as a hunter.”

Shortly after moving to Florence, Jackson met Al Munn, a fellow avid hunter. Jackson said Munn recommended hunter and guide Trevor Lake, whom Munn had hunted with three times before in South Africa.

On one of Lake’s trips to the U.S., Jackson met with him to put the planning wheels in motion, and everything had to be planned to a tee.

“I’ve heard people say that it costs about the same as going on an elk hunting trip in the states but it’s not true,” Jackson scoffed. “They don’t tell you about the trophy fees and taxidermy costs.”

Each animal taken requires a trophy fee, which varies depending on the animal. If you want the animal preserved, you’ll have to pay for a taxidermist.

A short 18 months after meeting with Lake, Jackson was on a flight to Johannesburg, South Africa, for his 16-day dream trip.

To get ready for the trip, Jackson spent months honing his shooting skills so he could take that one shot of a lifetime.

“Unlike hunting deer from a stand or blind, in Africa you’re stalking and you have to use shooting sticks. It takes some getting used to, but I was ready when the time came,” he said.

When it came time to embark on the trip, Jackson knew exactly what animals he wanted to hunt and were available where he was going, based on conversations with Lake.

Upon arriving in country, Jackson spent a couple days gathering the needed supplies for the 12-day hunt. Also, he had to get permits for each of the animals he wanted to hunt. All of the hunts took place on game preserve land spanning tens of thousands of acres, virtually all on Zulu tribal land.

On the first day, Jackson and Lake set out to hunt either Blesbuck or Wildebeest in the Zulu Waters preserve.

After two hours, Jackson said his heart stopped. “I saw it! A huge beautiful wildebeest,” he said.

Hoping all of his practice was going to pay off, Jackson admitted he was nervous. His guide coached him when to take the shot.

Raising his trusty rifle, Jackson pulled the trigger on his target more than 200 yards away.

“It was funny because later, my guide and tracker thought I had missed. I knew I’d hit him and sure enough he dropped instantly. One shot, one kill and I got a beautiful old bull wildebeest,” Jackson said smiling. “It’s like the first touchdown. It really helps your confidence and proves to your guide that you know how to shoot.”

Jackson was fortunate enough to basically get a different trophy animal each day. He said it was challenging because the entire hunt was by stalking to get in closer to make a good shot.

Among the animals were a Black Wildebeest, Blesbuck, Impala, Kudu, Zebra, Blue Wildebeest, Water Buck, Nyala and a Wart Hog with 11-inch tusks.

“I was amazed at the vast open distances and different animals coexisting freely,” Jackson said. “It also makes it harder because they can see you from a long distance away.”

Coming away from the trip, Jackson said he’s a much better hunter and he plans to apply what he learned when he goes elk hunting out West.

Since returning, some people are skeptical or concerned whether the animals he shot were endangered.

“Absolutely not. The number and types of animals hunted are tightly controlled,” he said.

Depending on the region, it is possible to hunt exotic animals such as lion and elephant.

“In certain parts of Africa, elephants aren’t endangered,” Jackson said. “In fact, in some places, they cause problems because they’re over-populated.”

Also, every part of the animal is used to feed the local people.

Jackson will receive his eight animal mounts in the next few months. The zebra is being made into a rug.

Jackson plans to go back to Africa in the next couple years.

“It was magnificent and exceeded my expectations,” he said. “The variety of animals, country and my guide were all tremendous. It will spoil you for hunting (in the United States). It’s just apples and oranges.”

//–

Coverage
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa releases crime stats for incidents reported in 2012/13. Follow our rolling updates.

Opinion
Fred Khumalo unpacks a survey that shows South Africans as spending more on bling cars than they are on securing their own houses.

Story
An experiment by UKZN PhD student Sandile Ngcobo has put South Africa at the forefront of scientific research.

A Vietnamese delegation is visiting South African game reserves, for the first time, to see the effects of rhino poaching.

The Rhinose Foundation hope that educating the Asian market that horns have no medicinal benefit, may just save the 35-million-year-old species.
 
A Vietnamese police constable, a celebrity, a politician and an environmental activist are all in Kruger National Park.

They first visited a rhino undergoing rehabilitation.

They are here to see the effects of rhino poaching on the ecosystem. They want to see how this affects the game rangers who risk their lives, conservationists now fighting a paramilitary war, and the local community who rely on the parks for a living.

Vietnam’s last native rhino was killed in 2010. Rangers at Kruger’s control centre work around the clock to avoid a similar fate for the local species.

Andrew Paterson of the Rhinose Foundation said, “The delegation saw live rhino like old Crocky over here, and now I hope the dead body will strike an emotional chord with them.”

The fact finding mission was sponsored by South Africans who’ve been sporting red rhino noses on their car grills.

A popular blogger, Xuan Bac, who has half a million Facebook fans, intends to use social media to spread his newfound knowledge back home.

“I saw many beautiful things in Kruger but this makes me very sad. We must do something about rhino poaching,” said Bac.

Education for Nature Vietnam’s Thi Phuong Thao will be fighting the rhino war on the Vietnamese front.

“I saw live rhino in the wild and then this… dead rhino and it hurts my heart,” said Thao after seeing a rhino carcass.

Constable Viettien Nguyen and National Assembly Member Tian Nhan are hoping to influence environmental policy in a country where the consumption of rhino horn is legal.

 

-eNCA

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A South African luxury safari combines the thrill of the wild with the joys of five-star comfort in a truly memorable experience.

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An African safari has its place in every intrepid traveller’s must-do list and for good reason. Watching wild animals in their natural habitat is a unique, unparalleled experience and a safari in South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park is one of the best.

While price-conscious visitors can opt to simply visit the enormous Kruger national Park, private game reserves around the national park offer luxury-seeking travellers a bespoke experience.

A plethora of excellent five-star resorts are scattered across the Greater Kruger national Park area, which includes sabi sands, Timbavati and Umbabat.

We stayed at sabi sabi, one of the premium resorts in the sabi sands Game reserve, which is home to a rich diversity of animals including the celebrated ‘big five’ of Africa (the lion, elephant, rhino, leopard and buffalo).

While some visitors prefer the scenic, albeit slightly bumpy road trip from Johannesburg, which takes between six to eight hours, we took the one-hour private charter plane ride operated by federal Air to sabi sabi’s private airstrip.

Surrounded by dense bushes, we realised that we were in deep animal territory when our co-passenger’s pick-up was delayed because of a bunch of rowdy elephants.

Thankfully, our ranger, Michelle, managed to avoid any wild encounters, and was there at the airstrip to greet us with a cheery smile. Loading our baggage onto the open Land rover, we began our first trip into the bushes.

One key fact that every traveller quickly notes is that you can spot an animal anytime, anywhere. You soon get into the habit of keeping your eyes peeled on the horizon, watching keenly for any small sign of movement, a flicker of a tail, or the ruffle of a bush.

We spent two nights at Earth Lodge, Sabi Sabi’s futuristic property that is cleverly hidden away among the bushes. Descending down a stone pathway, you arrive at the avant-garde, eco-friendly lodge that boasts bold driftwood fixtures stylishly set against brown boulders and a tiny colourful stream with fishes swimming around.

We stayed in one of the 12 luxurious suites that cost roughly $966 per person per night, and includes the daily day and night safaris, walking trips, breakfast, lunch and dinner with a house selection of beverages and taxes.

Although contemporary, the décor and layout of the suite gives you a feeling of being one with nature, and thanks to the absence of that ubiquitous hotel staple, the flatscreen TV, it is easy to feel cut off from the rest of the world.

Every suite comes with an outdoor pool, but there is no fencing between the suites and the wild, so we weren’t surprised to spot some kudus (deer family) sipping water from the pool of a neighbouring suite.

While that may sound risky, the hotel staff ensures that the area is safe from wild animals, and always accompanies the guests to their suites after nightfall.

In Sabi Sabi, your day starts early. The first game drive leaves as early as 6.30am and lasts for three hours, while the night safari leaves by 3.30pm.

The African bush boasts spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and watching the horizon change colours at dawn and dusk is stunning.

But watching wild game actually takes your breath away. The fact that you are so close to the animals, in an open vehicle, is a thrill that is hard to describe.

We were lucky enough to spot a group of lazy lions, a mother cheetah with two adolescents, families of elephants, protective rhino parents and their little one, lethargic buffalos, zebras, giraffes, impalas, kudus, a jackal, baboons and numerous bird species during our trip.

Seeing a leopard would have helped us tick off the big five, but despite some expert bundu bashing (going off the track) by Michelle, the wild cat remained elusive, giving us an excellent reason to return.

---

 

This video shows the terrifying moment that an angry elephant stampeded tourists in a jeep.

Johann Lombard, a veteran safari guide of 23 years, was driving a small group through Kruger National Park in South Africa when it all went wrong.

In the video, which has over four million views, a vehicle stops to observe the elephants but three of them are clearly made uncomfortable by the presence of humans.

Two of the animals turn towards them aggressively while the other, a territorial female, rushes towards the jeep and hits it, nearly overturning it.

Lombard said: “(I’ve) never seen anything like it in 23 years.”

None of the three people on board were hurt when the vehicle was attacked.

Some YouTube users were not so sympathetic to the tourists.

One commented: “You come to an elephant’s home, disrespect it by parking your vehicle in their way.

“Then you bring a camera and point it at the elephant’s family. And you’re surprised that poor animal hurt you. Get out of it’s face. You paparazzi.”

AFTER failing to stage the Castle Sevens international tournament, the Zambia Rugby Union (ZRU) has secured a spot at the 2013 Safari Sevens tournament in Kenya later this month.

Zambia will parade among the cream in rugby at the 18th edition of the Safari Sevens International tournament that will be held from September 20 to 22 at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, Nairobi, Kenya.

The Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) vice chairperson, Sasha Mutai who also chairs the Safari Sevens organising committee sent an invitation to the ZRU on July 18.

ZRU president, Martin Musunka said in a statement yesterday that national Sevens head coach, Musonda Kaminsa will announce a provisional team this week.

He said the team is expected to set up its training base in Ndola until the date of departure for Nairobi.

Musunka appealed to the corporate world for support in fulfilling the international assignment.

“We have engaged our all-weather partners to come on board to help us meet the shortfall in our budget and we are hopeful that we will receive positive responses from the organisations that we have contacted for financial assistance towards fulfilling the outing,” he said.

The Safari Sevens organising committee indicated that it will provide accommodation and meals for the Zambian team for four nights in addition to catering for airport transfers and internal transportation for the team during the tournament.

The tournament was in the past graced by various rugby icons such as former Welsh skipper Colin Charvis, England Sevens wizard, Ben Gollings and Fijian legend, Waisale Serevi; among others.

In 2012, nine players from the All Blacks 7s turned up to play for the Samurai and won the Plate competition, while the South Africa Elite Players Development side beat the Kenya Morans in an exciting Main Cup Final.

DELRAY BEACH, FL, Sep 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE via COMTEX) —
Fall is the perfect time to go to South Africa–it’s spring
there and the game viewing is excellent! And now, one of African
Travel, Inc.’s most popular safaris to South Africa provides an
even greater value. With African Travel, Inc.’s End of the
Year Sale on South Africa, you can save 20% per
person on African Travel, Inc.’s Southern Explorer deluxe safari!*

This 10-day land safari is an excellent introduction to the
vibrant cultural and natural wonders of the region, starting in
South Africa’s “Mother City” of Cape Town and concluding with a
magical evening of food, song and dance in Zimbabwe. You will learn
about the process of winemaking at a renowned Cape Town winery,
visit exquisite and historical monuments, and soak up the
tranquility of the African bush while witnessing the glory of the
exotic wildlife. You and your travel companions can choose any date
between now and December 31, 2013 for your exclusive custom-crafted
safari with African Travel, Inc.

According to Jim Holden, President of African Travel,
Inc., “Travel to Africa is a most rewarding experience,
and this is a wonderful time to take advantage of these great
savings. Activities on this Southern Explorer safari cater to all
interests: socializing with penguins, sojourning in the spectacular
Winelands, marveling at Victoria Falls, enjoying a sundowner cruise
along the Zambezi River, enjoying the variety of cuisine on offer,
and of course experiencing the thrill of a ‘Big Five’ game
safari.”

Southern Explorer — 10 days. South
Africa, Zimbabwe

Experience the highlights of South Africa in one breathtaking
journey. Spectacular Cape Town and the country’s premiere wildlife
haven, Kruger National Park, are artfully combined with the majesty
of Victoria Falls. This South Africa Safari adventure was designed
to stand alone or be combined with an array of companion
itineraries throughout East and Southern Africa.

— Explore the breathtaking scenery of the Cape
of Good Hope and visit the endearing penguin colony of Boulders
Beach as you tour the region around Cape Town.

— Discover the remarkable view and thunderous
sound of the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the world’s Seven
Natural Wonders.

— Experience the “real” South Africa as a dinner
guest in the home of a local Capetonian family.

— Enjoy your private game lodge and twice-daily
game activities in search of the “Big Five”–lion, leopard,
buffalo, elephant and rhino.

— Priced from $3,996 per person, land only, based on double
occupancy.*

Deluxe Accommodations

3 nights Vineyard Hotel and Spa, Cape Town

3 nights Kapama Karula, Kruger Private
Reserve

1 night DaVinci Hotel and Suites,
Johannesburg

2 nights Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria
Falls

For more information and to book this Safari, contact
your favorite Travel Professional, call African Travel, Inc. at
(800) 421-8907, or visit www.africantravelinc.com.
CST 2071444-20

Don’t forget to check out African Travel, Inc.’s
Journal Page! Get travel tips, photos
and testimonials, and stories from the bush. Subscribe to the RSS
feed to get all of these things in one place!

Follow Jim Holden, President of African Travel, Inc. on
Twitter @JimHoldenAfrica

Terms and Conditions

* African Travel, Inc.’s standard Terms and Conditions apply. Price is per person, based on
double occupancy, land arrangement only. International and internal
air is additional. Please check with our air center for details.
All pricing and accommodations are subject to availability. Holiday
supplements may apply. Not combinable with any other special
offers. Only valid on new bookings. Travel through December 31,
2013. *Surcharges apply January 1 – 5, December 20 – 31. CST
2071444-20

About African Travel, Inc.

African Travel, Inc. creates personalized African
safaris and adventures for today’s travelers seeking an
experience of a lifetime. Established for over 37 years, and with
more than 100,000 past travelers, African Travel, Inc. knows all
the different ways to safari and how to match each individual
client to their own unique experience.

Whether experiencing the great migration in the Serengeti,
tracking mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda,
gliding silently along the Zambezi River viewing wildlife from a
canoe, learning desert survival skills from a bushman in the
Kalahari in Botswana or sipping champagne while watching the sun
descend into the Atlantic from a private balcony in Cape Town,
We Know Africa.

African Travel, Inc. won distinction as a Top Safari Outfitter
in Travel + Leisure’s 2012 World’s Best Awards and was
nominated by Travel Weekly in their Readers’ Choice Awards
as a Top Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter. National
Geographic includes African Travel, Inc. in their list of
“Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth,” and African Travel,
Inc. is listed as a Travel + Leisure Family Club Tour
Partner. African Travel, Inc. is part of The Travel Corporation,
which also includes in the USA: Trafalgar, Contiki, Brendan
Vacations, Insight Vacations, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection,
and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. In Africa, African
Travel, Inc. is proud to have as its sister company Thompsons
Africa with its extensive network of offices throughout the region.
In addition to Thompsons Africa, African Travel, Inc. works closely
with a network of highly rated lodge operators in Africa including
Wilderness Safaris.

About USTOA

African Travel, Inc. shares the coverage available under the
USTOA $1 Million
Travelers Assistance Program with affiliates of TravCorp
USA, Inc. in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA
$1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. In addition, TravCorp
Financial Services Limited provides a guarantee of $20 million in
respect of all customers traveling with African Travel, Inc.

About The TreadRight Foundation

The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit organization
established in 2008 by The Travel Corporation (TTC) to
undertake conservation work and foster sustainability in the
tourism industry.

Collectively funded by TTC’s family of brands, TreadRight
supports projects that fall under the themes of water,
biodiversity, leadership and community, and which drive the
foundation’s vision to preserve the earth’s unique environments and
diversity for future generations.

To date, TreadRight has donated more than US $2 million to
sustainable tourism projects around the world, in addition to
supporting the World Travel Tourism Council’s
‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ awards. To find out more about the
foundation visit: www.TreadRight.org.

.

        CONTACT: Arnelle Kendall
                 Vice President of Public Relations
                 The Travel Corporation USA
                 110 East Atlantic Avenue Suite 325
                 Delray Beach, FL 33444
                 Telephone: (561) 330-0850
                 Email: arnelle.kendall@travcorpusa.com
        

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Family tourism

Family travel a growing trend for South Africa tourism

Vicky Karantzavelou – 10 September 2013, 11:42

A lodge that has well-established itself in this regard is HillsNek Safari. HillsNek Safaris is nestled in the Amakhala game reserve; in the malaria-free part of South Africa the Eastern Cape.

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At the 2013 Indaba in South Africa, tourism specialists revealed a new trend taking place in the Southern Africa market. More and more families are travelling to South Africa to experience the rich culture and diversity the country has to offer. A particular interest is family- Safari vacations. Increasingly lodges are catering for children to make the experience family friendly.

A lodge that has well-established itself in this regard is HillsNek Safari. HillsNek Safaris is nestled in the Amakhala game reserve; in the malaria-free part of South Africa the Eastern Cape.

This family-run lodge is set on the edge of the Bushman’s River with breath-taking views of fauna a flora. The abundant wildlife including the Big 5 and more than 250 birdlife make the game drives a spectacular experience.

HillsNek Safaris is a very special place for families and with a brand new family tent is perfect for a family of four. The family tent is comprised of two separate tented bedrooms with an interleading door. With spectacular views of the plains, the children are drawn to admiring the natural landscape and wildlife passing by.

To accommodate for children’s early bed times, HillsNek Safaris offers earlier dinner times for children coupled with a fun kiddies menu.

The special children’s safari bags have been hugely successful and are enjoyed during the interactive game drives. HillsNek prides itself on not having television or internet facilities as there is absolutely no need for it when you are there. Children are instead encouraged to explore nature and marvel at the wildlife around them.

JENKINTOWN, Pa. — Friendly Planet Travel has announced its latest bucket list travel experience at an exceptionally affordable price and is giving away one free trip to a lucky traveler to celebrate. The new nine-day A Taste of South Africa tour, which starts at just $1,899, offers a specially designed itinerary that will introduce travelers to South Africa’s diverse beauty, wildlife, and culture like never before. To kick off this new offering, Friendly Planet Travel has launched the Win Wild South Africa Sweepstakes in partnership with South African Tourism and South African Airways. By entering on Friendly Planet’s Facebook page, one lucky fan will receive a trip for two, valued at up to $5,400, where they explore the African bush in search of Big Five game and revel in the energy, night life, and spirit of Cape Town.

“South Africa is a trip of a lifetime, but the price tag might make this destination little more than a dream for many travelers,” says Peggy Goldman, President of Friendly Planet Travel. “We are constantly innovating to make bucket list trips a reality and this brand-new tour is the latest example of that. It brings the breathtaking safari, wildlife, culture, and adventure of South Africa to travelers at an affordable price yet without having to compromise on comfort or the experience in any way. And what better way to celebrate our brand-new tour than with a giveaway for one lucky traveler and a guest to enjoy the best of what South Africa has to offer. We are confident that this tour will become one of our most popular ever.”

The Win Wild South Africa Sweepstakes begins today and will run through Friday, Oct. 11. The grand prize includes round-trip, non-stop airfare from New York (JFK) or Washington, D.C. (IAD) to Cape Town Airport; all intra-country transfers, ground transportation, and flights; six nights’ accommodations in first-class hotels and a game lodge; four safari game drives and all meals at Entabeni Game Reserve, an 85-square-mile private game reserve in a malaria-free area; an English-speaking game ranger/guide; and touring of Table Mountain in Cape Town, often described as one of the most epic views in Africa. Friendly Planet Travel will also be giving away travel-themed prizes to one lucky entrant each week throughout the Sweepstakes period. Weekly prizes will be awarded on Sept. 17, Sept. 24, and Oct. 1.

Friendly Planet’s A Taste of South Africa tour begins in the beautiful jewel of Cape Town, where travelers will stay at the centrally located Protea Breakwater Lodge. They’ll have the day to explore the modern, bustling, and vibrant city, complete with gorgeous scenery, fabulous restaurants, and beaches, all bursting with history and culture.

The next day begins with a complimentary breakfast before travelers depart on a panoramic half-day tour of Cape Town that showcases the scenic and historic highlights of the city. The thrilling day of adventure will continue with a cable car ride to the top of Table Mountain, Cape Town’s most striking landmark. Later, the tour stops at Milnerton Lighthouse for spectacular views of the mountain and the city below before proceeding to the country’s oldest building, the Castle of Good Hope, an imposing 17th-century Dutch fort set against the mountain’s dramatic backdrop. From there, travelers will venture to the historic Malay Quarter (Bo-Kaap), a neighborhood that was founded by former slaves from Malaysia whose Islamic culture gives the neighborhood a distinct character. The next two days are reserved for personal exploration and sightseeing throughout the city.

Optional excursions available include a trip to Cape Point for $75. It includes a brief stop at the famous Chapman’s Peak before continuing on by funicular railway to the stunning views of the Cape of Good Hope. Later, the excursion will make a brief visit to the African jackass penguins at Boulders Beach, and then continue to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where travelers will enjoy a magnificent display of indigenous South African flora.

Additional optional excursions include a half-day morning adventure to the heart of the Cape Winelands for $55 that allows travelers to experience fine art galleries, architecture, history, and curious and quaint shops. There’s also a half-day afternoon excursion to the regional townships of District Six for $45. Travelers will explore the oldest township, Langa, and the newer Khayelitsha, the largest district in Western Cape, to see local housing, schools, shopping malls, clinics, and many private organizations providing social and other skills to the people at large.

Day six begins with a flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, travelers will board a touring coach and drive to Entabeni Private Game Reserve. The Entabeni Lakeside Lodge is located in the Waterberg area, named a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO, and home to the Big Five game. In the afternoon, travelers will set off on their first game drive with expert rangers in open vehicles to experience the reserve, which boasts more than 55 large mammal species, including the big five, plus more than 300 species of birds, and numerous flora and fauna.

Three additional game drives are included as well as time for leisure, relaxation, or a variety of optional South African activities, such as horseback riding, bush walks, or helicopter flights, available locally for a supplemental cost.

Friendly Planet’s A Taste of South Africa tour is available in 2014 on the departure date of Sept. 13 for $1,899; Jan. 14, Feb. 1, Feb. 17, March 4, March 23, and Sept. 27 for $1,999; Oct. 4 for $2,059; April 19 and Aug. 16 for $2,299; and May 17 for $2,399—all if booked by Oct. 8, 2013.

The Win Wild South Africa Sweepstakes is open to all legal U.S. residents over the age of 21, beginning Sept. 11, 2013 at 9 a.m. EDT and ending Oct. 11, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. To enter, visit Facebook.com/FriendlyPlanetTravel, like the page, and submit the required information through the Win Wild South Africa Sweepstakes tab. There is no purchase necessary to enter the giveaway. Friendly Planet will announce the winner on its Facebook page and the Friendly Planet Travel blog.

For more information about A Taste of South Africa, or any of the other fascinating adventures that Friendly Planet Travel offers, visit FriendlyPlanetTravel.com.

ABOUT FRIENDLY PLANET TRAVEL

Friendly Planet Travel makes high-quality exotic travel affordable for everyone. Since 1981, Friendly Planet Travel has been arranging all-inclusive escorted discount vacation packages and cruises to the most exciting destinations in the world at the lowest possible prices.

Each year, Friendly Planet Travel offers more than 30 different group travel packages to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and South America—at discounts of hundreds of dollars off similar vacations. With no hidden charges, add-ons, or surprises, Friendly Planet Travel vacations include convenient flights and airfare; carefully selected, first-class and superior hotels; knowledgeable, English-speaking guides; many meals; planned itineraries; as well as friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

Friendly Planet Travel offers its extensive, economical travel services to private groups, including universities, religious institutions, alumni associations, and families. Groups who wish to travel together can count on Friendly Planet Travel’s three decades of experience to operate their group travel program expertly and always at the very best possible prices. Visit the company at www.FriendlyPlanetTravel.com. You can also follow Friendly Planet Travel on Twitter and Facebook.

DELRAY BEACH, FL, Sept. 10, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Fall is the perfect time to go to South Africa–it’s spring
there and the game viewing is excellent! And now, one of African
Travel, Inc.’s most popular safaris to South Africa provides an
even greater value. With African Travel, Inc.’s End of the
Year Sale on South Africa, you can save 20% per
person on African Travel, Inc.’s Southern Explorer deluxe safari!*

This 10-day land safari is an excellent introduction to the
vibrant cultural and natural wonders of the region, starting in
South Africa’s “Mother City” of Cape Town and concluding with a
magical evening of food, song and dance in Zimbabwe. You will learn
about the process of winemaking at a renowned Cape Town winery,
visit exquisite and historical monuments, and soak up the
tranquility of the African bush while witnessing the glory of the
exotic wildlife. You and your travel companions can choose any date
between now and December 31, 2013 for your exclusive custom-crafted
safari with African Travel, Inc.

According to Jim Holden, President of African Travel,
Inc., “Travel to Africa is a most rewarding experience,
and this is a wonderful time to take advantage of these great
savings. Activities on this Southern Explorer safari cater to all
interests: socializing with penguins, sojourning in the spectacular
Winelands, marveling at Victoria Falls, enjoying a sundowner cruise
along the Zambezi River, enjoying the variety of cuisine on offer,
and of course experiencing the thrill of a ‘Big Five’ game
safari.”

Southern Explorer — 10 days. South
Africa, Zimbabwe
Experience the highlights of South Africa in one breathtaking
journey. Spectacular Cape Town and the country’s premiere wildlife
haven, Kruger National Park, are artfully combined with the majesty
of Victoria Falls. This South Africa Safari adventure was designed
to stand alone or be combined with an array of companion
itineraries throughout East and Southern Africa.

• Explore the breathtaking scenery of the Cape
  of Good Hope and visit the endearing penguin colony of Boulders
  Beach as you tour the region around Cape Town.
• Discover the remarkable view and thunderous
  sound of the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the world’s Seven
  Natural Wonders.
• Experience the “real” South Africa as a dinner
  guest in the home of a local Capetonian family.
• Enjoy your private game lodge and twice-daily
  game activities in search of the “Big Five”–lion, leopard,
  buffalo, elephant and rhino.
• Priced from $3,996 per person, land only, based on double
  occupancy.*

Deluxe Accommodations
3 nights Vineyard Hotel and Spa, Cape Town
3 nights Kapama Karula, Kruger Private
Reserve
1 night DaVinci Hotel and Suites,
Johannesburg
2 nights Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria
Falls

— Date From — Date To — Launch Price — SALE
Price —

— 9/1/2013 — 10/31/2013 — $4,995 — $3,996
—

— 11/1/2013 — 12/31/2013 — $5,395 — $4,316
—

For more information and to book this Safari, contact
your favorite Travel Professional, call African Travel, Inc. at
(800) 421-8907, or visit www.africantravelinc.com”www.africantravelinc.com.
CST 2071444-20

Don’t forget to check out African Travel, Inc.’s
Journal Page! Get travel tips, photos
and testimonials, and stories from the bush. Subscribe to the RSS
feed to get all of these things in one place!

Follow Jim Holden, President of African Travel, Inc. on
Twitter @JimHoldenAfrica

Terms and Conditions

* African Travel, Inc.’s standard
Terms and Conditions apply. Price is per person, based on
double occupancy, land arrangement only. International and internal
air is additional. Please check with our air center for details.
All pricing and accommodations are subject to availability. Holiday
supplements may apply. Not combinable with any other special
offers. Only valid on new bookings. Travel through December 31,
2013. *Surcharges apply January 1 – 5, December 20 – 31. CST
2071444-20

About African Travel, Inc.

African Travel, Inc. creates personalized African
safaris and adventures for today’s travelers seeking an
experience of a lifetime. Established for over 37 years, and with
more than 100,000 past travelers, African Travel, Inc. knows all
the different ways to safari and how to match each individual
client to their own unique experience.

Whether experiencing the great migration in the Serengeti,
tracking mountain gorillas in Parc National des Volcans in Rwanda,
gliding silently along the Zambezi River viewing wildlife from a
canoe, learning desert survival skills from a bushman in the
Kalahari in Botswana or sipping champagne while watching the sun
descend into the Atlantic from a private balcony in Cape Town,
We Know Africa.

African Travel, Inc. won distinction as a Top Safari Outfitter
in Travel + Leisure’s 2012 World’s Best Awards and was
nominated by Travel Weekly in their Readers’ Choice Awards
as a Top Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter. National
Geographic includes African Travel, Inc. in their list of
“Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth,” and African Travel,
Inc. is listed as a Travel + Leisure Family Club Tour
Partner. African Travel, Inc. is part of The Travel Corporation,
which also includes in the USA: Trafalgar, Contiki, Brendan
Vacations, Insight Vacations, The Red Carnation Hotel Collection,
and Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection. In Africa, African
Travel, Inc. is proud to have as its sister company Thompsons
Africa with its extensive network of offices throughout the region.
In addition to Thompsons Africa, African Travel, Inc. works closely
with a network of highly rated lodge operators in Africa including
Wilderness Safaris.

About USTOA

African Travel, Inc. shares the coverage available under the
USTOA $1 Million
Travelers Assistance Program with affiliates of TravCorp
USA, Inc. in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA
$1 Million Travelers Assistance Program. In addition, TravCorp
Financial Services Limited provides a guarantee of $20 million in
respect of all customers traveling with African Travel, Inc.

About The TreadRight Foundation

The TreadRight Foundation is a not-for-profit organization
established in 2008 by The Travel Corporation (TTC) to
undertake conservation work and foster sustainability in the
tourism industry.
 

Collectively funded by TTC’s family of brands, TreadRight
supports projects that fall under the themes of water,
biodiversity, leadership and community, and which drive the
foundation’s vision to preserve the earth’s unique environments and
diversity for future generations.
 

To date, TreadRight has donated more than US $2 million to
sustainable tourism projects around the world, in addition to
supporting the World Travel Tourism Council’s
‘Tourism for Tomorrow’ awards. To find out more about the
foundation visit: www.TreadRight.org.

.

Arnelle Kendall 
Vice President of Public Relations 
The Travel Corporation USA
110 East Atlantic Avenue Suite 325
Delray Beach, FL 33444
Telephone: (561) 330-0850
Email:

When elephants attack!

Terrified tourists have caught on camera the moment an enraged beast stampeded their Jeep.

JukinVideoDotCom via YouTube

Tourists on safari thought they were going to simply watch elephants from a distance.

RELATED: VIDEO: 30 POLICE HORSES RAMPAGE IN MEXICO CITY

The astonishing footage begins with the safari party stopping to watch a herd chewing on vegetation in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

JukinVideoDotCom via YouTube

The elephants chew vegetation, with little indication they are about to stampede.

The enormous animals seemingly take insult at the invasion of privacy and start to walk towards the vehicle.

RELATED: SEE IT: THOUSANDS RUN FROM BULLS IN PAMPLONA-INSPIRED EVENT

JukinVideoDotCom via YouTube

The elephant herd turns toward the Jeep in a move the stunned guide called very rare.

It ends with one of the elephants, a territorial female, rushing toward the jeep and hitting it.

Stunned guide Johann Lombard, who has run safaris in the area for more than two decades, said the incident was extremely rare.

JukinVideoDotCom via YouTube

‘I’ve never seen anything like it in 23 years,’ the guide says.

RELATED: PIGS ON THE RUN IN CHINA AFTER TRUCK OVERTURNS ON ROAD (VIDEO)

“I’ve never seen anything like it in 23 years,” he added.

JukinVideoDotCom via YouTube

Luckily, no one was injured in the elephant attack.

Luckily, no one was injured in the attack.

On a mobile device? Click here for video.

New Delhi, Sep 3 (DNA): The uncertainty over India’s tour of South Africa grew further when the New Zealand Cricket announced their itinerary on Monday a day after the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s Working Committee meeting approved the proposal of a West Indies tour to the sub-continent.

The tour to the land of Kiwis, which was supposed to begin in February according to the International Cricket Council’s Futures Tour and Program, has been advanced to January leaving a small window for Cricket South Africa to host India.

The New Zealand tour is supposed to begin mid-January with the first of the five ODIs being played on 19th.

Meanwhile, the number Test matches have been reduced from three to two.

Going by the current scenario, the window to accommodate a South Africa series is small. Australia’s tour of India will end in the first week of November, with the last ODI being played on November 2 while the New Zealand tour begins with an ODI on January 19. And between these two dates, India will have to accommodate two big series.

West Indies are likely to play two Tests and five ODIs that could take at least a month leaving little time for South Africa.

Some officials in the BCCI say they are not sure how the tour of South Africa would be accommodated, while some feel that it could be pruned from three to two Tests. The Indian cricket board has still not communicated with the CSA about their plans who are keenly waiting for their counterparts to reveal them of their intentions.

“We have kept a proper window for the South Africa tour between the West Indies and New Zealand series. Although it’s a small window, South Africa will have to accommodate by reducing the number of games — including the Tests and ODIs. It is unlikely that we will play a practice game there,” said a top BCCI official.

A top BCCI official revealed that the West Indies tour is more of a money-making exercise. “We wanted a short series against South Africa and we had a window to accommodate a series that would help us financially.” It is likely that India might play two Tests, three ODIs and two T20Is.

Meanwhile, the New Zealand Cricket is keen to host India as it will give them a major boost financially. NZC’s chief executive David White said he was happy that the summer programme of the Indian team visiting their country was finally confirmed.

“It’s brilliant that the Black Caps will be playing five ODIs against the world’s top one day side given the proximity of Cricket World Cup in 2015,” he said adding that the venues for the tour will be announced next week.

Tendulkar to take it one match at a time
Sachin Tendulkar has rubbished the reports of his retirement after the West Indies series where he will achieve the 200 Tests landmark. He told a news channel that he didn’t want to comment on it and is rather keen on taking it one match at a time. “No reactions now…will take it match-by-match,” he said.

Meanwhile, a top BCCI official on condition of anonymity, said that the hurriedly-planned visit by West Indies was about garnering revenue and is not organised as a farewell series for Tendulkar.  “As far as Tendulkar’s retirement is concerned, it is up to him when he wants to quit the game,” official said.