-1- SPECIAL - BOTSWANA ORNITHOLOGICAL DREAM

What the African Secrets Safari Co. is offering this Green Season is more than special: Mix and match your options to create an awesome itinerary that allows for woodland and waterside birding at Island Safari Lodge; both desert and delta birding in the Makgadikgadi National Park whilst at Leroo-La-Tau Bush Lodge, as well as an unique experience witnessing the wonders of a variety of feathered breeding colonies at Gedikwe Island, deep within the Okavango.

Island Safari Lodge, situated 12kms from Maun, boasts a tranquil setting beneath a canopy of ancient, island trees alongside the banks of the Thamalakane River. This has resulted in the formation of a unique habitat for a variety of woodland and water birds - up to 72 species have been spotted in just one afternoon.

Thatched chalets humbly nestled amongst towering Croton and Wild Fig trees provide a rewarding spot from which to launch an excursion into the surrounding acreage that sets Island Safari Lodge apart from the hustle and bustle of Maun.

On to Leroo-La-Tau: perched on the high banks of the dry Boteti River bed, the beautifully appointed tented lodge overlooks the western flank of the Makgadikgadi National Park. Oddly enough, after the first rains have fallen and the magnificent migration peters out, this true desert becomes home to some of the delta's finest bird species - coveted sightings of the black crowned night heron, the saddle billed storks and the fish eagle have been reported while the usual desert species are a must, not to mention the inimitable raptors. Secluded Meru-tents feature wickedly comfortable interiors and a large personal wooden deck from which to track the day's sky-bound activity.

For those with a little more time - the bird lover's itinerary would be well rounded off with an additional two nights deep within the delta, camping on Gedikwe Island.

Situated in the Xakanaxa area of the Moremi Game Reserve, the island is only accessible by boat via the famed, papyrus-lined channels of the Okavango Delta.

At this time the lagoons play host to breeding colonies of herons, egrets and storks - a basic, solitary camp will be set up for those intrepid enough to enjoy the peace and seclusion on offer with only the birds and the bush for company.

This Green Season special guided safari is fully inclusive with fly-in or drive-in options available - with the various combinations allowing for accommodation which ranges from the luxurious to the basic, depending on the location. It is priced for parties of minimum 4, and maximum 14 people.Should there be less than 4 people, there would be a supplement of BWP726.00 per person, on the 6 night options only.


Fly-in from Johannesburg: a 4-night safari including flights and accommodation at Island Safari Lodge and Leroo-La-Tau Bush Lodge - P6012.50 per person the 6-night itinerary including the add-on 2-nights within the delta,- BWP9795.00 per person sharing.

Fly-in from Cape Town: a 6-night safari including flights and accommodation at Island Safari Lodge and Leroo-La-Tau Bush Lodge, and Gedikwe Island add-on - P10851.10 per person sharing. (Unfortunately, due to flight schedules from Cape Town, only the 6 nighter is feasible).

Drive-Ins: The drive-in option is available as a 4-night safari including accommodation at Island Safari Lodge and Leroo-La-Tau Bush Lodge - BWP3237.50 per person sharing, or a 6-night safari featuring the Gedikwe Island add on - BWP7020.00 per person sharing.

Options are fully inclusive of accommodation, meals and beverages, game viewing vehicle and guide, and in the case of the 6 nighter, the boat hire. Options exclude gratuities, imported beverages and items of a personal nature.

For further information please email us: enquire@africansecrets.net

-2- CONSERVATION APPEAL

You may have heard the old African fable which tells how, during a time of intense drought, the lion's footprint and the crocodile's tooth brought water back to the Boteti River... It goes something like this:

Leroo-La-Tau (footprint of the lion) and Meno a Kwena (tooth of the crocodile) are neighboring bush lodges situated on the high banks of the dry Boteti River bed.

Historically this river, bursting from bank to bank, was once the all important link between the Okavango Delta and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Unfortunately, the river hasn't flowed for over a decade and if it doesn't in the near future, the underground stream, which provides for the water pools, the only permanent water source in the region, will inevitably dry up.

In order to provide sustenance (water), and in so doing save the lives of the thousands of zebra and wildebeest that make their way through this channel during the annual migration, as well as all the opportunistic wildlife that follow in their wake - the management of both lodges have come together to find a solution to pump ground water up to the surface of the dry Boteti River bed.

This solution requires the initial implementation of 8 separate water points in the area. These water points will be managed using a combination of wind and solar power resulting in environmentally friendly and noise-free units. The water-points, already in existence, and currently fed by electric pumps, will also be maintained in this way. This will ensure the entire region remains wet during this critical period.

However a conservation effort of this magnitude requires financial assistance and with this appeal we are hoping to elicit enough sponsorship to cover the costs as the installation of one unit is approximately BWP 20 000.00 per unit.

An account has already been set up for this purpose and in the interim funds have been raised by young students who have visited Leroo-La-Tau in the past, totaling almost BWP 15 000.00. Although this sum is appreciated, this conservation project requires a lot more aid to get off the ground - and with the migration season already in full swing, the sooner the better.

For further information on the area, the system to be implemented, and the costs involved, please contact Leroo-La-Tau director, Sean Watson at (+267) 4630420 (office hours) or email: sbw@dsstoyota.co.bw

To learn more about Leroo La-Tau Lodge and what it has to offer, please select the following link: www.africansecrets.net/llt_home.html