If you would like to show off on your next (or first) Safari, know the names of the “Little Five”, or see if you can spot them for real bragging rights. They are the Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and the Rhino Beetle. Rather an odd assortment of animals, wouldn’t you say? So what do they have in common, and what makes them the “Little Five”? It’s all semantics really. Unlike the Big Five (so called not because of their size or rarity, but for being considered the most dangerous by the big game hunters, and therefore sadly, the most coveted trophies), the Little Five are simply a group of “other animals” that contain the names of the Big Five in their own:  Buffalo Weaver, Elephant Shrew, Leopard Tortoise, Ant Lion and Rhino Beetle

Buffalo Weavers are are gregarious, highly social birds, but the least accomplished nest makers. Look for their large messy communal nests with side entrances facing different directions high in a tree – typically in a fork of branches. It is a large, rather untidy structure of twigs and coarse grasses. They are often found alongside buffaloes, feeding on the insects they stir up, hence the name.

Elephant Shrews are so named for their particularly elongated snouts. (Another way to distinguish shrews from mice, by the way, is by looking at their front feet: shrews have 5 clawed toes on each, and mice have only 4. Yes – it’s that easy!) However, the Elephant Shrew is not even a shrew at all, but rather a sengi -  not closely related to any other group of living mammals. Many biologists currently include the elephant shrews in a new superorder, the Afrotheria, which encompasses several other distinctive African orders such as elephants, sea cows, and hyraxes and aardvark.

Leopard Tortoises are the fourth largest species of tortoise in the world, growing up to 2 feet long, and with typical adults weighing 40 – 50 pounds. Their name is derived from the black and yellow spots on their shells.  In defense, they retract their feet and head into their shells. This often results in a hissing sound, probably due to the squeezing of air from the lungs as the limbs and head are retracted

Ant Lions (also known as “Doodlebugs”) resemble dragonflies, but are more fragile and very weak fliers. The larva dig pits in dry soil which is easy to shift. Starting with a circle on the ground, digging deeper and deeper, it spirals in toward the center. The dirt that is dug out is thrown out energetically with the head, creating a tiny funnel-shaped crater. They then prepare the sides of their pits with fine sand or soil particles, and bury themselves at the bottom so that only the head, with opened jaws, can be seen, and wait for their prey. Ants that fall into the funnel can’t climb out, and land in the jaws of the “lion”.

Rhino Beetles are among the largest on earth. They get their name from the huge spikes on their heads, used by males in combat rather than for defense against predators. Measured by proportional strength, they are the strongest animals on the planet, because they can lift up to 1,000 times their own weight. Yes, an elephant can carry a lot more weight than a Rhino Beetle, but only up about to 25% of its own.

Botswana is one of the best safari destinations in Africa, known for its vast unspoiled wilderness areas, exclusive safari camps and excellent game viewing. It gets even better in October with the dry season in full swing and the wildlife concentrating in ever larger numbers around permanent water sources. If you have always dreamed about an African safari, or wish to return to Africa, don’t miss this chance.

We are thrilled to be able to offer all our clients a huge savings on our “Heart of Botswana” itinerary. This is a wonderful 7 night trip, designed for the traveler seeking a quality wildlife experience while offering outstanding accommodation and service. Explore the dry acacia and woodland forests of the Moremi and the dense bush and broad floodplains of Chobe National Park, home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa. The adventure begins at Sussi Lodge on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls with amazing views of the Zambezi River.

The Details …
Save $1000 per person on our “Heart of Botswana” itinerary. All you have to do is pack your safari gear and plan on traveling by 15 October, 2010. Can’t make it that quick? We are offering a $500 discount per person if you travel on this itinerary by November 30th, 2010.

Other Special Offers

• Treat yourself to our Cape & Kruger Safari and save $500 per person. The best game in town is still around for you to enjoy. This 9 day trip showcases South Africa’s brightest jewels: Cosmopolitan Cape Town and Timbavati, a private game reserve adjacent to the legendary Kruger National Park. This offer is valid for travel from 01 October 2010 until 30 April 2011.

• A chance to win 2 VIP tickets to the King Tut exhibit on Times Square in New York. Put yourself in the running for this stunning exhibit by signing up for our Newsletter, Tweets and Facebook page. Enjoy our daily nuggets of wit and wisdom about African wildlife, culture, tourism and news.

Contact us for details on all our special offers.

Choosing the right safari accommodation is no easy task. Should you opt for a mobile camp, a luxury tented camp, or a lodge? When helping clients decide where to stay, we’re sometimes asked what our favorites are. Of course, we all have our personal preferences and we thought it would be fun to share them here on our blog. Yvette was first in line and her top choices are ….

Jao Camp

Jao is located in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. It’s a beautifully designed camp in a great location in a private concession area. This allows for some off-road tracking and night drives which translates into excellent game viewing. The variety of activities on offer can’t be beat like the mokoro rides, sleep-outs and walking safaris. The spa facilities and the wonderful staff here are just the cherry on top. Jao is not a cheap place to stay, but compared to other similarly priced properties, I think it’s the best. More about Jao …

Toka Leya

Toko Leya, just outside Livingstone, Zambia, is a beautiful contemporary camp without being “too modern” and “out of place” for my taste. This isn’t a prime game viewing destination but basically you are here to see the Victoria Falls. It’s location is very convenient, away from the masses and big hotels closer to the falls, but close enough to enjoy all the activities in the area. The sundowner cruise in their small private boat, away from the crowds, is a fantastic way to end a perfect day. More about Toko Leya…

Tintswalo Safari Lodge

Tintswalo Safari Lodge is located in the Manyeleti Game Reserve in South Africa. The Manyeleti Reserve is huge, but with only one other property, there is minimal competing traffic on game drives. With an unfenced border with Kruger National Park, the game viewing is great. This lodge has excellent guides and the best outfitted game vehicles I’ve seen (including complimentary use of a pair binoculars, field guide, bird book, etc. per couple). The private plunge pool for each suite and the excellent food makes this camp a definite favorite. More about Tintswalo…

Marrakech is filled with energy every night of the week. The main square, the Djemma el-Fna is a hive of activity with kebab shops, snake charmers, musicians and story-tellers. And it’s really not just for the tourists, villagers from surrounding areas enjoy the spectacle as much as everyone else. But every few months, Marrakech and other towns in the vicinity host cultural festivals that add even more to a visitors’ experience. Here are some you shouldn’t miss:

• Marrakech Popular Arts Festival

  The Marrakech Popular Arts Festival’s program includes folk singers, dancers, fortune-tellers, acting troupes, snake charmers, fire-swallowers and more, from all over Morocco. Since 2000 the festival has also attracted many artists and entertainers from Europe and Asia. The main events take place in the ruins of the 16 century Badi Palace and the Djemma el Fna (main town square). Not to be missed, outside the city walls at night, is the Fantasia. A horse-riding spectacle that includes hundreds of charging horsemen (and women) wearing traditional clothing.

  Where: Marrakech, Morocco
  When: July 16 – 24 (2010)

• Imilchil Marriage Festival

  The Imilchil Marriage Feast is a Berber marriage festival where up to forty couples tie the knot. It takes place in Imilchil in the Middle-High Atlas Mountains near Marrakech. The festival is a great way to experience Berber culture including music and dance.

  Where: Imilchil (near Marrakech), Morocco
  When: August/September (2010)

  

• International Film Festival

  The always lively central Place Djemaa el-Fna sets the stage for Marrakech’s International Film Festival. The city’s central square, is transformed into an open-air cinema. Festival visitors in the past have included Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, Susan Sarandon, David Lynch and many others.

  Where: Marrakech, Morocco
  When: 3 – 10 December, 2010

  Save the Date for 2011
  

  Essaouira Gnawa and World Music Festival

  A music festival based on the traditions of Gnawa music has grown to include musicians from all over the world. This successful annual festival has been around for a decade and venues are dotted all around the picturesque town of Essaouira. Gnawa music is a combination of acrobatic dancing as well as music. Its origins lie in a unique mixture of Berber, African and Arabic songs, religious rites and dance.

  Where: Essaouira, Morocco
  When: June 2011

  Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in traveling to Morocco. Check out our sample itineraries or let us customize your trip.

Rosalea and Dick just returned from their first African adventure with us. They traveled to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. They visited wineries and penguins, were drenched by the spray of the Victoria Falls and were joined for lunch by and elephant outside their tent in the Okavango Delta. Here are some excerpts from their trip report:

We enjoyed a traditional African 16 course dinner with fabulous drumming (including lessons before dinner) and dancing. Dick was chosen to dance with a performer. With all the excellent African wine in him, he danced with abandon!

A small charter plane flew us to our first Botswana safari camp, Duma Tau, which means Roaring Lion. Camp is quite an exaggeration – our tent looked nothing like a tent inside. We had running water, an indoor/outdoor shower and a flush toilet. The bed was king size and surrounded by mosquito netting.

We saw more wildlife – African buffalo herds, cheetahs, leopards, vultures, francolin (a bird), storks, wildebeests, wart hogs, kingfisher (no relation to our family!), guinea fowl, violet breasted roller (my favorite bird), pelicans.

We were shown huge elephant tracks near our tent, and indeed one afternoon during siesta time, we saw an elephant right outside our tent, munching on his lunch. One day a different elephant even stepped on “our” boardwalk and broke a few planks. We saw his footprints in the mud.

It was a trip of a lifetime. Waiting for our plane to depart from Johannesburg airport, we heard cheers and screams and loud horns blowing all over the airport – South Africa had just scored a goal in the first World
Cup Game. Everyone was so excited,

Read the full trip report and contact us if you want an experience just like this!

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One of the most magical things you can do while on safari is take a hot-air balloon ride. Floating over the Serengeti is truly a thrill of a lifetime. It’s not that easy to get the timing right to see the great migration, but the balloon operator in the Serengeti has three launch sites all primed for the big event. You have a very good chance of seeing this wildlife spectacle, at least while the zebra and wildebeest are munching on Tanzanian grass.

The balloon ride really consists of three adventures in one. The first one starts with a 5 am wake up call. Tough, but more than worth the rare opportunity of experiencing the Serengeti in the dark. Clients have seen genets, bat-eared foxes, leopards, hippos grazing, and much more — just in the half hour drive to the launch site.

The second adventure is of course the balloon ride itself. As long as the weather cooperates, the balloon ride lasts an hour. Taking off while lying down in the basket is an exciting part of the experience. You’ll get plenty of help from staff to get in the right position. Just make sure you bring something to tie up your hair and tuck in loose clothing. You don’t want to get anything caught while the balloon floats up.

Once you are floating over the magnificent landscape it’s time to get out the cameras. The balloon floats so smoothly, there’s no turbulence at all, so it’s easy to take photos. Some of the wildlife runs away from the balloon, since the noise coming from the burners is significant. But the moment the burners take a rest, the only noise you’ll hear are the birds singing and perhaps some hippos grunting. Looking down at the pathway patterns made by the hooves of millions of ungulates criss-crossing over the entire landscape is awe inspiring. They join together at waterholes like a giant, natural join-the-dot tapestry. As you skim the tops of the acacia trees, look out for baboons, colobus and vervet monkeys, sunning themselves in the canopies.

All too soon, the magical hour is over, a landing site is spotted by the pilot and it’s time to sit down and get ready to land. Landings can be bumpy, you may be dragged along the ground a little, but the padded seats will protect you. Since all flights in the Serengeti happen early in the morning, the winds are usually at their calmest, and landings are easy.

Champagne on arrival is a fine ballooning tradition. And even in the Serengeti, they’ve found a way to serve it perfectly chilled. Once everyone has toasted the captain and had a glass or two, it’s time for the final adventure — a real “out of Africa” breakfast. A lot of time in the Serengeti is spent in a safari vehicle, so the chance to have a full breakfast under a tree with wildlife all around, is a wonderful experience. Sizzling sausages, eggs and bacon is served by staff in turbans, you’ll find your inner Karen Blixen right here. Once breakfast comes to a leisurely end, the pilot hands everyone a certificate. With this souvenir in hand and a lifetime of memories, it’s time for a game drive back to your camp or lodge.

If you’d like to try a Serengeti balloon safari, contact us and we can arrange it for you. Please note, they do have to be booked several months in advance as balloon space is limited.

Several months ago we arranged a Wilderness safari in Botswana for travel writer Susan Farewell…

When you travel to Africa, you inevitably hear someone make reference to having safari eyes. What that basically means is seeing more. Two people can look out at the same savanna. One might see only grasslands rippling in the wind. The one with safari eyes might also see a jackal sitting in the grass, an eagle perched on a treetop, and the long necks of giraffes in the woodlands beyond.

Getting safari eyes is not some natural aptitude or an acquired skill. It’s all about slowing down and paying attention to everything around you, using your eyes, your ears, your sense of smell. In general, your instincts—something we all have but kind of lose as we get tangled up in our packed day-to-day schedules, our ever-present electronics and our long-term agendas.

Last month, my almost-13-year-old daughter and I spent the bulk of our 10-day trip through Botswana and Zambia, getting our safari eyes.

We had gone to Southern Africa with the cliché safari expectations: to see lions, elephants, leopards, zebra, giraffe and other animals in their natural habitat. With the exception of the rhino, we saw all of the high-profile (the new name for the original hunter’s title, the big five) animals. In fact, we saw them all very early on, very close up.

What I didn’t expect is that we’d see so much more… read more

More about our safaris in Botswana….

Meet Ezekiel “Big Easy” Ditshameko, one of Okavango Delta’s most experienced guides. Ezekiel grew up in Sepopa, Botswana in the Okavango Delta, an area widely known for its incredible birdlife and mammals. His daily exposure to the bush has given Ezekiel a wealth of knowledge. Coupled with his warm sense of humor and easy-going nature, Ezekiel is a just a joy to go on safari with. Ezekiel’s guiding experience spans more than a decade and he has worked for some of the best safari operators in Southern Africa.

We are thrilled to announce that Ezekiel will be visiting our African Portfolio office on June 8th (2010). He ‘ll be taking us on a virtual safari tour and sharing some of his best stories from the bush. Please join us if you can, we will be serving wine, soft drink and hors d’ oeuvres. Details follow below:

What: Join us for stories from the African bush as Ezekiel and his colleagues share their experiences as game rangers in East and Southern Africa and learn more of the impact we can have on the African continent and her people.

When: June 8, 2010, 6pm – 8pm

Where: African Portfolio, 146 Sound Beach Avenue, Old Greenwich, CT 06870

RSVP: E-mail: SafariPlanner@africanportfolio.com or call us at 1-800-700-3677

Susan just returned from a trip to Egypt. Her husband joined her while she carried out site inspections in Cairo, Luxor, Abu Simbel, and Hurghada. They also managed to find time to celebrate their anniversary, cruising down the Nile on board the Nile Adventurer. Isadore wrote a daily blog and we thought it would be fun to share some of his observations. If you’d like to read the full account, click here.

[On the Delta flight to Cairo] A passenger complained to an attendant that there was no room in the bin above her seat. The attendant replied ” well the good news is all the overhead bins are going to the same place…..”

The Mena House Oberoi is across the street from the Pyramids. The hotel is amazing as is our room. We unpacked, relaxed on the deck gazing in awe at the huge Pyramids in our back yard. We dined in the restaurant which entertained us with a singer followed by a swirling fellow (Whirling dervish) and finally the belly dancer. This swirling guy spun around and around for ten minutes non-stop.

Our guide was a lady in her early fifties, drop dead gorgeous, blond, Egyptologist with a masters degree.

The statues of Ramses & the queens were just mind boggling. I used to consider the sun and heat of Namibia to be quite torturous, but clearly I was wrong as the midday temperatures reached 45 degrees in the shade – it was HOT HOT HOT.

We spent a fair amount of time at King Tutankhamen and then moved onto the Royal Mummies where we discovered the Gods mummified their favourite pets or animals. So amongst the animals were a dog, a ram, a cow, a 20ft Nile crocodile and many more.

The Pyramids are located just out of range of the Niles fertile banks. This left the soil for crops, hence most of the antiquities – pyramids, palaces and tombs etc. were built just out of reach of the river.

The sphinx took my breath away. Seeing all the pictures in the world cannot make up for your presence in front of a statue more than 5000 years old.

From the Presidents Suite, we heard nothing and felt nothing. Such smooth sailing. The sites along the banks were pretty much the same, mile after mile of fertile farming. Beyond the farmlands were the occasional mountains and factories and of course there were the antiquities the hungry tourists were anxious to see. And there was no shortage of them.

Of the 62 tombs found thus far, many of them have been closed to the public due to salty mineral build up on the rock face brought in by sweaty visitors. So the authorities open three or four at a time for a period then close those and open others. Should you have the craving desire to see a specific tomb, for a small additional fee of around US$5,000 you can get five minutes of private viewing.

Only as we approached the Red Sea did the terrain become mountainous and quite spectacular.

Entry to the suite was from the sea facing view into the living room with 12 ft ceilings and windows from floor to ceiling arched at the top.

The huge infinity pool over looked the Red Sea about sixty feet below. Down on the beach we found the diving shop where you can rent gear to snorkel and or dive. We both enjoyed the snorkeling immensely.

Find out about the trips we offer to Egypt, we can customize any itinerary for you. And rest assured, we’ve visited every hotel and sailed on all the cruise ships we recommend!