Mission Travel

Archive for the ‘Travel Africa’ Category

Once upon a time a river took a journey and lost its way in the desert. Instead of drowning in despair, it luxuriated in its solitude, spread its liquid resource into a delta and created nature’s greatest kaleidoscope. It became known by the mokoro boatmen as Okavango. It became known by conservationists as the jewel of the Kalahari.

The Okavango, however, is only one facet of the wilderness we parcel up for you. For the optimum wildlife experience, we annex the other great gameviewing areas: the drylands of the Okavango in the Moremi; Chobe National Park including Savute – the kingdom of the lion; the endless stretches of the wild Kalahari and Makgadikgadi; the big tusker country of the Tuli.

This is a country of adventure, challenge and discovery: mokoro trails up secret waterways; overnight camping on islands and highlands; fighting the mighty Tiger Fish; surveying the vastness from elephant and horse back; admiring the abundant bird and wildlife; discovery of weird and wonderful plant and tree species on bush walks; sampling the Okavango bream, the sweetest eating fish of the realm.

Most of all, it’s a unique experience just being there.

Welcome Tourism Services has extensive knowledge and experience resulting in a comprehensive offering ranging from mobile safaris to tailor made fly-ins and special interest adventures. Our close association with Air Botswana, working directly with the internal charter companies, and product knowledge, affords us the flexibility to link lodges from different operators, ensuring innovative itineraries based on clients’ preferences.

Our approach to customising safaris is to give clients an intense experience of the areas visited. This means concentrating on the highlights. In Botswana there are 4 wildlife and wilderness highlight experiences. A stay in a water camp to explore the wetlands of the famed Okavango Delta by motorised craft or mokoro (dug out canoe).

A stay in a dual or land camp to view a great variety of game and bird life from an open safari vehicle. A venture into the Chobe area including Savute, a harsh land where the battle for survival is desperate and prides of African lion are dominant. On a mobile safari tracking migratory herds of game through the endless vistas of the wild Kalahari.

In addition, some of our special interest safaris will take you to lesser-known areas and add a special touch to your Botswana sojourn.

Welcome Tourism Services represents all accommodation establishments in Botswana, from hotels suitable for groups to luxury tented camps and lodges and old-style rustic safari camps. The emphasis is on personal service, comfort, convenience and good food, all within the spirit of wilderness life.

With a population of about 1.5 million people and covering almost 582 000 square kilometres, Botswana is one of the most sparsely populated countries in Africa. Having scarcely been developed under a British colonial administration between 1885 and 1966, the discovery of diamonds, a year after independence, has allowed Botswana to develop rapidly.

Sir Seretse Khama, the country’s first post-independence president, being one of the most remarkable and far future thinking leaders that any nation could wish for, laid the foundations for a free and uncompromisingly democratic society, which with continuing political stability and economic growth, truly makes Botswana a role model for success in Africa.

With the exception of the eastern part of the country, which receives slightly higher summer rainfall and hence is the most densely populated region, most of Botswana is technically desert. This makes the Okavango Delta, situated in the north-west of the country, particularly unique. At around 17 000 square kilometres the Okavango is the world’s largest inland delta and is an extraordinary wetland environment surrounded by the strikingly flat and arid Kalahari Desert, the world’s largest expanse of sand.

The northern portion of the Okavango Delta is known as the ‘panhandle’. Here, the river is mostly still confined to its banks with seemingly limitless beds of papyrus. The area is attractive to birdwatchers and those hoping to glimpse the rare and elusive Sitatunga antelope. It is also popular with sport fishermen for the renowned Tiger Fish.

The Okavango Delta is a labyrinth of islands, secret lagoons and hidden water channels. It varies in size throughout the year, being dependant largely on the rains which fall in the Angolan Highlands, 1 000 kilometres to the north. Although the flood arrives in the panhandle in March, it doesn’t reach Maun at the southerly end of the delta until August.

The Moremi Wildlife Reserve occupies a large portion of the Okavango Delta. It contains diverse habitat, ranging from permanent swamp to floodplains, islands and large areas of dry land including ‘Chiefs Island’ and the ‘Mopane Tongue’ of dry scrub and Kalahari sands, which results in prolific bird and animal life.

The Chobe National Park in the north of Botswana is noted for the superb game viewing year round along the river front and famous for the heaviest concentrations of elephant to be found anywhere in Africa today.

The Kwando, Selinda and Linyanti areas do not perhaps symbolise Botswana in the same way that the Okavango and Chobe do, yet tucked along the border with Namibia’s Caprivi Strip these areas remain Africa in its most untouched form. Those who have visited the area, speak of it with reverence and awe.

The complex of salt pans found in eastern Botswana are a striking feature and some of the largest in the world. The Makgadikgadi Pans cover nearly 12 000 square kilometres. The remains of an ancient super lake rich in archaeological evidence, undergoes a radical transformation in the rainy summer months from a landscape offering nothing but sand, salt and sky to one teeming with tens of thousands of migrating zebra and wildebeest and countless water and wading birds.

More than 17% of Botswana is set aside for national parks and a further 15% devoted to private reserves and game is prolific both inside and outside the boundaries thereof. More than 160 species of mammals and nearly 600 species of birds can be found. With its pristine wilderness and policy of exclusivity, Botswana provides an authentic safari experience for the discerning traveller.

Centurion is a well established South African community. It features a beautiful and natural business environment that is spread through all its communities

Centurion is also famous for its historical background, both ancient and recent South African history. It is famous for the Sterkfontein caves dating back to 2-3 million years ago. In 1851 during the first Algo boer war, battles were fought over some of the land. During the early 1900, in the second Anlgo boer war, many were sent of the women and children were kept here for safety. This did not prove a safe move, where over 1000 children lost their lives, And thus a deep historical background, ever changing.

There are many places to see while visiting; history, entertainment, art, shows, events and much more. The community has developed fast over the years, with more people and more jobs being created everyday… The development of the Community seems to be expanding, with a high demand for property and high housing rates. Although a first choice for many, especially those closer to areas like Littleton, Eldoglen and other close by communities.l

With highly satisfactory accommodation and many places to visit and also be entertained, Centurion is the perfect choice for those seeking opportunity and an ever evolving society.The community of Centurion is relatively vibrant and friendly, however there are exceptions. The Centurion Mall is also a key attraction to the community and is also responsible to some extend for past and future developments.

The community of Centurion, welcomes all travelers from around the world with a smile.

The capital is Bisho. It was formed in 1994 out of the “independent” homelands of Transkei and Ciskei, as well as the eastern portion of the Cape Province.

The best time to visit the Eastern Cape is April and May.

This is the home of the Xhosa, and the birthplace of many prominent South Africans, such as Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki.

The Eastern Cape is extremely diverse. The western interior is dry and arid, while the east is wet and green. This South African Province offers a wide array of attractions, including 800 km of coastline with the best beaches you have ever seen, and wild life viewing in a malaria-free environment.

The Eastern coastal regions enjoy hot summers and moderate winters and Port Elizabeth experiences a daily average of 7 hours sunshine. Northern regions are much cooler. Certain areas receive rain throughout the year albeit erratic.

Attractions:

Wild Coast: Hole in the Wall, Nelson Mandela Museum

Sunshine Coast: Bayworld Oceanarium & Snakepark, Baviaanskloof Reserve

Kouga Region: Jeffreys Bay – world famous surfing, Langkloof Valley & Fruit Route, Kouga Cultural Centre

Tsitsikamma Adventure Route: Tsitsikamma National Park & Marine Reserve, Bloukranz Bridge – bungy jumping

Karoo Heartland: Mountain Zebra National Park, Valley of Desolation, Nieu-Bethesda Owl House

Freindly N6: Aliwal North Hot Springs

Amatola Mountain Escape: Voice of the Earth Eco Shrine, Mpofu Game Reserve

Frontier Country: Grahamstown, Valley of the Ancient Voices, Shamwari

Sundays River Valley: Addo Elephant National Park, Kirkwood

Suggested Travel Route:

Day 1 – 2:

Kei Mouth Caravan Park

Wild Coast – Kei Mouth

Tel: 043 841 1004 Fax: 043 841 1180

Day 3 – 6:

Boesmans Caravan Park

Sunshine Coast & Country – Boesmansriviermond

Tel: 046 648 3584 Fax: 046 648 3584

Day 7 – 9:

Addo Elephant National Park

Sundays River Valley – Addo

Tel: 042 233 8600 Fax: 042 233 8643

Day 10 – 11:

Jesa Caravan Park

Karoo Heartland – Graaff-Reinet

Tel: 049 893 0966 Fax: 049 893 0965

Day 12 – 16:

Bloukrantz Caravan Park

Tsitsikamma Adventures – Tsitsikamma

Tel: 042 281 1450 Fax: 042 281 1457

Distances in km from Port Elizabeth:

Aliwal North 668 km

East London 310 km

Graaff-Reniet 291 km

Grahamstown 130 km

Jeffreys Bay 70 km

Middelburg 357 km

Port St Johns 576 km

Umtata 490 km