South African Airways is offering a good deal for economy roundtrip travel from U.S. gateways to Johannesburg. From now through April 30, 2010, you can fly roundtrip from New York (JFK) or Washington Dulles (IAD) for $950 per person. (Of course, you’ll also pay approximately $140 for the required governmental taxes, departure fees, and the September 11 security fee.)

Similar low fares are also available from other U.S. cities.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

What Else Will You Do During the World Cup?

Are you heading to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa? You’re going to enjoy a few games and maybe go on safari, but have you thought about doing some service work while you’re there?

Elevate Destinations has put together a few customized community tours in South Africa that will show travelers some of the challenges facing communities in Johannesburg, Durban, and Cape Town. Special tours can be organized for a minimum of one to two days.

Suggested Tours in South Africa

• Johannesburg—Visit community projects in Soweto with former soccer players such as Andre Arendse and Linda Buthelezi.
• Cape Town—Tour three different city community empowerment projects on a one-day tour.
• Durban—Head to the Indigo Skate Park in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, a rural area in Durban where skate boarding has brought hope to this community.

Download Elevate Destination’s World Cup Community Touring pdf.

For more information, visit Elevated Destinations or call (617) 661-0203.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

South African Airways

South African Airways is running a promo for roundtrip economy air from New York or Washington, D.C., from November 1–December 9, 2009 and January 7–April 30, 2010. The roundtrip price is $930 per person. Similar fares are available from other U.S. gateways.

Here’s the fine print: Fare is for travel in economy class and inclusive of fuel surcharges. Valid for travel November 1 to December 9, 2009 and January 7 to April 30, 2010. Seats are limited and may not be available on all flights. Travel taxes are additional. Cancellations before departure are subject to a $250 penalty and no shows are non-refundable. After departure, tickets are non-refundable. Changes prior to departure are not permitted. Changes after departure are subject to a $250 fee. Ticketing must be completed within 48 hours after reservations are made. Maximum stay is 12 months. Fare does not include (a) Passenger Facility Charges of up to $18 USD depending upon the itinerary chosen (b) Federal Segment Fee of $3.60 USD per flight segment (flight segment is defined as one takeoff and one landing) (c) September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 USD per flight segment that originates at a U.S. point (d) international government taxes and fees of up to $200 varying by destination and currency exchange rates at the time of purchase. Additional baggage charges may apply.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of South African Airways

Twenty-nine animal conservationists who have dedicated their lives to saving the Earth’s endangered species have been nominated to receive the biennial Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation. The nominees’ work spans the globe, representing a range of species from insects to mammals, and includes amphibians, elephants, bats, wolves and sharks, among many others. The Nominating Committee will review the applications and select the six finalists, who will be announced in the spring of 2010. The Prize Jury will then determine the winner who will be announced in mid-2010 and honored at the next Indianapolis Prize Gala, to be held September 25, 2010, in Indianapolis.

Twenty-nine animal conservationists who have dedicated their lives to saving the Earth’s endangered species have been nominated to receive the biennial Indianapolis Prize. The nominees’ work spans the globe, representing a range of species from insects to mammals, and includes amphibians, elephants, bats, wolves and sharks, among many others. The Nominating Committee will review the applications and select the six finalists, who will be announced in the spring of 2010. The Prize Jury will then determine the winner who will be announced in mid-2010 and honored at the next Indianapolis Prize Gala, to be held September 25, 2010, in Indianapolis.

In addition to receiving the $100,000 Prize, the recipient is also awarded the Lilly Medal, an original work of art that signifies the winner’s contributions to conserving some of the world’s most threatened animals.

The 2008 Indianapolis Prize was awarded to legendary field biologist George Schaller, Ph.D. Schaller’s accomplishments span decades and continents, bringing fresh focus to the plight of several endangered species—from tigers in India to gorillas in Rwanda—and inspiring others to join the crusade.

“Following in Schaller’s footsteps will not be easy, but the current nominees are exceptional,” said Michael Crowther, president and CEO of the Indianapolis Zoo, the organization responsible for initiating the conservation award. “These conservationists are all living their own unique and fascinating adventures that battle the odds, but achieve great victories.”

The nominees for the 2010 Indianapolis Prize include many individuals working to conserve the diverse wildlife of Africa:

Iain Douglas-Hamilton, Ph.D.: (Save the Elephants) Founded Save the Elephants; devotes his life to the cause of elephant conservation—from testifying before Congress to leading anti-poaching aid programs in Africa.

Jack Hanna: (Columbus Zoo and Aquarium) For more than 30 years, Hanna has been the public face of zoos, bringing the conservation message to millions of people worldwide; passionately dedicated to Rwanda’s endangered animals and its people.

Lisa Hywood: (Tikki Hywood Trust) Works tirelessly to preserve Zimbabwe’s wildlife—including captive breeding, management and monitored release of endangered species and conservation education in under-privileged, rural areas.

Laurie Marker, D.Phil.: (Cheetah Conservation Fund) Founded the Cheetah Conservation Fund; led a conservation program from humble beginnings in rural Namibia to an unparalleled model for predator conservation.

Gregory Rasmussen, Ph.D.: (Painted Dog Conservation) Diligent advocate of the critically endangered African wild dogs; founder of the Painted Dog Conservation, which strives to increase the range and numbers of wild dogs in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa.

Lente Lidia Roode: (Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre) Established the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, a nonprofit organization that provides a safe haven for orphaned and sick animals, complete with an education center, rescue unit and breeding program.

Additional nominees working outside of Africa:

Karen Eckert, Ph.D.: (WIDECAST: Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network) Dedicated to research, multilateral marine resource management and the international conservation policies for sea turtles for more than three decades.

Gerardo Ceballos, Ph.D.: (Instituto de Ecologia, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico) Leader in designing conservation strategies for endangered species and threatened ecosystems; conducted the first geographically explicit analysis of patterns of population and species extinction in a major taxonomic group (mammals).

Nigel Collar, Ph.D.: (BirdLife International) Researched and compiled a unique and comprehensive dataset on globally threatened bird species that was published in groundbreaking regional Red Data Books worldwide.

Ruth M. Elsey, M.D.: (Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries) Fostered programs to enhance the survivability and sustainability of the American alligator, in addition to parallel efforts for other crocodilians.

George Fenwick, Ph.D.: (American Bird Conservancy) Founded American Bird Conservancy; dedicated to creating and sustaining globally significant biodiversity reserves, tackling policy-based threats to birds and generating funding resources for the biodiversity community.

Rodney Fox: (Rodney Fox Shark Expeditions/Fox Shark Research Foundation) Miracle survivor of one of the world’s worst shark attacks; regarded as a world authority on Great White Shark research, observation and conservation.

Birute Mary Galdikas, Ph.D.: (Orangutan Foundation International) More than 35 years of advancing research on wild orangutan ecology and behavior; established rehabilitation and release programs and saved millions of acres of tropical rain forest in Kalimantan.

Paul Garber, Ph.D.: (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign) More than 30 years of dedication and commitment to research, conservation and educational programs involving the monkeys of Latin America.

Maurice Hornocker, Ph.D.: (Selway Institute; Professor Emeritus, University of Idaho) Devoted his career to understanding the ecological role of wild cats and advocating for the conservation of large carnivores, including the first-ever field investigation of cougars.

Rick Hudson: (Fort Worth Zoo; International Iguana Foundation; IUCN Turtle Survival Alliance) Dedicated advocate for reptile conservation, including groundbreaking work with the Jamaican iguana and the coordination of the largest turtle rescue event in history.

Rodney Jackson, Ph.D.: (Snow Leopard Conservancy) Conducted an in-depth radio-tracking study of snow leopards in the 1980s; dedicated to building local communities’ capacity as key players in conserving the species.

Jana Johnson, M.S., Ph.D.: (Moorpark College, The Butterfly Project) Founded The Butterfly Project, a center for endangered butterfly propagation and research; helped the Palos Verdes blue butterfly population, once presumed extinct, grow from 200 to 10,000.

James Earl Kennamer, Ph.D.: (National Wild Turkey Federation) Devoted leader in wild turkey research, scientific wildlife management and forging cooperative conservation partnerships to grow the wild turkey population from 1.3 million to 7 million in less than 30 years.

Thomas H. Kunz, Ph.D.: (Boston University) For more than 50 years, has significantly and instrumentally contributed to the conservation and teaching of bat ecology, physiology and behavior.

Amanda Lollar: (Bat World Sanctuary) Established Bat World Sanctuary, the largest rehabilitation facility in the world dedicated exclusively to bats; created the first nutritionally sound diet for debilitated bats.

Edward Louis Jr., Ph.D., DVM: (Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo) Tireless conservation advocate of island biogeography, including the discovery of 30 percent of known lemurs to date.

Stephen McCulloch: (Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution) Created legislation to fund several ongoing marine mammal research and conservation programs while working to construct the first teaching marine mammal hospital, science and education center.

Rodrigo Medellin, Ph.D.: (University of Mexico) Galvanized bat research throughout Latin America by using a multipronged approach including research, education, population biology, molecular ecology and community involvement.

Patrick T. Redig, DVM, Ph.D.: (The Raptor Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota) Dedicated more than 35 years to protecting raptor populations though extensive field work, bench research, clinical work, professional teaching and community service.

Patrick Rose: (Save the Manatee Club) Worked to help educate opponents, build coalitions and focus on specific protection goals for manatees, including protecting the manatee’s habitat and advocating for strong growth management laws.

Carl Safina, Ph.D.: (Blue Ocean Institute) Brought ocean conservation into the environmental mainstream by using science, art and literature to inspire “sea ethic.”

Simon Stuart, Ph.D.: (IUCN-World Conservation Union) Developed the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria, which assesses the extinction risk for species.

Amanda Vincent, Ph.D.: (The University of British Columbia) First person to study seahorses underwater, document extensive commercial trade, and initiate a seahorse conservation project, Project Seahorse.

The biennial $100,000 Indianapolis Prize represents the largest individual monetary award for animal conservation in the world and is given as an unrestricted gift to the chosen honoree.

The Indianapolis Prize was initiated by the Indianapolis Zoo as a significant component of its mission to inspire local and global communities and to celebrate, protect and preserve our natural world through conservation, education and research. This award brings the world’s attention to the cause of animal conservation and the brave, talented and dedicated men and women who spend their lives saving the Earth’s endangered animal species. It was first awarded in 2006 to Dr. George Archibald, the co-founder of the International Crane Foundation and one of the world’s great field biologists.

In 2008, the Indianapolis Prize went to Dr. George Schaller, the world’s preeminent field biologist and vice president of science and exploration for the Wildlife Conservation Society. The Eli Lilly and Company Foundation has provided funding for the Indianapolis Prize since 2006.

A flurry of South Africa travel packages are being announced now that the 2010 World Cup is only eight months away. Here’s a 15-day adventure from Africa Adventure Consultants that combines 10 nights in Cape Town (or other cities), two soccer matches in Category 1 (best) seats, and a four-night game safari at Thornybush Private Game Lodge in Thornybush Nature Reserve near Kruger National Park. The land-only price is $7,820 per person.

Africa Adventure Consultant’s president Kent Redding is seeing an uptick in bookings for the period surrounding the World Cup. “Now is certainly the time for soccer fans to make World Cup Africa travel plans, as we’re already seeing limited availability at some hotels throughout South Africa. With the recent news from London regarding bogus tickets, it’s also important to purchase your travel packages from reputable operators.”

In addition to World Cup Africa travel, Denver-based African safari expert Africa Adventure Consultants organizes safari adventures throughout East and Southern Africa, with destinations including Tanzania, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, South Africa, Rwanda, Zambia, Victoria Falls and Ethiopia.

For more information, visit Africa Aventure Consultants or call 1-(866) 778-1089.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of Thornybush Private Game Lodge

Today is the first day guests will check in to the new sole-use safari villa, The Homestead, at &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in KswaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

If you’ve got a family of eight or a group of friends, this four suite villa—with its dedicated staff, including a private ranger, tracker, butler, and private chef—may be the perfect spot to mix elegant accommodations and high-quality game drives.

You’ll have exclusive use of an open 4×4 safari vehicle and that means you can go on game drives whenever you wish—day or night. When you’re not out in the bush, you’ll enjoy lounging by the infinity pool, exercising in the gym, or relaxing in the beautiful public areas of The Homestead.

Rates during low season are approximately $3,300 per night for up to four guests or $4,700 per night for five to eight guests. Rates rise in high season.

&Beyond, formerly CC Africa, owns and operates 46 luxury lodges and camps and creates personalized travel experiences in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, and India.

For more information, visit &Beyond or call 1-(888) 882-3742.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of &Beyond

South African Airways Business Class Seats

If you were already planning on purchasing business class seats for an upcoming South African Airways flight, this is a deal that will save you a bundle. Through SAA’s “Treat Yourself and Your Sweetie” promotion, you’ll receive a free companion business class ticket (plus taxes and fuel surcharges) with the purchase one business class ticket for $9,750 from New York or Washington, D.C. to Johannesburg, Cape Town, East London, or Port Elizabeth. Slightly higher fares are available to other parts of Africa.

Seats are limited. Companion must travel with ticket purchaser on the same dates and flights. Minimum stay of five days. Travel must be completed by June 15, 2009.

Call 1-(800) 722-9675 to book tickets.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo courtesy of South African Airways

1. Layers, Layers, Layers: Even though temperatures can easily hit over 90 degrees during the summer and 80 degrees in the winter, they can drop significantly to the 40s and 50s in the morning and evenings. Layering a warm jacket or sweater over t-shirts and tanks can help in keeping warm for those morning and evening night safaris.

2. Consult with Your Family Doctor: Immunization shots such as tetanus and malaria pills are highly insisted upon particularly if your lodge is in a malaria area. Guests traveling to a game reserve like Shamwari on the Eastern Cape of South Africa are in a malaria free zone.

3. Check Your Passport: Visiting to South Africa requires two completely empty pages in your passport alongside each other. For avid globetrotters, you can add additional pages to your passport for a nominal fee.

4. Extra Battery with International Adaptors for Cameras: For all those pictures that you will take while on your safari excursion to see the “Big Five”—lion, elephant, rhino, buffalos, leopard, and other fauna make sure you pack adapters for voltage 220v round three pin plug. You don’t want to have your camera die on you with no way to recharge.

5. Comfortable Shoes: For those bush walks or even riding on elephants for your safari excursion, comfortable shoes are a must! Many of the private lodges offer a vast array of activities to view the flora and fauna. Canoeing, gyrocopters, riding ATV’s, golf, shooting ranges, and more require you to be able to move comfortably and safely! Camp Jabulani and Shambala Game Reserve offers elephant back safaris as well as walking safaris.

6. Bring a Swimsuit: Most lodges in South Africa boast a cool swimming pool to help keep the heat at bay during a hot afternoon. Make sure you bring that two-piece out while lounging at the main pool or at your own private plunge pool.

7. Books, Music While Flying: The flight to South Africa tends to be a journey itself but is worth it for this once in a lifetime experience to see the wild bush in Africa. Make sure you have something to entertain you while on the flight over. Most airlines heading to South Africa offer the latest movies to help ease the time in the air.

8. Donations: Many of the game reserves do an incredible amount of community work at under privileged schools, thus any donation of old clothes, stationary, pens, pencils, etc. would be well appreciated. Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve and the Bushman Company have many ongoing community projects that help support the local school communities.

9. Driving: It is highly recommended to hire drivers while visiting South Africa as they drive on the other side of the road as in the United Kingdom. Please keep in mind the minimum age is 21 to hire vehicle.

10. Currency: In South Africa, the currency is the South African Rand. Make sure to exchange your dollars for the rand to bring home a souvenir.

11. Sunblock & Insect Repellant: A must when out in the African bush.

12. If Time Isn’t an Issue: You can avoid jetlag and stretch your legs by breaking up the 19 hour flight by flying to London for a one night stay. From there you may take a direct flight to South Africa where you will arrive feeling refresh and well adjusted to the time difference.

—Montgomery Communications for LuxurySafariExperts.com

Photo of white lion courtesy of Sabona/Montgomery Communications

Read travel writer Michael Wines’ suggestions for spending 36 hours in Cape Town, South Africa. This story was published in today’s New York Times.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com

With South Africa trip planning on my mind these days, it’s no wonder I’ve become much more interested in the animals and habitats of the areas we’ll be visiting: specifically, Timbavati and Sabi Sands. When I came across Chris McBride’s book, The White Lions of Timbavati, I couldn’t wait to read it. Even though this book was published in the mid-1970s, it will be of interest to anyone who’s grappled with wildlife conservation issues.

I read this book a few days ago and, to be honest, I haven’t stopped thinking about the white lions since. Here’s the gist of the book: In the 1970s, Chris McBride was pursuing his degree in conservation management. For his thesis, he decided to document the daily life of a lion pride in the Timbavati Private Game Reserve. During his first few weeks in the bush near Kruger National Park, he tracked the pride’s movements, documented its kills, noted how the lions interacted with each other, etc.

A few weeks into the study, McBride discovered something shocking: two white lions were born to a pride lioness. These cubs were not albino lions, but true white lions. Throughout the ages, African lore has talked about white lions but very few have been documented. In fact, it has been decades since the last sighting. So, this discovery was something special. While science long ago unraveled the reason for the white coat—a recessive gene carried by one parent—seeing a white lion in the wild is no less mystical today than it was a hundred years ago.

As the cubs grew, McBride became increasingly concerned for their safety: Would they be able to hunt without the camouflage of a tawny-colored coat? Would poachers invade Timbavati to kill these white lions for their distinctive and unusual coats?

The book ends when the cubs are still quite young and McBride is still struggling with the idea that he may need to capture and relocate the white lions for their own safety.

Of course, I was curious to find out what happened to the lions so I Googled to learn more and, among other things, found that McBride followed up The White Lions of Timbavati with a second book, Operation White Lion. I tracked down a used copy and it should arrive any day. I look forward to reading McBride’s account of the events that transpired during this time period. I’ve since read many viewpoints on the Internet; some agree with McBride’s decisions while others couldn’t oppose more strongly.

Some of what I learned is heartbreaking. I won’t share it here in case you want the opportunity to read these books for yourself first. However, I will write more about these magnificent white lions once I read Operation White Lion.

In the meantime, if you’re interested in learning more, you can purchase McBride’s two books from any used book retailer (Amazon, Powells.com, AbeBooks.com, etc.).

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxurySafariExperts.com