Live the Magic of Africa

January 21, 2010

Please help Haiti.

Double Harvest Child Hills of Africa Travel is passionate about helping those in need and Haiti needs all of our help now. Many people are asking how they can help the disaster relief in Haiti. If this is your case, please allow us to provide a suggestion of a donation to Double Harvest. Your donation to the Disaster Relief project will go 100% to the victims of the earthquake. Your donation will buy fuel for transport of materials to be distributed at the project, food, fuel to pull pure water from the wells on location, medical supplies, and medical care. Long term friends of Double Harvest have built a general fund that takes care of administrative duties. Please be assured that Board Members of Double Harvest are in Haiti making sure that these activities are taking place in a way that your donation is being used to full capacity.

Background: Founded in 1981 by Aart Van Wingerden, Operation Double Harvest began in Haiti with the purpose of establishing an agricultural project that would help people help themselves by teaching them to grow food while instilling a Christian work ethic. His vision was to “sow seeds of life” in an impoverished situation. The 200-acre project consists of a farm, school, medical/surgical clinic, a tilapia farm, and a housing project. The facilities were built to last with high quality construction and access to fresh water, but no one envisioned responding to a natural disaster of this magnitude. Aart’s 16 children and now 140+ grandchildren have all had a hand in building Double Harvest and sustaining it over the last 29 years.

Please go to www.doubleharvest.org for more information on Double Harvest or for donations. A great article regarding updates on Double Harvest current progress with disaster relief can be found at http://greenhousegrower.com/news/?storyid=2952

Please help, Haiti needs us now.

Brrrrr A happy sunny Thursday to you. Thank goodness the temperatures have gone back to normal here in the Carolina foothills. With so many northern transplants down here, I think mother nature sent us the 2 weeks of "below freezing" temperatures to remind us why we love it down here. It's been really difficult watching the Cricket in Cape Town, South Africa and seeing how hot it is there. Well, without winter, you can't appreciate spring. We're just lucky our winter is so short.

My daughter and I went to see Avatar this weekend. I didn't know much about the movie and thought the hype was a bit silly. But within moments of watching it, I had done a 180 and was riveted. There are 100s of great messages, some about saving our planet and recognizing the power of the earth in its natural form. So many moments in the movie reminded me of my sentiments when I am in the bush in Africa. Believe it or not, there are still some cultures in existence that live on the land in a similar way, with a tightly knit community and sense of natural order to everything. The Masaii in Kenya is one culture that comes to mind. Exposing my children to a different culture like the Masaii and taking them to Kenya is an absolute dream of mine, that I will do some day. If you would like to do this too, then I think you will enjoy this week's article on Olarra Lodge in Kenya. Not only is it a stunning lodge, a fine example of sustainable tourism, but it also has one of the best kids programs in all of Africa, where they do things like search for animal tracks in the bush, learn about the plants for medicinal purposes and get a great hands on lesson about the Masaii people.

To the travel agents reading this newsletter, I encourage you to check out the 6-Figure Travel Business Bootcamp program I announced last week. It's a 6-week webinar class that will take you through the exact steps to creating a low budget, highly effective marketing plan that results in a consistent pipeline of ideal clients. It starts on Tuesday, January 26 at 4PM and the registration ends tomorrrow at midnight. Go to www.Safari2Success.com to learn more.

Enjoy,

Meredith Hill

The 6-Figure Travel Business Bootcamp

To all the travel agents that want to get their business in tip top shape this year, but feel frustrated because they 1) don't think they have the money to market effectively; 2) don't think they have the time; or 3) don't know WHAT to do and in what order to do it in...I have the answer for you and it's called the 6-Figure Travel Business Bootcamp. No other program has connected all the dots in this way before and shown agents how and why to market effectively on a shoestring budget. Click here to read more (www.Safari2Success.com).

Olarro Lodge’s Kids Club: Where Little Explorers Are Discovered

Olarro Landscape Celebrating the natural grooves of the Loita hills of Kenya, Olarro lodge incorporates the hills it sits atop into its nature-inspired interior décor. With an eclectic array of natural materials, twisted shapes, and inviting earthy hues, the Olarro lodge is ideal for travelers looking to experience the ultimate in authenticity and luxury in Kenya.

But some features that enable the Olarro lodge to stand above its competitors—besides its exceptional community and conservation efforts, and warming, private atmosphere—are its family-friendly programs.

Olarro Kids Traveling with young children—especially to an unfamiliar destination—can seem quite stressful and unappealing. Many questions arise such as, “Will I be able to enjoy my vacation without watching the kids at all times?” “Is there a trustworthy sitter?” “Will the children have a rewarding and knowledgeable experience?” At Olarro lodge, the staff understands your needs, which is why they provide one of the best Kids Club in all of Kenya.

The Olarro Juniors Adventurers Club (OJAC), appropriate for children 6-years old and up, introduces kids to the African bush with children-friendly bush activities, and provides the little adventurists with an insight into the local Maasai culture and lifestyle.

During the OJAC tours, a certified and highly-qualified Maasai guide introduces the kids to...

Animal tracking techniques: Incorporating all of the senses, the Maasai guide brings the African bush to life with animal tracking techniques. Kids become adventurous detectives as they listen for the distant animal callings, search for animal tracks, and discover the hidden treasures of the bush.
Survival techniques used in traditional Maasai culture: From constructing a shelter for survival, to building a fire from natural resources found in the bush, children will get an insider’s look into the legendary lifestyle of the Maasai people.
Plants used for medicinal purposes: Just as important as it was during the time of their ancestors, the Maasai people still use plants found in the African bush to treat ailments and other medical issues. During these tours, kids will discover which plants and trees are used for medicinal purposes in an exciting, yet educational way. From the toothbrush tree to the wet wipe tree, the poison arrow tree to the upset tummy shrub, and the antiseptic and disinfectant shrub to the chewing gum tree, kids learn everything about these plants and their unique features.
Environmentally-conscious practices: As the world’s youth places a larger importance on ecological preservation, your little explorer can be front stage to these efforts. What better way to teach them the importance of conservation and preservation efforts than through an interactive experience within the African bush? During the OJAC tours, kids will be introduced to environmentally-friendly practices and learn about how these practices affect nature and the circle-of-life.

After a day of adventure, excitement, and a bit of exercise, the children are brought back to the Olarro lodge for some delectable dinner from the kids menu. Once they’re satisfied, it’s off to bed so you can enjoy a peaceful and delectable dinner with a sundowner or a glass of wine.

For children over the age of 12, night drives alongside a parent provide them with a wonderful insight into the nocturnal happenings of the bush. Equipped with night-vision binoculars for each guest, the bush comes to life without having to squint or disturb nocturnal creatures with a bright flashlight. Without the night-vision binoculars you would never be able to get up close to some of Africa’s most intimidating creatures, the leopard and the lion.

At the end of your stay at Olarro, kids who participated in the OJAC receive a ceremonial presentation of their diploma certificate, which they can bring back home as a valuable keepsake of their adventures in Kenya.

Hills of Africa Travel Recommends

Azura Trip Name: Kruger Safari and Beaches of Mozambique
Length of travel: 12 days
Countries Visited: South Africa and Mozambique

Highlights:Tintswalo, a charming riverside safari lodge in the private Manyeleti Game Reserve, gives animal lovers plenty of opportunity to enjoy elephants, lions, and buffalo in their native habitat. The Big Five are often spotted during game drives and walking safaris. Relax from your safari and enjoy time alone in a private beach villa with private pool on the white-sanded beaches of Benguerra Island.
Detailed description of itinerary (in PDF)

Contact us today, and utilize our detailed destination-planning services and expert advice to send you on a life-altering experience like none other.

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Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle Hills of Africa Travel specializes in customized African safari tours.

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The Hills of Africa Travel Newsletter is written by Meredith Hill and Sandy Salle and Hillsofafrica.com. If you have any questions or comments, please send them to: hoainfo@hillsofafrica.com