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July 9, 2009

Working from home during the summer with three young children can be tricky, to say the least. During the school year, even though my 2-year old is home, I am spoiled by 6 long hours of peace and quiet in the house. While the kids are at school, my au pair, Sam, looks after little Charlie, often taking him to the park, or grocery store or on playdates, and then comes home with him for nap time. No time can test an au pair's abilities better than summer and Sam has really shown her exceptional abilities with keeping 3 kids busy, happy, fed, sunscreened, involved in art work, etc. I am sad to say that Sam's year with our family is almost over and I am now in the process of finding her replacement. It will take a very special person to fill her shoes.

Hiring a new au pair is not a small decision. This is a person that will live in our house, share lots of family time, see all our "warts", and play the role of raising my children while I am working. The process of hiring a new au pair takes a lot of attention, concentration and sifting through many, many applicants.

Hills of Africa guide Going through this process made me think about the similarity to the role of the safari guide for travelers on a safari. My clients will spend more time with their safari guide than all the other lodge staff combined! Yes, the safari guide will get to know you intimately, warts and all. The safari guide is your key to your safari experience. He or she can make or break it. With a good one, your experience will be enhanced to a level beyond your wildest dreams. With a not so good one, your experience could be disappointing. When you have traveled 10,000 miles and spent hard earned money on this journey, a not so good safari guide is just plain unacceptable.

Wilderness guide When planning a safari, many of our clients come to us with a focus on specific properties they like, or destinations they have chosen, or simply the quality of the accommodation. But what about the guiding? I hope to emphasize today that this is a crucial aspect of any and every safari. So, I always encourage my clients to put a focus on the guiding standards, not just the quality of the accommodations or the specific destination. That is why I am excited about this week's article on South Luangwa National Park in Zambia. Despite boasting what might be Zambia's highest wildlife densities, with healthy populations of lion, leopard and wild dog, and arguably its greatest diversity of species, the park is not resting on its laurels. South Luangwa has not only pioneered the nation's guide training and certification process, but it continues to set the standards. It really impressed me, when I was in South Luangwa 3 years ago, to learn that the guide certification process is based off the old school, Zimbabwean process from the late 70s and early 80s, which had an average pass rate of about 20%. It was not rare to hear experienced guides brag about how many times they sat for exams and failed.

Thanks to the park's exceptionally tough guiding standards, travelers receive an enriching, informative, exciting and safe safari experience. Enjoy this week's article!

Meredith Hill

Walking Safaris in South Luangwa: Nothing Beats the Element of Surprise and Mystery

Known for its exceptional walking safaris and unspoiled wilderness, South Luangwa in Zambia is the premier destination for travelers looking for a new and unique perspective on Africa’s mesmerizing wildlife. Walking safaris allow you to view the world from the same perspective as the animals, which means you are able to get closer to nature than ever before. Even though you are closer with nature and its creatures on a walking safari, our expert guides ensure travelers are 100 percent safe on their excursion.

Differing greatly from game drives, walking safaris boast feelings of exploration, discovery, and intense curiosity. Walking safaris focus on the exploration of the details of nature and the natural processes of Africa’s multiple eco-systems. With so much more to see than large game, walking safaris are celebrated for their element of surprise, plethora of discoveries, and their ability to stimulate all the senses. Safari vehicles also don’t have the same ability as walking safaris to bring you up close and personal to nature.

As you quietly search and listen for clues to the hiding spots of lions and cheetahs, the sound of the safari vehicle engine is nowhere to be heard, just the pure sounds of Africa’s bush. Walking safaris’ abilities to open your ears to the crisp sounds of nature cannot be matched by any other African safari tour.

In order to find the stealth creatures of Africa, such as the lion and cheetah, you must first hone in on all of your senses. The sounds of snapping twigs, whistling birds, grunting hippos, and monkeys swinging from tree to tree, as well as the distinct scents and sights of the African bush are enough to keep you on your toes as you search for some of the world’s most intriguing animals. Walking safaris are famous for bringing the detective side out in everyone.

Expert guides are the key to an exceptional walking safari and are an invaluable resource as they provide some of the most spectacular facts about South Luangwa’s fauna and flora, and uncover the most hidden elements of Africa’s bush. Highly knowledgeable guides detect and teach you the fascinating signs pointing to a creature in the nearby area, including a fresh kill, a distant roar, the sly chuckle of a hyena, and animal tracks and droppings. Expert guides who know the land inside and out, the exact tracks of the region’s animals, and the callings of wildlife will open your eyes to the hidden elements of nature.

Hills of Africa travel provides clients with only the best guides in Africa. These guides are licensed, highly educated, and skilled in detecting animal tracks and the direction animals are heading, as well as the exact sounds of animal callings, and what the callings signify. Professional guides walk side by side with travelers to ensure they see the hidden surprises of the bush. Once the guide spots signs of an animal in the area, it’s off to finding more clues to the creature’s location.

The discovery of a lion paw print embedded in the dusty ground has the power to change your course immediately. Stunning birds singing in the trees, swinging monkeys, branch-imitating pythons, and grazing elephants will try to distract you from your quest to find a vanishing lion or cheetah. But, this element of surprise is what makes these safaris that much more exciting.

After a long and exciting day taking on a detective roll in the African bush, retreat to your private tent to shower, and cool off with a refreshing cocktail. After washing up, enjoy a delightful dinner prepared by the camp’s talented chef. Westernized cuisine is almost always available for the more conservative eaters.

Whether you’re looking to devote your time to walking safaris while staying in South Luangwa, or just want to enjoy a day or two of walking safaris, all camps in South Luangwa offer walking safari tours to fit your individual needs. Game drives and night drives are also popular activities in the area, which many South Luangwa camps offer.

Recommended Camps to stay at while visiting South Luangwa:

Robin Pope Safaris’ luxurious Nkwali Camp, which has five rooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. Nsefu camp boasts six luxurious suites with thatched roofs. And Tena Tena Camp is a tented camp that can accommodate up to ten guests.
Norman Carr Safaris’ lavish Kapani Lodge is located on the banks of the Luangwa River and can accommodate up to twenty guests.
Shenton Safari’s absolutely stunning Kaingo Bush Camp, which has twelve beds, and Mwamba Bush Camp, which offers thatched chalets, and six beds.
Sanctuary Lodges' Puku Ridge Camp is small and intimate, built unobtrusively close to the wild. With 6 spacious walk-in canvas safari tents and a wraparound view of the flood plains, you may never leave your tent.

If you’re looking to experience a more remote and exclusive side to South Luangwa, there are several camps located off the beaten path. These camps are usually a three to four hour game drive from the main South Luangwa park gate, but are a real treat to experience.

Within the past five years, Zambia has received much appraisal for its exceptional walking safaris and for this reason has become an extremely popular tourist destination. The most crowded times of the year are during the months between June and October when the climate is delightful and game-viewing is exceptional. Discover a unique insight into some of the world’s most extraordinary wildlife on a South Luangwa tour. Let Hills of Africa Travel create a detailed and customized itinerary for you around your every individual preference. Contact us today at 800-940-9344. We’re looking forward to making your dreams come true . . .

Soul Safari - October 19-27, 2009

Experience this once-in-this-lifetime journey to South Africa where you will uncover the innermost secrets of your life's purpose and discover the spiritual pathway to Living the Life Your Soul Intended.

Join author and psychic Ainslie MacLeod on an expedition to uncover your soul's unique purpose in this life. On this 9-day Soul Safari, you'll explore the mysteries of the life plan your soul created before you were even born, and learn to harness your own spirituality to create a happier and more fulfilling future-one of total self-acceptance and endless potential.

Go to www.hillsofafrica.com/Soul_Safari/Soul_Safari.html to learn more.

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

We offer spectacular adventures with personalized and customized service, guaranteed to provide you with the experience of a lifetime.

Hills of Africa Travel is a team of extraordinary travel agents and tour operators who are passionate about sharing the magic of Africa through first-hand knowledge and exemplary customer service. Our expert knowledge, experience, and passion for our customers allow us to create a personalized safari adventure of a lifetime for all travelers.

Whether you're taking a romantic honeymoon safari, a fun-filled family safari, or have always dreamed of experiencing the natural beauty of Africa and its wildlife, our exceptional agents and dedicated tour operators are here to provide you with the perfect African safari vacation.

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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