Untitled Document

September 10, 2009

Some of my most favorite vacations to plan are family vacations. I feel so privileged to be able to do exactly what I love, planning African safari vacations. It really brings me back to my childhood when we would visit my uncle and aunt who lived in Gonarezhou, Zimbabwe. My uncle Tommy was a Game Warden for National Parks and one of my early memories is of the two families sitting on huge great boulders eating Hot Cross Buns (this was a very traditional Easter Sunday morning event in our house). I love sharing the African cultures with my clients, arranging football matches between the family and a local village, a visit to a school so that my clients are able to show their kids how schools operate in remote safari areas. Helping families to have the best vacation of their lives gives me immense satisfaction. I love to be able to live vicariously through my clients' experiences every day. Thank you very much to all of our fabulous clients for giving me this wonderful gift.

I am so lucky to have two gorgeous kids. Abby just turned 8 years old & Michael is five years old. My husband, Mark, is a computer systems engineer (don't ask, I don't even know what that is!). Luckily for me, they also love to travel and we are very lucky to have lots of family stilling living Africa, so guess where we go to on our vacations? Yes, Africa! They are some of our best memories. On one safari, my little boy Mikey, fell asleep during the game drive. He was so cute, just putting his head down on the side of the vehicle and taking some zzzzzs. Abby, who is a few years older, was so in awe of the big lion lazing around in the tall grass, she couldn't keep her voice down. She loves fishing and hanging out with other kids making necklaces with all the treasures she's collected from her own special kids only game drives. I love the African bush, so any opportunity I can I'm off with the guides exploring and trying to find that elusive leopard. Mark loves to just relax (after all he works far too hard), enjoy the beautiful sunsets with a tasty "Castle" beverage and sit around the campfires at night. If you've had the pleasure of travelling to Africa, have you ever noticed the smell that the African fires give off? The wood lasts for hours, even until the next morning when they relight it for cooking breakfast, and the scent is so sweet and aromatic.

But what we most enjoy is being on a family vacation - that stirs our souls. This is the true magic of Africa.

Speaking of families, this week's article is on African Family Safaris in the Kruger National Park. We had the most beautiful time, not only because of the service and outstanding game viewing, but because the lodges focussed on family enjoyment and were totally flexible and catered to our every desire. Makes me want to jump on a plane and take the family there tomorrow.

Enjoy!

Sandy Salle

Are you tired of taking your family on vacation to touristy destinations?

Imagine bringing your family on the vacation of a lifetime that is not only safe, luxurious, and unique, but worldly, inspirational, rich with culture, and bursting with adventure. A life-altering vacation such as this could only take place in one of the world's few remaining unspoiled destinations. Africa.

Where the eco-systems are as diverse as the people, Africa has a profound impact on travelers, leaving some with a new outlook on life and a new found appreciation for worldly cultures. Immersing yourself in the varying cultures and terrain across this continent have the indescribable power to enlighten, connect, and inspire. Wouldn't you love to introduce your family to this rare and unique experience?

Even though you'll have the opportunity to purchase valuable African keepsakes such as hand-crafted art, pottery, and sculptures, you and your family will return home with more than just tangible souvenirs. You'll return with a large variety of priceless keepsakes including knowledge, unforgettable memories, and quite possibly, a new outlook on life. Whether your children are in elementary school, middle school, high school, college, or out-of-college, a family vacation to Africa will give the entire family first-hand knowledge of some of the world's most fascinating geography, nature, culture, history, and anthropology.

Taking the whole family on vacation--especially to an international destination--may seem stressful, but at Kruger National Park, South Africa, all your worries are left behind you. From your first step onto African soil to your last, South Africa has the power to make every family's vacation one with life-lasting memories of sprawling flood plains, adventurous activities, and sightings of the Big Five, unusual game, and exotic birds.

Kruger National Park is a private reserve and is celebrated for being one of Africa's best game-viewing destinations. This premier wildlife reserve was the first to be established in southern Africa and boasts some of the best-known and exclusive safari lodges in the world. There are a handful of accommodations in and in the surrounding areas of Kruger National Park that cater to each and every family's individual preferences and needs, and provide wonderful activities for families. Two of the Park's most highly-acclaimed lodges for family vacations are the Tintswalo Manor House and Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp.

Tintswalo Safari Lodge:

Designed specifically to accommodate families, Tintswalo Safari Lodge's Manor House can hold up to 10 guests and requires occupants to have a minimum of six members in their party. During your stay, you will be provided with a private safari vehicle, expert guide, and tracker. In addition to these included features, Tintswalo's staff is their to accommodate your every individual preferences--down to the very last detail. Their superior service and staff ensures that stress is completely absent from your vacation.

In the Manor House, you will find three twin or double bedrooms downstairs with an optional child room attached to one of them. Upstairs is the main double bedroom with spectacular views of the African bush.

During the day, enjoy relaxing and socializing by the pool or read a book on the patio or boma or take part in one of Tintswalo's numerous activities. Whether your looking to spend most of your day on a vehicle safari, a walking safari, enjoying a long and leisurely tea time, or relaxing at the Vital Source Spa, Tintswalo caters to your every desire and is completely flexible to ensure your stay is filled with only the things you want to do. In the evening, dinner is served on the patio or in the open air boma and each meal is prepared with the freshest ingredients and with a contemporary flare.

If you are bringing a younger child with you to Africa, Tintswalo Manor House is the place to stay. With an exceptional Children's Program that takes children on safaris that are specifically catered to their age group, you can enjoy a variety of adult-oriented safari excursions without the worry of ensuring your child's safety. Tintswalo even has a children's menu for the young travelers in your group.

Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp:

Situated between the Kruger National Park and the Manyeleti Game Reserve, Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp is a family-friendly accommodation where you and your family can enjoy some of the best game-viewing Africa has to offer. With accommodations for up to 20 individuals, this luxury safari camp has an intimate atmosphere that makes it possible for staff to provide each guest with extremely personal and superior service. Whatever your need or desire, Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp is dedicated to fulfilling it to the best of their ability.

With exclusive tented-suites that are not only luxuriously decorated but also extremely comfortable and safe, this Camp prides itself on its ability to bring the African bush into its accommodations. Inside each suite there are twin or double beds, a private veranda, double showers, and a separate bathroom.

Activities offered by the Camp include walking and vehicle safaris that take you through the Manyeleti Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. You will be able to see the Big Five as well as a wide spectrum of other game and animals. When you return from an adventurous day in the African bush, you can enjoy a delectable meal in the dining area, which encircles a log fire, or have cocktails at the bar.

If you're traveling with younger children, you can rest assured that they're in good hands at the Camp's private children's center, which has a DVD player and a large variety of nature and animal films and documentaries, as well as toys and children books. Kids can also enjoy the children's pool area under supervision or enjoy walking and vehicle safaris with their parents if they are of appropriate age.

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.

The following article was kindly written for Hills of Africa Travel by our friend Vicki Heise, Founder of Live Your Healthy Life. Vicki is a Certified Holistic Health Counselor and will help you discover the lifestyle choices that work best for you in making gradual, lifelong changes for your healthy life. To contact Vicki please see "Live Your Healthy Life" or call her on 614 735-3375. Thank you Vicki, for helping our clients and all travelers to Prepare for Going Up In The Air.

Congratulations! You're getting ready to fly away on the trip of your dreams!

As you start planning and making a list of what to take with you, don't forget to plan for that long plane ride. It can make your flight more enjoyable and make a difference in how you feel after you land.

Common complaints from travelers include swollen ankles, upset stomachs and stiffness. So what can you do to help minimize or eliminate these side effects?

What You Drink Really Does Matter
Air inside planes is extremely dry. A few days before your flight start drinking water to replace alcohol, coffee, tea and soda. These drinks can dry your insides out. Tell the flight attendant "no thank you" to these during the flight - keep drinking water to stay hydrated. Enjoy that cocktail or coffee after you've landed. If you have any concerns about the safety of the water on board, buy bottled water after going through the security checkpoint.

Eat Light to Enjoy The Flight
Traveling and not being on your regular schedule can be stressful. So eat light during the flight. Bring easy to pack, nutritious foods with you. Pick your favorites, like unsalted nuts, dried/fresh fruit, cut up veggies, cheese, whole grain crackers/snack bars and dark chocolate. Mix together nuts, dried fruit and dark chocolate chips for a treat! If your stomach starts to growl, dream about the wonderful meals you will be enjoying at your destination.

Tip for Your Tummy
For upset stomachs and to alleviate motion sickness symptoms, consider packing some dried pieces of ginger. You can now find bags of individually wrapped pieces at health food stores and many grocery stores.

Wiggle in Your Seat - Dance in the Aisle
Seriously! Sitting for long periods causes blood to not circulate as well as it should. To avoid the complications this can cause, move. Tighten your back end muscles and release, stretch your legs under the seat and flex your feet, bend your knees and raise your feet up and down off the floor, do anything that you can think of to not stay in the same position. Stand up, walk up and down the aisle, hop, dance, do anything that gets your blood circulating. Do this often, especially on a long flight.

Then sit back and enjoy your flight!

Disclaimer: Be sure to check with your physician before your trip if you have any health issues or concerns. These tips do not replace advise from your health care providers. The content and information contained in this article are for educational purposes only, and is not intended to be used to diagnose or prescribe forms of treatment.

Let Hills of Africa Travel create for you, a spectacular safari itinerary. Experience the perfect African family safari, or honeymoon safari in the diverse lands of Africa.

To learn more about these amazing safari opportunities, contact us today at (800) 940-9344.

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