After much thought it was decided that we turn our property in Port Elizabeth into a hub for the intrepid traveler. This will be an information centre, backpackers and general meeting place for independend travelers. We decided to name the new backpackers after the new city of Port Elizabeth's name, Nelson Mandela Bay, hence Mandela Bay Safari Club & Backpackers.
Mandela Bay Safari Club & Backpackers will be a small and intimate backpackers lodge and will cater for the more adventurous traveler. Together with the lodge we are offering info and advice on traveling through Southern Africa. We will also offer trips to wilderness regions departing from the lodge and for now these regions will include the Karoo, Baviaans Wilderness and Addo Elephant Park. Numerous other adventures can also be booked at our travel desk. For all our clients there are special discounted rates at any of the South African and Namibian National Parks.
Mandela Bay Safari Club & backpackers are centraly located in Port Elizabeth and close to the 2010 World Cub Soccer stadium and the St George's cricket grounds. Also close by are the airport, easy distance to Addo Elephant Park, beaches, pubs, bus routes...
Together with the Backpackers we are opening a depot for Wicked Camper Van Rentals in Africa. These funky vans makes the perfect vehicle to explore Africa and comes fully kitted with a bed and cooking equipment. We have also negotiated special rates for first time Wicked Clients at selected stop overs on the Garden Route, Botswana, and all the National Parks of South Africa and Namibia.
For further info you can log onto our website, www.mandelabaybackpackers.co.za, or send us an e-mail to info@mandelabaybackpackers.co.za.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Mandela Bay Backpackers
Lathita is launching its latest product, Mandela Bay Safari Club & Backpackers. The Mandela Bay Backpackers and Safari Club is situated in the histtorical subberb of Mount Croix, Port Elizabeth, on the Garden Route of South Africa.
The backpackers currently have one double room, one triple room and one large comfortable dorm room. Facilities include outside bbq, fitted kitchen, travel centre, television/lounge room and a dining room.
Our main future is that we have the Wicked Campers booking office and you can book and rent your camper van from the travel office. Our Travel office will also assist with discounted reservations and travel advice to South Africa and other Africa destinations.
Mandela Bay Safari Club & Backpackers
47 Eastbourne Rd
Mount Croix
Port Elizabeth
Eastern Cape
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)72 221 4106
E-Mail: info@lathita.co.za
Room Types
1 x double room (2)
1 x triple room (3)
1 x dorm room (6)
Facilities
- Travel Desk
- Wicked Caper Van Rentals
- Lounge
- Dinning Room
- Kitchen
- BBQ
- Internet
Day Tours
- Township Tour
- City Tour
- Addo Elephant Park tour
- Big 5 Safari tour
- Whale & Dolphin cruise
- Elephant Back Safaris
- Discounted National Park Reservations
The backpackers currently have one double room, one triple room and one large comfortable dorm room. Facilities include outside bbq, fitted kitchen, travel centre, television/lounge room and a dining room.
Our main future is that we have the Wicked Campers booking office and you can book and rent your camper van from the travel office. Our Travel office will also assist with discounted reservations and travel advice to South Africa and other Africa destinations.
Mandela Bay Safari Club & Backpackers
47 Eastbourne Rd
Mount Croix
Port Elizabeth
Eastern Cape
South Africa
Tel: +27 (0)72 221 4106
E-Mail: info@lathita.co.za
Room Types
1 x double room (2)
1 x triple room (3)
1 x dorm room (6)
Facilities
- Travel Desk
- Wicked Caper Van Rentals
- Lounge
- Dinning Room
- Kitchen
- BBQ
- Internet
Day Tours
- Township Tour
- City Tour
- Addo Elephant Park tour
- Big 5 Safari tour
- Whale & Dolphin cruise
- Elephant Back Safaris
- Discounted National Park Reservations
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Chobe Safari Camp
The Chobe National Park, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square kilometres, has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent. Its uniqueness in the abundance of wildlife and the true African nature of the region, offers a safari experience of a lifetime.
The park is divided into four distinctly different eco systems: Serondela with its lush plains and dense forests in the Chobe River area in the extreme north-east; the Savuti Marsh in the west about fifty kilometres north of Mababe gate; the Linyanti Swamps in the north-west and the hot dry hinterland in between.
Four-wheel drive vehicles are essential, especially if the intention is to travel extensively into the park - deep sand in some areas tests the skill of the driver and the capabilities of the vehicle. However, most rewarding game viewing awaits.
The original inhabitants of what is now the park were the San people, otherwise known in Botswana as the Basarwa. They were hunter-gatherers who lived by moving from one area to another in search of water, wild fruits and wild animals. The San were later joined by groups of the Basubiya people and later still, around 1911, by a group of Batawana led by Sekgoma. When the country was divided into various land tenure systems, late last century and early this century, the larger part of the area that is now the national park was classified as crown land. In 1931 the idea of creating a national park in the area was first mooted, in order to protect the wildlife from extinction and to attract visitors.
In 1932, an area of some 24,000 square kilometres in the Chobe district was declared a non-hunting area and the following year, the protected area was increased to 31,600 square kilometres. However, heavy tsetse fly infestations resulted in the whole idea lapsing in 1943. In 1957, the idea of a national park was raised again when an area of about 21,000 square kilometres was proposed as a game reserve and eventually a reduced area was gazetted in 1960 as Chobe Game Reserve. Later, in 1967, the reserve was declared a national park - the first national park in Botswana.
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Four-wheel drive vehicles are essential, especially if the intention is to travel extensively into the park - deep sand in some areas tests the skill of the driver and the capabilities of the vehicle. However, most rewarding game viewing awaits.
The original inhabitants of what is now the park were the San people, otherwise known in Botswana as the Basarwa. They were hunter-gatherers who lived by moving from one area to another in search of water, wild fruits and wild animals. The San were later joined by groups of the Basubiya people and later still, around 1911, by a group of Batawana led by Sekgoma. When the country was divided into various land tenure systems, late last century and early this century, the larger part of the area that is now the national park was classified as crown land. In 1931 the idea of creating a national park in the area was first mooted, in order to protect the wildlife from extinction and to attract visitors.
In 1932, an area of some 24,000 square kilometres in the Chobe district was declared a non-hunting area and the following year, the protected area was increased to 31,600 square kilometres. However, heavy tsetse fly infestations resulted in the whole idea lapsing in 1943. In 1957, the idea of a national park was raised again when an area of about 21,000 square kilometres was proposed as a game reserve and eventually a reduced area was gazetted in 1960 as Chobe Game Reserve. Later, in 1967, the reserve was declared a national park - the first national park in Botswana.
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There was a large settlement, based on the timber industry, at Serondela, some remains of which can still be seen today. This settlement was gradually moved out and the Chobe National Park was finally empty of human occupation in 1975. In 1980 and again in 1987, the boundaries were altered, increasing the park to its present size.
A major feature of Chobe National Park is its elephant population. First of all, the Chobe elephant comprise part of what is probably the largest surviving continuous elephant population. This population covers most of northern Botswana plus northwestern Zimbabwe. The Botswana's elephant population is currently estimated at around 120,000. This elephant population has built up steadily from a few thousand since the early 1900s and has escaped the massive illegal offtake that has decimated other populations in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Chobe elephant are migratory, making seasonal movements of up to 200 kilometres from the Chobe and Linyanti rivers, where they concentrate in the dry season, to the pans in the southeast of the park, to which they disperse in the rains. The elephants, in this area have the distinction of being the largest in body size of all living elephants though the ivory is brittle and you will not see many huge tuskers among these rangy monsters.
A major feature of Chobe National Park is its elephant population. First of all, the Chobe elephant comprise part of what is probably the largest surviving continuous elephant population. This population covers most of northern Botswana plus northwestern Zimbabwe. The Botswana's elephant population is currently estimated at around 120,000. This elephant population has built up steadily from a few thousand since the early 1900s and has escaped the massive illegal offtake that has decimated other populations in the 1970s and 1980s.
The Chobe elephant are migratory, making seasonal movements of up to 200 kilometres from the Chobe and Linyanti rivers, where they concentrate in the dry season, to the pans in the southeast of the park, to which they disperse in the rains. The elephants, in this area have the distinction of being the largest in body size of all living elephants though the ivory is brittle and you will not see many huge tuskers among these rangy monsters.
Experience Botswana and the Chobe Game Reserve with Chobe Safari Camp...
Botswana Safari - Chobe Game Reserve - Botswana Safari Camps
Botswana Safari - Chobe Game Reserve - Botswana Safari Camps
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The Chobe River runs along the northern border of Chobe National Park. It rises in the northern Angolan highlands, where it is called the Kwando (a Hambukushu name), and travels enormous distances through Kalahari sands before reaching Botswana; here it becomes the Linyanti (a Subiya name) until it reaches Ngoma where it becomes the Chobe.
Like the Okavango and Zambezi, the Chobe's course is affected by fault lines, which are extensions of East Africa's Great Rift Valley. These three mighty rivers carry more water than all other rivers in Southern Africa.
There is a close association between the Okavango, the Chobe and the Zambezi. The Okavango River is connected to the Chobe and Zambezi via the Selinda Spillway where high floods from the Okavango escape from the southern end of the Panhandle and flow into the Chobe. A current theory holds that millions of years ago the Okavango, Chobe and Upper Zambezi flowed as one huge river across the middle Kalahari, joined the Limpopo River and emptied into the Indian Ocean. Earth movements stopped this flow and caused a damming back of the river and the formation of the Linyanti Swamps.
The Chobe River first flows directly south, but at Diyei, the former capital of the Bayei people, it is caught by a rift, drops out onto a swamp and then turns north through Lake Liambezi, finally turning east and passing Kasane before joining the Zambezi at Kazungula. They flow briefly together before spilling over the deep cataract at Victoria Falls.
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The Chobe twists and turns through swamps of wide reed and papyrus beds, forming hidden lagoons, which sometimes fill with water lilies. Its south bank alternates from open flood plains dotted with pans to thick woodlands. Across the river from Botswana lies the Caprivi Strip - and there the scene of grazing cattle contrasts sharply with the scenes of wild animals in the Chobe National Park.
Like the Okavango and Zambezi, the Chobe's course is affected by fault lines, which are extensions of East Africa's Great Rift Valley. These three mighty rivers carry more water than all other rivers in Southern Africa.
There is a close association between the Okavango, the Chobe and the Zambezi. The Okavango River is connected to the Chobe and Zambezi via the Selinda Spillway where high floods from the Okavango escape from the southern end of the Panhandle and flow into the Chobe. A current theory holds that millions of years ago the Okavango, Chobe and Upper Zambezi flowed as one huge river across the middle Kalahari, joined the Limpopo River and emptied into the Indian Ocean. Earth movements stopped this flow and caused a damming back of the river and the formation of the Linyanti Swamps.
The Chobe River first flows directly south, but at Diyei, the former capital of the Bayei people, it is caught by a rift, drops out onto a swamp and then turns north through Lake Liambezi, finally turning east and passing Kasane before joining the Zambezi at Kazungula. They flow briefly together before spilling over the deep cataract at Victoria Falls.
.jpg)
The Chobe twists and turns through swamps of wide reed and papyrus beds, forming hidden lagoons, which sometimes fill with water lilies. Its south bank alternates from open flood plains dotted with pans to thick woodlands. Across the river from Botswana lies the Caprivi Strip - and there the scene of grazing cattle contrasts sharply with the scenes of wild animals in the Chobe National Park. Botswana Safari - Chobe Game Reserve - Botswana Safari Camps
Chobe Safari Camp
Chobe River Safari Camp is situated adjacent the Chobe Forest Reserve, close to Kasane and comprises a main lodge with lounge area, conference facility and bar. You have the option to stay in one of the 12 Luxury Meru Tents with en-suite bathroom and private BBQ facilities. Some units are fitted with self catering facilities. The lodge offers meals on request.
The Camp Site comprises 15 Private Campsites, all with BBQ Facilities. The communal ablution offers hot Showers. A Self Catering facilitis are available.
Standard Meru Tents - 12 Luxury Units
- Rate per Person R 550 (Bed & Breakfast)
- Rate per Person R 550 (Bed & Breakfast)
- Single Supplement R 275
Private Camp Site - 15 Units
- Rate per person R 70
Activities in the region: (4 pax min)
- Rate per person R 70
Activities in the region: (4 pax min)
- Chobe Game Drive R 350 pp
- Chobe River Cruise R 350 pp
- Vic Falls Transfer R 500 pp
Safari Camp Notes:
- All facilities at the Safari Camp are open for use by any of the residents.
- Activities can be booked on arrival, but this should preferably be booked in advance.
- All activities are not available on a daily basis and guest’s needs to enquire in advance what will be on offer during their stay.
- Above prices are launch specials and valid only up to 30 March 2009
- Detailed Pricing with Photos and complete Description will be distributed as soon as possible
- Tour Operators and Travel Agents are Welcome to contact us for rates
Monday, June 9, 2008
Botswana Safari Camps
We went to visit the site of our first Botswana Safari Camp in the Makgadikgadi Pans a month ago. It was a quick visit and planned on a whim, but still very much enjoyable and we got to take a number of photos to use for planning. The camp is situated between Soa Pans and Ntwetwe Pans. Access is either from the Nata Gweta road or from the Orapa road. Either way takes approximately two hours depending on photo stops and the condition of the road. In wet season the camp is only accesible from the Northern Side.
The Makgadikgadi Safari Camp makes an excellent stop over if you are planning to visit an one of the well known attractions in the region as it is the only camp centrally located to all of them. Some of the world famous attractions in the region are the Makgadikgadi Pans, LeKubu Island and one of the largest Flamingo breeding grounds on Soa Pans. Currently the surrounding lands are used for cattle farming, but there are still quite a number of antelope, especially Springbok, and many sightings of Jackal, Ostrich and bird species. The occational Haina sighting is also on the menu.
Makgadikgadi Safari Camp Site
LeKubu Island, Botswana
Giant Baobab Trees
Endless Views of Soa Pans (Makgadikgadi)
The Makgadikgadi Safari Camp makes an excellent stop over if you are planning to visit an one of the well known attractions in the region as it is the only camp centrally located to all of them. Some of the world famous attractions in the region are the Makgadikgadi Pans, LeKubu Island and one of the largest Flamingo breeding grounds on Soa Pans. Currently the surrounding lands are used for cattle farming, but there are still quite a number of antelope, especially Springbok, and many sightings of Jackal, Ostrich and bird species. The occational Haina sighting is also on the menu.
Makgadikgadi Safari Camp Site
LeKubu Island, Botswana
Giant Baobab Trees
Endless Views of Soa Pans (Makgadikgadi)
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges in Botswana
Lathita Expeditions will be launching “Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges” in Botswana this coming winter season. This is a new range of comfortable and affordable Safari Lodges situated along some of the most spectacular routes in Botswana. The regions, Central Kalahari, Makgadikgadi, Kubu Ilsand and Chobe Forest Reserves provide some of the best Wilderness experiences in Botswana. The locations were carefully selected with the local communities and attractions in mind because all the Safari Lodges support the local communities in terms of ongoing education and employment creation. At some locations local village interaction is one of the activities on offer. The locations also provide easy access to some of the spectacular Wilderness Reserves of Botswana, which makes it perfect for Safari Operators and Self Drive Safari clients alike.
The complete range of lodges will focus on interaction with the people and beauty of Botswana. Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges are focusing to offer safari products where clients can get the true feeling of the people and their heritage and enjoy the best safari experience on offer. The chosen regions are not on the main safari routes, which makes the stay much more private end exclusive with no overcrowded camps and lodges. The locations were chosen with this in mind and to still offer similar activities and experiences to the lodges on the main Safari Routes.
Facilities at Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges will include accommodation in the form of comfortable tented camps and camp site facilities, guided activities, and cultural interaction. Currently there will only be self catering accommodation facilities available with a common kitchen facility for the tented camps and the camp sites. Meals can be prepared on request at the time of making the reservation. All the activities are accompanied by qualified and experienced guides to make sure our guest gets the best experience while staying with Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges.
Below is a brief description of each property and we will keep updating this as we near our launch date. Please feel free to contact Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges for any further details and information.
Contact Person: Johan Gerber
E-Mail: johan@lathita.co.za
Central Kalahari/Deception Valley
Deception Valley Lathita Interactive Safari Lodge
Deception Valley Accomodation:
8 Tented Rooms
4 Camp Sites
Self Catering Facilities
Deception Valley Activities:
Guided Game Drives into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Guided Bush Walks
Deception Valley Experiences:
Wildlife Experience
Bush Experience
Cultural Experience
Adventure Experience
Boteti/Makgadikgadi
Makgadikgadi Lathita Interactive Safari Lodge
Boteti Accomodation:
8 Tented Rooms
4 Camp Sites
Self Catering Facilities
Boteti Activities:
Guided Game drives into Makgadikgadi Game Reserve
Guided Bush Walks
Village Interaction
Boteti Experiences:
Wildlife Experience
Bush Experience
Cultural Experience
Adventure Experience
Kubu Island Makgadikgadi
Kubu Island Lathita Interactive Safari Lodge
Kubu Accomodation:
8 Tented Rooms
4 Camp Sites
Self Catering Facilities
Kubu Activities:
Quad Bike Rides
Kite Surfing
Horseback Safaris
Bush Walks
Kubu Experiences:
Wilderness Experience
Cultural Experience
Adventure Experience
Chobe Forest Reserve
Chobe Forest Lathita Interactive Safari Lodge
Chobe Accomodation:
8 Tented Rooms
4 Camp Sites
Self Catering Facilities
Chobe Activities:
Guided Game drives into the Chobe Forest Reserve
Guided Bush Walks
Chobe Experiences:
Wildlife Experience
Bush Experience
Cultural Experience
Adventure Experience
The preliminary launch date is set for July 2008 and we will keep this blog updated with any new developments and progress reports. Contact us or view our website for any information on Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges or any other Safari enquiries on Botswana and Southern Africa.
Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges - www.lathita.co.za - info@lathita.co.za
The complete range of lodges will focus on interaction with the people and beauty of Botswana. Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges are focusing to offer safari products where clients can get the true feeling of the people and their heritage and enjoy the best safari experience on offer. The chosen regions are not on the main safari routes, which makes the stay much more private end exclusive with no overcrowded camps and lodges. The locations were chosen with this in mind and to still offer similar activities and experiences to the lodges on the main Safari Routes.
Facilities at Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges will include accommodation in the form of comfortable tented camps and camp site facilities, guided activities, and cultural interaction. Currently there will only be self catering accommodation facilities available with a common kitchen facility for the tented camps and the camp sites. Meals can be prepared on request at the time of making the reservation. All the activities are accompanied by qualified and experienced guides to make sure our guest gets the best experience while staying with Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges.
Below is a brief description of each property and we will keep updating this as we near our launch date. Please feel free to contact Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges for any further details and information.
Contact Person: Johan Gerber
E-Mail: johan@lathita.co.za
Central Kalahari/Deception Valley
Deception Valley Lathita Interactive Safari Lodge
Deception Valley Accomodation:
8 Tented Rooms
4 Camp Sites
Self Catering Facilities
Deception Valley Activities:
Guided Game Drives into the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Guided Bush Walks
Deception Valley Experiences:
Wildlife Experience
Bush Experience
Cultural Experience
Adventure Experience
Boteti/Makgadikgadi
Makgadikgadi Lathita Interactive Safari Lodge
Boteti Accomodation:
8 Tented Rooms
4 Camp Sites
Self Catering Facilities
Boteti Activities:
Guided Game drives into Makgadikgadi Game Reserve
Guided Bush Walks
Village Interaction
Boteti Experiences:
Wildlife Experience
Bush Experience
Cultural Experience
Adventure Experience
Kubu Island Makgadikgadi
Kubu Island Lathita Interactive Safari Lodge
Kubu Accomodation:
8 Tented Rooms
4 Camp Sites
Self Catering Facilities
Kubu Activities:
Quad Bike Rides
Kite Surfing
Horseback Safaris
Bush Walks
Kubu Experiences:
Wilderness Experience
Cultural Experience
Adventure Experience
Chobe Forest Reserve
Chobe Forest Lathita Interactive Safari Lodge
Chobe Accomodation:
8 Tented Rooms
4 Camp Sites
Self Catering Facilities
Chobe Activities:
Guided Game drives into the Chobe Forest Reserve
Guided Bush Walks
Chobe Experiences:
Wildlife Experience
Bush Experience
Cultural Experience
Adventure Experience
The preliminary launch date is set for July 2008 and we will keep this blog updated with any new developments and progress reports. Contact us or view our website for any information on Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges or any other Safari enquiries on Botswana and Southern Africa.
Lathita Interactive Safari Lodges - www.lathita.co.za - info@lathita.co.za
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