African Impact

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to give you our latest update from Zimbabwe and how the situation is affecting our lion rehabilitation projects at Antelope Park and the Victoria Falls, as well as our Elephant and Conservation project in Hwange National Park:

June 27th came and went in Zimbabwe quite uneventfully and our projects continue to run as usual. Below is a more in-depth update on the Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park region as sent out by the official bureau of ‘gotovictoriafalls.com’

In tourist destinations such as the Victoria Falls, the airlines continue to fly in daily and unload guests from a myriad of countries and points of origin to this Hub of regional tourism. We recognise of course that certain agents, operators and travellers have concerns about visiting Zimbabwe as a result of travel advisories issued by some countries. On this topic, an industry delegation from JATA (Japanese Association of Travel Agents) visited Victoria Falls last weekend on a specific “look see” experience and have gone back determined to encourage their government to keep Victoria Falls in particular on the lowest possible level of travel advisory. In a similar vein, we hope to be able to influence local embassies and high commissions so that Victoria Falls is not included in increased travel warnings for the country at large. We once again reiterate that Victoria Falls remains one of the safest, calmest and most peaceful destinations on the planet. There is no sound reason not to visit, and indeed many good reasons why one should visit. GotoVictoriaFalls.com and all its members have always been, and will always be honest, frank and professional in our communications about the status and facts on the ground in Victoria Falls. We will always seek to be the first to advise, should it ever be necessary, against travel to Victoria Falls. We look forward to your continued support and remain sincerely appreciative of all your efforts on our behalf. Yours sincerely Ross Kennedy

With regards to our Antelope Park projects, all volunteers who arrived during the run-up to the elections faced no difficulties en route to their placement, and our projects continue to run in a manner of which we can all be proud, given the current economic situation that our country is faced with. We are immensely proud to be part of a nation of people of which the large majority hold their heads up in times of crisis, and welcome any queries that you might have.

For daily updates from one of our current Antelope Park lion rehabilitation project volunteers, read Kelly Swift's blog http://kellyswiftinafrica.blogspot.com/
"Today I had my first sunrise lion pride walk. Watching the sunrise over the African Bush was spectacular. The lions are quite talkative in the mornings. As we approach their enclose they begin to make what sounds like a combination of a continuous, subtle roar and a moan. You can’t help but want to try and mimic the sound back. They are happy to see the arrival of their human pride and begin rubbing up against the cage practically begging for our hands to touch them. We do. Once the gate is open, they cheerful come out to explore. The morning session began with the older cubs, 19 months......"

For any queries relating to our Zimbabwe projects please feel free to email Lesley Bredenkamp, our Destination Manager for Zimbabwe, on lesley@africanencounter.org

Sarah Graham
AFRICAN IMPACT