Jody is preparing to leave for a long one this time! Three months in Africa, starting out with a great South African safari with new clients, followed by a full month of work at Makuleke just outside of Kruger, then she'll be all set to sit for the Trails Guide Level II exam! A side trip to Mozambique is planned and I hope to keep you all updated as her travels continue. In the meantime, we are launching a new website AND finishing up several new safaris for 2012. If you haven't checked them out OR or website in a while, drop by!

July 2011 is Here!

Dear Blog followers - well, we've been remiss at this Blog, haven't we!?! Katharine, Operations Manager, here wanting to update you all on our current status, how dry. We returned with all guests from that lovely 2009 Tanzanian adventure and have had several more lucky guests since that date. We've had our first honeymoon safari hosted by Hatari Lodge in Arusha, Jody has summited Mt. Kilimanjaro once again, and is headed for more adventures in Southern Africa, in particular Kruger, plus more EcoTraining work as a back-up guide at Makuleke Camp. We now have Terri B. onboard as publicity coordinator, an Operations Assistant Mariah to help keep us up to date on things (like this dusty blog). So please excuse our absence and welcome to the future blogs from Wild Rainbow African Safaris!

Off to Tanzania!

After two years of dreaming, planning and waiting, it's finally here...Tanzania! Jody, Katharine, Safari Duck and 12 lucky women will land in Africa tomorrow to begin their trip of a lifetime.

Jody is sending photos of this safari so check back soon for an update.

Interested in joining her on the next safari? Please go to http://www.wildrainbowsafaris.com

and check out the dates and itineraries. Don't see a safari that suits you? No worries. Wild Rainbow African Safaris can make it happen with personalized safaris that are designed with you in mind.

Happy travels wherever your plans may take you.

Our trip to Zambia and Malawi

Alison pets a lioness at a sanctuary for big
cats in Zambia. The workers gave each of us
sticks to hold as "distracters" when we
petted these magnificent cats.

Cathy, sitting on an elephant's leg, feeds her

yummy pellets. These social and loving

animals live at a sanctuary in Zambia.

Alison and Cathy at Victoria Falls, Zambia

Alison and I returned a few weeks ago from a 10-day whirl-wind trip to Zambia and Malawi. I really knew very little, OK nothing at all, about Malawi prior to the trip. When one of our companions mentioned "It's the place Madonna goes to get her babies" it all clicked into place for me. Our trip was basically a business trip--one where we stayed in 10 different camps in 10 nights, traveled by van or small plane up to 3 hours each day, and visited 19 other camps and lodges. It gave us the opportunity to see the facilities each location had to offer, meet the incredibly friendly staff at each site, sample the food at each lodge, and get in a game drive or two. In addition, we had the wonderful opportunity to experience tourist attractions. The photos capture just a bit of the wonder and joy we felt.

The information we gathered is being put to good use. New itineraries have been developed that include both Zambia and Malawi. Please call the office, or visit the website, if you'd like more information on planning your safari to Africa.

Thanks so much!

Office: 415-407-3691

http://www.wildrainbowsafaris.com

More Travels to Africa

Dear friends,
Jody returned last week, from her month's stay in Africa, after receiving her certification as a Trails Guide. We are all so very proud of her and her accomplishments. She is already planning her next certification course so check back often and see what Jody-The-Student has planned.

Alison and Cathy are leaving for Zambia and Malawi on March 11th for a unique vacation. We're joining a group of 10 travel agents who will be participating in a variety of activities in these two extraordinary countries. Our stay in Zambia includes several safaris at different camps where we'll become familiar with what each camp has to offer our guests. In Malawi we'll be touring tea plantations (90% of Malawi's economy is based upon agriculture: maize, tobacco, sugarcaen, groundnuts, coffee, tea), a variety of camps and lodges and meeting with the Ministry of Tourism in this beautiful country.

Wild Rainbow African Safaris has added an exciting safari to our 2009 trips. Click on the link for details of our trip to Tanzania.
http://wildrainbowsafaris.com/2009_TotallyTanzania.html

We are thrilled to announce that we've teamed up with Discover Sweet and are headed with the Sweet gals to Kenya in 2010. We'll be in Kenya for Valentine's Day, 2010. How perfect is that?
Would you like to learn more about Discover Sweet and this safari? Click here to go directly to the itinerary.
http://discoversweet.com/wild-rainbow-african-safaris/

If you'd like to know more about the many safaris we offer, or how to plan a trip on your own, please give us a call or visit our website at http://www.wildrainbowsafaris.com
Alison can be reached at 415-552-8321 and Jody can be reached at 415-407-3691.

Thanks everyone and happy travels to you~
Cathy

EcoTraining

Dear friends,
It is just the beginning of a new year for us all and as I reflect back upon 2008 I can't help but smile and be filled with love and gratitude for all the wonderful memories I have...especially of those that have to do with Africa. It is my passion, as many of you know, and each time I have the opportunity to share my love and respect for the animals and people of Africa I once again feel its gentle tug on my heart and spirit. Come to Africa, come to Africa. I cannot stay away for long so it is with great joy that I share the news that I am returning to Africa in just a few short days.

I'm returning to South Africa, to the most northern area of Kruger National Park called Makuleke on Jan. 7, 2009. I'll be taking a rigorous course through Trails Guide that runs until Feb. 3, 2009. It's a 28-day course taken by safari professionals to further their skills. I'll be studying such subjects as Birding and Bird Identification, Tracks and Tracking, Animal Behavior, Conservation Ethics, Walking in Big Game Country and Ecology, just to name a few. I am excited to be going back in the bush and improving my guiding skills. Unfortunately, there are limited times that I'll have internet access so while I'm away please let Alison know of any travel or safari needs you may have. She can be reached through our website at http://www.wildrainbowsafaris.com/ or alison@wildrainbowsafaris.com

May 2009 be off to a exciting start for you all and my you find and follow your dreams.
Hugs,
Jody

Jody and her friend, Safari Duck

I was looking through some safari trip pictures and stumbled upon this one taken by Bill Chutes. Bill went on the South Africa safari trip, designed by Wild Rainbow African Safaris, and snapped this one of Jody and S. Duck. What a hoot! Little did Jody and Bill know at the time that Safari Duck was here to stay. It has been fun "shooting" this little guy at travel expos, pumpkin festivals and soon, more safaris. Please be sure to check out our trips on the website. Remember, if you have a destination in mind, other than the scheduled safaris we've posted, or would like us to create a personalized safari just for you, send us an email and we'll start planning your trip.
Thank you !http://www.wildrainbowsafaris.com

Meet Safari Duck!

This Duck gets around! He has already traveled to Africa, (check back here for more fun pix), and spent the weekend of Oct. 11 and 12 in Ukiah with the Wild Rainbow African Safaris booth at the Pumpkin Fest. It was great fun for Jody, Katharine, Alison, Kerri and me to meet the nice folks from Ukiah and plan their safaris. I just wish I could go on ALL the trips...they will be that much fun.

Check the website for these trips or to send an email if you'd like more information.

Thanks much and happy safari travels~http://www.wildrainbowsafaris.com/

Cathy

Animal Congregations...or, what do you call a group of....?

A Superb Starling joined us for breakfast one morning. I don't remember him actually singing...I think he was simply yawning. :)


I thought I'd take a look at what groups of animals in Africa might be called and stumbled upon a great list for mammals, birds, etc. Here are just a few of the ones I found:

• Apes= A shrewdness


• Badgers= A cete


• Buffalo= A gang


• Giraffes= A tower


• Hippos= A bloat (of course!)


• Leopards= A leap


• Monkeys= A troop or a barrel (ah ha! so that's where the expression comes from)


• Porcupines= A prickle


• Rhinos= A crash

and for our fine feathered friends...

• Flamingos= A stand


• Owls= A parliment


• Plovers=A congregation


• Starlings= A murmuration


• Storks= A mustering

There are many more but I thought I'd start with these few for now. Enjoy!

Cathy

WRAS on the road in Golden, Colorado

This is Sarah Fazedin, a marketing dynamo who joined us in on our July safari to Kenya.

Hello friends of Africa! Alison and I just returned from a weekend forum on travel to Africa and we had a great time. As president of the Northern California APTA (Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa) Alison attended on behalf of the 58 members of this local chapter. We were treated to panel discussions and break-out sessions on such timely topics as eco-adventures, sustainable travel and safe travel to Africa. There was also time for a silent auction and networking with friends.

Here's Alison scoping out a fabulous picture book of Africa.

Once again, we came away from discussions about Africa knowing why we want to send groups of like-minded men and women to Africa. It gets under your skin (in a good way!) and changes you forever. (For some incredible photos of Africa, taken by our very own clients, Jody and Alison, don't forget to click on the photo gallery of the website at http://www.wildrainbowsafaris.com).

Cathy

Kenya says "No"!

I snapped this photo while in Kenya last month. Get this-there is NO SMOKING allowed in all of Kenya. The country has banned smoking. What a concept, eh? For those who just can't go without, some safari camps have created smoking areas. It's usually a lone(ly) chair, placed out in the middle of a grassy area, perhaps under a tree. (The government says this is OK).
If you want a relatively smoke-free vacation, come to Kenya.

FGASA Guides 'R Us

Alison and Jody have both completed one of the world's strictest field guide courses for FGASA. Field Guide Association of South America exams entail a grueling month-long course covering such modules as astronomy, geology, biology and zoology. Of the 15 enrolled in their courses, only seven passed the exam. Two of those seven are our own safari gals....Jody and Alison!
Congratulations!

Off to Zambia!

Hello! Jody here sending you a message from Zambia! I'm here with a wonderful group of adventurers heading out into the bush for an amazing two weeks. I started my trip in Johannesburg where I was lucky enough settle in before trekking out to Lusaka and the beginning of our safari. Within the first few days, two of our guests had already experienced a safari-by-horseback, and that was just the beginning. By the time you get this, I will be somewhere on a tributary of the Zambezi river half way around the world. There will be lots of stories to tell, which I'll post here for everyone.

Alison is busy putting together our 2009-2010 safari season, including a special trip to Tanzania, perhaps two (!) If you need anything, she and my assistant, Kerri, are womaning the phone lines to assist you until I return.

See you back in the States in September.

Jody

Cathy & Alison in Kenya

Ahhhh...Africa! Alison and I returned late Monday night from our wonderful 11-day safari in Kenya. We were shuttled to and fro in small planes and open-top vehicles, staying at 6 camps and 2 luxury hotels. It was non-stop, for the most part, until we landed at Porini Lion Camp. The rest of our travel agents group split off for their connections and continuing vacations while we treated ourselves to a virtually private safari. About half of the camps are eco-friendly and we discovered that one really could take a hot shower...even though it was a bucket shower. The Masai staff would haul one 10 liter bucket of cold water and one 10 liter bucket of hot water to our tents, pour the water into a canvas bucket, hoist it up using a rope pulley and voila! we had a hot shower! We had delicious food, incredibly comfortable beds and guides who seemed to know everything. We saw enough birds and mammals to keep us talking about Africa for many months ahead.

Enjoy!

Cath

Alison & Jody are "IN the know!""!""!""!

Hello fellow safaris enthusiasts!! This is Katharine, the sometimes WRAS (Wild Rainbow African Safaris) online secretary, welcoming you to the WRAS Blog! We are just getting started, although Jody is already packing her bags for Zambia this week! Oh, the lucky travelers going with her on this adventure down the Zambezi River will have quite the experience. And talking about experience, both Jody and Alison (see their bios on the website) were in Africa completing their FGASA (Field Guide Assoc. of Southern Africa)training. This means that not only can they set up a cool safari here in the States, they are actually certified to guide you in the bush!

I hope you will stay tuned to this blog for all the stories of their exploits. When they can, Jody and Alison can blog directly to you, depending on the communication lines in the field. If they are out of cell range, you can depend on me keeping you posted on their whereabouts and fun and crazy things that tend to happen on the African Continent - nothing will be spared.

Thanks for reading - and I hope you'll join us for the WRAS Safari blogs throughout the year....

Katharine (for Jody & Alison)
Wild Rainbow African Safaris

Welcome To The WRAS Blog

We will be posting blogs as we are on safari.  Check back to read about our adventures while on safari.  You can bookmark this blog or just go to www.wildrainbowsafaris.com and click on the Blog logo located in the left hand corner of the homepage.

Nothing can take the place of actually being on safari in Africa but we hope you can live somewhat vicariously through our blog.

Cheers,

-WRAS