25 October 2004
BUSHMEN'S HISTORIC COURT CASE TO RECOMMENCE IN NOVEMBER
The historic court case brought by the Gana and Gwi Bushmen against
the Botswana government is due to recommence on 3 November in
Lobatse, the seat of Botswana's high court.
In what could prove to be a test case for Bushman rights across
southern Africa, 243 Bushmen are taking the Botswana government to
court over its forced eviction of them and their families from their
ancestral land in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. The Bushmen want
the government to recognise their rights to return to their land and
live there without fear of further eviction, and to hunt and gather
freely.
The case was adjourned in July after being heard for several weeks in
New Xade, one of the bleak eviction sites in which the Bushmen have
been forced to live, and in the town of Ghanzi.
One Bushman told Survival, 'The government has not done anything
which proves it owns the land. We know every tree and water hole and
corner of this land - everything has a name. We know this land as you
know your children. We say, "This is my son and these are my
grandchildren." That is how we know this place. The old people remain
behind and we send our young people to court to fight for our right
to live in the world.'
Photos and footage available. For more information contact Miriam
Ross on (+44) (0)20 7687 8734 or email [email protected]
--
Survival International
6 Charterhouse Buildings
London EC1M 7ET
UK
Tel: (+44) (0)20 7687 8700
Fax: (+44) (0)20 7687 8701
General enquiries: [email protected]
http://www.survival-international.org
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Vacationtechnician personalized luxury adventure travel transports you to the most exquisite wilderness and peaceful retreats on Earth. Conserving rare biodiversity through low volume tourism; our aim is your indulgence -at no one's expense. Plan now to be assured a rejuvenating escape at a restful pace -to an unspoiled gem in the purest sense.
.::. vacationtechnician.com = conserving the most enchanting wilderness chill out retreats on Earth .::.
VacationTechnician Wilderness Safaris is extremely pleased to announce that, from 2005, they will be handling the marketing and reservations for Abu Camp in the Okavango Delta. Abu Camp has just been bought from Randall Moore by ardent conservationists, Alistair Rankin, Colin Dhillon, Murray and Kenneth Collins and the new owners have tied in with VacationTechnician Wilderness Safaris .
Said Rankin, �I have had a long history with VacationTechnician Wilderness Safaris and have always had honest, reliable and trustworthy support from them. VacationTechnician Wilderness Safaris to me represents the most trusted marketing company I would want to deal with. The reason we decided to go this route is because our products combine well together, as we both focus on a private personalised guest experience.�
Abu Camp�s animal focused programme offers guests the rare opportunity to spend quality time with a special herd of elephants, consisting of mature bulls, cows and babies. The programme works towards bridging the gap between man and animal so that guests leave Abu�s with a wonderful understanding of elephants and of nature. �We will be adopting a new approach to how the elephants are handled and will be creating a once in a life time experience for guests, who will be able to get up close and touch these awe-inspiring animals, not only on a physical but an emotional and spiritual level,� commented Rankin.
�Our elephants are rescued from safari parks, zoo's and disadvantaged backgrounds and have all been living at Abu Camp for the last 14 years. We do not buy and sell elephants but rather offer a sanctuary for elephants, although sometimes we have to purchase these elephants in order to save them. They are trained and love riding out into the bush everyday. All training is done on a reward basis using treats (horse cubes). The elephants are loved and well looked after. They are living out their lives in relative freedom, on a 400 000 acre concession,� added Rankin.
Visitors will have a chance to share intellectual space with the planet's largest and most intelligent land mammal. The Abu Camp team concentrate on developing and promoting a comprehensive educational awareness programme, which informs guests about the important position that elephants hold within the ecosystem and the issues surrounding their existence. �We hope that this programme will assist guests in making an informed decision regarding the elephant�s situation in Africa. Guests are also invited to join the resident Bristol University researcher in her study of adolescent male elephant behaviour,� continued Rankin.
Abu Camp is located on the western side of Botswana's Okavango Delta. Guests will be touched by a life-changing journey as they spend time with the herd that have the run of 400 000 acres of Delta, one of Africa's last true, pristine wildernesses. No effort has been spared to ensure that guests enjoy this unique experience in total comfort and safety.
The camp, concealed in an ancient riverine forest, consists of six extremely luxurious, custom-built and stylishly-furnished tents. The lavish bedrooms, with mahogany four-poster or antique sleigh beds, are complemented with plush en-suite bathrooms complete with copper or porcelain baths, shower and flush toilet. Every tent has a different style but all reflect the very high standard that defines Abu Camp. A private, tree-shaded deck with a hammock overlooks a lagoon frequented by a myriad of bird and animal life.
On the other side of the lagoon, a five-minute drive from the main camp, is the new completely private and secluded Abu Elephant Villa. Built in the same style and standard of luxury as Abu Camp, Abu Elephant Villa sleeps two people with a second bedroom for children, each with en-suite bathrooms. After an elephant experience or early morning game drive, with their personal guide and exclusive Land Rover, guests can spend time relaxing on the expansive pool deck whilst soaking up the beauty of their environment.
�Our elephant experience offers many magical, memorable moments, not least the opportunity to come very close to and even mingle with the wild animals. The herds of giraffe, zebra, buffalo and antelope are unconcerned by the approach of the elephant herd of which you are a privileged part. We also offer game drives in open vehicles or a day spent drifting through the tranquil waters of the Delta in a mokoro, the traditional dugout craft of the Okavango,� added Rankin.
Whether one wishes to commune quietly with the silence of the bush from the veranda of one's own tent, or exchange stories around the fire, Abu Camp is the perfect hideaway for a safari to remember and savour forever.
Together, VacationTechnician Wilderness Safaris and Abu Camp aim to lift the elephant experience to new heights while enhancing peoples� understanding and appreciation of the elephant. This is part of our footprint in Africa as well as our commitment to conservation in Africa.
About Abu Camp:
Abu Camp is situated in a 400,000 acre private reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta. The camp has 6 luxurious �tents� that are located under a shady canopy in an ancient riverine forest. The tents have a unique and wonderful design with a private viewing deck overlooking the lagoon. Each tent at Abu's has beautiful en-suite facilities with a shower and a bath.
The dining / bar areas are on raised wooden decks that wind around African ebony and sycamore fig trees. The lounge and dining tent has beautiful big sofas, with a breathtaking view over the lagoon and also features a well-stocked library and a study.
Guests at Abu Camp are invited to share with the resident elephant family what is, without doubt, the ultimate elephant education safari. The elephant experiences offer many magical moments including the interacting with the resident herd of eight elephants � as well as with the herds of wildlife in the area. Abu's also offers game drives, night drives, walks and mokoro (dug out canoe) safaris � as well as the most intimate elephant learning experience in Africa.
For guests looking for the ultimate in bush luxury and exclusivity, The Elephant Villa is situated across the lagoon � a short five minute drive away. This villa can accommodate a couple or a family with children.
Plains game is abundant in the area, from giraffe, zebra, elephant, impala, tssessebe and lechwe to wildebeest, buffalo and warthogs. The camp's resident pride of lion should announce their presence at some time during your stay, and it is very likely that you will hear them calling at night.
LOCATION
� On the western side of the Okavango Delta
� In a private concession area
PRICING / CHILD POLICY
One rate January to December
☼ Children over the age of 8 years are welcome although younger can be accommodated if sole use of the camp or the Elephant Suite has been booked
ACCOMMODATION
Abu�s Camp - Number of tents:
Six tents in total consisting of:
� 4 x twin bedded tents
� 2 x double bedded tents
This camp can accommodate 12 guests including any guides/pilots/ tour leaders / escorts
Elephant Suite � Number of rooms:
One large suite consisting of:
� 1 x twin bedded room
� 1 x double bedded room
This suite can accommodate 4 guests max (ideal for a family)
The camp accommodates a maximum of 12 guests (between Abu's and the Elephant Suite) at any one time unless it is all being booked for one group of up to 16 guests.
Tent details:
� Luxury safari tents raised off the ground
� Each tent has a viewing deck overlooking the lagoon
� En-suite bathroom with bath and shower
� Zippered entrances and roll down canvas on the windows.
� Each tent is beautifully and individually furnished with mahogany four-poster beds or antique sleigh beds
CAMP DESCRIPTION
� Situated in an ancient riverine forest surrounded by open grasslands, island sanctuaries and papyrus-fringed channels
� Luxury safari tented camp
� Large canvas dining, bar and lounge area on a tiered teak deck
� A well-stocked library is available to all, with a number of reference books and beautiful coffee table books on Africa
� Sundowners around a traditional camp fire
GAME VIEWING
Plains game is abundant in the area, from giraffe, zebra, elephant, impala, tssessebe and lechwe to wildebeest, buffalo and warthogs. The camp's resident pride of lion should announce their presence at some time during your stay, and it is very likely that you will hear them calling at night.
ACTIVITIES
Year round multi-activity camp:
� Day and Night game drives via 2 x open Land Rovers (each vehicle has 6 seats of which 4 are window seats)
� Walking safaris
� Water game viewing via mekoro
� Bird watching
SUGGESTED 3 NIGHT PROGRAM
Day 1: Arrive around lunch time.
Briefing on safety and the elephants.
Short talk on the Okavango formation and location.
Tea with snacks.
Orientation ride with elephants until sunset. Guests meet the herd and the mahouts and get a short story on history of elephants.
Dinner in camp followed by after dinner fireside stories.
Day 2: Wake up around 06h30.
Breakfast 07h00
07h45 out on the first long activity with the elephants. Some guests
will ride (only 8 guests can currently ride at a time) and others will
walk with the elephants.
10h00 Bush tea and drive to picnic site on the river/channel.
12h00 Bush lunch under canopy overlooking lagoons and floodplain. After lunch siesta on blankets and pillows spread out in the shade. Fishing and mekoro's for those interested. Or the option to siesta back at camp if guests prefer.
15h30 Ride or walk with the elephants back to camp.
Sunset in camp and refresh for dinner.
Dinner and fireside stories. Slide show for those interested on the history of Abu camp and the herd.
Day 3: Wake up 06h30
Breakfast 07h00
07h45 ride out into the bush on the elephants plus walking with them for those keen.
10h00 Bush tea and anatomy talk using one of the elephants as a live model. Game drive back to camp for lunch.
Lunch and siesta or fishing or walking
Tea at 15h30
Ride the elephants back to camp on a different route.
Sunset in camp.
19h00 Farewell bush dinner in the bush.
Day 4:
06h30 Wake up
07h00 Light snacks with coffee
07h45 Last ride with the elephants
10h00 Bush tea, photo oppurtunity and farewells to the mahouts and the elephants.
11h00 Brunch and farewell at camp before departure
Please note that the activities are flexible and can be tailor-made to guest�s requirements and we also offer night drives & game drives.
ELECTRICITY & WATER
� There is no electricity at the camp and all the lights and hot water is powered by solar batteries
� Video camera batteries can be charged and for this please bring a 220v adaptor for a three-pronged round plug.
DRINKS POLICY
All stocked drinks are included in the nightly tariff
LAUNDRY POLICY
Laundry is done on a daily basis and inclusive in the nightly tariff with the exception of �smalls� i.e. underwear, which are not washed due to local customs.
EXTRAS PAYMENT
Curios and tips/gratuities can be settled on check out. Payment can be made by cash (US$, British Sterling) or travellers� cheques (currently no credit cards accepted but we are hoping to introduce Visa Card payments in the future)
FLYING TIMES
To/from Maun: 30 minutes
To/from Kasane: 1 hr 30 minutes
AIRSTRIP DETAILS
Matsaudi airstrip located a short drive from camp
Airstrip co-ordinates: S19.24.18, E22.32.55
Length 1000 m
GRATUITY SCHEDULE
The following is the suggested gratuity schedule only and is subject to service standards:
Guides - US$10.00 per person per day
General Camp staff - US$5.00 per person per day
Mahouts or mekoro paddlers - US$5.00 per person per day
Specialist guides (if applicable) - US$10.00 per person per day
COMMENTS:
Randall I�m sure you can understand that your camp and your elephants are like coming home to me. I wish my stay could be longer. I have so many questions, I shall return - Thank you
Joyce Pool - 3 May 1996
Nature, man and beast in perfect harmony
Karen Ross � Conservation International 20 June 1997
This must be the greatest camp in all Africa � you should rename it Camp Lemon
Jack Lemon August 1998
Why, oh why did I wait so long�.
Anthony Hall Martin June 1999
Thanks for a great day, best days in Africa�.ever, brilliant
William Wales 1999
*`�*-.,_,.-*`�*-.,_,.-*�
Vacationtechnician personalized luxury adventure travel transports you to the most exquisite wilderness and peaceful retreats on Earth. Conserving rare biodiversity through low volume tourism; our aim is your indulgence -at no one's expense. Plan now to be assured a rejuvenating escape at a restful pace -to an unspoiled gem in the purest sense.
.::. vacationtechnician.com = conserving the most enchanting wilderness chill out retreats on Earth .::.