Uganda plans to fence off national parks

My first encounter with gorillas was seeing this male silverback and his family eating the corn in this field

With the population of most African countries booming the conflict between people and wildlife is becoming a serious problem. I remember crossing into DRC from Uganda on a gorilla trekking trip and seeing a group of these magnificent animals sitting in a farmers field, nonchalantly eating the corn (see the photo I took above).

This type of conflict not only leads to damaged crops (the farmers in my gorilla encounter were apparently compensated on a regular basis) but more seriously, attacks on locals. In retaliation local communities often kill the wildlife involved.

To try to prevent this, the Ugandan government have announced plans to physically fence off some parks. Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage, Mr Ephraim Kamuntu, explained that Murchison Falls National Park would be the first affected under this scheme. He said:

“In the short term, to mitigate this human-wildlife conflict, we have started digging trenches to prevent the animals from crossing into the gardens of the communities destroying the lives and crops of the people. But in the long run with the funds available we shall fence off all the major national parks starting with Murchison Park where rampant damage has been encountered.”

The scheme is not unique to Uganda as Kenya was the first country to implement fences, with Mt Kenya National Park being the most recent to benefit just last year.

To book a tailor-made trip to Uganda, call one of our country specialists on 01993 838 575 or contact us online.

Safari Vet School on ITV this Friday

Student vets get some hands-on experience in ITV's new wildlife series, Safari Vet School

If you think vets in the UK sometimes have to deal with some demanding situations then meet the trainee UK vets who will be getting hands-on with some of South Africa’s most dangerous wildlife.

Arista, in our Africa Safari team has asked me to let you know about a new ITV1 wildlife series, Safari Vet School.

Presented by Steve Leonard (you might remember him from the hugely successful Vets’ School and Vets In Practice documentaries), it follows the fortunes of 32 UK-based veterinary students in South Africa.

The undergraduates find themselves treating lions, elephants, rhino, in fact all the Big Five, as well as their fair share of domestic animals as well. They’ll be working in locations which are also familiar with many Audley clients who travel to this beautiful country, such as the Amakhala Game Reserve, Shamwari Game Reserve and the Addo National Elephant Park.

The first of the 12 30-minute episodes can be seen this Friday at 8pm on ITV1.

Watch a short video preview of the series here

To book a tailor-made trip to South Africa, call one of our country specialists on 01993 838 550 or contact us online.

New Zealand: Land of the long white cloud

Lake Pukaki, South Island, New Zealand

I have been lucky enough to recently return from a three week holiday in New Zealand. Having first visited as a backpacker in 2003 I was overwhelmed by the unspoilt beauty and varied landscapes of this amazing country and vowed to return.

Once again I was not disappointed, this time hiring a Maui motorhome, intent on trying some more of the adventure sports before tipping over into the wrong side of my thirties.

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Four-lane highway threat to tiger population

Tiger and her cub

The proposed expansion of India’s National Highway has sparked outrage amongst conservationists, concerned the new highway will destroy the Indian tiger corridor.

Work to expand the highway in the central state of Maharashtra had already begun, but was halted by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) until the appropriate mitigation processes are in place. 

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Air New Zealand reveals its new all black aircraft

Air New Zealand reveals its new all black aircraft

To celebrate their love of rugby and long-time sponsorship of the ‘All Blacks’ rugby team, Air New Zealand have produced the world’s largest commercial aircraft to be painted completely black.

The Boeing 777-300ER, which also incorporates the ‘All Blacks’ silver fern insignia, was revealed on the 16th December and was led out of its hanger by New Zealand World Champion rugby players, Kieran Read and Andy Ellis.

The paintwork took just over a week to complete (two days longer than it normally takes to paint a 777), with 14 painters working in shifts 24 hours a day, and 700 litres of chrome free paint were used.

View a time lapse video of the aircraft being painted on YouTube.

Remember to watch the skies in 2012, when this incredible looking plane will be flying into Heathrow, London.

To book a tailor-made trip to New Zealand, call one of our New Zealand specialists on 01993 838 820 or contact us online.

One of Audley’s Bali hotels scoops green award

The Maya Ubud Resort & Spa-Bali, were awarded a Green Globe certificate for their approach to sustainable management

Bali is beautiful! Its pristine beaches are often the final destination for many Audley clients intent on a spot of R&R after their holiday in Indonesia. So it’s also nice to see that one of the hotels we use there has just won a green award for its management approach to conducting business in a sustainable and responsible manner.

The Maya is now part of the Green Globe Certification program which provides certification, training, education and marketing services in 83 countries worldwide. It’s perhaps no surprise that it has picked up this award as Bali is renowned for its approach to sustainable tourism and development - no building can be higher than a palm tree for example.

It’s good to see the management of the Maya continuing to build on this environmental legacy and we congratulate them on their success. 

About the Maya

The Maya Ubud Resort & Spa-Bali, is situated in a wonderful location on the banks of the Petanu River, in Ubud. Set in ten acres of hillside gardens, each of the 60 rooms and villas offer views over either a small valley or rice terraces. Facilities include a stunning outdoor swimming pool, riverside spa, tennis court and three restaurants.

To book a tailor-made trip to Indonesia, call one of our country specialists on 01993 838 110 or contact us online.

Ashmolean Museum opens new Ancient Egypt galleries

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford recently opened the doors to its new galleries of Ancient Egypt and Nubia. Its old Egyptian galleries have been redesigned and extended with state of the art facilities. This means that more than double the number of mummies and coffins are now on display, along with many of its other artifacts that have been in storage for decades.

The galleries have been designed to take visitors on a chronological tour covering more than 5000 years of human life on the Nile valley, from prehistory to the 7th century AD.

As well as the mummies and coffins on display, you will also be able to see the museums other iconic objects, such as  the wall painting depicting Akhenaten and Nefertiti’s daughters, the Shrine of Taharqa from the temple at Kawa; and the enormous limestone statues of the fertility god Min which date to 3300 BC.

Visit the Ashmolean Museum website to find out more about its new galleries and when to visit.

To book a tailor-made trip to Egypt, call one of our Egypt specialists on 01993 838 410 or contact us online.

Combine an African safari with seeing a total solar eclipse

The path of totality (the bit in shadow) is 36 km wide as it passes over Uganda and Kenya

On November 3rd, 2013, a total solar eclipse will cross the northern part of both Uganda and Kenya. I’ve produced a map below showing its path as it travels across sub-Saharan Africa.

Why not combine a safari trip to one of these countries (or both) with a once in a lifetime chance to see one of nature’s most awe-inspiring sights?

Even though it’s nearly two years away still, accommodation in both countries near the eclipse path is likely to be in short supply so booking early is probably advisable to avoid disappointment.

Contact one of our Uganda or Kenya specialists on 01993 838 500 or contact us online to book your tailor-made safari and eclipse trip.

New trekking route in New Zealand

The starting point for the new trekking route in New Zealand, Cape Reinga

If you’re looking for inspiration to pull on your hiking boots and head out into the wide open spaces, this may be of interest to you. This month, New Zealand will be opening a new trail, Te Araroa – meaning ‘long pathway’ in the Maori language, which will run the full length of the country.

With the help of hundreds of volunteers, linking up existing routes and building new ones the new trail has taken over a decade to complete, and winds its way through New Zealand’s incredibly diverse landscape of mountains, volcanoes, lakes, valleys, and cities.

Running 3,000km from Cape Reinga in the north, to Bluff in the south, it will be one of the longest walking trails in the world. There are 300 stages along the route to choose from, varying in length from several days to a few hours. The full trek is estimated to take around four months to complete.

Visit the Te Araroa website to find out more about this new walking route in New Zealand.

To book a tailor-made trip to New Zealand, call one of our New Zealand specialists on 01993 838 820 or contact us online.

The end of Movember

The end of November and the end of fundraising for Movember!

At the beginning of November I mentioned that a number of the male employees at our New Mill offices were taking part in Movember to raise money and awareness for prostate and testicular cancer here in the UK.

Well, after 30 days of dedication to what can only be described as a throwback to the 70s, we have ended the month with some  very impressive facial hair and an even more impressive fundraising total!

The Audley Mo’ Brothers’ aim was to beat the £500 they raised last year, and I’m pleased to say they have absolutely smashed this target, going above and beyond anything they could have hoped for. This year’s total currently stands at an astounding £3,075 with the promise of a few more sponsors to come!

A massive pat on the back to all of those involved in this year’s fundraising, you have done yourself proud!

And if you would like to donate to this very worth cause, you still can via the Audley Mo’ Brothers sponsorship page.