BENGUERRA LODGE - FISHING SPECIALS 2010 Come and join the expert guide, Graham Pollard, for an unforgettable fishing experience at Benguerra Lodge! Benguerra Lodge, situated on Benguerra Island has the excellent reputation for being one of the best (if not the best!), saltwater fly fishing destinations in the Bazaruto Archipelago of Mozambique.
In 2010, we are offering fantastic fishing at equally fantastic prices!
3 NIGHTS @ R12, 100.00 per person (based on 2 fishermen sharing accommodation & boat)
Includes:
- Return boat transfer between Vilanculos and Benguerra Lodge
- Non-alcoholic welcome cocktail on arrival
- Casita accommodation with private butler service
- All meals and snacks
- 21 hours fishing including expert guide, boat hire, fishing tackle and fuel
- Daily laundry service
- Medical Rescue Insurance through SATIB
Excludes:
- Beverages
- All other activities and additional fishing hours/fuel
- Shop purchases
- Gratuities
- National Parks Fee: US$ 10 per person per stay
- Visa Costs: currently US$30 per person for non-South African passport holders
- Flights between Johannesburg and Vilanculos (ADD R4,200.00 PPR)
- Airport taxes: US$ 3 payable in cash on arrival in Vilanculos
Terms and Conditions:
- This offer is valid: (26 April – 31 July 2010) & (01 September – 20 December 2010)
- Applicable to SADC residents only
- Subject to availability at time of booking
- This special can not be used in conjunction with any other specials offered at the Lodge
- Packages based on additional nights and/or additional fishing hours are available – please contact us for a quote
- This price is based on 2 fishermen sharing. If non-fishing partners want to join, please call us for additional pricing
- Single fishermen will pay a surcharge of US$ 225 for single accommodation/sole use of the boat
Reservations and enquiries:
SportFishAfrica:
Tel: +27 11 792 3043
E-mail: info@sportfishafrica.co.za
In 2010, we are offering fantastic fishing at equally fantastic prices!
3 NIGHTS @ R12, 100.00 per person (based on 2 fishermen sharing accommodation & boat)
Includes:
- Return boat transfer between Vilanculos and Benguerra Lodge
- Non-alcoholic welcome cocktail on arrival
- Casita accommodation with private butler service
- All meals and snacks
- 21 hours fishing including expert guide, boat hire, fishing tackle and fuel
- Daily laundry service
- Medical Rescue Insurance through SATIB
Excludes:
- Beverages
- All other activities and additional fishing hours/fuel
- Shop purchases
- Gratuities
- National Parks Fee: US$ 10 per person per stay
- Visa Costs: currently US$30 per person for non-South African passport holders
- Flights between Johannesburg and Vilanculos (ADD R4,200.00 PPR)
- Airport taxes: US$ 3 payable in cash on arrival in Vilanculos
Terms and Conditions:
- This offer is valid: (26 April – 31 July 2010) & (01 September – 20 December 2010)
- Applicable to SADC residents only
- Subject to availability at time of booking
- This special can not be used in conjunction with any other specials offered at the Lodge
- Packages based on additional nights and/or additional fishing hours are available – please contact us for a quote
- This price is based on 2 fishermen sharing. If non-fishing partners want to join, please call us for additional pricing
- Single fishermen will pay a surcharge of US$ 225 for single accommodation/sole use of the boat
Reservations and enquiries:
SportFishAfrica:
Tel: +27 11 792 3043
E-mail: info@sportfishafrica.co.za
2010/05/03
PESTANA BAZARUTO LODGE MOZAMBIQUE FREE NIGHT OFFER – STAY FOR 4 PAY FOR 3 R8, 975.00 PP SHARING
INCLUDES: Return airfare between JHB and Vilanculos with LAM; Air transfers to Bazaruto Lodge; 4 nights accommodation at Bazaruto Lodge in standard room; Full board meal plan and selected water sport activities
Exclusions: Departure taxes (approx R1500 pp), Visas (not required on S.A. passports) Mozambique arrivals tax (US$3 pp), beverages, boating and fuel (rates available on request), additional activities and excursions, travel insurance, gratuities, items of personal nature, etc.
*Please note that our standard terms and conditions apply. Special valid to 30 November 2010. Extras nights can be booked. Add R500 pp to upgrade to sea-facing chalet. Single supplement applies R3200 pp. Packages subject to hotel/flight availability. Rates subject to rate of exchange fluctuations. E&OE.
CONTACT: info@sportfishafrica.co.za telephone: +27 11 7923043 to book or for more information.
INCLUDES: Return airfare between JHB and Vilanculos with LAM; Air transfers to Bazaruto Lodge; 4 nights accommodation at Bazaruto Lodge in standard room; Full board meal plan and selected water sport activities
Exclusions: Departure taxes (approx R1500 pp), Visas (not required on S.A. passports) Mozambique arrivals tax (US$3 pp), beverages, boating and fuel (rates available on request), additional activities and excursions, travel insurance, gratuities, items of personal nature, etc.
*Please note that our standard terms and conditions apply. Special valid to 30 November 2010. Extras nights can be booked. Add R500 pp to upgrade to sea-facing chalet. Single supplement applies R3200 pp. Packages subject to hotel/flight availability. Rates subject to rate of exchange fluctuations. E&OE.
CONTACT: info@sportfishafrica.co.za telephone: +27 11 7923043 to book or for more information.
2010/05/13
PESTANA INHACA LODGE MOZAMBIQUE
FREE NIGHT OFFER – STAY FOR 4 PAY FOR 3
R5, 535.00 PP SHARING
INCLUDES: Return airfare between JHB and Maputo with LAM; Air transfers to Inhaca Island; 4 nights accommodation at Inhaca Lodge in standard room; Half board meal plan and selected water sport activities
EXCLUDES: Departure taxes (approx R1500 pp), Visas (not required on S.A. passports) Mozambique arrivals tax (US$3 pp), beverages, lunches, boating and fuel (rates available on request), additional activities and excursions, travel insurance, gratuities, items of personal nature, etc.
*Please note that our standard terms and conditions apply. Special valid to 30 November 2010. Extra nights can be booked. Single supplement applies R1500 pp. Packages subject to hotel/flight availability. Rates subject to rate of exchange fluctuations. E&OE.
CONTACT: info@sportfishafrica.co.za telephone: +27 11 7923043 to book or for more information.
FREE NIGHT OFFER – STAY FOR 4 PAY FOR 3
R5, 535.00 PP SHARING
INCLUDES: Return airfare between JHB and Maputo with LAM; Air transfers to Inhaca Island; 4 nights accommodation at Inhaca Lodge in standard room; Half board meal plan and selected water sport activities
EXCLUDES: Departure taxes (approx R1500 pp), Visas (not required on S.A. passports) Mozambique arrivals tax (US$3 pp), beverages, lunches, boating and fuel (rates available on request), additional activities and excursions, travel insurance, gratuities, items of personal nature, etc.
*Please note that our standard terms and conditions apply. Special valid to 30 November 2010. Extra nights can be booked. Single supplement applies R1500 pp. Packages subject to hotel/flight availability. Rates subject to rate of exchange fluctuations. E&OE.
CONTACT: info@sportfishafrica.co.za telephone: +27 11 7923043 to book or for more information.
2010/05/28
GABON’S FLAGSHIP LOANGO NATIONAL PARK INACCESSIBLE
Press release for immediate release / Date: July 22nd,, 2010
Africa’s Eden SA, the main tourism operator at Loango National Park – the park
described as Gabon’s "jewel in the crown" – has announced today that it has been
forced to abandon its ecotourism operations at the park as of September 1st 2010.
The decision has been taken despite Africa’s Eden’s shareholder having invested more than
15 million euros over the past nine years in aviation access and tourism infrastructure and
nature conservation: building accommodation, eco-camps, training Gabonese staff and eco
guides and supporting research and monitoring studies for the conservation of Loango’s
exceptional wildlife and biodiversity wealth.
It means that Loango Lodge, which since 2001 has welcomed thousands of international
tourists to discover Gabon’s wildlife rich forests and unspoiled coastline, is closing its doors
indefinitely.
AFRICA’S EDEN SA PULLS OUT OF GABON
The move is a result of the failure of negotiations following a dispute between the Gabonese
civil aviation authorities (ANAC) and Africa’s Eden’s sister company SCD Aviation which ran a
regional airline charter company to transport tourists from the capital Libreville to the park.
Even active support of key members of Gabonese government could not prevent the severe
consequence of a malfunctioning civil aviation authority (ANAC) that failed to create the
conditions necessary for regular and safe aviation transportation: SCD Aviation was
consistently refused the renewal of its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) even though all
requirements were met.
Another consequence of this problematic situation is the fact that the European Union
blacklisted all Gabonese airlines in 2008 when a large number of deficiencies were reported
with regards to the capability of ANAC “to perform their air safety oversight responsibilities”,
as states the Commission of the European Commission. “More than 93% of the ICAO
standards were not implemented”. This was the lowest percentage of all audited countries.
and makes ANAC in Gabon one of the poorest performing civil aviation authorities in the
world.
“We have made numerous attempts to resolve this dispute amicably for over a year now,”
said Rombout Swanborn, founder of Africa’s Eden and SCD Aviation. “The ongoing events
and consequences of not being able to operate our aircraft have financially crippled our
organisation, leaving us with no choice but to take this drastic measure.” He added: “We are
highly disappointed as a solution would have benefited all parties involved. In the end, the
Gabonese people. ”
Legal action against the aviation authorities in Gabon has been initiated to seek
compensation for the financial losses SCD Aviation and Africa’s Eden have undergone.
Page 2 of 3
SEVERE CONSEQUENCES FOR GABON’S TOURISM & CONSERVATION SECTOR
Gabon’s late President Omar Bongo was celebrated for his leadership in conservation. In
2002, he ring fenced more than one tenth of his country as 13 national parks, lighting the
touch paper of ecotourism, and inviting plaudits from the international conservation
community.
Lee White, head of Gabon’s National Parks Agency (ANPN), described Loango National Park
in 2007 as “the jewel in the crown” of Gabon’s 13 national parks. “It is a really good example
of conservation taking place on the back of a well-organised tourism infrastructure,” he said.
“The close down of Loango National Park is a major setback in the development of
sustainable tourism in Gabon,” said Jacqueline van den Broek, sales & marketing manager of
Africa’s Eden. She added that Africa’s Eden was the main tourism operator in Gabon and
that it had won the country huge global exposure through its promotional activities at
international trade shows and in renowned media such as National Geographic and the BBC.
In 2008 Africa's Eden won the British Guild of Travel Writers' Best New Overseas Destination
for its activities in Loango National Park in Gabon. The British Guild of Travel Writers is the
leading organization for travel writers professionals.
“As of today, we will stop promoting and selling Gabon as tourism destination. The damage
is considerable: over 125 employees will be laid off and millions of euros of tourism
investments will be lost, quite aside from the €3 million that Africa’s Eden has contributed
towards research, conservation and education at the park.”
The park is host to an assortment of scientific projects, many part-funded by the money
earned from tourism as Africa’s Eden has operated under an ethos of “tourism pays for
conservation”. These projects include research and monitoring studies of whales, manatees,
crocodiles and turtles by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and World Wildlife Fund
(WWF). In the north of the park, primatologists from the Max Planck Institute have been
pioneering the habituation of western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees, and it was hoped
that tourists would eventually be able to view them. A further pioneering gorilla sanctuary
and reintroduction project has also been funded by Africa’s Eden at the park and made
international headlines when six infant and juvenile western lowland gorillas legally
confiscated and rescued from the bushmeat trade were transferred onto a safe island in the
Fernan-Vaz Lagoon outside Loango National Park in July 2009 in what was the first successful
transfer here.
However, Loango’s nature conservation projects now have an uncertain future.
Page 3 of 3
AFRICA’S EDEN SHIFTS FOCUS
The focus of the international investment group behind Africa’s Eden will now shift towards
its investments in sustainable development on the island of Príncipe, a tropical island off the
west African coast, and in the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve in the Central African Republic.
A separate press release can be expected on August 15th 2010 on the 35 Million Euro sized
project that aims to create sustainable economic development for the full island of Principe
based an ecotourism. Investments are foreseen in the island logistical, tourism and national
park infrastructure.
BACKGROUND
Since its creation in 2001, Africa's Eden SA aimed to develop low-impact eco-tourism and
conservation in Loango National Park, Gabon based around the concept of ‘tourism pays for
conservation’. Simultaneously put in place was SCD Aviation SA, operating as a regional
carrier from Libreville to the major capitals in west central Africa and to the national parks.
Loango National Park has 100 kilometres of unspoiled coastline where elephants and buffalo
roam. There is a main lodge with luxury bungalow accommodation overlooking a lagoon and
five comfortable satellite camps on a mosaic of open savannah, deserted beach, rainforest
and rivers. Safari activities include game drives, kayaking, forest treks, gorilla and birdwatching
and the park is also renowned as a sport fishing site for tarpon and barracuda.
Revenues generated by Africa’s Eden are reinvested in research, conservation, park
management and education activities in Loango National Park. Over 3 million Euro was
contributed towards conservation partners such as the Max Planck Institute, Wildlife
Conservation Society, researchers from renowned and local universities, and a local primary
school.
Based on the concept of "Tourism pays for Conservation", Africa’s Eden’s international sales
and marketing office in the Netherlands (www.africas-eden.com) will continue to organize
exclusive trips to the islands of São Tomé & Príncipe and the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve in the
Central African Republic.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also see:
www.africas-eden.com
For more information & images:
Jacqueline van den Broek, Africa’s Eden
jacqueline.vandenbroek@africas-eden.com
Press release for immediate release / Date: July 22nd,, 2010
Africa’s Eden SA, the main tourism operator at Loango National Park – the park
described as Gabon’s "jewel in the crown" – has announced today that it has been
forced to abandon its ecotourism operations at the park as of September 1st 2010.
The decision has been taken despite Africa’s Eden’s shareholder having invested more than
15 million euros over the past nine years in aviation access and tourism infrastructure and
nature conservation: building accommodation, eco-camps, training Gabonese staff and eco
guides and supporting research and monitoring studies for the conservation of Loango’s
exceptional wildlife and biodiversity wealth.
It means that Loango Lodge, which since 2001 has welcomed thousands of international
tourists to discover Gabon’s wildlife rich forests and unspoiled coastline, is closing its doors
indefinitely.
AFRICA’S EDEN SA PULLS OUT OF GABON
The move is a result of the failure of negotiations following a dispute between the Gabonese
civil aviation authorities (ANAC) and Africa’s Eden’s sister company SCD Aviation which ran a
regional airline charter company to transport tourists from the capital Libreville to the park.
Even active support of key members of Gabonese government could not prevent the severe
consequence of a malfunctioning civil aviation authority (ANAC) that failed to create the
conditions necessary for regular and safe aviation transportation: SCD Aviation was
consistently refused the renewal of its Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) even though all
requirements were met.
Another consequence of this problematic situation is the fact that the European Union
blacklisted all Gabonese airlines in 2008 when a large number of deficiencies were reported
with regards to the capability of ANAC “to perform their air safety oversight responsibilities”,
as states the Commission of the European Commission. “More than 93% of the ICAO
standards were not implemented”. This was the lowest percentage of all audited countries.
and makes ANAC in Gabon one of the poorest performing civil aviation authorities in the
world.
“We have made numerous attempts to resolve this dispute amicably for over a year now,”
said Rombout Swanborn, founder of Africa’s Eden and SCD Aviation. “The ongoing events
and consequences of not being able to operate our aircraft have financially crippled our
organisation, leaving us with no choice but to take this drastic measure.” He added: “We are
highly disappointed as a solution would have benefited all parties involved. In the end, the
Gabonese people. ”
Legal action against the aviation authorities in Gabon has been initiated to seek
compensation for the financial losses SCD Aviation and Africa’s Eden have undergone.
Page 2 of 3
SEVERE CONSEQUENCES FOR GABON’S TOURISM & CONSERVATION SECTOR
Gabon’s late President Omar Bongo was celebrated for his leadership in conservation. In
2002, he ring fenced more than one tenth of his country as 13 national parks, lighting the
touch paper of ecotourism, and inviting plaudits from the international conservation
community.
Lee White, head of Gabon’s National Parks Agency (ANPN), described Loango National Park
in 2007 as “the jewel in the crown” of Gabon’s 13 national parks. “It is a really good example
of conservation taking place on the back of a well-organised tourism infrastructure,” he said.
“The close down of Loango National Park is a major setback in the development of
sustainable tourism in Gabon,” said Jacqueline van den Broek, sales & marketing manager of
Africa’s Eden. She added that Africa’s Eden was the main tourism operator in Gabon and
that it had won the country huge global exposure through its promotional activities at
international trade shows and in renowned media such as National Geographic and the BBC.
In 2008 Africa's Eden won the British Guild of Travel Writers' Best New Overseas Destination
for its activities in Loango National Park in Gabon. The British Guild of Travel Writers is the
leading organization for travel writers professionals.
“As of today, we will stop promoting and selling Gabon as tourism destination. The damage
is considerable: over 125 employees will be laid off and millions of euros of tourism
investments will be lost, quite aside from the €3 million that Africa’s Eden has contributed
towards research, conservation and education at the park.”
The park is host to an assortment of scientific projects, many part-funded by the money
earned from tourism as Africa’s Eden has operated under an ethos of “tourism pays for
conservation”. These projects include research and monitoring studies of whales, manatees,
crocodiles and turtles by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and World Wildlife Fund
(WWF). In the north of the park, primatologists from the Max Planck Institute have been
pioneering the habituation of western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees, and it was hoped
that tourists would eventually be able to view them. A further pioneering gorilla sanctuary
and reintroduction project has also been funded by Africa’s Eden at the park and made
international headlines when six infant and juvenile western lowland gorillas legally
confiscated and rescued from the bushmeat trade were transferred onto a safe island in the
Fernan-Vaz Lagoon outside Loango National Park in July 2009 in what was the first successful
transfer here.
However, Loango’s nature conservation projects now have an uncertain future.
Page 3 of 3
AFRICA’S EDEN SHIFTS FOCUS
The focus of the international investment group behind Africa’s Eden will now shift towards
its investments in sustainable development on the island of Príncipe, a tropical island off the
west African coast, and in the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve in the Central African Republic.
A separate press release can be expected on August 15th 2010 on the 35 Million Euro sized
project that aims to create sustainable economic development for the full island of Principe
based an ecotourism. Investments are foreseen in the island logistical, tourism and national
park infrastructure.
BACKGROUND
Since its creation in 2001, Africa's Eden SA aimed to develop low-impact eco-tourism and
conservation in Loango National Park, Gabon based around the concept of ‘tourism pays for
conservation’. Simultaneously put in place was SCD Aviation SA, operating as a regional
carrier from Libreville to the major capitals in west central Africa and to the national parks.
Loango National Park has 100 kilometres of unspoiled coastline where elephants and buffalo
roam. There is a main lodge with luxury bungalow accommodation overlooking a lagoon and
five comfortable satellite camps on a mosaic of open savannah, deserted beach, rainforest
and rivers. Safari activities include game drives, kayaking, forest treks, gorilla and birdwatching
and the park is also renowned as a sport fishing site for tarpon and barracuda.
Revenues generated by Africa’s Eden are reinvested in research, conservation, park
management and education activities in Loango National Park. Over 3 million Euro was
contributed towards conservation partners such as the Max Planck Institute, Wildlife
Conservation Society, researchers from renowned and local universities, and a local primary
school.
Based on the concept of "Tourism pays for Conservation", Africa’s Eden’s international sales
and marketing office in the Netherlands (www.africas-eden.com) will continue to organize
exclusive trips to the islands of São Tomé & Príncipe and the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve in the
Central African Republic.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also see:
www.africas-eden.com
For more information & images:
Jacqueline van den Broek, Africa’s Eden
jacqueline.vandenbroek@africas-eden.com
2010/08/14
