NEWSLETTER       FEBRUARY 2003

 2003 kicked off to a great start with the exciting news that Grant and Lynsey finally got engaged at the end of January in New York. We have found the perfect venue for our Wedding, which will be on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland in April 2004.

 We had a very successful few months marketing around the States and the UK this year and have managed to visit quite a few agents as well as representing Zambia, with some other Zambian safari operators on the Zambian Horizons stand, at the Destinations show in London at the end of January this year.

 Zambian Horizons was formed by a few of the top safari operators from Zambia who recognized that Zambia as a country needed assistance for more publicity - the public are still generally unaware of Zambia, of its wonderful natural resources, and of the fantastic safari opportunities that the country has to offer. Zambian Horizons are using a PR company in England to provide press releases through the media and in so doing we hope that this will help the public learn more about Zambia, and will help the country become a more internationally recognized destination.

 Other exciting news is that Chiawa Camp has joined up with Classic Retreats marketing company this year and we know that Suzanne and Caroline Bayley will be doing their very capable best to help us promote Chiawa even further on an international basis. We will be on the Classic Retreats stand 75 ICC at Indaba 2004, so if you are attending and wish to make an appointment to catch up with the latest at Chiawa and Old Mondoro, please email Jenny.

 We are delighted to announce that Craig Warland has joined the Chiawa team this year. Not only is he our Executive Chef - he will also be involved in general camp operations. Craig has been working as an Executive Chef on the Rovos Rail trains for the past few years and comes to Chiawa highly recommended. He’ll be a great addition with his charisma and outgoing personality, and we know he will be preparing superb cuisine at Chiawa with lots of flair. He has mentioned he would quite like a flambé pan, although this idea may have to be quashed as we don’t think our thatch dining area is quite ready for that, especially after all his flambé stories!

 Talking of the Chiawa Team, Daniel (who has just gained his Safari Guide Canoe License) and Dispenser, both of who have been in training with us for some time now, are currently on a one-month professional safari guide course in South Africa as part of Chiawa’s ongoing staff training and development. This training and experience will help them become even more proficient in their ability to guide our guests.

 As you know we launched Old Mondoro bush camp last season and it was extremely well received by the clients we had staying there. For 2004 we are pleased to offer some exciting safaris combining Chiawa Camp and Old Mondoro, such as the Ultimate Zambezi Safari (5 or 7 nights); the Ultimate Canoe Safari (6 nights), and our Conservation Safari (6 nights) where guests will have the opportunity to spend a day at Conservation Lower Zambezi HQ and then a day with researcher Kellie Leigh studying our growing population of wild dogs. More details of these will be up on our website soon.

 Fortunately we have had enough rain to avert any drought though the bush is still very wet and lush, and our first foray of the season into the Park has whet our appetites; elephant & buffalo in camp, a leopard attacking baboons in the trees at the back of camp, and lions roaring nearby. Excellent, despite being drenched in the boat on our return journey during a heavy thunderstorm!

  And so, vehicles and boats are getting their finishing touches by Dave and the crew, and various supplies and camp equipment are being purchased, including a new motorboat to do Chiawa’s transfers for the Old Mondoro and Gwabi runs. And Jenny is getting a belated Christmas present – a new office and storeroom!

 Here’s to a great 2003 – looking forward to maybe seeing you later in the year; if not, wishing you all the best.

 Grant, Lynsey and the Chiawa Team.

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