Coronavirus Safari Blog 03

April 3, 2020Posted in Coronavirus (Covid-19), Great-Migration Updates, Great-Migration-CampsWritten by Leave a comment

Serengeti Show Live – Coming soon

Great Migration Camps has temporarily closed our mobile camp until June 2020 in efforts to ensure the safety of our staff, guests and to be part of the global solution in containing the spread of coronavirus. Great Migration Camps refuses to take any risks. When travel is safe, we are ready to welcome you and take you on a Serengeti safari.

We have coronavirus-free safaris in place, for when the situation changes. With fewer tourists this season, the river crossings should be spectacular and we’ll be ready when the globe is ready. #StayHome #StaySafe #TravelLater

Covid-19 Virtual Safaris

Travel bans have restricted tourism across our planet. Coronavirus has shut down the travel industry. Tanzania and the Serengeti National Park are no exception.

There is a high demand for wildlife shows and virtual safaris at home as millions of people around the globe are in lockdown. Nature makes people feel better. The desire for good news, knowledge and wildlife content has never been greater for those confined to their homes.

Coronavirus Safari Lockdown in the Serengeti

Open natural spaces are the anecdote to cabin-fever. Our lockdown is the Serengeti National Park. What is life like in lockdown in the Serengeti National Park during Covid-19?

Life in the bush is a daily adventure and we will bring it to living rooms across the planet from the Serengeti. 40 episodes of Serengeti Show Live safari broadcasts will be produced during April and May 2020 by our film crew in lock down in the bush.

Each episode will feature the wildlife sighting of the day in HD video – spectacular videos of animals in the wild and their interactions.

Life in the bush goes on without tourists, so we will continue to follow the wildebeest herds and bring you great migration updates and videos of the herds and migratory patterns.

Parents can take a break with the Kids’ Corner – a fun and interactive segment of each show will be dedicated to entertaining and educating our future conservationists.

Behind the scenes we will share interesting facts, great footage and real-life adventures from life in the bush.

Conservation Through Tourism during Covid-19

We are fascinated to research the impact this Covid-19 enforced tourism break will have on the Serengeti. How it will recover from tourism-induced stress? Over tourism can disturb breeding patterns, feeding habits, and migratory movement. It can pollute landscapes and destroy habitat. There is some good news.

Satellite images from NASA’s Earth Observatory show significant drops in pollution across countries and cities since the start of the coronavirus outbreak, as travel restrictions in those countries halt industrial production as well as air, train and road traffic.
Venetian canals have cleared with a reduction in tourist numbers, & although the reports of dolphins playing in the deserted canals, was actually in Sardinia – the good news from the natural world is captivating those in quarantine

Will the landscape in the Serengeti Eco-system change in the next few months? A tourism break could be good – but for how long?

Educating future generations and staying top of mind with potential travelers will be critical to tourism recovery. Tourism is extremely important to Tanzania. The industry accounts for half a million jobs in direct employment and more than double that in jobs that indirectly support the industry. Tourism funds conservation – park authorities rely heavily on tourism for routine operational funding including guards and rangers. There will be fewer eyes to protect against poaching, due to the reduced number of tourist vehicles and daily presence in the park.

For now, we need to protect the wildlife and habitat that is the Serengeti National Park. We need to monitor the environmental changes. We need to talk about sustainable tourism. We need to educate the future custodians. We need to share our Serengeti Stories to a world that desperately needs good news. We need to entice travelers to return when it is safe to do so.

#conservationthroughtourism

How you can help the Serengeti during Covid-19?

If you’d like to be part of the coronavirus solution, people need to stay home now.

Join us to help deliver unique edited daily Serengeti Show LIVE episodes to your inbox ready for distribution via your channels. Help save Africa’s National Parks and tourism sector NOW!

We are the only film crew in the Serengeti and able to provide new original content from a wildlife destination and broadcast the great migration and 4K wildlife content on a daily basis during Coronavirus Lockdown.

Tune in to the show, share it with your colleagues and clients, watch it with your kids. If you are in a position to contribute towards local operating costs, sponsor production costs, or connect us with a broadcast partner – we’d love you to hear from you. Let’s save the Serengeti together. Get involved. Contact us via email: info@greatmigrationcamps.com

Coronavirus Safari Blog 02

April 1, 2020Posted in Coronavirus (Covid-19), Great-Migration-CampsWritten by Leave a comment

Coronavirus-free Safaris – Coming soon

The coronavirus pandemic has forced approximately one third of the global population into quarantine. Millions more are following recommendations to stay at home to contain the spread of Covid-19. Staying home is the right thing to do. Coronavirus is spread from person to person, often unknowingly as the carrier can be without symptoms. By limiting the number of people, you are in contact with, the risk of infecting or passing on the disease to someone else is reduced.

Travel Restrictions will lift after Coronavirus

Coronavirus has been a safari stopper. Government restrictions, travel bans and grounded planes will lift, and travel will resume – slowly at first and tentatively. After being stuck indoors for weeks or months, the desire for endless open skies, the smell of the bush, open savanna, incredible wildlife and few crowds is a lure only in the imaginations of adventurers at the moment. When it is safe to do so, we welcome those who are able to join us on a coronavirus-free safari.

8 Day 7 Night Coronavirus-Free Private Safari

To all the lovers of open space and the African bush, we have created a coronavirus free safari – taking responsible healthy travellers to ridiculously remote safari destinations for a week of wildlife. Our coronavirus free safari avoids hotels, public transport and other travelers. It’s a private safari with no other guests – interacting with only 3 people.

Corona-free Virus Safari: Reduced contact, reduced risk

Exclusive use of a private villa, a private charter plane to get you to the Serengeti and back and a private mobile safari camp – exclusively for your own use.

Your 3 human interactions:

Private chauffeur for all airport transfers in Arusha
Private pilot on your charter flight
Private safari guide in the Serengeti National Park.
* There will be a small support crew of 2 or 3 at the bush camp – out of contact with clients.

Group Size for a Coronavirus-free Safari

Best for small groups of 6 – families, close friends, people known to you.
Maximum 10 clients.
Please inquire for smaller groups.

Coronavirus-free Safari and the Great Migration

GMC mobile camp follows the wildebeest herds, guaranteeing migration experiences. As travel opens up, the national parks are unlikely to be crowded, so with fewer visitors and vehicles, the migration should be spectacular. If travel opens up in time for crossing season, Carel Verhoef predicts some crossings could be many hours in duration. Resident game in any area is likely to thrive with a reduction in tourists during April – May and very likely June and beyond, so plenty of uncrowded sightings. We have no idea when travel will start again, but the herds are moving and we will be with them.

Coronavirus-free Safari Itinerary

Exclusive use of private villa, private safari camp & charter flight

DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
DAY	TRAVEL	EXPERIENCE	ACCOMM	AREA	MEALS
1	Private transfer to exclusive villa	Private villa	Kili Villa	Arusha	FB
2	Charter flight to Serengeti	Private Serengeti flight	GMC_mobile	Serengeti	FB
3	Full day Migration Safari with private guide	Migration Quest	GMC_mobile	Serengeti	FB
4	Full day or 2 x Half Day game drives	Serengeti National Park	GMC_mobile	Serengeti	FB
5	Safari game drives – migration	Migration 101	GMC_mobile	Serengeti	FB
6	Game Drives – Full or Half Day x 2	Big cats	GMC_mobile	Serengeti	FB
7	Charter Flight & Private transfer to KiliVilla	Private Serengeti Flight	Kili Villa	Arusha	FB
8	Private transfer from KiliVilla to JRO	Private driver	Tour ends

Tour Summary – Coronavirus-free Safari

Country: Tanzania, East Africa

Tour Start: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) – Arusha, Tanzania

Tour End: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

Highlights: Exclusive use of private safari camp in remote area of the Serengeti

Private villa accommodation in Arusha at the beginning and end of the safari
Return Private Charter Flights to Serengeti

Accommodation:

Private Villa: Kili Villa, Kilimanjaro Golf Estate, Arusha (2 nights)
Canvas Tents: Great Migration Camps Mobile, Two-man Canvas Dome Tent, Serengeti National Park (5 Nights)

Meals 3 Meals per day – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Drinks Unlimited tea & coffee, drinking water. Excludes alcoholic beverages

Transport Game Drives in Toyota 4×4 Land cruiser

Private Vehicle transfers to Kili Villa

Return flights Auric Air Services Private Charter from Dolly Airstrip – Serengeti National Park

Term’s and Condition’s

Flexible confirmation, confirm when you are ready to travel
Flexible Payment terms
Free cancellation and refunds
Subject to availability

Rates $3950 per person all inclusive (based on 6 – 10 people)

Excludes

International Flights, Visas, Travel Insurance
Items of a personal nature, drinks, gratuities

Child Policy: Children welcome

0-5 years must sleep in a tent with adult guardian.
6-16 years may share with other children. Max 3 kids/tent
Children <16 years accompanied by an adult.

Coronavirus-free Safari Planning

If you are in Covid-19 lock-down, with time on your hands, please feel free to contact us to plan your coronavirus-free safari. Contact us via email: info@greatmigrationcamps.com

Coronavirus Safari Blog 01

March 24, 2020Posted in Coronavirus (Covid-19), Great-Migration Updates, Great-Migration-Camps, NewsWritten by Leave a comment

Great Migration Camps response to Covid-19 (Coronavirus)

Coronavirus. There’s so much attention on one word. On March 11, the head of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, declared the spread of COVID-19 a pandemic. And also stated “…we are deeply concerned both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.”

Stay Home. Travel Later. Coronavirus

The evidence is overwhelming right now. Except for essential travel and returning home, travel should be on hold for a while. On the ground, physical distancing and staying at home as much as possible is encouraged and, in some countries, is mandatory.

We urge our clients and their families and communities to adhere to WHO recommendations for coronavirus public health guidelines. We appeal to you to follow recommendations and rules imposed by your country during this time of uncertainty and to stay at home now – you can travel later.

Isolation. Coronavirus. Lion cub. Serengeti — *Lion Cub, Serengeti. Coronavirus. Isolation. Stay Home. Travel Later. Image: Carel Verhoef, Great Migration Camps*

Great Migration Camps Coronavirus (Temporary) Closure

Great Migration Camps has temporarily closed our mobile camp until June 2020 in efforts to ensure the safety of our staff, guests and to be part of the global solution in containing the spread of coronavirus. For now, we are accepting new reservations, conservatively for travel dates from mid-June. Realistically this may be later, pending the progression and spread of Covid-19. Travel bans and Government restrictions will determine when safaris will open up again safely. Great Migration Camps refuses to take any risks, however when travel is safe, we will be ready to welcome you to take you on safari to the Serengeti. We are planning safe safaris with limited contact points, for when the situation changes. With fewer tourists this season, the river crossings should be spectacular and we’ll be ready when the globe is ready.

2021 Safari Price Freeze due to Coronavirus

All Great Migration Camps mobile camp rates stay the same for safari’s in 2021 – a Coronavirus Price Freeze. * 3rd party services, such as hotel reservations, or park fees may be subject to price variation, beyond our control.

Flexible Safari Terms and Conditions due to Coronavirus

All existing reservations are secure and all our terms and conditions are completely flexible – from payment terms, to postponements or cancellations. We are already in communication with every client who is booked and confirmed and would like to thank all of you to an unwavering commitment to travel as soon as it is responsible to do so.

When travel restrictions are lifted or it becomes safe to travel – clients can reschedule at any date (subject to availability only), provided you are cleared and your travel plans are responsible. Ideally, we will need confirmation and payment 5 working days prior to arrival. If you would like to stay home and want your deposit back – no problem.

Time for Reflection

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by coronavirus in whatever way, we encourage you to stay healthy, take care of those in need and please be responsible. Thank you to medical personnel across the globe, and those providing essential services. During this period, many of us are restricted in our movements and have unexpected time on our hands – feel free to chat to us, plan with us, watch wildlife footage and keep your safari dream alive for when some semblance of normality returns to Planet Earth. Perhaps now, we are being forced to reflect and start making changes for the better – personally and professionally, locally and globally and consider our actions on Planet Earth.

#Stay Home #Travel Later.

Coronavirus Travel