Safari in a ecofriendly way

Hello everyone,

Weather is still nice here in Finland, feels like we got a few extra weeks to enjoy sunny and warm weather, and that makes a big change on everyone, people are much happier than usually this time of the year, so this proofs weather has an effect on us, especially the sun, therefore we need a few weeks of holiday every winter, to change the darkness to sun and new experiences. I have tried to make the most of the sunny days so I have been out running and cycling quite a lot last few weeks:)

This week I had Michelle,a Wilderness Safaris representative, visiting me in my hometown, thanks Michelle for taking the time to come and see me and tell me what Wilderness Safaris is all about ,and to realize we share same values it makes it even more enjoyable and Im looking forward working together with Wilderness Safaris in future.

Wilderness  safaris is bulit up around the environment, contributing meaningfully to African conservation and committing to offering ecotourism products, building and managing the camps in the most ecofriendly way possible,all staff is from the local community where camp is located,showing respect for all cultures of all employees and the communities surrounding the camps.
Wilderness Safaris also has two non profit trusts- Wilderness safaris Wildlife Trust and Children in the Wilderness programme: this means that money goes back to the environment and community by seeking solutions to save threatened species and provide education and training for local communities, and for the children in these communities ,Wilderness provides educational programmes about the environment and life skills. What I found amazing is that every year some camps are closed for a  week at a time and groups of 16 to 25 children between ages of 10 and 14 are hosted at the camps, given them the opportunity to experience these wilderness areas and the wildlife, and during camp the children are taught about environment,HIV/AIDS, and nutrition and life skills, and of course, the  importance of conservation. Also Eco Clubs are held at the local schools. Isn´t this something...:)
I think this whole concept is something to strive for and support, to make travelling more than just a vacation, it becomes an experience, a journey, one feels part of something bigger, one contributes to life of the people and the wildlife in areas visited and at the same time getting the experience of a lifetime!

Wilderness Safaris has camps in many parts of southern africa and here is some pictures from a few classic camps in Botswana,Okavango area, hopefully you will enjoy the pictures- look at the interior, design and remoteness of the camps, and the ambience you almost can feel trough the pictures:

Hope you enjoyed! I know where I will go and relax& explore next time:) 

Love Jannika 

New Season/chapter about to start!

Hello everyone,

I know, I have been on summer mood and I  have taken a break from writing here on my blogg. But that will change now, from now on I will make an update at least once a week, about topics relating to southern africa, share beautiful places, give suggestions etc..
This year has started out good, as you all know I registered my new company Africa Experts in Finland beginning of the year, so much time has gone to plan new tours to have on display on the website and also to organize all that comes with starting a new business.

At this stage it feels like I have settled well into the new routines and lifestyle of working from home, I have only this work of my own to concentrate on and fullfill the travel dreams of others, give suggestions and ideas :) and I really enjoy that. For me it is important to keep my business informal and small, to listen to what my guest wish to see and experience as everyone has different dreams.
And then I have planned many tours  to southern africa for Lomalinja for next season 2014-2015, I will keep you updated about these tours as it is many interesting tours, but at this stage I cant tell you much more. All upcoming tours for 2013-2014  trough Lomalinja to South Africa are full, I think in February there is still availaibility for 4 people, but otherwise all are sold out!

This coming season has a good balance of tailormade private tours and group tours. As for me the winters in Finland feels a bit too long, dark and cold,so  I look forward guiding a few groups upcoming season to southern africa, I will be joining about 4 tours between november- march.
I can clearly see that Africa has made it into the finnish market. More and more specialized tours are being asked for, winetours, garden tours, hikingtours etc...and all this is possibily as southern africa has so much to offer even the most demanding and well  travelled person.
One interesting and very comfortable tour I do recommend is the RovosRail luxury traintour from Pretoria to Swakopmund, you will enjoy beautiful diverse landscape, animals, and nature. On the train all is inclusive so you can just sit down in a comfortable sofa, relax,have a glass of wine, dream away while watching the diverse landscape passing by....

If you plan a safari to southern africa I do recommend Botswana,Okavango Delta area. There you can enjoy safari: game drives, walking safaris and mokoro tours. Here is some pictures from a few camps, just to give you an insight what an experience the camps can be besides all the animals you see:




There is so many beautiful places out there in southern africa, here is also pictures from a few camps in Namibia, a perfect destination for anyone enjoying nature:



Then a bit of life at home in Finland. Besides me concentrating fully on planning tours to southern africa, Liina has started school. And yes, she enjoys it very much, so far the best thing that has ever happened she says...lets see for how long:) And activities are starting to fill up the girls calenders, as long as they enjoy it and have time for it, all is fine, and Im happy Im working from home so I can plan my days also after their schedule. Viivi ( 5 years now) wanted to start ballet classes this year so I got her into a class for children, but when she realized she has to actually listen to a teacher who tells her what to do she did not want to go anymore, she said she will learn all ballet moves from her Barbie dvd...:)

Summer is turning into fall and the mornings and evenings are getting crispy, luckily we have enjoyed nice sunny days for last two weeks.

End of this month Im going to Croatia as a tour leader for a swedish tourgroup. I did the same tour last year and Croatia is such a beautiful destination, clear water, interesting history, beautiful buidlings and nice weather still end of September.

I will write more soon again!

Love to you all!

Jannika