T HE WIL D WEL L -BEING SAFARI
WEL COME T O THE WIL D WEL L -BEING SAFARI
Welcome to The Wild Well-Being Safari! This December we’d like to take you home with us to beautiful, sunny Zimbabwe. Say ‘goodbye’ to cold, wet London. Leave your jackets and jerseys, your scarves and boots, at home. Pack your summer clothes, sunglasses, sunscreen and sandals and come and join us for the trip of a lifetime! Wake up to the call of the magnificent Fish Eagle, to animals that you’ve never seen before and birds you’ve never heard, and be lulled to sleep by the chirping of crickets and the hooting of owls! Make no mistake; this will be the experience of a lifetime! The Wild Well-Being Safari is not the usual ‘Fitness Retreat’, where your day is filled with training activities, weight loss talks and body assessments, with no time to enjoy your surroundings. Mark and I want to share our home country with you, to share some of the glorious features that Zimbabwe has to offer, as well as provide you with healthy food, and a variety of morning and afternoon workouts, both group and private. The workouts will vary from our latest Signature Workout - The Wild Zimbabwean Workout - to a fusion of Pilates and Yoga. We want you to experience a whole new world whilst enjoying the benefits of exercise, good food, great company and blissful relaxation. I grew up in Zimbabwe and my parents’ idea of a truly great holiday was a trip to the bush. Of course they told me how blessed I was to experience Zimbabwe’s fabulous National Parks, to see rhino and wild dogs, to name a few, in their natural habitats; because, as my Dad pointed out, in a few years’ time they could all be gone. At the time it all held little significance for me, but now, when I look back at what I saw and felt in the bush, there are simply no words to express my gratitude and joy. It is incredibly sad that so few people have seen the wildlife that I have, and I now understand my Dad. He was right, in a few years’ time many species in Zimbabwe will be extinct and so many people in the world will never have seen them in their natural habitat. Close your eyes and imagine this for a moment… the stillness and quiet of the bush; no police cars rushing by, no slamming doors, no yelling people, no ringing phones. Just the rustle of the yellow grass as the wind blows… peace. Imagine your excitement when you see an elephant for the first time; the feel of the everlasting rain from the Victoria Falls; the sound of the crickets talking through the night; the smell of the thunderstorm approaching. All of this along with the incredibly kind and welcoming hearts of the local Zimbabweans! And one of my favourites… the orange and red sunset that brings an end to the day and heralds the night with so many stars that you can’t begin to count them as they spread across the sky! This experience is about escaping the cold, busyness of London; enjoying 10 days of health and well-being through good food, fun workouts and of course sharing Africa’s hidden gem with you. It will be a holiday of a lifetime - share this experience with us and let us share Zimbabwe with you.
HUGS AND L OVE, KAT E AND MARK XXX Founders of The Lifestyle Concierge and The Wild Well-Being Safari www.thelifestyleconcierge.co.uk
10 DAY WIL D WEL L -BEING SAFARI
Saturday 13th December
Tuesday 16th December
Leave cold, wintry London behind, kick back and relax knowing that absolutely everything is done for you from this point onwards.
Drive through the private Concession, where there is a distinct possibility of spotting a vast range of game, including the impressive ‘Big 5’ – Elephant, Rhino, Leopard, Lion and Buffalo. Relish the excitement of the first fish you catch when you go fishing with your private guide.
Depart London for your 10 day The Wild Well-Being Safari
Sunday 14th December
Fly into Victoria Falls Airport. Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport. Private transfer to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for 1 relaxing night before the adventures begin. Enjoy a special dinner at the famous Boma restaurant where you can sample local delicacies, from the traditional sadza to the more exotic smoked crocodile tail, with an ample selection of more recognizable dishes for the less adventurous!
Monday 15th December
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge Enjoy a late lie in and then a delicious breakfast overlooking a waterhole. Depart mid-day for a private transfer to Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge. The Lodge is our own private retreat for 4 wonderful days!
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge
Wednesday 17th December
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge Take a walk through the open bushveld with your own private Guide who will teach you about the things you see as you walk through the Zimbabwean savannah’ and keep you well protected throughout. Have the chance to see, and appreciate, some of the smaller inhabitants of the bush, while you
Thursday 18th December
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge Enjoy a Sunset Boat ride on the Zambezi River, with snacks and drinks as you slowly cruise along and admire all that the mighty Zambezi has to offer.
A Typical Day On The Wild Well-Being Safari Wake up to tea or coffee delivered to your private tent Morning Pilates/Boot camp class OR 5km walk in the bush with your guide
Friday 19th December
Morning game drive
Private transfer from Imbabala to The Elephant Camp.
Mid-morning brunch
Enjoy the drive from Imbabala to the Elephant Camp, through a pretty pastiche of swaying savannah grasses with the smell of the Zimbabwean wildlife and, as you get closer, the sound of Victoria Falls! Arrive to a welcoming drink at the Elephant Camp. Relax and kick back as you have a fabulous massage overlooking the spray of the Victoria Falls a few kilometres away.
Afternoon nap
Saturday 20th December The Elephant Camp
Wake up to the sounds of the local elephants rustling near by and the sunrise over the Victoria Falls. Enjoy a helicopter flight over the Falls and the option to do something a little crazy… white water rafting down the Zambezi River, or gorge swinging between Zimbabwe and Zambia perhaps? Or, if you are looking for the ultimate adrenaline rush, you could jump off the 420’ high Victoria Falls Bridge… tied to a bungee cord of course!
Tea and coffee with healthy snacks Afternoon water safari and ‘Booze’ cruise Dinner Chilled evening or night game drive
Sunday 21st December
Private transfer from The Elephant Camp to Victoria Falls Airport Enjoy the chance to lie in, with tea in bed, before breakfast overlooking the waterhole. Depart for your last drive through Victoria Falls town on the way to the airport.
Monday 22nd December Arrive back in London
YOUR ACCOMMODATION
VICT ORIA FAL L S SAFARI L ODGE Voted by Tatler’s Annual Travel Guide as “one of the World’s 10 best kept secrets”, “Best Safari Lodge” in Zimbabwe for 17 consecutive years and listed on Conde Nast Travellers Gold List, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a place of legend! Victoria Falls Safari Lodge provides luxury accommodation in Victoria Falls. Set high on a natural plateau, the westward facing Victoria Falls Safari Lodge borders the Zambezi National Park & is just four kilometres from the thundering Victoria Falls, Southern Africa’s foremost attraction.
3 Key Highlights of Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Dinner at ‘The Boma’ to experience a traditional Zimbabwean style meal with traditional Amakwezi dancers Each room has its own private veranda overlooking the waterhole Telescope viewing on the main veranda
IMBABAL A ZAMBEZI SAFARI L ODGE Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge is situated on a riverine fringe of the mighty Zambezi River where Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia converge. Imbabala offers some of the most amazing game viewing and bird watching in Zimbabwe, in the seclusion of a private National Parks Concession. ‘Imbabala has dedicated chefs preparing each meal with care. Whether a relaxed African-style spread at the dining area under the trees, an intimate affair served under the stars, or a bush dinner on the banks of the Zambezi. Menus feature fresh, seasonal foods, with most of the salad ingredients and vegetables being grown organically in the veggie garden.
3 Key Highlights of Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge Fishing excursions to catch Zimbabwe’s famous Tiger Fish An organically cooked Dinner on the banks of The mighty Zambezi River One of the best areas of Zimbabwe for game viewing
T HE EL EPHANT CAMP
The Elephant camp is situated only 10 minutes from Victoria Falls in a private concession within the Victoria Falls National Park. The panoramic views of the Falls are breathtaking from the central area and the west wing of camp, whilst the Batoka gorge yawns hugely from the rooms in the east wing. And, with an emphasis on exclusivity, the luxury tented suites all have private decks and plunge pools. The Camp overlooks a waterhole that is fed by natural streams in the rainy season that rush down to meet the Masuwe River, and the Zambezi gorges below the Falls. Walks and birding for guests supply boundless photographic opportunities in addition to the variety of activities that are available in Victoria Falls City.
3 Key Highlights of The Elephant Camp Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls - 1 of the 8 Wonders Of the World Each luxury tented suite has its own private plunge pool Getting up close and personal with The Wild Horizon Elephants
THE WIL D SIDE OF F ITNE SS IN ZIMBABWE
FUN FACTS Victoria Falls Also known as ‘Mosi-Oa-Tunya’ – The Smoke That Thunders because of the constant smoke-like clouds of water spray, and the thundering sounds of the water crashing below. Victoria Falls forms the planet’s largest curtain of falling water. 1708 meters wide and 108 meters high. It is one and a half times wider than Niagra Falls and twice as high. Every minute, over 5 million cubic metres of water pours over the Falls during wet season. The Victoria Falls Rainforest is the only place on earth where it rains all day, everyday; as a direct result of the water spray rising from the Falls. As the sun sets at full moon, Victoria Falls hosts a rare and beautiful sight as the light from the moon bouncing off the spray gives life to a Moonbow; a rainbow during the night. The spectacle lasts from sunset to sunrise and is one of Africa’s most distinctive and striking secrets.
Each day there will be 2 group classes available, one in the morning and one in the evening. There will be a variety of classes ranging from our Signature Zimbabwean Wild Workout to a Fusion of Pilates and Yoga. There will also be private personal training sessions available (must be booked the night before). Mark will be available to do 30-minute boxing sessions for those who are looking for a quicker and more cardiovascular workout. Workouts will be held either outdoors on the fresh green grass under the cover of the broad Acacia trees or on the Veranda overlooking the wild bush. The idea of this experience is to combine your workouts and have fun at the same time; and to truly appreciate and enjoy your surroundings. We have created a variety of group and private workouts that caters to everyones needs, as well as keeping the theme of a Zimbabwean styled workout woven integrally into each experience. There is a swimming pool at each campsite for you to relax in or to enjoy a swimming workout. You know those holidays you go on and you come back with a few extra pounds of body weight? This is not going to be one of those.
You will leave feeling lighter both physically and mentally; fitter, ‘stronger and healthier and like a brand new person after a rejuvenating new experience to remember for the rest of your life. All meals will be specifically designed by Kate and Mark to leave you feeling full and satisfied with only the best and healthiest foods available.
THE BIG 5 BUFFALO - ELEPHANT - LEOPARD - LION - RHINO
L ION
A lion’s roar can be heard from 5 miles away. Lions usually form groups called ‘prides’. A pride normally consisting of females and one dominant male, who fiercely guards his territory and wives. Lions may sleep up to 20 hours a day.
EL EPHANT Elephants will drink about 30 to 50 gallons of water per day. An elephant calf often sucks its own trunk for comfort. Elephants take care of weak or injured individuals and have been known to grieve over a dead companion.
BUF FAL O
A buffalo’s sight and hearing are both particularly poor, but its sense of smell is highly developed. It is considered to be one of Africa’s more dangerous inhabitants. A calf in danger will bellow mournfully, bringing the herd members running at a gallop to defend it at all costs.
RHINO
L EOPAR D
The names ‘white’ and ‘black’ rhino don’t actually describe the color of the animal. ‘white’ is thought to be a misinterpretation of the Afrikaans word ‘weit’ meaning ‘wide’, which describes the white rhino’s mouth. Black rhinos are called that because of the dark coloured mud they cover themselves in to protect their skin.
Leopards use trees as observation platforms and for protection. Remember to look up in trees to see this solitary, beautiful cat.
ZEBRA
CHEETAH
HIPPO
WIL D DOGS
At first glance zebras in a herd might all look the same, but their stripe patterns are as distinctive as fingerprints are in a man. Scientists can identify individual zebras by comparing patterns, stripe width, color and scars.
Hippos secrete a natural sunscreen that is coloured red and eventually turns brown. They consume over 100 pounds of vegetation per day. Hippos can’t jump!
Leopards are shy and nocturnal, quite modest for a cat that can climb, swim and live in a wider range of habitats than most other wild cats.
The name ‘cheetah’ comes from an Indian word meaning ‘spotted one’. It can run up to 70 miles per hour and is the fastest mammal on the planet. Cheetahs were so popular that Akbar the Great of India was said to have kept a stable of about 1000.
Also know as Painted Dogs. No two wild dogs are marked exactly the same. Wild dogs are usually on the move over a very large range, covering some 900 miles. After a litter is born, however, they will limit their travelling and hunt closer to their den.
SAFARI DETAIL S INCL UDE D: 1 night accommodation at The Victoria Falls Safari Camp 4 nights accommodation at Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge 2 nights accommodation at The Elephant Camp Transfers to and from the airport, as well as transfers between camp sites Dinner at ‘The Boma’ on the first night All meals as served Local beverages, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic Services of an English-speaking guide Park entry into National Parks Safari game drives Safari river cruises Night game drives Guided tour of the Victoria Falls Variety of health and fitness workouts throughout your stay Helicopter flight (12-13 minutes) over the Victoria Falls Meeting The Wild Horizon Elephants 60-minute massage at The Elephant Camp Emergency Medical Evacuation Cover Digital photo album of your holiday
EXCL UDE D: Flights to the Victoria Falls – we can organize your flights for you on request Tourist Visa on arrival at Victoria Falls Airport (US $50) Fishing and Game Walks at Imbabala Walk with Sylvester the cheetah at The Elephant Camp Imported drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic Gratuities, curios and all items of a personal nature
We will be taking a small group, only 14 people, with us on this memorable trip to Zimbabwe, and we are doing this specifically to ensure that each one of you receives the attention you deserve! Spaces will go quickly so if you want to experience The Wild Well-Being Safari then please contact Kate McTaggart. Contact Details: info@thelifestyleconcierge.co.uk 07414 437173
WHAT HAPPENS ONCE YOU HAVE CONTACT E D KAT E?
Kate will email a Sign Up Form to you. Please ensure you fill in your personal details according to your passport. Please also specify if you would like your flights booked on your behalf. You will then receive an email with an Invoice for your 10 Day Wild Well-Being Safari. Once Kate has received your Sign Up Form and proof of payment you will then get an email to confirm your space on the 10 Day Wild Well-Being Safari and a countdown to your holiday.
MEET T HE WIL D WEL L -BEING SAFARI T EAM All 3 team members are born and bred Zimbabweans who will be catering to your every need through out the trip. Relax in the knowledge that you will be looked after by 3 incredible people who know and love the country, and who will show you the jewel of Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls, and the surrounding area.
Kate McTaggart Team Leader
Mark Garlick Health and Well-Being Expert
Sandy McTaggart Photographer
Kate is responsible for ensuring that your 10 day experience is exactly what you want it to be. She will be looking after you every step of the way, as well as booking any additional activities you’d like to take part in, and making your stay as effortless as possible. Her intention is that you shed all your responsibilities when you say ‘goodbye’ to London and leave absolutely everything to her and her team. Kate is the ‘go-to lady’ if you have any specific requests, such as a private dinner for you and your loved one under the stars on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Mark will be co-coordinating a variety of workout plans that range from Pilates, Zimbabwean-style boot camp, yoga, and meditation in nature, as well as private boxing sessions. The workouts are optional, so if you feel that you’d like a lie in one morning then you just need to let Mark know what time to have tea and coffee delivered to your tent so that it’s hot when you wake up! There will be 2 group workouts per day; you are more than welcome to do both everyday and book a private 20 minute boxing session with Mark, or use the 5km guided walk through the bush as your morning exercise.
Sandy will be taking photos throughout your 10-day stay as well as creating a digital photo album that will be sent to you 2 – 4 weeks after your return to London. She is not only incredibly passionate about the importance of lasting memories through photos but she is also a talented photographer. She has a knack for taking fabulous pictures of people without being noticed and catching the full emotion and joy in their expressions. Whilst you are happily snapping away at the wildlife, Sandy will be snapping away at you and your personal experience of Zimbabwe, creating a lasting memory that you will keep with you forever.
THE RIPPL E EF F ECT PROJECT Kate and Mark are not only on a mission to share the beauties of their home country with new comers, but they have also started a charity called The Ripple Effect Project that will be building homes for Zimbabweans in the rural areas of the Country in 2015. It is called The Ripple Effect Project because of the effects that can be created by helping one person at a time. One kind gesture has the potential to help many, like a small stone being dropped into a pond. It may be small, but it still ripples far and wide regardless of its size. By building one home at a time in Zimbabwe, we will create a ripple effect that will spread and benefit the lives of those people in so many special ways. 10% of the profit from The Wild Well-Being Safari will be donated to The Ripple Effect Project. If you would like to be a part of this Project then please help by donating your time or experience or financially. Kate and Mark aim to take The Ripple Effect Project worldwide in the future and any help in the journey of giving back to Zimbabwe and the World would be INCREDIBLE. Help us create a Ripple Effect that is led by authentic love and integrity, and brought about by courage supported by faith in changing the World one person at a time.
T HE WIL D WEL L -BEING SAFARI www.thelifestyleconcierge.co.uk info@thelifestyleconcierge.co.uk 07414 437173