PLAINS OF AFRICA SAFARIS - For those on a first time visit or those 'hooked' on Africa, we warmly invite you to take your african journey with us to explore breathtaking wilderness from our safari portfolio. Our carefully selected safari operators have been in the industry for more than 15 years and share Plains of Africa's concern for a sustainable future.
Plains of Africa is based in Africa with its owners decending from pioneering stock. It is associated with nature conservation and eco tourism development in Africa.
 | Why Travel With Us?
- All safaris are carefully selected to enable you to explore remote wilderness in exclusive camps and lodges
- Experience the thrill of being close to the multitudes of wild animals in timeless Africa with professional nature guides
- Customer care and attention to your safari requirements is our priority
- Provide direction and focus for your african wildlife experience
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 | What We Can Do for You?
- Provide competative rates for star rated camps & lodges
- Provide customised tours for your comfort and budget
- Provide excellant safari packages to many destinations in Africa
- Provide experienced professional guides
- Provide important information to assist you on your safari
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 | Safari Portfolio
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 | How to Book your safari?
Send us an e mail to: info@plainsofafrica.com
Please list the following information:
1. E Mail contact details.
2. Name of Country you wish to travel.
3. Title of Safari i.e. "Nile Perch Fishing", Uganda & List Tour Code where mentioned.
4. Date of travel.
5. Country of residence.
6. # of people in group.
7. # of days on your safari.
8. Any other relevent infomation.
Plains of Africa also require you to complete a detailed questionaire which you can e mail back to us.
About Booking your safari with Plains of Africa
Plains of Africa are wildlife specialist safari brokers, based in Africa will arrange all your safari logistical requirements. Our carefully selected wildlife portfolios ensure customers specific needs are attended to. We work with the 'Best in Africa", companies who care about the continents wildlife and people. We provide excellent rates with no hidden costs or extras.
We donate US$50.00 per person on all safari bookings directly to conservation.
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 | History of Plains of Africa
Imagine riding a bicycle 15,000 kilometers through the snow in the European Alps and then across the scorching Nubian desert in Africa! Why would someone attempt such a feat? A passion for another species spurred Julie Anne Edwards and Charlene Hewat to complete this intrepid journey. "Ride for the Rhino", was a bicycle journey from Scotland to Zimbabwe (Former Rhodesia), that raised $1 million to save the endangered black rhino. In the seventies and eighties as the Arab oil exporting countries (particularly Yemen) gained their wealth, so too were businessmen able to gain their status in the world with a hand carved rhino horn handle for their daggers. The Far East also paid large sums for rhino horns to be used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac and fever reducer (none of these uses has been proved to be true). With this demand for rhino horns, the demise of the black rhino was falling into the abyss of no return. Without the support and work of a few dedicated people who could see beyond the annihilation of a very special prehistoric species, the black rhino was on its way to extinction. Black rhino have been on the continent of Africa so long that they are considered to be prehistoric. Within a very short time the number of these magnificent animals went from over a million to less than 3,000. In Zimbabwe, they went from over 3,000 to less than about 400. The Zambezi Valley was known to be one of the last strong hold for black rhino. However, poachers would cross over from neighboring countries and track and kill the rhino, taking only the horn and leaving the carcass to rot. The country reacted with the Department of National Parks launching "Operation Stronghold", a campaign to save the last remaining rhino. Julie Anne and Charlie decided that drastic action was required to raise awareness and funds if the rhinos were to survive in Africa. Thus, they started their "The Ride for Rhino", a two-year project, The money raised was donated through the National Conservation Trust, Director by John Pile to assist in the translocation of rhino and anti poaching patrols. The ride was supported by the Rt. Hon Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, the HRH Prince Bernhardt of the Netherlands, His Holiness Pope John Paul II, pop singer Phil Collins, pop group Depech e Mode, Worldwide Fund for Nature, Terry Wogan and Tom Webber of BBC-TV, actress Gilly Taylforth, British Airways, Armstrong World Industries, British Eagles Cycles, Anna Merz, Funder and Founder Ngare Sergoi Rhino Sanctuary, Dr. Esmond Bradley Martin, Dr. Richard Leaky, Philip Leaky, George Adamson, Daphne Sheldrick O.B.E., David Shepherd O.B.E., to name but a few. The ride drew worldwide attention in press and television and Julie Anne and Charlie became affectionately known as "The Rhino Girls'. In 1988, they were presented with the 'Natural Resources Board, Gold medallion, the highest award for conservation in their country.
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 | History Continued
Julie Anne, a third generation Rhodesian,(now Zimbabwe) was born in Que Que, grew up in Matabeleland and Mashonaland. She completed her schooling in Bulawayo and was an excellant sports woman representing her country in Athletics. Following Independance in 1980, Julie Anne continued to reside and work in the country and in 1985 after a private safari to the Kalahari bushman and Okavango, set off on the 'Ride for Rhino' expedition in 1986. On returning, Julie Anne co-authored a book entitled "Extinction is Forever, The Inspiration behind the Rhino Girls Story" with Allan Munn of Munn Publishing/Safari Connections in 1990. It was during this time she co-founded Environment 2000, now known as Environment Africa, a non governmental organisation committed to sustainable development. In 1992, she set off on another journey, this time on horseback into the remote Zambezi Valley. This was a seven week expedition from Kasane to Kariba, and was part of a conservation outreach ride to Sudan. At this time an environmental impact asscessment was also done. There was major conservation concerns regarding human resettlement activities and increased rhino poaching in the Zambezi Valley, wiping out 60+ black rhino in the Chete safari area, in less than four months. Julie Anne extended her education to attend a post graduate course in the UK, having been awarded a Darwin scholarship sponsored partly by the British Ministry of Education on 'Project Planning for Bio Diversity Conservation', later with extended time in the United States promoting Environment 2000. Back in her home county Julie Anne underwent an intense six-year training program to qualify as professional guide, working in the safari industry,living in remote safari camps in the bush, including The Hide Safari Camp. Her main companions were hundreds of elephant and other wild game, guiding international clinets on safari. The additional studies at this time included: wildife and habitats, law, ballistics, use of firearms, camp maintenance, guest relations, problem animal control and photographic guiding safaris. Examination and training was conducted in the Zambezi Valley and Hwange National Parks. The Instructors, some of which were retired ex military personnel working in the safari industry, undertook much of the examining of potential guides with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife. In 1998 Julie Anne began operating her own private safaris and in November 2004 she relocated to South Africa and established Plains of Africa Safaris. Julie Anne has spend all her life in remote wildife areas of Africa in particular growing up in her beloved country Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, on safari. She has an unswerving passion and interest in wildlife, old pioneering history and conservation in general. Her commitment to detail and safety makes Julie Anne the ideal professional to advise and assist you and or privately guide your safari.
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