Kalahari Skies

Company Description

Business History 09 July 2010 Hemingway Safaris t/a Kalahari Skies was started in 1984 by Keith Poppleton who ran the company until 1994 when it was bought over by Cally VandemerKalahari Skies from Francistown. He ran mobile safaris until 2003 when he sold to Lucy Hinchliffe from Gaborone. She had also other businesses to run and made an agreement with Africa Unlimited Safaris t/a Africa Best Overland Safaris to run her reservations and help with operations. The company ran like this until November 2008 when Lucy Hinchliffe sold to the current owners. Since this date the company is running mobile safaris but is trying to differentiate from the classic itineraries by: - Specializing in tailor-made safaris for smaller groups who don’t want to be part of a bigger safari where they have to share with unknown people. - Not running on a set date departure schedule so we can accommodate tourists who are limited in time or have found cheaper airplane tickets on certain dates so want to travel on those dates. - Introducing new products like the star-shows we provide with our portable telescope ( a unique product in Botswana ) - Opening up less visited areas like the Transfrontier Park, Bushmanland around Gcwihaba Caves, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Boteti area, Seronga, … - Developing Study Away Programs for student groups, these tours specialize more on the history and culture of Botswana and also include visits of medical facilities and explain health challenges in remote areas. Visits include museums, the Royal Graves at Serowe, Bushman development initiatives, village tours, hospitals, schools, Thuso Development Trust, Banna ba Metsi project, Okavango Polers Trust, Harry Oppenheimer Okavango Research Centre, Women Against Rape Project, Sexaxa Cultural Village, Etsha 6 basket weaver centre, etc. - Contacting specialized photographers who are not accommodated by joining classic safaris as they need personalized trips where they can decide how long they want to stay on one subject ( example: spend a whole day at a waterhole ) - Attracting birdwatchers, a market which is hardly catered for as they also need personalized service: finding certain requested species ( example: Pel’s fishing owl, wattled crane, lesser jacana, white-backed night heron, … ), so they don’t fit into a “normal” itinerary. On our safaris we use: - special adapted game-viewers ( choice of open or closed windows, very useful on cold mornings, during rain or on long transfers, pop-up roofs allowing better viewing without being burned by the sun, 220 V adapters for charging digital camera’s – videos – batteries, watertanks, double battery system, extra fuel tanks, winch, fridge for drinks, compressor, 2 way radios and satellite phone, air conditioning, very spacious seats ) - back-up vehicle plus kitchen trailer, allowing staff to put up camp ahead of clients arrival and also break down camps without delay for clients. It also allows to fill up watertanks and collecting firewood without having to use the game-viewer for this, it is also a security in case of break-downs: parts can be swapped or back-up vehicle can be used for towing or evacuating clients. - spacious 3x3 meter dome tents equipped with entrance mat, stretchers, bed-side table with torches, rechargeable lamp, pillows & pillowcases, duvets, blankets, sheets, 2 towels per client, insect repellent, and in winter hot water bottles. Linen is changed every 4th day. Every tent also has 2 chairs for private relaxing. Ablutions consist of an outside water basin per client, shower and toilet shared by every 4 clients. - for up to 6 clients we use gazebos as dining area or to provide extra shade during the day, for bigger groups we use 5x5 meter mess-tents. A special bar-table is available for drinks in the evening or for tea & coffee during the day. Meals are provided according to client’s food-preferences or allergies. Every lunch has a fresh salad and dinner is three courses. All drinks are included, also alcoholic beverages. - staff is very experienced and has been carefully selected and trained and receives very good comments from clients. - Itineraries are planned in accordance with the client’s wishes and requests to provide them with an optimal experience of the country.