WINCO  ECLIPSE  TOURS,  INC.

SPECIAL  SAFARI / ECLIPSE  EXPEDITION

SUNDAY, JUNE 17 TO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2001

10 NIGHTS

SUNDAY, JUNE 17, 2001 - - DEPART HARARE, ZIMBABWE

SUNDAY, JUNE 17 TO FRIDAY, JUNE  22 -- 5 NIGHTS

MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK -- MOBILE TENTED CAMP - (B, L, D daily)

We board our charter in Harare today to Mana Pools.  Here John Stevens, our superb safari guide, waits to greet us.  The next five nights are spent on safari in this area, taking time out on Thursday June 21st for the Total Solar Eclipse.  Our tented Safari Camp and experienced guides will be exclusively for Winco Eclipse Tour participants.

Mana Pools is a river frontage supporting one of the highest wildlife concentrations in Zimbabwe.  During recent geological times the Zambezi River has moved slowly northwards, leaving behind a series of old channels and river terraces.  On these terraces are the small ponds and pools from which the area takes its name.  Our tented camp is situated under a canopy of trees and overlooking the Zambezi River.  Hippo wallow in the shallows and in the distance elephants can be seen feeding among the reed beds.  This area can only be described as paradise!  

Mana Pools supports some of the biggest concentrations of large mammals to be found in Zimbabwe.  Elephants are common, as are buffalo, impala, kudu, eland, zebra, waterbuck, bushbuck, and the predators, such as lion, hyena, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog.  Morning and afternoon walks will be conducted from camp.

Each evening, arrive back at camp after sunset where cool drinks, hot showers and a delicious meal complete an eventful day.

THURSDAY, JUNE 21, 2001 --  TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

Our vehicles will take us to our pre-selected Eclipse-viewing location.
We will have 3 vehicles for our 18 participants.

First contact will occur at 1:40 p.m. local time.

Totality will begin at 3:10 p.m. and will last approximately 3 minutes, 30 seconds.  

The sun will be at an angle of about 30 degrees above the horizon, an excellent framing for both the eclipsed sun and surrounding scenery in our photographs.

After 4th contact at 4:30 p.m. we will return to our camp for refreshments and possibly a game drive or walk.

FRIDAY, JUNE 22 -- (B) -- DEPART OUR MOBILE TENTED CAMP

FRIDAY, JUNE 22 TO MONDAY, JUNE 25 -- 3 NIGHTS

HWANGE NATIONAL PARK  --  THE HIDE  --  (B, L, D)

Bid farewell to our guide this morning and board our charter flight to the Hwange National Park.  On arrival, check into our comfortable tented camp, and then enjoy some extraordinary game viewing opportunities.

Hwange National Park is located in the northwest section of Zimbabwe, along the border of Botswana.  Covering an area over 14,600 square kilometers, it is Zimbabwe's largest park and home to over 100 species of animals and over 400 species of birds.  This is one of Africa's finest game reserves.   

It is also one of the primary sanctuaries for the African elephant.  A variety of habitats, from Kalahari sandveld to densely wooded valleys, provide refuge for a very diverse array of animals.  We will spend our time here game viewing in specially designed safari vehicles as we and our guide search for rhino, giraffe, lion, buffalo, cheetah and the sable antelope, Zimbabwe's national symbol.  Birding is excellent throughout the year and rollers, bee-eaters, hornbills, owls, and raptors are well presented here in Hwange.

Our deluxe camp, accommodating a maximum of 20 guests, is situated in a private annex within the Park, only 80 meters from a large water hole where wildlife is always in sight.  Each tent is comfortably furnished with private bathroom en-suite.  The guides are of the highest standard, and each guest enjoys the very best level of personalized service.


MONDAY, JUNE 25 TO WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 -- 2 NIGHTS

VICTORIA FALLS --VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI LODGE  (B, D)

This morning we board our charter aircraft to Victoria Falls, where we are met and driven to our hotel.  The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.  This evening we have arranged for dinner at the Boma Restaurant, accompanied by a lively singing and dance troupe.

Situated on a plateau that forms a natural boundary to the 80,000-hectare Zambezi National Park, the westward facing Victoria Falls Safari Lodge enjoys uninterrupted views and spectacular African sunsets.  With game to be seen on the property throughout the year, the carefully preserved bush environment and mighty Victoria Falls just a 5 minute ride away, this deluxe Lodge has an undeniable appeal and a character all its own.  

Thatch, rustic finishes, vibrant fabrics and extensive use of local hardwoods and clay tiles, are key elements in the creation of a distinctly African ambiance.  Each bedroom has its own balcony and is equipped with nature books to enhance our enjoyment of the surrounding habitat.  The Victoria Falls Lodge has a complimentary shuttle service operating on a regular basis into town and to the rain forest surrounding the Falls.

TUESDAY, JUNE 26  --  VICTORIA FALLS

VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI LODGE - (B, D)

Victoria Falls are the largest and perhaps the most beautiful Falls in the world.  Here the Zambezi River is over a mile wide and plunges into a vertical abyss across its entire width.  This enormous chasm in the earth, carved out by thousands of years of water movement, varies from 165 feet to 325 feet in drop.  The force of the falling water sends spray clouds high into the air, giving rise to the African name for the Falls, “Mosi oa Tunya,” and meaning “the smoke that thunders.”  The Falls, when seen by David Livingstone in 1855, were named by him for Queen Victoria and he is said to have written in his diary “scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in flight.”

This morning we will enjoy a tour of the Falls, walking through the rain forest for spectacular photographic opportunities.  The afternoon is at leisure for optional activities.  At approximately 4:00 p.m. we will take to the mighty Zambezi River for a Sundowner Cruise.  We will enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails as we watch the sun sink below the horizon.  This evening we will have a farewell dinner at our hotel.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 -  VICTORIA FALLS

VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI LODGE -- (B);  DEPARTURE

The morning is at leisure to explore on our own.  Visit the Falls and stop in at the Craft Village, or just relax at our hotel.  Later this afternoon we will be driven to the airport to board our departure flight.

OUR 10-NIGHT SAFARI / ECLIPSE EXPEDITION ENDS HERE.

Price:  $5,695.00 per person double occupancy.                                         
No Smoking.

(Price estimated for 2001, and is meant as a guide only.  It is subject to change once 2001 rates are announced, expected in June 2000.)  

Please include $1,000.00, non-refundable, per person deposit for each reservation.  
Trip cancellation insurance is available and is strongly recommended.
Members may participate in scientific experiments.  Previous experience not required.  

Includes:  All flights, transfers, transport, and meals as mentioned above; all game drives and walks as indicated; all Park entry fees and camp fees; services of professional game rangers / camp staff / guides throughout our Safari / Eclipse Expedition;  comprehensive Safari / Eclipse Expedition preparation and planning.

Not included: International air transportation to Harare and from Victoria Falls.
(Please see “Terms and Conditions” for further details.)

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Winco Eclipse Tours, Inc.
35 Haynes Road     
Tel:  617-630-0280
Newton Centre, MA USA 02459-2716
Fax: 617-969-7930