Africa Calls

Africa Calls Africa Calls is a boutique travel company specializing in custom southern and east African adventure Today Babette’s time is split between Zambia and Santa Fe.
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Africa Calls, Ltd., a small boutique travel company specializing in Southern and East African safaris, was founded by Babette Alfieri in 1989 and is registered in the US as a limited corporation. The permanent base of operation is in Santa Fe, New Mexico where Babette and her daughter, Christina Alfieri have established their office. Babette’s background in the travel industry began in 1971 with K

LM Royal Dutch Airlines in their 5th Avenue, New York office. In 1974 she joined South African Airways in New York where she handled sales, marketing and public relations until she left in 1980 to join the prestigious tour operator, Abercrombie and Kent. She was Vice President of Sales Eastern USA with specific responsibility to develop special interest travel programs to Southern Africa with American Zoos and Museums. She designed and arranged many such programs until 1986 when A&K transferred her to Zambia’s magnificent Luangwa Valley, to handle all of their incoming Zambian clients. For the following three years she also traveled around the world marketing the company’s Southern African division. In 1989, she founded Africa Calls with the intention of offering unique adventures far off the beaten track, and away from the ever-increasing tourist crowds. Babette also co-founded the WISDOM Foundation in 1980 (originally the Foundation to Save African Endangered Wildlife) registered in New York to raise funds for conservation in Africa. The majority of funds raised went to assist the Zimbabwe Department of National Parks and Wildlife, with additional funding allocated to Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. In 1995 Christina joined Babette full time at Africa Calls as her business partner. Prior to this, Christina’s career began in the finance and private banking field where she worked for Chase Manhattan Bank and Brown Brothers Harriman in Boston for eight years. Christina has traveled extensively throughout Southern Africa since early childhood, and brings a wealth of African knowledge and adventure travel experience to the company. Today Babette and Christina are continually updating Africa Calls with regular travels throughout Southern and East Africa to keep informed on the latest safari products, in addition to both accompanying selected small groups annually on safari. The entire administrative responsibility of the Africa Calls office is Christina’s domain. Her impeccable attention to detail has become Africa Calls’ trademark, and is illustrated by the number of repeat travelers and referrals that we receive. Africa Calls is consistently among the top ten producers for some of Southern Africa’s most prestigious safari camps and land operators. Africa Calls objective is not only to show you the true wilderness areas where wildlife abounds within Southern and East Africa, but where possible to also introduce you to the local people and communities. Should you desire you will have the opportunity to visit schools and clinics and to meet local artists, purchase their goods, and witness traditional ways of life. With over five decades of combined African experience, Africa Calls, Ltd. is able to offer their clients a truly customized safari of the highest caliber. The advantage of Babette living in Africa half of the year offers the significant benefit of being completely on top of the emerging tourist scene there, while at the same time having an intrinsic understanding of the US market and expectations of American tourists traveling to Africa. Africa Calls is uniquely positioned to ignite the spark of a dream safari to Africa here in the US, and to then be there in Africa to help make those dreams come true. Babette Alfieri & Christina Alfieri,
Owners AFRICA CALLS, Ltd.

Reposting from our friends  in honor of   - the unbelievable bat migration at Kasanka National Park in Zambia.“This litt...
19/04/2024

Reposting from our friends in honor of - the unbelievable bat migration at Kasanka National Park in Zambia.

“This little - known phenomenon is the largest mammal migration in the world, with roughly 12-15 million bats migrating each year!”

Contact us for your own one-of-a-kind Safari experience!

📷 Will Burrard-Lucas


🇿🇲

Guess who came to dinner??Some scenes in Africa are timeless - like here at Kuyenda Bushcamp in Zambia’s South Luangwa N...
23/02/2024

Guess who came to dinner??

Some scenes in Africa are timeless - like here at Kuyenda Bushcamp in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park (2009)

We can’t wait to help you plan your next adventure - you never know who might show up!

🇿🇲

Did you know that February 15th is World Hippo Day? There are few places in Africa where the hippo populations are so pr...
15/02/2024

Did you know that February 15th is World Hippo Day?

There are few places in Africa where the hippo populations are so prolific as these images show...where at the height of the dry season the many hippo are forced into massed groups of several hundreds as the last remaining waters dry up and form pools of liquid mud.

Contact us to create your own unforgettable adventure, tailored just for you.

📷 1: Owner and Founder Babette shown in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. Photo by Phil Berry, mid 1980’s
📷 2: Owner Christina in Katavi National Park in southwestern Tanzania, 2016

🇿🇲 🇹🇿

The annual Sweetheart Auction for the Cancer Foundation of New Mexico is tomorrow night! We are thrilled to see the 15-d...
09/02/2024

The annual Sweetheart Auction for the Cancer Foundation of New Mexico is tomorrow night!

We are thrilled to see the 15-day, 14-night safari we crafted with the help of Mfuwe Lodge and the Bushcamps, Green Safaris, and Classic Zambia once again be the grand finale auction item once again!

The Auction raises more than half of CFFNW’s annual budget and we are so grateful to our partners in Zambia for their continued support of this cause that is so dear to our hearts.

Don’t miss out on biding on this and so many other wonderful items at
🦒🐘 https://cffnm.org/attend-an-event/sweetheart-auction/ 🦒🐘



32 years ago, as our owner and founder Babette and her husband Phil were about to open the doors of their camp, Kuyenda,...
27/01/2024

32 years ago, as our owner and founder Babette and her husband Phil were about to open the doors of their camp, Kuyenda, in South Luangwa NP, Zambia, Babette found herself staring at a pesky w**d that needed pulling. As she got her garden shears ready, Phil stopped her suddenly and told her not to cut it. Through this series of photos from the archives, we take a look at not only the transformation of Kuyenda over the years, but also at the beauty of that small w**d, which blossomed into a majestic mahogany tree that still stands today; a living testament to the beauty and resilience of Zambia’s landscape. The tree has stood the test of time, telling the stories of the wilderness, waiting for future travelers to share their own. Zambia is not just a destination, it is an invitation to connect with nature, and to marvel at the wonders around us.

📷 #1: 1992 Humble beginnings as a simple grass camp for Save The Rhino Trust. The mahogany tree (Babette’s pesky w**d!) visible on the left – thankfully rescued by Phil just in time!
📷 #2: 1993 Small but mighty, Phil’s mahogany is now secure
📷 #3: 2004/2005 Now over a decade old, and under the umbrella of the fabulous Bushcamp Company since 2000, the tree has grown tall and strong.
📷 #4: 2010
📷 #5: 2013 Babette stands with Phil and his tree
📷 #6: 2014
📷 #7: 2023 Another decade has passed. Kuyenda reimagined and reborn, Phil’s mahogany (center) towers overhead!

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“The unauthorized guide to wildlife photography according to Phil Berry” ca 1974…Not recommended for the amateurWe are s...
22/01/2024

“The unauthorized guide to wildlife photography according to Phil Berry” ca 1974…
Not recommended for the amateur

We are so enjoying going through our collection of incredible photos from the past 50 years. And some photos stand the test of time.

Contact us to design a Safari curated just for you - and add to your own collection of unforgettable adventures and memories!

As we spend 2024 reflecting on our 50 year love story with Africa, it is so special to see others experiencing their own...
15/01/2024

As we spend 2024 reflecting on our 50 year love story with Africa, it is so special to see others experiencing their own. Caitlin and Brendan first traveled with Africa Calls for their honeymoon in 1997, and now, 26 years later, have just returned from a magical safari with their three grown children. We are honored to have such amazing clients who share our passion for Africa and put their trust in us time and time again

As we continue to reflect on our 50 years of deep connection and involvement with Africa, today we share images of Kenya...
05/01/2024

As we continue to reflect on our 50 years of deep connection and involvement with Africa, today we share images of Kenya, beginning in March of 1974.

📸 #1: 1974, Christina, age 7, engaging with a young woman introducing her to traditional Maasai Culture.

📸 #2,3,4: 5 years later Babette and Christina were privileged to meet and fly with Iain Douglas-Hamilton, who was to become the world’s leading authority on African elephants. Already famous by then with his wife, Oria, for their publication of Among the Elephants in 1975, which chronicled his unique study of elephant ecology in the wild.

📸 #5,6,7,8: Fast forward 30 years to 2009 when Christina’s own children, Sebbie (then 6) and Stella (then 8 months), first traveled to Kenya to visit the Douglas-Hamiltons again, now based in Samburu Game Reserve at Iain’s Save the Elephants headquarters, and Oria’s stunning Elephant Watch Camp. Stella had endless new toys to keep her entertained (just as her her mother had all those years earlier), while Sebbie was introduced to Iain’s elephant research, most especially elephant collaring and radio tracking.

Kenya is indeed the most amazing safari destination for families!




2024 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our first adventure to Africa in March 1974. This totally changed the direct...
29/12/2023

2024 will celebrate the 50th anniversary of our first adventure to Africa in March 1974. This totally changed the direction of our lives and marked the beginning of our long and wonderful history we are so proud of with the continent that we all love.

Our story begins with Babette who was Interline Sales Manager for South African Airways at their Fifth Avenue, NYC USA headquarters, and thereafter VP Sales Eastern USA for Abercrombie & Kent, who years later moved her to Zambia in 1986 to run their Southern Africa Safaris. She eventually founded Africa Calls in 1989 where Christina joined her 9 years later.

Today, we remember 42 years ago when Babette and Christina arrived in Zambia from NYC for the first time on a unique mission, to deliver 8 donated Land Rover tires, 144 pairs of socks for scouts, and a huge box of Land Rover spare parts to support an amazing singular effort to Save the Rhino Trust. The supplies were for Phil Berry, the SRT Field Commander whose mission was to patrol over 6000 square miles of the Luangwa National Parks, home of the largest population of Black Rhino on the African continent, where poaching of the rhino for their horn was taking a terrible toll on the numbers. Our lives changed that day as Phil eventually became an ever-important member of all of our lives.

We will continue our story with you as we share and celebrate our 50 years of Africa!

Babette & Christina

🇿🇲

A new year is the perfect time for new experiences! This extraordinary itinerary with  would be a fabulous start or end ...
28/12/2023

A new year is the perfect time for new experiences! This extraordinary itinerary with would be a fabulous start or end to an adventure in stunning Botswana!

Contact us today to start planning for 2024 and beyond!

📷: Bee Eaters:  ,  , South Luanga National Park, ZambiaLeopards: , Selinda Reserve, Botswana
21/12/2023

📷:
Bee Eaters: , , South Luanga National Park, Zambia
Leopards: , Selinda Reserve, Botswana

Christina’s adventures continue in Zimbabwe!Set on the banks of the Zambezi River in the private Sapi Reserve just outsi...
16/11/2023

Christina’s adventures continue in Zimbabwe!

Set on the banks of the Zambezi River in the private Sapi Reserve just outside of Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, Great Plains Conservation’s Tembo Plains Camp () is currently the only Zimbabwean safari camp with the honor of being part of Relais & Châteaux.

The camp's four luxury tented suites and the two-bedroom Zanji Suite stun with their expansive verandas overlooking the Zambezi River, private plunge pools, and canvas & stone decor referencing the famed Zimbabwe Ruins.

But what really shines here are the superb guides, the variety of land- and water-based activities, and of course, the game viewing. Tembo, meaning elephant in Swahili, is an apt name for the camp, where huge herds enjoy this riverine landscape. 🐘

Our director Christina Alfieri is currently visiting a few of the Great Plains Conservation Camps  ( ) throughout Botswa...
15/11/2023

Our director Christina Alfieri is currently visiting a few of the Great Plains Conservation Camps ( ) throughout Botswana and Zimbabwe.

She has been at 6 amazing Great Plains properties thus far in Botswana, all in private concessions and each so special and unique in their own way.

Superb game viewing with phenomenal guiding in beautiful, remote settings.

Huge herds of elephant, great lion sightings, wild dog, incredible sunsets.
All photos directly from Christina herself along her journey. Many more to come!

Phil was a hero to many...Rhino rescue ~ Mfuwe Lagoon, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia 1981
29/07/2023

Phil was a hero to many...

Rhino rescue ~ Mfuwe Lagoon, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia 1981

We remember Phil Berry, December 20, 1941 - July 30, 2022,  husband, stepfather, grandfather,  and incomparable wildlife...
29/07/2023

We remember Phil Berry, December 20, 1941 - July 30, 2022, husband, stepfather, grandfather, and incomparable wildlife naturalist for so many of our Africa Calls travelers to Zambia over the decades since the1980’s. Not a day passes that we do not think of him and miss having him in our lives.

We were thrilled to read this article that so accurately describes off-the-beaten-track experiences in Zambia. https://w...
03/02/2023

We were thrilled to read this article that so accurately describes off-the-beaten-track experiences in Zambia.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/31/travel/zambia-safari.html

Christina and Mike visited North Luangwa National Park in July and had the most fabulous adventure!

Anyone who wants to experience the REAL remotes of Zambia, be in touch...we are the Zambia safari experts. 🐘🦛🐆🦒

The Lower Zambezi continues to delight. Elephants at sunset, a 13-pound tiger fish, lions napping in trees, and an eleph...
24/11/2022

The Lower Zambezi continues to delight. Elephants at sunset, a 13-pound tiger fish, lions napping in trees, and an elephant wandering through camp at dinner.

Our thanks to for a glorious stay.

Dear friends and fellow Africa lovers,  Many of you seeing this will have had the great privilege and honor of being on ...
04/08/2022

Dear friends and fellow Africa lovers,

Many of you seeing this will have had the great privilege and honor of being on safari with Phil Berry. Phil was Babette's husband and life partner for over 40 years; stepdad of Christina and her husband Mike Schriber; and grandfather to Sebbie and Stella, their "Koo".

With very heavy and deeply saddened hearts, we write to tell you that Phil passed peacefully from this world in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on July 30th, 2022, with Babette and Christina by his side.

Phil was born in 1941 in Plymouth, England, the son of Leonard, a Royal Navy Engineer, and Victoria Berry. After the war, the family moved to Southern Africa and eventually settled in what is today Zambia. Here, Phil spent the rest of his life dedicated to Zambia's magnificent and richly diversified wildlife. In later years, Phil shared this love and his unparalleled knowledge with guests from all over the world at his and Babette's beloved Kuyenda Bushcamp in the heart of the Luangwa Valley.

We are earnestly committed to protecting and perpetuating Phil's legacy. We will be creating a permanent fund in Phil's name to help support the preservation of Luangwa's exceptional wildlife, which was his life passion.

Phil will be forever missed but never forgotten.

Babette and Christina

Have spent an unforgettable 7 days at Singita’s Pamushana in Malilangwe, Zimbabwe. This place is magical! From the sheer...
05/05/2022

Have spent an unforgettable 7 days at Singita’s Pamushana in Malilangwe, Zimbabwe. This place is magical! From the sheer beauty of the land to the incredible wildlife that abounds. We’ve seen wild dog, hyena, lions, rhinos, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra - you name it! Even rock art dated 1600-2000 years old can be seen here.
A big highlight was a visit to the submerged bunker at the water hole where we saw rhino and elephant steps away from us.
Pamushana has been a long time favorite of Africa Calls and remains as such - the lodge is stunningly beautiful, food the best accompanied by the finest South African wines, an incredibly attentive staff who are so kind and genuinely want to make your experience the best. What a way to end this journey.
Huge gratitude.



Our next stop is King Lewanika Camp in the remote Liuwa Plains National Park in the western province of Zambia.  We fly ...
28/04/2022

Our next stop is King Lewanika Camp in the remote Liuwa Plains National Park in the western province of Zambia. We fly 3 1/2 hours by light aircraft, followed by a pontoon boat transfer and then finally a drive to camp through the beautiful open green and golden colored plains. A black necked spitting cobra crosses our path on our way! (Not a common occurrence for those who say yikes!)
This is an incredible place with lion, cheetah, wildebeest , hyena, red lechwe and even if you’re not into birds you can’t help but be amazed by the over 335 recorded different species found here. Notably the wattled crane, which is on the critically endangered bird species list has found a safe breeding ground here in Liuwa.
Much of the success of this park is due to African Parks management in conjunction with the Zambian Carnivore Program who monitor the lion, cheetah and hyena (note the collared cheetah). They have recently introduced wild dog and have plans to bring ostrich and eland to the park as well. Liuwa gives promise for a hopeful future and direction for endangered wildlife.

I’m escorting a small group of dear friends and long time travelers with Africa Calls through Zambia and Zimbabwe.  Firs...
22/04/2022

I’m escorting a small group of dear friends and long time travelers with Africa Calls through Zambia and Zimbabwe. First stop is Chinzombo Safari Lodge. This is the very place my mom, Babette, moved to in 1986! Wonderful to be here and so many memories. Great to catch up with old friends and enjoy this magical national park.


Another of Namibia's haunting landscapes, the Sossusvlei is an expansive salt and clay pan surrounded by some of the wor...
02/02/2022

Another of Namibia's haunting landscapes, the Sossusvlei is an expansive salt and clay pan surrounded by some of the world's tallest dunes, some nearly 1200 feet. The pans are peppered with petrified trees 800-900 years old.

Christina climbed to the top of the Big Daddy dune and enjoyed some time with her toes in the sand.

Christina will soon be home from Namibia, and we are ready to plan your next adventure.

Cheers! Have you poured yourself a Friday evening sundowner?Christina is enjoying a fantastic variety of gin with a back...
29/01/2022

Cheers! Have you poured yourself a Friday evening sundowner?

Christina is enjoying a fantastic variety of gin with a backdrop of a Namibian sunset.

Then, imagine having a sleep out on this fabulous star bed...one of fantastic options in Etosha.

Etosha means "Great White Place." The 75-mile expanse of the Etosha Salt Pans earns this moniker. Namibia's largest nati...
28/01/2022

Etosha means "Great White Place." The 75-mile expanse of the Etosha Salt Pans earns this moniker. Namibia's largest national park, Etosha is home to a variety of plains game and *stunning* sunsets.

Christina's adventure continues...don't you wish you were with her? 🐘

Sometimes the tastiest morsels are just out of reach...Christina enjoyed a stay at  stunning Onduli Ridge and there were...
26/01/2022

Sometimes the tastiest morsels are just out of reach...

Christina enjoyed a stay at stunning Onduli Ridge and there were elephants everywhere! 🐘🐘

Where will your next adventure take you?

Hoanib Valley is known as the place where the elephants roam -- but this other worldly landscape could just as easily be...
25/01/2022

Hoanib Valley is known as the place where the elephants roam -- but this other worldly landscape could just as easily be the set from a science fiction film.

Christina had some wonderful elephant sightings while staying at the stunning Hoanib Valley Camp, including (swipe through) one giving its trunk a rest. Christina and her travel group also had a rest...but theirs with a midday lager to refresh in the warmth of the afternoon.

Cheers from Namibia! 🐘🐘🐘

The brown hyena's range extends throughNamibia, South Africa, Botswana, and parts of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. But sing o...
22/01/2022

The brown hyena's range extends through
Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, and parts of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. But sing one is special as they are the rarest species of hyena.

Christina has this fabulous sighting today before continuing to see some of Namibia's amazing rock formations - they look like sand castles, don't they?

Is anyone else desperately wishing for a getaway?Christina is off exploring the wilds of Namibia...starting with the hau...
21/01/2022

Is anyone else desperately wishing for a getaway?

Christina is off exploring the wilds of Namibia...starting with the haunting landscapes of the Skeleton Coast.

Wildlife is less abundant in this barren landscape, but the resident game is specially adapted to the dry conditions. Visitors can also enjoy stunning sunrises, meals served seaside, and, for the adrenaline-inclined, quad biking and sand boarding on the expansive dunes.

Follow along with us to see more of Christina's adventures in this other-worldly place. And be in touch to plan your own getaway. 🐘🦒🐆

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Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+15059821976

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Our Story

Africa Calls, Ltd., a small boutique travel company specializing in Southern and East African safaris, was founded by Babette Alfieri in 1989 and is registered in the US as a limited corporation. The permanent base of operation is in Santa Fe, New Mexico where Babette and her daughter, Christina Alfieri have established their office. Babette’s background in the travel industry began in 1971 with KLM Royal Dutch Airlines in their 5th Avenue, New York office. In 1974 she joined South African Airways in New York where she handled sales, marketing and public relations until she left in 1980 to join the prestigious tour operator, Abercrombie and Kent. She was Vice President of Sales Eastern USA with specific responsibility to develop special interest travel programs to Southern Africa with American Zoos and Museums. She designed and arranged many such programs until 1986 when A&K transferred her to Zambia’s magnificent Luangwa Valley, to handle all of their incoming Zambian clients. For the following three years she also traveled around the world marketing the company’s Southern African division. In 1989, she founded Africa Calls with the intention of offering unique adventures far off the beaten track, and away from the ever-increasing tourist crowds. Today Babette’s time is split between Zambia and Santa Fe. Babette also co-founded the WISDOM Foundation in 1980 (originally the Foundation to Save African Endangered Wildlife) registered in New York to raise funds for conservation in Africa. The majority of funds raised went to assist the Zimbabwe Department of National Parks and Wildlife, with additional funding allocated to Namibia, South Africa and Zambia. In 1995 Christina joined Babette full time at Africa Calls as her business partner. Prior to this, Christina’s career began in the finance and private banking field where she worked for Chase Manhattan Bank and Brown Brothers Harriman in Boston for eight years. Christina has traveled extensively throughout Southern Africa since early childhood, and brings a wealth of African knowledge and adventure travel experience to the company. Today Babette and Christina are continually updating Africa Calls with regular travels throughout Southern and East Africa to keep informed on the latest safari products, in addition to both accompanying selected small groups annually on safari. The entire administrative responsibility of the Africa Calls office is Christina’s domain. Her impeccable attention to detail has become Africa Calls’ trademark, and is illustrated by the number of repeat travelers and referrals that we receive. Africa Calls is consistently among the top ten producers for some of Southern Africa’s most prestigious safari camps and land operators. Africa Calls objective is not only to show you the true wilderness areas where wildlife abounds within Southern and East Africa, but where possible to also introduce you to the local people and communities. Should you desire you will have the opportunity to visit schools and clinics and to meet local artists, purchase their goods, and witness traditional ways of life. With over five decades of combined African experience, Africa Calls, Ltd. is able to offer their clients a truly customized safari of the highest caliber. The advantage of Babette living in Africa half of the year offers the significant benefit of being completely on top of the emerging tourist scene there, while at the same time having an intrinsic understanding of the US market and expectations of American tourists traveling to Africa. Africa Calls is uniquely positioned to ignite the spark of a dream safari to Africa here in the US, and to then be there in Africa to help make those dreams come true. Babette Alfieri & Christina Alfieri, Owners AFRICA CALLS, Ltd.