The Southern Africa Travel Blog

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2012 is here!

vicky@gilt-edge.com (Vicky Rowe) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 23:02:57 PST

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2012 is here!

The much anticipated Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2012, has this week finally been launched amongst much fanfare. The Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue 2012 is the biggest selling edition in the US, and boasts Kate Upton as their new cover girl. However, our focus was on Irina Shayk and Alyssa Miller. WHY? Well they were fortunate enough to travel to two of Southern Africa Travel's favourite locations for their Sports Illustrated Swimsuit shoot, the stunning Desroches Island Resort, Seychelles and the beautiful and luxurious Royal Livingstone Hotel, Zambia.

The picture postcard Seychelles destination of Desroches Island Resort was where Alyssa Miller got to enjoy her photoshoot, what a gig! Desroches Island Resort is a high class destination which enjoys balmy weather all year round, surrounded by warm crystal blue waters and endless white sandy beaches. The luxury beach suites and villas are set right on the beach front and offer sumptuous comfort and facilities for their guests to enjoy.

As well as the natural beauty the beaches of the Seychelles have to offer, visitors can also enjoy cycling tours, scuba diving, snorkelling, big game fishing, saltwater fly-fishing, sea kayaks, hydro bikes, surfing and guided nature walks taking in the ancient tortoise colony that is on the island. Desroches Island Resort is a perfect destination for a memorable Seychelles vacation.

With the thunder of the magnificent Victoria Falls rumbling in the background, Irina Shayk enjoyed the comfort and beauty of the beautiful Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia for her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit photoshoot. When staying at this colonial-style hotel, guests can enjoy the sundeck overlooking the forest, and can make use of the swimming pool or simply relax on the large shaded verandas. All the en-suite rooms enjoy a shared private terrace and five star amenities.

The Zambezi region is a playground for adventure enthusiats with options ranging from white-water rafting, helicopter flips, game drives and much much more. Southern Africa Travel has many years travel experience and the team pride themselves on their tailor made itineraries. Please contact the Southern Africa Travel team for further information and let us help you build your dream vacation.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta visit South Africa!

vicky@gilt-edge.com (Vicky Rowe) — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 17:49:54 PST

The Real Housewives of Atlanta visit South Africa!

Have you seen the lastest episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, the second most watched episode in history! The beautifully located Lawhill Luxury Apartments were featured in this episode, and on the next instalment Lawhill Luxury Apartments will be joined by the famous Shamwari Game Reserve.

Set in the stunning V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa, the Lawhill Luxury Apartments offer one of the most ideal locations in Cape Town. The range of luxury apartments boast private balconies or patios with Marina or Canal views and further services include a 24 hour concierge service to ensure your vacation is both relaxing and enjoyable.

The stunning Shamwari Game Reserve is set in the heart of the Eastern Cape region and enjoys malaria-free status making it an ideal family-friendly vacation destination. Set in 25,000 hectares of spectacular African bush the Shamwari Game Reserve prides itself on conservation winning several prestigious awards inluding the Worold's Leading Conservation Company and Game Reserve. The accommodation at Shamwari Game Reserve is made up of seven luxury lodges all set in the bush or along the banks of Bushman's River. This luxurious setting makes for a great Big Five safari adventure.

For further information about either of these properties, or to create your dream vacation contact Southern Africa Travel today. We pride ourselves on Tailor-made travel.

Uthando South Africa - An update on their year

vicky@gilt-edge.com (Vicky Rowe) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:53:21 PST

Uthando South Africa - An update on their year

As you know, Southern Africa Travel is a big supporter of Uthando South Africa and we were pleased to receive an update on their very busy year:

"Dear Southern Africa Travel Team, thank you for your wonderful support in 2011. Uthando continues to bring people together in so many unique and different ways, creating a consciousness of love and understanding. Please continue to help us grow and expand our influence in 2012. With Regards James & Charlene"

Here are a few highlights and achievements from a very busy 2011.....

In May 2011 we held The Uthando Benefit Concert which was an enourmous success with all projects receiving amazing exposure to the tourism industry. Many of our projects have now generated significant income through performances at toursim functions.
Happy Feet Youth Project - Construction of a Happy Feet Youth Centre in the Langa Township.
Jikeleza Dance Project - Skills development/self-esteem weekend courses were held for more than 50 of the female students.
Kiddies Educare - The building of a day care centre will be completed before the end of 2011.
Khumbulani Centre - Grassroots Education Trust weekend camp for more than 100 children.

These are just a few of the many achievements made by Uthando South Africa this year, and we at Southern Africa Travel wish them all the best for 2012 with our continued support.

Jack Hanna’s “Into the Wild” film crew coming to Africa

murray@gilt-edge.com (Murray Gardiner) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:54:03 PST

Jack Hanna’s “Into the Wild” film crew coming to Africa

October 28, 2011 Columbus, Ohio

Renowned animal-expert and conservationist, Jack Hanna, is taking his “Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild” (“Into the Wild”) film crew to Africa in search of endangered wildlife, high adventure, and fascinating cultures! “Into the Wild” is an Emmy Award winning television program aired in the United States.

Jack is always looking for new and exciting stories for his viewers. This November, Jack is working with Southern Africa Travel operated by Giltedge Travel and the Mantis Collection and its expert staff has organized an amazing adventure!

“I’ve been visiting and filming in Africa for over 30 years, and I’ve never—ever—seen an itinerary like this one! We’re covering 4 countries—Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana—to look for the best in animal and conservation stories,“ said Jack Hanna. “The schedule is truly unique and will put our film crew in the best possible situations to film wildlife!”

Jack and crew will be staying at some of the finest properties Africa has to offer, highlighted by the Mantis Collection’s of Royal Chundu (Zambia) and the remarkable Zambezi Queen (deluxe riverboat based in Namibia).

About Jack Hanna
Animal expert Jungle Jack Hanna’s hands-on approach has won him widespread acclaim as Director Emeritus of the Columbus Zoo, conservationist, author, television personality, and lifelong adventurer. Recognized around the country as America’s favorite zookeeper, Jack has made countless television appearances since 1983 on shows such as Good Morning America, The Late Show with David Letterman, Larry King Live, The Talk, The Maury Show, Fox News Programs, and CNN News Programs. He is the host of TV’s Jack Hanna’s Animal Adventures, Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild, and Jack Hanna’s Wild Countdown. For more information, visit www.jackhanna.com

About Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild
Jack Hanna’s Into the Wild, sponsored by Nationwide Insurance and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, is a nationally syndicated E.I. series takes viewers on excursions around the world through the eyes of America’s most beloved animal adventurer and his family. More than just a collection of animal escapades, Into the Wild provides insight into the protection and conservation of some of our planet’s most precious and endangered species. Into the Wild is unscripted; action packed, and was awarded an Emmy for Outstanding Children’s Series in 2008. The adventures continue as Into the Wild begins its fourth season in September 2010. For more information, please check out www.jhitw.com.

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

martinduys@gmail.com (Robyn Leatherby) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:52:24 PST

Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge

My husband and I were lucky enough to spend two nights at Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge. This lodge is designed in such a way that it completely blends into its surroundings. The twelve individual suites and presidential suite each resemble a termite mound and looking from afar you would never guess what luxury awaits you. The suites are spacious with muted colours and lead out to your own private plunge pool.

We arrived in time for a delicious high tea before departing on our first evening game drive. We were in the capable hands of our ranger Darred and tracker Goodman - they went out of their way to make each game drive a memorable one! We had incredible lion sightings, saw large herds of buffalo, rhinos wallowing in a late afternoon mud bath, elephants and plenty plains game. The highlight was watching a leopard stalking a herd of Impala just metres from our game drive vehicle, completely oblivious to the excitement he was creating around him! Unfortunately for the leopard the Impala got away but for all of us, it was an amazing experience!

We enjoyed every minute of our stay at this unique lodge - good food, friendly staff, great company made our stay there unforgettable!

Arathusa Safari Lodge and Lion Sands River Lodge

martinduys@gmail.com (Robyn Leatherby) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:54:46 PST

Arathusa Safari Lodge and Lion Sands River Lodge

Arathusa Safari Lodge is situated in the Northern section of the Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve. The lodge is situated around a large waterhole to which game periodically come down to drink. Whether you are sitting on your stoep outside your room, lounging around the rim flow pool, or ving a meal at the Boma you can watch the comings and goings of the animals all day. There is a choice of accommodation - the standard rooms situated around the waterhole or for those wanting absolute privacy, the spacious luxury suites which are situated away from the main lodge.

The food at Arathusa was great and being vegetarian, I was pleasantly surprised to be given two choices at mealtimes which doesn't always happen! Spring was definitely in the air and we saw baby elephants, the cutest, chubbiest baby rhino and hyena cubs. We were lucky enough to watch a hyena family play outside their den, not something I've seen before!

That is the beauty of the bush, every time you go on a game drive you see something different, the element of surprise is always there! Arathusa is a very well-priced safari option and I can definitely recommend it!

Lion Sands River Lodge
After a long day we finally arrived at Lion Sands River Lodge! I stayed in a gorgeous superior luxury room and was torn between running a long hot bath and soaking for hours or going for a bush dinner ... Of course the bush dinner won hands down and what a beautiful evening it was! Having dinner under the stars in the middle of the bush with only lanterns lighting up the area is truly an amazing experience! What struck me about this lodge was the many communal areas where you can relax - whether it is around the pool, in the privacy of your deck, or one of the many lounges at the main lodge - I could quite easily have curled up on a couch and watch the "bush world" go by! There are also newly refurbished standard rooms at River Lodge which are quite comfortable.

Although we didn't stay there, we did a tour of Lion Sands Ivory Lodge - the villas are very luxurious and private. The suites consist of a spacious open plan bedroom with a courtyard and separate lounge area which is perfect to come home to after a tasty dinner at the lodge and relax.

If you are planning a family reunion or a get together with good friends, 1933 at Lion Sands is a wonderful option! It's a private home situated on the reserve which has four beautiful suites overlooking the Sabi River and a cute dormitory which can sleep up to 8 children! There is even a room for the au pair! 1933 comes with your own private chef and ranger and exclusive use of a 4x4 Landrover. The lodge has a large deck with a swimming pool and views of the river - I could not think of a better place to catch up with family and friends whilst enjoying the wonders of the bush!

Another option exclusive to Lion Sands Game Reserve guests is a sleep out in a Tree house! This is not for the faint-hearted but what an experience! Guests are taken to the tree house at sunset and enjoy a picnic dinner and spend the night under the African stars. The Treehouse is built around a high Leadwood Tree and the access is completely secure. Once you get to the top of the Treehouse a wonderful surprise awaits - there is a beautiful bush "bedroom" with mosquito net and a toilet and bush vanity table and the views are spectacular. I would highly recommend this.

The Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town

monique@gilt-edge.com (Monique Dean) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:55:25 PST

The Cape Grace Hotel, Cape Town

We had the wonderful opportunity of staying at the magnificent Cape Grace Hotel recently and this was perfectly timed as the previous evening we had endured a sleepover with 13 little girls to celebrate my daughters 10th birthday. The hotel pulled out all the stops and made our stay so incredibly relaxing. The hotel has a wide selection of DVD's which is on offer to all in-house guests so we decided to settle in for the evening with a great movie. And in true style, the hotel went the extra mile by delivering popcorn to our room! Kira has asked if we could please have a house 'just like the Cape Grace' !

Pic insert: Kira relaxing by the swimming pool.

TOP TRAVEL AWARD

lauren@gilt-edge.com (Sandra Devoti) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:56:03 PST

TOP TRAVEL AWARD

Cape Town based Giltedge Travel, who operates Southern Africa Travel, has been singled out as South Africa’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator for the second consecutive year at an impressive ceremony held at Soho Square in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt on Friday 16 September 2011.

World Travel Awards (www.worldtravelawards.com) serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel, tourism and hospitality industry. The Wall Street Journal describes the awards as the 'Oscars' of the travel industry. 180,000 industry professionals from around the world participated in the voting process for their preferred companies and organisations over the past four months and Giltedge Travel was nominated alongside some of the most respected names in the travel industry for the most sought-after prizes in the tourism world. Other nominees included &Beyond, New Frontiers Tours & Travel, Personal Africa, Trans Africa Safaris and Wilderness Safaris.

Speaking from Cape Town, Director, Murray Gardiner comments, “Achieving top spot is a real achievement and to do it two years in a row, is a real testament to a dedicated and hardworking team.” Director, Sean Kritzinger says “It is incredibly humbling to see the motivation within our diverse and extremely knowledgeable group of consultants.”

African Pride Arabella Hotel & Spa

monya@snow-media.co.za (Jenni Southey) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:56:41 PST

African Pride Arabella Hotel & Spa

So, off I set on Friday afternoon, leaving around 14h30 hoping to miss the long weekend traffic. The journey to Kleinmond started well with the Stellenbosch mountains being covered in snow and the ocean a beautiful blue. This relaxing drive soon turned into bumper to bumper traffic for most of the way.

However, on arriving at the African Pride Arabella Hotel & Spa, the drive and all its traffic was soon forgotten. The views from both sides of the hotel are just beautiful. My grand deluxe room looked over the lake and all the way down to the ocean. My room was large and comfortable and the bed was very inviting after a long day; however, I had to head off on my site inspection. The conference facilities are fantastic and really offer something for every conference request.

The pool and pool deck area are great for the warm summer months and has a bar for those lazy afternoon cocktails after a long day of exploring the Hemel en Aarde valley, famous for their many wines.

Dinner and breakfast were taken in Jamani restaurant which is spacious and welcoming. For a buffet dinner I delighted in the ‘all you can eat’ sushi buffet followed by a wide selection of different dishes; they really do cater for all tastes.

I would definitely recommend it for any conference group, large or small, due to its proximity to both Cape Town International Airport as well as the famous coastal town of Hermanus.

Azura at Quilalea Private Island

sandi@gilt-edge.com (Sandi Bird) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:57:34 PST

Azura at Quilalea Private Island

Quilalea Island occupies only 35 hectares of palm fringed sand amid the tranquil Indian Ocean of the Quirimbas Archipelago. The only human beings to be found on this tiny exclusive retreat will be the Azura staff and their guests.

In full flow for our 1 Nov Opening

The normally peaceful, tranquil, private island paradise that is Quilalea, has been buzzing with activity these past couple of months, with builders in hard hats, technicians, electricians and plumbers plying their trades from dawn to dusk, despite endless sunshine and temperatures well above 35 degrees. The South African led team have been working hard to keep the project ahead of schedule, replacing all of the island’s ageing infrastructure with a couple of km of new piping and cabling, and reconfiguring the front of house areas and villas ahead of the 1 November opening date.

Half way through the refurb project, all is on track for completion end September, to allow for installation and a soft opening and training period through October. ‘We are all very excited about the amazing transformation that is taking place’, commented Nathan, who has been a senior manager at Quilalea since day one of the original version that first opened back in 2002, ‘I have never seen anyone work so fast!’

The Villas

The building works, plumbing and electrics on the Sunrise and Sunset Villas are complete already, with just the finishing touches to add. And as you can see from the photos, they already look just like they should do, the beautiful private coral and makuti thatch villas Quilalea was known for, set amidst a nature lover’s paradise of stunning vegetation, with undisturbed views out to sea and the reefs beyond.

The interiors are all designed and furnishings ordered, with a focus on laid back yet stylish design. Take a look at the mood boards to get an idea of the final product, lots of colour and texture Mozambican style, and subtle reflections of the island, like the age old baobab groves.

Building Facts & Figures:

The 120-strong building team has used 140,000 litres of water so far to complete the refurbishment works, and since Quilalea has no standing water it has all been shipped in by dhow from the mainland 10km away. The new Quilalea will have 2 state of the art desalination plants.
It takes just 3 days for a truck with building supplies to get from Johannesburg to Quilalea, a trip of some 2800 km.

Easy on the Eye, Easy on the Conscience

A major part of the refurbishment has involved making the property more eco-friendly. In a unique concept, all the villas have been kitted out with power-usage control switches, so guests can enjoy the moral superiority of turning their mod-cons on and off as their conscience dictates. Crystal batteries, solar power and wind power facilitate the aim of having the generator turned on as little as possible during the day, and hopefully not at all at night. Peace and tranquillity take precedence here.

Out With the Old....

The ship has sailed on its last voyage…

For those of you who remember the old Quilalea, the infamous dhow bar has taken its final journey to a new resting place on the beachfront. While some will be sad to see it go, the old bar area needed to be made bigger, shaken up, chilled down, and fine-strained into a thing of beauty, just like the Margaritas we will soon be serving. The new bar-lounge area features a central ‘look through’ indoor/outdoor bar, with a chill zone where you can put your feet up with a good book while you send your drink down. Still very much the social heart of Quilalea, it opens up to a newly revamped pool area, with much larger pool for a refreshing dip and softly lit trees for evening dinners beneath the stars.

... and In With the New

What to do with a container load of fine wines from the owner’s 5 wine estates? Well build a wine cellar of course! Perfect for private dining, or whiling away the afternoon with some good cheese and wine over a game of scrabble. And missing from the old Quilalea, but essential to the experiences we will be offering, a new dedicated Padi watersports centre just off the main beach, stocked with all the necessary toys for girls and boys to fish, dive, snorkel and kayak these pristine waters. Uniquely, Quilalea has snorkelling and diving right off the main beach, and for those who like to keep their feet on dry land, a beautiful baobab walking trail to Turtle Beach where there are some 90 turtle nests each year. A great spot for a romantic private picnic.

Service

So how do we ensure the same legendary hosting experience that our guests have come to love at Azura on Benguerra Island? Easy..we send in some of the existing Azura Team, and appoint a couple of serious experts on operating high end properties in Mozambique to run the show. Paul and Kelly Ricklan, who’ve been in Mozambique for more than 10 years, with the last 7 spent at Marlin Lodge, will be joining us on the 30^th of August, and start by spending some time at the Azura ‘mother ship’ on Benguerra to learn the secrets behind the Azura ‘WOW’. And Greg, our Head Butler/Host, has volunteered to head back up to the Archipelago he started out at, to train the new team. A staff swap between the 2 islands will start in August, and carry on for the following few months, so that key staff get to spend time at both of our amazing Mozambican properties, and learn from eachother.

October is test drive month at Azura at Quilalea, when a number of well-heeled guinea pigs will be staying at the island to put the team through their paces. The aim…?? To ensure that operations hit the ground running long before the first guests arrive in November. There’s a long waiting list for takers, but for those of you who want to experience the beauty of the idyllic island paradise all for yourself, look out for the exciting sales competition we shall be announcing shortly!

Remember we have only just opened the villas at Azura at Quilalea Private Island up for bookings, so there are still plenty of villas available for all those clients of yours demanding something new and exciting for Christmas and New Year, and look out for our extra special opening offers valid from 1 November.

We can also sell the island as a whole, with all 9 villas available for the complete private island experience. We’ve just struck up deal with Elite-Jet to get you there and back from Joburg, with very attractive rates. Otherwise fly into Pemba on Lam or Airlink from Joburg, Maputo, Nairobi or Dar es Salaam.

Azura at Quilalea Private Island, the new, hip, laid back, go-to island retreat, just waiting to be re-discovered.

Opening Special Offers:

2 stay for the price of 1 on bookings of 7 nights or more, valid for stays in Sunrise Villas, 1 November – 20 December 2011 and 15 January – 31 March 2012 only.
2 stay for the price of 1, and guests receive free transfers from Pemba, on bookings of 10 nights or more, valid for stays in Sunrise Villas, 1 November – 20 December 2011 and 15 January – 31 March 2012 only.
Stay 4 pay 3 valid for all bookings made and confirmed by 30 September 2011, all arrival dates other than Peak Season.

General Special Offers:

Long stay: stay 5 pay 4, valid for stays until 31 March 2012.
Honeymooners: bride receives 50% discount on rack rate year round.
Loyalty: automatic 20% discount for any guests who have already stayed at Azura on Benguerra Island. Valid for stays until 31 March 2012 only.

All offers exclude peak season and are not combinable.

We are proud supporters of Greenstuff

Sean@gilt-edge.com (Sean Kritzinger) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:58:20 PST

We are proud supporters of Greenstuff

Southern Africa Travel are proud supporters of Greenstuff, a company founded by Lorraine Jenks a family friend of one of the Southern Africa Travel owners Sean Kritzinger. Lorraine has single handedly changed the attitude of our suppliers in the industry being hotels and lodges, guesthouses and B&B’s in Southern Africa by promoting the “Green” suppliers to the hotel and tourism industry. She runs a help-desk and company with vast information for the industry to help them stay environmentally aware and ensure they use the green products available to them in Southern Africa. Useful information like how to “Green your hotel” area by area is provided and lots more.

To find out more about the good work Green Stuff is doing visit their site at http://www.greenstuff.co.za.

Cape Town Evening Cycle Tour

richard@gilt-edge.com (Richard Arthur) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:59:28 PST

Cape Town Evening Cycle Tour

We nervously met Ben and his team from Bike & Saddle at the Cape Grace Hotel in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront late on Friday afternoon. Ben gave us a quick briefing and safety talk and we headed off over the bridge to the dry dock and down past the front of the Waterfront and the Table Bay Hotel onto Granger Bay. Within a few minutes on the bike, the anxiety of this unique experience eased and I felt completely relaxed and loving every minute.

It was on to the Mouille Point Lighthouse and then we cycled through the Green Point Park along the fan walk (established during the Soccer World Cup last year) and passed the grand stadium. From there it was on to Green Point and up into De Waterkant (quite a hill which I didn’t make and Rhynhardt did – must be a weight thing!)

From here we cycled down to Long Street, into Green Market Square, over St. Georges Mall, up through the Company Gardens, into the Bo-Kaap, the traditional Cape Malay quarter, and back to the Cape Grace for sparkling wine and canapés.

Ben and Vicky (very nice girl from Argentina) stopped several times during the tour to explain the history and sights which I really enjoyed. I had never seen the Green Point Park which is really spectacular, I didn’t know who the 4th icon in Noble Square was – or that he was killed in a train accident which was probably ordered by the old “White Regime” in 1964, I didn’t even know Noble Square existed, I didn’t know the history of the lighthouse in Mouille Point, I didn’t know the Company Gardens where actually a vegetable “patch” where they grew veggies for the passing ships on the way to the East, I didn’t know about the slaves and the slave museum, or that some guy called Adderley ( seems like he was quite a hot-shot in his day) was the one who would not allow the ships with all the criminals to stop in Cape Town (sorry Australia – they got them all) I also didn’t know why the houses in the Bo-Kaap are painted different colours BUT most of all – I didn’t know that a glass of sparkling wine could be so rewarding after sitting on a bike for two hours!

The Bascule Bar at the Cape Grace was buzzing and it was great to sit and have some drinks with the other people on the tour. A father and his daughter from Germany loved the tour; they were off on Saturday with Ben and the rest of the Bike & Saddle team to cycle around Sanbona Wildlife Reserve for two nights (I would have drawn the line there).

I can definitely recommend this tour, we really enjoyed it and it was the perfect end to a great week for me. I learned so much about Cape Town and I know everyone in the office and our guests would love it. It is so completely unique and different. If you get a chance to do it, grab it with both hands – you will love it!

Bike & Saddle offers a range of day tours and longer overland tours from game viewing to gastronomic experiences. Have a look at their Cape Culinary Cycle Experience. Please contact us.

Cape Malay Experience

Lauren@gilt-edge.com (Lauren Foulds-Vallée) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:00:33 PST

Cape Malay Experience

The Giltedge Team were lucky enough to be invited to the Cape Malay Experience at the Cellars Hohenhort Hotel in leafy Constantia…

We all headed over to this grand dame of a hotel after a hard day’s work and met for a drink in the Martini Bar (which has the most sublime cocktails!) before moving onto the dining room.

Catering for groups from 6 to 20, the Cape Malay Experience is loads of fun and offers an insight into this very local cuisine which is unique to Cape Town and dates back to the 17th Century. We were hosted by the lovely Veronique & Alison of Collection McGrath, as well as by the talented chef Martha Williams, who rustled up some fabulous little snacks to get us started: samoosas, little chilli bites and the like.

Onto the main meal, we enjoyed Snoek balls and pickled fish, before being offered a choice of curries from lentil and pumpkin pot, chicken and prawn curry or a sublime lamb curry. Dessert was a traditional (and divine!) Malva Pudding with Amarula Ice Cream and Custard.

It was a fantastic evening with great people, food and service… And the Cape Malay really is a unique way to experience this authentic Cape Town cooking style!

Guest Feedback - Lam Family

martinduys@gmail.com (Rhynhardt Naurattel) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:02:09 PST

Guest Feedback - Lam Family

We are extremely proud to share feedback received from one of our younger guests. Alarisse Lam, from San Diego, travelled to Southern Africa with her older brother, parents and grand parents in June.

Traveling through Giltedge to Africa was definitely one of the best experiences of my life so far. It all began when we landed in Johannesburg, where there was a person ready to pick us up bearing pre-arranged packages for us that contained all of the information about our trip that we needed to know. They were very friendly and eager to help, and even shared some facts and insights about the city on our drive to the hotel. After a day of settling in, they were back to pick us up the next morning for our flight to Kruger National Park.

We stayed in Tinga Private Game Lodge. Just the experience of the lodge alone was amazing. The exceptionally friendly staff were awaiting our arrival, and were ready to greet us with hand towels, drinks, and refreshments. We sat down overlooking the river as they took care of everything for us. We were lucky enough to be there at the perfect time, as we were the only people at the lodge at the time. It was like having a personal staff 24/7!

Everything about the lodge is beautiful from the view (a lot of times we saw elephants and other animals just across the river from us!), the suites (private hot tub and deck, the shower alone was equipped with bay windows of the river, and heated floors throughout--need I say more?), the pool, the main area, and the entire section of the park that is private to the lodge. We would often times see members of the antelope family just wandering around the lodge, too! The safaris were great, and our trackers seemed to know everything about every animal. Afternoon safaris also had tea time, where we stopped for a bit for refreshments as we watched the sun set. After the night game drive, we would return to the hotel where the staff awaited us with warm towels and dinner.

The food at the lodge was phenomenal. I don't remember having a single meal that didn't satisfy me, and more. It was almost like the kitchen was trying to fatten us up to feed to the lions! We were definitely reluctant to leave, as we embarked for Cape Town.

Our experience in Cape Town was, once again, exceptional. We had a private tour guide who was there for us our entire stay, and was happy to work with us when we wanted to change our schedule around, no matter how last minute. His knowledge about the city was incredible, as he explained to us all about its history to present times--and all the bits in between--during our tour of the beautiful place.

Another aspect of Cape Town, which I would highly recommend to everyone, was the great white shark diving. The program Giltedge scheduled us with was great: they picked us up early in the morning and brought us out to the site. There, we ate breakfast and were debriefed before we all loaded up onto the boat. The ride out was very quick, and before we knew it we were in the middle of swarming sharks as we climbed into our wetsuits. I will never forget the sight of 10 foot great whites close enough for you to touch. No words can describe it. The cage held 5 people at a time, so we rotated through groups as the time went on, but each person got plenty of time in the water. In total, we saw 11 sharks! Everything about it was awesome and this adventure should be on everyone's bucket list.

After Cape Town we went to Victoria Falls. The Falls are truly beautiful. We took walking tours on both the Zambian side as well as the Zimbabwean side. We also went on a sunset river cruise Giltedge had set us up with, and helicopter tours in addition to an ultralight tour. It was really great we were able to see it from all these different angles, enriching the experience overall.

In all, Giltedge took care of us very well, setting up everything seamlessly so that we had nothing to worry about. From drivers to tours, to even someone waiting for us after a flight to walk us to the next terminal for our next flight, they had everything ready perfectly. I would highly recommend anyone to go with Giltedge for their next trip to Africa. By Alarisse Lam

World Travel Awards - Vote for us

stella@gilt-edge.com (Stella Neethling) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:03:36 PST

World Travel Awards - Vote for us

World Travel Awards 2011

The regional nominees for the 2011 World Travel Awards has been revealed and Giltedge Travel has made the nomination list in the category South Africa’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator.

The World Travel Awards serves to recognize and reward excellence across all sectors of the international travel, tourism and hospitality industry.

Online voting has opened and consumers and the travel trade are invited to submit their votes.

Waterford Wine Drive

charlotte@gilt-edge.com (Charlotte Smith) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:04:56 PST

Waterford Wine Drive

On a cloudy winters Saturday in Cape Town, the Giltedge team speed out of the city, to Waterford Estate in Stellenbosch amongst much joking about our “grape drive”. We assure Richard that there will be wine and no Big Five spotting, the only way we get him to agree to join us! We reach the estate along a windy country road; geese meet us along the driveway lined with fragrant lavender beds and rows of fruit trees. The surroundings are reminiscent of a Tuscan farmhouse, low terracotta colour buildings, intricate (local) stonework and a red tiled roof all set around their signature fountain in the central courtyard. Deep verandas are comfortably furnished with soft couches.

Kevin Arnold, cellar master, winemaker and shareholder, greets us with a welcoming glass of sparkling wine. A brief introduction before we take a short walk through the cellar, glasses in hand, where red stained oak barrels line this cool, dark space. I feel a sense of magic and romance, knowing what love, passion and dedication Kevin puts into these soon to be exceptional bottles of wine. The estate produces 75% red and 25% white wines.

Back in the sunshine, we clamber onto our 10-seater safari vehicle (grey not green!) and head off into the vineyards for our 2 hour discovery with Sean and Shaun, or “Shaun squared” as they jokingly refer to themselves. Passing Pecan Stream (another of their labels) we drive on alongside a grove of 100 year old wild olive trees, Sean giving us some of the history and information on the terroir of this magnificent 120 hectare estate.

At our first tasting stop, alongside a small dam, in the shade of an oak tree, we savour Rose-Mary their easy drinking Rose as well as a delicious Reserve Sauvignon Blanc and tropical Chardonnay.
The setting is breath-taking with vineyards and mountains stretching behind and above us. A crisp white table cloth, fresh crusty bread, rich olive oil and plump green olives complete a perfect picture.

We bump on, past Pebble Hill, slowly winding our way up to a wooden deck with views as far as Devils Peak. The farm lies below us, a patchwork of autumn colours, the only sound the wind in the pine tree beside us. Now onto the reds, Kevin Arnold Shiraz, an intense Cabernet Sauvignon and the incredible flagship, The Jem – truly like drinking liquid velvet. All washed down with biltong, droëwors and salty cashew nuts.

We return enthusiastic and relaxed to the winery, for our final indulgence, wine & chocolate tasting. Dark and milk chocolate, paired with two reds and a natural sweet wine are a taste sensation and the perfect ending to our day of discovery. As Kevin says, “why taste indoors, you could be anywhere in the world”, this really is the only way to taste and learn about wine, in the fresh air, amongst the vineyards where this precious commodity is grown. Contact Giltedge to book your wine drive, the winelands’ best kept secret.

Paternoster - West Coast Winter Escape

charlotte@gilt-edge.com (Charlotte Smith) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:06:15 PST

Paternoster - West Coast Winter Escape

This wind swept fishing village on South Africa’s West Coast is a perfect place to escape from the city and unwind. My recent long week-end visit included wandering amongst whitewashed cottages and experiencing local cuisine. This once remote and tiny hamlet has become a popular destination for weary city dwellers and I can see why.

Sitting on rough wooden benches, we savoured fresh calamari at the quaint Voorstrandt Restaurant, washed down with crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The restaurant is aptly named for its on-the-beach location –once a fisherman’s home, it is built from wood and corrugated iron. Ask about the catch of the day, so fresh you can taste the sea!

Winter is the perfect time to visit, little wind and no crowds. Southern Africa Travel can offer a range of accommodation styles to suit every taste, from value-for-money guest houses to luxury small boutique hotels.

The village offers many activities such as kayaking, walks on the beach and whale & dolphin watching. It is also home to many artists so be sure to see the pottery and art. Pick up some souvenirs from Oep ve Koep – “Die Winkel op Paternoster” (the shop at Paternoster), stockists of jams, preserves and other local treats.

Go now before everyone else does.

Lauren’s African Bucket List

Lauren@gilt-edge.com (Lauren Foulds-Vallée) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:08:44 PST

Lauren’s African Bucket List

Ever since the movie “The Bucket List” hit (where two terminally ill men make a wish list of things to do and see before “kicking the bucket”) it’s got us all reaching for our pencils and making a list of our own… and here is mine:

My African Bucket List

Hot air ballooning over the Masai Mara… There’s something about the crispness of early morning and the quiet of ballooning that really appeals to me… seeing the sun rise over the plains, watching the game below, and all the while just floating… (I’d stay at Governors' Camp for this one.)

To dive into an azure ocean, and eat prawns on the beach… I’d like to go somewhere remote and untouched, maybe the Quirimbas in Northern Mozambique, which the crowds haven’t found as yet.

To feel the spray of Victoria Falls and drink Pimms & Lemonade to my heart’s content… colonial Africa at its best and no better place to experience this than the Royal Livingstone Hotel in Zambia.

To explore some of the remotest regions of the African continent… a luxury I know – as remote places often equals small planes (thinking Skeleton Coast Safaris), but what could be more exhilarating than landing on a completely deserted beach along Namibia’s Skeleton Coast?

To own a slice of a vineyard with a postcard-pretty house on it, and spend many lazy days enjoying it… perhaps in the verdant Franschhoek Valley, or somewhere equally perfect. A girl can dream… but for now the charms of places like Auberge Clermont will have to do.

Family Escape to Franschhoek

stephanie@gilt-edge.com (Stephanie Meconi) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:10:09 PST

Family Escape to Franschhoek

On a sunny April weekend we were invited to stay at Franschhoek Country House and Villas, in the Cape Winelands. Franschhoek is such a charming little village with fantastic restaurants, quaint shops and of course some of the finest wine estates surrounding the area. Let’s not forget the rich history of the Huguenots, a visit to Franschhoek would not be complete without a visit to the museum and monument with the beautifully manicured gardens surrounding it.

Franschhoek Country House and Villas in Franschhoek has so much to offer and it is the perfect stay for families. The hotel offers several accommodation options ranging from Standard Rooms, Garden Cottages and Luxury rooms, which are decorated in a more classic style, to the crème de la crème the more modern-styled villa suites. The villa suites are a great option for families with small children, and are extremely spacious with luxury amenities, tea and coffee station and Mini Bar. The welcoming complimentary fruit basket is a nice touch. The hotel itself has a Provencal feel to it with roses and lavender gardens, several water features and fountains and of course some magnificent architecture. There are several public areas on offer: lounges with internet facilities, two swimming pools, one of which is heated, as well as the popular restaurant Monneaux, which is actually set on the original site of the first “parfumerie” in Franschhoek. The restaurant offers fantastic fine dining without being over the top. For those who want to be pampered, the hotel also offers a spa with a variety of treatments.

I would definitely recommend this property to any guest travelling through Franschhoek. Situated an hour’s drive from Cape Town, it offers luxury and hospitality that will ensure an unforgettable South African holiday for the whole family.

Africa’s Gentle Giants

stephanie@gilt-edge.com (Stephanie Meconi) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:12:57 PST

Africa’s Gentle Giants

The African Elephant is the largest land mammal on earth and also one of the most fascinating. Experiencing the wonderful interaction with these beautiful creatures can be soul touching and exhilarating at the same time and there are several places in South Africa, Botswana and Zambia where one can experience either walking with these magnificent animals or engage in an elephant back safari.

Elephants have no natural enemies as there is none large enough to challenge them. Unfortunately their future is threatened because of the increasing human populations which cause loss of their natural habitats. That, as well as the continuing of the ivory trade in some parts of Africa. The animals in these elephant sanctuaries have been humanely tamed and trained. Many of them have been rescued from reserves where they would have otherwise been culled or made available for hunting. The elephant sanctuaries help to educate visitors and aid conservation efforts.

What the experience offers each individual is the opportunity to touch and interact with the elephants and learn more about them. Their handlers have a very special relationship with each elephant and have an extraordinary in-depth knowledge of these animals and their fascinating behaviour. Elephant back safaris are also a very special and unique way of experiencing the bush; allowing you to get up close to the other animals as the human scent is masked by those of the elephants.

We recommend staying at one of these luxury lodges for an up-close-and-personal experience with these majestic creatures:

Camp Jabulani in South Africa
Abu Camp or Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta

If you are pressed for time why not include Knysna Elephant Park situated between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay along South Africa’s Garden Route, Addo Elephant Back Safaris or Elephant Whispers near the Kruger National Park for a day visit.

Whatever experience you choose, you will leave taking memories with you that will last a lifetime.

The Southern Africa Travel Blog

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