Friday, August 2, 2013

Two new hotels for the Kruger Park area

Skukuza Conference Lodge managed by Sanparks
The 120-bedroom lodge will be located in the existing Skukuza Rest Camp next to the conference centre which already exists, and will cater to the three-to-four star market. The conferencing facility at the lodge will accommodate 500 delegates in the main conference hall, plus 128 in two breakaway rooms.
 
5* Rezidor’s Radisson Blu Safari Resort Kruger Park
The Radisson Blu Safari Resort Kruger Park will be located within the southern border of the Kruger National Park – along the famous Crocodile River 10 kilometres from the Malelane Gate. Besides 104 rooms and 16 suites with private terraces, the resort will offer an all-day dining restaurant, a typical “Boma” (an outdoor dining and entertainment area), a cigar bar and a pool bar and terrace. For guests combining business and leisure, the Radisson Blu will have 5 conference rooms – leisure facilities will include 2 swimming pools, a spa- and wellness centre on 350 square meters, a gym, and game viewing Crocodile River decks, a kids club and an environmental awareness centre.

No opening dates have been announced for either hotel.

New Protea Hotel for Rwanda

Hot on the heels of our Rwanda feature last month, The Protea Hospitality Group has signed a deal that will see Africa’s largest hotel group moving into its 10th African country, the beautiful equatorial Republic of Rwanda, famous for its Mountain Gorillas.
A 25-room hotel in the upmarket suburb of Nyarutarama in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali will become Protea Hotel Kigali when it opens in the last quarter of this year and represents a great step forward in the Protea Hospitality Group’s growth in East Africa, says company CEO Arthur Gillis.
Protea Hotel Kigali will offer standard rooms, as well as eight two-bedroom units specifically for the long-stay market. The hotel will also feature a 60-seater restaurant, a bar, gym and swimming pool, plus two executive boardrooms for meetings and conferences on site.

Rwanda is a developing nation of approximately 11 million people. African Economic Outlook sets the country an expected GDP growth of nearly 7% for 2013.

It's Official - Four Seasons is taking over the Westcliff


After much speculation, it has been confirmed that Four Seasons will take over management of The Westcliff hotel, marking the entrance of the international brand into the South African market.
Four Seasons has signed a long-term management agreement with the owners of The Westcliff, Albwardy Investment and Hotels Properties Limited.

The property will reopen as Four Seasons Hotel Westcliff Johannesburg at the end of 2014, following renovations. This marks the entrance of Four Seasons into the South African market and its second on the continent – Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti in Tanzania opened last year.


New Feature: Impalila Island, Botswana and Namibia

I thought I would do a monthly feature on an area in our destination that is not well known. The first feature is on Impalila Island located near the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, where Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet. It is home to some 300 people in 25 small villages, including Tswanas and Subia people.
The top property is Impalila Island Lodge which features 8 river-facing wood and thatched chalets and offers numerous activities.
·         Fly fishing for the world-class Tigerfish and other species
·         Outstanding birding for 450+ species
·         Superb game cruises on the Chobe River (Chobe National Park)
·         Guided island walks - Birding and Botanical
·         Cultural village visits
·         Walk to the 2000-year old Baobab tree
·         Relaxation and regeneration of the soul

Access is by boat, boarding at the Kasane Immigration post in Botswana.


Truly remote and beautiful!


UNWTO Destination Video

For more inspiration from the Victoria Falls region watch this You Tube UNWTO Destination Video Zim / Zam 2013, makes me want to jump on the next available aircraft!

New luxury cruise boat – The Zambezi Explorer in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

The Zambezi Explorer is a luxury catamaran that cruises the mighty Zambezi River upstream of the Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. This modern catamaran lets you enjoy the best of the Zambezi River in comfort and style. Enjoy the abundant wildlife on one of our many cruise options. Private functions can be arranged on part of the boat, or the whole boat can be hired.
The boat is almost entirely powered by the sun. There are three decks on-board the Zambezi Explorer. The two lower decks provide a 5 star luxury service where guests can choose from an exciting range of beverages and cocktails as well as a selection of delicious snacks.
The 'Signature Deck' is the third level and it is pure luxury with gourmet hors d'oeuvres and a wide range of premium beverages served from a private bar. Guests can relax in the comfort of the deep set couches and enjoy the extravagance of VIP service.
Facts:
•        Can accommodate 140 passengers
•        3 decks
•        Exclusive Signature Deck right on top accommodating only 30 passengers
•        WiFi
•        Solar powered on-board facilities
•        Wheelchair accessible
•        Children friendly
•        Conferencing facilities for 60 seating classroom, or 40 seating cinema style
•        screen, projector, PA System, cordless microphone

http://www.zambeziexplorer.com/