Medjumbe & Matemo Islands (Northern Mozambique)

Medjumbe Private Island Resort and Matemo Island Resort are adjacent to each other in the spectacular Quirimbas Archipelago of northern Mozambique – a chain of tropical islands, few of which are occupied. These could vindicate the word “ultimate” being used for an unspoilt marine environment and for exceptional peaceful relaxation.

They are both located right on the beach with perfect vistas of endless white sand and translucent sea. The islands are reached via a 45-minute spectacular scenic flight from mainland Pemba’s international airport and you arrive in a world that is pure bliss – tropical, exotic and largely unexplored. Most assuredly one of the world’s untouched gems. Pemba is accessed by air from Johannesburg with direct SA Airlink flights as well as by flights from Maputo (Mozambique), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) and Nairobi (Kenya). Look at a map and realise the ease!

Medjumbe, a small private island only 1km long and 500m wide,  is romantic and ultra exclusive, featuring 13 beach chalets, all with air conditioned luxury and plunge pool to stave off the tropical heat. Matemo has 24 palm-thatched chalets on the beach.

And when you’re there you may delight in hobeycat sailing, fly fishing, deep sea big game fishing, kayaking, snorkelling and diving in waters that reach 30 C in summer.

Dugong Lodge (Mozambique)

Access is just so good to this special spot on the southern Mozambique seaboard. Fly from Johannesburg to the small international coastal airport and town of Vilanculos and Dugong Lodge is nearby on the mainland, yet highly exclusive.

It’s set in 30,000 private hectares of pristine marine and wildlife territory and is a sanctuary featuring two biospheres which make up a unique wilderness and beach experience. There are 12 luxury air conditioned chalets (14bedrooms as two are villas) with direct access to the beach and your winners will love you for taking them here for a memorable incentive.

This is an idyllic private playground for kayaking, wind surfing, hobie cat sailing, snorkelling, birding walks, deep sea big-game fishing, skiing and enjoying picnics on secluded and private islands. The ocean safari offers enticing prospects of seeing whales, dolphins, manta rays, whale sharks and perhaps even the elusive Dugong.

Chichele & Puku Ridge Lodges (South Luangwa National Park, Zambia)

These two sister lodges, within 10 minutes of each other, offer different styles but the same awe-inspiring game-rich experience in a place that is as untamed as Africa was 100 years ago.

Fly in to Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, on one of many international flights and then take a light aircraft trip to the South Luangwa National Park that is authentic and exclusive ‘Africa wild’ at its finest.

Chichele Presidential Lodge was built in the 1960’s by the founding President of Zambia, Kenneth Kaunda, as a private retreat. Today the old structures have been transformed into a beautiful lodge of stone and thatch with vistas of the wild floodplains below.

There are 10 elegant and air conditioned Victorian-style lodges built along the edge of a hillside and the dining room features a grand piano – this is real sophistication in one of Africa’s rawest wilderness areas where the big-game safari-element is astounding.

Puku Ridge Tented Camp is more rustic and the six spacious 12m x 7m) tents have a wrap-around teak terrace view of the valley below. Puku, named after an elusive and rare antelope, is perched amongst the trees on a low, rocky ridge that is the perfect vantage point to observe the prolific wildlife from the comforts of a traditional old-world safari camp.

Want exclusive? Want adventure? Want authentic Africa? Puku Ridge beckons to small exclusive groups at VIP level.

Toka Leya Camp (upper Zambezi River, near Livingstone, Zambia)

International incentive groups relish the possibility of enjoying easily accessible twin centres and here Toka Leya is a perfect twin with the wildlife safari experiences of Chobe (Botswana) less than 100 km away by road.

Named after the local tribes who inhabited the area for centuries before Dr Livingstone discovered Victoria Falls, Toka Leya is just two years old and already acclaimed as a beautiful gem.

Built around a sausage tree it’s located in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park just 6km upstream from wonder of the world, Victoria Falls, and its 12 spectacular safari tents, with wooden decks, are perched at the edge of the legendary Zambezi River.

Toka Leya is highly recommended for small exclusive groups visiting Victoria Falls and access is into Livingstone International Airport on scheduled flights from Johannesburg or Lusaka; or by road just two hours from Chobe Park in Botswana which offers a world-class big-game safari.

Ode to Cape Town in pics – a bumpy start

“There are two mistakes one can make along the road to truth...not going all the way, and not starting.” Buddha 

There you have it then, who is going to argue with that?

As I mentioned in the previous blog; last week was beautiful, the sun shining, the birds chirping, the mountain showing. My plan was and is to take a few humble photos to boast about Cape Town and how our winter looks like a beautiful spring day. I soon discovered that the Gods were against me, the day following the post the weather took a mean turn (some would say), winter in all its glory descended upon us (it was about time too). Since the rain and cloud appeared, the mountain disappeared or perhaps hid? behind the clouds, beautiful yes, but also invisible. Not only did this little set back interfere with my pictures (or what I had in mind) but my lack of photographic skills while driving and apparently walking have given my pics that abstract arty kind of look (please keep an open mind and remember it is easy to judge.) 

I am nonetheless going to post these jewels of fine artistry so you can all have a good laugh. But if I do say so myself, even though my pictures don’t do it justice, Cape Town is even more enticing and magical when overcast and rainy. But I’ll let you be the judge of that. Go well my friends; sunnier days are on their way! 

Cape Town in the morning, Cape Town in the evening, Cape Town all day long.

Another winters day in Cape Town; how painful for us who live in such a magnificent place! I wake up every morning, as I step out of my house I catch a glimpse of Table Mountain, just sitting there in all its magnificence. I drive to work, the highway that takes me there coasts the mountain from the beginning to Devils Peak; on the other side of this highway is the sea. Every morning and every afternoon I’m astounded by the fact that both of these features always look different and yet always look beautiful. My fascination is such that I have decided to document this phenomenon by taking a picture every morning and every afternoon so I can share it with you and you too can experience this . It boggles the mind that a city as fantastic as this one exists. I feel truly lucky that my home is here! Would love to know what visitors from other lands think of this city and I wouldn’t mind if you shared a few photographs too? My ode to Cape Town in pictures starts tomorrow...............

Rick's and a good steak.

I went to Rick's Cafe last night with two dear friends, the place was warm and inviting. We sat in a corner booth and chatted uncontrollably until we realised that 15 minutes had passed and we were yet to be noticed by the 3 waiters standing around chatting. How does this complete lack of service happen in Cape Town? It's infuriating! When we finally were noticed and attended to we ordered and savoured a bottle of Diemersfontein Pinotage, is this not one of the best red wines ever? We ordered starters, the rather hot chilli-poppers with some grilled calamari, our mains were 2 steaks and 1 risotto respectively. I can truly say that my steak was superb, and as a steak connoisseur, I think that my opinion is rated up there with the best. I am wide open to suggestions of excellent steaks in and around Cape Town, so please audience do enlighten me? I will go to the ends of the earth for a good steak!