Yellow Fever certificate no longer needed to visit Zambia

We are very happy to advise that the South African Department of Health has announced, with immediate effect, that Yellow Fever vaccinations are no longer required for travel between Zambia and South Africa.

The decision by SA’s health department comes after the World Health Organisation confirmed that Zambia had low Yellow Fever potential exposure status, which means travellers should not be required to carry a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.

National Geographic - Unique Lodges of the World

Three of South Africa’s top lodges have been included in the National Geographic’s newly created “Unique Lodges of the World”. The ethos behind this collection is to find rare concept hotels and lodges around the globe. These 24 lodges should offer not just beautiful accomodation and gourmet cuisine, but should also be founded on principles which protect the culture and ecosystems that surround them. 

Built on a hillside where the smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms reigns supreme, the lodges of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve are uniquely positioned to soak up the magic of South Africa’s Western Cape. Below, stretching to the horizon, lies Walker Bay, home to the “marine big five”: great white sharks, southern right whales, seals, penguins, and dolphins. Vast coastal caves along the shoreline bear traces of a Stone Age civilization. Highligts include a horse ride through the fynbos or a 4x4 flower safari. Shark cage diving and boat-based whale watching also count among the many exciting activities in the vicinity.

The lodge features 39 rooms or suites across two 5-star lodges, each with expansive views over the ocean. The lodge is approximately two hours’ drive from Cape Town and accessible by light aircraft, or even by helicopter!

Set within the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve, alongside the Kruger National Park, Sabi Sabi Earth Lodge offers an exceptional safari experience. The property itself, which commands excellent views of the surrounding bushveld offers 13 suites, including the sumptuous Amber Presidential Suite. Each suite features glass-fronted bathrooms, indoor and alfresco showers, and a secluded plunge pool with lounging chairs facing the bushveld, so that you might catch sight of an impala or a springbok while enjoying a swim. Access is via Skukuza Airport or KMIA in Nelspruit.

The remote Tswalu Kalahari is ironically situated on an old hunting reserve. In 1998, the reserve came into the hands of its current owner, Nicky Oppenheimer, who vowed “to restore the Kalahari to itself.” Today, Tswalu features 10 nature inspired rooms. It is located in a malaria-free area and offers its own daily direct flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg to the reserve’s private airtrsip.

Four new properties open in Southern and East Africa

It’s a new year, and we are excited about four new properties which have just opened in Tanzania, Kenya and Botswana.  

Sanctuary Ngorongoro Crater Camp is a private campsite, located on the crater rim in Tanzania’s pristine Ngorongoro National Park. Each of the 10 luxury safari tents offer an en-suite bathroom with indoor bucket shower, a room safe, hairdryer and mosquito nets. The camp is well positioned close to the access road into the crater and offers spectacular views of the crater and surrounds.

Angama Mara, pictured above, was developed by renowned lodge expert, Nicky Fitzgerald. Angama sits high on an escarpment offering wonderful views over the Maasai Mara, Kenya. The lodge consists of two intimate and completely separate camps, each comprising fifteen tented suites. In this location some of the most romantic ‘Ngong Hills’ scenes were filmed for the movie Out of Africa. 

A private hardtop airfield, just five minutes’ drive from the lodge, provides easy access from Wilson Airport in Nairobi.

The new Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi, offers a sophisticated retreat in the new Upper Hill central business district. Located a mere 20 minute drive from the airport, the hotel boasts 271 guest rooms, including 13 suites and 1 presidential suite. Conference facilities are available and 12 meeting rooms have been set aside for this purpose.

The new &beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge lies in a private concession in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Sandibe offers exclusive traversing over 270 km² (104 square miles) of wilderness adjacent to the Moremi Game Reserve. Here eight guest cottages spread out under a cool forest canopy of wild palms and gnarled fig trees. Walls are airy screens, which let through the gentle and refreshing Delta breezes while al fresco showers bring you even closer to the natural surroundings. Access is by charter flight from Maun or Kasane.

East Africa News

Sanctuary Olonana announces upgrade completion

Sanctuary Olonana, situated in the magnificent Masai Mara, have announced the completion of an extensive refurbishment which includes an upgrade to the lounge, dining room and library, as well as soft refurbishment to the tented rooms and pool area.

In celebration of the new upgrades, Sanctuary Olonana is offering guests their first night free when staying 3 nights. The offer applies only to 3 night stays at Sanctuary Olonana between: 3 January - 20 June and 1 November - 15 December 2014.

Laico Hotels International announces the opening of Ledger Plaza Bahari Beach Resort - a new 5 star beach resort in Dar es Salaam

Ledger Plaza Bahari Beach Resort is ideally located on the shores of the Indian Ocean, amidst a large coconut grove and lush tropical vegetation. The cottage-style rooms and suites are spread along a white sandy beach, while the restaurant, bars and swimming pool overlook the ocean. The resort is a short distance from the hustle and bustle of the capital, Dar es Salaam.

The hotel boasts 96 rooms, 2 restaurants and bars, different sports grounds and activities, a white sandy beach, a gym and a large swimming pool. Its brand new conference center, equipped with the latest technology, is suitable for large events in a relaxing environment (10 to 500 pax). 

Have you heard - Tucked away places - Augrabies

The vast and arid Northern Cape is by far South Africa’s largest province – it is slightly bigger than Germany and covers nearly a third of South Africa's land area. Yet it has the country's smallest population, a little over 1-million people, and an extremely roomy population density of three people per square kilometre. The province lies to the south of its most important asset, the mighty Orange River, which feeds the agriculture and alluvial diamond industries. The river forms the border with Namibia in the north, while the Molopo River borders Botswana to the northeast. The Northern Cape is home to the world's largest telescope, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), which is being built at Carnarvon. Sutherland is the site of the southern hemisphere's largest astronomical observatory, the multinational-sponsored Southern African Large Telescope, or SALT.

The landscape is characterised by vast arid plains with outcroppings of haphazard rock piles. The cold Atlantic Ocean forms the western boundary.

 One of the highlights of this region is the Augrabies Falls. Few sights are as awesome or a sound as deafening as water thundering down the 56m Augrabies Waterfall when the Orange River is in full flood. The Khoi people called it ‘Aukoerebis’, or Place of Great Noise.

Our recommendation for accommodation in the area is the newly opened Tutwa Desert Lodge, located 80km from Augrabies Falls. It has great potential for leisure travellers and small groups or incentives.

The lodge boasts 10 suites, for 20 guests in total and an additional 4 bedroom farmhouse, which is ideal for families. The owners also offer the use of three PC12’s 9-seater aircraft for private charter. Aircraft can depart from the Execujet hangar in Johannesburg or Cape Town. The flying time from Cape Town is 1hr30min, followed by a 4km 4x4 transfer from the airstrip.  A fly-in is recommended! One could also combine this with a short stop at Augrabies to see the falls, before heading on to the lodge.

Unique activities include safaris (one can see a variety of desert animals) and an ongoing leopard introduction programme (leopard tagging will take place from March 2014 so one could incorporate this as a unique activity). At a future date rhino and desert elephant will be introduced. With 25km water frontage on the Orange River guests can enjoy ½ day white-water rafting or ½ day canoeing activities. There is also a natural hot spring on-site where the lodge can set up 4 massage beds.

As for dining, there are two options – an on-site boma and a beautiful off-site Canyon Dinner with optional star gazing. 

Something NEW for the NEW YEAR– “Our Top Three Picks” in and around Cape Town:

The Marly Hotel & Umi Restaurant

Taking its name from Chậteau de Marly, built in the 17th Century for the leisure activities of Louis XIV and his family, The Marly says it all. This five-star hotel with its contemporary beach ambience is located in Camps Bay. The hotel offers eleven spacious suites, offering either sea- or mountain views; mirrored contemporary en-suite bathrooms; and state-of-the-art amenities for today’s discerning traveller. The luxury and deluxe suites have jacuzzis, outdoor showers and large, welcoming balconies. Among the hotel facilities are a private, pool-terrace bar and courtyard, 24-hour room service and a bath-butler service.

Umi, a modern Japanese restaurant, with seating capacity for 200 guests, will satisfy diners looking for tasty, healthy, in-house eating options. It boasts Camps Bay's newest, chicest, 80-seater bar that overlooks an outside terrace. A high-tech conference venue will satisfy the business requirements of top executives and their teams.

The hotel and restaurant is located in the heart of the Camps Bay strip, so it’s spot-on for those wanting to be “where the cool people are”.

You can view some further images on our image library by clicking here

Cavalli Wine Estate and Stud and Equus Restaurant

Situated between Somerset West and Stellenbosch lies Cavalli Wine Estate and Stud Farm. Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, this gorgeous new property offers a multitude of products; wine tastings, art gallery, fine dining, an event venue and exquisite views of the vineyards and Helderberg Mountain.

The newly opened Equus Restaurant offers fine dining, superb eco-design and a relaxing outlook over the vineyards and lake. Cavalli’s approach to cuisine can be described as “a contemporary take on the classics”, encompassing a combination of freshness, flavour and flair. Real, humble food cooked textbook style, paired with an expertly crafted wine list and selected whiskies.

Cavalli estate aims to encourage the local arts through its platforms of public sculpture spaces and an art gallery within the Restaurant / Function complex. The Gallery will retain a permanent installation showcasing classic South African artists, as well as a rotating exhibition of other notable works within the Cavalli Private Collection.

You can view more images at our Image Library by clicking here

Bennet Street and Gold Restaurant

One of our favourite venues in Cape Town, Gold Restaurant, has announced that they have taken over management of the adjacent venue, Bennett Street. This versatile function space can comfortably hold 200 guests banquet-style and can be operated independently of the restaurant. For larger groups of up to 2500 guests, the entire complex, including Bennett Street itself, the road after which the venue was named, can be closed off to create a “street-party” atmosphere. 

Feature on Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe in UK & Ireland Sunday Times

http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/travel/Destinations/Africa_Mid_East/article1383821.ece