Namibia Safari

“You cannot be serious?” These  were the first, but embarrassing words out of my mouth when I saw the little plane that was going to take me from Windhoek, Namibias capital city, to the red dunes of Sossusvlei. A 6 seater plane with a lunchbox sized luggage compartment it looked like a radio controlled toy. The pilot assured me that this is the safest type of aircraft in the world and that I was going to have the time of my life!

I managed to squeeze myself into the back seat, and with my knees around my ears we taxied down the runway and into the air. Once I opened my eyes and took a look below me I was hooked. The views were amazing, on the one side of the plane there was flat landscape as far as the eye could see and on the other, little mountains sticking up like pimple. “yay, I am on Safari” I shouted out loudly. Luckily for me, no one else could hear me over the humming of the motor and I was saved from complete embarrassment.

As we got closer to Sossusvlei and the dunes, the landscape turned red. Suddenly there were dunes everywhere, huge sandy mountains jutting up towards the plane. We landed in the middle of this sandy wonderland and the heat hit me like an oven. This was Africa at its best.

Moments later I was welcomed at the Wolwedans Dunes Lodge with a soothing drink and shown to my room. This is one of the lodges that Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt stayed at while they were in Nambia - a rather exciting thought!

The one side of the room was completely open to the spectacular scenery. I jumped out of the room and landed barefoot on red sand. By now  the shadows were playing over the dunes, making them look alive.

Wolwedans Dunes Lodge is situated in the NamibRand Nature Reserve near the Sossusvlei. This upmarket lodge offers solitude to stressed out souls, balanced with superb service and food.  Wolwedans opens an intriguing window for you to experience the desert’s awesome grandeur and breathtaking beauty. One thing I can promise you though is that the, tranquility here will clear your mind and give your imagination space to fly!

It was time to fly to Etosha, and this time I was looking forward to it. I wasn’t disappointed. The flight took me over the Sossusvlei dunes across the desert to the coast. We flew over shipwrecks and flamingoes before heading inland over Damaraland.

For the first time in 30 years the great Etosha saltpan was in flood. Namibia had experienced unprecedented rains which turned the usually white pans into great lakes of water. There I was, the sunset reflecting of the water, enjoying a phenomenon that is completely unique and probably won’t happen again in my lifetime. It sent shivers down my spine.

The brand new Onguma Tented Lodge is situated on the Eastern side of Etosha and was to be my home for 2 nights. Smiling, eager faces greeted me and whisked away my luggage. I was escorted to my luxury tent. The tents are huge, with a double bed looking out onto the bush and an open plan bathroom. I made myself a cup of tea and sat down on the veranda to enjoy sounds of the lions roaring close by.

Onguma tented camp is a beguiling mixture of sophistication and relaxations, or elegance and the earth. The rangers that take you into Etosha for game drives really know what they are talking about and give you a rounded experience including big game and birds spiced up with bugs, spoor and plants.

On my way back to Windhoek, there was one important stop to make – Okonjima Bush Lodge, home of the Africat Foundations. This is a non-profit organisation committed to the long-term conservation of Namibia’s large carnivores, especially cheetahs & leopards.
The lodge offers cheetah tracking on foot, leopard tracking, birding and a bushman trail. If big cats are your thing, then Okonjima is not to be missed.

The luxurious rooms at bush camp are open to the elements on three sides, so you feel like you are sleeping in the bush and wake up to the tweeting of birds. I was assured that it was absolutely safe and that no leopards were going to enjoy a piece of me that night! As experiences go, you can’t beat that feeling of being alone in the wild – even if there is another room 25 meters away!!

The moment of departure had to arrive at some stage, but as I sat in the departures lounge at Windhoek Airport I was amazed at how many “firsts” I had experienced in a week: first time in Namibia, first time in a red desert, first time in Etosha (let alone seeing it in flood) and first time patting a leopard. Not bad for a city girl!

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African Safari

Many of the lodges in and around the Kruger National Park have become so expensive that it is impossible for the normal person to afford anything but standard rest-camp accommodation. That is, until the new Pinnacle lodges in the Southern part of the Kruger National Park opened up in 2005 making South Africa safari an affordable budget option.

Camp Shawu and Camp Shonga are two small 6 tented lodges situated in a concession in the Kruger Park proper. The lodges are very similar in both layout and accommodation – it is really only the location that differs with Shawu overlooking a dam and Shonga enjoying bush views.

If you are one of those people who hate tenting (like me!), then this is your chance to score brownie points with the avid campers. That these tents aren’t really tents in the traditional sense can remain our secret!

These large luxury tented structures are fitted with a romantic four poster bed, an open plan bathroom and a large veranda. They are built for relaxing and enjoying the soothing sounds of the wild.

The safari is done on open 4×4 vehicles with an expert ranger and tracker. Game is prolific in this southern part of the Kruger National Park and we saw everything from leopard and lions to giraffe and elephants. Because the lodge operates on a concession, there are no other cars or tourists about and you have this little piece of Africa all to yourself.

I visited the lodge with a bunch of friends, which was fantastic because there was lots of space for us to gather for drinks, chats and board games. But the lodge does have a romantic element to it, with the stunning tents and lovely private areas to get lost in.

These camps are so versatile that I would recommend them to anyone wanting a luxury experience at a budget price, be they honeymooners, a romantic couple or a group of friends or family.

South Africa Travel

Southern Destinations encourages its staff to travel through Africa and to visit the different hotels and safari lodges that are featured on the website and that we recommend to our clients. That way, you as the traveler, know that a hotel recommended by Southern Destinations has been inspected by us and offers good service and value for money.

I went on a trip to KwaZulu Natal recently and had a good look around. What I found was a piece of South Africa that is unspoilt and charming, people that are friendly and excited to chat to tourists and sea that is warm and enticing.

I arrived at Durban Airport, rented a car from Budget and headed into Durban itself. I was looking for some sun and beach, so I was booked into the Elangeni Hotel on the waterfront. My room was on the 11 floor and the views from my room magnificent. Being a Holiday Inn, the hotel is affordable and friendly and appeals to families, budget travelers and people wanting to be close to the sea. The Elangeni has 2 pools, a gym and 3 restaurants. You cross a small road and you are right on a long wide beach with palm trees and life guards.

I headed out of Durban to the game areas at Hluhluwe Game Reserve. I visited Hluhluwe River Lodge, a small private lodge situated on the river. Spacious chalets are dotted around a large garden and cater for honeymooners in a secluded suite and families in large family rooms. Activities are the name of the game here and you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, quad biking, and game drives. This lodge is a fantastic choice for honeymooners because of the private suite (you can even take your meals there!), but also for people wanting a great game experience and lots of activities. Families will love it because there is lots of space for the children to play.

Phinda Game Reserve is another reserve I saw on the way. The reserve has 4 lodges and 2 exclusive use villas. I saw Phinda Rock Lodge and Phinda Mountain Lodge both of which are set deep into the bush with panoramic views of the reserve. Rock Lodge is small, with only 6 rooms, but each room has a private veranda with a plunge pool. Mountain Lodge is a bigger lodge and suits groups of friends or families that need lots of space and great entertainment areas. Phinda is known for its superb rangers and service and offers loads of activities. If you are an active sort of person on a high budget, then Phinda is the best choice for you.

The warm seas of the northern KZN coast beckoned so I stayed at Thonga Beach Lodge and Rocktail Bay to get a feel for the area. This is real Africa in my mind and I felt like I was in paradise.

Thonga Beach Lodge is located right on the beach. The lodge is new and modern and really romantic. The chalets are tucked away in the trees, some more private than others, and have lovely balconies. Inside there is a huge welcoming bed and an open plan bathroom. Perfect for honeymooners! The lodge offers a beauty therapist, diving, snorkeling, drives to wonderful spots in the area, picnics and canoeing.

Rocktail Bay is a more established lodge, one of the first in the area in fact. It is set back slightly from the beach, in the forest, to avoid the harsh sunlight and summer heat. Rooms are a-frame and slightly old fashioned, but it works very well because you feel like you are in a secret cottage, alone in the woods. Rooms are decorated in beachy colours and have an inside and outside shower. The lodges offers diving, snorkeling, exploration drives, horse riding and walking. During the summer months both of these two lodges are integrally involved in the ongoing loggerhead and leatherback turtle research that has been going on since the 1960s. Guests are able to accompany the resident turtle expert on research drives at low tide at night helping to monitor the turtles’ nesting numbers and their behaviour.

After a week of living the highlife it was time for me to make tracks back to Durban for my flight back to Cape Town. I can’t wait to get my toes back into that north coast sand again!

Have kids, will travel?

Finding a good family hotel in Cape Town is like finding a needle in a haystack. There are plenty of hotels that accept children, but not many that are actually suitable for kids. I mean, if you take your children traveling all the time to upmarket hotels, then they are used to it and you don’t have to worry. But for most of us, the kids only get to stay in a hotel on very special occassions, so they are likely to put a dirty paw on a white sofa, should there be one in the room!!

Two reasonable accommodation options in Cape Town are the Protea Hotel Sea Point or the Self Catering flats in the Cape Town Waterfront. These both come in at just over R1000 per night, making them affordable and good quality.

The Protea Hotel Sea Point is near the sea, the public swimming pools and has a family Spur restaurant for meals. It is nice and close to all the sights and a short drive from Camps bay and the beaches there.

The Cape Town Waterfront apartments are situated inside the marina area and there is plenty of place to play. The aquarium, scratch patch and boat rides are all within walking distance.

Family Vacation Idea

One of the very best family holidays in the Kruger Park area is Khoka Moya in the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Khoka Moya offers large luxury tents with en suite bathrooms that are able to accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. But in addition to just accommodating children, the staff at Khoka Moya actually encourage family travel and have a children’s programme set up. Kids are taken on walks around camp to learn to identify animal poo, spoors and insects. They learn to make fire, about conservation and about the people of the area. This approach really opens their minds to the new experience and hopefully they will go home with a passion for Africa.

Adults also enjoy their holiday in the knowledge that the children are happy. Game drives are taken twice daily and adult are offered a bush walk once a day. Time can be spent with the family around the pool or playing on the lawns.

So if you are looking for a family travel to Africa, then Khoka Moya Lodge is a superb option.

South Africa Safari

I visited Singita Boulders Lodge recently and was blown away by the service and attention to detail. I travel extensively within Africa and Singita Private Game Reserve is amongst the best I have seen. The rooms are large and beautifully decorated in an African theme. The front of the room is glass looking into the  bush. The rooms are positioned so that they are completely private so you can sit in your private plunge pool and look at the elephants wondering in the dried up river bed below. I would recommend Singita Boulders Lodge to honeymooners or anyone wanting the very best of the best. You have to be willing to cough up the money as it is also one of the most expensive lodges around, but it is well worth skimping on the rest of your holiday and splurging on Singita Lodge.

BOTH of Singita’s game lodges in the Sabi Sand Reserve have undergone a refurbishment. Singita Ebony Lodge has been repainted and the lodge has added restored, antique furniture and old photographs to the décor.

Singita Boulders Lodge has also been repainted in natural and earthy tones, and modern furniture crafted from raw timber has been moved in.
Singita Private Game Reserve was recently named ‘Best in the World’ in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s 2006 World’s Best Awards. It also won the ‘Best Small Hotel’ and ‘Best Hotel in Africa and the Middle East’ categories.

Indaba 2006 - Grumeti Reserves have announced that they have invited Singita, the world renowned eco-tourism and leisure operation, to partner with them in the further development of Grumeti Reserves, the 340,000 acre (140,000 Hectare) safari destination bordering the Serengeti National Park.

Three exceptional lodges have been constructed in Grumeti Reserves: Sasakwa Hill Lodge, Sabora Plains Tented Camp and the Faru Faru River Lodge.

With a mild, temperate climate, quintessential savannah scenery and only 3 lodges on an area almost the size of the Mara National Park, Grumeti Reserves is an absolutely unique and exclusive destination. In addition to exceptional game drives and walks, other activities offered at the lodges include; archery, tennis, hot-air ballooning, horseback game viewing, billiards, a fully equipped spa and gym, mountain biking and a jogging track.

We are excited to partner with Singita, one of the world’s top eco-tourism and hospitality operations,’ said Paul Jones, owner of Grumeti Reserves. Mr. Jones added, ‘We feel confident that the distinctive location, size and beauty of Grumeti Reserves will provide visitors with a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience, complementing Singita’s unparalleled collection of locations and allowing us to increase tourism to the Grumeti Reserves and Serengeti region.’

Unique in its iconic location, exceptional game viewing, unparalleled amenities and genuine commitment to redefine eco-tourism, Grumeti Reserves is one of the most ambitious and finest eco-tourism projects I have ever seen’, said Luke Bailes, owner of Singita. Mr. Bailes added, ‘Singita will work diligently to continue to foster Grumeti’s relationship with the Grumeti community, the Tanzanian Government, the Grumeti Fund and our clients.’

About Singita

Formed 13 years ago by financier Luke Bailes, Singita is a world-class eco-tourism and leisure operation offering award-winning safari adventures coupled with specialized and sophisticated hotel experiences. Singita currently operates 5 distinctive lodges of varying sizes in and around the Kruger National Park. Notably, Singita was named the ‘Best Hotel in the World’ by Conde Nast Traveler (USA Edition) in 2001, 2002 and 2004. Conde Nast Traveller (UK Edition) named Singita the ‘Best Hotel in the World’ 2004. Travel and Leisure named Singita the ‘World’s Best Hotel’ for 2004 and number 1 in its ‘World’s Best Service Awards’ in June 2005. Harpers Hideaway named Singita ‘Best Resort in the World for 2004.’

Best Safari Lodges for Honeymoon Vacations (according to discovery.com)
1. Ulusaba Private Game Reserve
The Safari Lodge at the Ulusaba provides unmatched luxury and breathtaking views of Africa’s natural world. Lovebirds can escape to one of the resort’s River Suites, accessible only by swing bridge, or stay in one of the main chalets. Animal viewing occurs all day long as wildlife crosses in front of the lodge’s large windows. Lion safari, vultures, leopards and elephant are some of the animals that are possible to see on daily game rides or walking tours. Couples can unwind in the aromatherapy and reflexology wellness center or with a workout at the reserve’s gym and tennis courts.

PLANS are in place for the development of a 2010 fan zone along the beachfront in Durban, stretching southwards from Blue Lagoon. Julie-May Ellingson, who heads Durban’s strategic projects unit and the city’s preparations for 2010, told TNN that the total area incorporated into the fan zone was still to be determined, based on the best interests of the city.
“The plan is for each of the host cities to have a designated fan zone, and Durban’s will be referred to as the ‘fan fest’,” says Ellingson. She recently returned from a World Cup observer mission in Germany and was particularly impressed with the fan zones set up around the country. “In Berlin there were eight double-sized screens stretching across a 2 ½km radius,” says Ellingson. In Durban, she visualises the creation of a big public area where people can get a true experience of the city. “There will be screens, as well as concessions selling food and various other items,” says Ellingson.
There are also plans in place for underground parking areas, with the capacity to hold several hundred cars. Ellingson says there will be parking underneath the stadium, as well as south of the stadium, just off Argyle Road, and a good chance of further parking just north of the stadium. “The idea is to establish huge parking reservoirs for public transport to feed off, taking people to the stadiums and into the city – a park and ride situation,” says Ellingson.