Abundant Life At The Heart of a Desert

Botswana’s Okavango Delta is a facinating and unique wildlife location. It is the worlds largest inland delta and situated in an extremely arid region attracts great concentrations of diverse animals and birds. The climate is at odds with the lush environment and plays an important role in making the Okavango Delta a fantastic safari destination.

 

Major species to be seen:
elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile,  rhino 

 

Activities at the Okavango Delta:
Game viewing
Birding and boating
Scenic flight

Safaris:
Okavango Delta hosts a number of safari operators. These operators range from well known international brands to local operators and offer the full range of holiday services.

 

For more information please contact us at
info@botswana-reservations.com

www.botswana-reservations.com

Royal Tree Lodge

The lodge is situated on a private reserve on the banks of the Thamalakane River with an abundance of wildlife including giraffe, zebra, springbok, ostrich, eland, gemsbok and kudu as well as an extensive variety of bird life.

Wildlife:
        Zebras                                                 Lions

                                         Birds

Activities:
Game Walks
Smell the grass, stroll past a giraffe grazing, or admire the grace of a kudu bounding through the savannah. 
Birding
Over 300 species of birds have been sighted in and around Royal Tree Lodge, at peak season and water level in the nearby Thamalakane River.
Horseback Safari
Experience the joy of an intimate safari ride.
Horses are owned and managed by David and Robyn Foot (with 17 years experience in the horse safari business) and are well trained and accustomed to the resident game.
Game Drive
Revel in a full day of adventure safari in Moremi Game Reserve.  Game drives provide wonderful photo opportunities at close range.  They are a very popular way to safely view even large predators in their natural habitat.
Scenic Flight
Experience the thrill of the Okavango Delta from above!  Discover the joy of scenic flight in either a fixed wing or helicopter.  The ideal platform for photography and film, capture animals in the most remote of locations.

Accommodation:
Royal Tree Lodge Honeymoon Chalets
The Royal Tree Lodge honeymoon chalets are private and romantic with king size canopy beds covered in soft, white linen. The chalets are well furnished including large sunken baths, plentiful candles and an outdoor shower to make your stay a memorable experience.

For more information please contact us at: 

res@botswanreservations.com

info@botswanresrvations.com

Victoria Falls Bridge

The Victoria Falls Bridge crosses the Zambezi River just below the Victoria Falls and is built over the Second Gorge of the falls. As the river is the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the bridge links the two countries and has border posts on the approaches to both ends, at the towns of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Livingstone, Zambia.

 

History of the Victoria Falls Bridge:

The bridge was the brainchild of Cecil Rhodes, part of his grand and unfulfilled Cape to Cairo railway scheme, even though he never visited the falls and died before construction of the bridge began. Rhodes is recorded as instructing the engineers to "build the bridge across the Zambezi where the trains, as they pass, will catch the spray of the Falls". It was designed by George Anthony Hobson of consultants Sir Douglas Fox and Partners, not as is often stated, Sir Ralph Freeman, the same engineer who contributed to the design of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. At the time of the design of the Victoria Falls Bridge, Freeman was an assistant in the firm who, in those pre-computer days, was calculating stresses.

The bridge was constructed in England by the Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company, before being shipped to the Mozambique port of Beira and then transported on the newly constructed railway to the Victoria Falls. It took just 14 months to construct and was completed in 1905.

The bridge was officially opened by Professor George Darwin, son of Charles Darwin and President of the British Association (now the Royal Society) on 12 September 1905. The American Society of Civil Engineers lists the bridge as a Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Constructed from steel, the bridge is 198 metres (650 ft)long, with a main arch spanning 156.50 metres (513.5 ft), at a height of 128 metres (420 ft) above the lower water mark of the river in the gorge below. It carries a road, railway and footway. The bridge is the only rail link between Zambia and Zimbabwe and one of only three road links between the two countries.

The Victoria Falls Bridge did not bring the first train or the first railway to Zambia. To push on with construction of the railway north as fast as possible, Cecil Rhodes insisted that the Livingstone to Kalomo line be laid before the bridge was finished. Then a locomotive was conveyed in pieces across the gorge by the temporary electronic cableway used for the transportation of the bridge materials and nicknamed the 'Blondin' by the construction engineers. The locomotive was re-assembled and entered service months before the bridge was complete.

For more than 50 years the bridge was crossed regularly by passenger trains as part of the principal route between the then Northern Rhodesia, southern Africa and Europe. Freight trains carried mainly copper ore (later, copper ingots) and timber out of Zambia, and coal into the country.

The age of the bridge and maintenance problems have led to traffic restrictions at times. Trains cross at less than walking pace and trucks were limited to 30 t, necessitating heavier trucks to make a long diversion via the Kazungula Ferry or Chirundu Bridge. The limit was raised after repairs in 2006, but more fundamental rehabilitation or construction of a new bridge has been aired.

During the Rhodesian UDI crisis and Bush War the bridge was frequently closed (and regular passenger services have not resumed successfully). In 1975, the bridge was the site of unsuccessful peace talks when the parties met in a train carriage poised above the gorge for nine and a half hours. In 1980 freight and road services resumed and have continued without interruption except for maintenance.

Today one of the Victoria Falls Bridge's main attraction are historical guided tours focusing on the construction of the bridge and which include a walking tour under the main deck. On the Zambian side there is a small museum about the bridge which is free to enter and contains cafe selling refreshments. Also located on the bridge is the Shearwater 111 metres (364 ft) bungee jump including a bungee swing and zip-line. Concerns about safety of the attraction were raised in late 2011 after the bungee's cord snapped and a young Australian woman fell 24 metres (79 ft) into the fast flowing river with many crocodiles.

The bridge was originally referred to as the Great Zambesi or Zambezi bridge, later becoming known as the Victoria Falls Bridge.

The Best of Mozambique

8 Best Beach Resorts in Mozambique

Overlooking its own stretch of private beach, the Pestana Inhaca Lodge offers families all the comforts of home in addition to fun and adventure. All rooms here have satellite television and air conditioning. Hotel amenities include two outdoor pools, a restaurant, bar, arcade game room and pool table. Guests here can enjoy various on-site activities such as swimming, snorkeling, boating, fishing, water skiing and whale-watching.

 

 Located on the beautiful archipelago of Bazaruto near the mainland of Mozambique, the Indigo Bay Island Resort is surrounded by stunning beaches and crystal clear waters teeming with coral reef and marine life, presenting a prime destination for diving and snorkeling. Rooms offer flat-panel televisions with premium satellite channels, air conditioning, refrigerators and balconies that open to ocean views.  This resort also offers many fun activities that range from kite-surfing to fishing, kayaking, sailing, swimming, horse riding, hiking, biking and miniature golf. Additionally, guests can opt to venture out to nearby attractions like the gorgeous beaches of Santa Carolina and Bazaruto.

  Nestled in a secluded spot within the Vilanculos Coastal Wildlife Sanctuary, the Nyati Beach Lodge offers peace and relaxation in a combined setting of tropical forest and coastal beauty. Accommodation at this Mozambique beach resort includes the choice of one-bedroom chalets or family villas.  With the resort’s location on a nature reserve that shelters an abundance of both land and marine life, guests can enjoy eco-tours, hiking and birdwatching as well as a variety of water sports at the beach.

 Situated on a private beach just outside of the capital city of Maputo in southern Mozambique , the Catembe Gallery Hotel offers a quiet and remote destination with nearby attractions like the Museum of Natural History and the Tunduru Gardens. Rooms here are all individually furnished and include satellite television, free Wi-Fi and private balconies. The hotel features amenities such as a restaurant, outdoor pool and bar as well as massage and treatment rooms. Recreation includes swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, volleyball, hiking, biking and nearby shopping and sightseeing. 

Conveniently located near regional attractions like the Magaruque Island Beach, this seaside beach resortin Vilanculos offers rooms with private plunge pools, minibars, air conditioning as well as amenities that include a restaurant, bar/lounge and outdoor pool. Guests can enjoy activities like swimming, snorkeling and kayaking in addition to eco-tours and excursions for fishing and boating.

 

Set within the capital city nearby attractions like the Museum of Natural History, Maputo Cathedral and the Maputo Botanical Gardens, this beautiful beachfront hotel features three restaurants, a bar/lounge, a full-service spa, fitness facility and an outdoor and indoor pool. Rooms offer jetted bathtubs, wireless Internet, air conditioning and televisions with premium satellite channels. Guests can enjoy on-site recreation like swimming, aerobics and tennis as well as nearby sightseeing and shopping. 

Facing its own private beach within walking distance of the popular Vilanculos Beach, this attractive beach resort is where guests come to be pampered. Featuring a full-service spa and 4 restaurants, the resort offers rooms with premium satellite channels and balconies that open to ocean or beach views. Guests can enjoy recreational activities that include swimming, surfing, sailing, kayaking, volleyball, basketball, hiking and biking. 

Housed within three beautiful, historic mansions overlooking prime waterfront on Ibo Island in the Indian Ocean off northern Mozambique, this unique resort offers a great destination for both families and romantic getaways. Rooms feature luxury furnishings of exquisite antiques, handcrafted furniture and carved wooden doors. Hotel amenities at one of the top Mozambique beach resorts include 2 swimming pools, a hired chef, private dinners and massages. Recreation includes children’s activities, historical island tours, boat cruises, mangrove excursions, fishing, hiking and scuba diving.

Spectacular Art in Zimbabwe

Art from Zimbabwe dates back thousands of years to the San people who used the rock faces and caves across the country as a canvas for their unique and extraordinary art known as Bushmen paintings.  Today this small nation has produced so many outstanding world renowned artists, it would be impossible to list them all.  But they include stone sculptures, wood carvers, landscape and wildlife painters, photographers, singers and dancers.

Larry Norton Art

Larry Norton is an internationally recognised African Wildlife Artist. Born in Zimbabwe in 1963 he has had successful exhibitions around the world. Larry lives in Victoria Falls and has a Gallery at the Victoria Falls Hotel.Larry Norton works in oils, water colour, charcoal and pencil and specializes in Wildlife art and African landscape especially Victoria Falls.

Shona stone sculpture is now widely recognized as one of the most significant art movements to have evolved in recent times.These carvings, in a variety of different stones, are made by the Shona people of Zimbabwe for whom stone carving is not a traditional craft. Started experimentally about 35 years ago it is now widely recognized as one of the most significant art movements to have evolved in recent times. Zimbabwean art sculptors talk about the way in which they free a shape from within the stone and the influence of the tribal spirits on their work.
Shona Soapstone Family They believe that each work of art finds its way to a predestined owner and that in some way makes the owner part of an extended global family.
The sculptures are wonderfully expressive, many of them portray a human message in a figurative or abstract manner and some of them convey emotional values such as family or the maternal bond. The “Ukama” sculptures are very popular and these are renditions of the family group- couples, dancers, loving families. They symbolize the family bond that is so important to the Shone people. In pieces representing a mother and child the bodies and arms are joined to emphasize the strength and longevity of these relationships.

Zimbabweans carve some of the the finest Wooden carvings you will find anywhere in Africa. They are extraordinarily talented.
Many of the ironwood carvings found in Zimbabwe are of African wildlife. Many of the carvings are inimitable feature pieces, exquisitely hand carved and imbued with the indefinably mystique of Africa.

Many of the carvings are of traditional heads and come in a great variety of sizes and styles. Many different woods are used such as olive, mukwa, fresh teak and pod mahogany. You will also find many carved animals such as buffalo, giraffe, tortoise, crocodile, hippos and warthogs.

Spectacular Landscapes of South Africa

The Table Mountain

Africa has spectacular landscapes. South Africa with it's beautiful landscapes contributes to this wonders of Africa.

Cape of Good Hope

Walk on the beach and just embrace the beauty South Africa has to offer. 

The Lions Head - Cape Town

According what people believes, if clouds get stuck on top of this mountain, the day after will be rainy.

Cape Town Attractions

 Clifton - Clifton is an affluent suburb of Cape Town, South Africa. It is an exclusive residential area and is home to some of the most expensive real estate in South Africa, with dwellings nestled on cliffs that have sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Groot Constantia - Groot Constantia is the oldest wine estate in South Africa and provincial heritage site in the suburb of Constantia in Cape Town, South Africa. "Groot" in Dutch and Afrikaans translates as "great" in English.
 

Lion's Head - Lion's Head is a mountain in Cape Town, South Africa, between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. Lion's Head peaks at 669 metres above sea level.

Boulders Beach - Boulders Beach is a sheltered beach made up of inlets between granite boulders, from which the name originated. It is located in the Cape Peninsula, near Simon's Town towards Cape Point, near Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
 

Two Oceans Aquarium - The Two Oceans Aquarium is an aquarium located at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. The aquarium was opened on the 13 November 1995 and comprises seven exhibition galleries with large viewing windows.
 

 Victoria & Alfred Waterfront - The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront in the historic heart of Cape Town's working harbour is South Africa's most-visited destination, having the highest rate of foreign tourists of any attraction in the country.

 Cape of Good Hope - The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula.

 

Robben Island - Robben Island is an island in Table Bay, 6.9 km west of the coast of Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, South Africa. The name is Dutch for "seal island".
 

Table Mountain - Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the Flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. 


 

Tswalu Game Reserve to acquire new game-viewing fleet

Tswalu Kalahari has taken delivery of the first of its new game-viewing vehicles, which were ordered as part of Tswalu's vision to provide an intimate safari experience to quests.

The vehicles have only four seats, as opposed to the customary nine, and are designed with comfort in mind.

According to Managing Director, Russel Binks, each vehicle has ample leg-room, removable photographic stands and bean bags for photographers wanting to capture the perfect shot, roll-up tables and a centre console for keeping safari accessories safe so they don't have to be repacked every day.

"Our guests can now have their very own vehicle, guide and tracker, which means that they are able to decide on their own programme for each day.  They can choose when to go game viewing, how long to stay out in the bush and when to stop for snacks and refreshments or a picnic," said Binks.  He added that guests could also stay at a sighting for as long as they wished.

New Pioneers Camp in Zimbabwe

Wild Frontiers Zimbabwe has announced that Pioneers Camp, a new luxury camp on the Zambezi River, is now open.
The camp is situated 17 kilometres from Victoria Falls inside the Upper Zambezi National park.

It has 1.5 kilometres of river frontage and currently hosts three tents.  A further three are expected to be completed by the end of this month.  The tents are en-suite with flush toilets and solar powered geysers and lighting.

The camp also hosts a central lounge and dining.

This new permanent tented camp is located inside the park, on a peacefully quiet stretch of shoreline with a natural spring-line through the site.  This water source attracts an abundance of wildlife throughout the year, making for fabulous game viewing opportunities right at the camp.

Activities include:

Game drives,

Boat cruises,

Canoeing,

Walking and fishing in the park.

The camp also offers a daily shuttle into town for activities.

 

 

Newest addition to Newmark Hotels: Coral Lodge in Mozambique

Coral Lodge in Mozambique is the newest addition to Newmark Hotels.  The lodge comprises 10 villas, each hosting informal sitting areas, a bedroom, bathroom and big terrace.  In two of the villas an extra bedroom is included for two children or an extra adult.  Five villas have direct ocean views, and the other five overlook the mangrove forest and Ilha de Moçambique.  Guest facilities include a lounge bar and restaurant, infinity pool and spa.

Coral Lodge is a modern, African-style beach resort, which offers you the latest in luxury and comfort while maintaining that authentic feel of Mozambican pureness.  The resort's design, by Dutch designer Edward van Vliet, incorporates the colors of its environment using wood and brightly-coloured textures.  These natural materials make the resort blend in perfectly with the surroundings.  We have made further use of the area's natural setting by building Coral Lodge's villas on top of the dunes.  This allows you to get full benefit of the incredible views and the constant breeze from the Indian Ocean.

A host of activities are available, including joining the chef on his daily visit to the local market and learning to cook authentic Mazambican dishes, exploring Varanda's mangrove forest by canoe or on foot, and fishing or sailing with the lodge's local dhow.  Other activities include snorkelling, windsurfing and whale watching between July and October.

We offer various packages ranging from a Romantic holiday to a Cultural & Historical experience.  Diving packages, relaxation packages and more...

The Zambian Kwacha

Zambian Kwacha, has been ‘re-based’. Government decided to remove three zeros from the currency to make it easier for people to understand and to avoid having to carry around large carrier bags full of money.

It is not a ‘devaluation’ and the currency and economy remain stable.  The Kwacha now sits at around 5 to the US dollar. You still need to obtain Kwacha as you enter Zambia to pay for various local taxes and any cash payments whilst you’re in Zambia. However, you can still buy your entry visa in USD as it is not possible to get Kwacha outside Zambia..

It is easy to withdraw cash from ATMs at the airport – Visa and Mastercard both work and most larger retail outlets and lodges can accept major credit cards. We advise guests to let their credit card company know if they are travelling to Zambia so that they don’t stop the card for suspicious use. They can also exchange USD, Sterling, Euros and most major currencies at the airports.

Botswana's New Photographic Safari Boat at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero

The new Photographic Safari Boat at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero features a lower and upper deck and can seat up to 18 guests on 360 degree swivel seats. The upper deck offers a great vantage point of the Chobe River and wildlife while the lower deck boasts a bar area and the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a scrumptious river breakfast, lunch or sundowners.

    Excursions on the new boat will form part of the included activities offered to guests and groups staying at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero and offers a great exclusive and intimate alternative to enjoying the Chobe area especially for photographic enthusiasts.

And Beyond Travel Updates

South Africa

&Beyond Ngala Tented Camp

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the reopening of &Beyond Ngala Tented Camp has been delayed until 06 Aug 12. We understand that you have guests booked prior to this date, and we sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.

Tswalu

 Please be advised that as of 01 Jul 12, the scheduled departure time from Execujet at Cape Town International to Tswalu will change to 12h00. The flight will land at Tswalu at 14h00, and depart 14h30, arriving back in Cape Town at 16h30.

Southern Africa

Botswana:

&Beyond Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

Sandibe being on the East side has not yet received any flood water this year. The permanent channels are still flowing and there are still a fair amount of water around after last year's super high floods and massive rains in Dec and Jan, however, the flood plains are drying up. This means that unfortunately we are still unable to offer mokoros as an activity.

Zimbabwe:

Zimbabwean VISA Memo

Infant/Child VISA's: Please be advised that Zimbabwe will no be charging FULL VISA fees for any individual who is required to have a VISA despite their age. This includes infants and children who were previously being exempted from this. This has been imposed with immediate effect.

Whitewater Rafting

Whitewater rafting re opened on Sunday 27 May 12 after closing for high water floods. High Water Trips will run from Rapid No. 15 to Rapid No. 23 during this initial High Water period.

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

The main areas at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge will be undergoing a refurbishment from 20 - 29 Jun 12. Most of the building work will take place between 22h00 and 06h00 (under management supervision). There is some limited trades work, but this again will be carried out under senior supervision during the hours of 10h00 - 12h00 and 14h00 - 16h00 on a few days only, which is when the majority of guests are off site enjoying activities etc. around the destination

Zambia:

Livingstone Island trips

Livingstone Island trips have re opened since Friday 01 Jun 12 after closing for high water floods.

Info Received by &Beyond

For more information please contact us at: info@namibiareservations.com

Table Bay sets High Tea benchmark

Sun International’s Table Bay Hotel lounge provides the perfect location for a social encounter over a teacup. And now, setting a new benchmark for High Tea, the hotel is believed to be one of the first in South Africa to offer TWG Tea, which is said to be the finest luxury tea brand in the world.

With over 1 000 single-estate harvest teas and exclusive tea blends, TWG Tea claims to have the largest collection of teas in the world.

In order to produce the optimum selection of teas for South African consumers, TWG Tea has joined forces with The Table Bay Hotel to create a tea pairing selection. These creations seek to enhance the public’s appreciation of fine teas and create a luxury experience for first-timers and tea connoisseurs alike.

Offered throughout the afternoon, High Tea at the Table Bay is an event to be enjoyed at leisure.

Tea pairing, says the hotel, allows epicureans to experience “molten potions with the best selected desserts and savoury dishes.”

The Table Bay High Tea experience is a three-course affair and each course is paired with a complementary loose-leaf tea. The first course offers savoury creations paired with light-bodied teas to enhance the flavours. The mushroom and ham quiche is paired with Pai Mu tan, a white tea from China. Cucumber sandwiches, a staple of any High Tea, are paired with Imperial Pu-Erh, a matured Yunnan tea, also from China.

There are several other savoury dishes and each is paired with blended teas from Darjeeling and China.

The second course is devoted to scones – from plain scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, to currant scones served with lemon curd. The selected English Breakfast, French Earl Grey and Good Hope Teas enhance the buttery texture of the scones.

The third course features Bain de Roses Tea, a black tea blend; South African Rooibos Red Tea; Chocolate Tea, another black tea; Pink Flamingo Tea, a green tea blend; and Number 12 Tea. Each is paired with desserts for dessert lovers.

High Tea is served between 14h30 and 17h30

Info Received by Hotel & Restaurant

For more info please contact us at:info@namibiareservations.com

Renovations at Cheetah Plains

Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand Reserve is undergoing renovations.

The refurbishment includes rebuilding the outside decks as well as paving the outside areas, and each chalet will be painted and refurnished.

The lodge will reopen in August.

For more information, visit www.cheetahplains.com

or contact us at:info@namibiareservations.com