Go Wild on a Family Safari

New Children’s Retreat in Botswana

Reopening just in time for the high season, the newly refurbished Sanctuary Chief’s Camp will have its own dedicated kid’s area, designed with children aged six upwards in mind. The area includes a fancy dress corner and a nature table, where guides are on hand to help young guests identify wildlife by their droppings. There’s even an entertainment zone for kids aged 11+ complete with PlayStation and table football. So there’s no chance that your little animals will get bored once the excitement of the morning’s predator safari game drive is over.

Make tracks to South Africa

Where better to spot the ‘Big Five’ than with a visit to the malaria-free, wildlife-rich Madikwe Game Reserve. Renowned for offering children the quintessential African safari experience, one of the main draws of the Sanctuary Makanyane Safari Lodge is its Junior Ranger Course offered to children 12 and over (children of all ages are welcome when the lodge is booked exclusively). Here your mini Bear Grylls will learn survival, tracking and orientation skills whilst the rangers help instil an appreciation of why conservation is vital to preserve the African plains and the creatures who call them home.

Star gazing in Zambia

Overlooking the game-filled valleys of South Luangwa National Park, the historic hilltop Sanctuary Chichele Presidential Lodge has thought of everything to encourage younger guests to embrace its stunning natural surroundings. Activities at the one-time holiday haven of Zambia’s first president range from crafting papier maché African masks and elephant dung paper to making a camp fire around which your little angels can admire the night sky with marshmallows and a warming cup of hot chocolate.

Reconnect with Mother Nature

What better way to encourage your children’s spirit of adventure than with a child-friendly treasure hunt. Let them search for hidden clues and then collect indigenous flora on a guided walking safari within the spectacular grounds.  At Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero families can venture into the heart of the Botswana bush on especially shortened game drives.  Then, after returning to your new riverside home, there’s plenty of time for the kids to indulge in a pizza-making session with the lodge’s Chef whilst you wallow in the luxurious split-level pool.

Treehouse memories to treasure

Hoping to combine quality family time with the ultimate in luxury safaris? If so, our Sanctuary Sussi & Chuma may have just the answer. With 12 treehouses connected by wooden walkways, and two exclusive family houses, each with their own private vehicle, chef and plunge pool, this boutique Zambezi lodge is just 7 miles from Victoria Falls yet feels a million miles from reality. As the sun sets on this special place, why not enjoy a relaxing sundowner cruise, leaving the kids mesmerised by the guides’ tales of African explorers round the camp fire.

Minister gives an update on visa regulations...

 

The Department of Tourism is working closely with the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that an amendment to the country’s immigration regulations is published. The amendment would put into effect the recommendation that minors from visa-exempt countries would not need to produce an unabridged birth certificate when travelling to South Africa.

Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom, told Tourism Update as much on the side-lines of the Meetings Africa show, taking place this week in Sandton.
“Right now we are focusing on putting into effect the Cabinet decisions,” said Hanekom. He said minors from visa-exempt countries would no longer be required to travel with the document, although they would be recommended to carry it, as is the case in other countries. Hanekom added that minors from countries requiring visas were required to produce this document for the visa application process.

“We are working very closely with the Department of Home Affairs to get the necessary agreed upon amendment, which will put into effect the Cabinet decision,” said Hanekom.

According to the Minister, there are a few quick wins for the sector to capitalise on in the current climate. He says these are intensive marketing to encourage people to visit South Africa and removing visa impediments as quickly as possible.

On this latter point, the Minister says an accredited tourism company programme has been rolled out in China, allowing Chinese tourists to make applications through their travel agent and therefore no longer needing to apply for visas in person. Hanekom pointed to the growth in arrivals out of this market in the past few months. He added that a similar programme would be rolled out in India in the next few weeks. “That will be a quick win.”
According to the Minister, conditions are favourable in China because Ebola is no longer a factor and the people who cancelled their trips because of it, still want to come to South Africa while the exchange rate is favourable and there is no longer a visa impediment affecting this market. He says all these factors will result in rapid growth from China.

Speaking about long-term wins for the sector, Hanekom said ongoing work must be done to improve the country’s tourism offering – its visitor experience and destination offering. He said this included skills development and improving key attractions.

Victoria Falls River Lodge unveils new spa

Victoria Falls River Lodge, in the Zambezi National Park, has built the new Toa Spa, which offers guests a place to relax while overlooking the Zambezi River.

The spa is set on a raised deck and uses products from Africology, a natural, eco-friendly and holistic spa and skincare company in South Africa.

The lodge also has a new riverside bar that overlooks the river and offers birding and wildlife viewing spots.

De Hoop Collection

 

Our TOP reasons to choose De Hoop Collection...

Great Nature, Wildlife and Coastal combination gives a diverse experience.
- Ideal stop over along the Garden Route (we suggest a minimum 2 night stay)
- Perfect holiday destination for families, couples, groups, honeymooners and wedding parties
- World-class whale watching in Season
- Paradise for keen bird enthusiasts - De Hoop Reserve has around 259 bird species

Top Activities at De Hoop... 

- Eco Boat Cruise
- Land based whale watching
- Walking trails
- Mountain biking
- Guided bird walks

 - Game drives

- Rock pool tours

- Star gazing
- Tennis court (Opstal)
- 2 Swimming pools (Opstal)
- Boules court (Opstal)
- Guided Eco-Quad Biking

Accommodation types to choose from...

On the Wild Side...

Mammals – over 86 species - most common: eland, bontebok, baboon, Cape mountain zebra, grey rhebuck, duiker, steenbok etc. - Marine life: Southern Right Whales, dolphins and seals occur in the waters off the coast (3 nautical mile protected marine reserve) - Birds – over 259 species - some of which include: Cape griffon vultures, ostriches, African oyster catcher and many more.

 

Memorial Gate to Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park to close temporarily

Ezemvelo Wildlife has stated that the Memorial Gate entrance to Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park will in fact not be closed. However, there will be roadworks from Memorial Gate to Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge from February 11 until March 31, which will increase travel time by 30 minutes.

Whales, Whales and more Whales!!

Every year, some 40% of the world’s Southern Right Whales come to these shores to breed and De Hoop Nature Reserve is an important destination for these creatures. Females and their calves swim in the clear waters, while males put on spectacular displays. 

These endangered mammals ensure that the De Hoop Reserve in South Africa is one of the world’s best land based whale-watching areas. As a marine reserve and World Heritage Site, De Hoop guarantees a safe nursery for these pods of visiting cetaceans. They come so close to the shore that visitors can relax on the unspoilt sand dunes, watching in awe as these beautiful creatures calve, blow, breach and belly-flop. 

 

Season runs from: End of May through to November. In season 500-600 whales will call De Hoop home. Sightings of 50-75 during height of season.

Hilton Durban renovations to be completed by May

Renovations to Hilton Durban’s executive rooms and suites, including the presidential suite and executive lounge, began in early January and are scheduled to be completed in time for the 2016 Tourism Indaba in May.

The hotel is refurbishing 327 bedrooms, the presidential suite and the corridors.

SANParks to host International Tourist Guides' day

The National Department of Tourism, SANParks and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency will host the 2016 International Tourist Guides’ Day from February 18-19 at Skukuza, Kruger National Park.

This year’s theme is “building a successful and sustainable tourist guiding sector” and the event will comprise various workshops, presentations, break-away sessions and round-table discussions followed by an excursion and bush dinner where the Deputy Minister of Tourism will give the keynote address.

Space is limited and a programme will be sent out in due course.

Leopard hunting effectively banned in SA

The Department of Environmental Affairs has set provincial leopard hunting quotas at zero for 2016, Department of Environmental Affairs Chief Director Communications, Albi Modise has confirmed.

While Modise would not go into detail about the motivation for the decision, he said it followed a report led by South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

However, in a Government Gazette published last year, the department suggested that leopard hunting might be unsustainable.

“Recent research suggests that trophy hunting may be unsustainable in Limpopo, KwaZulu Natal and possibly North West. This is due mainly to excessive quotas, clumping of hunting effort, poor trophy selection, and the additive effects of DCA [damage-causing-animal] control combined with other forms of illegal off-take,” the notice reads.

According to Modise, the decision, which effectively bans leopard hunting, applies throughout South Africa.