Top Ten places in #Africa

ACACIA Africa has updated its top ten list of the most popular #destinations to visit in Southern and East #Africa (20 January 2019), the results compiled from expert sources and Instagram hashtags. In the 12 months since the original data was made available there have been some significant changes - Uganda taking the top slot from South Africa and Mozambique moving from tenth to third place.

The cost of trekking the endangered mountain gorilla in Uganda is half that of neighbouring Rwanda, and while the price differential might well have drawn more people to visit the country over 2018, Acacia claim our growing concern with over-tourism and eagerness to see places which are less well visited or where tourist numbers are more strictly monitored to protect the environment, in this case the gorillas habitat, is the reason behind Uganda’s rise to fame.

1.   Uganda
2.   Tanzania
3.   Mozambique
4.   Kenya
5.   Namibia
6.   Zimbabwe
7.   Botswana
8.   Zambia
9.   South Africa
10. Malawi

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Unwind and relax in the bush

WHILE the Big Five game drives and encounters with wildlife are always a huge drawcard, it’s only half the safari experience at Garonga Safari Camp, #SouthAfrica. Equally important is slowing down the pace of life, nurturing yourself, and ‘resetting your system’. #Garonga has just upped the relaxation ante to a whole new level by revamping the existing bush bath by adding a new freestanding bath – but even more excitingly, now offer a dreamy new Star Bath and Yoga Deck.

The Star Bath not only offers views over the bush and the dazzling African night sky - but has its very own galaxy of twinkling stars, all in complete privacy. Soak away your troubles, let go and look back on the sightings and experiences of the day with a glass of wine in hand. 

Those already familiar with the practice of mindfulness and meditation, or those that just love a good stretch or daytime nap, will be excited to see Garonga’s new Yoga Deck. An enclosed tented structure designed to allow air to flow freely, perfectly frames an exquisite view of the valley. You can step onto the mat and practice in privacy surrounded by only the peaceful sounds of the surrounding bush. If you’re lucky you might even get some of the local wildlife passing by!

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Celebrating the legacy of Nelson Mandela

AN award-winning agency established in 1987, named "Top Travel Specialist" for 19 consecutive years by Conde Nast Traveler, and recognized consistently by Forbes as well as other prestigious publications. Tully Luxury Travel designs life-enriching travel experiences for a global clientele, curated with the utmost attention to detail. Priding itself in its philanthropic and conservation initiatives which encourages how one can always travel with a purpose and make a difference.

In December, Mary Jean Tully, Founder and CEO of Tully Luxury Travel, proudly supported Giants of #Africa, the not-for-profit co-founded by Toronto Raptors president, Masai Ujiri, with the purchase of an exclusive and unique work of art. The painting titled "Madiba" by artist Ajiri Ujiri, was showcased at the annual Giants of Africa fundraiser, "Mandela 100", celebrating the legacy of Nelson Mandela. 

As 2018 would have marked Mandela's 100th birthday, Tully was honored to celebrate the icon's profound international impact. A devoted philanthropist, Tully is passionate about Africa and actively supports various causes to raise awareness for positive change, globally.


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Give a little it'll mean a lot

ACACIA Africa is asking all of its travellers who are finishing their tour in Cape Town to open their hearts and their backpacks and consider donating to SAVE. The SAVE Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation that works to enrich, educate, and empower various township and settlement communities, every donation going to families affected by the shack fires in the Dunoon and Morning Star housing areas on the outskirts of South Africa's Mother City.

Sabine Behrmann, Cape Town Manager, at Acacia Africa, comments, “So far we have donated 20 camping mattresses, in excess of 30 pillows and an assortment of kitchen equipment including pots, utensils, serving bowls. Our tour leaders let clients on our southbound tours finishing in #CapeTown know that if they wish to donate their sleeping bags, pillows or other personal items (clothes, flash lights, books etc) they should simply leave them on the truck after checking into the lodge in Cape Town. We then pass them on to the SAVE Foundation who see that these items get to the needy."

While there's no better time to put the word out, the fires are frequent, so Acacia #Africa is hoping travellers will continue to give what they can over the festive season and beyond.

Sabine Behrmann, comments, "These families are often left with nothing at all so every donation goes a long way to helping them get back on their feet, and no matter how small, travellers will be making a very real impact on these people's lives."


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Time is the greatest luxury

IN 2018 Thomas the Tank Engine, the little blue steam engine who always strived to be useful on the island of Sodor underwent a major overhaul after 70+ years to embrace the modern world, global trends and a new and inclusive way of thinking. Keeping up with the times means even the best of the best need to constantly strive to evolve, stay ahead and make changes to remain relevant and offer the best possible experience. 

With this in mind, at roughly the same age as Thomas, and despite being recently voted Africa’s Leading Luxury Train at the 2019 World Travel Awards, South Africa's iconic #BlueTrain reinventing itself too! Not only has its second train set been given a makeover and extension – but its classic cross-country journey is changing to in January 2019. Guests will get an additional 10 hours, meaning two nights’ sleep onboard instead of just one, to better enjoy the scenery and luxury rail experience.

Guests will now be able to begin their journey on the same day as their flight lands in #SouthAfrica, since the train will depart in the evening from Pretoria, and in the late afternoon from Cape Town - so they no longer have to book a hotel the night before.

Great news for travellers is that the despite getting to enjoy an extra 10 hours of fully-inclusive wining, dining and pure pampering, the rate will only increase by around £115 per person i.e. from R16,430 pp (about £953) to R18,405pp (about £1,067) - and because it is 2 nights on-board, it saves the cost of that extra hotel night.

www.bluetrain.co.za


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Visa related reforms welcomed for South Africa

A number of visa-related reforms which will make it easier for tourists, business people and academia to come to South Africa have recently been announced.

“It was agreed by Cabinet that visa requirements should be simplified for China and India. On 1 October 2018, #SouthAfrica will therefore implement an agreement on simplification of visa requirements with China in order to attract larger numbers of tourists, business people and family members from this country.” stated Minister Hanekom, The Minister of Home Affairs.

He also announced that negotiations for Visa Waiver Agreements are being finalised with a number of countries. These are mainly in Africa and the Middle East and include Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tunisia, Saharawi-Arab Democratic Republic, Ghana, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, State of Palestine, Iran, Lebanon, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Belarus, Georgia, and Cuba.

The move towards an e-visa system is at an advanced stage and it will be piloted in New Zealand by April 2019. This will significantly enhance efficiency in the issuing of visas to tourists and business people visiting South Africa. The New Zealand pilot will enable government to improve on any challenges so that it can be rolled out to other countries.

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Gloriously Green

ONE of the first things people remark on when they visit Glen Avon Lodge Boutique Hotel in Cape Town’s famous Constantia Valley is often its greenery. Usually they are referring to its magnificent rose-filled gardens – but whilst a lot of love and care goes into the grounds, they are not what this 5-star boutique hotel is most proud of. What the Stringer family and the team at Glen Avon is most proud of is their top rating for other green credentials! 

General Manager Hans Heuer and his team were delighted with its most recent accolade as a “Green Champion with Distinction”, scoring 88% overall for Sustainable Tourism Management. This recognition as a CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE PROPERTY was awarded by Green Tourism Active which is a non-profit, global sustainability assessment & certification company that is recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and is also a member of the UN World Tourism Organization.

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Above and beyond

SOUTH AFRICAN Airways have come in at number 3 on a list compiled by Condé Nast Traveler for ‘best legroom on long haul flights’ going ‘above and beyond’ the average with a generous seat pitch of 33.5 inches in economy class. 

South African Airways (SAA) is the leading carrier in Africa, serving 57 destinations, in partnership with SA Express, Airlink, and its low-cost carrier, Mango, within South Africa and across the continent, and nine intercontinental routes from its Johannesburg hub.

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The Perfect Road Trip

THE perfect road trip involves three people, covers 190 miles and is accompanied by rock music, according to new research by British Airways. To celebrate the airline’s new route to the South African coastal city of #Durban; the gateway to national parks, African plains and safaris, travellers were also asked to name the celebrity they would most like to see in the passenger seat, with James Corden topping the poll (11 per cent), followed by Tom Hanks (9 per cent) and Stephen Fry (9 per cent). 

To be considered a road trip, the journey needs to be at least 190 miles long and last three hours and 42 minutes and the ideal drive should take place in a VW camper van (16 per cent), Range Rover (14 per cent) or Ford Mustang (8 per cent). There needs to be at least one toilet stop every 100 miles, good weather and a reliable sat nav, yet one in three Brits (33 per cent) said getting lost is the fun part of a road trip. 

The study also found that the music played on a road trip is more important than the destination, but your road trip companions topped the list as the most important factor with 62 per cent, closely followed by the scenery outside (60 per cent). 

More than half (57 per cent) of Brits like the idea of a ‘fly drive’ holiday and 35 per cent would happily drive in a foreign country, even if they hadn’t before. 

However, almost half (48 per cent) worry they won’t be able to get used to driving on the other side of the road and 39 per cent worry they won’t be able to read or understand the road signs. 


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A culinary accolade to celebrate a 10 year anniversary

MAJEKA House & Spa in the heart of South Africa’s famous Cape Winelands is a stylish, fabulously quirky, boutique hotel with the added-bonus of boasting one of the country’s best restaurants.

MAKARON, under the culinary expertise of Head Chef Lucas Carstens, has just been announced as one of the winners in the 2018 American Express Platinum Fine Dining awards held in Constantia on 1 October 2018 – a great culinary accolade to celebrate their 10-year anniversary this month. Makaron has also previously been nominated for Condé Nast Gourmet Restaurant Awards and is repeatedly listed amongst the Top 30 restaurants by Eat Out.

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Marriott International crosses Africa

MARRIOTT International has announced rapid expansion plans across #Africa. Strong demand for select-service brands and conversion opportunities are driving the momentum of growth for the company, amplified by five new hotel signings. 

The new signings will further consolidate Marriott International's presence in Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and South Africa and mark the company's entry into Mozambique. The signings put Marriott International on track to increase its portfolio by 50 percent with over 200 hotels and 38,000 rooms by 2023 estimated to generate 12,000 new job opportunities.


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On track for an unforgettable holiday

THERE are many ways to experience South Africa – but if you really want to push the boat out and do it in style, you will be hard-pressed to beat combining a safari in the greater Kruger area with The Blue Train. 

The Blue Train is an icon of #South Africa - renowned for its sumptuous ensuite accommodation, award winning wines, freshly prepared cuisine and superlative service - all the while showcasing some of the country’s most beautiful landscapes along its winding journey. Usually travelling between Cape Town and Pretoria, The Blue Train also makes occasional special departures to the Greater Kruger area allowing a select few guests the opportunity to combine their one-way rail journey with a safari, either in the Kruger National Park itself – or at one of the luxury lodges in the Greater Kruger/Sabi Sands.

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Joburg makes TripAdvisors list of Top 10 Destinations in Africa

JOHANNESBURG has made TripAdvisor’s top ten list in the Travelers’ Choice Awards for Best Destinations in Africa.

Joburg’s 2018 TripAdvisor citation reads as follows: “#Johannesburg is the place to go to mix big-city culture, shopping, dining and nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close wildlife encounters and visits to historical sites. Explore caves and nature reserves, or visit a traditional village by day, then enjoy dinner at a hip café or five-star restaurant. And if you’re a shopper, bring an extra, empty suitcase. With malls, open air markets and places that blend the two, you’ll find plenty of unique souvenirs.”


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Picture Credit: By Dylan Harbour - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16658161

Congratulations Cape St Francis Resort

THE Cape St Francis Resort is located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa between Port Elizabeth and Plettenberg Bay, flanked by nature reserves housing rich and endemic flora as well as one of the most beautiful and natural beaches in the country.

Adding to their worthy list of travel and tourism accreditations, Cape St Francis Resort has recently become the first accommodation establishment in #SouthAfrica to receive a prestigious gold certification from Travelife, an internationally recognised sustainability certification scheme that assists its members around the world to positively impact on their environment in a socially conscious and cost effective way.


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African expansion

AUTOGRAPH Collection Hotels , Marriott International’s distinctive collection of passionately independent hotels, today welcomed five African Pride Hotels to its growing global portfolio, marking the debut of the brand in #SouthAfrica. 

These hotels include, African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel, African Pride 15 on Orange Hotel, African Pride Mount Grace Country House & Spa, African Pride Irene Country Lodge, Arabella Hotel & Spa, Arabella Country Estate, and join the brand’s diverse portfolio of more than 135 one-of-a-kind hotels.

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British Airways to fly direct to Durban

DURBAN is a year-round destination, with sultry summers and mild, dry winters. It has long been a favourite holiday playground for South Africans but will soon be easier than ever for international visitors to enjoy too.

Travellers hoping to escape the Northern Hemisphere’s shorter days and long, cold nights this winter have a new destination: the South African city of #Durban with the start of British Airways’ new direct service. From October 29 holidaymakers will be able to surf their heart out along the Golden Mile, explore the lush green garden province and enjoy golden sun kissed beaches with three direct flights a week from Heathrow to the spectacular South African city.

Alex Cruz, British Airways’ Chairman and CEO, said: “Durban’s warm water, hot summers and laid-back beachy atmosphere make this coastal city the perfect holiday destination. It is a gateway to many nature reserves, parks and historic sites, and has a thriving food, drink and art scene; defining the city as a must-visit for culture and adventure. “Durban is also home to the busiest port in #SouthAfrica and is a large manufacturing hub, so the new route will secure another important link between the UK and the region that will be a welcome addition for business travellers.”

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From Greece to Africa

GLOBAL luxury travel network Virtuoso, has analyzed its data warehouse of transactions sourced from Virtuoso's U.S. and Canadian travel agencies to reveal the top destinations for upscale travelers this summer, as well as the fastest-growing places of interest. While European countries continue to attract the most visitors, the ranking of the hottest locales displays surprising diversity, showcasing comeback destinations as well as others that may be starting an upward trajectory.

The Virtuoso Top 10:The most popular destinations for summer vacations based on future bookings.

1.   United Kingdom
2.   Italy
3.   Canada
4.   France
5.   South Africa

6.   Greece

7.   Germany

8.   Netherlands

9.   Ireland

10. Spain

The Virtuoso Hot 10: The countries that have seen the largest percentage of growth in year-over-year bookings.

1.   Greece
2.   Poland
3.   Dominican Republic
4.   New Zealand
5.   Zambia

6.   Morocco

7.   Turks and Caicos Islands

8.   St. Lucia 

9.   Vietnam

10. Egypt

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Undiscovered Cape St Francis

CAPE St Francis is a largely undiscovered seaside village in South Africa’s Eastern Cape - offering pristine beaches that are never over-crowded and a coastline boasting exceptional natural beauty – perfect for indulging in plenty of wholesome, outdoor fun. It’s not called the “Adventure Coast” for nothing”!

The mild winter climate of the Eastern Cape most often delivers balmy, windless days, perfect for hitting a hiking trail, strolling along the dunes, cycling the village streets or surfing the Seal Point waves for which Cape St Francis is most famous, as the beachfront comes alive with wetsuit clad surfers and a cool laid back vibe. 

A short walk from the main beach is the historical Cape St Francis Lighthouse and SANCOB, a rehabilitation centre for rescued seabirds where the kids can get close to African Penguins and other marine birds while around the corner is the Wildside, offering stunning ocean edge walking trails, rock pools filled with sea creatures, amazing flora and possible otter sightings. St Francis Bay is also just 10 minute drive away for retail therapy, golfing and adventures along the Kromme River. 

www.capestfrancis.co.za

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Cape Town's water crisis, tourists asked to act mindfully

EARLIER this year, as news of Cape Town’s water crisis reach the world and ‘Day Zero’ predictions loomed ever larger (on 17 January Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille announced the city had reached “a point of no return” in its water supplies, and that Day Zero was virtually guaranteed in a matter of weeks) so vital questions were raised as to the impact on visitor numbers to the Mother City and the potential dimming tourism, the country’s economic bright spot.

The majority of #CapeTown hotels, however, currently state that they ask guests not to use baths and to limit showers to two minutes or less. Many, such as Tsogo Sun (who are building a desalination plant to help supply its Cape Town hotels with their own water) and the Vineyard Hotel and Table Bay, amongst others, are implementing innovative water saving measures and say that, on the whole, guests are responding positively, are aware of the city’s challenges and act mindfully when visiting.

Economic Opportunities MEC Alan Winde recently stated that the Western Cape has worked hard to develop the Cape Town tourism industry into the award-winning sector it is. He urged visitors to not cancel their trips, but to join Capetonians by using water responsibly while they were visiting. “Saving water in Cape Town means saving jobs in Cape Town,” said Winde.

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Pilgrimage to the Eastern Cape

OVER the next twelve months, South Africa’s Eastern Cape will be a #safari hotspot, with travellers expected to make the pilgrimage to Mandela’s home province, to mark what would have been his 100th birthday. Events linked to ‘Nelson Mandela Centenary 2018: Be the Legacy’ will be held in #SouthAfrica and London, UK (a Nelson Mandela Exhibition running for a fortnight around his birthday in July), and a statue honouring the former president will be unveiled in Glasgow.

It’s bragging rights assured, after landing a much coveted spot on Lonely Planet’s top 10 Best Countries To Visit In 2018, there’s even more reason to visit South Africa, as the Otter Trail (the country’s oldest hiking trail) will also celebrate its 50th anniversary this year.

Cape Town is the jumping off point for Robben Island (where Mandela served 18 years of his 27 year sentence) and the perfect place to feel the Madiba buzz post your Big 5 safari. With stops in the Mountain Zebra National Park, the Addo Elephant Park and Tsitsikamma you can experience a taster of the country’s oldest hiking spot in a single afternoon - the complete Otter Trail is a more serious five day trek. 

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