Dear Travel Partner
Where has 2018 gone?
What an incredible year it has been. 2018’s highlights include welcoming the Mont d’Or Properties to our collection, the upgrades at Mabula Game Lodge and the launch of Safari Plains, set against the magnificent Waterberg Mountain Range in the Limpopo Province.
We have had a cracker of a year and 2019 promises to be even bigger and better. We simply could not have done this without you. Thank you for your continued support.
Yours in travel,
Cindy
Safari Plains welcomes guests
We were excited to host valued Travel Partners the past weekend at Safari Plains for our Trade launch, our new luxury lodge in Limpopo.
Set against the backdrop of the magnificent Waterberg Mountain Range in the Limpopo Province. The exquisite beauty of its wide-open savannahs, free roaming Big 5 and spectacular vistas is an idyllic melting pot for a majestic wilderness destination. Within a couple hours’ drive from Gauteng, the extravagant haven that is Safari Plains will draw everyone who has experienced it to always return. Safari Plains redefines luxury in the bush, with a magnificent high–ceiling dining room, elegant lounge, impressive bar, and relaxing spa.
Each of our breath-taking tented suites commands a stunning space within the natural, indigenous bushveld. These safari-style tents offer utmost comfort and an opulent ambience with private timber wrap–around decks. The six luxury tents offer a larger main area and come complete with a private sala, which is perfect for lounging on a lazy afternoon. All tented suites are tastefully appointed with sunken baths, separate showers, and private facilities. The hospitality armoire offers a fully–stocked mini bar fridge, with tea and coffee facilities. Air conditioning throughout the space ensures that guests can enjoy year-round temperature controlled tented accommodation. Proudly family-friendly, the ‘family style’ luxury tents offer a second bedroom with two twin beds.
Africa Albida Tourism celebrates its busiest year ever as tourists return to Victoria Falls
Africa Albida Tourism is celebrating its busiest year ever, as tourists flock to Victoria Falls, with its flagship property Victoria Falls Safari Lodge enjoying 80-plus percent occupancy over the past six months.
In the year to September 30, occupancy at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Africa Albida Tourism’s (AAT) flagship property, was 81.5 percent, compared to 71.7 percent over the same period last year, and similarly, across ten hotels measured in the resort town, year on year occupancy rose from 53.6 percent to 58.7 percent.
Ross Kennedy, AAT chief executive said, “The new Victoria Falls Airport, with its geographical hub location, plus much enhanced route access and connectivity, has played a part in the growth of the destination”.
In addition, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge had its busiest August ever this year, with an occupancy rate of 88 percent.
This comes as AAT upgraded some of its properties, introduced new activities, expanded its already extensive corporate social responsibility program and took home several national awards.
Victoria Falls Safari Club underwent a $600,000 redevelopment in March which included the addition of a swimming pool, sundeck and gazebo, and an expansion and upgrade of its central building, which doubled the size of its existing deck, increasing the lounge space, and creating a new restaurant, with a dedicated kitchen.
A fitness room with six free-standing exercise machines, as well as weights, a bench and exercise balls was built at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, boasting an unrivalled view of bushveld to the horizon, with the opportunity to spot wildlife at the onsite waterhole.
The sunset-facing glass-fronted fitness room opened in September, as part of a $150,000 redevelopment, which also included the replacement of the decking at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge swimming pool directly above the new fitness room.
The value-for-money Lokuthula Lodges also underwent an upgrade, which included the installation of air-conditioning and new queen size beds in the main bedrooms, and soft refurbishments in the living areas.
Cuteness at Hamiltons Tented Camp
It has been another amazing month as far as these big cats are concerned with multiple sightings all over the concession.
The Hamilton’s pride along with the three new cubs are all doing well and were seen almost daily around the camp. They had made multiple Kudu kills on which they were feeding.
The Imbali lion pride were seen on several occasions throughout the central parts of the concession as well as on a Buffalo kill which we think died of natural causes. The Pride chased the Hyenas off the buffalo kill and scavenged a free meal in the process. There were also some nomadic sub adult males and Lionesses which were seen around the western Boundary.
At Mabula Game Lodge We do not just cater for the Cubz Club
In the Waterberg region of South Africa in which Mabula Game Lodge finds itself, the end of the year is a time of rebirth; the rains come and new life is everywhere, from impala lambs to migratory birds flocking back in from northern climes. One doesn’t have to look far to find metaphors for our own lives in the little family units that are becoming more and more prevalent in Mabula’s wildlife population with each passing day.
Imagine roasting marshmallows over a boma fire under the Milky Way, learning to track the Big Five, the Small Five and the Ugly Five, or spending the afternoon outdoors enjoying all the ‘old school’ games their parents loved to play.
Mabula Game Lodge offers a host of kid-friendly activities in the bush, while good old fashioned activities around the lodge such as bingo, tug of war, pool competitions, sack races, egg and spoon races and coin diving all make sure that kids go to bed tired, happy and sun-kissed every evening.
Why not bring your little one to meet the latest additions to Mabula Game Lodge.
Hang out at The Cape Milner for the ultimate pre-party party this New Year’s Eve!
Start your New Year’s celebrations early and in style at the uber-stylish Glass Lounge at The Cape Milner Hotel in Tamboerskloof.
Pre-party cocktails kick off at 7pm on 31 December and end at 11pm – just in time to Uber to your party of choice to toast in 2019.
For just R275 per person, you will be treated to a welcome gin cocktail brimming with fabulousness, a bottle of Miss Molly bubbles to share between two people, an incredible spread of canapés and groovy tunes courtesy of DJ Oros from 42 Entertainment.
Our luscious array of canapés will have you licking your fingers: Cold canapés include tender tuna ceviche served with avo and melba toast; venison and quail scotch egg with pea and pink peppercorn puree; and a local herb tart with dill crème fraiche. On the hot side of things, we’ll delight you with a confit of lamb belly with apple vinegar pearls and a red pepper puree; squid ink ravioli wrapped around scallop and hake, served with a granadilla butter; duck and shitake mushroom spring roll with blue berry jam; and goat’s cheese and black pepper croquette with a pear chutney dipping sauce. Round it all off with a delectable white chocolate and wasabi ganache topped with coconut and popping candy; and raspberry and burned meringue pies.
Fun activities for kids to do in Victoria Falls
A tour of Victoria Falls
Visiting the Victoria Falls Rainforest is probably even more fun for kids than it is for adults! Not only do the little mites get to take in the unparalleled beauty of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, they get to run through a rainforest, get soaked to the skin, and spot monkeys, baboons and bushbuck! The Falls can either be explored as part of a guided tour or independently with adult supervision.
The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show
What better way for kids to discover their inner musician?! The Boma- Dinner & Drum Show offers the only restaurant-based interactive drumming show in Zimbabwe! This “feast of fun” also features a four-course African themed dinner where there are so many new and exciting things to try – most famously, a mopane worm, where the bold are rewarded with a certificate! But there’s also crocodile, warthog and eland as well as vegetarian dishes to tempt the taste buds, just to name a few. Face painting, hair braiding and a fortune teller are all part of the fun-filled extravaganza.
Art of Africa
Art of Africa specialises in art workshops, giving visitors the opportunity to paint the spectacular scenery around Victoria Falls, such as The Wallow: Painting with the Elephants, Art and Culture Village Tour, as well as drum painting, finger painting and beading. Their sessions, which are led by a personal tutor, and are available to all age groups – including children, and all artistic abilities. In addition, they do workshops for kids on request. It is also a lovely activity for families to do together.
Thank you for making our Extraordinary Year End Celebration
A wonderful time was had by all at the annual Extraordinary & Africa Albida Tourism Trade Awards, held in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. Congratulations to all our winners and a big thank you to all our friends and travel partners who helped make this an evening to remember!
