Dear Travel Partner
With the trade show season in full swing, and Indaba now behind us it’s interesting to reflect on the last ten years that Extraordinary has exhibited.
Certainly, a show that has gone from strength to strength and now exhibits such a wonderfully colourful showcase of the true African spirit. I arrived at the show on the Friday morning around 8:30 and had a chance to wander through the DEC and the retail area between the two halls. Frankly, I was amazed and super impressed by how slick the halls and offering was. The ICC layout changes with the marked aisles showing where our stands were completely inspired!
The evening events, the fun All White Akilanga party and the fabulous camaraderie still make this my favorite show in the world.
Well done Indaba you still rock!
Yours in travel,
Cindy
MABULA’S STYLISH MAKEOVER IS COMPLETE
The iconic Mabula Game Lodge has undergone a plush transformation to become a luxurious, contemporary African bush escape.
In line with this transformation, the new look of the boma has just been unveiled.
Over the past two years, Mabula has undergone its slow but beautiful transformation, which has gradually repositioned the lodge at a more luxurious level. Everything from the lodge’s entrance, to the reception, lounge, rooms, boma, pool area, outdoor terrace area, curio store, spa, conservation, restaurant and reserve projects have been given a magical restyling and the result is nothing short of miraculous.
This latest project will help to position Mabula amongst the best lodges in Southern Africa, with a modern African contemporary feel, offering an upmarket dining experience for groups and individuals alike,
Idyllically nestled in one of South Africa’s finest game reserves, with an extraordinary view of the Waterberg Mountains, Mabula Game Lodge is an iconic gem situated just two hours from the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg. This well-known and much-loved destination is one of South Africa’s longest running game lodges, and is a favourite with both local and international guests.
A FOODIE REVOLUTION IS UNDERWAY IN VICTORIA FALLS
Over the past months, Zimbabwe’s once again busy tourist destination has been undergoing something of a foodie revolution – in addition to many exciting new eateries opening their doors, several chefs with impressive international experience have brought their skills to town.
Among the new chefs to descend on the tourist town is Simba Musiyiwa, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge’s executive chef, and Thomas Koke, The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show’s executive chef, who both began their roles in October.
“The new menus will be playful, featuring thoughtfully sourced ingredients, so more local produce, in addition to incorporating global trends, and aiming to have a bit of something for everyone,” Chef Simba says.
The Bulawayo-born, Gweru-raised chef, who is overseeing the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge’s MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant and the Buffalo Bar, as well as the Victoria Falls Safari Club restaurant, is passionate about the “farm to table” concept.
“We are embracing the ‘farm to table’ concept, so knowing where our produce comes from, and supporting local suppliers rather than relying so heavily on South Africa. Produce is going to be carefully sourced and thoughtfully served.”
Chef Simba, 37, who trained in Harare, and has worked at Four Seasons Serengeti Lodge in Tanzania, Singita Pamushana Lodge in southern Zimbabwe, and Cape Town’s Jardine Restaurant, hopes to help raise and modernise the culinary scene, not just in Victoria Falls, but in Zimbabwe.
“In Zimbabwe we don’t really have our own kind of culinary identity in a way, which is sad because our neighbour South Africa has so much going for it,” he says. “We have a three-year chefs’ trainee programme here, and after they finish we take a lot of the trainees into the kitchen, which is good because we keep getting revitalised by this youth. My goal in being here, is really trying raise the bar on our food identity in Zimbabwe.“The fact that we are getting young students into the programme is exciting because I feel like we are passing on the baton.
My passion for cooking is not just about Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, it’s about opening it up for the whole country, to get our food to a level where people say, Zimbabwe has something. So that’s the passion and the dream.”
Since his arrival, new systems have been put in place in the kitchen, staff training has stepped up, old equipment has been thrown out, new equipment installed, and renovations will soon begin to extend the pastry kitchen.
UPGRADES AT THE BOMA – DINNER & DRUM SHOW
This is a long-planned project is currently under way and will be completed within the 3rd week of May 2109. All work will happen during the day and
The Boma Dinner and Drum Show, will operate as usual every night.
There will be some screening of one of the Cookhouses during this time but with no impact on guests. Where necessary we will limit numbers on certain evenings should it be necessary.
Once again, Andy, Moses and The Boma Operations team will be in close daily oversight of this project which will deliver a bright fresh new Boma Experience.
AUTUMN PROMOTION – KHAYA NDLOVU MANOR HOUSE, HOEDSPRUIT
Located in the Rietspruit Game Reserve in the Hoedspruit area, boasting magnificent colonial style gardens and unsurpassed views of the Drakensberg Mountains. Offering stunning suites with bold statement and clean lines. Personalised service ensures guests are attended to according to their individual needs.
Stay 4 nights and only pay for 3! Offer includes dinner, bed and breakfast only.
Email for booking: reservations@khayandlovu.co.za
2019 LILIZELA TOURISM AWARDS
These awards recognise and reward tourism players and businesses who work passionately and with pride to deliver a world class product and service and whose delivery grows South Africa’s global destination competitiveness.
This year we could not be more proud of our Field Guides, with a record number of nominations in this year’s Lilizela Tourism Award.
Cyrano Padiachi- Mabula Game Lodge
Mashudu Tule Mutswana – Mabula Game Lodge
Louw Kanyane – Mabula Game Lodge
Liam Heighton – Mabula Game Lodge
Moneya Moeng – Mabula Game Lodge
Tiaan Muller – Safari Plains
Elias Mangwane – Safari Plains
We would like for you to cast your vote:
(Category: Tourist Guide: Culture Guide Nomination Form – Nature Guides)
www.lilizela.co.za/vote-for-your-favourite/
We wish them all the best and know they will make us proud!
GLAMPING AT SAFARI PLAINS
Set in a Malaria free area against the backdrop of the magnificent Waterberg Mountain Range in the Limpopo Province, this five-star tented lodge will proudly welcome guests from next month. Safari Plains will offer guests an extraordinary safari experience on 12,000 hectares of pristine land set on an extension of the Greater Mabula Game Reserve. The experience will be one that is strongly focused on ensuring guests are astounded with the best the bush can offer. Just a couple hours’ drive from Gauteng, this luxurious haven is well worth it and will draw everyone who has experienced it to return time and time again.
Set along the winding sand pathways, each of the 20 breath-taking tented suites commands a stunning space within the natural, indigenous bushveld.
Furnished with simplicity yet elegance, the main lodge area provides an aura of romance through plush furnishings symbolic of African chic. The Safari Plains team will attend to your every whim, and from delectable à la carte menus to a bountiful wine cellar, this is the perfect accompaniment to a romantic candlelit bush dinner. Weddings can be hosted in the heart of the reserve with every attention to detail taken care of – from fairy lights softly twinkling in the night sky to vibrant African entertainment.
A WINTER SAFARI AT KWAFUBESI TENTED SAFARI
Tucked away in the tree line of Mvubu plain. The luxurious en-suite tents have been designed with African colour and are raised to maximize privacy. Venture out on a bush walk or horseback safari. The evening’s is followed by home cooked dinner to add to this unique ‘Out of Africa’ experience.
THE IDEAL LOCATION FOR A STARRY-EYED GETAWAY!
Contact our reservations team to book your winter safari at Kwafubesi Tented Safari Camp on Tel: +27 (0)11 516 4367 | Email: res@extraordinary.co.za
WINTER CONFERENCE AT THE CAPE MILNER
Cradled beneath the majestic Table Mountain in Cape Town’s trendy suburb of Tamboerskloof. This exquisite hotel offers a sophisticated and contemporary ambiance with the highest standards in style and luxury and is renowned for excellent service. This boutique style hotel is designed to offer complete comfort and relaxation.
24 HOUR CONFERENCE PACKAGE R1 990.00 PER SINGLE PERSON PER NIGHT
Contact Extraordinary reservations to book your winter conference
Tel: +27 (0) 021 426 1101 | Email: confer@capemilner.com
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – AFRICA’S LEADING NATIONAL PARK 2019 NOMINATION
Recently, the Kruger National Park was nominated for a World Travel Award for Africa’s Leading National Park 2019. Here, nearly 2 million hectares of unrivaled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights: this is real Africa. Truly the flagship of the South African National Parks, the Kruger National Park is home to an impressive number of species including 147 mammals, 114 reptiles, 34 amphibians, 49 fish, 336 trees and 507 birds.
Spoil yourself at one of our highly acclaimed exclusive lodges situated in a private concession in the Kruger National Park. Reminiscent of an Out of Africa experience, Hamiltons Tented Camp is a luxury lodge set amidst age-old Jackalberry and Sausage trees. With high wooden platforms linking six elevated tents, Hamiltons treats guests to stunning views of the N’watswitsonto River and offers the opportunity to enjoy spectacular wildlife and bird-life sightings.
The distinct thatched peaks that peep over the tree-line and flashes of burnt orange through lush Leadwood trees, signal guests’ arrival at Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge, set on the banks of the Mluwati River in the heart of the Kruger National Park.
Sheltered in a riverine forest overlooking the seasonal N’watswitsontso River, Imbali Safari Lodge is built on the site of a 400-year-old African settlement that has yielded such evidence of an ancient culture as clay pots, bone tools, and grinding stones. Continuing in the spirit in which the Kruger National Park was created, Imbali acts as a sanctuary for the bush’s creatures, great and small, and is, in fact, your very own bush sanctuary for the duration of your special Kruger National Park stay.
