Dear Travel Partners
Winter is a season for comfort, good food, warmth, the touch of a friendly hand, and conversations by the fire. It’s also a time for exploration. Extraordinary is gearing up for remarkable winter escapes to destinations like the Bushveld, Mountains, and Victoria Falls.
After a bustling trade show season, our team was thrilled by the interest shown in our Extraordinary destinations. We’ve curated some fabulous packages and promotions, including the 3+3 deal, fly-in Kruger, honeymoon specials, long stays, and a super deal for Victoria Falls.
You can find all the details here.
As we move into the second half of 2024, we are excited to share a few emerging trends:
- Solo travel is on the rise, especially among women.
- Longer stays are becoming more popular, with safari guests now averaging 3-4 nights.
- Cape Town is thriving like never before, with our stylish boutique hotel, The Cape Milner, achieving record-high occupancy rates this year.
So get booking – our res teams are available from 07h30am-17h30pm on 011 516 4367 or res@extraordinary.co.za
Yours in Travel
The Extraordinary Team
Exciting New Upgrades at Mabula Game Lodge
A captivating outdoor dining venture is underway at Mabula Game Lodge. The expansive space features striking bronze columns and voluminous arches that double as seating and serving areas centred around a warming fire for evening dining. Accommodating up to one hundred and sixty guests, the modern African décor exudes style, complemented by elegant timber decks. From the gracious welcome area to the sophisticated bar, this eagerly awaited venue is set to be unveiled by early spring.
The Cape Milner Hotel Refashions its meeting spaces
The Cape Milner Hotel is proud to add two new conference spaces to its repertoire as well as a complete new look to all four conference venues. The refreshed look is modern, contemporary and luxuriously stylish and aims to realign The Cape Milner as a choice destination for meetings and conferences in Cape Town.
Exciting Community Engagement in Kruger
Our Imbali lodges have recently partnered with The KLCBT award winning local culinary school, the Welverdiend Chef Academy. This exciting new community engagement initiative works towards encouraging and nurturing a love and passion for cooking and produces ambitious young chef’s by giving students the tools and practical hands-on experience by partnering with local luxury lodges.
Opening their doors with the first intake of students in early January 2019, the students spend their first term familiarizing themselves with the fundamental cooking skills. Hereafter they will work as interns at camps or lodges in the area. Back at the school, students will learn about creative and innovative cookery, completing their final, third term.
The principal techniques taught are:
- Classic cooking methods with preparation of meat, fish and vegetables
- Making of traditional stocks, sauces and soups
- Bakery and pastry with wholesome breads, sweet buns, cakes and puddings
- Creative food presentation with the usage of fresh herbs and edible flowers
- Menu-planning and food-costing
- Storage, freezing, nutrition, hygiene, sanitation and safety
Mabula Private Game Reserve Black Rhino Update
It has been almost six months since black rhinos have stepped onto Mabula Private Game Reserve ground for the first time in the history of the reserve. This has been an exciting time for all of us here at Mabula.
During the first three months of the introduction they were busy familiarising themselves with their new environment which made for very rare exciting sightings, and we are happy to report that currently guides and guests are enjoying wonderful regular sightings. This is one of the best introductions on the reserve after wild dogs and cheetahs. We as guides are very happy with the addition of black rhino, an experience we look forward to sharing with all our visiting guests. It is amazing to hear conversations from guides and guests during the morning safari stops or afternoon high tea about the best sighting areas on the reserve. It has been very fulfilling watching guests and guides’ faces light up when they finally encounter their first black rhino sighting.
Isaiah Banda – Safari Manager, Mabula Game Lodge
Mabula has done very well in making sure that endangered species thrive and continues to drive conservation efforts in order to ensure their survival for future generations to enjoy. We thank the reserve for the excellent work they have done so far.
New General Manager at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
We are delighted to announce the appointment of Victor Saurombe as the new Estate General Manager, taking over from Anald Musonza. Victor is no stranger to the Africa Albida Tourism family, returning after an impressive tenure from 2012 to 2018 as Deputy General Manager (Food and Beverage Operations). He is therefore well-acquainted with the group and its operations, making him the perfect fit for this role.
Victor’s return is marked by a wealth of knowledge and proven leadership, and he brings with him over 26 years of extensive experience in the hospitality industry, having most recently served as Hotel Operations Manager at Meikles Hotel in Harare from 2018 to 2023.
As Victor takes the reins as General Manager, we also want to acknowledge the valuable contribution of Anald in his previous role. Anald is transitioning to the role of Head of Sales and Marketing, where we are confident that he will continue to excel and bring the same dedication to his new position.
We believe these changes will further enhance the guest experience on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate and strengthen our commitment to providing exceptional service and hospitality.
Welcoming Johan-Simeon Knoetze as new Resident Manager at Mabula Game Lodge
Mabula Game Lodge is excited to announce that Johan-Simeon, with his extensive experience in the hospitality industry spanning over a decade, has joined us as the new Resident Manager at Mabula Game Lodge effective 1 April 2024.
With his rich background in hospitality since 2008, Johan-Simeon brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise that will undoubtedly elevate our guest experience to new heights.
His passion for delivering exceptional service and creating memorable moments aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing unforgettable safari adventures.
Johan’s leadership and dedication to excellence will be instrumental in guiding our team towards continued success. His collaborative approach and innovative ideas will surely inspire us all to reach greater heights and exceed expectations.
Welcoming Johan-Simeon Knoetze As New Resident Manager At Mabula Game Lodge
We are excited to welcome Steven and Gilda Mavromatis who have started as the new Resident Management couple at Clifftop Exclusive Safari Hideaway.
Steven and Gilda bring with them a passion for hospitality and a wealth of experience in managing safari lodges, having previously worked for Madikwe River Lodge and Quilalea Private Island, managing properties in locations from Namibia to Mozambique and within South Africa, most recently being Chisomo Safari Lodge in Limpopo, part of the Karongwe Portfolio.
Introducing Kingsley Biddington – Head Guide At Imbali Safari Lodge
Introducing Kingsley Biddington as the new Head Guide at Imbali Safari Lodge.
Having followed an early passion for wildlife and the African bush, Kingsley completed a game ranging and wildlife management course after school followed by his FGASA level 1 and 2 trainings and various other qualifications.
Recently, Kingsley also completed his private pilot’s licence which he hopes to use for conservation purposes.
His love of Africa has seen him travel for both leisure and work to Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and Namibia, to name a few.
A keen photographer in his spare time sees capturing moments of his favourite animals; the African elephant & spotted hyena. A favorite quote of mine is ” I am an African, not because I was born in Africa, but because Africa was born in me “.
We extend a warm welcome to Kingsley to the Imbali family.
