Valley Lodge in Magaliesburg adds hot-air ballooning to its offering

Valley Lodge & Spa in Magaliesburg, has partnered with Cloud 9 Balloon Rides to offer balloon rides from its new boma on the banks of the Magalies River.

Cloud 9 Balloon Rides, which is part of the well-established Harrop family of companies, is offering balloon rides for parties of between six and 24 or more people.

Gondwana Game Reserve near Mossel Bay

African Hotels and Adventures (AHA), the tourism property management business of Tourvest’s Accommodation and Activities division has secured the full management contract for the properties on the award-winning Gondwana Game Reserve near Mossel Bay.

The 11 000-hectare reserve is the only fynbos reserve with free-roaming Big Five game.  In addition to the Big Five, the reserve is also home to many endangered species including the Cape mountain zebra, black rhino and black harrier.

The reserve’s flagship Kwena Lodge comprises 14 suites modelled after traditional Khoi-San dwellings but with a modern twist.   Each suite has views of the surrounding Outeniqua and Swartberg mountain ranges.  The suites are equipped with clay pot fireplaces, deep baths, walk-in showers and internet access. The lodge itself features a large infinity pool, open-plan lounge and bar, a dining room set around two open fireplaces and an outdoor boma.  

 

The property is the company’s second along the Garden Route – it manages the popular The Rex boutique hotel in Knysna.

 

The reserve also has several large bush villas.  These privately situated two, three and four-bedroom bush villas are ideal for families or groups looking for more space and exclusivity.  The villas can be staffed with a personal field guide, chef and butler or rented on a luxury self-catering basis.

 

 “This is welcome addition to our growing portfolio of boutique hotels, lifestyle retreats and game lodges and we look forward to adding considerable value to the daily operational management and marketing efforts of this reserve,” said AHA managing director Neil Bald.   

Renovations at Cheetah Plains

Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand Reserve is undergoing renovations.

The refurbishment includes rebuilding the outside decks as well as paving the outside areas, and each chalet will be painted and refurnished.

The lodge will reopen in August.

For more information, visit www.cheetahplains.com

or contact us at:info@namibiareservations.com

Edelweiss arrives in Cape Town

Swiss airline, Edelweiss Air, arrived on its maiden flight from Zurich to Cape Town at 20h25 on October 25 with over 150 passengers on board and departed again for Zurich at 22h25 with about 50 passengers. The airline, using an Airbus A330-200, is scheduled to fly non-stop twice a week between Cape Town and Zürich on Tuesdays and Fridays.
From November 1 flights will arrive at 21h45 and depart at 23h25.“Edelweiss Air is the second airline to join the Cape Town International Airport family this year, following Zambezi Airlines, which started operating from Cape Town in June this year. Now Zambezi Airlines flies to the city three times a week. We are also looking forward to Air France launching its non-stop flight between Cape Town and Paris-Charles de Gaulle with three weekly frequencies and British Airways is set to introduce double-daily flights to Cape Town at the end of the month.
This is all positive news for the airport and Cape Town and certainly a testament to what we have to offer as a region in tourism and business,” said Deborah Francis, Acting Communications Manager.

Derived from Tourism Update

Robertson Wine on the River set for October

From October 14 to 16, the Robertson Wine on the River will be held on the banks of the Breede River for the sixth consecutive year. Visitors will be able to enjoy over 300 wines from various wineries, browse through the food stalls, and listen to live jazz, ballads, and blues.

The festival will take place in a marquee at riverside farm Goudmyn, situated on the R317 between Robertson and Bonnievale. Features will include tutored chardonnay tastings at the Chardonnay Tent, the Robertson Farmers’ Market, river cruises, and an arts and crafts selection.

There will also be a range of children’s activities. Children under 18 will enter free of charge, after which the activities will be charged for on a pay-as-you-go system.

Designated parking areas have been arranged and, for visitors who use parking areas further away, a shuttle service will provide transport to and from the festival.

Derived from Tourism Update

Cape Whale Coast Route launched in Hermanus

The Cape Whale Route was officially launched at a gala celebration in Hermanus recently. The route was designed to highlight the various tourism attractions in the region, including whale-watching, shark-cage diving, wine routes and eco-tours. Says Clinton Lerm, Chairman of the Cape Whale Coast Destination Management Organisation: “The name ‘Cape Whale Coast Route’ was not created as a marketing tool but as a way to draw attention to the wealth of wonders, both natural and man-made, that can truly be found nowhere else in the world. It was time for South Africa's 'Undiscovered Gem' to be discovered.”

Derived from: Tourism Update

Cape Town Carnival, Wine & Nature Package

Visit Cape Town and dance at the Carnival and Cape Town Festival, visit the Wine Route as well enjoy the sceneries of Clanwilliam, Langebaan and Franschhoek. A guaranteed fun filled 7 day Holiday.

2 Persons - Double Room at Cape Town Lodge Hotel (BB) for 2 Nights attending the Carnival & Cape Town Festival (19-20.03.2011),
Kagga Kama Private Game Reserve (BB) for 1 Night,
Karukurab Wilderness Reserve (DBB) for 1 Night,
The Rocks Guesthouse (BB) for 1 Night,
Franschhoek Country House & Villas (BB) for 1 Night,
Car Rental - Group B

Please contact us for the quotation
Special offer valid from 01.01.2011 until 24.03.2011
Terms & Conditions apply




Contact travel@namibiareservations.com for more details or visit our website:
www.namibiareservations.com/packages.html

Ai-Ais/Richterfeld high flood levels

SANParks has announced the closure of all campsites in the Richtersveld section of the /Ai-/Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park until further notice.
The closure of the campsites has been necessitated by the high level of the Orange River which is expected to rise above its 1988 level of 11 m at Noordoewer when the flood peaks in the Lower Orange River.
SANParks says in a news release the campsites at De Hoop, De Koei, Tatasberg, Richtersberg, Kokerboomkloof, Hakkiesdoring, Potjiespram, as well as at Sendelingsdrift Campsite have been closed. Accommodation in the chalets at Sendelingsdrift will, however, still be available.
The flood has also affected the operations of private accommodation establishments downstream of Noordoewer.
The Namibian Roads Authority has, meanwhile, announced the closure of the DR212 gravel road along the northern bank of the Orange River between Aussenkehr and Sendelingsdrift.
Operations of the pontoon at Sendelingsdrift, which facilitates the flow of traffic between the Richtersveld section of the park and Namibia, have been suspended for more than a week because of the high level of the river and the pontoon is expected to remain close for some time to come.
The Orange River reached a record high of 11.39 m at Noordoewer in 1974 and stood at 7 m in February last year when it reached its highest level in 23 years.
Derived from TourNamibia

3 new tours offered by Sasendle Adventure Safaris on Namibia Reservation Site

Namibia Reservations now offers 5 tour in total from the Sasendle Adventure Tours on the website.
Many of their tours start from Windhoek Namibia or Cape Town South Africa. Pleases see the below link for further details and the itineraries. Also enquire about the other tours that are offered by Sasendle Adventure Tours.
www.namibiareservations.com/sasendle.html