New Recipe:TRADITIONAL TIRAMISU

Hey Guys,

I am once again back with another recipe, supplied by our friends at Garonga.Maybe you can vote in the poll that is posted on the left hand side navigation of the blog, on how you founded the Tiramisu.Thank you and enjoy.

Preparation:

35minutes
Cooking: 10 minutes ready in 5 hours
Serves: 12

Ingredients:

6 egg yolks
3/4 cup white sugar
2/3 cup milk
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound mascarpone cheese
1/4 cup strong brewed coffee, room temperature
2 tablespoons rum
2 (3 ounce) packages ladyfinger cookies
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

Instructions:

- In a medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until well blended. Whisk in milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Boil gently for 1 minute, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Cover tightly
and chill in refrigerator 1 hour.

- In a medium bowl, beat cream with vanilla until stiff peaks form. Whisk mascarpone into yolk mixture until smooth.

- In a small bowl, combine coffee and rum. Split ladyfingers in half lengthwise and drizzle with coffee mixture

- Arrange half of soaked ladyfingers in bottom of a 7x11 inch dish. Spread half of mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers, then half of whipped cream over that. Repeat layers and sprinkle with cocoa. Cover and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours, until set.

Picture of the finished product:

New updates for January 2008

Hi Guys,

First off as this is our first post for 2008, I want to welcome back all our readers and hope that you will enjoy this blog as much as the previous years.This update covers quite a lot of ground and if there are any questions please do not hesitate to email me at: david@island-safari.com



Update 1:

Update About: Benguerra allocation

Update Info: Only 1 casita available for 12 and 13 August




Update 2:

Update About: Budget Car Hire

Update Info: Just a reminder to use the code: G8H (super cover) for all 2008 bookings.




Update 3:

Update About: Airlines

Update Info:

A.)MOZAMBIQUE has announced plans to ease its strict aviation policy, which has until now created monopolies on certain routes within the region.Air access from South Africa has improved over the past two years, with frequencies launched by SA Express (Cape Town-Maputo), Linhas Aérias de Moçambique (LAM) increasing services (OR Tambo-Pemba and OR Tambo-Inhambane, Lanseria-Vilanculos and Lanseria-Maputo), and Airlink’s Johannesburg-Pemba flights. Several routes, however, remained constrained with only one airline operating on the route. One such example is Maputo-Johannesburg.

B.)BA Comair, which has secured rights to only one weekly flight between Lanseria and Maputo, is waiting to secure more flights a week before it launches a service.

C.)Mozambican news reports now say among the routes to be opened over the next year are Johannesburg-Beira; Lanseria-Vilanculos; Johannesburg-Vilanculos; Johannesburg-Pemba; and Maputo-Cape Town. The heavily constrained Johannesburg-Maputo route will not be opened
during phase 1 of the program as it needs to be “monitored”.

Heavily regulated skies in Mozambique have had a detrimental effect on the country’s tourism industry, reports research firm, Commark Trust. The organisation says high ticket prices on the Johannesburg-Maputo route, when compared with those on the Johannesburg-Durban route (the same distance), have had an impact on tourist numbers to the country and are due to a policy that protects the Mozambican national carrier, LAM.

D.)Falcon Africa director, Allan Eckles, agrees that airfares to Mozambique are very high. “The flights to Mozambique are overpriced when one compares ticket prices of competing holiday destinations like Zanzibar and Madagascar,” says Allan, citing smaller aircraft on the routes as the main reason for the high pricing.

E.)Ambula Tours consultant, Elitah Chiekuma, says availability is often a problem. “Most of the time we have availability when it comes to accommodation, but that’s never the case with the availability of flights.”

F.)SA Airlink

NEW ROUTE – weft 18 Feb 08 JNB/ HRE, same day return flights Monday – Friday and Sunday

ROUTE UPDATE
WEF 21 Jan 08 CPT-MQP introducing BAE146 -200 jet 97 seats
WEF 21 Jan 08 CPT-GRJ introducing BAE146 early/late departures
WEF 21 Jan 08 CPT-UTN introducing ERJ135 jet 37 seats
WEF 21 Jan 08 JNB-UTN adding more seats utilising ERJ135 jet
WEF11 Feb 08 JNB-PHW additional early departure Mon – Thurs

YR TAX INCREASE – WEF 1 Jan 08

RECONFIRM FLIGHTS – We recommend that your clients reconfirm their departure times 48 hours prior to departure.

Y CLASS FARE – must be ticketed 72 hours after reservation or booking will be cancelled

Agent Helpline
Monday - Friday office hours 011 395 3579
Saturday 09h00 – 11h00, 2 Controllers on duty

Baggage Lost/Misplaced – contact SAA: 011 978 3733 (good luck!)
Baggage Claims – contact Airlink: 011 390 9875

Update 4:

Country: Botswana

Update About: Uncharted Africa

Update Info: It looks as if Camp Kalahari now only re-opening 01 July – due to refurbishment.



Update 5:

Country: Botswana

Update About: CC Africa

Update Info:

CC Africa has announced additional details on the two new lodges it will open in Botswana's Okavango Delta in June this year.

Xaranna Tented Camp will open with eight suites, with the possibility of expanding to 12 at a later stage. Each suite will have a private plunge pool and open-sided pavilion.The concession is 25 000 hectares in size and access will be via an airstrip, 20 minutes away from Maun, followed by a 45-minute game drive or boat ride to the lodge.

Xudum Delta Lodge will also open with eight suites with the possibility of expanding to 12 later on. Each will have a private plunge pool and a 'lofty hideout'. There will be two main guest areas and four satellite guest areas to guarantee privacy. Access is via the same airstrip as Xaranna Tented Camp, but Xudum is located only a 20-minute game drive away.

Activities at both lodges will include mekoro rides, boat safaris, walks, and both day and night game drives.


Update 6:

Country: Zambia

Update About: Chongwe River Camp

Update Info: Special offer for April, May and June 2008

Book a minimum 4 night stay at any Chongwe River Camp property and receive an extra night
free of charge.Choose a combination of properties during your stay: Chongwe River Camp, Albida Suite, Chongwe River House and Bushbuck Bushcamp (June only).For property combinations – free night will be taken from cheapest accommodation.All reservations subject to booking conditions and availability.For more information and to make a booking please contact us at info@chongwe.com

Update 7:

Country: South Africa

Update About: Cape Town Lion Walking Tours

Upfdate Info: You may think you know Cape Town, but did you know that once upon a time sheep were sent to Robben Island to protect them from the prowling Cape Lion?Follow in the paw prints of the now extinct Cape Lion, which once roamed and ruled the peninsula. As the tour continues, you will encounter lions everywhere, although they are silent now. Each has a story to tell, of the history of a city and the people who left their mark.Highlights include a stop at the Netherlands Consulate, the Evangelical Lutheran Church, Koopmans de Wet Huis and a tour of the Gold of Africa Museum. Refreshments and snacks are available in the coffee shop:

Time: Mon - Fri from 10am onwards
Venue: Gold of Africa Museum, 96 Strand St.
Cost: adults R35, children R25.
For more info: 021 405 1540 or email museum@goldofafrica.com

Update 8:

Country: South Africa

Update About: GRAPES, GOURMET & GALLERY EVENINGS AT WINCHESTER MANSIONS

Update Info: Experience signature wines of some of the Cape's finest estates perfectly matched with a gourmet feast against a backdrop of striking works of art at the monthly Grapes, Gourmet and Gallery Evenings at Winchester Mansions,Cape Town's leading beach front boutique hotel in Sea Point. Each Grapes, Gourmet & Gallery evening is hosted at the hotel's elegant yet cosy restaurant "Harvey’s at the Mansions" and showcases a selection of wines from a featured well-known

Cape wine estate accompanied by a marvellous set-course menu. Executive Chef, Henry Jonkers, will create dishes to match each of the highly appraised wines to perfection. A varied collection of art by leading local artists will be exhibited on the evening courtesy of Patrice Boussekey's Eclectic Gallery. These monthly evenings have built up a loyal following of regular guests and promise an excellent gourmet affair with fine wine and food combinations and stunning art.

Future dates for Grapes, Gourmet & Gallery Evenings for 2008:

23 January: De Wetshof, Robertson
20 February: Elgin Vintners, Elgin
19 March: Haute Cabriere, Franschhoek
16 April: Paul Cluver, Elgin
14 May: Simonsig, Stellenbosch
11 June: Joubert Tradouw, Barrydale
16 July: Ernie Els, Stellenbosch
9 August: Rupert and Rothschild, Paarl
10 September: Hartenberg, Stellenbosch
15 October: Ernst & Co. Stellenbosch
12 November: Doolhof, Wellington

Evenings start at 19h00 and costs R260 per person, inclusive of a glass of wine per course.To book your table contact +27 (0) 21 434-2351 or send an email us. harveys@winchester.co.za

Update 9:

Country: South Africa

Update About: Sun City

Update Info:
Please note that the annual closure dates for maintenance of the Valley of Waves, Dungeon, Amphitheatre and Observatory Deck at Sun City are 05 May - 30 June 2008 both dates inclusive. During this period no function bookings will be accepted. Residents at The Palace will be asked to use the shuttle to gain access into the Entertainment Centre.The Palace Pool will also undergo maintenance from 17h00 on 27 June 2008 and re-open on the 21 July 2008. Please convey this information to staff and ensure that all guests are made aware of the closure dates prior to their stay at Sun City.

Samara Whispers and Christmas Wishies - A recipe to tantalize the tastebuds...

Hey Guys,

As we are in the Christmas spirit already, I thought, that this time around I should maybe post a recipe for those who specifically has a sweet tooth at this time of the year.I hope maybe some of our readers will try this out and maybe vote in the poll that I will put up in the navigation.So enjoy and happy holidays!!

Click on the image to enlarge:




The Island Safari Team

Island Safari December 2007 Update

Hey Guys,


First off I want to wish all of our readers a happy festive season and prosperous new year, and may 2008 be just as good as 2007 has been.This update include news from Zambia,Namibia,South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Sun International.As always, if you have some more questions or inquiries about Island Safari, you can email me at: david@island-safari.com


On with the updates then.


Update 1:

Country: Zambia

Update About: Norman Carr Park Entry Fees

Update Info:

We have recently been told that Park Entry fees and bush camp lease fees in the South Luangwa are to be increased for 2008. We have calculated the financial impact that this will have on our company and decided that we can not afford to absorb the burden of these extra costs.

We are therefore increasing the rates at our 4 bush camps by US$20 per day, the rates at Kapani Lodge will remain unaltered. We will be implementing this increase for all bookings on which deposits have not already been paid to us.

We do apologise for the inconvenience that this is bound to cause and trust that you can work with us to make this process as smooth and painless as possible.


Update 2:

Update About: New Buscamp Company Fact Sheets

Update Info:

Here follows some new fact sheets on some of the accommodation available at Bushcamp Company:


1.)www.bushcampcompany.com/kuyenda
2.)www.bushcampcompany.com/chamilandu
3.)www.bushcampcompany.com/chindeni
4.)www.bushcampcompany.com/bilimungwe
5.)www.bushcampcompany.com/kapamba

Update 3:

Country: Botswana

Update About: African Bushcamps Info

Update Info:

NEW! Linyanti Walking Safaris: This is a mobile tented camping safari experience focused on walking within the private concession in the Chobe Enclave part of the Linyanti. This is an adventure that will awaken you to the heart beat of Africa and its true wilderness.

Distance walked each day will vary depending on the capabilities of the group and what their interests are with many stops for water, picnic breakfasts, lunches and many interesting sightings along the way. Each day the camp may move, dependent on where the wildlife action is. This is an adventure safari for those that seek to explore the wild and remote wilderness area on foot. Close-up safe encounters on foot with elephant, buffalo and lion are not uncommon in the hands of the best professional guides whose first passion is to interpret and bring to life every aspect of the bush.

Accommodation is in stand-in spacious tents with comfortable beds and en-suite private bathroom facilities. The Linyanti area is best known for its large populations of Elephant and buffalo that congregate in vast numbers especially during the dry season. Lion, sable, roan, leopard, wild dog, and a number of the plains game can be enjoyed in the Linyanti. The rare and elusive sitatunga antelope, red lechwe, hippo and crocodile can be found in the surrounding marshes.

Guaranteed departures based on two people on our set departure dates. Maximum people per safari is six. All other walking safaris other than the set dates will be based on departures according to request including private departures, minimum four people and minimum three nights. Minimum number of people on the set departure dates is 2 people.

Seasons is 1st April through to 30th November

Cost per person for the three night safari: April, May & November US$1260 Minimum age group is 10 years of age

Set Departure Dates 2008 - Minimum 2 people to guarantee departure

1.)2nd May 2008 - 2nd June 2008
2.)2nd July 2008 - 2nd August 2008
3.)2nd September 2008 - 2nd October 2008
2nd November

Access is at Saile airstrip (private Linyanti Bush Camp strip)

Update 4:

Country: Mozambique

Update About: Mozambique's main border post

Update Info:

MOZAMBIQUE’S main border post with South Africa at Ressano Garcia is open 24 hours a day until January 15. This is to speed up the movement of tourists during the busy festive season. The southern regional director of Mozambican customs, Goncalves Mandava, has also called for an increase in the number of customs and immigration staff at the border post.

Update 5:

Country: South Africa

Update About: Botlierskop reserve being closed.

Update Info:

The Reserve has closed after floods caused severe damage to the property.While repair workha begun, the reserve expects to reopen only in April 2008. Activities such as game drives, horse-back safaris and bush walks will recommence in January 2008. Botelierskop's reservatio office remains open, but all existing bookings are being cancelled with guests being referred to Buffelsdrift Game Lodge near Oudtshoorn. Restaurant bookings are referred to Café Gannet Restaurant in Mossel Bay. According the Marcia Holm, office manager at Mossel Bay Tourism, the areas most affected are the low-lying areas at Great Brak River where several homes and a caravan park were damaged as well as Little Brak River where floods caused extensive damage to the beach and adjacent facilities. Holm said repairs to the beach and facilities at Little Brak River should be completed by the end of the week.

Update 6:

Country: South Africa

Update About: Sun International hotel price increases

Update Info:

Please note that the following meal prices at the Sun City Hotel have increased as follows
with immediate effect:

Buffet Lunch at the Sun Terrace Restaurant has increased from R145 to R150 per person
Buffet Dinner at the Calabash Restaurant has increased from R145 to R150 per person

Update 7:

Country: Namibia

Update About: Islands in Africa Reservations Department

Update Info:

Islands in Africa

For those who have dealt with Karis in Islands in Africa's reservations department, who has formed an integral part with Islands in Africa's team for so long, has left.We wish her every success and good health!Meanwhile, should you have any reservations inquiries please direct them to either Nosihle,Vicky, Susan or Phil – res@islandsinafrica.com, safari@islandsinafrica.com