Some quick updates for the month of May

I quickly drop by to give our ever persistent travelers, some quick updates on some of our suppliers and properties.

Update 1:

Destination: Mozambique

Property: Benguerra Lodge

Info: I am pleased to say however that our rebuilding plans are taking more form and we are really excited.We have decided to go ahead with building more honeymoon suites (exact number TBA). These suites will be based on the same plan as our current honeymoon suites, possibly just with a few minor adjustments. The honeymoon rooms have always been very popular since we first introduced them about two years ago, so we are sure that they will remain in high demand. The villa will remain unchanged.

We decided not to continue with the proposed Casitas, the larger rooms of which we had the artist impressions of at Indaba.

The old chalets will also be broken down. (We might keep one or two of them, but this will be decided later.) Our opening date is still confirmed for 1 December 2007.

Update 2:

Destination: Mozambique

Property: Rani Resorts

Info: Rani Resorts, Mozambique's largest investor in the tourism industry has announced that it will commence building a new private island destination on Paradise Island in the Bazaruto Archipelago, southern Mozambique. The island, also known as Ilha Santa Carolina is regarded as the 'gem' of the islands forming the Bazaruto Archipelago - a proclaimed marine national park -\and boasts sensational beaches and magnificent scenery. Construction on 50-room hotel will commence early 2008 and open to guests in 2009. The architectural concept for the new island hotel is retro and will be similar to the original art deco establishment that operated on the island in the 50's and 60's. Ilha Santa Carolina (Paradise Island) was a well known and much-loved exclusive playground for the rich and famous at this time when Mozambique was still a province of Portugal. Bob Dylan is reputed to have composed his song, 'Mozambique' on the piano of the original hotel before the island was abandoned and fell into ruin during the war of independence and the ensuing civil war. Only two hours' flying time from Johannesburg, the Bazaruto Archipelago is increasingly becoming a sought-after destination for international tourists seeking an African Bush and Beach safari experience or looking for pristine and unique African island experiences.

Update 3:

Destination: Zimbabwe

Property: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Info: VICTORIA Falls Safari Lodge in Zimbabwe has constructed a 21sqm platform underneath a 15m-high Pod Mahogany tree. The platform, named ‘Mukamba’, the Zimbabwean vernacular for Pod Mahogany, will be used as a breakfast station after guests have completed their walking safaris. The platform can also be used as a game viewing point during sundowners, or for business meetings.Future activities on board the Mukamba platform will include moonlight dinners on full moon nights.

The Lodge has also launched three new bird hides on its property. The first overlooks ‘The Duck Pond’, a spot along the nature tail closest to the main lodge entrance. The hide is split into two sections: one covered and as dark as possible so that guests will not be spotted by birds and the other with closed sides and an open top to allow guests to view the birdlife within the Acacia tree above.The other two hides are smaller and located along the nature trails near the Boma and Lokuthula Lodges.Victoria Falls is home to over 450 species, including some rare species such as Taita and Red Necked Falcons,Slatey Egrets and Brown Fire Finches.

Update 4:

Destination: Cape Town, South Africa

Info: TWO of Cape Town’s popular attractions, the Robben Island Museum and the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway will be partially closed for upgrades.Section B, the maximum security prison, of the Robben Island Museum will be closed until August 31, during which time the facilities will undergo restoration. The rest of the museum will still be accessible to tourists.The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway will be closed for routine maintenance from July 23 until August 5.

So, until later, happy travels!

Island Safari Latest Updates

Hi,

Fellow travellers, I am once again here to give you the latest updates on our tours and properties.Here follows the updates:

Update 1:

Destination: Botswana

Topic: Lodges of Botswana

Info: Elephants everywhere! The annual influx is with us once again, and the elephant drought has been broken. General game-viewing has also improved now that the game has settled down after the rise of the flood-waters, and viewing has been excellent.The weather is perfect - cool but not yet cold nights, and warm days.

Update 2:

Destination: Seychelles

Info: THE Seychelles International Airport has completed a R32,4m revamp of its facilities.
The airport’s terminal building has been extended and upgraded to include larger arrival and departure lounges, each with larger duty-free shops, additional immigration and customs points to speed the flow of travellers through the airport, among other facilities.The departures lounge has an additional flood which will be home to an improved Commercially Important Passenger lounge. The entire departures lounge acts as a wireless Internet hotspot and there is also an Internet café.

MASON’S Travel in the Seychelles has added a 25m catamaran into its fleet, adding another dimension to the company’s marine excursions and private charters on offer.
The catamaran Catalina has a capacity of 80 guests (50 comfortably seated) and comes fully equipped with a bar and kitchen, enabling the crew to prepare meals and serve drinks on board. Passengers can also make use of two cabins with showers for a change of clothes.
“This beautiful new vessel is a great development for our company and provides our clients with exciting new possibilities during an unforgettable stay in the Seychelles,” says Eddie D’Offay, Mason Travel gm.

Update 3:

Destination: Mozambique

Property: The Dona Ana Hotel

Info: THE Dona Ana Hotel in Vilanculos, Mozambique is being revamped and is scheduled to be reopened in December. The hotel will comprise 22 en-suite bedrooms, a Portuguese restaurant, cocktail and terrace bar and 20-seater conference facility. There will also be a swimming pool, shop and Internet café. Three other buildings, that collectively provide 32 rooms, will also be built on the beachfront, adjacent to the main hotel.

The Pinnacle Hospitality Group will manage the hotel.


Update 4:

Destination: South Africa

Property: Cape Grace

Info:

Bascule Whisky Bar & Wine Cellar Closure 23 – 29 June 2007
In order to i1mprove on the product we provide to our guests - Bascule Whisky Bar & Wine Cellar will undergo its annual maintenance programme. Bascule will therefore be closed to hotel guests as well as the public from Saturday, 23 June and will re-open again on Friday, 29 June for trade. This repair work will be completed during regular working hours and will not impact on the guest experience.

In the meantime we invite you or your guests to join us in Onewaterfront bar, Cape Grace Library or Terrace at your leisure.
Sun City

Please be advised that the Palm Terrace Restaurant at Sun City Cabanas Hotel will be closed for Dinner ONLY from 20 May - 20 August 2007 both dates inclusive.

Breakfast for Hotel residents will still operate from 07h00 till 11h00 daily.

Island Safari Latest Updates

Hi,

Fellow travellers, I am once again here to give you the latest updates on our tours and properties.Here follows the updates:

Update 1:

Destination: Botswana

Topic: Lodges of Botswana

Info: Elephants everywhere! The annual influx is with us once again, and the
elephant drought has been broken. General game-viewing has also improved now
that the game has settled down after the rise of the flood-waters, and
viewing has been excellent.

The weather is perfect - cool but not yet cold nights, and warm days.

Update 2:

Destination: Seychelles

Info: THE Seychelles International Airport has completed a R32,4m revamp of its facilities.
The airport’s terminal building has been extended and upgraded to include larger arrival and departure lounges, each with larger duty-free shops, additional immigration and customs points to speed the flow of travellers through the airport, among other facilities.The departures lounge has an additional flood which will be home to an improved Commercially Important Passenger lounge. The entire departures lounge acts as a wireless Internet hotspot and there is also an Internet café.

MASON’S Travel in the Seychelles has added a 25m catamaran into its fleet, adding another dimension to the company’s marine excursions and private charters on offer.
The catamaran Catalina has a capacity of 80 guests (50 comfortably seated) and comes fully equipped with a bar and kitchen, enabling the crew to prepare meals and serve drinks on board. Passengers can also make use of two cabins with showers for a change of clothes.
“This beautiful new vessel is a great development for our company and provides our clients with exciting new possibilities during an unforgettable stay in the Seychelles,” says Eddie D’Offay, Mason Travel gm.

Update 3:

Destination: Mozambique

Property: The Dona Ana Hotel

Info: THE Dona Ana Hotel in Vilanculos, Mozambique is being revamped and is scheduled to be reopened in December. The hotel will comprise 22 en-suite bedrooms, a Portuguese restaurant, cocktail and terrace bar and 20-seater conference facility. There will also be a swimming pool, shop and Internet café. Three other buildings, that collectively provide 32 rooms, will also be built on the beachfront, adjacent to the main hotel.

The Pinnacle Hospitality Group will manage the hotel.


Update 4:

Destination: South Africa

Property: Cape Grace

Info:

Bascule Whisky Bar & Wine Cellar Closure 23 – 29 June 2007
In order to i1mprove on the product we provide to our guests - Bascule Whisky Bar & Wine Cellar will undergo its annual maintenance programme. Bascule will therefore be closed to hotel guests as well as the public from Saturday, 23 June and will re-open again on Friday, 29 June for trade. This repair work will be completed during regular working hours and will not impact on the guest experience.

In the meantime we invite you or your guests to join us in Onewaterfront bar, Cape Grace Library or Terrace at your leisure.
Sun City

Please be advised that the Palm Terrace Restaurant at Sun City Cabanas Hotel will be closed for Dinner ONLY from 20 May - 20 August 2007 both dates inclusive.

Breakfast for Hotel residents will still operate from 07h00 till 11h00 daily.

Something New as always

Hi my fellow travelers,

With a busy week behind me, I am bringing you the latest updates from the Island Safari camp.Don't worry about a heavy info overload this week, but hey there is no news like good news!

Anywayz, here follow the updates:

Update 1:

Destination: Mozambique

Resort: Rani

Property: Indigo Bay

Info: They can confirm that the Bay view suites will definitely not be ready in July.
They'll have them ready from 1st August onwards.

Update 2:

Destination: Zimbabwe

Info:

Victoria Falls – why visit:

- A World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
- It serves as an excellent base to access the best safari areas in Southern Africa
Africa's adventure capital - it has the wildest one day white water rafting trip on the planet
- A comprehensive range of accommodation from 5-star luxury to comfortable B&Bs
- Easily accessed through Johannesburg, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe
- The broad range of activities available makes this an ideal family holiday spot

Some 2007 updates:

- Exceptionally high water levels this year; the outcome of these high water levels is that the
Victoria Falls are looking magnificent and guests are getting nice and wet through the spray.
- White Water Rafting operations are set to resume by July (usually by the end of May)
- Accommodation for the 2007 season is extremely short from July to September.

The benefits of staying in Victoria Falls Town, Zimbabwe:

- Zimbabwe boasts 70% of the viewing area around the Victoria Falls
- The centre of town is just a 10 minute walk from the entrance to the Falls
- Not as crowded as the Zambian side of the Falls
- Zambezi National Park (20 min drive) and Hwange National Park (2.5 hrs drive) are both
bursting with wildlife

Update 3:

From: African Sun

NB Info:

ZIMBABWE DOLLAR EXCHANGE RATE US$1 = Z$15000 (FIFTEEN THOUSAND)

Following an announcement by the Governor of the Reserve Bank on Thursday 26 April 2007 the value of the US$ has been set at Z$15,000.

Tourists may exchange their foreign currency at an Authorized Dealer (Commercial Bank or Reserve Bank Bureau) and receive this new rate.

Whilst the official exchange rate remains @ Z$ 250 - US$ 1, a special mechanism has been introduced to offer this new rate of Z$15,000. We are hopeful that this special mechanism will not only remain in force, but will also be reviewed on a regular basis to maintain parity with economic factors such as inflation; currency movements etc, and thus maintain value and purchasing power.

This should remove some of the price distortions that have occurred in recent times.At say Z$30,000 for a premium bottled beer, a tourist will now pay the equivalent of US$2, given this new rate.That is very good value anywhere.

Update 4:

Destination: Seychelles

Info:

CREOLE Travel Services will soon be introducing a new 36m catamaran to establish a fast sea transport link between Mahé and Praslin in the Seychelles.The new catamaran will represent an upgrade over the previous ‘Cat Cocos’ catamaran service between the two main islands, with much greater capacity (catering to 350 passengers) and a faster ride lasting only 45 minutes.The vessel has three on-board classes with an array of amenities, including snack bar services, video screenings and a souvenir boutique, among others.

Update 5:

Destination: Namibia

Info:

REITSAFARIS, which forms part of the Gondwana Desert Collection, has launched a new 13-day 300km ride from the Fish River Canyon to the Orange River in South Africa. Distances covered daily vary between 20km and 55km, crossing over three private parks: Fish River Canyon Park, Gondwana Park and Aussenkehr Park, altogether covering an area of about 220 000 hectares.
Other highlights include a stop at Flamingo Bay, wildlife viewing on horseback and a drive along the Sperrgebiet (restricted diamond area).


So that is it for this week, and I will see you on the flipside.

The Island Safari Team