Tourism that Cares - Blog #safari

Featured Property: MalaMala Rattray's Camp

Tue, 17 Sep 2019 21:21:22 +0200

MalaMala Rattray’s Camp combines humble luxury and romantic charm with unrivalled game viewing. Hidden in a forest of green, along the edge of the world-renowned Sand River, MalaMala Rattray’s Camp is an elite safari destination for those seeking to experience the wild heart of Africa.

Guests are warmly welcomed upon arrival at MalaMala Rattray’s Camp by their amicable staff. Each roomy Khaya (Zulu word for ‘home’) offers an atmosphere of lush seclusion and boasts spectacular views of the Sand River where wildlife of all shapes splash in the private plunge pool, cooling off in the outdoor shower or enjoying a massage on the deck.

At MalaMala Rattray’s Camp, wildlife safaris are one of the most important aspects of your stay. A total of four guests per safari vehicle is allowed and an adjustable schedule will ensure that your safari experience is unmatched. You can enjoy superb meals in the comfort of your own Khaya, or in one of the facilities on the premises. Or even have a delectable bush breakfast.

Facilities at MalaMala Rattray’s Camp:

A beautifully appointed library containing rare African books and magnificent works of art
An elegant, African themed air-conditioned dining room
A historic bar featuring photographs of the early days of this unique area and its pioneers
A large wooden safari deck where meals and teas are served
A traditional reed “boma” for evening meals around the fire
A large filtered infinity pool with magnificent views across the river
A well-appointed safari boutique with quality clothing, jewellery and artefacts
A small fitness facility with stationary bicycle, treadmill, multigym machine, sit up benches, free weights, mats and a steam room
A massage service
Mobile phone coverage (MTN) and complimentary wireless internet connectivity are available at all the MalaMala Game Reserve camps

With a 23 year history of focusing on great travel experiences within this region of Africa, Tourism That Cares is an expert Luxury Travel Agency that specialises in luxury African safari’s, luxury Kosher safari’s as well as incentive groups, multi-national conferences, and product launch events. Get in touch with one of our experienced luxury travel agents today to make your dream holiday or event a reality!

Get in touch and start planning your trip

Featured Property: Kapama Karula

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 20:28:49 +0200

Kapama Karula (5-Star) is without question the cream of the crop when it comes to Big-5 safaris and will have you mesmerised with its panoramic views of the beautiful surroundings. Magnificent and classy, Karula will take your breath away!

Features

10 Superior Villas
2 Family Villas
A beautiful library where you can get lost in a book, connect with the family back home via the media centre or even arrange a romantic firelit dinner for two.
Kosher guests are welcome (this is one of Tourism That Cares’ specialities, so please let us know if we can assist with this.)

Fly-in Special

Book a 3-night stay at Kapama Karula, Buffalo Camp Luxury Tent or Southern Camp Villas and enjoy courtesy luxury return flights on Kapama’s Private PC-12 Aircraft. Specific dates between 15th November – 7th December 2019 available.

Kapama Karula (save 45%) ~ 3-night stay including return charter flights from Johannesburg International Airport.

Our discounted price: R48 077 per person sharing (Normal Price = R88 232 per person)

Southern Camp Villas (save 50%) ~ 3-night stay including return charter flights from Johannesburg International Airport.

Our discounted price: R34 330 per person sharing (Normal Price = R74 486 per person)

Buffalo Camp Luxury Tent (save 64%) ~ 3-night stay including return charter flights from Johannesburg International Airport.

Our discounted price: R22 761 per person sharing (Normal Price = R62 916 per person)

Included in this amazing discounted price:

3 nights all-inclusive accommodation in either a Buffalo Camp Luxury Tent, Southern Camp Villa or Kapama Karula Villa.
All local and premium drinks
Twice daily superior Big 5 game viewing and bushwalks
Full use of Karula Spa’s hydrotherapy room and fully-equipped gym
Return flights from Fireblade Aviation at OR Tambo International Airport*
All airport taxes and fees
Conservation levies
* T&C’s apply

Get in touch and start planning your trip

Featured Property: Ehlane Plains Camp

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 21:37:48 +0200

If you are looking for a magical getaway in East Africa, Ehlane Plains Camp in the eastern region of the Serengeti in Tanzania should be on your list. Situated in the Soit le Motonyi region, far from the Serengeti transit areas, with its vast open space, spectacular wildlife sightings, and tranquil atmosphere, this tented camp is the perfect getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

‘Ehlane’ is a Zulu word which means ‘wilderness’.

The area is one of a kind, serene, pristine and brimming with wildlife: lions, cheetahs, hyena and leopards to name a couple. This exclusive plain of the Serengeti is where the acacia woodlands border the great savannah, attracting elephant, zebra, giraffe, warthog and more. This makes for spectacular viewing where predator meets prey.

The camp offers eight eco-friendly tents, all under canvas and all with expanded views of the wilderness from all angles. Two tents at Ehlane Plains Camp have been designed as ‘star domes’; inspired by an Arabian idea of sleeping on an open rooftop, lush cushions and fall asleep beneath the starry sky. Each tented suite is equipped with comfortable fittings and features, including an en-suite bathroom. Families of up to five can be accommodated at two of the tents that have inter-connected suites with a private lounge to relax in.

For the romantics out there, Ehlane Plains Camp offers a Balloon safari which starts at sunrise and ends with a champagne breakfast in the bush. This 1-2 hour safari where you can experience the wilderness of East Africa from a different angle is sure to make your experience even more memorable!

If you are a true explorer and like to “be one with nature” Ehlane Plains Camp offers an intriguing wilderness walking safari with their in-house armed walking guide. Follow the tracks, take in the scent of the herds on the breeze and hear the crunch of the earth under your feet. These guided walks are in the early morning and late evening, before the heat and after the mid-day stillness (when most animals and people take a rest). The educated and experienced guide will fascinate you with their knowledge of local customs, bush- and wildlife-facts, and a story or two of their own wilderness experience.

Features:

8 tented suites including 2 “stargazers” and 1 family
Children: Families with children aged five and older are warmly welcome
Suitable for disabled guests (please contact us)
Solar & generator power
Battery-charging facilities
Wifi available
Morning and evening game drives
Bush breakfasts. picnics & dinners
Walking & Balloon Safaris
High Season: 01 December – 28 February | 01 June – 31 October
Low Season: 01 March – 31 May | 01 November – 30 November
Migration viewing: Oct to May | June to September (incredible resident predators all year round)

Get in touch and start planning your trip

Planning a Kosher Safari Holiday?

Wed, 05 Aug 2015 18:05:11 +0200

Planning a Kosher Safari Holiday?

Thanks to a fairly healthy sized Jewish community in 2 of the largest cities in South Africa, namely Johannesburg and Cape Town, Kosher catering is readily available in these cities. However once you leave these cities Kosher is hardly available, and at best you have a handful of items in grocery stores that are mostly Pareve items.

Mashgiachs:

Mashgiachs and fully installed separate Kosher kitchens are available in these cities, BUT there are hardly any Mashgiachs available outside these 2 cities, and if they are required to travel up to a lodge to supervise the Kosher food preparation, then it works only for larger groups who can cover the costs of the Mashgiach to travel up and stay for the full period of time with the clients on safari, or for wealthier individual family units, who are happy to pay the costs, because they can afford to cover the Mashgiachs costs to travel with them.

We have therefore worked tirelessly to find solutions for different levels of clients who have different expectations of Kosher whilst on safari.

In general its safe to say that you can order Kosher safaris with us at 4 different levels

Kosher basic safaris:

This is the lowest form of Kosher, and generally involves clients only wanting fish and vegetarian meals, and do not require anything more than these two items to satify their Kosher needs.

Kosher basic safaris:

This is the lowest form of Kosher, and generally involves clients only wanting fish and vegetarian meals, and do not require anything more than these two items to satisfy their Kosher needs.

Kosher medium safaris:

Here we order Kosher food from our various suppliers, who are Beth Din approved, and the food is sent up to the safari lodges without breaking the cold chain. Some items are pre prepared meals, other items are freshly prepared on site, and there is clearly demarcated areas with the kitchens, as well as brand new pots, pans, cutlery and crockery, which has been set aside for the Kosher clients usage. There is no Mashgiach on site to supervise preparation, however the chefs follow the Kosher guidelines, and the clients themselves, are welcome to turn on ovens, and approve the preparation by having access to the kitchen to inspect the processes followed.

Kosher strict safaris without a Mashgiach:

All food is pre prepared at a Beth Din approved caterer in Johannesburg, plated and frozen, sealed in tinfoil with Kosher certification stickers on the tinfoil exterior of each and every meal. This is shipped to the lodge again without breaking the cold chain, and the food is stored separately in a dedicated area of the kitchen.

The food is then heated and served without any seals being broken at the lodge, and the clients are the first to break the seal.

The 3 options above, tend to be the most cost effective for groups travelling under 8 people in total, who cannot afford to fly a Mashgiach with them.

Kosher strict safaris with a Mashgiach and a set apart Kosher kitchen:

All food is sourced by the Mashgiach himself, through his approved Beth Din employer, and he travels with the food up to the lodge. If the lodge has a dedicated Kosher kitchen, the Beth din door seal is broken on the day of the clients arrival, the kitchen opened for the Kosher preparation, and the Mashgiach and Kosher chef prepare all food within this kitchen.

After the clients leave, the Mashgiach will seal off this kitchen again, lock the door, seal it, and return back to Johannesburg.

There are only 3 lodges in the whole of Southern Africa who provide a totally separate, locked Kosher kitchen, and they are all 5 star plus category, and often fully booked.

This 4th option tends to be the most expensive, and very few of our clients require this level of Kosher, however it is easily arranged, and we have excellent Mashgiach’s who have a sterling reputation in the industry for top quality Kosher.

Tourism that Cares has built up a superb network of like minded lodges, whom we have built up a great working relationship with, to ensure our Kosher guests feel well cared for, and respected for their beliefs and their requirements around Kosher.

Behind each safari experience, we have sourced Beth Din approved Kosher caterers, cold chain logistics managers , Mashgiachs and Chefs who have learnt to deliver a wonderful experience to our most discerning of Kosher guests, including Rabbis from Israel, and Kosher families from all around the world.

The key when planning a Kosher safari really amounts to this: You need a one stop travel company shop who is capable of planning the intricate details of a Kosher safari, able to provide you with the Beth Din certification and verifiable supply and also able to take care of the complex logistics to send food into remote safari areas.

Where to go in Africa in December?

Tue, 04 Aug 2015 22:46:48 +0200

Where to go in Africa in December?

This is the time of the year to visit the southern coastal regions with its warm, dry climate.

December is the beginning of the southern summer. This is the time of the year to visit the southern coastal regions with its warm, dry climate. The beaches with their white sand dunes are particularly attractive with the waters of the South Atlantic generally colder than those of the Indian Ocean further north along the coasts of the Eastern Cape and KZN.

Robben Island – Mandela

Cape Town is the popular destination of many tourists and its imposing Table Mountain is always a challenge for those that are fit to climb. I enjoy the more leisurely scenic 5 minute cable car trip up the mountain. At R215 per person it can be expensive for families but none the less it’s a worthwhile experience. Robben Island, the place where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for over 20 years, is worth a visit because of its cultural/historic value. A visitor remarked: “It was a great privilege to listen to the interesting stories of an erstwhile prisoners who acted as our guide”.

The city of Cape Town is surrounded by beautiful mountain ranges and here the well known wine farms of the Cape offer some of the best red and white wines in the world. My personal favourite of the cultural/historic Vergelegen wine farm near the town of Somerset West. Its tranquil setting invites for shady strolls below some very old Camphor and Oak trees. The oldest of these wine farms are on the slopes of Table Mountain in the Constantia Region.There are over 400 well known high class wine farms amongst the soaring mountains surrounding Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. For the tourists there are many top class 4 and 5 star lodges, hotels and B&Bs worth a stay over.

Top Class 4 and 5 star lodges, hotels and B&Bs worth a stay over.

Many of the fishing type villages along the West Coast of the Western Cape offer excellent accommodation. Booking needs to be made early in the year as December is the main holiday season. Fishing is popular with many holiday makers and the coastal restaurants offer some great seafood value for money. My favourite is the West Coast Crayfish.

Travelling eastward from Cape Town I find the route through the rural agricultural Cape Agulhas region to the Garden Route particularly attractive. On the way the town of Hermanus beckons for a few days of stay over. It’s a mere two hour drive from Cape Town and a major look-out point for the migrating southern whales. My favourite villages and towns of the Garden Route include Wilderness, Sedgefield, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. Here the attractive forests invite for short and longer walks with the Otter Trail my all time favourite, sadly though the age limit of 60 years prevents me to meander along its four day backpacking route between Stormsriver mouth and Nature Valley near Plettenberg Bay. A convenient airport at George at the start of the Garden route cuts the 6 hour road trip from Cape Town to the Garden Route down to an hour flight.

Addo Elephant Park with its wonderful close-up encounters with elephants

Port Elizabeth is the business hub of the Eastern Cape and has its airport linked to all major centers of South Africa. Two hours inland by car and I am at the main gate of the Addo Elephant Park with its wonderful close-up encounters with elephants and a number of the Big five. Accommodation for all National Parks is booked via SAN Parks. There are a number of high class private concessions such as the Amakhala and Riverbend lodges. The rural setting of the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape has many attractive destinations for those seeking time out away from busy centers the serene coastal setting of Coffee Bay, Hole-in-the-Wall and Port St Johns are ideal.

Durban forms the KZN tourist hub.

For a number of years I regularly visited the KZN coast with its golden sand beaches offering wonderful surfing in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean with temperatures in the low to middle 20°C. Durban forms the KZN tourist hub. It has its own international airport and many 4 and 5 star hotels and lodges to choose from. Here the tropical climate with daily temperatures soaring to the mid 30º C, invite visitors to spend their days on the beach along the coast. From Durban the road northward takes one within three hours to reach the HluHluwe Game Park and another hour further to the World Heritage St Lucia wetlands close to the Mozambique southern border known for its wonderful diversity of wild and birdlife.

Namibia and Botswana with its high summer temperatures from December to March tend to be more popular in the southern winter and spring months of July to October with its milder temperatures but are always a favourite with many tourists. The Etosha Pan area in northern Nambia and the great Fish River Canyon and huge dunes of Sossusvlei in the south are great photographic destinations with many safari lodges offering top class accommodation.

The Etosha Pan area in northern Nambia and the great Fish River Canyon and huge dunes of Sossusvlei in the south are great photographic destinations with many safari lodges offering top class accommodation.

Top South African, Family Friendly Safari Lodges.

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 17:20:54 +0200

Singita – Sabi Sands on the western border of the Kruger National Park.

Almost immediately from our arrival we hardly saw our teenage kids for days who later on told us they participated in a mini-ranger course, attended baking and cooking classes, did a spell of mountain biking and learned how to do archery. We went on a walking safari and visited a local community centre supported by Singita. I rate Singita as one of the best for families.

Ant Hill and Ants Nest Lodges – Malaria free in the Waterberg district of the Limpopo province.

On arrival we soon found our accommodation was built on a cliff with a great view. The reasonable rates and being close – less than 3 hours drive – to the main centre of Johannesburg, also appealed to us as we had booked for a long week-end and did not want to travel for many hours by car. We saw a great number of animals on the three guided 4×4 outings we had as a family. We also had a great three hour outing on horseback.

Jock Safari Lodge – Southern part of the Kruger National Park.

Arriving with my wife and two children below teenage years, I soon realized this is an ideal place for all of us as it caters well for all our needs. The kids (7 and 10 years old) had not an idle moment as there was a large variety of activities and outings to choose from. We took one of the historic/cultural outings where we were told the story of Jock of the Bushveld around a camping fire with the distance roaring of a lion that made us shiver.

Ulusaba – Sabi Sands area on the western border of the Kruger National Park.

I found the setting of Ulusaba on a rocky hill in particular interesting and attractive. It caters very well for the entire family and has a number of special child oriented programs. Our teenage children loved the tree-house accommodation. Ulusaba’s connection to the Branson brand ensures exclusivity is high on the list although this comes at a cost. The Big 5 are virtually on the door step and well trained guides ensure our outings were unique and safe experiences.

Jembisa and Palala River Lodges – Malaria free area in the Limpopo Province.

Travelling into the Waterberg district of the Limpopo province brought back pleasant memories of this beautiful area of South Africa with its thickly bushed kloofs and canyons. It is close enough to the main centers allows international tourists to fly in and be transported in less than 4 hours to the lodges. I rate it highly on child-friendly activities and good value for money.

SeasonsinAfrika Tuningi – Malaria free area in the North-West Province.

Tuningi and Little Tuningi are lodges in the greater Madikwe Game Park and therefore share in its variety of wild life. It’s offering of family packages rates very high and it is close to the main centers to allow for less than 4 hour travel time by car. Our younger children were delighted to join others on an hour “bumble” to a waterhole and then helped the chef prepare a meal. I found it is a lodge that offers great value at a reasonable cost for families.

Riverbend – Malaria free area the Addo Elephant Park of the Eastern Province.

Similar to Amakhala Lodge the Riverbend lodge is in the Addo Elephant Game Park. The children enjoyed the mini ranger program they attended. We were pleased after flying in from Cape Town to travel only two hours by car to reach the Addo Gate. The cost vs value factor is also high and we were enthralled with a number of close elephant encounters during our three day stay.

Amakhala – Malaria free area in the Addo Elephant Park of the Eastern Province.

The major attraction of Amakhala is in being in the greater Addo Elephant Park Game reserve. It has a great advantage to be only two hours by car from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape with its airport connecting it to all major centers. I rate it high on family activities and entertainment for children.

Morukuru Farm, Owner and River Lodge – Malaria free area in the Madikwe Reserve.

It took us just over four hours by car from Johannesburg to get to this lodge consisting three different lodges inside the greater Madikwe Reserve on the border of Botswana. Its variety in accommodation was such that we accepted the offer to stay two days in the River Lodge and another two days in the Farm Lodge. This particularly appealed to our younger children who each received a special Morukuru Kidz backpack loaded with all sorts of goodies.

Karongwe – Malaria free area in the Limpopo Province.

Of the four lodges available we had booked our family of four into the Kuname lodge on the banks of the Kuvjename river. Our 6 and 7 year old children participated in a special “Little Paws” program learning to identify spoors whilst we had a two hour 4×4 game drive along the river where we saw a large variety of wild life including a leopard. We flew from Johannesburg to Nelspruit where we were fetched by shuttle service that took us three hours northward on good tarmac.

Tswalu NM

Soon after our arrival it became clear this is probably one of the most exclusive lodges. Relaxing on the veranda with its serene expanse of the rolling grasslands in front of me, I realized the 6 hour journey by car was worth it. We took this option instead of flying in with its private air service. The 100 000 hectares and a maximum of 30 visitors at a time makes this an ideal place for a break away from the crowds. Privacy and exclusivity is rated tops at this lodge.

Grootbos NM

For me the appeal of being close to Cape Town – a 2 hour drive – and the diversity scenery – mountains, ocean and fynbos – made up for not having a large variety of wild life. It is one of the most beautiful settings and ideal for a short break away holiday. It can easily be combined with a visit to Hermanus to do some whale watching and to play golf at the Arabella Estate.