And then…. there were two…….
Wow, it has been a long time coming and finally the curtain is drawn and we are presented with two amazing new suites, right in the heart of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve and they are very aptly named…. The Makubela Suites
Makubela was a female leopard who included the lodge as part of her territory and after being fatally injured by a male leopard, returned to Idube’s gardens to die. A firm favourite with staff and guests alike, Makubela will always be remembered.
Complimenting the existing eight standard chalets, which were extensively refurbished late last year, the two new secluded suites are perfect for honeymooners and those seeking a romantic getaway. Meandering private walkways, lead to each suite which boasts its own private splash pool, indoor and outdoor shower as well as a game viewing deck overlooking the bushveld. Tea and coffee making facilities, mini bars and safes are available in each of the air-conditioned suites.
As part of Idube’s eco-friendly drive, every effort has been made to conserve the environment and rain water is directed off the roofs and will be used to water the bush. To reduce the carbon footprint, gas geysers have also been installed in all the chalets at Idube.
For more information, rates, brochures please contact tolene@boutiquetravelmarketing.com or visit www.boutiquetravelmarketing.com
Who would not want feedback like this?
A beautiful Big Five game reserve a mere 2.5 hours from OR Tambo International Airport, Shibula Lodge & Bush Spa tends to wow its guests, as we see from this wonderful feedback from the Haagensen family
To Shibula Lodge
My son, Nicholas lives in Denmark and wanted to go to the bush – we have visited other parks but this was our first experience of the Waterberg – what a beautiful place with its lush green bush, magnificent trees, scattered wild flowers and gentle kopjes enhanced by red splashed sunset clouds, a panorama of lightning and the wonderful sound of rain as we retired to our delightful accommodation – sheer luxury!
And then there was la cuisine – delicious and varied from dinner in the boma to breakfast on the terrace. Our hosts were gracious and ready to provide us with anything we needed and our ranger was exceptional in his knowledge of the bush – his sharp eye could pick out a beetle speared on a thorn or a lion slumbering in the grass. 
Our great experience was watching a male cheetah encountering a lion unexpectedly – king of the jungle went after fastest animal in the world and thankfully lost the race! He pawed the earth and roared his disapproval into the early morning while we watched transfixed by his size and feeling the power of his vocal cords!
It was a very special three days and Nicholas will have very special memories as he returns to snow bound Europe.
Thank you for this wonderful feedback…
Why not visit TripAdvisor to see more great feedback on this wonderful lodge
IPrefer Guest Reward Programme
As part of the Preferred Hotel Group’s guest rewards programme, IPrefer offers members a free sign up and benefits including:
No points to count. No waiting for hotel rewards. You’ll automatically receive these exclusive rewards from I Prefer every time you stay at over 500 distinctive Preferred Hotel Group hotels and resorts worldwide:
- No Membership Fees – Join for FREE
- Exclusive offers. Access to special offers and promotions throughout the year
- Room upgrades. Get a room upgrade at check-in (based on availability)
- Extra hotel amenities. Get a custom amenity - unique to each hotel - when you book online www. Iprefer.com – EV & DV gift to the value of R200 (this can be Wine, Spa voucher or Dining Credit)
- Priority early check-in and late check-out
- Complimentary Internet access
with all these hotels to choose from, it can make life difficult, but we focus on South Africa as our ‘world in one country’. With a select few hotels in the IPrefer programme, two of which include the wonderful hotels from the Louis Group Hotels, Spa’s and Vineyards portfolio.
With award-winning accommodation and the most attentive staff the Devon Valley Hotel in the Stellenbosch Area, offers the most beautiful views, fine accommodation and a themed dinner/dance at the end of each month. The hotel (also though Preferred Hotel Group), even has a giving room, the proceeds from this room go towards the local charity they support, so why not ask to stay in this room?
Ahh, what better way to end off a sight seeing trip or even a round of golf on the world renowned Erinvale Golf Course than to go back to your beautifully decorated room at Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa, add to that a treatment at the wonderful spa. With the Magnolia Restaurant offering some of the finest food, Erinvale offers a beach nearby (about 10 minutes drive) and a large shopping mall (for those non-golfers). A picnic basket and a trip to the Vergelegen Wine Estate or why not book a trip on the hotels specially design Heart of the Helderberg trip
All these options and if you join IPrefer , you get some added extras.
For more information, please contact info@boutiquetravelmarketing.com or call 079 839 56739
These guys never bite off more than they can chew
With the anticipation building and the entire process being followed step by step, Slashfin
arrived in the Kleinbaai Harbour.
Normally a boat is a she, but this time round Marine Dynamics wanted to be different, Slashfin is a Great White shark that graces the visitors with his prescence at certain times of the year, he is distinctly recognisable by the sizable damage to his dorsal fin, caused either by a rudder from a boat or from an encounter with another shark. Over the years this has healed and is now still visible but not as big as it was. For a shark to live with this kind of damage and still be an active hunter, it was only apt to name the new boat Slashfin.
Watch the video of the maiden voyage from the dock in Cape Town to Slashfin’s new home in Kleinbaai.
To experience this amazing adventure and dive in safety with the Great White Shark, understanding this creature is only possible through the research done by everyone at Marine Dynamics
To sponsor our various conservation projects please visit www.dict.org.za
UK RESIDENTS MID-WEEK OFFER – SHIBULA LODGE & BUSH SPA
A MIDWEEK SPECIAL OFFER FOR UK RESIDENTS
Stay 2 nights and get the 3rd night free
Rate: ZAR3300 per person sharing per night
Included: Accommodation, 2 game drives per day, all meals, sundowner drink on game drive and transfer from and to the main gate.
Excluded: Premium drinks and wines. Reserve entrance fee of ZAR62 per person per night and additional extras of a personal nature.
For an additional ZAR200 per person per night, all beverages can be included.
(Valid from 11 October 2010 – till 30 April 2011)
Arriving at the Main Gate of the Malaria Free Welgevonden Private Game Reserve in the Waterberg region of the Limpopo province, a mere 2.5 hours drive from Johannesburg international or Sun City, you are greeted by a friendly smile and a warm welcome.
Refreshments are served by the rangers, who leave you to indulge in Biltong and nuts while they negotiate the lifting of heavy suitcases onto the landrover for the trip to the lodge. A 45 minute drive, longer if the game are out and about, offers views of the airstrip (you are welcome to arrive by plane if you wish). The trip to the lodge is exciting as you are sure to come across some Zebras in their stripey pajamas and even a browsing giraffe along with loads of information already being imparted by your ranger, whilst you get to ‘meet’ your fellow guests.
(New guests visiting Shibula Lodge)
Arriving at the lodge, you are met with singing in the local tongue, smiley and happy faces and a warm towel to wipe away the city and welcome you to the bush. The first sight of your room envelopes you with relief and pure wonderment of how this place existed without you actually knowing about it. Relaxtion springs to mind and your are already dialling the Spa to book your first massage.
15:00 involves a lunch – this is where the excitement starts as you eat your lunch you are most likely to see the Baboon’s warding off the Waterbuck from the watering hole in front of the lodge, now this is a funny sight as you watch the Waterbuck encroach bit by bit, the baboons are manning the waterhole and all of a sudden there is frantic running and shouting, and you just see Waterbuck disperse. Eventually they get their drink and everyone is satisfied, including your tummy.
The game drive departs at 16:00, each one locates their favourite seat, and you are off in search of the big five, the birds and the small wildlife. The Welgevonden is host to many species of African animals and birds and it is so much fun going in search of these.
White Rhino sightings are very good and as these creatures are currently under ‘attack’ from poachers, it makes for a real treat to know that here in the Welgevonden they are safe – with 36000ha to roam freely on, one feels they are in a haven.
The elephant are quite active and enjoy the water areas, along with a rhino in the background and a very active Zebra, one would think he is training for the Dubai cup the way he was running across the plain. Shibula’s location is perfect for the best viewing, the lodge is positioned in the heart of the Welgevonden and between to plains, which allows for the best game viewing with the wide open spaces, the lions enjoy their shade for relaxtion and the flats give them easy access for hunting. There are a few hills and these offer great escapes for the majestic leopard.
The birding is fantastic with over 350 species of birds in the reserve, one will always see something beautiful, such as the hoepoe which is a fascinating little creature.
When leaving this wonderfully luxurious lodge after eating fantastic food, amazing game viewing and insane luxury, you will start plotting your return on your next trip to South Africa or perhaps add more nights the next time.
Shibula is happy to offer this wonderful special to our loyal UK residents who are planning their trip to SA over the next six months to enable you to enjoy this wonderful experience.
For reservations, please call the office on +27 21 882 8206 or reservations@shibulalodge.co.za
Changes, Changes, Changes at Ocean View House
From a great to amazing… this is all I can say about Ocean View House, in Camps Bay. Having undergone incredible refurbishments over the past year, a marked improvement can be seen with the increase in guests arriving, the wonderful feedback on tripadvisor and the general feel that this property has now become the best value for money in the Camps Bay area.
With just 16 rooms, Ocean View House offers, peace, tranquility and some of the most amazing surroundings. While staying here, you can explore, Kirstenbosch Gardens, the Two Oceans Aquarium, Castle of Good Hope, Table Mountain Cable Way and so many other things.
The refurbishmens have included the building of two new rooms, taking Ocean View House from 14 rooms to 16 rooms. All the rooms have had their bathrooms redone, the Garden Suite has the best privacy and uninterrupted views of the ocean.
Katrin and her team are now busy with the Presidential suite changes, I think it best to keep it under wraps for now as it is just going to make this great property so much better.!
Rates currently starting from ZAR715.00 per person sharing per night inclusive of Breakfast, in high season.
For more information on this wonderful property, please contact info@boutiquetravelmarketing.com .
What to do while staying in Swellendam, South Africa
You may ask your agent the best route to drive from Cape Town to the Garden Route and where should you stop off for a night to break the 5 hour straight journey. I am sure many of their answers will be ‘ There is nowhere to stop off!’ but they are wrong!!!
I would suggest (depending on your budget) to stop off at Mardouw Country House or Gaikou Lodge to enjoy the historical town of Swellendam.
What is there to do in this wonderful town?
Well we can start with the Sulina Faerie Sanctuary, a world to escape to for both adults and children. Everywhere you look, you find little people hiding, playing and having fun. An enchanting garden dedicated to faeries of all shapes, sizes and forms has become a place of inspiration for tourist.
Swellendam is a nature lovers dream, there are four nature reserves within easy drive and one is even accessible on foot from Gaikou Lodge. This would be the Marloth Nature Reserve, here guests from Gaikou Lodge can enjoy mountain walking and horseriding.
Heritage attractions include The Drostdy Museum, the Church, Mayville Heritage Rose Garden and there is even a historical walk (well, it takes in the history, it is not such an old walk 
)
One can also do river rafting and canoeing from Swellendam with Felix Unite Adventures and directly with the Bontebok National Park.
The accommodation at Mardouw Country House is that of luxury, with only five rooms all stylishly decorated with their own individual charm, the house is 100 years old, thereby offering it guests the opportunity to overnight in stylish history. 
Dining at Mardouw offers you sophistication, elegance and mouthwatering food, all served by candlelight and weather permitting…. under the clear and starlined African sky.
Staying at Gaikou Lodge offers four star styled accommodation, overlooking a dam and surrounded by the forests of Marloth Nature Reserve. Quiet serenity is what is on offer. Whilst staying at Gaikou, you can enjoy walks and horse riding, fishing and relaxing.
For more information on these products and the area, please contact us here
Strikes, Ash Clouds, World Cups.. What next?
So we have had BA strikes for what seems like an absolute age and just when we thought these were over, new ones get announced today and that just before the bank holiday weekend… not a wonder the British are choosing a STAYCATION for 2010, my goodness they have had to deal with strikes, Ash clouds and those that regularly visit South Africa have had to consider sharing this wonderful country with football fans from around the world.
Not a wonder the bookings have eased off, lets be serious… you book your flight and actually end up sitting there hoping and praying you will be able to get into the airport, let along take off, what next, a cloud you can’t see disrupting your travel. But why not risk all of that……… for this?
or what about this? 
South Africa is a destination of beauty, value for money and of course complete diversity. I sometimes wonder why people DON’T travel there, your hosts are friendly, you get to see a world in one country, you get to see different cultures working together and managing to live with each others little quirks.
You can see this………… 
and then this…………. ( the endangered and now very sought after Black Rhino)
ALL IN THE SAME COUNTRY.
Why not visit South Africa?? Give me your reasons and let me see if I can persuade you otherwise?
Remember…. ‘obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goal’
Winner of Awards – Louis Group Hotels
With Two of the Louis Group Hotels winning awards in 2010, it is making way for many more on the mantlepiece.
In May Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa in Somerset West won the AA Travel Guides Luxury Hotel of the Year award, a wonderful feather in their cap as they have undergone major improvements during the past year.
The prestigious AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards are granted as the result of consumers expressing their views about the quality of tourist accommodation in South Africa through a well established and respected evaluation process. It covers over 34 different types of guesthouses and hotels, game lodges, self-catering resorts and lodges
Next in line for an award was Devon Valley Hotel on the outskirts of Stellenbosch. The hotel was selected as an Expedia Insider Select Hotel and was awarded as one of Expedia’s top ranked hotels for 2010. This annual award is only given to the very best hotels available in Expedias global marketplace, as rated by the experiences of more than one million hotel reviews submitted by Expedias customers. The hotel was identified as consistently delivering superior services, an exceptional guest experience and notable value
For more information on these two award winning hotels, please contact Boutique Travel Marketing – their UK sales representative on info@boutiquetravelmarketing.com
FUN FACT ON DEVON VALLEY HOTEL – WINELANDS
Did you know Devon Valley Hotel which is based in Stellenbosch and offers 50 stylishly decorated rooms has a Pentanque Court?
What is a Pentanque Court? I hear you say..
Petanque is extremely simple, just like horseshoes. There’s a target, and you have to get as close to it as possible.
What makes it so appealing, is that you can be way ahead for a while, yet lose a second later, or vice versa. Because nothing is decided until the last player plays the very last boule. If he or she moves the aim ball or kicks an opponent ball out of the way, the layout of the boules – and thus your score – may change dramatically.
Who can Play?
The answer is simple: anyone. Age, strength or speed are not important. Advanced players against beginners? There is always a bit of luck involved, especially on a bumpy terrain, so neither the beginner, nor the “pro” will get frustrated. Wheelchair competitions are popular as well. As a matter of fact, petanque evolved early this century from an old French bowl game (la boule Provencale), when one of the old champions, meanwhile suffering from arthritis and mourning his heydays, suggested there be no more running and jumping: everyone should throw the boules standing still, feet together, in a small starting circle. The old champion was back in the game! These days, on many market places in France, petanque is played day in, day out. While retirees are in the majority during weekdays, teenagers and everyone else who wants to unwind for a while will join them after school or work and on weekends. Meanwhile the news of the day circulates, sometimes interrupted by heated arguments over the measuring abilities of the other team. But always in a jovial spirit: after all, if you don’t win today, you’ll win tomorrow, or next week or next year. These players are more than friends. One day, their children will play together just like them…
France, especially the Provence, where petanque originated, has always been a popular holiday destination, so more and more tourists started to play with the locals, bought sets and introduced the game back home, in Germany, Great Britain, Holland, Belgium, Scandinavia, Spain etc.. On the other hand, many French expatriates would pack up a set of boules when they moved, and the game spread throughout the world.
So why not check-in at Devon Valley Hotel and play a round of Pentanque for fun, followed by some wine tasting?
