WELCOME to the final 2005 issue of our Newsletter! We have recently had a number of last minute enquiries regarding accommodation during the December holidays and especially the peak period between Christmas and New Year. Unfortunately many establishments have been fully booked for several months already over this period and some already have many bookings for the 2006 December period. We urge our clients to book as long as possible in advance over the busy periods.

We trust all of you will have a fantastic holiday season and wish all those that will be travelling on our busy roads a safe return. We will be back early in 2006! Please note that our offices will be closed from 12 to 18 November and also from mid December until 2 January 2006.

Should you at any stage wish to unsubscribe from this newsletter, simply reply to this e-mail with the word REMOVE in the subject header.

CRITCHLEY HACKLE, DULLSTROOM

http://www.singletravel.co.za/critchley_hackle.html

MIDWEEK SPECIAL
- Valid to 31 March 2006
- R595 per person per night
- Inclusive of dinner & breakfast

- NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENT!

EXPLORE TURKEY: 12 - 27 DECEMBER 2005

R12,999 per person sharing

Single Supplement: R1,499

What you see:
Guided tour of Istanbul
Guided tour of Bursa
Uludag Mountain region
Pamukkale and Roman City - Hierapolis
A visit to the city of the whirling dervish - Konya
Tour of the scenic Cappadocia
Goreme.open air museum
Underground City
Ankara

Ataturk mausoleum

What you get:

- Return airfare economy class on Kenya Airways
- Arrival Transfer
- 4 nights stay at 4star Orient Express Istanbul-breakfast
- 2 nights stay at 5star Hotel Almira Bursa-breakfast-dinner
- 3 nights stay at 5star Hotel Colossae Pamukkale-breakfast-dinner
- 3 nights stay at 4star Peri Tower Cappadocia-breakfast-dinner
- 1 night stay at 5star Best Western Hotel Ankara-breakfast-dinner
- Tour fully escorted by English speaking tour guides

Excludes 4 dinners, lunch and entrances. Limited availability.

CLIMBING KILIMANJARO 2006

Our 2006 prices for a 7-night, 8-day unforgettable climbing Kilimanjaro adventure package, including full ground arrangements, are:

Group of 1 -5 climbers
MARANGU ROUTE (6 days): R10,405 per person
MACHAME/UMBWE/LEMOSHO/SHIRA ROUTE (6 days): R10,570 per person

Group of 6 -10 climbers
MARANGU ROUTE (6 days): R10,230 per person
MACHAME/UMBWE/LEMOSHO/SHIRA ROUTE (6 days): R10,450 per person

Group of 11 -15 climbers
MARANGU ROUTE (6 days): R10,010 per person
MACHAME/UMBWE/LEMOSHO/SHIRA ROUTE (6 days): R10,260 per person

For the Lemosho Route you need to add an additional US$ 100.00 for the group transfer to and from Londorossi Gate.

- Destination Africa Tours reserves the right to increase the rates without notice should park fees or government taxes increase.

- The above rates are based on an exchange rate of R6-50 to US$1.00

These excellent prices include the following:
- Return economy airfares to Kilimanjaro airport ex. Johannesburg to Kilimanjaro airport
- All South African Departure taxes and airline fuel levy of R900.00 per person
- Return airport transfers from Kilimanjaro International airport to Moshi
- 2 Nights accommodation in Moshi at the Springlands Hotel, inclusive of breakfast and dinner
- Transfer from Moshi to starting point for your climb, and the return to Moshi after your climb
- Kilimanjaro climbing permit
- All National Park gate fees
- All hut or camping fees
- Rescue fees
- Guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Guide and porter salaries
- All meals on mountain
- Camping equipment on the camping route (tents & mattress)
- Celebration dinner and a certificate for your successful summit attempt
- Portable oxygen and first aid kit for emergencies
- Government climbing taxes
- S.A departure tax
- Exclusive to DAT clients, buy your Kilimanjaro gear from Capestorm and qualify for a 10% discount
- 2.5% cash discount

Excluded in package:
-  Items of a personal nature
-  Tips for guides, porters and cook
-  Entry visa for Tanzania
-  All health requirements
-  Optional travel insurance
-  Gear for your climb

Note that Kilimanjaro is an extremely flexible destination and we can change dates and detail as you prefer. You can add extra days as well and the routes can be adjusted to suite your needs.

GO SINGLE TRAVEL FLY-IN PACKAGES

Ashmead Resort, Knysna: http://www.singletravel.co.za/ashmead.html

Whale Cottage Franschhoek: http://www.singletravel.co.za/whale_cottage_franschoek.html

Kruger National Park: http://www.singletravel.co.za/sanp_kruger_national_park_southern.html

Pine Lake Inn, White River: http://www.singletravel.co.za/pine_lake_inn

The Ritz, Cape Town: http://www.singletravel.co.za/the_ritz.html

St Georges, Cape Town: http://www.singletravel.co.za/st_georges.html

Oudtshoorn Hotel & Spa: http://www.singletravel.co.za/oudtshoorn_inn.html

Wilderness Beach Hotel & Hydro: http://www.singletravel.co.za/wilderness_beach_hotel.html 

ALL PAYMENTS ARE TO BE DONE VIA DIRECT BANK DEPOSIT, INTERNATIONAL BANK DEPOSIT OR INTERNET TRANSFER.

AFRICA TRAVEL COMPANY

http://www.singletravel.co.za/africa_travel_co.html -  NO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS!

Africa Travel Co has extended their fabulous special up to the end of December. Travellers receive 22% discount off the TOUR PRICE on any trip 10 days or longer before 31 December!!!  On the extended special, clients need to book, pay and travel before 31 December 2005. Discount does not include local payments/optional excursions and can not be taken in conjunction with any other discounts offered by them. 

NEW ADDITIONS

A few NEW additions to our website are:

NEW FROM THE THREE CITIES HOTEL GROUP

The Royal Hotel, Durban (http://www.singletravel.co.za/the_royal_hotel.html) - SAVE R625 - R800 on the normal single rate.

The Westville Hotel, Durban (http://www.singletravel.co.za/the_westville_hotel.html) - SAVE R100 on the normal single rate.

Zululand Safari Lodge, Hluhluwe (http://www.singletravel.co.za/zululand_safari_lodge.html) - SAVE R70 - R100 on the normal single rate.

Zululand Tree Lodge, Hluhluwe (http://www.singletravel.co.za/zululand_tree_lodge.html) - SAVE R180 - R300 on the normal single rate.

TRAVEL COMPANIONS REQUIRED?

We all know how difficult it can be at times to find a travel companion to try and avoid that dreaded single supplement! Go Single Travel offers a service whereby we will advertise your search for a travel companion in our monthly newsletter at no cost. For any such request that our readers might have, just e-mail the detail to us and we will spread the word. Since our newsletter is only distributed once a month, such requests must be for planned holidays at least a month in the future - longer if possible. E-mails can be addressed to info@singletravel.co.za with the topic TRAVEL COMPANION.

LOOKING FOR TRAVEL COMPANIONS:

Maryln Narain would like to make a trip to Egypt. She wants to know whether someone else (age group 35 to 45) is also looking at travelling alone but still looking for company. Other destinations are also an option.

An active 60 year old lady, passionate about the bushveld, birds, little creatures as well as bigger game and with an intense love for animals and nature, is looking for a non smoking, vegetarian travelling companion. She is not looking at sharing accommodation - she simply wants to be with a like minded person (male or female) who will appreciate the same things that she does. She is also keen on horse riding/trekking but do appreciate a little basic comfort. She is not keen to backpack.

TRAVEL NEWS

1time E Cape special
LOW cost airline 1time has launched a special on its flights to the Eastern Cape for the month of November. For every flight on its Johannesburg-Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg-East London, 1time will reserve 30 seats at R99 for one-way travel. The offer is one a first-come, first-serve basis and the only condition is that the flight must be taken in November. Bookings are only available online at www.1time.aero
 
Hwange grapples with water shortages
HWANGE National Park in Zimbabwe is experiencing critical water shortages. Not only has the rainy season not yet begun, but alleged fuel shortages are also significantly impacting on efforts to pump water to some of Hwange’s 57 boreholes. In a bid to alleviate the situation, the Zimbabwe Conservation Task Force has delivered some fuel which it hopes will last until the rains start in mid-November, but the organisation’s Johnny Rodrigues maintains, it will take more than that to make a difference. “Even with the fuel we have delivered, the situation in Hwange National Park is catastrophic and we have to get those engines running,” says Rodrigues, who has called for assistance with spares or engines. Rodrigues believes if water had been pumped in May, the pans would have been sealed and the “crisis” would have been averted. According to the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority’s Major Mbewe, the situation is not dire. “It has been very hot and we haven’t really had any significant rains, but the situation is under control. We’ve identified areas in which to drill more boreholes because the water table is quite low. Hwange is not dramatically dryer in comparison to other areas, but we have sunk a borehole to channel water to a central area and now all we have to do is to keep the water flowing.” When asked whether fuel shortages were a problem, Mbewe responded saying the park had a holding capacity of 60 000 litres of fuel and that it was full to capacity. With the water shortages, animals have been congregating at all available water points, providing astonishing game viewing of all Hwange’s large mammal species. Under normal circumstances there would be several watering points for the animals and they would be spread out throughout the park, says Rodrigues. Wilderness Safaris’ Chris Roche, says last year's below average rainfall has contributed to the problem with water shortages in some areas: “Over the past two years however Wilderness Safaris has ensured that all 22 boreholes in the south eastern section of the Park in its Makololo and Linkwasha sections have remained operational. The continued presence of water has seen large scale movement of game into the area and has resulted in spectacular game viewing for the camps’ guests.”
The Zimbabwe Meteorological Service has confirmed it is expecting normal to above-normal rains this season for the area. Last season, Zimbabwe experienced dry spells in both Hwange and the southwest region.
 
Blue Train back on track
AFTER its head-on collision with the Trans Karoo train on October 26, the Blue Train has announced it will be operating only one train set until further notice. Due to this reduced capacity, the luxury train has been forced to cancel packages to MalaMala and Bakubung for December. Clients who already booked these packages will be able to travel on alternative dates or receive refunds. Departure dates for other services have also been affected. Dorcas Ledwaba, executive manager of the Blue Train, said: “We have already revised our 2005 schedule, to make sure that we can provide luxury train travel to all of the guests who have already booked with us, plus those who are considering it, with the least amount of inconvenience to them. Our 2006 schedule is being re-looked too and will be released as quickly as possible.”  http://www.singletravel.co.za/the_blue_train.html

A whole new ballgame
THE Zulu Nyala Heritage Lodge in KwaZulu Natal is the first establishment in South Africa to launch the popular Cross-X-Golf game. Cross-X-Golf has dispensed manicured lawns, sandy bunkers, a strict dress code and regulations and created a more adventurous game. In the new golf game bush and veld are the fairways and dongas, waterholes and dams are the obstacles to navigate. There is only one rule: if the ball can’t be played because of an obstacle or bad lie, players can place it by hand to within one club grip length of where it came to rest. The game can be played in South Africa at the Zulu Nyala Game Lodge in KwaZulu Natal and the Zulu Nyala Country Manor in Gauteng

JIA to be renamed?
THE Ekurhuleni city council passed a resolution last week to have Johannesburg International Airport renamed OR Tambo International Airport. The council claims the name Johannesburg has become too associated with Joburg Metro. It will put forward the request to the national government cabinet.
Oliver Reginald Tambo, after whom Ekurhuleni wants to rename the airport, spent most of his life serving in the struggle against apartheid and was among the founding members of the ANC Youth League.

SA’s newest national park
THE Camdeboo National Park, South Africa’s newest national park, has officially been proclaimed. The 14 500ha park in Graaf-Reinet in the Karoo will also be linked to the Mountain Zebra National Park to form a single mega-conservation area, which will include 520 000ha of land under conservation.
On proclaiming the new park, minister of environmental affairs and tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk also announced the expansion of seven existing national parks by a total of 64 600ha. The parks being expanded include Marakele by 1 124ha; Augrabies by 32 271ha; Addo by 16 349ha; Namaqua by 8 820ha; Agulhas by 3 906ha; Table Mountain by 323ha; and West Coast by 1 839ha. Last year the government added more than 88 000ha of land to the country’s national parks. The expansion and consolidation forms part of a national parks land acquisition programme announced last year in which R123m over three years, or R41m annually, has been budgeted, with a further R160m per year over the same period to be added by the local and international donor community. 

Zim-SA visas still in place
THE South African department of home affairs has confirmed that visas for Zimbabwe nationals traveling on ordinary passports into SA have not been scrapped.

UB40 to perform in Maputo
MOZAMBIQUE capital, Maputo, will on January 28 host a concert, which will see international reggae band UB40 and other African stars perform.
Dubbed Festival of Hope, this event is also part of a large appeal for the prevention of and fight against HIV/Aids. The festival will be held at the Machava stadium from 14h00 to 23h30 and will see, among others, Vinx, Oliver Mtukuzi, Lucky Dube and Kapa Dech perform. Dana Tours, a Maputo-based tour operator, has organised a package for the event at R3 165, including air tickets, return airport transfers, return stadium transfers, two nights’ accommodation with bed and breakfast, a ticket for the festival and cell phone starter pack. Airport taxes are approximately R700. Optional insurance for R175 per person is highly recommended.

First SA ship arrives in Durban
THE first wholly owned South African cruise ship, the MV Madagascar, recently arrived in South African waters in Durban. Indian Ocean Cruises recently purchased the M.V Madagascar, which has 93 cabins and can accommodate 225 passengers. Cruising operations will start on November 11 and will be managed and marketed by the Three Cities Group. The group aims to sell 70 cruises per annum, including voyages to destinations such as Mozambique, Mombasa and Madagascar.

New fynbos spa treatment for Kagga Kamma
KAGGA Kamma Private Game Reserve in the Western Cape has launched a new Fynbos Therapy as part of its health and wellness offering.
The therapy incorporates essential oils indigenous to the fynbos area. A fynbos essential oil massage, says the spa, will take a guest’s mind and body on a journey of relaxation. Other treatments include a rosemary and Rooibos body wrap, a deep cleansing, anti-ageing Rooibos facial. http://www.singletravel.co.za/kagga_kamma.html