PEZULA RESORT HOTEL & SPA The MARABOU TRAVEL GROUP is offering a special at the fabulous Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa in Knysna (http://www.pezula.co.za/) - the only hotel in South Africa to appear on the US as well as the UK Conde Nast Traveller Hot List and a member of the Leading Hotels Of The World. All suites have a private bar and gourmet pantry stocked with an array of drinks and mouth-watering snacks. And all have individual climate control, a real fireplace, satellite television and DVD players. The custom designed furnishings of the suites with their luxurious bathrooms, makes the experience of staying at Pezula hard to match and even harder to leave. The spacious bathrooms have double basins, double showers, bidet and under floor heating. Each suite has spectacular views across either the Golf Course, the Indian Ocean or the Knysna Lagoon. The Pezula Spa & Gym provides a synthesis of the wisdom of nature and the knowledge of science in the quest for physical fitness, mental relaxation, fine health and glowing beauty.

The normal rate is R5,060 per suite per night but we are offering it at almost 55% discount! R2,300 per suite per night - direct bank deposits or Internet payments only. Return airfare & 2 days car rental can be facilitated from R1,450 per person (excluding airport taxes). Contact us to make your booking now!   

 

AFRICAN SKY HOTELS

African Sky Hotels are offering the following pre-Christmas and post-New Year specials at their hotels:

- The Cape Town Ritz (http://www.singletravel.co.za/the_ritz.html): R375 per room per night
- The St Georges Hotel Cape Town (http://www.singletravel.co.za/st_georges.html): R420 per room per night
- Wilderness Beach Hotel (http://www.singletravel.co.za/wilderness_beach_hotel.html): R420 per room per night
- Oudtshoorn Hotel & Spa (http://www.singletravel.co.za/oudtshoorn_inn.html): R399 per room per night
- Pine Lake Inn White River (http://www.singletravel.co.za/pine_lake_inn.html): R375 per room per night

All rates are for accommodation only and a minimum 2-night stay is required. Rates are valid from 1 to 20 December 2005 and from 5 to 20 January 2006. 
- Millennium Towers Dar Es Salaam (Tanzania) (http://www.singletravel.co.za/millennium_towers_hotel.html): US$95 per room per night, accommodation only plus airport transfers. Valid from 1 December 2005 to 31 January 2006.

  

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

A few NEW additions to our website are: 

Zuma Zuma Safari Lodge & Spa (Timbavati)
http://www.singletravel.co.za/zuma_zuma.html - VERY LOW SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS!
Zuma-Zuma is a 5 star lodge, located in the “Big 5” Timbavati Game Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park and is an ideal place to experience nature and relax and unwind. The lodge has 10 luxury suites, each with it’s own spa bath, indoor & outdoor showers, extra length king or twin beds and private deck with great views. The rooms also have telephone and internet connection, a mini bar fridge and safe. Guests are taken on morning and evening game drives in open vehicles, by rangers who will not only educate but also entertain. 

Riverside Cottages (Hazyview)
http://www.singletravel.co.za/riverside_cottages.html
Put your feet up and relax under huge Fever trees to the sound of the murmuring Sabie River. Slowly sip a sundowner as you watch a Kingfisher hovering and diving for its last catch of the day. If this sounds like the perfect escape from city life, then your dream breakaway is Riverside Cottages, an affordable, self-catering resort.

Basse Provence Country House (Franschhoek)
http://www.singletravel.co.za/basse_provence_country_house.html
Basse Provence Country Guest House is a four star, luxury bed and breakfast accommodation situated on an historical working wine farm in the picturesque valley of Franschhoek. This landmark Cape Dutch Manor House sits invitingly amongst the vines and 300 year old oak trees. The interior is a fine blend of traditional Huguenot heritage and South African Culture and Basse Provence offers 9 lovely rooms to guests. 

Fairview (The Crags, between Plettenberg Bay and Nature’s Valley)http://www.singletravel.co.za/fairview.html
Fairview was named for its extraordinary outlook over the Keurbooms indigenous forest into several mountain ranges. It is a 10 minute drive from whale watching at Keurbooms beach, 10 minutes from Plettenberg Bay with its gorgeous Robberg Peninsular and spectacular golf courses, and 15 minutes from Natures Valley with its beautiful beach and forest walks. Kurland and Bitou Polo fields are also close by. It is an ideal springboard for all the attractions of this famous coastline, but far enough away from the bustle. It is easy to find (the property adjoins the N2). It is spacious, extremely comfortable and affordable. 

A few RECENT additions to our website (all offering ZERO SINGLE SUPPLEMENTS) are: 

Critchley Hackle (Dullstroom) - http://www.singletravel.co.za/critchley_hackle.html 
Walkersons (Dullstroom) - http://www.singletravel.co.za/walkersons.html 
Ingwe Game Lodge (Edeni Private Nature Reserve) - http://www.singletravel.co.za/ingwe_game_lodge.html  Akeru Safari Lodge (Timbavati) - http://www.singletravel.co.za/akeru.html    

TRAVEL NEWS 

Lufthansa announces more CT flights
LUFTHANSA has released their winter timetable and has announced that they will be increasing their flights between Frankfurt and Cape Town. Daily flights will be available, up from the previous three per week. The new flights will come into force from October 30.  

Kulula, SA Airlink hook up
KULULA.COM has announced it is in the process of forming a commercial agreement with SA Airlink on the Johannesburg to Nelspruit/KMIA) route. kulula.com will sell seats on specific SA Airlink flights on the route via the kulula.com website. When demand requires, says kulula.com, it will revert to using its own larger aircraft, while SA Airlink will add to its daily return flights, presently seven a week, to cater for growing demand.
 
Cape Winelands by bus
THE Cape Winelands District Municipality has launched a novel way to see the Cape Winelands. The Cape Winelands Fun Bus has been launched in conjunction with Tourism Month to promote an easy and affordable way to see the Winelands. The Fun Bus offers two one-day trips through a set route in the Winelands and is targeted at a broad market ranging from international tourists to locals and senior citizens. The Goudini Spa Day Excursion (R250 per person) includes a trip to the hot springs and spa at Goudini, a tour of Butterfly World and lunch. The package costs R250. The Wellington & Wine Farms Day Excursion includes wine or grape juice-tasting at one of Wellington's wine farms, a visit to the Safari Dried Fruit operation, a visit to Butterfly World and the Drakenstein Lion Park and lunch. It costs R230. The Cape Winelands Fun Bus is a collaboration between the Cape Winelands District Municipality, Gaffleys Transport and Thompsons Tours.   

Culling considered for elephant management
TOURISM minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk said yesterday the issue of elephant overpopulation can no longer be ignored given the threat dense elephant populations pose to the country’s biodiversity. According to data from Deat, SANParks and other conservation groups, South Africa, along with other regional countries, is struggling with an ‘overstock’ of elephants. The Kruger National Park, a key area of focus, is currently 300% overstocked, while Botswana as a whole is 2000% overstocked. It is estimated that without intervention elephant numbers in the Kruger could rise to about 34 000 from the current estimate of 14 900 by 2020. Southern Africa could see its numbers rise from around 300 000 to 400 000 in the same period. Experts will now draft the National Norms and Standards for elephant management. These will be published for public comment at the end of this year, with the final draft expected to be published in the first quarter of 2006. The minister said that culling is being considered as one management option, which would mean a reinstatement following its ban in 1995.   

Africa holds growth, predicts 1time
GLENN Orsmond, 1Time ce has said he believes low-fare carriers could grow the number of passengers travelling to sub-Saharan Africa by up to 50%. He added that this would result in lower fares across the board. “If the skies are opened you will see dramatic growth, you’ll see fares possibly 60% to 70% lower – and that’s really what Africa and South Africa needs,” Orsmond told Classic Business Day.  

Gaborone Sun goes wireless
THE Gaborone Sun in Botswana has introduced WIFI, Wireless Internet access throughout the property. Guests will be able to surf the Internet using their laptops from anywhere in the resort. http://www.singletravel.co.za/gaborone_sun.html
 
Swazi parks join WILD Card system
SWAZILAND’S Big Game Parks, a private organisation that manages three parks in that country, have joined South African National Parks’ WILD Card system. Tourists can now enjoy the discounted rates system offers when they visit the Hlane Royal National Park, Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and Mkhaya Game Reserve. An All Parks Cluster Card allows visitors free entry into the parks as well as a 5% CashBack on accommodation and activities. So far Ngwenya Glass, Tekwane Crafts, Gone Rural, Woodlands Restaurant, Quatermains Restaurant, Orion Pigg’s Peak Hotel and Mountain Inn all offer CashBack to WILD Card holders. Holders of a Single Cluster card are able to purchase an upgrade to an All Parks Cluster card. Big Game Park is the first conservation organisation outside of South Africa that has joined the system.
 
SA ranked highly by Condé Nast readers
SOUTHERN Africa has performed well in the recent Condé Nast 2005 Readers Travel Awards. The awards ask readers who they think are the best that the travel world has to offer. South Africa has ranked 9th in the top country category following New Zealand, Thailand, Australia, France and the USA. South African Airways has been ranked 10th in the long-haul leisure travel category. Ngorongoro Crater Lodge in Tanzania was the readers’ favourite hotel in the Middle East, Africa and Indian Ocean Islands. Last year’s winner, Singita Private Game Reserve came in second place and The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa in Cape Town sixth. Other Southern African properties to rank in the top 20 were Ngala Private Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park at seventh place, Ellerman House in Cape Town, eighth, Ulusaba in the Sabi Sands 10th, the Cape Grace in Cape Town at 12th, the One&Only Le Touessrok in Mauritius 14th, The Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town 16th, Londolozi Private Game Reserve in Mpumalanga 17th and The Residence in Mauritius 19th. The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa was also recognized as a top spa destination, ranking eighth on the spa list, while the Givenchy Spa at the One&Only Le Saint Géran in Mauritius ranked ninth.  

Tourism boost for Bloemhof Dam
THE North West Province’s Bloemhof Dam could soon receive a much-needed tourism boost. Located along the province’s Treasure Route, Bloemhof Dam is South Africa’s sixth largest dam, covering an area of about 25 000 hectares. The dam is at present a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts and fishermen, due to its abundance of fish species, such as catfish, Orange River mudfish and carp. Invest North West has identified gaps in the facilities available for visitors to the Bloemhof Dam Nature Reserve. As such, it has embarked on a study to investigate possible tourism facilities for the area.
The study, says Invest North West’s Zodwa Mvulane, addressed the diversification of tourism offerings in the area, thereby creating a truly outdoor adventure paradise. “Unlocking these tourism opportunities will not only benefit the ever increasing number of tourists visiting the area, but will also greatly benefit the Bloemhof local community,” says Mvulane.  

First black rhino born in Phinda
PHINDA Private Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal has seen the birth of its first black rhino ever. This follows the introduction of the WWF/Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Black Rhino Range Expansion Project, which relocated 15 black rhino onto the reserve last year. The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project aims to increase numbers of these endangered animals by increasing the land available for their conservation.  

Jewellery exhibition at Gold of Africa
THE Gold of Africa Museum in Cape Town is exhibiting a 38-piece collection of antique Indian gold jewellery from September 7 to January 8. It is believed that some of the pieces in this collection originated in temples where images of gods and goddesses are fashioned from stone and metal. In addition to this antique collection, visitors will also find the BeadJewelled collection, comprising contemporary beaded jewellery and panels combining traditional African techniques and Indian designs. The bejewelled artworks have been sourced from Ubuhle Beautiful Beads, a rural women’s collective. The Gold of Africa Museum, located in the historic Martin Melck House, includes a museum shop, presentation suite, goldsmithing workshop and design studio, wine cellar, tea garden, and a variety of night and walking tours.  

JIA parking facility developments
RENOVATIONS have forced sections of the basement parking and shaded parking at the north end of JIA to be shut down. Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) has warned that this may cause parking pressure during peak periods. Acsa has also introduced a number of initiatives to improve the parking experience at JIA which include a License Plate Recognition system. As a vehicle enters a parking area, the system captures an image of the vehicle and driver, recording the registration number of the vehicle on the parking ticket. When the driver inserts the exit ticket at the boom, the system reconciles the number on the ticket with the registration of the vehicle. This will prevent car thefts as well as help customers allocate cars if they have forgotten where they have parked them, said Acsa. A new electronic and automated system will also indicate numbers of open bays in the large number of parking bays distributed around the airport. The parking machines are now equipped with “single slot” technology, allowing customers to insert their parking ticket and credit card into the same slot. This technology will also be in place at the exit booms providing a solution for people who have forgotten to pay at the machines.  

SAA and United to codeshare
PASSENGERS in the United States will from November 1 have more options to fly to Johannesburg via Washington Dulles, when South African Airways and United Airlines begin operating a code-share agreement. Passengers will be able to fly from San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Los Angeles and Las Vegas to Washington Dulles and from there connect to Johannesburg. Once the necessary regulatory approvals have been granted, United's code will appear on SAA's Washington Dulles-Johannesburg service, as well as SAA’s services within Africa and between SA and Europe. SAA’s codeshare agreement with Delta into Atlanta will continue for now, according to Delta’s London office.
 
Bayworld to be upgraded
THE Nelson Mandela Bay is renovating Bayworld to better accommodate tourists. The Bayworld complex comprises a museum, aquarium and reptile park.
The phased redevelopment includes a modern and spacious reception area flanked by a new multi-purpose exhibition area and a state-of-the-art auditorium. A new souvenir shop will stock ‘take away’ memories and coffee shop will allow guests to relax in this themed environment. Bayworld expects this phase to be completed by December 2006. New education and research wings will also be built to ensure expansion and enhancement of these core functions. The development also includes a complete overhaul and modernization of the Oceanarium and reptile display areas. Work to the dolphin lake and the Oceanarium will only be undertaken once a suitable temporary holding facility for resident marine animals during the construction has been identified.
The planned date of completion for the entire project is 2009. Bayworld will, however, be operational throughout the construction period with the necessary adjustments to its regular programmes.