Africa & Beyond Newsletter September 2015
INSIDE this month - South Africa Family Special Edition Family Holidays - New KwaZuluNatal Brochure - Safari Gems
Welcome to this special edition of our September Newsletter. This month we have focused on the best that South Africa has to offer for families. Whether you have tiny ones or teenagers, it’s a destination that will inspire and delight. Our very own Sue Foster took her family to the Cape and on safari this summer, read all about their experience. Safaris with kids are very special so we’ve highlighted some of our favourite camps where little ones are treated like mini VIP’s and get a true wilderness adventure. We offer our humble tips as parents on how to achieve a relatively stress free holiday with your little treasures. And finally, we have a new brochure dedicated to the majestic state of KwaZulu Natal. Please contact us for a copy or you can download it.
Call: 0161 789 8838
|
Email: enquiry@africaandbeyond.co.uk
|
Visit: africaandbeyond.co.uk
The Foster’s South African Adventure Sue took her family to this wonderful country and looked at it through the eyes of her kids.
T
he Western Cape and indeed South Africa holds great memories for me from my time living there, so having a chance to share this experience with my children was a very exciting prospect. The criteria were, family friendly hotels, malaria free (as the children are quite young) and plenty of new adventures. So after 165 sleeps precisely in the planning, the level of giddiness was at an all-time high when we stepped out of the airport and headed to Cape Town. Our first stop was Cape Royale in a 2 bedroom suite, which meant we didn’t have to go to bed at the same time as the kids and they had plenty of space to spread out, but best of all its just a short walking distance to the famed ‘Waterfront’ area. So where to start? There are lots of lovely walks along the coast, with stopping off points in play areas, lighthouses to explore, rugged rocks to climb and all under the familiar sight of Table Mountain.
Grootbos is a private nature reserve is home to the largest private fynbos (native Cape vegetation) garden in the world. Although this might not initially sound hugely interesting compared to the big five, the botanical guides can make flowers and shrubs seem fascinating; even to our children who aren’t normally the least bit interested in botanical things. The guides make sure that they are kept interested pointing out all sorts of unusual species and tracks and letting the children hold and try and identify different bugs and flowers. Grootbos is run rather like a safari lodge and guests are encouraged to take a morning and/or afternoon activity. We took the opportunity to try as much as we could including nature drives, guided walk in the Milkwood forest, a beach and cave walk and some fantastic land based Whale Watching from the cliffs at nearby Walker Bay.
One highlight for the kids however was the chance to go horse riding, which they did twice while we were there. We were able to leave them Having exhausted the many highlights of the city in the very capable hands of the stable staff and such as the hop-on hop-off bus, boat trips and go off on a more adventurous ride of our own. The family friendly restaurants galore, so we headed lodge staff made the kids so welcome, they had their own menu, mealtimes, evening child care to our next leg of the adventure at Grootbos. and a chill out room they can kick back and watch a film.
Call: 0161 789 8838
|
Email: enquiry@africaandbeyond.co.uk
|
Visit: africaandbeyond.co.uk
Onward our journey took us east to the wonderful Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, a malaria free Big 5 destination not to mention the oodles of bird species, plants and other mammals such as the native springbok, zebra and hyena. A rare treat was the 3,500 year old rock art on the property left by the San people. The Sanbona staff were amazing with the kids - on arrival they received a backpack full of safari goodies and our guide Pascale showed us all the big stuff like elephants, but also the kids got their faces decorated with Ochre, collected skulls and elephant dung and were generally kept amazed by new discoveries around every bend.
Even with kids the obligatory ‘Sundowner’ was not forgotten and we were served amid stunning scenery. On our way back one evening we came up behind a pair of cheetahs, walking right past the entrance to camp - a very exciting end to the day! Again, the food was amazing, and the children’s meal times were accommodated with thoughtful attention to detail which was very much appreciated.
version of its Welsh namesake! So, all in all, did South Africa live up to the memories of my time there pre-kids? Absolutely! And is it family friendly?
Completely! The properties we stayed at really made our trip and being Malaria-free removed any need to take tablets. The children's highlights were definitely whale watching, the penguins, exploring caves, seeing the wild animals up close and collecting elephant dung
It was a very successful and memorable Foster To end our time in South Africa we headed back to family holiday, and we will definitely be back! Cape Town, but this time we hired a villa with a big Sue xxx pool, which you can imagine went down well with the kids. When we managed to drag them away from the pool we took the cable car up Table Mountain, visited township projects, (that certainly opened the kids’ eyes), saw the African Penguins on Boulders Beach and spend some time on the lovely beach at Llandudno, a prettier, warmer
Family favourites Lalibela Private Game Reserve Set in the Malaria free area of the Eastern Cape, this reserve offers a Big 5 safari experience for all, whilst those little ones who like the ’wild side’ too have their own dedicated adventures including fishing, bug finding, shorter 1-hour drives, making casts of paw/hoof prints, story time round the fire and making chocolate!
Ngala Safari Lodge This Kruger based camp offers a combination of luxurious and family friendly. A special WILDchild programme is on offer here, so there’s plenty to keep kids busy including their own goodie bag on arrival. Families staying in the 2 bedroom private suite get their own vehicle and guide for personalised game drives, and a private pool for downtime.
Tuningi Safari Lodge Madikwe Game Reserve is a great option for a Malaria free safari, and at Tuningi kids take centre stage. Five and overs get to go out with the adults on the regular drives, whilst the younger ones get their own mini activities. From the guides to meal times, families are welcomed and encouraged to bring out their wild side!
Thanda Private Game Reserve Set in the heart of Zulu land, this camp is child heaven. There’s a dedicated Bucks & Bugs Club exploring the reserve with their own guide as well as the Junior Rangers Course. This offers children the opportunity to see what it takes to be a safari ranger, learning about animal tracks, their sounds and calls, as well as tracking and star gazing. The private Villa iZulu on the reserve is perfect for families.
Tswalu Private Reserve This is South Africa’s largest private reserve and located in the quieter Northern Cape. A Junior Ranger course provides all the excitement of a safari tailored to children’s interests, there’s also a special kids boma where they can even cook for themselves. The area is Malaria free and in camp you’ll find specially designed family suites, catering for young ones and teens alike. Call: 0161 789 8838
|
Email: enquiry@africaandbeyond.co.uk
|
Visit: africaandbeyond.co.uk
Giving kids AND parents
the best holiday
All our children are different. Different ages, d thresholds - so here are a few tips to maximise t Get them involved from the start. When planning a trip make it a family affair from the outset and show them maps of where you plan to go and pictures of what they’ll see, do and even where they’ll sleep. But be prepared for plenty of ‘how many sleeps until we go?’!
On safari take an adventure kit, cheapy binoculars and/or camera, note book to jot down memories and retell their stories later back in camp, bird and mammal reference books to play ‘who can find the animal first’, but leave the electronics back in camp. Don’t worry about what you don’t see, if on safari and the kids are tired, don’t worry about not taking a game drive, look at the small things around camp, play ‘Who’s poo?’, follow an ant trail or even better choose a camp with a pool.
Call: 0161 789 8838
|
Email: enquiry@africaandbeyond.co.uk
|
Visit: africaandbeyond.co.uk
different interested levels, different boredom their, and your, enjoyment! If you’re doing a road trip, ask us to help plan out a route that includes plenty of fun stops from a quirky ostrich farm to the classic ice-cream pit-stop. Family friendly accommodation, scattered across the country are hotels and guesthouses who embrace your little ones, will accommodate meal times and food choices, offer a sitting service and a whole raft of dedicated activities from baking to bug collecting. Accommodation is designed with families in mind. Don’t be afraid to try, your kids might surprise you if you try something new, a forest trek, a museum, an organised day trip. Things they might think are ‘boring!’ at home take on a whole new light in Africa. Just go for it - you never know until you try!
Safari News & Updates KwaZulu Natal is an amazing province situated on the east coast of South Africa and whilst visitors often head straight to the Western Cape or on safari in the Kruger, here you get it all: beach, battlefields, safari and dramatic rugged scenery. It's a unique 'one-stop' destination, so we're delighted to bring you a new brochure dedicated to KwaZulu Natal. It offers a quick reference guide to all the key areas as well as suggested hotels, camps & guest houses to suit all tastes and budgets. Click here for your e-brochure or contact us directly for a hard copy.
Up coming holidays There is still time to book a last minute October half term getaway. Maybe chill out on the beach in Mauritius, a safari in the Kruger or action packed escape at Sun City where there are activities galore for kids and their parents.
Call: 0161 789 8838
|
Email: enquiry@africaandbeyond.co.uk
|
Visit: africaandbeyond.co.uk
The Highlands, Ngorongoro Crater, overlooking Empakai Crater
The Highlands, is a new camp for the Ngorongoro Crater and is scheduled to open in March 2016 and is available to book now. Standing high on the slopes of Olmito Volcano, the views stretch as far as the Serengeti and guest can directly access the Crater floor without going via the main Ngorongoro Gate. In addition to the guest suites and honeymoon tent, there is a dedicated Family Tent with adjoining tented rooms, each with an ensuite, offering plenty of space for family downtime.
Kings Camp situated in the Timbavati Game Reserve have just completed the conversion of two luxury suites into a sumptuous family suite, with two separate bedrooms with ensuite, so plenty of space to spread out after a thrilling game drive.
Angama Mara is now well and truly up and running in its first season and is aimed at those who like a touch of modern luxury with their safari. Kids over six are welcome and can enjoy game drives or explore around the camp. Family suites are available, however two children under 12 can share with their parents in a standard tent.
C: 0161 789 8838 E: enquiry@africaandbeyond.co.uk V: africaandbeyond.co.uk