Travelmagsa_Issue_13

Issue

13

01 June 2014 - 01 August 2014

Discover some fabulous

getaways this winter WTM Africa 2014 Interviews

with Top Destinations The Code - What is it and

why is it relevant?

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ART, MUSIC, THEATRE, BOOKS AND MUCH MORE...

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TravelmagSA • Issue 13

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EMAIL: info@idube.com

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info@lukimbi.com

WEBSITE: Lukimbi Safari Lodge: www.lukimbi.com • Idube Game Reserve: www.idube.com Tel: +27 11 792 6165 • Fax: +27 11 792 5026 P.O.Box 2617, Northcliff, 2115, South Africa 2

TravelmagSA • Issue 13

Publishers Details: Cherry Berry Blue Publishing SA cc, Johannesburg, South Africa

Editor’s Note...

Publishing Editor: Justine Engelbrecht justine@travelmagsa.com • 074 440 8668 Editorial Design Concept, Production & Layout: Eye-4-Design • Eva Govender 011 051 6230 • 071 059 8301 eva@eye-4-design.co.za

It seems Selfie’s are all the rage, that and keeping calm , so for the next two issues I am going to encourage you all to send me your Winter Selfie’s, along with a caption, telling us where you are. It has to be somewhere in SA, it has to be from somewhere awesome, it could be a scenic spot, a restaurant, a hotel, lodge, on the beach, on a boat…totally up to you. #your winter selfie and your #location and tell us why its ‘Awesome’. Each Selfie will be posted on our facebook, and Twitter and hey, you may even make it into our next issue.

Regular Contributors: Ingrid Geertsema Michael Bagraim Attorney, Adio-Adet Dinika Freelance Journalist CT: Penn Jolliffe travelmagsa@telkomsa.net • 081 393 6717

THIS IS JUST FOR FUN and we would LOVE to hear from you, JUST FOR FUN!

Sales & Marketing: Justine Engelbrecht (National & International) justine@travelmagsa.com • 074 440 8668

Help us to support the Ithembelihle Lsen School, contact Tiensie Dry on 011 828 8524. TravelmagSA has given Ithembelihle Lsen School, the Back Page Advert of the magazine until Dec 2014. They need Play Items / Games for the kids, Netball Hoops, and Soccer Nets. Please let me know if you can assist.

Penny Drewett (Eastern Cape) penntravelmag@gmail.com 0721391683

Your support is most appreciated.

Partnerships: Media Partner TEP – Hidden Treasures

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Working Partner Fairtrade e-Published 2014 © Bi Monthly by Cherry Berry Blue Publishing SA cc. All rights reserved. Travelmagsa is registered by Cherry Berry Blue Publishing.

SA. ISSN 2220 – 413X While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in this 13th edition of TravelmagSA, no responsibility can be accepted for quality of goods and services supplied by advertisers and sponsors. The publisher accepts no responsibility for material submitted by any client for reproduction, in regard to all relevant laws and regulations. Concept, text, covers and title of TravelmagSA is Copyright © and may not be reproduced by any process without the prior written permission of the publisher. The Publisher would like to thank all photographers, contributors, sponsors, advertisers and all parties involved for this exciting 13th edition.

“I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News” (Philippians 1:12 NLT)

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On the Cover...

Issue

13

01 June 2014 - 01 August 201 4

Discover so

m

Interviews - WTM Africa 2014

6

e fabulous getaways th is winter WTM Afric

BAR Di BAR

a 2014 Interv

The Code

9

Art, Theatre, Music

11

Raptor’s Lodge

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Backroads Africa

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with Top De The Code -

Nyanga National Park of Zimbabwe

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EVENTS From 01 June to 01 August 2014

Photo courtesy of TEP

TravelmagSA • Issue 13

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Travel South Africa

Escape to the Bushveld this winter…

DISCOVER THE GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK The bushveld is a place where the human element shrinks into utter insignificance.

It grips you and subdues you and makes you one with yourself” - Jan Smuts

By Ingrid Geertsema

F

or some, winter in South Africa represents short days and long nights, cold feet, hot water bottles, snotty noses and too many layers of clothing, and for some of us, winter means something to look forward to after a long and wet summer.

When I think of winter, I think of clear crisp mornings, after the sun has burned her way through the mist that mysteriously hangs over a dry riverbed, unveiling a lone bushbuck or elephant. I think of warm, dusty days, full of animals making their way to the watering places, needing to quench their thirst. I think of night skies so bright and clear you can see several galaxies and warm cosy fires, glass of wine in hand, people whispering excitedly, as the lions’ roars seem closer, because the night is still and most trees have lost their foliage.

Mornings and nights can be a little cold but come prepared with a warm jacket and a beanie, and you will be snug, and by 10 am you will be warm enough to start stripping off some layers. You may even end up in the pool if it’s really hot.

If you hate winter, if you want to get away from the rain and the wind in the Cape or the freezing cold in the Highveld and you cannot afford to fly the whole family to an exotic island, an escape to the Kruger National Park, the warmest place in South Africa is a must.

Where do we go and how much will it cost?

Options range from budget to ultra-luxurious, from adventurous to comfortable, and which ever option you prefer, you will have four things: good food, a warm bed, good game viewing, and sunshine.

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The Kruger National Park encompassing approximately 20,000 km2 has 13 main camps situated along the main (tar) roads, most with swimming pools, restaurants and tourist shops. The Park also offers smaller, rustic bushveld camps, overnight hides and bush lodges. The type of accommodation varies from camping, basic two-bedded huts, pre-erected tents, spacious bungalows and family units, with or without en-suite bathrooms and (basic) kitchen and cooking facilities. Communal ablutions and braai’s (BBQ’s) are scattered throughout each camp. Should you prefer the restaurants, be prepared for slower service and overpriced meals of poor quality: the restaurants, with the exception of Skukuza and Lower Sabie camps, are in my opinion not up to standard.

Travel South Africa

This is the cheapest and most flexible option for both local and international visitors, but it is advisable to get a Wild Card. If you have to pay the current conservation levies and add up the costs for fuel, food and accommodation, you are looking at an estimated ZAR1, 000 -1,200 pp per day.

Game viewing can be rewarding, keep an eye out for the ‘Little Five’ as well and please stick to the rules and behave accordingly.

Each camp offers guided morning and night drives (ZAR195pp) and bush walks (ZAR425pp).

There are Mountain Bike trails from Olifants Camp (ZAR300 – ZAR550), for the more adventurous. The Park also offers some exciting 4x4 trails (R460, max 6 vehicles per day), but they are weather dependent and can only be booked the night before or the morning of departure.

The Four Night Lebombo Eco Trail is rated as Southern Africa’s best eco-trail. Running from the South to the North, covering about 500 km, it is a guided but self-catering trail, which means it requires a lot of preparation and equipment. Prices are dependent on the amount of vehicles.

One of the Park’s best experiences is the Three Night Walking Trails, which run from six different locations all over the Park, and need to be pre-booked in advance. A minimum age of 16 is required, and a minimum of four people confirm a trail. The trail takes you through the bush from camp to camp, away from the tourist areas, and is accompanied by experienced guides.

Game viewing on foot is typically less than from a vehicle, but to follow game trails, relying on all your senses, feels primal, a journey of the soul – nothing compares. Accommodation is basic, bedding provided and meals included. Cost approximately ZAR4,000 pp sharing.

Private Game Reserves

On the western side of the Kruger National Park lie a couple of privately managed reserves, namely Makhuya, Letaba Ranch, Umbabat, Klaserie, Timbavati, Balule, Manyeleti, Sabi Sands, Londolozi and Mala Mala. There are also Private Concessions within the Kruger, such as Makuleke, Rhino, Jocks, Lukimbi, and Singita Lebombo. The size of the private concessions or game reserves range from 13,500 to 60,000 hectares of pristine bushveld, open to the Kruger National Park, allowing animals to move around freely, but the gates are closed to the general public. Within these reserves you find the private game lodges and safari camps, typically taking 8-24 guests, accommodation varying from safari tents, chalets or rondavels, mostly en-suite, offering Full Board Accommodation which means meals, game drives, walks etc are included.

The main advantage of Private Reserves is exclusivity and personalised service. Competition between venues is high, and each private camp or lodge has to continuously work on improving the quality of their service and their uniqueness.

Private Game Lodges cost from ZAR1,750 up to ZAR20,000 pp per night sharing, all inclusive. Self-catering camps charge between ZAR5,000 – ZAR12,000 per night, sleeping eight to ten people with game drives included. Prices vary, depending on levels of luxury.

The Kruger, one of South Africa’s true flagships, is a place of magic that can be experienced and enjoyed in many different and unique ways. Whichever option you choose, a journey to the bush will be rewarding…and you’ll be warmer than anywhere else in the country.

http://www.sanparks.org/ • http://www.backroadsafrica.com/

TravelmagSA • Issue 13

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Travel South Africa

This Winter visit the highest Lodge in the Northern Drakensberg

- A unique tourism experience that includes Winter Snow and Frosty Hikes.

I

n the remote peaks of the Northern Drakensberg, Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge was established with a view to making a difference to the local community, which has rebuilt the lodge. The northern Drakensberg’s highest freestanding peak, Sentinel Peak, offers hikers and climbers remarkable views of the Amphitheatre, Tugela Falls and Devil’s Tooth. Situated just below this peak is the Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge at 2220m above sea level, Witsieshoek is the highest lodge in the Northern Drakensberg, and is the perfect place from which to explore the wonders of these incredible mountains in all their glory.

Begun as a tourism operation with the Batlokoa community providing the majority of the workforce, its chalets boast all the luxury and comforts needed for guests to fully enjoy their visit, from snug beds to newly refurbished en-suite facilities with large walk-in showers. The cozy chairs and large fireplaces provide the perfect setting for guests to appreciate the beautiful views of the local mountain ranges. With endangered bearded vultures soaring overhead, Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge provides comfortable and scenic Drakensberg

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TravelmagSA • Issue 13

accommodation for hikers, climbers, adventure travellers and families. There are also numerous outdoor activities to be enjoyed around the lodge, including some of the best hiking trails in South Africa, excellent camping, rock climbing, mountain biking and bird watching.

Visitors can climb Sentinel Peak via the famous chain ladders and peer over the precipice at the source of Tugela Falls, the second highest single fall in the world. On rainy days, tourists can head to the beautiful and wild Golden Gate National Park or curl up with a book at the fireside. www.sahiddentreasures.co.za

Ride2Roam – Sustainable Tourism

Are you going motorcycling in Namibia, South Africa or Botswana or do you want to ride a motorbike through Africa?

Ride2Roam offers the experience of a lifetime, this is no ordinary bike tour, you will enjoy riding in a small, international group of motor-bikers over the best roads in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. Ride2Roam believes that a motorbike tour is an experience, worth sharing with friends, and that a picture says more than a 1000 words. Visit their website to find the tours in images. Tours prices will tell you what is included and what is not, without hidden surcharges, which they hate!

Ride2Roam is probably the only motorbike Tour Operator in the world that has a sustainable tourism program in place: they use small businesses so the money goes back into the country and not abroad, and they compensate all greenhouse gas emissions for all their clients and their back-up vehicles – not only the mileage but also all overnights, this is included in the price. The reason being that tours have a large impact on the environment, a motorbike emits CO2- and other greenhouse gases. The same is true for the hotels, and since they cannot prevent this, they compensate these emissions 100% and they choose projects in Southern Africa to support.

In the far north-eastern corner of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, lies one of nature’s last frontiers – Kosi Bay! It forms part of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park – the first natural World Heritage Site in South Africa to be accorded this distinction.Unique in its people, resources, ecology and culture, Kosi Bay epitomises the incredible splendour of untouched Africa at its most pristine. Kosi Bay is often described as the last outpost of untouched African paradise; pristine beauty as originally created.

Kosi Bay Lodge Private Chalets are set in this tropical paradise on the boundary to the Wetland Park. These self-catering chalets are the perfect base for you to explore from. The area offers easy access to the lakes, beach fishing, snorkelling and swimming, game viewing, sunset cruises, and is a short drive to the Mozambique border.

WINTER SPECIAL: receive a 10% discount off any qualifying stay during the period 1 June-22 September 2014.

CONTACT DETAILS Web page: http://www.kosibaylodgepc.co.za/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ KosiBayLodgePrivateChalets Reservations (email): reservations@kosibaylodgepc.co.za Reservations (mobile): +27 82 326 9035 (Karin)

What can you do to be more sustainable? You can compensate the greenhouse emission of your flight. But during the tour you can ensure you do not buy souvenirs made from endangered animals or plants. Most people limit sustainability to ‘being green’ and saving the planet, but actually everything you do is part of sustainability. Including the local people - they are the owners and caretakers of their land, their country. Ride2Roam ensures that everyone is treated with the respect they deserve, they adhere to all human rights and human values, and are strictly opposed to child sex tourism. They want to be considered as welcome guests!

Website: www.ride2roam.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Ride2Roam Twitter: www.twitter.com/Ride2Roam Google +: https://plus.google.com/ +Ride2roam-Motorbike-tours/ Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/Ride2Roam/ Skype: Ride2Roam

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It facilitates intercultural learning opportunities, voluntourism, language learning, volunteerism, internships, working holidays, and structured work placements by promoting a fair exchange between travellers and families, individuals or organisations that are looking for help with a range of varied and interesting activities. HelpStay™ is a contact platform between host and helpers. HelpStay™ holds a database of Farms, House Holders, Art Retreat Centres, Ecovillages, Backpacker Hostels, Surf Lodges, Vineyards, Ranches, Schools, Monasteries and Kibbutzim, all who are looking for a few hours of honest help and offering room and board in exchange.

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TravelmagSA • Issue 13

5

Interview - WTM Africa 2014

TravelmagSA attended the WTM Africa 2014 from the 2-3rd May, and took the opportunity to interview some of the top destinations exhibiting at the Show.

Seychelles Tourism MARSHA PARCOU

- REGIONAL MANAGER FOR AFRICA Please tell us more about Seychelles and what it has to offer our readers both South African and International?

Tourism is the bread and butter of Seychelles, making up 60% of foreign exchange earnings and 20% of the GDP. Seychelles Tourism Board promotes Seychelles, 80% of our visitors are coming from Europe, and we already have offices in China, Brazil, India and Dubai and we have now expanded into Brazil, New delhi and China. There are two offices in South Africa.

Seychelles is a beach destination, with the most beautiful beaches in the world, Anse Lazio and Anse Source D’Agents on La Digue Island have been voted by Conde Naste many times.

La Digue is a small island, and is the perfect place to discover the Creole Culture, Mahe has 65 beaches and Seychelles is the only Island Hopping destination in the Indian Ocean Islands, there are 115 Islands on this Archipelago and each has its own character. Marsha says, “Each island has its own personality and characteristics, and that’s what makes the island unique; Seychelles is a land of perpetual summer ( 28 -32 degrees all year round),which means we experience No winter cyclone; it is destination for everyone as we offer a once in a lifetime experience.”

Other than the beach, Seychelles offers conservation and preservation, there are 20 National Parks and two Unesco Sites, one of them being Aldabra, the largest atoll in the world and home to over 150, 000 giant tortoises. Diving, fishing and sailing are possible all year round and the Seychelles is very popular with the South African Market, but if you are looking for shopping and night life, then this is not the destination for you.

The population of Seychelles is 89,000, and they enjoyed approximately 230,000 visitors in 2013 alone, with an estimated over 13, 000 South Africans last year. Leading Markets are

France, Germany, Italy, Russia, UK, Middle East, South Africa, China etc. Seychelles is an easy connection from Johannesburg with three Flights per week and less than a five hour flight.

What are your main goals at WTM Africa 2014 and have these been achieved?

“WTM Africa is a 1st, we normally attend in London and for the past two years in Brazil, we are testing the waters so to speak, says Marsha, as we believe it is the right platform to meet with the key stakeholders in the industry such as media, Tour Operators, and of course to establish and enhance relationships with them.”

What is your focus for the Future?

Our primary objective is to continue to promote Seychelles as offering a, unsurpassable tourism holiday destination and unforgettable experience. STO SA would like to tap into Sports Tourism including GOLF, as niche marketing and promoting Seychelles as wellness and Golf Destination taking into account that Golf is a very popular activity in SA and there is potential to tap into that market.

Marsha Closes by saying “South Africa must walk with Africa – they complement each other.”

Digital Trip Tell us more about your product/ company?

Online Travel Technology to develop online travel websites for Travel Operators. The sites are developed to client’s needs, whereby the client has 95% control.

What are your main goals at WTM Africa, and are they being achieved?

Our goal was to get new business, increase brand exposure and open up our product to the market, we are definitely looking for ROI and we believe we have made the right connections, and opened up some new avenues.

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The Seminars were informative and while it is small in comparison to WTM London, the turnout was successful.

Do you have any comments about the Future of Tourism in South Africa and Africa as a whole?

“Online travel in South Africa is at a very exciting stage with some big developments happening. I think that throughout the rest of Africa there may be a possibility of online travel leap frogging computers and going straight to mobile devices, in particular smart phones given the amount of users and ease of access to networks.”

GILES CLINTON AND CHRISTOPHER SIMONSEN

Interview - WTM Africa 2014

Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa BRIDGET THOMPSON What can your destination offer our South African and International Readers?

Anantara Bazaruto Island Resort & Spa, formerly Indigo Bay is easily accessible from South Africa and from June 2014 there will be flights from Nelspruit, on Thursday and Sundays. The focus is on Family Bush and Beach Tours, where guests stay in the Kruger National Park or at Private Lodges and then hop to the Island. Since the 1st May 2014 there have been boat transfers to the resort. Anantara Bazaruto caters for everyone, with both their room types and their activities.

There are Beach Villas, Deluxe Seaview Pool Villas and the exclusive Anantara Pool Villa. Activities include Blue and Black Marlin catch and release, PADI centre for Scuba and snorkelling, daily trips to Paradise Island and Sunset Dhow Cruises. The award-winning Anantara spa offers pampering treatments from Thai Yoga Massages to our new indigenous massage using sand from the Bazaruto dunes. Guests can enjoy Dining by Design, where they choose the location, the a la carte menu and the wine pairing, for an exclusive experience with their own personal chef and butler. Children can enjoy the Kiddies Club, Rock pools, Qolf and Tennis. Honeymooners have their own dedicated swimming pool and privacy.

What are your main goals at ILTM and WTM Africa 2014 and have these been achieved?

ILTM was all about creating awareness of the brand as Anantara is well-known in Asia but new to Africa, and from a brand perspective it was important to be there and to build new relationships with operators sending people to Mozambique – bearing in mind that Mozambique is not a standalone destination. “Mozambique pairs with South Africa, Botswana, Kruger National Park and Tanzania,” says Bridget. ILTM presented a lot of operators from South America, Asia, India, Germany, USA, UK, Russia, Canada, Australia providing a broad global spectrum. The Buyers were looking for new destinations, she confirms.

Bridget continues, “At WTM we have seen a different market, unfortunately we had a few no shows, and some locals, our focus is purely on International buyers.”

Please provide some insight into Tourism in Africa in the future?

The Rand is favourable for those travelling from overseas into South Africa, Germany is a growing market and the least affected by the financial crisis, unlike Italy, Spain, France, UK. The US market is picking up and the lead time on bookings is picking up.

Bridget closes by saying, ‘Mozambique is amazing and unspoilt with its diverse and unique offerings for travellers. Paired with its fast-growing economy which can only aide in elevating the country, Mozambique is truly a remarkable destination worth experiencing. ’

TravelmagSA • Issue 13

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Interview - WTM Africa 2014

Dubai Tourism Tell us more about Dubai Tourism and what it can offer our South African and International Readers?

Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is a government organisation that focuses on getting people to visit Dubai, for whatever reason, be it sport, conferences, business meetings, leisure or commencing a cruise from Dubai.

Our mandate is to increase tourism and visitor arrivals. We have 20 Offices world-wide , with our office based in Johannesburg looking after the Southern Africa region.

Dubai has something for everybody, sport, entertainment, natural beauty, desert, beach, adventure and much more…

Dubai offers world class facilities for business travel, events and conferences and is only eight hours from Johannesburg, making it relatively close, and easily accessible with daily flights out of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.

Wendie includes that they are targeting incentives groups which are a growing market –and the fastest growing business segment out of Africa.

What are your main goals at WTM Africa and have they been achieved?

WTM is a brand that everyone knows; Dubai Tourism always exhibits at their shows. As a destination marketer a show like this helps deliver Africa to our suppliers and exposes Dubai to the African Market. We are focussing on the outbound market, and locally there has been no previous platform, this is the first time, and we are very happy to be a part of this inaugural show.

TREVOR OERTEL - Director South African National Bird of Prey Centre

WENDIE WHITE - Director Dubai Dept of Tourism SA Please offer insight into your thoughts and views on Tourism in South Africa / Africa for the future?

Tourism is Africa – recent reports show that Africa is growing more than any other region, even surpassing Asia. Dubai is looking to harness a piece of that outbound growth and with Emirates flying out of South Africa and shows like this, it assists us with promoting Dubai to Africa – there is however always room for growth, says Wendie White.

She closes by saying,” Currently there are about 120,000 visitors from Southern Africa to Dubai annually and by 2020 our goal is to have doubled this figure.”

Books ‘Living in South Africa’ has 296 pages of practical information on moving to, living in and enjoying life in South Africa and is useful not only to expats, business travellers and holidaymakers but also to all interested in embracing life in South Africa. It is also a popular marketing tool for companies and makes a perfect gift for clients, events and thank you gifts. The book can be branded to ensure a company achieves maximum exposure. The book was recently published and is now available in South African bookstores as well as online via Kalahari and www.living-in-south-africa.com / www.expatcapetown.com

CLICK HERE TO VIEW SOME SAMPLE PAGES OF THE BOOK

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TravelmagSA • Issue 13

WTM AFRICA 2014

The Tourism Child Protection Code -THE

CODE

What is it and why is it relevant?

TravelmagSA would like to encourage everyone

Netsai Sibanda of Fair Trade Tourism

in the Tourism Industry to become a member of The Code, when we consider the stats, we should ask ourselves whether we really have a choice.

Netsai Sibanda of Fair Trade Tourism offered us some hair-raising statistics.

“South Africa’s population is estimated at 51.8 million, of which 18.5 million are children. Children therefore constitute 37% (over one third) of the nation’s population…”

prostituted, sold, raped, abused, and filmed for the production of pornography. Sexual favours are being asked from children for sweets etc. and in extreme cases they are being forced at gunpoint and abducted.”

“Half of all children live in three of the nine provinces - KZN, EC & Limpopo…In accordance with the UN CRC and the South African Children’s Act a child is defined as a person under the age of 18 years old. However, it is noted that the minimum age of sexual consent in South Africa remains at 16 years (which like many African and European countries, is below the age prescribed by the CRC).”

“Often these perpetrators are domestic, regional and international travellers; these may be business or leisure travellers coming in from the UK, Germany and other countries. Offenders meet children at different venues including hotels, entertainment areas etc.”

“62% of children in South Africa live in households with a per capita income of less than EUR40 per month” (Statistics SA, 2011)

“Molo Songololo – Protecting the rights of all children – ombudsperson for children. “South Africa’s children need an independent voice to promote, monitor and report on their rights, wellbeing, interests and opinions. To support them you can email Molo Songololo – Psolomons@molo.org.za.”

“39% of children – more than seven million, live with their mothers but not with their fathers” (Africa Child Gauge, 2013) “In 2011 there were +/-3.85 million orphans in South Africa” (Meintjes & Hall, 2013) “A culture of sexual violence and exploitation plagues South Africa” (ECPAT, 2013) 66,197 sexual offences reported in 2013 including rape and sexual exploitation (Crime Stats SA, 2013) 16,068 cases of child rape reported in 2008 (Save The Children, 2010) Research suggests 1/3 girls & 1/5 boys in SA sexually molested by the time they turn 18 (Doctors for Life, 2013) More than 25% of men have committed rape mostly when aged 15-19yrs (Medical Research Council, 2013) The situation in South Africa is dire, says Patric Solomons of Molo Songololo, “We don’t really know how big the problem is, but we do know that in South Africa the prevalence of sexual violence is high in children. Children are being exploited,

“On the issue of protecting South African children, City Lodge’s Stefan Janse van Rensburg says, “We do not want to be a part of this chain of events as these things could happen at our hotels.

By supporting and implementing The Code in our hotels, by association our reputation is upheld. We need to identify problem areas and offer visitors a family-orientated environment, letting people know that we are a friendly and safe place to stay. We need to ensure children are protected and safe when they come to City Lodge properties.”

“Henko Wentholt from Abang Africa Travel, an in-bound tour operator, elaborated on the role and extent to which tour operators can play in protecting children in saying, “Protecting children in tourism is a challenge. It is our responsibility to make it as difficult as we can for perpetrators. When offences are in play we have a responsibility to know how to identify and report them. We also have a responsibility to raise awareness of this issue. We are obligated to report the crimes otherwise we are involved in the same crime.”

“Abang Africa Travel is the first Top Member in South Africa of the The Code. Abang Africa Travel annually designs, implements and reports on child protection measures undertaking intitiatives

TravelmagSA • Issue 13

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WTM AFRICA 2014 “Child sex tourists can be domestic, regional or international, representing all nationalities, social spheres, ages or religions. Offenders can be situational and opportunistic i.e. they have not planned the offence in advance of their trip or offenders can be paedophiles/organised criminals i.e. travel with the intention of having sexual contact with a child/children.

Industry must take a pro-active approach to these problems; they are using all tourism services and facilities, which means we provide an enabling environment for these crimes to occur. It is vital that we protect children in our destination.

Henko Wentholt from Abang Africa Travel, City Lodge’s Stefan Janse van Rensburg, Patric Solomons of Molo Songololo

such as raising awareness and providing its employees and stakeholders with tools on how to act should they come across a situation related to the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) in tourism. When Abang Afrika Travel signed The Code, they received all the tools necessary for the implementation of The Code, make it very beneficial.

What does this mean to the Tourism Industry?

“While tourism is not responsible for crimes against children, there is a clear connection between the tourism industry and the commercial sexual exploitation of children in tourism.

South Africa is not immune…” (ECPAT, 2013)

Growth in SA tourism Goal to be top 20 destination in 2020 (NTSS, 2011) 9,188,368 international tourists in 2012 – 10.2% more than 2011 (SAT, 2013) Foreign tourists directly contributed R76 billion to the economy while domestic tourists contributed R21.8 billion from 25.4 million domestic trips in 2012 (SAT, 2013) International tourist growth of more than two and a half times the rate of global tourism growth in 2012 (SAT, 2013) The lion’s share of SA’s tourism market was from regional Africa with 6,634,933 tourists visiting SA in 2012 – an increase of 8.5 on the previous year (SAT, 2013) A total of 1,396,978 tourists from Europe in 2012 – up 9.5% from the previous year (SAT, 2013)

What is CSEC in Tourism?

One speaks of CSEC when an adult traveller has sexual relations with a child during his business or leisure trip.

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TravelmagSA • Issue 13

The tourism industry has also a unique position to: • Inform and raise awareness among the target groups • Proactively become part of the prevention system against child sex tourism • Protect the children of the tourist destination • Report on the issue to relevant authorities • Influence tourism policy-makers

What is The Code?

The Tourism Child Protection Code of Conduct (The Code) is an international industry-driven initiative with a mission to provide awareness, tools and support to the tourism industry to prevent CSEC. The goal of The Code is to work with travel and tourism companies to combat CSEC in the sector.

As part of its mission, The Code employs six criteria which members of the tourism industry must adhere to once they join: • Establish a policy and procedures against sexual exploitation of children.

• Train employees in children’s rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation and how to report suspected cases.

• Include a clause in contracts throughout the value chain stating common repudiation and zero tolerance policy of sexual exploitation of children.

• Provide information to travellers on children’s rights, the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and how to report suspected cases.

• Support, collaborate with and engage stakeholders in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children.

• Report annually on implementation of Code related activities.

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) is southern Africa’s leading responsible tourism NGO and the officially appointed Local Code Representative for South Africa Contact: t +27 (0)12 342 2945/3642/7810/ thecode@fairtrade.travel / netsai@fairtrade.travel WTM Africa sponsored the event as part of their commitment to responsible tourism and the protection of children.

Art

NIC BOTHMA ‘OFF THE WIRE’ the last 25 years including images from Nic Bothma’s work as a documentary photographer involves not only photoearly in his career when he documented Nelson Mandela from the time of his graphing conflicts and humanitarian crises release and through his term of office in on the African continent and beyond, but the 90’s. Bothma was starting to work also important social issues, dynamic with his old negatives and transparencies features and major sporting events around the globe. His work can be viewed from the and after coming across many images of Mandela that had never been published, 3 June until 26 June 2014, at the Erdmann or rarely seen before, he decided to Gallery. The Gallery was launched by Heidi Erdmann in 2001, and this owner run gallery, President Nelson Mandela greets a praise singer exhibit in order to pay tribute to the man in Cape Town, 1995. Photograph Nic Bothma that had influenced him to become a with an established international reputation is photojournalist. Bothma’s newer work that committed to the development of sustainable will also be exhibited were photographed careers. It attracts the attention of both digitally while the older works were local and international collectors, museum directors and curators and the gallery’s photographed on film in both negative and transparency positives, which has created exhibition schedule over the past thirteen a fascinating insight into the changes years is testimony to its commitment to that have transformed photojournalism hosting relevant and content rich exhibitions over the past three decades. This change by local and selected international artists. over to digital has meant that Bothma’s Nic Bothma is a professional photojournalist, and has worked for over 25 years in more work has evolved to adapt to the highly competitive and time sensitive world of wire photography. than 60 countries winning numerous international awards. In A percentage of the proceeds of photographic sales will be 2003 he joined the international news picture service European donated to HOKISA children’s home.

Pressphoto Agency (EPA) and is currently the Regional Chief photographer for West Africa. Bothma’s exhibition, conceived www.erdmanncontemporary.co.za more than a year ago, consists of works from various stages over

Theatre & Music Blake and Cortes at CTICC with the Stellenbosch Camerata Orchestra in Cape Town on the 20th and 21st of June 2014 and 27th and 28th June 2014 at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg with the Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra.

2 Lucky Readers can

WIN:

Double Tickets to Blake & Cortes, let us know if you are in Cape Town or Johannesburg, and tell us where they will be playing in your city?

Email: justine@travelmagsa.com to enter before 15 June.

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TravelmagSA • Issue 13

Travel South Africa - Hoedspruit

In the valley of the Olifants On the banks of the Sandspruit River a travelling pioneer threw his hat into the water and declared it home...

A

decade ago if you drove through the town of Hoedspruit and blinked your eyes, you would miss it. Now due to the town’s enthusiasm and the passion of many of its inhabitants it is a gateway to the Kruger National Park and Private Game Reserves, that home some of the most prestigious game lodges South Africa has to offer.

Hoedspruit is situated at the base of the Klein Drakensberg Mountains, a place where looming cliffs meet endless expanses of bushveld, Marula, Acacia, Combretum and Mopane woodlands, providing unspoilt beauty and home to a prolific diversity of wildlife.

One such game lodge is Raptors Lodge, the perfect respite from which to explore the diversity and abundance of this Limpopo region. Beautifully decorated luxury chalets provide for your every modern convenience. Guests enjoy still afternoons in splendour of the views of the Drakensberg Mountains and the intoxicating sounds of the bushveld. A day spent exploring and discovering the area and its many offerings is relieved by a cool soak in the swimming pool, allowing the heat of the day to be washed away before the evening sundowners beckons with the flicker of firelight and happy companionship. Raptors lodge will ensure your creature comforts are satisfied.

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TravelmagSA • Issue 13

RAPTORS LODGE FACT FILE

Each luxury unit comprises the following: •

•

•

• • • • • • •

•

2 Bedrooms (One king size bedroom & 1 bedroom with 2 single beds) En-suite bathrooms with indoor bath & outside showers in garden setting Fully equipped kitchen for self catering – including cutlery and crockery, stove,microwave, fridge and freezer & Tea and coffee replaced daily.

Lounge/sitting room with TV & DSTV (selected bouquet) Mosquito nets hanging over all beds Thatched wooden deck & private braai area Linen and towels provided Air-conditioning & fans Serviced daily Swimming Pool with sun bathing area, and stunning mountain views.

Booking service for activities.

Email: info@raptorslodge.co.za • www.raptorslodge.co.za

Hoedspruit also provides the solution to the dream of unspoilt living, and wilderness areas have become available for people to buy their own little piece of South African bushveld.

Travel South Africa - Hoedspruit

Affordable walking safaris in the exclusive

BIG FIVE T

GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

here is a world of difference between experiencing a safari in Africa on foot, “old style”, than say, from the tinted windows of a luxury bus! A walking safari is about getting out there with the African wildlife; sharing their paths and waterholes - the daily dramas of their lives - sharing their space, following their tracks, and feeling the tingle of your own senses, hearing the beating of your own heart, as you edge closer to a herd of elephant resting in the shade. A safari is a journey of the body and the soul, a venture into the unknown, and an opportunity to face some of the mysteries of nature. We still believe in the magic of the bush, and strive to offer that ‘once in a lifetime experience’ to all our guests. The safaris appeal to everyone with an adventurous mind, keen on a learning experience. Every walk is a book on its own, with the emphasis on information on all the wonders of nature, big and small. Because of the dangerous aspects of a walking safari, the minimum age is 16. Although there is no maximum age, the walks can last up to six hours and tracking might lead the trail through thick bush, riverbeds and gullies. Therefore an average fitness level is required, especially in the hotter summer months (Nov - March). A maximum of eight people makes up a trail, no minimum.

The scheduled safaris run twice a week – either Friday to Monday (Four day / Three nights) or Monday to Friday (Five day / Four nights). The camp is private and secluded and not open to day visitors. The camp can sleep up to eight people in twin-bedded accommodation. Linen and towels are provided. The combination of walks and drives in the open 4x4 Landrover are dependent on weather and animal movements, and are conducted from camp at the sole discretion of the trails guide. Each safari is designed to experience the bush the way one should - on foot. Although in Big Five areas, there are no guarantees on sightings – what you see is what you get. We do however guarantee a real bush experience!

SAFARI CAMP This private establishment, constructed in the traditional style of an African Safari Lodge has recently been refurbished and is now available to the public. Built on a small riverbed underneath huge Marula, Leadwood and Fever trees, the birdlife is magnificent and elephants often wander past in search of some shade. Situated on 3200 ha within the Klaserie Private Nature Reserve (Big Five Greater Kruger National Park), this select eight bedded camp offers families, friends and small business groups a truly private wildlife experience. The camp has electricity, and facilities include a comfortable lounge area, an indoor dining room in case of bad weather, as well as an outside deck with a small pool, perfect for cooling down during the heat of the day. There is also a fireplace around which guests enjoy morning coffee, and evening drinks.

Inclusive: • Accommodation in luxury rooms with en-suite bathroom facilities • Professional and qualified guides • All meals, coffee/tea, water, juice at breakfast • All bush walks and game drives Exclusive: • Transport between Johannesburg / Pretoria and the meeting point (R750 pp) • Transport between the meeting point and the camp (R150 pp) • Transport between Eastgate Airport and the camp (R350 pp) • Drinks – Cash only • Entrance fees (R100 pp) • Gratuities • Items of a personal nature • Travel insurance

CLASSIC KRUGER WALKING SAFARI Location:

Klaserie Private Nature Reserve, South Africa

Dates:

Every Monday (4 nights) and Friday (3 nights) Min 4 - Max 8 people

Price:

R7, 800 pp sharing (Mon-Fri) and R5, 850 pp sharing (Fri-Mon)

Tel: 073 573 9622 Fax: 086 634 7903 www.backroadsafrica.com Skype / backroadsafrica Facebook / Backroads Africa TravelmagSA • Issue 13 Twitter / Backroadsafrica

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TravelmagSA • Issue 13