South Africa is the grand old dame of safaris in Southern Africa – a beautiful and varied country with vast game parks, the world-renowned Kruger Park and the sort of infrastructure a novice safari traveller would appreciate.
However, South Africa has so much more to offer. There is an alternative Big 5 Experience to be had. Did you know that it is one of two countries in the world where Southern Right Whales, great white sharks, penguins, dolphins and seals can be seen along one stretch of coastline? The Aquatic Big Five.
The whales start arriving in June from Antarctica – the sole purpose of their annual migration north and to warmer waters is to give birth to their offspring.
Copyright: South African Tourism
The Cape Coast becomes the nursery for the young whales – mothers nurse and train their calves so that they can cope with the long journey back home in December. The sheltered bays of the Cape Coast are ideal for the young whales and provides fantastic opportunities to see them up close. No need to take a long boat trip out to sea – you can often see whales play from the side of the road! Hermanus, 150km east of Cape Town, is a prime whale-watching spot. However, there are more quiet, less touristy spots to base yourself a little further up the coast. Plettenberg Bay is a regular stop for a pod of orcas.
Gansbaai offers boat trips to see the aquatic Big 5, but it is mostly known for its population of great white sharks. Why? A few kilometres from shore is a small island that harbours a vast colony of Cape fur seals – the sharks’ favourite food. The waters around Geyser Rock are populated with great whites from April to October. The great white shark is the only species in a group of 201 listed as endangered who are actually protected in South African waters.
For Penguin watching Boulders Beach near Simon’s Town is an easy day trip from Cape Town.
Copyright: South African Tourism
They often share the beach with visitors and it’s a fantastic sight to see how these funny, clumsy creatures on land develop into elegant, agile and speedy divers. Penguins can be seen along various spots of the coastline, but only Boulders Beach affords such close interaction. Penguin populations are dwindling fast, due to the overharvesting of eggs as a source of food, guano mining which is taking away their habitat as well as raising temperatures are the main culprits.
Seals are almost unavoidable in South Africa. If you go down to the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, you will see them swimming between the boats and frolicking in the water or on pontoons. They are oblivious to the busy shopping mall around them and just go about their business.
Lastly, pods of dolphins are constantly on the move along the coast.
Copyright: South Africa Tourism
One of the best spots to see them is Plettenberg Bay as the water here in the Indian Ocean is warmer. If you drive out to Keurbooms Beach between 4.30 and 5.30pm you will most likely get the chance to see a large number of dolphins enjoying the sunset surf.
The best time to view the aquatic Big Five is May to December.
So, if you are in South Africa for the World Cup 2010, are planning your honeymoon around the Garden Route , want to relax and pamper yourself in the beautiful Winelands around Cape Town or are simply on a Big 5 safari in one of South Africa’s glorious game parks – maybe you get the chance to see these wonderful creatures, too.
They are waiting for you - what are you waiting for?
What a fantastic three days it has been. It was Mud Hut Travel’s second WTM and my first. Just imagine, the whole of Excel London filled with travel industry representatives. Countries from all the continents, all shapes and sizes, had wonderful stalls, showcasing what their particular region or company has to offer. A feast for the travel-hungry professional.
It was fantastic to be able to meet some of the people we have been working with over the past year – representatives from lodges and management groups in Zimbabwe – especially as Victoria Falls has been really popular at Mud Hut lately. It’s an incredible destination, showcasing some of the best southern Africa has to offer, and it was fantastic to be able to learn much more about this amazing country. Victoria Falls, right on the mighty Zambezi River, is a firm honeymoon favourite for the adventure-loving. Zimbabwe has been in the news for all the wrong reasons in the last few years, and it was great to find out that the tourism industry there is still going strong and that there are funds flowing into a region that has so much to offer and needs support. A custom-made adventure trip to this amazing place is always a highlight for any trip to Southern Africa.
Some of Malawi’s stunning lakeside lodges, like Kaya Mawa, are getting a facelift this year, and it should continue to attract travellers who want to combine lake and land adventures.
Zambia, a Mud Hut favourite and all-round breathtaking experience on the Southern African circuit, is going from strength to strength. We managed to tie strong bonds with some of our trusted contacts in the South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi parks, like Norman Carr safaris
South Luangwa, Norman Carr Safaris
and Robin Pope Safaris, and their seasonal walking safari camps, Sausage Tree Camp and the beautiful lodges run by Sanctuary Retreats, Puku Ridge Camp and the Chichele Presidential Lodge. I spent Christmas in the South Luangwa last year, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. The Zambian lodges are incredibly well appointed and attract honeymooners from all over the world.
We managed to make close contact with people from Explore Gorongosa – an amazing camp in Mozambique’s prime game reserve. They do fantastic specials combining game viewing with the breathtaking tropical beach lodges the country is famous for. Our honeymoon favourite, Flamingo Bay Water Lodge, was represented and it was good touching base in person again.
Namibia was a revelation – having been a regular winner or runner-up in Wanderlust’s Travel Awards Top Country category, this arid and stunningly beautiful country had a strong presence at the WTM. Showcasing lodges, adventure trips, sustainable tourism effort or cultural encounters. And if you have World Cup tickets or you are travelling to South Africa in general, it’s really easy to tag on an excursion to Namibia.
Our horseback safaris have attracted a lot of interest over the past few months, and we managed to secure great deals again, especially in Botswana’s Okavango Delta and the Limpopo Valley. I always thought this is the best way to see game – up close and personal, and the comraderie and down-to-earth atmosphere on these specialist safaris are incredible. We can now offer horseback holidays in southern Africa for all levels.
South Africa, of course, had a fantastically strong presence. It was all about the World Cup – a lot of the activities at the WTM were based around football. The Kruger Park is always a firm favourite on the safari circuit and we were lucky to be able to meet up with representatives from some of our favourite lodges there – Sense of Africa’s Lukimbi and Idube as well as finding new boutique hotels and self-catering apartments in Cape Town and the close-by vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschoek. South Africa, as always, is going from strength to strength.
There were fantastic lectures, too – all about some of the latest efforts in sustainable and responsible tourism. Discussions around the future of adventure travel. Case studies into package versus custom travel. Of course we were lapping it all up, trying to figure out how to translate all of these ideas into our particular business, that of creating custom-made itineraries for travel in Southern Africa. I had been planning quite a few client honeymoons lately, and it was great to learn how to approach this specialist market more effectively.
Take a look at these fantastic pictures of Cape Town’s stadium for the FIFA 2010 World Cup. Last night the nights went on in the Mother City… and what a show.
World Cup venue - Cape Town
Cape Town’s Green Point Stadium near Granger Bay lit up all 360 of its lights to show what fantastic progress they are making and what an incredible stadium. The 68,000 seater stadium is due to host 6 games during the tournament including one of the semi finals!
Cape Town had the whole package before hand, but now this… imagine the views of the stadiums on TV!!
Cape Town and the night sky
And next day (today) the new South African coach will be announced. As is custom in SA, the speculations and rumours are rife…and it’s assummed that Carlos Parreira will be reinstated before the day is out.
For those wanting tickets to the World Cup, there are still tickets available, but the big rush on accommodation will happen on 4 December when the final World Cup draw will take place.
Mud Hut Travel will be able to offer fantastic packages to southern Africa during this time. So throw in a short break up to the Vic Falls in Zimbabawe, or to the beaches of Mozambique in between your teams games.
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South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs is to issue special “event visas” for soccer fans coming to the 2010 Fifa World Cup, enabling fans to use dedicated counters at major airports around the world for pre-clearance before they arrive in the country.
South African immigration officials - who are able to speak in several languages - will be stationed at several of the busiest airports around the world, including in the UK, India, Dubai and Hong Kong, where fans will be able to go through a free pre-screening and pre-clearance process.
Home Affairs Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula said this would be the first time that such a visa is used by a country hosting a major world event.
The immigration officials will also be equipped with hi-tech devices for scanning passports or travel documents. By electronically capturing information from the documents, officials will save time by not having to type in information.
With such improvements, the department hopes to do better than the international best practice times of interaction between the traveller and immigration official, which is between one minute and one minute and 30 seconds.
Security
The department says its immigration officials will be working with foreign governments and airline personnel to identify irregular migration patterns during the course of the event, as well as ensure that “undesirable persons”, who may be a threat national security, do not enter the country.
Home Affairs’ 2010 programme manager Morne Fourie explained that certain minimum requirements had to be met when issuing a special visa: “You need proof of purchase of your ticket for the match, you need to meet certain health requirements - like holding a yellow fever certificate, if required - and you need to have a return ticket and a valid passport.”
Quick entry, exit
Those passengers who have received pre-clearance by South African immigration officials will be able to arrive in South Africa and go straight through to baggage collection and on to customs.
Mapisa-Nqakula said that the move would enhance the department’s ability to facilitate the entry and exit process through the country’s borders, resulting in a less frustrating journey, leading to a positive impression of the country as a whole.
Well fellow sports fans… that’s just another wonderful thing to make your Wourld Cup experience a bit easier. Now you just need to get your accompanying package and you are ready to have an adventure of a lifetime!!
How about a week in Zmibabwe at the Victoria Falls followed by a three day safari in Chobe, Botswana. Prices for these or any other custom travel options on request at Mud Hut Travel.
Sustainable Africa
One of our clients last week told asked me what the difference between sustainable tourism and eco tourism was. The wiki entries were both a bit formal and put the practices into fairly rigid boxes.
Thus I set aside some time this week to have a look at what we at Mud Hut Travel believe and follow. This has been posted to our site, but thought it would be appropriate to put it here too.
Eco-tourism and sustainable tourism are not the same thing, but the two do sit hand in hand. Eco-tourism is focused on minimizing the impact of the travel experience whilst providing travelers with an experience in an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Sustainable tourism is to ensure that the travel process is a positive experience for local people, the environment and tourists themselves. Most importantly, the whole process encourages sustainable economic growth and that any impact on the environment is sustainable and low impact. In otherwords, creating an eco-friendly experience, whilst assisting in the development of the local communities.
Africa is a magical place that has been a huge part of the Mud Hut Tribe’s lives. Our directors have spent many months living amongst and exploring the high mountains, the low lying valleys and plains, the tropical beaches and the backwaters.
Mud Hut Travel
We want everyone to experience southern Africa, but if we all went to the same beaches, stayed in the same big branded hotel, travelled the same routes, ate at the same globally owned chain and rented the same brand of car… what would southern Africa look like in 10 years time?
Hence we want to preserve the uniqueness, the custom and the diversity of the region.
Mud Hut Travel promotes owner-managed businesses aligned to sustainable tourism in all of our itineraries. This way the money directly spent by you will go into the local communities, and assist in the development of the area.
Thus when you return in ten years time, the same small owner managed lodges will be there – but they will be managed by the son’s and daughters of the previous owners; and there may be another one up the road. Where perhaps last time there was only one dive operator, there will now be three different operations along the coast - all owned by previous employees.
And this is the development we support in southern Africa. Sustainable development is not a Chinese built 2 lane highway through the bush, Italian owned air-con hotels and super fast internet connections; it’s the economic upliftment and empowerment of the communities where we spend our money and the preservation of the environments we visit.
Hope that helps with whatever you were looking for, but if you want, get in touch with me through Mud Hut or send us enquiry below.
The Lions Rugby tour has started and whilst the three tests in Durban, Jo’burg and Pretoria are what the rugby fans may be watching… there is a bigger test for football fans.
The Confederations Cup is being held in South Africa during the the same time as the Lions Rugby Tour, and the concurrent running of these tour sporting festivals will clarify any doubts about the suitability for South Africa as the FIFA World Cup venue for 2010.
Whilst the quality of the football will be superb, this tournament will be a superb test for tours and trips that have been arranged by various operators. The Lions’ itinerary is more similar to the expected World Cup fixtures and packages. Numerous venues all across the country with spare travel days between match days. Whilst there are many packaged deals to South Africa for both the Lions and Confederations Cup, Mud Hut has custom built all the travel itineraries for its football and rugby clients. Many of them have also taken the opportuinty to visit Mozambique or Botswana as an added on beach island getaway or African bush safari.
Local Supporters
The state of the stadiums has hopefully been put to rest, but there will be some tests for the stadium management and ground staff. Loftus Versfeld and Ellis Park will both hold test matches and are one of the four grounds to be used in the Confedrations Cup. Loftus host the World Champions South Africa and the Lions on 27th June, and 6 days before host the other World Champions Italy and 5 times World Cup winners Brazil. Ellis Park host the Springboks and the Lions final tour match on 4th July and the Confederations Cup Final a few days before.
All in all it will be a fascinating time in southern Africa - but with one eye on the rugby and the other eye on the football, you’re lucky that Mud Hut Travel has an eye on the travel side of things…
For those of you wondering whether the stadiums will be completed for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, a few weeks ago at the World Travel Market, Mud Hut Africa found out that out of the 8 World Cup stadiums being built or renovated, only one of them is on time…. ONE… !!
Unfortunately (for all those sceptics), the others were all between 2 and 8 weeks ahead of schedule… yes, AHEAD of schedule. Luckily the 2010 World Cup is being held in southern Africa, and not in North London where building stadiums tend to run years over deadline. Interestingly, London has recently announced that had it foreseen the financial strains the current credit crunch are imposing on the construction industry,
South Africa 2010
they would not have bid for the 2012 Olympics. However, in 2005 South Africa committed R550 billion to infrastructure development for the World Cup, and 65% of those funds have already been spent.
Last week at the WTM, I had a ticket to sit in on a meeting with some members of the South African organising committee, FIFA World Cup members and the South African Tourism Board.
After some really informative presentations, the first question asked was, ‘Does FIFA have any back-up plans if the 2010 football World Cup doesn’t go ahead in South Africa?’. Hans Klaus, the Director Of Communications And Public Affairs for FIFA, laughed and said, ‘If I had a dollar - no, cent for everytime someone asked me that, I would be able to host my own World Cup…!!’
No contingency plan has been put in place, but there is a plan should something unexpected like a major natural disaster occur. This is a process plan that is in place for every World Cup - so for all the sceptics… hard luck. For all the 450,000 fans expected to make the trip to southern Africa… get your 2010 World Cup tickets!!!
Local Supporters
Tickets will be going on sale from 2nd February 2009 to the independant traveller, but agents and brokers who are registered with FIFA will get an allocation in November, and then can sell them as packages. Mud Hut Travel has secured the services of various ground handlers for the 2010 World Cup, and we are well positioned to offer a custom travel package for you and your fellow football fans.
Should you not want to commit in advance to a package, you can buy your own tickets, and then once the final World Cup draw is known, you can contact Mud Hut Africa to custom package a trip to southern Africa around your teams and tickets dates. Mud Hut will not only give you a great football experience, but also the chance to enjoy much of the regions natural beauty, custom and hospitality. Have a look at Mud Hut Travel to see what else you would like to combine into your trip - walking safaris, tropical island getaways, 4×4 adventures, surfing tours, golf travel..
Another question asked referred to the political uncertainty in southern Africa, and what would happen with Jacob Zuma, his various court cases and the elections happening next year. What was pleasing to here was a response from the government saying that if Zuma, Motlanthe, Shilowa, Lekota or Helen Zille were in the presidents seat, they would all want the World Cup to be a success. It is in no-one’s political or personal interest to sabotage or destabilise the World Cup preparations. Hopefully this World Cup will have the same unifying effect that the previous cricket and rugby one’s have had on South Africa.
The meeting with the various World Cup organisers was incredibly informative, and I could go on for ages about the development and benefit that it will bring to the region. However, I would like to end off by saying that I am very positive about the 2010 World Cup and look forward to the showcase that South Africa will put on!!
Just a quick note to bring your attention to a great article that appeared in this mornings Observer newspaper.
Walking safaris
Clemency Burton-Hill was a city-slicker who had previous experiences of ‘packaged’ tourist bus safaris, and had no desire to head back into the southern African bush. However, with some coaxing she travels to 3 different lodges within South Africa for some walking safaris.
Here are two of my favourite excerpts from her story.
“It was getting up close and personal with a pair of white rhino that did it: that was the moment that changed everything…
….And to wake to the sun rising pink and perfect over the horizon and know that it’s just you and nature for thousands and hundreds of square miles all around, before setting off for another three-hour bush walk - well, even I have to admit that Soho can’t offer that.”
Aside from the obviously amazing bush experience, Clemency also seeks to use safaris and lodges that have the interests of the community in mind. This is done through employing and training local community members, assisting with education and economic empowerment - something which is close to the ethos of the Mud Hut Tribe.
Yesterday Mud Hut Travel headed to their first WTM Show at London’s Excel center. It was a great opportuntiy to meet with many of our suppliers from southern Africa, and to put faces to the names and email addresses.
There was also the opportunity to set up some new great contacts for our Mud Hut clients: particularly in the adventure travel, responsible travel, overland safaris and Lions and FIFA World Cup tours. We know that many of our tours incorporate or request these activities in their custom southern African travel package, so it was good to benefit from the opportunites presented by WTM. Please watch our site for updates, or send as an enquiry.
Today is the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day - which is now in it’s second year. Mud Hut are really looking forward to the discussions around responsible and sustainable travel. We are not on any panel nor receiving an award, but watch this space next year!!
In the current market, any new lodge, resort, activity or accommodation would be fairly irresponsible if they did not consider the impact of their venture on the environment, the community and also the longevity of their project. The southern Africa travel industry faces its own unique challenges with regards to sustainable travel.
Whilst green technology in the travel and tourism industry is considerably more attainable then in the previous century, it is still a comparatively expensive option - particularly in southern Africa. Projects with less capital funding may struggle to open and begin operating as eco-friendly or responsible travel options, and lose the advantage of this competitive and strategic advantage.
A few years back, one of the Mud Hut founders considered entering into a joint venture with a Malawian family to open a drum cafe and African bar on the shores of lake Malawi. For various reasons this fell through, but this cafe would certainly not have been ‘green’ or eco-friendly. Materials and labour would all have been sourced locally, and profits would have gone straight back into the community - so it could be sustainable…. but responsible? There wasn’t a consideration into the impact on the surrounding environment - all that was considered was the short term welfare of the family and the community.
This issue is one which the Mud Hut Tribe has noticed on their travels through developing areas of Africa and the world. It is all well and good to promote tourism and travel as a source of income of locals, but at what cost to the environment or the communities affected? Think of the relocation of families and communities out of areas designated for game reserves. In recent years this issue is more sensitively and wisely approached, but were the Zambian government intending to develop and restock Liuwa Plains in remote western Zambia - would they be willing to sufficiently relocate or accommodate the Lozi people that live within it’s boudaries?
I guess this is a dilemma that faces many travellers and tourists who are wanting to contribute to the economy and development of a nation, but do not want to see it adversely affected on another front.
In this regard, I was disappointed not to see Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) at the WTM show. Perhaps some of their delegates will be there today, but it is a great opportunity to put a southern African stamp on the whole ‘responsible travel’ day.
Anyway, I am beginning to run out of time and I must catch my train for the long trip to the Excel center. If you are there today, please come and say hi - we will be hanging around the southern African section!
Some of you may have seen the new advert on TV for South Africa. It is a great video that sums up all the travel and adventure oppportunities that South and southern Africa have to offer. The whole package of soundtrack and imagery encapsulates the travel experience that awaits you.
There is so much that can be said about this wonderful country, the culture and custom, the adventure and travel, safaris and surfing, landscapes and Big 5 wildlife; so I am not going to say anymore. Have a look at the video below, and then book yourself a custom Mud Hut holiday…
