Mud Hut Travel Blog

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.

Can’t wait for next year’s WTM!

If you want to get in touch … 

Above all, keep smiling!
Bettina

The purpose of this document is to create awareness around probable business travel restrictions during the Soccer World Cup to be held June - July 2010.

Although the official World Cup is 11 June - 11 July 2010, the period between March and July 2010 will be an exceptionally busy period with the pre- and post- arrangements that will have a huge impact on business travel. The grid below indicates the magnitude of the disruption to business travel over this period which includes other major events beside the FIFA World cup.

Overview of what is to be expected during the World Cup:

1. Volume of Travellers expected
The World Cup is approximately 15 times bigger than the 1995 Rugby World Cup. The media contingent that will attend is estimated at 30 000. Business travel is disrupted purely due to the volume of supporters.

All indications are that approximately 220 000 long haul visitors will attend, 180 000 visitors from Africa and an average of 150 000 local supporters. On any match day it is envisaged that 100 000 travellers will need to use a travel commodity i.e. flight or road / rail transportation.

An additional 2 000 busses have been imported (overload on road transport) to carry these supporters. It is predicted that supporters will watch their team play every 3 or 4 days. When their teams are not playing, supporters will frequent the Fan Parks or embark on tours within the city of their choice.

2. Fan Parks
Fan Parks are situated in central areas so that general public can watch all the games. Entrance to the Fan Parks is free and it is expected that these Fan Parks will attract a lot of visitors. In Germany 2006 one Fan Park attracted 500 000 spectators to watch one game. To avoid large transport infrastructure expense, training venues will also double as public viewing sites.

Fan Parks in the Western Cape
The Grand Parade; Somerset West Road;
Stellenbosch; Bellville Velodrome;
Swartklip; Atlantis;
Khayelitsha; Nomzamo Yethu (Hout Bay).

Training Facilities in the Western Cape
Newlands Rugby Ground; UCT Rugby Ground;
UWC Soccer Field; Bellville Rugby Ground;
Stellenbosch Rugby Ground; Athlone Stadium.

Fan Parks in Johannesburg (list to be updated)
Mary Fitzgerald Square in the Newton precinct;
Fan Parks in Soweto are to be expected;
Innes-Free Park in Sandton;
Walter Sisulu Square in Kliptown.

Fan Parks in Durban (list to be updated)
The Durban Beach Front has been earmarked as one of Durban’s preferred sites for one or more Fan Parks during 2010.

3. Flights
To date no airline has released any prices or strategies for the World Cup period.
On pre and post match-days flights into and out of the venue cities will be overbooked. Due to the sheer volume of travellers, huge delays can be expected.

World Cup teams will use charter aircrafts and plan to use 2nd tier airports however their supporters will use the general airports. These airports will focus on scheduled international and domestic flights.

4. Accommodation
All the major hotel brands within South Africa have contracted with MATCH at a pre-defined room rate and therefore the normal Corporate rates will not be available during this period.
According to FIFA there is an approximate shortfall of 18 000 rooms for the World Cup. This supply and demand scenario allows B&B’s / Guesthouses to offer rooms at a premium.

5. Car Rental
It is most likely that all car rental companies will go on “stop-sale” for the period of the World Cup and rental cars will be scarce.

6. Road Closures
It is indicated that there will be limited access and in some instances complete road closures in the areas surrounding the stadium and fan parks. This will make it difficult for travellers to move freely between offsite meetings.

7. Critical Date
The next critical date for the WC2010 is the 4th December 2009 when the Pool draw is completed. This draw will indicate where the teams will be based and where their supporters will be spending most of their time.

8. Fixtures
The match schedule (see attached) will be updated after the draw on the 4th December 2009. Games will be played at: 13h30, 16h00 and 20h30. Travellers need to allow for traffic congestion both at the stadium and the Fan Parks. It is advisable to allow 2hrs lead time if travelling to / from these areas.

Recommendations for travel during this period:

• Do not travel during these periods unless it is critical to travel.
• Plan your trip well in advance; changes to a ticket over this period will be extremely difficult and very expensive.
• Try to make appointments at a location that is in the opposite direction of a stadium / fan park.
• Take flights during the times of when the games are being played. Games start at 13h30.
• Allow for a minimum of 2 hours to get to the airport in Cape Town and possibly 3 hours for Johannesburg. The congestion on the roads both to and from the Airports is going to be chaotic – plan for delays.
• Parking at the airport will be virtually impossible and it is advisable to get someone to drop / collect you from the airports. Transfer companies will be busy with tourists and will also be very expensive.

New to the Mud Hut Africa collection of tours and safaris are our Horseback Safaris. These are just one more magical way of experiencing the wilds of Africa, riding good horses amongst varied wildlife and across spectacular landscapes. Much like our walking safaris, horseback safaris are an environmentally low-impact option which we promote at Mud Hut Africa.

All of our local operators have been hand-picked, so you can rest easy that Mud Hut has chosen stables and operators which are either locally owned and managed, or ones where the local community will receive a direct benefit from your stay.

Mud Hut Travel offers horseback safaris in every southern African country, providing custom packages for individuals, couples or groups. Ride through game on a wildlife safari in South Africa and Botswana, wade through tropical coastal waters and lope across dunes in mystical Mozambique or, for something completely different, take a slow pony trek up into the highlands of Lesotho.

One of our favourite horseback safaris, through our Botswana partner, is an 8 day horseback safari in the Okavango Delta. For this safari, some horseback riding experience is required. You will spend 4 to 6 hours a day in the saddle and will need to feel confident about keeping up with the group, be capable of riding at all paces, rising to the trot and controlling your horse at the canter.

Due to the unpredictable nature of the wildlife and various conditions, on rare occasions guests may be required to gallop out of trouble, so on this particular safari option, we can not take beginners. Please take a look at the itinerary for our Botswanan horseback safaris or contact us with any questions.

Lesotho pony trekking and Mozambique beach and dune horseback safaris are more suitable travel adventures for riders with a range of horseback riding experience, from limited to more advanced. As with all of Mud Hut’s tours, we can completely customise an itinerary to create your ideal travel experience in southern Africa. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions, and we wish you a happy festive season!!

Keep smiling….

Sam

South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup

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!!

See you in South Africa in 2010!!

Rob

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.

Go to the Observer website for a read of the full article.

And when you’re done… have a read through our Walking Safaris section at Mud Hut Africa.

Hamba kakuhle

Rob

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…

South Africa - alive with travel adventures

Or head to South African Travel and Tourism’s website at www.southafrica.net to see the video and travel information website.

Please feel free to contact us through the website or give us a call for a chat.

Be in touch soon….

Sam

We have all noticed the green, blue and black swirl on packs of coffee packages, chocolate bars, cotton products and fresh fruit and veg in our supermarkets. And hopefully we all consider these options when buying groceries.

It is quite easy to visualise the benefit of buying sugar peas in your supermarket, and the economic benefits winding its way down the line to provide farmers and labourers in Zambia a secure and basic means of living. It may seem a small and insignificant step, but for people who are surviving on less than 50p a day…. your choice to shift to Fair Trade produce will make a difference.

But what about the service industry like finance, travel or transport? A service is often delivered by the person receiving the funds, and thus someone in Botswana will very rarely be affected by the UK service industry. Is there the ability for services to be ‘FairTrade’? And for us at Mud Hut Africa, we need to consider is there a Fair Trade standard for the travel industry? How can we apply a FairTrade certification to our safaris, tours and other custom trips to Africa?

The FairTrade Labelling Organisation (FLO) is the umbrella body for Fair Trade licencing initiatives globally. It is interested in giving a fair deal to all those involved in trade, and specifically to support producers from marginalised countries. They do not certify any service based industries.

However, there is such an organisation in southern Africa that does just that…. and specifically for travel and tourism. Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) is a non-profit marketing organisation promoting the fair trade in tourism concept and tourism businesses of disadvantaged communities. It is one of the few organisations in the world that focus specifically on Fair Trade travel and tourism. It was started in 2002 on the back of the South African governments recommendation, and the first certificates were issued in October 2003.

Immediately when I mention Fair Trade travels, my friends start talking about Gap year travellers teaching English in Zambia, volunteers building schools in Lesotho, Scandanavian students helping women set up craft markets in Mozambique… Whilst these are also elements of the Fair Trade movement, FTTSA focus on a very different side of things….

The above examples are all based on specific outcomes… and in the true sense of the word are not tourism activities. FTTSA certify formal or informal establishments within South Africa that provide facilities, services and/or experiences directly to tourists. The stringent criteria for being certified require the establishment to prove:
    * Fair wages and working conditions, fair operations, purchasing and distribution of benefits
    * Ethical business practice
    * Respect for human rights, culture and the environment

Before you start looking through the Mud Hut Africa site for our certification… we are not certified, as we are not a direct provider of services to tourists (part of the criteria). We do however try to include as many FTTSA accredited institutions within our custom package that we provide to you.

In fact, one of our favourite sites in all of southern Africa is an FTTSA site. This is a joint venture project between a South African traveller/entrepreneur and the Transkei community of Nqileni. The lodge, Bulungula, is an eco-friendly backpacker’s lodge in arguably one of the most beautiful places in South Africa. They have 10 traditional mud huts that have been positioned for great sea and forest views, and the surrounding coastline and hills are simply breathtaking.

Whilst the lodge is only owned 40% by the Nqileni community, they have initiated many projects that are 100% Nqileni owned and managed. I would love to go on further to explain further how Bulungula and Nqileni are pioneering a path into the community development side of South African travel, but today is not the day. Please follow this blog or our website for more details. We intend to a much more detailed report on Bulungula in the near future.

Bulungula is just one of our preferred destinations, but if you want more information on how we can maximise the benefit to communities on your travels in southern Africa, please feel free to drop us a request or give us a call.

In parting, please remember that whilst you may look for the green, blue and black swirl in your supermarkets, also travel with companies that promote fair, ethical and responsible travel. It’s the best and most direct form of benefit that you can give to the people of southern Africa.

Zikomo…

Sam