Tailor Made South Africa Travel

Causing Confusion ...

I thought I ought to let you know where the lovely surrounds to my blog have gone.  I am in the process of changing over where the blog is hosted, so that it will be part of my main website, www.tailormadesouthafricatravel.com.

As with all things, especially when you want to get them right, seem to take an age.  I am hoping that within the next few weeks you will see a dramatic turn for the good!  The early designs are looking fantastic and will bring the whole of my business into line, offering you a far easier site to navigate round and to find the information you require.

As South Africa is such a huge country, one of the hardest things I have to do for you is give you the information you're looking for.  Watch this space for many more ideas for things to do and see in South Africa, whether it's bird watching, swimming with sharks, elephant riding safaris, or walking with cheetahs.

Game, Set and Club Tennis

Well, the tennis protege is on his way home - from Spain that is, not South Africa, but as I was writing  a few days ago about surfing, I thought I would introduce you to the wonderful array of tennis that can be had on your South African idyll.

What better way of really getting to know the locals than with a game of tennis played under wide, blue skies and no cloud in sight?  Mind you, tricky conditions can certainly be had in Cape Town, especially in Milnerton, with a wind that would test the patience of a saint! 

Perhaps it's all that easy camaraderie when you're sitting with your drink in the bar afterwards, that gets you over the frustrations. 

We can recommend any number of courts that are sheltered from the wind, whether in the north, south, east or west of the country and if tennis is your game, you'll love recounting all those aces delivered in incredible settings like the one that Roger Federer gets to play on in Knysna when he's staying at his home there.

Surfing USA ... Hmm South Africa, surely?

Oh to be young again!  Out on the wide, blue yonder, sitting on your surf board with your feet dangling into the warm Durban water, with not a thought in your head, other than to get the next wave?  Who could ask for anything more?

Well, the kids could!  They want to be the best in the world, so check out the 2006 Billabong Junior Series, where the top surfers qualify to go to the ASP Billabong World Junior Champs.  It takes place on a number of weekends right through until August.

Having grown up in Cornwall, I know the benefits of warm water.  However, even the Cornish water is warmer than Cape Town!  So be prepared everyone, when visiting Cape Town, don't expect the water to be bath-water warm.  The penquins down at Boulder's Beach appreciate the cooler water.

Mount Nelson Birthday Bash

It was F W de Klerk's 70th birthday recently.

Having featured Nelson Mandela last week, I must pay homage to another of my favourite South Africans.  I had the great good fortune to hear Mr de Klerk speak to a group of his fellow countrymen (and me) at Blomberg's in the City of London at the end of November last year, on behalf of the SA Business Club. 

What is it about this incredible country that produces such wonderful leaders?  Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, FW de Klerk?  Did you know that only one place on earth has ever had two Nobel Prize winners living in the same street?  Yes, Soweto.

I came across this great article by Marc S. Ellenbogen, entitled The New South Africa.  Marc was at the party given in Mr de Klerk's honor at the Mount Nelson Hotel, Cape Town, the glorious pink palace at the top of Company's Gardens in central Cape Town.  How fitting that such an occasion is marked at such a distinguished venue.

Read and enjoy and make sure to plan your next vacation to this wonderful country.  We can help you discover the land of the Nobel Prize winners from Johannesburg down to Cape Town and everything in between, but remember this is the "world within one country" and we will need your input of likes and dislikes to really design your vacation idyll.

You can find out all about The Mount Nelson in the upcoming ebook An Insiders Guide To South Africa: 101 things You Should Know Before Visiting Cape Town.  If you pre-register your name to receive a copy before publication, you will be able to get it absolutely free, but hurry because although publication has been delayed, it will be published within the next few weeks.

Sharpeville Massacre runs to Human Rights Day

Today is Human Rights Day. 

Forty-six years ago, Sharpeville became known around the globe for all the wrong reasons.  Although I've not been to Sharpeville, I have been to Soweto and seen the place where Hector Pieterson died 16 years later and been round the incredible Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum.  If you go to Johannesburg, don't miss out on a visit to either place as a feeling of the history is tangible.

Sharpeville though, was just as horrific.  The story is wonderfully told by South Africa Blog Spirit.  I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions ...

Biz Growth Live!

Well, growing my business live was not something I had thought about very seriously ... until last night.  Of course, I take my business very seriously, as you do, but I suppose the light-bulb hadn't really come on.  That is, until 3am last night, tossing and turning, with squirm-makingly embarrassing pictures going round in my head of what I had said in introducing my business to a group of participants in a teleconference run by my friend, Krishna De of Biz Growth Live.

Krishna runs an exceptionally good teleconference each Monday on all manner of subjects connected to growing your business, especially if you are a consultant, coach or service professional wanting to leverage your strengths, build your brand and book yourself solid with the clients you love to work with.

Last night's call was with Andrea Learned of  "Don't think Pink" fame, how to market to women.  With some difficulties getting Andrea on the phone, Krishna invited the assembled guests to introduce their businesses.  Caught on the hop, as I am rather apt to sit at the back of the class and listen to everyone else, I mumbled something about creating unforgettable South African travel experiences and then rushed on to say something else which had absolutely no bearing on anything at all, completely forgetting to say my name, company name or even where to find me!

I woke up mortified.  I had learnt the hardest lesson of all to date.  All my marketing efforts down the drain in an inkling the moment I opened my mouth.  You can bet that I am now going to make sure that I am better prepared to meet my public next time I get an opportunity.  You could say I have just had one of the best and most valuable experiences to date in the learning curve of being a small business owner.

Sign up for Krishna's Monday evening calls at Biz Growth Live and find archived materials, including last night's call (without my embarrassing interlude), which can help you get booked solid.  Krishna also has a blog, so keep up-to-date with all her musings  on small business growth.

Hopefully, you won't find me making such a huge mess of things next time an opportunity comes knocking!

Mandela's Naughty Past

What will South Africa do when Nelson Mandela finally dies - his human form, I mean, as he will never die as an icon?

Nelson Mandela has been out in Cape Town meeting the stars of the Oscar winning film, Tsotsi and disclosing more shocking facts about his past!  Tsotsi is a South African made film about a gangster who ends up in all sorts of strife, but who eventually finds his good side.  You will have to go and see the very engaging film to find out what happens!

"I was also mischievous when I was 16 or 17," said Madiba, aptly wearing a "tsotsi" hat and recalling how he had once been a herdboy in the rural village of Qunu in the Transkei.

"We had a method of stealing pigs. We had very clever ways of doing so. We would take the remains of kaffir beer, as they called it, and then go to the direction of the wind so that the wind would blow from us to the village where the pigs are."

The story-telling former president's eyes lit up as he remembered his days as a naughty youth.

"And then we leave a little of the remains of the beer, and then the pigs come out to clean it up, then we go further ... and they will follow us until they are far away. Then we'd get behind them and drive them up a valley. Then we'd stab it, it would cry but the owners will not hear its shouts, and then we roast it and eat it," said Madiba laughing heartily.

He revealed to the cast that he was not the only leader with skeletons in his closet.

"Some of the leaders of this country and elsewhere in the world started with misdemeanours of all kinds," he said, "but as they grew up, they became responsible people who have served our country very well."

The Tsotsi cast hung on Madiba's every word as he spoke, amazed to see this new, naughtier side of the world icon.

Mandela, standing up for all the tsotsis out there, said: "Don't dismiss any youngsters who are not behaving according to your wishes. It is better to talk to them, to say 'no, you have made a mistake here'. The correct procedure is you should have done so and so."

Mandela told the Tsotsi cast the film had put South Africa on the map. But director Gavin Hood responded: "No sir, you put South Africa on the map ... without what you did, we would not have been able to make this film together as South Africans in a free country."

What a star!

If you'd like to know more about Nelson Mandela's life, take a look at Magical Cape Town Vacations.  You'll find a complete bio and also links to his famous speech in Cape Town after his release.  Also get the special report, Where to Find Nelson Mandela in Cape Town here too.

Of course, Nelson Mandela is more famously to be found in Johannesburg.  If you'd like to know more about the Apartheid movement and Mr Mandela's role in that, make sure you subscribe for updates (fill in the box on the lefthand side to get updates straight to your email inbox), as I will be writing more on Soweto and Hector Pieterson's Memorial, where Koffi Annan, UN Secretary-General laid a wreath earlier this week.

Special Offers to Tempt You to South Africa

Well, we've surpassed ourselves again!  We've found you some wonderful Special Offers to tempt you to uncover the real South Africa.

Imagine yourself at Kosi Forest Lodge, situated in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve.  Thatched bush suites with open-air en-suite bathrooms with the bath and shower sunk into white sand offers you an outstanding wilderness experience.

Couple that with Thembe Elephant Park and you'll really see the "Big Five"!

What about iSibindi Zulu Lodge?  Close to Rorke's Drift and Isandlwana, you will are able to explore the Anglo-Zulu battlefields, whilst enjoying traditional Zulu food, drink and an evening of energetic Zulu dancing.

Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate: Tee off in paradise!  Fancourt is gorgeous with a combination of Old World charm and contemporary luxuries.  If you are not into golf, check out the spa instead and pamper yourself. 

The Alphen Hotel, Cape Town is divine.  Warm hospitality in a wonderful 18th century manor house set amidst the dappled shade of ancient oak trees.  The perfect base for discovering more of the Cape.

Tranquility Lodge lives up to its name.  Natures Valley, as its name suggests, is home to some of the best birding areas of the Cape.  Golf, bungy jumping, whale watching, dolphin watching, ocean cruises, scuba diving and mountain biking are just some of the other delights close by.

A day of Pamper and Pleasure at Etali Private Game Lodge in the Madikwe is not to be missed.  Take up the offer of a relaxing back, neck and shoulder massage or a refreshing African foot ritual - guaranteed to put the bounce back in your step whilst you enjoy a five star day out.

Far Hills Hotel in George allows you luxury 4 star accommodation with an all inclusive package including drinks on the house!

If the city is more to your taste, why not take in The Fairlawns Hotel and Spa, Sandton, Johannesburg, guaranteed to have you rested and relaxed after your stay in this impeccably styled hotel with its distinctive ambience and character offering serenity and privacy.

Last, but by no means least Summer Days at Phantom Forest is somewhere you will not want to miss.  Share the forest with resident Fish Eagles and the whispers of a special magic!  Award winning restaurants combine with the 'Body Boma' wellness centre to continue the magic.

Hurry as fast as you can to get the low-down.  If you've got all the information you need right now, get a no-obligation quote to find out how spectacular our prices are.

Have a great trip!

South African Safaris with Added Bonus

Check out our wonderful safari game lodges - right now!  We've got three of the finest that the Kruger National Park can deliver.

Hamiltons Lodge, Imbali Safari Lodge and Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge are all very different to each other in their character and style of accommodation.  However the one thing they do have in common is truly spectacular game (wildlife) viewing – the Kruger Park is home to creatures great and small.

Africa's Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo all roam the reserve together with  a diverse variety of entelope, birds and insects.  Game drives are conducted in open safari vehicles, with expereienced guides and trackers to ensure the best possible viewing!

We have unbelievable rates at all three five star lodges – choose the one that appeals to you most (or try them all!),  and pay less than standard four star lodge rates!  But hurry, these prices are not going to be around for long.

For more information on the game lodges themselves (with some wonderful pictures) and how to contact us go to Tailor Made South Africa Travel.

I've got some more special offers coming up which will also whet your appetite for a spectacular travel experience to South Africa, but I've got a bit more work to do before I let you at these!  Keep in touch for more updates in the coming days ...

South African Cricket Making Spectacle!

Love of cricket in our house has been encouraged by our visits to South Africa.  Somehow sitting in a bar down at the Waterfront with a cool drink in your hand, incredible views of Table Mountain on one side and the TV showing the latest touring side being thrashed, sums up the wonderful atmosphere that pervades sport in this glorious country.  Of course, going to the ground rates even higher for atmosphere - if you can get hold of a ticket.

However, yesterday we had to make do with a cold, damp, dreary Sunday afternoon at home in the UK.  Neither son was at home, so we were able to watch in peace as a rampant Australia went in to bat first.

A world record breaking 434 runs with the loss of only 4 wickets later, the Aussie's had set what looked to be an insurmountable lead.

It must have been sick-making having to come out and try to top that!  However, the plucky South African's got on with the task with Graeme Smith, the captain, hitting a very quick 90 off 55 balls.  Believe me, I wouldn't have wanted to be sitting in the crowd with all those balls flying over the boundary!  At least not without a miners hat on.

Enter one Hershelle Gibbs who notched up 175 runs in pretty smart time too.  When he fell prey to a catch, the atmosphere from the capacity crowd was electric and palpable through the TV set!  Sitting on a knife edge for the rest of the afternoon was excruciating, as the momentum of the game swung first in Australia's favour then back to South Africa. Not until right at the very end of the game with two balls to go and one run to get did you believe that South Africa could do it.

Just goes to show that the Aussies produce the finest cricket in the world and truly are the team to beat.  Last summer England had to move mountains to gain back the Ashes after 18 years of continuous ownership by the Australians and yesterday South Africa had to break a huge world record breaking target to take the Standard Bank One Day Series.  Can't wait to see what the test series is going to produce! 

The first test starts on Thursday down at Newlands in Cape Town.  Catch it live on Sky TV.  It's sure to be gripping stuff.

If you'd like to know more about English cricket, visit the official site of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

If  South Africa is more your thing, you can find all things South African here.  Of course, if you'd like to take in some cricket on your travel plans to South Africa, don't fail to let us know when we help you with your own South African Spectacular!