The post Update on travel to Southern Africa and the entry requirements and restrictions due to Corona Virus – Covid-19. appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

By now everyone has pretty much had enough of being on “lock-down” – through its different stages and varying rules and restrictions in each country. Here in South Africa we started out with five weeks of heavy lock-down, stricter than most countries experienced – unless we were an essential worker we had to remain in our homes and could only venture out if we needed to buy groceries or get medical supplies or attention. We were not even allowed outdoors to exercise or walk our dogs and the sale of liquor and tobacco products were banned. We then moved down a lock-down level and for a month were allowed to exercise only between 6 and 9 in the mornings, liquor and alcohol remained banned and we had a strict curfew, but some aspects of the economy were opened up again under certain conditions. We now find ourselves in “Level 3” where we have no time restrictions to outdoor exercise, no curfews, alcohol sales have resumed (still no tobacco sales however) and most businesses are able to operate again. But still no travel – borders remain closed and movements between provinces are limited to business travel and travel to attend funerals only.

Most of us have tried to simplify our lives, help those around us in far worse off circumstances and marvelled at how the natural environment has flourished with less human interference. The number of home work-out online sessions and videos that regularly pop up on social media are a clear indication that people have tried to use the time to improve or maintain their fitness; we saw marathons run in gardens and even on balconies! On the other hand many are complaining about their new “covid-bellies” and expressing nerves about fitting into jeans after spending so long in comfy clothing!! This is likely a consequence of all the experimental cooking and baking that has also been a regular feature in most locked down homes! We’re all pretty much “zoomed out” – it’s how we’ve kept in contact with friends and family, hosting games, quiz and even cheese and wine tasting evenings! Zoom is also how most of us have kept up with our teams, planning, strategising and upskilling ourselves and our partners with destination and product training sessions.

Through all of this we have also reminisced on our past travels with new appreciation and have dreamed of travelling one day again, hopefully in the not too distant future.

What do we believe travel will look like post COVID-19?

Our future business opportunities are uncertain, but we can say for sure that it will not be “business as usual” post Covid-19 and we need to look and plan towards the “next/new normal”. There has never previously been a time when global tourism has come to a complete standstill as it has during Covid-19, but it has given us an opportunity to rethink about travel and reset our business priorities.

Safety and health assurances will be top of mind for the foreseeable feature and all suppliers in the tourism industry, be it accommodation, restaurants, transport or activity providers, are putting plans in place and implementing Covid-19 protocols to reassure visitors. Just as travel changed remarkably post-911, post-covid-19 travel is going to come with its own new inconveniences that travellers will have to get used to – longer check-in and waiting times for one. We can only hope that these effects could lessen if or when a vaccine is developed.

We believe that people will have a longing and new appreciation for nature and the outdoors – space and clean air, opportunities to be active and take part in new, fun and exciting activities. Itineraries need to be less prescriptive and rather more flexible with a variety of options to each day, with new and different ways of doing the previous standard day tours. People will want to spend this travel time with their loved ones – some of who they were cooped up with on lock-down and others they were unable to see for a while because of lock-down.    

How have we started to prepare for this?

Our passion and knowledge of our country South Africa and the Southern Africa region is boundless, we want to tell about and share everything with everyone! We want people to see and experience those lesser known regions which have amazing things on offer – for example the natural wonders of Northern Cape and the vibrant cultures of Limpopo. Realistically we know however that most of the trips we plan for our clients are first time visitors and this means they want to see the highlights of the country that are known – this usually includes, for all our varied markets in which we work, Cape Town, the Garden Route and often a safari included.

So we have developed a range of different 14-day Cape and Garden Route options to appeal to our different markets. We find with our Danish clients there is a preference for accommodation that is central and within safe walking distance of attractions and dining options, our German and Dutch clients on the other hand often prefer smaller owner run guest houses which offer a personal touch and they also place higher emphasis on responsible travel. Our UK clients enjoy smaller boutique establishments and our Indian clients favour the larger more main stream hotels and rooms that offer triple sharing are almost a must. Most of our European clients enjoy the freedom and flexibility of a self-drive tour, whereas our Indian clients prefer a hassle-free private guided tour with a driver-guide to look after them and are very adventurous travellers who often like to include a sky dive, shark cage dive and bungee jump for example in their itineraries.

We think that a glamping trip will be an ideal post-Covid-19 holiday, so we have also put together a 14-day Cape and Garden Route glamping trip. Glamping offers a fantastic camping alternative without the hassle of having to pack and carry camping equipment, transport a caravan or worrying about bugs and shared ablutions – transforming camping into a luxury experience.

Another factor that is very close to our heart and the ethos of our company is responsible travel. In all we do we try to keep the three pillars of sustainable travel in mind – what are we doing to help protect the natural environment, how are we ensuring that local communities are benefitting from tourism and that cultures are being shared in an authentic and experiential way and not eroded or exploited.

Something simple that we as a company do is support as much as possible accommodation and activities in South Africa that are Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) accredited. FTT is a non-profit organisation which supports sustainable tourism development through the award of a certificate to companies that commit themselves to the Fair Trade criteria of fair wages, fair working conditions, just profit sharing and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. This assures visitors that the people whose land, natural resources, labour, knowledge and culture are used to support the tourism activities they are enjoying are actually benefiting fairly from them. We have thus also designed a 14-day Fair Trade Highlights of the Cape package which is 100% FTT.

In executing our packages we have always tried to support other small tourism businesses, who have taken a massive knock during Covid-19 and will be needing our support more than ever when travel opens again.

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s National Freedom Day message on 27 April included these hard-hitting words: “Some people have been able to endure the coronavirus lockdown in a comfortable home with a fully stocked fridge, with private medical care and online learning for their children. For millions of others, this has been a month of misery, of breadwinners not working, of families struggling to survive and of children going to bed and waking up hungry.” So we all have to ask ourselves what MORE can we possibly do and how can we assist those who have been poorly affected to get back on their feet as quickly as possible, at the same time trying to get back on our own feet!

South Africa’s tourism industry has hit back at recent predictions that international tourism will not restart before 2021, claiming that the country’s actual date of reopening is likely to be much sooner. After a briefing from South Africa’s Department of Tourism on May 27, it was reported that international tourism wouldn’t be possible until February 2021. These statements caused widespread panic within South Africa’s travel industry, which relies heavily on international visitors.

However, according to the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) – an umbrella organisation representing South Africa’s voice of business in the travel and tourism sector, the release of these predictions were premature. South Africa’s ‘Risk-Adjusted’ reopening strategy is based on levels of infections, not exact dates, so the timeline spoken of in parliament is a worst-case scenario and ‘purely speculative’, the body emphasised. The full article was published by The Telegraph news website.

The Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA) says they hope that the recovery plan strategy presented to Parliament this week will allow for an accelerated phased opening of the industry. TBCSA chief executive Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, says that they are following the risk adjusted strategy based on levels of lockdown, not dates. With the Peak summer tourism season fast approaching from an inbound perspective, the focus is the importance of tourism to South Africa in the fourth quarter and the value of the forward book.

#SA360 #southafricaistravelready #satourism #weareready #nowherebetter

The post How COVID-19 has affected our daily lives in South Africa appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

Our romantic packages range from 6 to 11 days and offer something for every couple to enjoy and indulge in no matter what type of romantic escape you are looking for, choose from island escapes, luxurious bush stays, award-winning accommodation and more. Seasons are also an important choice when it comes to selecting a romantic trip, are you looking for late summer sunsets on the beach walking hand in hand? Or are you looking to enjoy a cosy fireplace in the winter with your loved one?

The destinations within Southern Africa offer all offer romance and uniqueness to add to your holiday, visit one of these top romantic destinations on your next trip to Southern Africa:

– Cape Town: Boasts some of the World’s best sunsets, with long warm days in summer, outstanding restaurants and unbeatable scenery this is a romantic paradise. The Cape Winelands or the Constantia Valley Winelands offer delicious local wines while you and your loved one enjoy the stunning settings all around.

– Rovos Rail: Rest, relaxation and indulgence awaits you as you step aboard the beautiful wood-panelled coaches and enjoy five-star luxury aboard the World’s most luxurious train. Couples will be treated to first-class treatment and a sommelier to recommend the perfect wine to accompany each delicious dish.

– Victoria Falls: Constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the World, known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya”, meaning the smoke that thunders. This destination is home to plenty of secluded river lodges along the enormous Zambezi, offering couples privacy and unforgettable beauty.

– Mozambique: Mozambique has a warm tropical climate with the average temperature throughout the year being a balmy 28C. The coastal areas tend to be sunny year-round. This destination offers the ultimate tropical experience with soft white beaches, swaying palms and clear blue waters. With luxurious, eco-sensitive lodges, often hidden away for maximum privacy, this couple’s getaway is like stepping into a dream. A Mozambique honeymoon is all about ‘barefoot luxury’, offering a shipwrecked feeling on virtually uninhabited islands.

– Safari Lodges:  Southern Africa is home to a fortune of award-winning safari lodges and camps, each with its own distinctive charm and character. These lodges invite guests to languish in bed and enjoy the views. Soak in some signature safari moments such as sun downer drinks and private dinners in the bush.

If you would like more information on our amazing romantic and Honeymoon itineraries on offer or sample packages suitable for couples you can contact us and we will help find the most suitable romantic package to suit your needs and create a magical trip.

The post Southern Africa – Your Romantic Escape appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

Mark Young, a director of Perfections of Africa, based in the UK, will personally be leading and working with our reservations and marketing team, coordinating all aspects of our sales efforts and marketing activities related to the destinations we sell within Southern Africa to the UK market. Mark is an expert in selling and packaging Southern Africa and is the prefect fit for us at SA 360. Mark understands the competitive UK market and we be able to take to market our unique and exciting experiences.

Read further to see what Mark has to say about his travels throughout Southern Africa:

“Seeing a lion on my very first safari in Namibia, watching the red sun set while camping in Botswana, floating gently above the animals in a hot air balloon in Zambia, getting caught in a Sand storm in Zimbabwe and drinking delicious red wine in South Africa, are just a few of the reasons I love Africa. My passion for travel begin in 2005 when I backpacked with a friend from university for four months around Eastern Europe, this experience brought a love of travel that I did not know existed within. From 2008 to 2009 I picked up my bag again and travelled around the world crossing through India, South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand, before finishing in South America. It was during this trip that I knew a career in the travel industry was for me.”

Over the past 10 years Mark has worked for companies such as Rickshaw Travel, Trail Finders, Hayes & Jarvis and Discover the World, holding positions from Sales Consultant for Africa, Product & Marketing Executive, Destination Manager of East & Southern Africa and Product Manager of Africa, as well as being Product Manager for Latin America and Polar regions. Earlier this year Mark was delighted to be offered the opportunity to become a partner in the South African based representation company, Perfections of Africa, by Ryan Ashton the company’s founder. Ryan’s role was to launch and run the UK office with the aim of giving African based tourism operators permanent exposure in Africa’s largest tourism source market, the UK.

We are excited to welcome Mark to the team and are looking forward to this new partnership between Southern Africa 360 and Perfections of Africa, which is already showing results and generating promising sales with a small number of identified wholesalers. With both forces joining into this new challenge and with the ambition of addressing a broader range of clients with specific packages, both companies hold the key to promoting Southern Africa in the UK market and offering travellers something new and fresh.

If you would like to find out more about us, what we offer or how we can help you to sell more holidays to Southern Africa, please contact us or you can contact Mark directly.

The post Meet The Team – Mark Young from Perfections of Africa appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

A family holiday can be a rewarding experience for all, over recent years we have noticed many families are looking for trips that offer engagement and cultural immersive experiences suitable for all ages. This includes dining at local spots, shopping at local attractions such as the Neighbourgoods Market or factory shops, and visiting local hangouts in trendy places like Mabongeng in Johannesburg and Florida Road in Durban.

We have also seen an increase in the number of visitors looking to have a glamping holiday, staying in remote or off the beaten track locations.  Active holidays are on still on the list for families looking to engage in adventure activities suitable for all ages, such as surfing, hiking or biking.  South Africa has the perfect climate and much to offer those guests with an active agenda.

Family trips these days more frequently involve families travelling with multi generations of travellers, therefore itineraries need to be suitable for children, parents, and grandparents. Families these days are tending to look for experiences that are both educational and inspiring. Enjoying activities where fitness is not an issue for the multi generational of travellers, such as local cooking and dining or an authentic dancing and drumming interactive experience.

When booking a family holiday there are several factors that need to be considered such as the ages of the children, meal types for kids, applicable room types, children’s rates and accommodation that caters best to the needs of the family. Knowing where best to book families especially those with young kids is essential, often safari based accommodation is not able to accommodate younger children at open camps, on game drives or other onsite activities such as bush walks, especially in a Big 5 game area however our experts have some awesome offers to counter this and create a safari holiday for families with younger children.

We know from experience that babysitting facilities and children’s programs suitable for younger and older children offer great value-adds. Game lodges are creating child-friendly areas included in the child rate, where children can spend time and learn about conservation. These areas offer a place where kids can play and learn in a fun, safe environment, learning about topics related to the African bush. How to track smaller animals, they can join Bushmen trackers on walks, learn to make bows and arrows and learn about the importance of conservation and respect for our wildlife. Beach and city locations are also known to offer children’s club, in a fun environment where kids can enjoy various activities throughout the day, mostly offered on-site such as crafts and games.

Our family trips cover areas throughout Southern Africa, from safaris to mountain breaks to beach escapes, we know just how to put together the perfect family holiday!

Here are three highly recommended destinations or itineraries to consider for your next family holiday:

– Sun City Resort, boasting a host of activities on offer for families, from a fun kids club to pools, games, mazes and more. This really is a one stop family destination with something for everyone!

– Mozambique with its undeniable beauty and charm, offering a haven of untouched wilderness and natural beauty. Families will love plenty of beach time and the multiple water sports on offer.

– The Okavango & Moremi for Young Explorers family itinerary offers a truly unique concept designed to immerse the whole family in the beauty of Botswana’s wilderness while you fully explore the Okavango Delta.

These are just some of the amazing experiences on offer for families. If you would like more information or assistance in finding the most suitable accommodation type for your family, we are happy to help. You can also contact us to book your family holiday, for sample packages suitable for families or if you would like to see our sample family itineraries on offer.

The post We Understand The Family Travel Trends appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

Cape Town’s beaches offer some of the best beaches in the world, boasting the spectacular backdrop of the Cape Fold Mountain range, Cape Town’s beaches are some of the most scenic worldwide. The Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean border the coastal city of Cape Town, offering plenty of choice when it comes to beaches, from the family-friendly beaches in False Bay to the trendy beaches in Clifton, if you’re a sand-and-sea lover looking to soak up the gorgeous African sun and relax in the great outdoors, Cape Town’s beaches are for you!

Mozambique has a warm tropical climate with the average temperature throughout the year being a balmy 28 Degrees Celsius, the best time to visit is June and October as the weather is hot and relatively dry. The coastal areas tend to be sunny year-round offering a paradise with miles of deserted beaches dotted along this Indian Ocean coastline, lending themselves to a wealth of water and land-based activities. The lagoons and tides give life to the mangrove forests, which are popular with East African birds, bush babies, mongoose and monkeys. The hard and soft coral reefs just off the coast are home to many species of small fish and dolphins, offering a host of diving spots ranging from easy to more challenging. Find out more about this breath-taking beach destination here.

The Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape provides unspoiled natural beauty, this part of the South African coastline is nothing short of spectacular, its authentic villages are charming, and the fauna and flora impressive. But, it also has some of the most exquisite beaches on the continent. Comprising of about 300 kilometres of coastline between East London and Port Edward, the name Wild Coast complements the area’s scenery of untamed splendour and cliffs, which in two places feed waterfalls directly into the ocean.

The semi-tropical warm waters of Kwa-Zulu Natal lend themselves perfectly to lazy beach days, frolicking in the waves, and a fun-filled beach holiday for the whole family. Durban is an Indian-influenced harbour city boasting beautiful beaches that continue to attract visitors from all over the world. Durban’s beaches boast surfing spots like Bay of Plenty and Dairy and a bodyboarding favourite, North Beach. Swimming is possible right along the coastline thanks to shark nets and lifeguards on duty. The Indian Ocean is also warmer than its counterparts, promising comfortable swimming conditions almost all year round. The weather in Kwa-Zulu Natal is, generally, hotter than in the rest of South Africa, which means that days on the beach are even possible in winter.

Take a look at our Beach Itineraries, all of which are highly recommended. Still not sure which beach to explore? Contact us to let us discuss the best option suited to your needs or for sample packages showing how a beach destination can be incorporated into an itinerary.

The post Explore The Wild & Pristine Coastlines of Southern Africa appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

Over the past two decades, the population of lions have declined by nearly 43%, with much of the decline being the caused by human expansion and shrinking habitats. In South Africa, the infamous canned hunting industry has also led to a rapid decrease in Lions. The practice of canned hunting involves breeding and rearing lions for the sole purpose of being shot for sport in their enclosures. It is greatly reviled in the region and many organisations are working to end the practice.

Today there about 3000 wild lions in the country which has obviously had a big impact on the local ecosystem. This has not gone unnoticed and in an effort to reintroduce lions into an ecosystem that they have historically occurred,  Samara is providing a sanctuary for some of them. 

Their vision is to restore the Great Karoo to its former ecological glory by reintroducing free-roaming lions into the region, who will assume their role as predators, which will keep the local herbivore populations in check and thus help protect the indigenous vegetation from overgrazing. The lions are set to arrive in August 2018 and Sarah Tompkins, the founder of Samara, is truly excited for the event, stating:

We are delighted to be bringing lions back to our region. Their reintroduction gives us the opportunity to study what happens when a top predator returns to an ecosystem. Besides that, we can’t wait to hear their roars echoing through our valleys.

For more information on this amazing undertaking visit the Samara Private Nature Reserve website

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The nine-room lodge is on an island in the middle of floodplains. It looks out over a lagoon and is just north of the Vumbura and Duba Plains. The lodge is surrounded by permanent channels, seasonal floodplains, open grasslands, mopane woodlands and belts of hardwood forests.

The rooms are a combination of canvas and thatch, and have king-size four-poster beds fitted with mosquito nets. All the rooms overlook the lagoon and have indoor sitting areas and private outdoor decks, as well as en-suite bathrooms with outdoor showers.

The open-plan lounge is fitted with sofas, chandeliers and a long dining table. Outside there is a fire pit and a swimming pool with views over the water.

Water activities include traditional mokoro safaris, boat trips and fishing. Other activities include game drives, walking safaris and bird watching.

Guests can also opt for a night under the stars at Mapula’s fly-camp, or dine around a camp fire in the middle of the bush.

Extra activities include a helicopter or a hot air balloon flight.

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The Sawanga Mall will have mix of retail, commercial and entertainment activities and a major anchor, family supermarket chain Pick n Pay. The mall will be at the corner of Livingstone and Pioneer Roads.

Steven Kapfunde, ZIMRE Property Investments (ZPI) Senior Executive said construction was already under way and is expected to create 400 jobs during construction and 450 jobs in operations after opening.

Kapfunde said they were aiming to complement the government’s efforts in boosting tourism in the region with appropriate tenants such as financial services currently missing from the town. “We are creating a world-class shopping experience commensurate with expected international standards at the same time, without losing the local identity,” he said.

The mall is expected to become a place for both locals and international visitors to shop. “In itself, the mall should be a tourist destination while at the same time being consistent with all major tourist destinations,” said Kapfunde.

The post New Mall Opens In Victoria Falls appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

The full name will be The Kingdom of Eswatini and means the place of the Swati people in the local siSwati language.

During his speech at the celebration Mswati explained: “The name Swaziland was inherited from the British. If we are to give true meaning to our independence, the time has come to give our country a name of its people.”

Eswatini Tourism has adopted the change as well and will be rebranding across all platforms over the next few months.

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