One of the nicest properties in Bantry Bay, Les Cascades De Bantry Bay, run by the ever-efficient Luc and his team, will be closing for about a year while the property undergoes a major ravamp (it was lovely already, so when it reopens in November 2011 it will be AMAZING I am sure!).

Don’t worry though, their sister property, The Cascades on 52, will still be open for business as usual.

We will blog immediately when Les Cascades De Bantry Bay reopens again!

Straight off the press – purely for information only.

SANParks announces immediate changes to its Wild Card Programme

South African National Parks (SANParks) has announced the change in the management of the Wild Card from infinity with immediate effect.

The current infinity Wild Card will be replaced with the distinctive New Wild Card, as the ‘old’ card will no longer be accepted at Wild Card partner parks and nature reserves, after 31 December 2010.

All Wild Card holders are called to please update their membership details timeously, in order for them to receive the New Wild Card as well as continued access.

Updates must be completed at any of the Wild Card partner websites, at www.wildcard.co.za

Applications for renewal of expired cards and new purchases may also be processed on-line, and the issuing of Infinity Cashback rewards will also cease with immediate effect. Wild Cardholders, who still have Cashback rewards, will be able to redeem their Cashback rewards, using the old Infinity Wild Card, at any of the current Infinity redemption partners.

The privately owned Lion Sands Private Game Reserve has been in the More family for 4 generations. The land is 4,000 hectares in size, and guests who have stayed at Lion Sands River Lodge, Lion Sands Ivory Lodge and Lion Sands 1933 have been able to enjoy uninterrupted game drives on this land, as only guests staying at these 3 lodges were allowed to drive on the land.

The exciting news is that from 1st October, guests can now also drive on the neighbouring Kirkman’s Kamp Reserve. This will allow game drives to cover a massive 7,000 hectares, and most importantly, will allow guests the ability to experience both the Sabie and Sand River ecosystems on one game drive.

Bot the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve and Kirkman’s Kam Reserve form part of the southern portion of the 65,000 hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve, an area well known for its spectacular game viewing.

We have just been informed that as from 1st November 2010, South African Airways will cease to fly between Durban and Cape Town.

The route will instead be covered by Mango, one of the few low-cost airlines in South Africa. Mango offer extremely competitive rates, so this will be, I am sure, a benefit to anyone who will be flying this route.

All other SAA flight schedules remain unaffected, and will continue to operate as normal.

Sun City is again hosting the Nedbank Golf Challenge this December, and it is also the 30th Anniversary of the prestigious golf tournament.

The 2 golf courses at Sun City will therefore be closed to guests during the event, which is taking place from 2-5 December 2010.

One of the best folklore stories !

Why the Elephant has a Trunk

The Elephant used to only have a small snout in The Beginning. This didn’t bother him unduly, in fact he was rather proud of his small nose because it never got in the way of feeding and drinking.

Because of his great size, mealtimes were very important to Elephant, and he had to eat and drink a great deal in order to keep his great strength up.

However, he did find it uncomfortable, because he had to go down on bended knees to reach anything.

One day, Elephant was at the river, and was kneeling down drinking from the fresh water.

Crocodile swam past, and saw Elephant at the water’s edge. Crocodile was feeling particularly hungry, and saw an opportunity for a good meal.

Crocodile swam stealthily up to where Elephant was, and suddenly lunged out of the water and grabbed Elephant by the nose.

Elephant was startled, and tried to pull away, but Crocodile had a firm grip on his nose.

Crocodile used all his weight and strength to try to pull Elephant into the water.

However, Elephant was also very strong, and he dug his feet into the bank and fought back.

The 2 battled for hours, and with every pull and tug, Elephant’s nose stretched a little more. Eventually, Crocodile became too tired to pull any more, and let go of Elephant.

Elephant ran off, with his now very long nose hanging down in front of his feet. He was distraught, and hid in the bush as he was too embarrassed to face the other animals.

Soon, Elephant realised that his new stretched nose was more useful than his previously small snout. He was able to reach food and drink without kneeling any more, and could even reach high branches and pull them down to eat the fruit and leaves.

All the other Elephants soon realised the benefits of having a long trunk, and one by one they too visited the river and taunted the Crocodile to try and pull them into the water.

The Elephants always won the tug-of-wars, and all ended up with lovely stretched snouts, but Crocodile remained hungry.

To this day, all Elephants still have their long trunks rather than a small snout, and Crocodiles have learnt that it is a waste of time and energy attacking Elephants when drinking at the water’s edge.

The new Summit Lounge at the top of Table Mountain has recently opened, and just in time to welcome the warm summer months.

And can you think of a better way to enjoy a summer sunset other than at the top of such a fantastic place, with a cocktail in your hand ? Especially if the price to get you up to the top of the mountain is half price ?

The Table Mountain Cableway are running a Sunset Special, starting on Monday November 1. Visitors pay just R90 per person return every day after 6pm. Children under 18 years pay R45 per person return after 6pm only.

The offer runs until the end of February 2011.

The Cableway operates weather permitting. For information call (021) 424 8181 or visit http://tablemountain.net/

For families or friends travelling together, why not consider booking the IsiGodlo Private Villa at AmaKhosi Safari Lodge.

AmaKhosi Safari Lodge is situated in the 12,000 hectare Amazulu Private Game Reserve, just 3 hours north of Durban. The reserve is made up of a varied ecosystem which includes savanna, mountains and wetlands – making it the ideal home to the Big 5 as well as giraffe, warthog and hyena, hippopotamus and crocodile. There are also no less than 400 bird species.

The private villa overlooks the Mkuze River and is perfectly positioned to capture every African sunset in this beautiful Zululand wilderness.

Exclusive and extremely private, the lodge caters for up to 4 guests. The spacious lounge has large leather sofas around a central fireplace, and the en-suite bedrooms all open onto a large wooden viewing deck, giving sweeping views of the valleys and wildlife below. The splash pool provides a cool relief on warm summer days and quality time spent here is the perfect way to relax and take in nature’s peaceful surroundings.

Your own ranger , tracker and private game vehicle will ensure that the game viewing experience is one you will remember for a lifetime – with each guest having their own ‘window’ seat to nature’s showpiece. Your qualified and knowledgeable ranger and tracker can also take you on foot to explore the intricacies of the African bush.

A fare of culinary aromas will heighten your senses with each dining experience being unique. Take in a true South African ‘braai’ , prepared and served by your ranger; or join other guests in the lodge dining room for an a la carte dining experience or for something truly authentic served outside under the open African sky.

For rates and availability, contact Travel Butlers today.

Safari lodges are one of the most popular places for overseas guests to get married in, and these really are ideal for couples wishing to combine romance, luxury and exclusivity with a safari adventure. The African bushveld forms a breathtaking backdrop for a wedding and safari lodges are, in themselves, immensely romantic locations.

A truly wonderful spot to say your vows can be found on the Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, which forms part of the Sabi Sand Reserve in the Greater Kruger National Park.

“Fig Tree Crossing” is a dry, sandy river bank next to a huge rock, behind which grows an enormous sycamore fig tree, which during the day spreads its dappled shade across the top of the rock, making it a perfect shady spot. A wedding table is set up in the riverbed, covered in a crisp white linen cloth that contrasts beautifully against the natural colours of the bush, and decorated simply with some driftwood, pods and wild flowers. Champagne is put on ice, and chairs are set for the guests and the priest.

The bride and groom exchange their vows in front of their guests, and their new wedding rings are blessed on a porcupine quill. After the ceremony, the couple move slightly off to have their unforgettable wedding day photos taken around the rock, the tree and on the sandy river bed before celebrating with their family and friends with the now very chilled champagne.

Everyone then travels back to the lodge on an open game viewing vehicle for the wedding breakfast.

On returning to the lodge the festivities kick off with singing and dancing with members from the local Shangaan community. All guests are actively encouraged to participate in the dancing and celebrating. When the evening eventually winds down, the newly weds will retire to their “honeymoon” suite, which will have been decorated with rose petals, candles and champagne – the perfect ending to a perfect day.

The Winchester Mansions Hotel in Sea Point, Cape Town, embodies the charm and gracious hospitality of a bygone era. Each of the luxury guest rooms have been exquisitely furnished by one of Cape Town’s leading interior designers. The beautiful courtyard, built in the style of an Italian piazza, is a tranquil oasis from the pace of city life. Encircled by palm trees and water fountains, it makes the perfect setting for relaxing or dinner. Every Sunday is Jazz day, where a magnificent brunch is served to accompany the jazz music.

Last night, the hotel hosted a Grapes, Gourmet and Gallery Evening, where art lovers with a passion for wining and dining enjoyed the finest South African signature wines from De Grendal, paired with an exclusively designed 5 course meal that was designed to complement the wines.

During the course of the evening guests marvelled at art pieces by South African artist, Derrick Bosch from the Patrice Boussekey Eclectic Art Gallery. Derrick studied film make-up in London and now lives and paints in Germany. He is inspired by the film industry thus his work consists of portraits of actors and film sets. He is a realist painter and works with oil-based glazes to obtain the realistic colors of the landscapes.

The evening ended with an auction of gifts donated by De Grendelm and all funds raised through the auction were donated to StreetSmart South Africa, a conduit fundraising initiative that contributes directly towards enabling street children to live a viable life in society.