Shark Tales

By Kerith Platts Some may ask: what compels you to dress up like a seal, chuck large quantities of oily fish, entrails into the water, and then proceeds to throw yourself into a cage, just off a shark infested island? They may wonder as to the logic of actively pursuing the encounter with one of the sea’s most notorious predators ....and the reason.....because it is fun! Cape Town, and the surrounding towns like Hermanus, are renowned for being one of the best locations to view whales, however not many know that just 2 hours outside of Central Cape Town along the False Bay coastline, in little town called Gansbaai, exists one of the world’s best shark viewing sites. If you are a thrill seeker, or simply a wildlife enthusiast, this is for you. Like most people, my initial reaction to the thought of coming up close to a great white shark is horror, real or imagined, however once briefed and en-route to Dyer Island’s Shark Alley, you soon realise that the experienced White Shark Projects “shark team” operate a competent and safety conscious enterprise. With marine conservation as their creed, White Sharks Projects aim to create social awareness on the dwindling numbers of sharks, as well as to discard the misconceptions of the general public towards sharks, their habits and their role in an increasingly threatened marine environment.

All seriousness aside, witnessing a great white shark in the flesh; in its natural habitat just meters away from you is a thrilling and incredible experience, that will stay with you long after the scary images from Jaws have been left out at sea.

For any further information or assistance with planning this excursion as part of your trip to Southern Africa, please contact one of our travel consultants on res@africanexclusivetravel.com or visit our website on www.AfricanExclusiveTravel.com

Rail Journeys: Which track will you take?

Travelling by Rail in South Africa is more of a destination in itself, rather than just a means to get from one point to another, and generally comes with a suite price tag. African Exclusive Travel, as I’m sure you all know by now, specialises in tailor-making itineraries to Southern Africa, and having travelled to most of the areas ourselves, we feel that "consulting", as we call it in this industry, is rather our personal recommendations, and working one-on-one directly with you, we can plan the perfect trips according to YOUR preferences and dates, and give you an in-depth comparison between offerings, to assist with the planning process of your holiday.

So if you’re wanting to take a trip on one of our luxurious trains during your visit to Southern Africa, these are the things you need to consider:

Rovos Rail:

Known as The Pride of Africa and The Most Luxurious Train in the World, the Rovos Rail is the Grand Old Dame of the rail tracks. With carriages dating back to 1911, the minute you step on board you will be transformed into a bygone era, giving you the sense of royalty and sheer appreciation for how exquisitely each coach has been restored, for the amazing dated artwork, and the fact that you are sure to be accommodated in the most spacious train suites in the world. It’s slow, sedated and relaxed… Just sit back and enjoy the scenery.

The Blue Train:

The window to the Soul of South Africa: The Blue Train, also an ultra luxurious train, brings you a more modern vibe to train travel than its competitor. Rooms are equipped with Televisions, radios, movie channels, as well as a private digital entertainment centre and an inviting selection of music CDs. It is a much newer train, so only takes 24 hours from Cape Town to Pretoria, where the same routing takes Rovos Rail 2 days.

Both Trains have amazing cuisine, endless wine lists, butler services, and you are sure of amazing service on both, but it depends on your preference... Do you want a sophisticated step-back-in-time or a luxurious modern acquaintance? Let us know what you would prefer.

For any further information or assistance with planning your trip on either of these Trains and Southern Africa, please contact one of our travel consultants on res@africanexclusivetravel.com or visit our website on www.AfricanExclusiveTravel.com

Heavenly Matemo Island Lodge

For those of you who follow our Travel Blog, you’ll know we often have the opportunity to visit some of Africa’s finest locations in order to give you our best recommendations, and bring you the very best in terms of experience and locations to enjoy your exclusive holidays.

African Exclusive Travel recently visited a few properties in Mozambique, and would just like to highlight the one that stood out so far from the rest that it’s possibly on our “top 5 destinations in Africa to visit” list.

Kathy taking a scuba diving course to get better aquainted with the sealife

Matemo Island resort, located in the Mozambique Quirimbas Archipelago, is a little piece of heaven. You access it from Air from Pemba, and from the minute you arrive, and are handed a cocktail, the relaxation sets in, and a 3 or 4 day holiday will seem like 2 weeks. Each of the accommodation bungalows open up on to the soft white sand, leading you to the clear turquoise waters of the warm Indian Ocean. You can step out of your hammock, and into a snorkelers and divers paradise. (please read more on our website) I would like to commend Matemo not only on their gorgeous setting, and great accommodation, but on the level of service, which outweighs anything I have experienced in a long while. From management to dive instructors and porters – nothing was too much trouble, and although our time was not long there, it blew me away.

Matemo is running excellent value for money specials, and honeymoon packages throughout 2009 and 2010, so if Mozambique is on your “to see” list when travelling to Africa – Matemo is the place to go.

Kathy meeting a few of the local children on the beach

For any further information or assistance with planning your trip to Mozambique, please contact one of our travel consultants on res@africanexclusivetravel.com or visit our website on www.AfricanExclusiveTravel.com

All you need to to know before jetting off to the 2010 FIFA World Cup...

Are you preparing for a visit to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World cup? Don’t know if anyone speaks English? Scared of being eaten by Lions in the stress? Want to know what the Beer is like? What are all these strange words and terms used? Here’s all you need to know...

DO SOUTH AFRICANS SPEAK ENGLISH? Yes indeed, Although there are 11 official languages, in South Africa you can expect people to understand and speak English. English is the language of the cities, of commerce and banking, of government. All road signs are in English.

HOW MANY TICKETS TO THE SOCCER WILL BE AVAILABLE? Some 3 Million tickets will be available for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Soccer matches. One-third will be allocated to South African Football Fans, Another million to International Visitors and the third million to sponsors and the “FIFA family”.

SHOULD I COME EVEN IF I CAN’T GET TICKETS? Absolutely! The 2010 tournament is guaranteed to be a huge celebration. As in Germany in2 006, public viewing areas accommodating vast numbers of fans watching the games on giant screens are likely to be set up. And you can always watch the tournament and get to know the locals at our numerous pubs, restaurants and sports bars.

ARE THERE LIONS IN THE STREETS? Definitely not. But if you want to see lions, and leopards, elephants, rhinos, buffaloes and so much more, why not include a visit to the Kruger Park for a photographic Safari.

WHAT IS A VUVUSELA? Some would say it’s South Africa’s national musical instrument. It is a big, usually brightly coloured plastic trumpet, blown with much enthusiasm by the fans at football matches.

WHAT’S THE BEER LIKE? Cold and delicious. South Africans generally drink bottled beer, although most pubs offer a range of draughts. Lager is probably the favourite followed by Pilsener. In and around the stadiums, though, you’ll be able to drink beer produced only by Budweiser, an official FIFA sponsor.

AND THE FOOD? Delicious, exotic and varied. South Africa’s people come from diverse origins, cultures, languages and beliefs, and their food is a rich variety of textures and flavours. Be sure to enjoy a South African braai (barbeque) at which boerewors (farmer’s sausage) is always served, and don’t forgot to try biltong.

OTHER HOME -GROWN SOUTH AFRICAN ESSENTIAL TERMS:

BILTONG (bill-tong) – our version of beef jerky. Biltong is dried and salted meat, often made from ostrich or Kudu.

BOBOTIE (buh-boor-tee) – a backed dish of Malay origin made with mince meat and spices, and topped with an egg custard.

HOWZIT – a traditional South African greeting that translates roughly as “How are you?”, “How are things? Or simply “Hello”.

EISH! (aysh) – used to express surprise, wonder, frustration or outrage. “Eish! South Africa just scored another goal”

LADUMA! (la-doo-mah) – a popular cheer celebrating goals scored at soccer.

ROBOTS – Traffic lights.

TAKKIES – Running Shoes. Pack yours, and join us for the festivities...

For any further information or assistance with planning you trip to the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup South Africa, please contact one of our travel consultants on res@africanexclusivetravel.com

or visit our website on www.AfricanExclusiveTravel.com

365 days to Kick Off - Celebrations begin TODAY!

Today 11 June 2009, marks exactly 365 days to the kick-off of the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup!! Yay! We are honestly really getting excited to host this extremely rousing event, and at the same time, showcase our extraordinarily beautiful South Africa to the world.

At 15h55 today, a five-minute countdown will begin on all radio stations across South Africa (we’ll be listening to KFM – join us on streaming audio) to cue all citizens to sing our National Anthem, Nkosi Sikelele Africa at 16h00. We’ve been encouraged to wear our Bafana Bafana football jerseys (or a yellow shirt), fly our South African flags high, and toot our Vuvuzelas as a symbolic demonstration of our how proud we are to host this event, an are looking forward in anticipation to this time next year.

Vuvuzelas to match any jersey!

Hopefully our excitement is contagious. Share in our celebrations today, and let us know if you need any assistance getting over here to join in on next year’s action! We’d love to have you! For any further information or assistance with planning you trip to South Africa, please contact one of our travel consultants on res@africanexclusivetravel.com or visit our website on www.AfricanExclusiveTravel.com