SOUTH LUANGWA, ZAMBIA (04/10) - To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Robin Pope Safaris, the classical safari company based in Zambia, is offering a Family Safari Package where every second child, or the youngest, depending on the number involved, is free of charge.
The package, which will be available until the end of this year, is offered at three of the Pope properties – Nkwali Camp, Robin’s House and award-winning Luangwa Safari House. All three welcome families and tailor a plethora of activities for children of all ages, from game drives and nature walks to birding for beginners, identifying animal spoor and droppings, and learning to use spotlights at night.
After family time together, parents and children can take “time out.” Children are looked after and entertained with safari packs containing fun quizzes and puzzles; trips to Kawaza School to meet Zambian children; helping out in camp or playing games in the house. Older boys love going to the workshop for the morning, playing beach cricket or even enjoying a lazy sleep-in and fry up by the pool.
Because the three Robin Pope Safari houses are totally private, the family will be utterly relaxed and “at home.” Robin’s House boasts a wide range of children’s books and games including puzzles, cards, swing ball, paints and a sand pit. The swimming pool is nearby to cool off after safari. For groups larger than five, Luangwa Safari House with its eight beds is ideal.
Activities and services for children:
• Child minding during the day and in the evening
• Special meal times and food that is age-appropriate
• Nature walks to collect pods, seeds and feathers
• Visits to the camp kitchen, helping chefs make cakes and biscuits
• Paper and greeting card making
• Fishing
• Painting and drawing
• Face painting
• Swimming games and races
• Visits to Kawaza Village and Chimpembele Wildlife Education Centre
For families with older children (12 years plus), the safari continues with a few days at either Tena Tena (an open-sided tented camp with verandah for 10 guests that some consider the best safari camp in Africa) or Nsefu camp (six thatched rondavals housing up to 12 guests), the oldest camp in Zambia, updated by the Popes.
These Family Packages will be available until the end of 2010. Rates are dependent on which safari house or camp is chosen, length of stay and the number of family members in the group.
For rates and reservations: info@robinpopesafaris.net or visit: www.robinpopesafaris.net.
Friday, April 23, 2010
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
FITNESS AND REJUVENATION AT ALLADALE WILDERNESS RESERVE
ARDGAY, SCOTLAND (3/10) - Alladale Wilderness Lodge and Reserve, a member of the elite Mantis Collection, is offering health and vitality retreats throughout the summer. Located just an hour north of Inverness in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Alladale’s 23,000 acres of rugged landscape offers the perfect secluded backdrop for the upcoming series of fitness and rejuvenation getaways, including an ‘Escape and Rejuvenate’ retreat, a ‘Fitness and Nutrition’ retreat, a ‘Yogoloji’ course, and a ‘Method Putkisto’ retreat.
•The Escape and Rejuvenate Retreat, May 16-20, 2010
Alladale’s ‘Escape and Rejuvenate’ Retreat is a four-day holistic health getaway that aims to uplift and refresh through gentle detoxification; delicious, nutritious foods; invigorating walks in the surrounding countryside and relaxation by the fireside. Under the care of an expert in health and wellbeing, guests will enjoy interactive workshops in raw chocolate making and transforming seasonal, natural ingredients into healthy food, drinks and cordials; food-dynamics demonstrations providing empowering recipes to transform your health; and colonic hydrotherapy treatments. This retreat package costs $1,483 based on double occupancy. To book, please call +44 (0) 7788 714960 or email sophia@healthessentials.org.uk.
•The Fitness and Nutrition Retreat, June 13-18, 2010
The ‘Fitness and Nutrition’ Retreat, hosted by Nature & Kind’s wellness expert, offers a unique opportunity to look after your health without distraction. Through group activities and classes, individualized exercise therapy, personal training sessions, and relaxation treatments, participants will achieve immediate results, including weight loss, body toning, improvement in energy, increased mental clarity, and de-stress. In addition to participating in the designed fitness and nutrition program, guests are encouraged to take advantage of Alladale’s 23,000 acres with guided Highland nature walks, 4x4 Highland safaris, mountain biking, Nordic walking, fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, and Highland pony trekking. The ‘Fitness and Nutrition’ retreat package costs $1,940 based on shared accommodation. To book, please call +44 (0)845 299 7776 or email info@natureandkind.com.
•Yogologi Retreat, July 14-18, 2010
Alladale will host the ‘Yogologi’ Retreat, training in the ancient technique of Vedic Meditation led one of the UK's leading meditation teachers, Jillian Lavender. Vedic meditation is the oldest form of meditation in the world and promises improvements in health and energy and a decrease in the ageing process. The course will be complemented by a Pranayama (breathing) course and gentle Hatha Yoga each morning to awaken the connection between mind and body and facilitate the rebalancing process. This four-day course is priced at $2,172 based on double occupancy. Please call +44 (0) 207 730 7473 or email francesca@yogoloji.co.uk for bookings.
•The Method Putkisto Retreat, July 18-25, 2010
The ‘Method Putkisto’ Retreat will combine indoor and outdoor exercise and rest and relaxation to rebalance body and mind. With the ‘Method Putkisto’, guests will take full advantage of Alladale’s great outdoors, descending glens and climbing mountains to heal and tone their bodies. Floor-work classes will stretch and elongate tight muscles and strengthen and align the spine while walking through Alladale’s acres will improve breathing and increase blood flow and lymph drainage. A special ‘Method Putkisto 3D Natural Face Clinic’ will de-stress by balancing the facial muscles and freeing the neck, shoulders and head. This package is priced at $1,871 based on double occupancy. For bookings, please call +44 (0)20 8878 7384 or email office@methodputkisto.com.
With these packages, guests will work hard to balance and tone their bodies. And, at day’s end, they will unwind at the beautiful Alladale Lodge, where they will stay in beautiful en-suite double rooms, with full access to the Wilderness spa, sauna, fully-equipped indoor gym, cozy drawing room (complete with blazing log fire) and games room. For additional information on Alladale Wilderness Reserve and Lodge, please call (01144) 1863 755338 or visit the website at www.alladale.com.
•The Escape and Rejuvenate Retreat, May 16-20, 2010
Alladale’s ‘Escape and Rejuvenate’ Retreat is a four-day holistic health getaway that aims to uplift and refresh through gentle detoxification; delicious, nutritious foods; invigorating walks in the surrounding countryside and relaxation by the fireside. Under the care of an expert in health and wellbeing, guests will enjoy interactive workshops in raw chocolate making and transforming seasonal, natural ingredients into healthy food, drinks and cordials; food-dynamics demonstrations providing empowering recipes to transform your health; and colonic hydrotherapy treatments. This retreat package costs $1,483 based on double occupancy. To book, please call +44 (0) 7788 714960 or email sophia@healthessentials.org.uk.
•The Fitness and Nutrition Retreat, June 13-18, 2010
The ‘Fitness and Nutrition’ Retreat, hosted by Nature & Kind’s wellness expert, offers a unique opportunity to look after your health without distraction. Through group activities and classes, individualized exercise therapy, personal training sessions, and relaxation treatments, participants will achieve immediate results, including weight loss, body toning, improvement in energy, increased mental clarity, and de-stress. In addition to participating in the designed fitness and nutrition program, guests are encouraged to take advantage of Alladale’s 23,000 acres with guided Highland nature walks, 4x4 Highland safaris, mountain biking, Nordic walking, fly fishing, clay pigeon shooting, and Highland pony trekking. The ‘Fitness and Nutrition’ retreat package costs $1,940 based on shared accommodation. To book, please call +44 (0)845 299 7776 or email info@natureandkind.com.
•Yogologi Retreat, July 14-18, 2010
Alladale will host the ‘Yogologi’ Retreat, training in the ancient technique of Vedic Meditation led one of the UK's leading meditation teachers, Jillian Lavender. Vedic meditation is the oldest form of meditation in the world and promises improvements in health and energy and a decrease in the ageing process. The course will be complemented by a Pranayama (breathing) course and gentle Hatha Yoga each morning to awaken the connection between mind and body and facilitate the rebalancing process. This four-day course is priced at $2,172 based on double occupancy. Please call +44 (0) 207 730 7473 or email francesca@yogoloji.co.uk for bookings.
•The Method Putkisto Retreat, July 18-25, 2010
The ‘Method Putkisto’ Retreat will combine indoor and outdoor exercise and rest and relaxation to rebalance body and mind. With the ‘Method Putkisto’, guests will take full advantage of Alladale’s great outdoors, descending glens and climbing mountains to heal and tone their bodies. Floor-work classes will stretch and elongate tight muscles and strengthen and align the spine while walking through Alladale’s acres will improve breathing and increase blood flow and lymph drainage. A special ‘Method Putkisto 3D Natural Face Clinic’ will de-stress by balancing the facial muscles and freeing the neck, shoulders and head. This package is priced at $1,871 based on double occupancy. For bookings, please call +44 (0)20 8878 7384 or email office@methodputkisto.com.
With these packages, guests will work hard to balance and tone their bodies. And, at day’s end, they will unwind at the beautiful Alladale Lodge, where they will stay in beautiful en-suite double rooms, with full access to the Wilderness spa, sauna, fully-equipped indoor gym, cozy drawing room (complete with blazing log fire) and games room. For additional information on Alladale Wilderness Reserve and Lodge, please call (01144) 1863 755338 or visit the website at www.alladale.com.
ICEHOTEL - THE MOST EXTREME LODGING EXPERIENCE IN THE WORLD
Jukkasjärvi, Lapland Province, Sweden (3/10)− Located more than 124 miles above the Arctic Circle in the Lapland Province of Sweden, the unique ICEHOTEL is the first and largest of its kind in the world. For the past 20 years, the hotel− made entirely of ice and snow− has been built and rebuilt, offering visitors one of the most extreme lodging experiences on the planet.
For the people of Jukkasjärvi, a severe dip in temperature marks the start of an exciting, yet temporary, art endeavor. Each year, snow builders, architects, designers and artists from around the world gather to create ICEHOTEL. Work begins with the formation of huge steel frames on which snow is sprayed. Once the snow has frozen the frames are removed, leaving a maze of free-standing snow structures on which to build. Majestic blue-colored ice blocks, harvested during the spring from the Torne River, are then used to construct walls, ceilings, beds, tables and other furnishings, in addition to chandeliers, statues and fine works of art.
ICEHOTEL typically encompasses 60 rooms, all of which are literally one-of-a-kind, uniquely themed accommodations designed by artists from around the world. Guests can choose between several types of nearby lodging with most preferring to combine one night in ICEHOTEL with several nights in a chalet.
Upon arrival at ICEHOTEL, where the temperature is never colder than -5 °C to -8 °C, guests are provided a guided tour and information on how to dress. Visitors are given full thermal jumpsuits, a hat, mittens and boots, as well as insulated sleeping bags. These toasty sleeping bags are perfect for extreme weather conditions, and were originally developed for astronauts walking on the moon.
There are a variety of rooms for guests to stay in, including the Art Suite where visitors relax among extraordinary works of ice art, or in the Ice Room where guests enjoy masterfully crafted ice furniture. One of the most exciting elements of the hotel is the bed− all rooms feature a specially made bed built of snow and ice that is covered with a thick layer of reindeer skins. After spending an evening wrapped in reindeer skins while sleeping under a ceiling of ice, guests wake to a cup of hot lingonberry juice at their bedside, followed by a morning sauna and an expansive breakfast buffet.
ICEHOTEL Restaurant has a modern Scandinavian, seasonal menu with many ingredients harvested from the nearby forests, rivers and lakes. With a bright atmosphere and contemporary aesthetic, the ICEHOTEL Restaurant offers a gastronomic adventure of high-end a la carte items served on plates and bowls made of crystal-clear ice from the Torne River. The restaurant also includes a champagne bar featuring an exquisite collection of bubbly from around the world. For guests who desire a more relaxed dining experience, the charming Old Homestead Restaurant is housed in a timber building, circa 1768, overlooking the Torne River. Guests can enjoy a superb dinner buffet while unwinding on the veranda. Both restaurants are open daily from December to April.
After indulging in gourmet fair, guests can visit the ABSOLUT ICEBAR JUKKASJÄRVI for a truly outrageous experience. Everything in this exceptional bar is made of frozen ice- from the walls, bars and stools, to the artwork and drinking glasses. The ICEBAR hosts an annual launch party to celebrate its opening and the new design it boasts each year.
Covering more than 53,000 feet, the ICEHOTEL also includes an ice chapel for weddings and baptisms, an outdoor sauna, an ice art exhibition hall, a multimedia theatre and an exhibit space, and can host a variety of meetings and conventions. And for those who just can’t leave it all behind, even in the Arctic Circle, high-speed internet access is available.
With the Torne River and the Lapland wildlife inspiration, the ICEHOTEL has created a range of activities. Guests may observe the spectacular Northern Lights or relax on a reindeer-pulled sled through the forest. They may also go farther north to explore the high mountains, take a moose tour by horseback or take the trip all the way to northern Norway to visit the fjords. Snowmobiling, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and dog sledding are also popular during the winter months. Those who are particularly bold may participate in ice driving, which allows guests to challenge their skills as a driver while learning from skilled instructors.
ICEHOTEL was the chilly creation of Yngve Bergqvist whose desire was to lure travelers to the area during the winter season. Inspired to use the huge floating chunks of ice from the Torne River after traveling to cold destinations around the world, Bergqvist trained with Japanese chefs and ice artists to develop the skill of working with ice. As a result, ICEHOTEL was born with the first guests staying in the hotel in 1992.
Continuing as pioneers of the hotel industry, the hotel of snow and ice is going green. ICEHOTEL purchases 100% renewable energy with the total electricity supply based on wind, water and biofuels. The hotel does not emit carbon dioxide through its energy consumption and plans to erase its carbon footprint by 2015.
For reservations or more information please visit www.ICEHOTEL.com or email info@icehotel.com. Please note that ICEHOTEL is under construction during the month of December. During that period, each week a new area of the hotel will be available for visitors and guests. Cold accommodations are typically available from December to April, while warm accommodations are typically available between June and August.
For the people of Jukkasjärvi, a severe dip in temperature marks the start of an exciting, yet temporary, art endeavor. Each year, snow builders, architects, designers and artists from around the world gather to create ICEHOTEL. Work begins with the formation of huge steel frames on which snow is sprayed. Once the snow has frozen the frames are removed, leaving a maze of free-standing snow structures on which to build. Majestic blue-colored ice blocks, harvested during the spring from the Torne River, are then used to construct walls, ceilings, beds, tables and other furnishings, in addition to chandeliers, statues and fine works of art.
ICEHOTEL typically encompasses 60 rooms, all of which are literally one-of-a-kind, uniquely themed accommodations designed by artists from around the world. Guests can choose between several types of nearby lodging with most preferring to combine one night in ICEHOTEL with several nights in a chalet.
Upon arrival at ICEHOTEL, where the temperature is never colder than -5 °C to -8 °C, guests are provided a guided tour and information on how to dress. Visitors are given full thermal jumpsuits, a hat, mittens and boots, as well as insulated sleeping bags. These toasty sleeping bags are perfect for extreme weather conditions, and were originally developed for astronauts walking on the moon.
There are a variety of rooms for guests to stay in, including the Art Suite where visitors relax among extraordinary works of ice art, or in the Ice Room where guests enjoy masterfully crafted ice furniture. One of the most exciting elements of the hotel is the bed− all rooms feature a specially made bed built of snow and ice that is covered with a thick layer of reindeer skins. After spending an evening wrapped in reindeer skins while sleeping under a ceiling of ice, guests wake to a cup of hot lingonberry juice at their bedside, followed by a morning sauna and an expansive breakfast buffet.
ICEHOTEL Restaurant has a modern Scandinavian, seasonal menu with many ingredients harvested from the nearby forests, rivers and lakes. With a bright atmosphere and contemporary aesthetic, the ICEHOTEL Restaurant offers a gastronomic adventure of high-end a la carte items served on plates and bowls made of crystal-clear ice from the Torne River. The restaurant also includes a champagne bar featuring an exquisite collection of bubbly from around the world. For guests who desire a more relaxed dining experience, the charming Old Homestead Restaurant is housed in a timber building, circa 1768, overlooking the Torne River. Guests can enjoy a superb dinner buffet while unwinding on the veranda. Both restaurants are open daily from December to April.
After indulging in gourmet fair, guests can visit the ABSOLUT ICEBAR JUKKASJÄRVI for a truly outrageous experience. Everything in this exceptional bar is made of frozen ice- from the walls, bars and stools, to the artwork and drinking glasses. The ICEBAR hosts an annual launch party to celebrate its opening and the new design it boasts each year.
Covering more than 53,000 feet, the ICEHOTEL also includes an ice chapel for weddings and baptisms, an outdoor sauna, an ice art exhibition hall, a multimedia theatre and an exhibit space, and can host a variety of meetings and conventions. And for those who just can’t leave it all behind, even in the Arctic Circle, high-speed internet access is available.
With the Torne River and the Lapland wildlife inspiration, the ICEHOTEL has created a range of activities. Guests may observe the spectacular Northern Lights or relax on a reindeer-pulled sled through the forest. They may also go farther north to explore the high mountains, take a moose tour by horseback or take the trip all the way to northern Norway to visit the fjords. Snowmobiling, downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing and dog sledding are also popular during the winter months. Those who are particularly bold may participate in ice driving, which allows guests to challenge their skills as a driver while learning from skilled instructors.
ICEHOTEL was the chilly creation of Yngve Bergqvist whose desire was to lure travelers to the area during the winter season. Inspired to use the huge floating chunks of ice from the Torne River after traveling to cold destinations around the world, Bergqvist trained with Japanese chefs and ice artists to develop the skill of working with ice. As a result, ICEHOTEL was born with the first guests staying in the hotel in 1992.
Continuing as pioneers of the hotel industry, the hotel of snow and ice is going green. ICEHOTEL purchases 100% renewable energy with the total electricity supply based on wind, water and biofuels. The hotel does not emit carbon dioxide through its energy consumption and plans to erase its carbon footprint by 2015.
For reservations or more information please visit www.ICEHOTEL.com or email info@icehotel.com. Please note that ICEHOTEL is under construction during the month of December. During that period, each week a new area of the hotel will be available for visitors and guests. Cold accommodations are typically available from December to April, while warm accommodations are typically available between June and August.
TUSCANY’S HOTEL LE FONTANELLE JOINS THE ELITE MANTIS PORTFOLIO
Castelnuovo Berardenga, ITALY (3/2010) The stunning Hotel Le Fontanelle, nestled into the hills of the Chianti Classico region of Tuscany, is the latest addition to the Mantis Group. Located just 15km from Siena and 70km from Florence, the five-star hotel is the perfect countryside escape.
The foundations of Le Fontanelle date back to the 13th century, with the original internal stonework still visible in the hotel today. In fact, the name of the hotel, ‘Le Fontanelle,’ was derived from the long-standing water fountains and stone fonts, that were formerly used for gathering spring water when the area was home to the Etruscans, the Romans and, in the early Middle Ages, the Longobards. The ancient property eventually became a simple working farmhouse until restorations began in 1999 to transform the building into the luxury hotel it is today.
The beautiful Hotel Le Fontanelle comprises 25 rooms, with Classic, Prestige, Deluxe, Junior Suite and Suite options. The traditionally Tuscan rooms boast exposed wooden ceiling beams, Florentine terracotta floors, elegant and simple furniture, and crisp flax linens. Many also offer private gardens or terraces with striking views over the soft and rolling hills of Italy. Every room features en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, mini bar, free Sky TV, in-room safe and free internet access. Guests will also enjoy daily newspaper delivery, twice daily maid service and permission to bring small dogs.
The PEVONIA spa offers treatments from around the world including Shiatsu massage, Thai facials, and Chinese reflexology treatments. Guests will also enjoy the all-natural body scrub made with clay, honey, bran and essential oils. The serene spa experience comes complete with outdoor panoramic swimming pool, indoor heated swimming pool, Whirlpool, sauna, steam bath and fitness center.
The Chef at Le Fontanelle enhances traditional Tuscan dishes with artistic flair and refined taste. Diners may choose to eat indoors at La Colonna, with spectacular vistas of the surrounding region, or outdoors on the charming Belvedere Terrace. A master sommelier will steer guests through the extensive wine list to find the perfect wine (or wines) to accompany their meal.
La Fontanelle also offers activities and excursions throughout Tuscany. From handpicked wine tastings, to wanders and bike rides through the surrounding countryside, to visits to the nearby cities of Siena, Florence, St. Gimignano and Monteriggioni, La Fontanelle offers a perfect pastime for everyone.
Rooms at Le Fontanelle begin at $461 for a shared Classic room. For more information or to book, please visit the website at www.hotelfontanelle.com.
The foundations of Le Fontanelle date back to the 13th century, with the original internal stonework still visible in the hotel today. In fact, the name of the hotel, ‘Le Fontanelle,’ was derived from the long-standing water fountains and stone fonts, that were formerly used for gathering spring water when the area was home to the Etruscans, the Romans and, in the early Middle Ages, the Longobards. The ancient property eventually became a simple working farmhouse until restorations began in 1999 to transform the building into the luxury hotel it is today.
The beautiful Hotel Le Fontanelle comprises 25 rooms, with Classic, Prestige, Deluxe, Junior Suite and Suite options. The traditionally Tuscan rooms boast exposed wooden ceiling beams, Florentine terracotta floors, elegant and simple furniture, and crisp flax linens. Many also offer private gardens or terraces with striking views over the soft and rolling hills of Italy. Every room features en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, mini bar, free Sky TV, in-room safe and free internet access. Guests will also enjoy daily newspaper delivery, twice daily maid service and permission to bring small dogs.
The PEVONIA spa offers treatments from around the world including Shiatsu massage, Thai facials, and Chinese reflexology treatments. Guests will also enjoy the all-natural body scrub made with clay, honey, bran and essential oils. The serene spa experience comes complete with outdoor panoramic swimming pool, indoor heated swimming pool, Whirlpool, sauna, steam bath and fitness center.
The Chef at Le Fontanelle enhances traditional Tuscan dishes with artistic flair and refined taste. Diners may choose to eat indoors at La Colonna, with spectacular vistas of the surrounding region, or outdoors on the charming Belvedere Terrace. A master sommelier will steer guests through the extensive wine list to find the perfect wine (or wines) to accompany their meal.
La Fontanelle also offers activities and excursions throughout Tuscany. From handpicked wine tastings, to wanders and bike rides through the surrounding countryside, to visits to the nearby cities of Siena, Florence, St. Gimignano and Monteriggioni, La Fontanelle offers a perfect pastime for everyone.
Rooms at Le Fontanelle begin at $461 for a shared Classic room. For more information or to book, please visit the website at www.hotelfontanelle.com.
UPGRADES AT THE SAXON READY FOR FIFA WORLD CUP LUMINARIES
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA (02/10) – The construction of three new villas with 29 suites at the Saxon Boutique Hotel & Spa more than doubles the capacity of this luxurious hotel in time to host world leaders gathering here soon for the FIFA World Cup. The existing suites are also getting a lift so that the entire hotel will have a fresh, updated look when the project is completed in April.
Designed to offer the same exclusivity and luxury for which the Saxon is known, each of the new villas will have its own pool, terrace and lounge as well as a boardroom which may be converted into a dining room, a satellite kitchen and butler service. The suites will be similar to the open plan design of the hotel’s popular Egoli Suites with four one-bedroom Presidential Suites convertible into two two-bedroom Platinum suites.
Changes in the existing 24 suites in the main hotel will include new beds, linen, TV, blue ray DVD players, carpets/rugs, 1000 thread count linen, toweling and Saxon robes, mp3 docking stations, new integrated lighting systems, advanced air conditioning controls, free use of laptop in every suite as well as free wireless internet access. Also, one of the in-room telephones will be converted to a mobile phone for use during the guest’s visit.
The Saxon, a favorite among discerning leisure and business travelers alike, offers an extraordinary architectural design, full-service spa and gym, African art collection, fine dining and beautiful gardens as well as excellent service. One of the most sought after hotels in the world, it has been voted World’s Leading Boutique Hotel every year for the past eight years at World Travel Awards and was recognized in Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice awards 2009 as the best hotel in Africa.
For further information, please contact The Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa, Tel:
+27 11 292-6000 or e-mail reservations@saxon.co.
Designed to offer the same exclusivity and luxury for which the Saxon is known, each of the new villas will have its own pool, terrace and lounge as well as a boardroom which may be converted into a dining room, a satellite kitchen and butler service. The suites will be similar to the open plan design of the hotel’s popular Egoli Suites with four one-bedroom Presidential Suites convertible into two two-bedroom Platinum suites.
Changes in the existing 24 suites in the main hotel will include new beds, linen, TV, blue ray DVD players, carpets/rugs, 1000 thread count linen, toweling and Saxon robes, mp3 docking stations, new integrated lighting systems, advanced air conditioning controls, free use of laptop in every suite as well as free wireless internet access. Also, one of the in-room telephones will be converted to a mobile phone for use during the guest’s visit.
The Saxon, a favorite among discerning leisure and business travelers alike, offers an extraordinary architectural design, full-service spa and gym, African art collection, fine dining and beautiful gardens as well as excellent service. One of the most sought after hotels in the world, it has been voted World’s Leading Boutique Hotel every year for the past eight years at World Travel Awards and was recognized in Conde Nast Traveler’s Reader’s Choice awards 2009 as the best hotel in Africa.
For further information, please contact The Saxon Boutique Hotel and Spa, Tel:
+27 11 292-6000 or e-mail reservations@saxon.co.
SIX NIGHT SPECIAL "CLASSICS OF JAMAICA" PACKAGE AT LENGENDARY ROUND HILL AND JAMAICA INN RESORTS
MONTEGO BAY & OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA (03/10) – Jamaica’s two classic resorts, Round Hill Hotel & Villas in Montego Bay, and Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, are offering the ultimate six night vacation package replete with superb service, privacy and style. Three nights at each of these world-famous properties, including breakfast daily, private transfers between the resorts and to and from the airport, tax and service, costs only US $2,874 per couple from April 16th to October 31st, 2010, based on availability.
Both resorts offer Jamaican warmth with all the amenities needed for a top-of-the-line vacation. They have enjoyed many accolades over the years from past guests who include celebrities, politicians and socialites. The readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure consistently rate them among the world’s best.
Like a cashmere sweater, exquisite to experience, but never showy, Round Hill is located on a 110-acre peninsula, just eight miles west of Sangster International Airport. The resort features profuse gardens, a secluded golden sand beach, a world class Spa in an 18th century great house at the edge of the sea, inspired cuisine created by a new, award-winning chef, plenty of privacy and a friendly, courteous staff. No wonder that for more than 50 years the world’s most interesting people have chosen Round Hill as their preferred vacation destination for its low-key luxury and timeless glamour.
The Classics of Jamaica package includes three nights accommodation in an oceanfront room located in the Pineapple House, designed by Ralph Lauren, with bathrooms by Waterworks. Upstairs rooms have beautiful views; first floor rooms have balconies or patios. In addition, guests receive full breakfast daily on the seaside terrace or in-room, a complimentary welcome beverage on arrival, daily New York Times fax, afternoon tea and complimentary use of non-motorized water sports and the fitness center.
Jamaica Inn, owned by the same family for nearly 50 years, assures guests the utmost in unobtrusive service and attention. Located on a private cove, the six-acre property boasts a 700-foot private white sand beach, which is arguably the most perfect in Jamaica. Cuisine is fresh and flavorful with an international twist. Guests can indulge in an innovative menu based on the finest local ingredients in an open air/outdoor dining room or in the privacy of their suite on their own verandah.
The package includes three nights accommodation in a Premier Verandah Suite located either directly on the water or right on the beach, both with magnificent views of the blue Caribbean. All suites have huge verandahs, air-conditioning, ceiling fans and Jamaican antiques. Also included in the package is a daily breakfast served in the dining room overlooking the sea, a complimentary Planter’s Punch on arrival and one each day on the beach. In addition, there is a fitness centre, kayaking, snorkeling and sunfish sailing at the property, and tennis available nearby.
For additional nights, guests will receive a 10 percent discount on accommodations and breakfast. This promotion cannot be combined with any other package or special and is applicable to new bookings that arrive and depart during the above dates.
For more information, please visit the web sites: www.roundhilljamaica.com or www.jamaicainn.com. For reservations for the Classics of Jamaica Package, email reservations@roundhilljamaica.com or call 800-972-2159 at Round Hill; email reservations@jamaicainn.com or call 800-837-4608 at Jamaica Inn.
Both resorts offer Jamaican warmth with all the amenities needed for a top-of-the-line vacation. They have enjoyed many accolades over the years from past guests who include celebrities, politicians and socialites. The readers of Conde Nast Traveler and Travel & Leisure consistently rate them among the world’s best.
Like a cashmere sweater, exquisite to experience, but never showy, Round Hill is located on a 110-acre peninsula, just eight miles west of Sangster International Airport. The resort features profuse gardens, a secluded golden sand beach, a world class Spa in an 18th century great house at the edge of the sea, inspired cuisine created by a new, award-winning chef, plenty of privacy and a friendly, courteous staff. No wonder that for more than 50 years the world’s most interesting people have chosen Round Hill as their preferred vacation destination for its low-key luxury and timeless glamour.
The Classics of Jamaica package includes three nights accommodation in an oceanfront room located in the Pineapple House, designed by Ralph Lauren, with bathrooms by Waterworks. Upstairs rooms have beautiful views; first floor rooms have balconies or patios. In addition, guests receive full breakfast daily on the seaside terrace or in-room, a complimentary welcome beverage on arrival, daily New York Times fax, afternoon tea and complimentary use of non-motorized water sports and the fitness center.
Jamaica Inn, owned by the same family for nearly 50 years, assures guests the utmost in unobtrusive service and attention. Located on a private cove, the six-acre property boasts a 700-foot private white sand beach, which is arguably the most perfect in Jamaica. Cuisine is fresh and flavorful with an international twist. Guests can indulge in an innovative menu based on the finest local ingredients in an open air/outdoor dining room or in the privacy of their suite on their own verandah.
The package includes three nights accommodation in a Premier Verandah Suite located either directly on the water or right on the beach, both with magnificent views of the blue Caribbean. All suites have huge verandahs, air-conditioning, ceiling fans and Jamaican antiques. Also included in the package is a daily breakfast served in the dining room overlooking the sea, a complimentary Planter’s Punch on arrival and one each day on the beach. In addition, there is a fitness centre, kayaking, snorkeling and sunfish sailing at the property, and tennis available nearby.
For additional nights, guests will receive a 10 percent discount on accommodations and breakfast. This promotion cannot be combined with any other package or special and is applicable to new bookings that arrive and depart during the above dates.
For more information, please visit the web sites: www.roundhilljamaica.com or www.jamaicainn.com. For reservations for the Classics of Jamaica Package, email reservations@roundhilljamaica.com or call 800-972-2159 at Round Hill; email reservations@jamaicainn.com or call 800-837-4608 at Jamaica Inn.
FROGGING SAFARIS? LEAPING AMPHIBIANS!
Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA (03/2010) For veteran bush trekkers who’ve been there done that,. Mantis’ Jock Safari Lodge in Kruger National Park is offering something new under the sun – a Frogging Safari. Here’s what gives:
With an estimated 34 different species of Amphibians in Kruger, Jock Safari Lodge ranks as one of the best places for Frogging Safaris. Froggers are issued head lights, nets and gum boots and set out after dark. Frogs are caught and identified, and then released back into their habitat. Guests get to marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors and the choir of sounds emitted from these tiny creatures, some no bigger than your thumb.
Every different species of frog has his or her own look – color, pattern and size. Mark Twain’s celebrated frog of Calaveras County has nothing on the amazing frogs of Kruger. Some recent “catches” include Banded Rubber Frogs, Bubbling Kassinas, Sand Frogs and Painted Reed Frogs.
Frogging Safari-goers will discover the wee wet ones get a bad rap for such characteristics as sliminess and bulging eyes. Truth is they have very good eyesight because they bulge out the sides of their heads in order to see in nearly all directions. And their skin must remain moist to help them breathe.
Best time to go wet and wild? The rainy months of November through March are the top months for frogging.
Jock Safari Lodge is a luxurious, five-star safari lodge set on 15,000 acres in South Africa’s vaunted Kruger National Park. It was the first private concession in the Park and was developed along the original camping sites used by trekkers on the route to Delagoa Bay. The Lodge is themed around one of the country’s most popular children’s classics, Jock of the Bushveld, true tales of a nineteenth century adventurer’s travel through South Africa with his faithful and plucky dog, Jock. The story was written at the time of the country’s first gold rush and the lodge brings this era alive by incorporating elements of the colonial past along with facets of the indigenous Zulu and Shangaan cultures. Jock Safari Lodge is part of the Mantis Group, a portfolio of boutique hotels, resorts and game reserves across Africa, Europe and South America.
For reservations, Toll Free: 1-877 354 2213
reservatrions@mantiscollection.com or visit www.jocksafarilodge.com
With an estimated 34 different species of Amphibians in Kruger, Jock Safari Lodge ranks as one of the best places for Frogging Safaris. Froggers are issued head lights, nets and gum boots and set out after dark. Frogs are caught and identified, and then released back into their habitat. Guests get to marvel at the kaleidoscope of colors and the choir of sounds emitted from these tiny creatures, some no bigger than your thumb.
Every different species of frog has his or her own look – color, pattern and size. Mark Twain’s celebrated frog of Calaveras County has nothing on the amazing frogs of Kruger. Some recent “catches” include Banded Rubber Frogs, Bubbling Kassinas, Sand Frogs and Painted Reed Frogs.
Frogging Safari-goers will discover the wee wet ones get a bad rap for such characteristics as sliminess and bulging eyes. Truth is they have very good eyesight because they bulge out the sides of their heads in order to see in nearly all directions. And their skin must remain moist to help them breathe.
Best time to go wet and wild? The rainy months of November through March are the top months for frogging.
Jock Safari Lodge is a luxurious, five-star safari lodge set on 15,000 acres in South Africa’s vaunted Kruger National Park. It was the first private concession in the Park and was developed along the original camping sites used by trekkers on the route to Delagoa Bay. The Lodge is themed around one of the country’s most popular children’s classics, Jock of the Bushveld, true tales of a nineteenth century adventurer’s travel through South Africa with his faithful and plucky dog, Jock. The story was written at the time of the country’s first gold rush and the lodge brings this era alive by incorporating elements of the colonial past along with facets of the indigenous Zulu and Shangaan cultures. Jock Safari Lodge is part of the Mantis Group, a portfolio of boutique hotels, resorts and game reserves across Africa, Europe and South America.
For reservations, Toll Free: 1-877 354 2213
reservatrions@mantiscollection.com or visit www.jocksafarilodge.com
SABI SABI SUBTRACTS SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
SOUTH AFRICA (03/2010) Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve is welcoming single travelers by waiving the supplement charge for the first two singles of any booking.
Previously, single travelers had to pay an additional 50% of the rate to stay at Sabi Sabi on their own. The new format, applicable to all prices and packages (excepting June and July 2010 and December 20th, 2010 to January 5th, 2011) offers great saving to single guests. As Marketing Director Jacques Smit stated, “We have noticed a growing demand in single requests and would like to assist in these requests without discounting our rates. I do believe that this will be of great value and be very well received.”
In addition, Sabi Sabi is bringing back the 16th guest free policy. For every group of 15 guests, the 16th guest will stay free in a twin sharing suite. For groups of 31, complimentary stays in a twin sharing room will be extended to two guests. There is a maximum of 2 free guests per group.
Located near Kruger National Park, Sabi Sabi offers a classic bush experience with four five-star lodges following the philosophy of “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. Guests can return to “Yesterday” while staying at the romantic Selati Camp that echoes of a vintage colonial era. “Today” may be found at the more contemporary Bush Lodge and Little Bush Camp with their familiar comforts. The Earth Lodge defines the style of an eco-friendly “Tomorrow,” where the architecture is escavated into a slope in the earth and dramatically merges with the surrounding landscape.
Suites at Sabi Sabi begin at $622 per person per night, all inclusive. The price includes all accommodation, breakfast, lunch and traditional “boma” dinner, all South African house wines, other select beverages, open Land Rover safaris by day and night accompanied by qualified rangers and Shangaan trackers and VAT.
For more information or to book, please visit the website at www.sabisabi.com, call (800) 524 7979 or email res@sabisabi.com.
Previously, single travelers had to pay an additional 50% of the rate to stay at Sabi Sabi on their own. The new format, applicable to all prices and packages (excepting June and July 2010 and December 20th, 2010 to January 5th, 2011) offers great saving to single guests. As Marketing Director Jacques Smit stated, “We have noticed a growing demand in single requests and would like to assist in these requests without discounting our rates. I do believe that this will be of great value and be very well received.”
In addition, Sabi Sabi is bringing back the 16th guest free policy. For every group of 15 guests, the 16th guest will stay free in a twin sharing suite. For groups of 31, complimentary stays in a twin sharing room will be extended to two guests. There is a maximum of 2 free guests per group.
Located near Kruger National Park, Sabi Sabi offers a classic bush experience with four five-star lodges following the philosophy of “Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”. Guests can return to “Yesterday” while staying at the romantic Selati Camp that echoes of a vintage colonial era. “Today” may be found at the more contemporary Bush Lodge and Little Bush Camp with their familiar comforts. The Earth Lodge defines the style of an eco-friendly “Tomorrow,” where the architecture is escavated into a slope in the earth and dramatically merges with the surrounding landscape.
Suites at Sabi Sabi begin at $622 per person per night, all inclusive. The price includes all accommodation, breakfast, lunch and traditional “boma” dinner, all South African house wines, other select beverages, open Land Rover safaris by day and night accompanied by qualified rangers and Shangaan trackers and VAT.
For more information or to book, please visit the website at www.sabisabi.com, call (800) 524 7979 or email res@sabisabi.com.
“MANTIS MADNESS” HAS HIT SOUTH AFRICA
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Mantis Madness has hit South Africa, where travelers can enjoy savings of up to 46% on summertime bookings with Mantis properties. For $1,020, guests may enjoy five nights in the some of the best accommodations in South Africa. Guests will pay for two nights at one of South Africa’s exciting five-star Mantis game reserves: Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, Jock Safari Lodge, or Nkomazi Game Reserve, and will receive three nights free at the charming Constantia boutique hotel, located in the Cape’s oldest wine region, 20 minutes from the center of Cape Town.
For those with more time, an additional option is available: guests may receive a complimentary night at the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel with the booking of an overnight journey on the luxurious Blue Train. The Blue Train will transport guests from Cape Town to Pretoria (or vice versa) in style for $1342, with a free night at the end of the rails.
Pricing includes accommodation; meals, game drives and select beverages at your game reserve of choice; and breakfast and beverages at the Constantia. For the Blue Train option, all meals, off train excursions, high tea, beverages, and single transfers to/from the Cape Town and Pretoria train stations are included. Upgrades are available on all accommodations for an additional fee.
Valid from April 15th to the October 15th, 2010, excluding the dates of the World Cup (June 10th to July 15th), the Mantis Madness deals are subject to availability. For reservations, please email the Mantis Collection Central Reservations Office at reservations@mantiscollection.com or call +27 41 407 1000.
For those with more time, an additional option is available: guests may receive a complimentary night at the Sheraton Pretoria Hotel with the booking of an overnight journey on the luxurious Blue Train. The Blue Train will transport guests from Cape Town to Pretoria (or vice versa) in style for $1342, with a free night at the end of the rails.
Pricing includes accommodation; meals, game drives and select beverages at your game reserve of choice; and breakfast and beverages at the Constantia. For the Blue Train option, all meals, off train excursions, high tea, beverages, and single transfers to/from the Cape Town and Pretoria train stations are included. Upgrades are available on all accommodations for an additional fee.
Valid from April 15th to the October 15th, 2010, excluding the dates of the World Cup (June 10th to July 15th), the Mantis Madness deals are subject to availability. For reservations, please email the Mantis Collection Central Reservations Office at reservations@mantiscollection.com or call +27 41 407 1000.
JAMAICA INN SHORTENS MINIMUM STAY FOR 2010 HOLIDAY SEASON TO SEVEN NIGHTS
OCHO RIOS, JAMAICA (03/10) – If you’ve always wanted to stay at the Jamaica Inn during the holidays but just haven’t had the time, your luck is about to change. The Jamaica Inn near Ocho Rios, Jamaica, has reduced its minimum stay requirement for the 2010 holiday season, December 23, 2010, to January 3, 2011, allowing guests to forgo the 10-night minimum and instead book for seven nights.
Situated on a private cove, the lovely and traditional Jamaica Inn provides everything desirable in a Caribbean vacation. A lush green lawn, which incorporates a croquet court and swimming pool, edges the hotel’s perfect 700- foot beach, often cited as one of the best in the Caribbean. Combined with a staff who genuinely wishes to please, spacious accommodations and delicious dining, it is easy to see how the Jamaica Inn lends a sense of profound contentment.
Jamaica Inn’s full-service KiYara Spa is like being in a rain forest and is totally connected to nature. Two treatment rooms are set on the cliffside among verdant tropical plants and a third room juts out over the sea as if it were a house boat. All feature open-air thatch roof huts and no walls to put the client in total harmony with the environment. The outdoor spa showers are made of bamboo and are also set in prodigious plantings. All treatments are holistic, combining the use of fresh Jamaican herbs and fruits.
It is quite possible to do absolutely nothing at Jamaica Inn and be totally happy. For the active-minded, croquet, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, sunfish sailing and an exercise room are available on-site. Windsurfing, sailing, water skiing and diving are also found nearby. Golf at a discounted rate to Jamaica Inn guests, horseback riding, and tennis at no charge is also available nearby as well as many cultural excursions.
Rates at Jamaica Inn start at $479 plus tax and service beginning December 15, 2010, depending on room selection. This offer applies to the Balcony Suite, Deluxe Verandah Suite, Premier Verandah Suite, Cowdray Suite and Blue Cottage. It does not include the White Suite, Cottage Three, Cottage Four and the Jamaica Inn Cottages, where there is still a minimum 10-night stay. For additional information or reservations, call 1-800-837-4608 or fax 876-974-2449. E-mail is reservations@jamaicainn.com and the web site is www.jamaicainn.com
Situated on a private cove, the lovely and traditional Jamaica Inn provides everything desirable in a Caribbean vacation. A lush green lawn, which incorporates a croquet court and swimming pool, edges the hotel’s perfect 700- foot beach, often cited as one of the best in the Caribbean. Combined with a staff who genuinely wishes to please, spacious accommodations and delicious dining, it is easy to see how the Jamaica Inn lends a sense of profound contentment.
Jamaica Inn’s full-service KiYara Spa is like being in a rain forest and is totally connected to nature. Two treatment rooms are set on the cliffside among verdant tropical plants and a third room juts out over the sea as if it were a house boat. All feature open-air thatch roof huts and no walls to put the client in total harmony with the environment. The outdoor spa showers are made of bamboo and are also set in prodigious plantings. All treatments are holistic, combining the use of fresh Jamaican herbs and fruits.
It is quite possible to do absolutely nothing at Jamaica Inn and be totally happy. For the active-minded, croquet, swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, sunfish sailing and an exercise room are available on-site. Windsurfing, sailing, water skiing and diving are also found nearby. Golf at a discounted rate to Jamaica Inn guests, horseback riding, and tennis at no charge is also available nearby as well as many cultural excursions.
Rates at Jamaica Inn start at $479 plus tax and service beginning December 15, 2010, depending on room selection. This offer applies to the Balcony Suite, Deluxe Verandah Suite, Premier Verandah Suite, Cowdray Suite and Blue Cottage. It does not include the White Suite, Cottage Three, Cottage Four and the Jamaica Inn Cottages, where there is still a minimum 10-night stay. For additional information or reservations, call 1-800-837-4608 or fax 876-974-2449. E-mail is reservations@jamaicainn.com and the web site is www.jamaicainn.com
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK’S JOCK SAFARI LODGE
Mpumalanga, SOUTH AFRICA - Mantis owned and operated Jock Safari Lodge recently underwent an extensive refurbishment program that was so successful, the lodge re-earned its five-star status as well as praise from the inspector, who noted its high level of “quality, service and facilities.”
Jock Safari Lodge is a luxurious safari lodge set on a 15,000-acres concession in South Africa’s vaunted Kruger National Park. It was the first private concession in the Park and was developed along the original camping sites used by trekkers on the route to Delagoa Bay. The Lodge is themed around one of the country’s most popular children’s classics, Jock of the Bushveld, true tales of a nineteenth century adventurer’s travel through South Africa with his faithful and plucky dog, Jock. The story was written at the time of the country’s first gold rush and the lodge brings this era alive by incorporating elements of the colonial past along with facets of the indigenous Zulu and Shangaan cultures.
Interesting aspects include historical ox wagons of the gold rush era, strategically placed in and around the lodge. One is parked under the thatched porte cochere of the main reception, and serves as a mounting platform for guests embarking on game drives. Buffalo horn motifs are featured on the walls and furnishings, paying tribute to the abundant herds found in this part of the park. Walls are also decorated with framed prints depicting incidents of Jock’s and his master’s life in the wild.
Twelve individual thatched suites, screened by lush foliage and reed walls, offer guests utmost privacy, and create a unique experience of old-world elegance surrounded by unspoiled wilderness. Each suite, with king or twin beds outfitted with the finest linens and enveloped in a canopy of white netting, has its own private ‘sala’ (viewing deck), plunge pool, romantic Victorian ball and claw bath, ‘his and hers’ vanities and outdoor shower, all with a view of the rivers and breathtaking bushveld, the subtropical eco-region emblematic of large swaths of South Africa. Each suite is also fully equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, tea- and coffee-making facilities, private bar and safe.
The Main Lodge comprises a dining room, lounge, deck, bar, library and walk-in wine cellar. At night staircases are fitted with oil lamps, creating an atmosphere that harkens back to the gold rush era. Cuisine at the Lodge has a strong South African influence. Meals are served in several locations - from fine dining either inside or out, to a gourmet adventure in the Lapa under the crystal-clear African night skies. The upstairs bar, with sinkable leather couches, overlooks the pool and river, offering frequent glimpses of the vast array of wildlife.
The spa, Pilgrim’s Rest Relaxation Retreat, was named after the quaint historical mining town featured so prominently in Jock of the Bushveld and still in existence today, was a place to rest, rejuvenate and restock. So too is the Relaxation Retreat for men and women at Jock Safari Lodge. It overlooks a serenity garden and is fully equipped with therapy and relaxation rooms, hydrotherapy bath, steam room and sauna. Only the finest products are used for a wide variety of treatments. Therapies are also available in the privacy of the guest rooms.
Magnificent trees and abundant bird and wildlife offer stunning views from the communal deck and rock pool. The lodge overlooks the confluence of the Mitomeni and Biyamiti rivers. Highly qualified rangers drive guests into the ‘bushveld’, an area regarded as one of the best in the Kruger Park for its ‘Big Five’ sightings.
Animal sightings are likely while relaxing around the rock pool or in the upstairs bar or one’s own room. Activities include morning and evening game drives and walking safaris. There is a collection of San rock art, a small business center with internet access to e-mail photographs home, and a comfortable lounge and library.
Jock Safari Lodge is in the southern area of Kruger and accessible through the Malelane gate to the park. Direct flights to Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) are available from several destinations including South Africa’s major airports and the lodge will arrange transfers.
All-inclusive rates, including accommodations, meals, most activities and local alcoholic beverages are from $528 to $610 (depending on the season) per night, per person, based on double occupancy.*
For further information on Jock Safari Lodge, please visit the website at www.jocksafarilodge.com. For further information on the Mantis Collection, please visit the website at www.mantiscollection.com.
Jock Safari Lodge is a luxurious safari lodge set on a 15,000-acres concession in South Africa’s vaunted Kruger National Park. It was the first private concession in the Park and was developed along the original camping sites used by trekkers on the route to Delagoa Bay. The Lodge is themed around one of the country’s most popular children’s classics, Jock of the Bushveld, true tales of a nineteenth century adventurer’s travel through South Africa with his faithful and plucky dog, Jock. The story was written at the time of the country’s first gold rush and the lodge brings this era alive by incorporating elements of the colonial past along with facets of the indigenous Zulu and Shangaan cultures.
Interesting aspects include historical ox wagons of the gold rush era, strategically placed in and around the lodge. One is parked under the thatched porte cochere of the main reception, and serves as a mounting platform for guests embarking on game drives. Buffalo horn motifs are featured on the walls and furnishings, paying tribute to the abundant herds found in this part of the park. Walls are also decorated with framed prints depicting incidents of Jock’s and his master’s life in the wild.
Twelve individual thatched suites, screened by lush foliage and reed walls, offer guests utmost privacy, and create a unique experience of old-world elegance surrounded by unspoiled wilderness. Each suite, with king or twin beds outfitted with the finest linens and enveloped in a canopy of white netting, has its own private ‘sala’ (viewing deck), plunge pool, romantic Victorian ball and claw bath, ‘his and hers’ vanities and outdoor shower, all with a view of the rivers and breathtaking bushveld, the subtropical eco-region emblematic of large swaths of South Africa. Each suite is also fully equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, tea- and coffee-making facilities, private bar and safe.
The Main Lodge comprises a dining room, lounge, deck, bar, library and walk-in wine cellar. At night staircases are fitted with oil lamps, creating an atmosphere that harkens back to the gold rush era. Cuisine at the Lodge has a strong South African influence. Meals are served in several locations - from fine dining either inside or out, to a gourmet adventure in the Lapa under the crystal-clear African night skies. The upstairs bar, with sinkable leather couches, overlooks the pool and river, offering frequent glimpses of the vast array of wildlife.
The spa, Pilgrim’s Rest Relaxation Retreat, was named after the quaint historical mining town featured so prominently in Jock of the Bushveld and still in existence today, was a place to rest, rejuvenate and restock. So too is the Relaxation Retreat for men and women at Jock Safari Lodge. It overlooks a serenity garden and is fully equipped with therapy and relaxation rooms, hydrotherapy bath, steam room and sauna. Only the finest products are used for a wide variety of treatments. Therapies are also available in the privacy of the guest rooms.
Magnificent trees and abundant bird and wildlife offer stunning views from the communal deck and rock pool. The lodge overlooks the confluence of the Mitomeni and Biyamiti rivers. Highly qualified rangers drive guests into the ‘bushveld’, an area regarded as one of the best in the Kruger Park for its ‘Big Five’ sightings.
Animal sightings are likely while relaxing around the rock pool or in the upstairs bar or one’s own room. Activities include morning and evening game drives and walking safaris. There is a collection of San rock art, a small business center with internet access to e-mail photographs home, and a comfortable lounge and library.
Jock Safari Lodge is in the southern area of Kruger and accessible through the Malelane gate to the park. Direct flights to Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport (KMIA) are available from several destinations including South Africa’s major airports and the lodge will arrange transfers.
All-inclusive rates, including accommodations, meals, most activities and local alcoholic beverages are from $528 to $610 (depending on the season) per night, per person, based on double occupancy.*
For further information on Jock Safari Lodge, please visit the website at www.jocksafarilodge.com. For further information on the Mantis Collection, please visit the website at www.mantiscollection.com.
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