Archive for the ‘Botswana’ Category

Friday, May 4th, 2012

Royal Treatment on The Zambezi Queen

*** LUXURY AFRICAN RIVER SAFARI ***

The Zambezi Queen

The Zambezi Queen

Hotels, Guest Houses, Mountain Cabins. Yes they’re all romantic and many of them offer every cosy comfort that anyone could desire. But you have not experienced true luxury until you have checked into your cabin on the Zambezi Queen.

Relax on the Pool Deck

Relax on the Pool Deck

This famous African Luxury vessel cruises on the Chobe River between Namibia and Botswana, at the Caprivi Strip round about where Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia cross boarders. With 10 suites and 4 masters, this 42 – metre luxury boutique boat hotel is geared to offer lucky visitors every activity and pampering they could possibly want – which, in many cases, would be to do absolutely nothing in a breathtaking, wild setting with a delicious cocktail in the hand.

After being greeted with a traditional welcoming song and a glass of bubbly and shown to your stylishly decorated suite, you settle in with an instant realisation that you are about to have the time of your life. Uncompromising fashionists will be happy to know that there is no luggage weight limitation – in fact, there are no limitations at all when it comes to your wants and needs – the Zambezi Queen’s staff all go out to make you feel as pampered and accommodated as humanily possible.

Famous African Luxury

Famous African Luxury

Experience a relaxed and lighthearted atmosphere on the boat and the only non-negotiable rule is not to fall into the water, as the boat is surrounded by crocodiles and hippos. The Queen’s motto is that it’s your holiday, so they will do whatever it takes to make you feel at home, treat you like royalty and keep your glass filled, all with a warm smile. The friendly team is prepared for every eventuality, from rain storms to extreme heat. They can also arrange extra activities if you would like, such as a tiger fishing expedition.

Stylishly Decorated Suites

Stylishly Decorated Suites

If lazyness doesn’t get the better of you, they offer game drives in the Chobe National Park. Wildlife can be viewed from the comfort of smaller boats, where you can get a close-up view of elephants swimming and playing in the river with your own private guide. It is possible to view the game from the large second floor deck, sipping a cocktail or relaxing in the swimming pool, it is also possible to visit the nearby cultural village. The cuisine on the boat is divine, with all scrumptious meals prepared to enhance the local flavours. The chefs, Felix and Thomas, are determined to make every meal even better than the previous one.

Chobe National Park

Chobe National Park

Spend just a mere 2 or 3 Days on the Zambezi Queen and feel as if you have been on holiday for a month, it’s a relaxing, romantic, anti-aging experience that you can have – one that should definately be added to your bucket list.

(Written by Viola Magazine, Managing Director Daleen Henning and amended for this Blog Post)

Should you wish to experience an unforgettable trip on the Zambezi Queen, you are welcome to contact us for quotes and specials: 

2 Night Zambezi Queen – Luxury African River Safari (Botswana)

3 Night Zambezi Queen – Luxury African River Safari (Botswana)

South African Tourism Company
Tel:    +27 (0)21 794 9050
Mobile: +27 (0)827 823 142
Fax:    +27 (0)21 794 9995
Email:   africa@golfing-safaris.com

Website: http://www.south-african-hotels.com
Website: http://www.south-african-lodges.com

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

The Famous “Big Five” animals of Africa

Africa is an environment with a diverse fauna and flora, which captures the hearts and minds of all who visit this beautiful continent. A few animals, however, have been awarded a very special award: being part of the “Big Five”.  The famous “Big Five” refer to five of Africa’s greatest wild animals – the Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, and Buffalo.

The term “Big Five” was originally coined by hunters, and referred to the five most difficult animals to hunt on foot in Africa. The “Big Five” wasn’t chosen for their size, but rather for the difficulty in hunting them, and the degree of danger involved.  The term is still used today in most tourist and wildlife guides, and these animals are usually high on the priority list and a real treat for many visitors to African game reserves.

Local and international visitors to Africa have the unique opportunity to participate in exciting game drives through the African bush while staying in beautiful game lodges throughout Southern Africa.

1.The African Elephant

The African Elephant

The African Elephant

The African Elephant is a very large herbivore with thick, almost hairless skin. The upper incisors of the elephant form long curved tusks of ivory.

2. The Lion

The Lion

The Lion

The Lion is a large carnivorous feline, with a short tawny coat and a tufted tail. Males have magnificent heavy manes around their necks and shoulders. Considered by many the best of the “Big Five”, lions are very dangerous animals, and would attack if given a chance.

3.Cape Buffalo

The Buffalo

The Buffalo

The African Buffalo is a large horned bovid. Buffalos are considered the most dangerous of the Big Five, reportedly having caused many hunter deaths. Buffalos are known as the “Black Death” in Africa, with wounded animals reportedly ambushing and attacking its pursuers.

4. Rhino

The Rhino

The Rhino

Rhinoceros (also called Rhino for short) are large, thick-skinned herbivores with one or two upright horns on the nasal bridge. Rhinos are able to reach one tonne or more in weight.  Rhinos are listed as “critically endangered” by the IUCN Red List, as they are killed by humans for their valuable horns, which are made of keratin, and wrongly believed by some to act as an aphrodisiac, amongst other things.

5. The Leopard

The Leopard

The Leopard

The Leopard is a large, carnivorous feline with either tawny fur with dark rosetto-like markings, or black fur. Leopards are very difficult to spot as they have nocturnal feeding habits and secretive nature.  Leopards are also extremely wary of humans, and will take flight in the face of danger.

Useful link:  The Big Five of Africa.

South African Tourism Company
Tel:    +27 (0)21 794 9050
Mobile: +27 (0)827 823 142
Fax:    +27 (0)21 794 9995
Email:   africa@golfing-safaris.com

Website: http://www.south-african-hotels.com
Website: http://www.south-african-lodges.com

Friday, March 9th, 2012

We are proud to announce the addition of the Metcourt Francistown in Botswana (Southern Africa)  to our collection of hotels and game lodges throughout Southern Africa.  For more details about Hotels in Botswana and South Africa, please visit: www.south-african-hotels.com

 

Metcourt Francistown

3-star Metcourt Francistown in Western Botswana

The 3-star Metcourt Francistown Hotel in Western Botswana is located in the heart of Francistown’s central business district. The Metcourt Francistown offers modern quality accommodation at very affordable rates and is situated only 5 km from the Airport. The Hotels ist the perfect place for the stop-over tourist or overnight business traveller.

For queries, quotes and bookings, please do not hesitate to contact us:

South African Tourism Company
Tel:    +27 (0)21 794 9050
Mobile: +27 (0)827 823 142
Fax:    +27 (0)21 794 9995
Email:   africa@golfing-safaris.com

Website: http://www.south-african-hotels.com
Website: http://www.south-african-lodges.com

Saturday, February 25th, 2012
Falling in love with Botswana

Falling in love with Botswana

Botswana is a land of magnificent contrasts,with its natural beauty which range from the vast salt pans of the Makgadikgadi, and its granite outcrops and twisted baobabs, to the sandy plains of the Kalahari and the lush oasis of the Okavango Delta. The vast elephant herds splash and spray in the cool waters of the Chobe River and there is an annual migration of zebra who meander through the Linyanti and Savute.  The ancient rock paintings of the San Bushmen survive untouched in the Tsodilo Hills, while their way of life continues undisturbed in the remote Kalahari of Botswana in Southern Africa.
Botswana, a world to explore.

Botswana, a world to explore.

 

There is a world of adventure to explore in Botswana for everyone:

THE OKAVANGO DELTA in Botswana

In the remote world of floodplains and reeded islands at &Beyond’s Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp and Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge, wildlife encounters are fantastic.  With breeding herds of elephant splashing gently through shallow channels, and the long necks of a journey of giraffe parade slowly across the Delta skyline and graceful sitatunga hide in the reeds. Beautiful reed frogs cling to the water grasses, red lechwe scamper through the shallows and magnificent kudu toss their majestic horns. At night, the moon reflects off the backs of a family of hippo emerging from the water to graze, turning them into slabs of shining silver.

ADVENTURE in Botswana

Authentic Africa at its best, an &Beyond Under Canvas safari in Chobe, Moremi or Savute thrills with the delight of experiencing the sounds of the Botswana night from behind a thin wall of canvas. Mobile tented camps which move through private campsites in the heart of Botswana’s best known wilderness reserves, this is the bush life stripped down to the very basics. Guests are woken by birdsong and fall asleep with the shadows of the campfire lighting up their tent walls. The distant roaring of a lion at night vibrates through their very soul, while the days are spent tracking wildlife through magnificent African landscapes.  Experience the unequivocal romance of African nights under canvas on an unforgettable nine-day journey through Chobe, Savute and Moremi.

FAMILY in Botswana

A fantasy playground for young and old, Botswana in Southern Africa will enthral the entire family with an endless range of things to do, each more thrilling than the other. Fishing and frogging expeditions explore the clear Delta channels, there’s the tantalising challenge of learning how to steer the traditional dugout mokoro with just a long wooden pole and nature walks on the reeded islands discover birds and animal tracks. Quad bike adventures in the Makgadikgadi Pans and authentic encounters with the Bushmen of the Kalahari will keep teenagers entertained, while nobody can resist the attentions of the area’s famous and friendly meerkats.  Guests have the unique opportunity to mingle with the meerkats on an incredible journey through the jewels of Botswana, from the lush Okavango Delta to the vast Makgadikgadi Pans.

ROMANCE

Remote and secluded enough for a sense of splendid isolation, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is an ideal destination for guests who want to lose their heart again. At &Beyond’s Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp and Xudum Okavango Delta Lodge morning adventures begin later, leaving plenty of time to wake up slowly and watch the day dawn over a steaming cup of coffee. Gentle mokoro rides, champagne cocktails and private picnics on a deserted Delta island are the stuff romantic dreams are made of. Waterside salas, lofty rooftop lookouts and an enormous day bed invite to afternoons of quiet intimacy. At night, blazing bonfires in sheltered bomas under the brightest of stars create unforgettable memories.

• Guests can walk alongside giants among the great herds of elephant and towering baobab trees in the Tuli Block
• What better way  to view the winding waterways of the Okavango Delta than from the luxurious vantage point of a helicopter?
• Guests explore the immense Makgadikgadi Pans on an adventurous horseback safari

Should you wish to take an adventure to Bostwana, we recommend you log onto the South African Hotels website or alternatively the South African Lodges website, alternatively click on the specific links below:

Botswana Lodges

Botswana Tours

Botswana Hotels

Botswana Activities

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

Sanctuary Retreats & Lodges on ‘Born to Explore’ in Botswana

Watch Sanctuary Retreats on Born to Explore, in Botswana.

Watch Sanctuary Retreats on Born to Explore, in Botswana.

The team from the hit US television series “Born to Explore” was recently hosted at the Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp in Botswana’s breathtaking Okavango Delta.  Home to extraordinary and unique adventures, this tented safari camp in which you can enjoy a leisurely paced walk in the Okavango Delta with a trio of semi-habituated elephants offers an unforgettable stay.

Botswana’s Okavango Delta

Botswana’s Okavango Delta

This television series is presented by Richard Wiese who is an avid explorer and extreme adventurer, he first climbed Mount Kilimanjaro as an eleven-year-old!  ”Born to Explore” takes viewers on an inspiring and entertaining adventure around the world. This week’s episode is from Botswana, Southern Africa, tune it to watch as Richard and the team explore the Okavango Delta floodplains, experience a taste of the local culture and dining at Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp, and walk with elephants in the bush.

Extraordinary and Unique learning adventures

Extraordinary and Unique learning adventures

BORN TO EXPLORE screened on ABC Saturday 11 February at 10.00am EST (Check your local listings)

If you wish to explore and stay in the Botswana, you are welcome to follow these links for more detailed information:

Botswana Hotels

Botswana Game Lodges

Botswana Tours

Guided Safari Tours Southern Africa

Botswana Activities