Category: Kalahari

The 24th September is Heritage Day in South Africa… a day when we need to stop, to take a minute to be grateful for and appreciate our beautiful country and home.

In very few words – this is why we love it:

The people:

Here’s to Nelson Mandela, Dr. Christian Barnard, Steve Biko, Desmond Tutu, Francois Pienaar, the man on the street, the farm worker, the taxi driver, the game ranger, the waiter, the pilot, the street cleaner… and so many more great South Africans!

The sun:

A more temperate climate you couldn’t hope for. It’s hot and sunny most of the time and when cold only cold enough to have a glass of red wine by the fire.

The landscapes:

From the mountains; Drakensberg, Witteberg and Table Mountain; to the oceans, Indian and Atlantic; there are so many adventures to be had.

A rich history and culture:

A vibrant, colourful nation packed with diverse and charismatic cultures, people, history, traditions, beliefs and a wonderful sense of humour.

11 official languages:

From Tswana, to Sesotho, to Afrikaans, to Xhosa and so many more there are so many powerful languages and words. There is such identity and belonging in brilliant words such as ayoba, padkos, howzit, mzansi, just now and lekker.

Wide-open spaces:

From the Karoo to the Kalahari to the Kruger there is so much space to roam and so much that is still wild and free. The horizons are endless and sunsets to die for that you can’t possibly tire of.

An abundance of wildlife:

Under the sea, on the land and in the sky, our beautiful country is teeming with thousands of species of birds, mammals and fish… it’s impossible to see them all!

A love for sport and activities:

From surfing, to hiking, to rugby, to cricket, to soccer, to running, to shark cage diving and yoga we have it all.

A feast of flora and Fauna

South Africa is home to thousands of plant and trees species. From the Cape floral kingdom, to savannah grasslands, to mountain forests, to thorn trees  and elegant baobabs you are never without its beauty.

Delicious food and wine

Whether it’s a snack, a braai or a luxury six course meal the mouth-watering delicacies on offer are infinite. As a first-time visitor be sure to try biltong, slap chips, droewors, bobotie, koeksisters and milk tart.

There are so many more reasons why this beautiful nation deserves to be honoured, recognized and visited. Thank you #Mzansi (South Africa) today we salute you.

#braaiday #proudlysouthafrican #celebration #publicholiday #heritageday

“Love is like a rhino…shortsighted but always willing to find a way.” Francois de la Rochfoucauld

It’s time we “found a way” for them.

The honest and terrifying reality is that every 7 hours a rhino dies. So we have to act fast and get involved in the global effort to ensure their survival; for them, for us, for our children and for our children’s children.

Today we celebrate World Rhino Day, first announced by WWF-South Africa in 201o, it is a day dedicated to the continued global efforts to ensure the survival of these beautiful creatures. In only a few years it has grown into an international phenomenon, encompassing both African and Asian rhino species including black, white, greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos.

We would like to invite you to join the movement by supporting Rhinos Without Borders an incredible initiative that is on a mission to move 100 rhinos to areas that are protected from poachers. Through fundraising Rhinos Without Borders are able to capture, translocate and release into Botswana. To watch just how difficult this process is and to see the enormous effort that goes into re-locating just one rhino click here. For more on this incredible initiative and how you can help simply with the click of a button – click here.

#worldrhinoday2015 #stopkillingourrhinos #saveourrhino #movetherhino #worldrhinoday #iam4rhinos

The Iconic Africa Team had the pleasure of attending #ETAS15 held at the Cape Town Convention Centre last week.

Now in its eighth year, the E-Tourism Africa Summit (eTAS) examines the many intersections between the travel industry and modern technology, and how best to use online and digital tools to market your business.

There were two days of interesting and insightful talks by some of the travel industry’s leaders such as Expedia, AirBNB, Uber, Tripadvisor, Facebook, Twitter and many more.

We have listed six inspiring bite-sized snippets for those who couldn’t be there. Those with a love for Africa, a love for travel, and a love for online:

1. “Africa is on the rise. It is creating the future and surviving the change.” @MusaKalenga, Facebook.

2. “The countries that are most interested in South African travel on Tripadvisor are the UK, USA, Germany, Australia, Holland, China, Canada, Italy.” @JustinReid, Tripadvisor

3. “63% of travel is researched booked and bought online.” @DamianCook E- Tourism Frontiers

4. “Africa is a mobile first continent.” @MusaKalenga, Facebook

5. “88% of destinations consider gastronomy as a strategic element.  Cape Town is now considered one of the top foodie destinations in the world.” Justin Reid, Tripadvisor.

  6. “The subject of holidays gets – 250k tweets per year.” Sean Riley, Ad Dynamo

For more information on the conference as a whole click here. 

Touch… pause… engage.

The Rugby World Cup is here!

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. Sport can awaken hope where there was previously only despair.” Nelson Mandela

The wait is finally over: the 2015 Rugby World Cup kicks off today and the excitement is palpable! “Bok” Friday is in full force and the streets of South Africa are a sea of green and gold. Tomorrow when the Springboks face Japan there will be braai’s lit, beers opened and biltong cut all over the country. No doubt we will all be watching on the edge of our seats.

The tournament was first held in 1987, when the tournament was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. The most recent Rugby World Cup was held in 2011 in New Zealand, whose national team won the tournament by defeating France in the final.

Just in case you are a little rusty here’s a brief recap on the winners over the last few years:

1987 – New Zealand

1991 – Australia

1995 – South Africa

1999 – Australia

2003 – England

2007 – South Africa

2011 – New Zealand

2015 …

For updates on results and match schedules click here.

If you happen to be in Cape Town and are looking for somewhere to soak up the vibe and watch the game… the Cape Town Magazine has put together a list of 30 great spots. Click here for more. Get involved and enjoy the festivities!

Iconic Africa wishes the Springboks all the best and are behind them all the way. #proudlysouthafrican #springboksupporter #worldcup #gospringboks #springbok

Iconic Africa recently had the pleasure of welcoming Adrien Boyer from Facebook to South Africa. Adrien had a fantastic time in our beautiful country and was kind enough to share his experience and a few snapshots with us.

What was your most memorable moment?

Adrien: “To see a wounded wild dog female looking after 20 babies. Strong maternal instinct!”

What did you think of the country as a whole?

Adrien: “South Africa is fascinating. I loved the wild nature and the immersive experience it offers. The natural surroundings, and the animals are stunning. I also find the country as a whole very interesting and, while there is a lot more to do, the relatively peaceful transition that has happened since the Apartheid is impressive.”

What did you think of the people?

Adrien: ” Extremely welcoming. Everyone wanted to make sure I had a memorable experience. Wonderful!”

Did you feel safe throughout your trip?

Adrien: “Absolutely. I never felt once at risk. Obviously there are do’s and don’t, but if you respect them, you incur no risks”

Did you like the cuisine?

Adrien: “Delicious cuisine. I ate way too much though ;)”

What tips would you give other travellers?

Adrien: “I wanted to do a tour in a park and go to Cape Town, but didn’t have time to do both. I am pleased I decided on a tour. Don’t miss a trip in the Bush. It is breathtaking.”

Thank you Adrien for sharing your special moments with us, we hope to see you on our African shores again soon. For more incredible African adventures that await you click here.

“Trees are poems the earth writes upon the sky.” Kahlil Gibran

Today is National Arbor Day so in a tribute to the trees we have picked our top 10 tree pictures to share with you. Whether it is planting a tree, making a conscious decision not to print that 50 page report or simply stopping to appreciate their beauty. Keep them in your thoughts today.

Arbor Day was first celebrated in 1983 and in 1999 the collective enthusiasm for the issue inspired the government to extend it to Arbor Week. The event captured the imagination of people who recognized the need for raising awareness of the value of trees in our society. Now, from 1 to 7 September every year, schools, businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate in community “greening” events to improve the health and beauty of the local environment and propose a green future for South Africa.

Trees play a silent yet vital role in our lives. Not only do they absorb carbon dioxide and turn it into oxygen…they are crucial to biodiversity conservation. They are needed to enrich soil, to maximise water supplies, to beautify and to provide shade and shelter. Products and services from trees include food, timber, fibre, medicines and energy. They play a key role in the livelihoods of both people and the environment and in sustainable development for now and the future.

Southern Africa has over 1700 different native species. From the Baobab, Umbrella Thorn, Jackalberry, Mopane, Marula…and so many more, they truly are a wonder to behold.

“I never knew of a morning in Africa when I woke up and was not happy.” Ernest Hemingway

Although this is undeniably accurate… the question: “When is the best time to go on safari?” is one that we regularly get from our travellers. So we sat down with co-founder John Holley to get his thoughts on this. John has spent a great deal of his life in the bush and was a ranger at Londolozi in the Sabi Sands for 2 years. Here’s are his thoughts:

When is the best time to visit the bush?

John: “Every time of year has its own unique elements and its own special beauty. For example in September the weather is great and there is little water so game density is higher.”

When is your favourite time in the bush?

John: “For me: the second half of November and early part of December, is the best time.”

Can you give us a few reasons why late November/early December is the best time for you?

John: “Firstly, I like it because it has lots to offer from a photographic point of view. Generally the first rains fall in October so there are beautiful green hues and lots of fresh young shoots coming through. Also the bush isn’t too dense so it is easier to see the wildlife. It is amazing to be able to capture your shot have that sense of space and burst of bright green in your photos.”

“I love birds and by this time the summer migrants are back so the birdlife is phenomenal.”

“The bush is alive! The impala are usually giving birth around the last week of November/early December. It is incredible to see the lovely little impala lambs standing out in the lush green surroundings. wildebeest and bushbuck are also calving so there is so much to see.”

“Due to the teeming antelope, the predator activity at this time is insane! You are bound to have some incredible sightings that will keep you on the edge of your seat. ”

“Lastly, you may be lucky enough to experience a real African thunderstorm and that in itself is a wonder to behold.”

“Southern Africa in late November/early December is tropical, vibrant and abundant. It really is one of the best times to visit as it is just before the rush of the holidays. Don’t wait for Christmas – come now!”

On this very grey Monday morning don’t you wish you were watching one of the sunsets below and sipping on a delicious G and T?

Whether its in your own private plunge pool enjoying the African summer, on the top of a mountain surveying the sunset over the savannah or perched on a safari vehicle watching a herd of elephants drink at the waterhole; this is THE ultimate safari drink. Ever wondered where it came from and why?

The History:

The cocktail was introduced in the early 19^th century by the army of the British East India Company in India when where Malaria was a problem. It was around the same time, during the British colonial period that the cocktail was first introduced to South Africa.

The Purpose:

In the 1700s it was discovered that quinine could be used to prevent and treat is, even though the bitter taste was unpleasant. British officers in India took to adding a mixture of water, sugar, lime and gin to the quinine in order to make the drink more palatable. Soldiers in India were already given a gin ration, and the sweet concoction made sense. Since it is no longer used as an antimalarial, tonic water today contains much less quinine, and is much sweeter.

The Description:

A gin and tonic is a highball cocktail made with gin and tonic water poured over lots of ice. It is best garnished with a wedge of lime or lemon and served at sunset in the African bush! The amount of gin varies according to taste. Suggested ratios of gin to tonic are 1:1, 1:2 or if you are feeling brave 1:3!

The Destination:

As shown above the Gin and Tonic is best appreciated when served over an unforgettable African sunset. Contact Iconic Africa soon and we will be sure to organize you the G and T of a lifetime!

Iconic Africa recently had the honour of treating Clay and Alexandria Efferson to an idyllic honeymoon in the Kruger, Cape Town and Franschhoek. They were kind enough to give us some feedback and share some of their incredible pictures.

Kruger: “One of the most beautiful places I’ve been to. We stayed at Narina Lodge at Lion Sands Resort in the middle of the park. Amazing adventure. 4 million plus acres of wildlife.”

Cape Town: “Cape Town was AMAZING!”

Franschhoek: “This is the final leg of our Honeymoon. The wine country was amazing and I cannot say enough about Iconic Africa. They really set up one of the greatest experiences of our life. Thanks again John. This wont be our last trip to South Africa. If its not on your bucket list then put it there. The pictures dont do justice to the actual experience.”

Entire Honeymoon: “It was truly amazing.  A bucket list trip and one of if not THE greatest trip I have taken.  Top marks and credit for such a vacation.”

Below are 10 top pictures of the trip:

Thanks so much Clay and Alex for sharing these with us. We hope to have you back here soon.

Iconic Africa had the pleasure of welcoming Lindsey Pisciotta to our beautiful country. Lindsey was kind enough to chat to us and share some pictures of her time at Londolozi. This is what she had to say:

What was your most memorable moment?

Lindsay: “My most memorable moment was being able to capture the magical African sunsets in the Sabi Sands whilst watching a heard of elephants and listening to them trumpet.”

 What did you think of the country as a whole?

Lindsay: “The diversity of the people, culture, and food completely exceeded my expectations. I never thought South Africa would be my favourite place to visit.”

 What did you think of the people?

Lindsay: “I found the people to be very friendly and welcoming to their country.”

 Did you feel you feel safe throughout your trip?

Lindsay: “Not once did I have a feeling of uncertainty about my safety. I feel a lot has to do with Iconic Africa for making sure I was 110% taken care of from the beginning to the end.”

 Did you like the cuisine?

Lindsay: “The cuisine was like nothing I have ever tasted before in my life. Everything was fresh and cooked to perfection. I have tried many different restaurants and not once was I disappointed in the food or the service.”

What tips would you give other travellers?

Lindsay: “Don’t be afraid to venture out and experience all that South Africa has to offer.”

Thank you Lindsay for your kind words – we hope to see you back here soon!

“What would men be without women? Scarce, sir…mighty scarce.” Mark Twain.

On Sunday 9^th of August our lovely nation celebrates Women’s Day. A public holiday that pays homage to over 20 000 ladies who protested against the apartheid regime’s pass laws in 1956. The protest was an inspiring display of political strength, female solidarity and inner fortitude. The following great women: Lilian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Albertina Sisulu and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn; led the march and helped mould South Africa into what it is today.

It is also about the trailblazing women of today, who continue to advocate for a more equal society, who touch so many lives every day and who lead the country forward.

So to all those empowering Mums, Grannies, Aunts, Sisters and Wives we salute you. Thank you for your inspiration, leadership, care and so much more. We hope your loved ones spoil you this weekend… “loved ones” if you are at a loss for what to do – here are some ideas. To book any of these click here.

Iconic Africa recently had the pleasure of showing off some of our favourite luxury destinations to Larry Greenberg. Larry and his friend Miles had an incredible trip and were kind enough to share some thoughts and few photos with us:

Where did you go on your trip? 

Larry: “We went to five different places on our trip.  We went to Cape Town, Victoria Falls, Chobe River, Camp Xakanaxa, and Lion Sands River Lodge in Sabi Sands Game Reserve.”

Where was your favourite destination and why? 

Larry: “Though we totally enjoyed every place we visited, my favorite destination was Sabi Sands due to the amount and variety of animals we saw and had close encounters with, and the accommodations and staff were the best.”

 What was the best accommodation that you stayed at? 

Larry: “Victoria Falls Hotel and Lions Sands River Lodge.”

What was your most memorable moment? 

Larry: “Watching the lion and hyena eating from the same “kill” at the river’s edge in Sabi Sands.”

What did you think of the country as a whole? 

Larry: “Absolutely wonderful.  So much to see and do.”

What did you think of the people?

The people were ALL so friendly, kind and considerate.

Did you feel safe throughout your trip? 

Larry: “Absolutely – we never felt threatened or unsafe at any time, whether on a game drive or in camp.”

Did you like the cuisine?

Larry: “I am not much of one to try different things, buy I tried everything, and loved everything.  Things were prepared expertly, served beautifully, and were so tasty.”

What tips would you give other travellers? 

Larry: “Don’t be hesitant or afraid to go.  Chobe River and Sabi Sands Game Reserve are a “must see”.  It was the “Trip of a Lifetime.”