Tourism Tattler Issue 3 2018

ISSUE 03 | Quarter 3 2018

ISSUE 03 2018 

PUBLISHER 

TourismTattler.com 

PO Box 891, Umhlanga Rocks, 4320 

KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. 

Website: www.tourismtattler.com 

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Des Langkilde 

Cell: +27 (0)82 374 7260 

Fax: +27 (0)86 651 8080 

E-mail: editor@tourismtattler.com 

Skype: tourismtattler 

ADVERTISING 

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Bev Langkilde 

Cell: +27 (0)71 224 9971 

Fax: +27 (0)86 656 3860 

E-mail: bev@tourismtattler.com 

Skype: bevtourismtattler 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

http://eepurl.com/bocldD 

ATTRACTIONS 

CONSERVATION 

BACK ISSUES (Click on covers to download). 

▼ ISS 2 2018 ▼ ISS 1 2018 ▼ NOV 2017 

DESTINATIONS 

▼ OCT 2017 

▼ SEP 2017 

▼ AUG 2017 

▼ JUL 2017 

▼ JUN 2017 

▼ MAY 2017 

HOSPITALITY 

▼ APR 2017 

▼ MAR 2017 

▼ FEB 2017 

PROPERTY REVIEW 

Disclaimer: Tourism Tattler is published by the sole proprietor, Desmond Langkilde, and 

is the official trade journal of various trade ‘Associations’ (see page 04). The information 

provided and opinions expressed herein are provided in good faith and do not necessarily 

represent the opinions of the proprietor, its ‘Associations’, its staff or its production suppliers. 

Advice provided herein should not be soley relied upon as each set of circumstances may 

differ. Neither the proprietor, its ‘Associations’, its staff or its production suppliers can be held 

legally liable in any way for damages arising directly or indirectly from any facts or information 

provided or omitted in these pages or from any statements made or withheld or from supplied 

photographs or graphic images reproduced by the publication.

FIRST CAPTIVE BRED 

Cheetah 

RELEASE 

REAL AFRICA. REAL CLOSE TO CAPE TOWN 

Tourism Tattler 

Issue 3 of 2018

Official Trade Journal and Media Partner to: 

The Africa Travel Association 

+1.202.835.1115 • africatravelassociation.org 

ATA is a division of the Corporate Council 

on Africa (CCA) and a registered non-profit 

trade association in the USA. 

The African Travel & Tourism 

Association 

+44 20 7937 4408 • www.atta.travel 

Based in London, the Atta has members 

in 22 African countries and 37 worldwide. 

National Accommodation 

Association of South Africa 

+27 86 186 2272 • www.naa-sa.co.za 

The NAA-SA is a network of mainly 

smaller accommodation providers 

throughout South Africa. 

Regional Tourism Organisation of 

Southern Africa 

+27 11 315 2420/1 • www.retosa.co.za 

RETOSA is responsible for tourism growth 

and development in the Southern African 

Development Community (SADC) region. 

Southern African Vehicle Rental 

and Leasing Association 

manager@savrala.co.za • www.savrala.co.za 

SAVRALA is the representative voice of 

Southern Africa’s vehicle rental, leasing 

and fleet management sector. 

Seychelles Hospitality & Tourism 

Association 

+248 432 5560 • www.shta.sc 

The SHTA’s primary focus is to unite all 

Seychelles tourism industry stakeholders 

under one association. 

International Coalition of 

Tourism Partners (ICTP) 

www.tourismpartners.org 

ICTP is a travel and tourism coalition 

of global destinations committed to 

Quality Services and Green Growth. 

International Institute for Peace 

through Tourism 

www.iipt.org 

IIPT is dedicated to fostering tourism 

initiatives that contribute to international 

understanding and cooperation. 

The Hotel Show Africa 2018 

TheHotelShowAfrica.com 

Thousands of hospitality professionals 

from around the world will be at 

Gallagher Convention Centre in 

Johannesburg from 25-27 June. 

Tourism, Hotel Investment and 

Networking Conference 2018 

Website: thincafrica.hvsconferences.com 

THINC Africa 2018 takes place on 5th 

and 6th September 2018 at Century City 

Conference Centre, Cape Town. 

Accommodation 

Adventure 

Activities 

Events 

Tours 

Bringing Africa to the World and the World to Africa 

+27 (0)72 224 9971 www.bookings2africa.com bev@bookings2africa.com 



BIG 5 SAFARI & SPA 

Real Africa. Real Close To Cape Town. 

Over 10 000-hectares of Big 5 conservancy. 

C 

M 

Y 

CM 

MY 

CY 

CMY 

K 

4-STAR ACCOMMODATION | SPA | GAME DRIVE | HORSEBACK & QUAD BIKE SAFARI 

At the award-winning Aquila Private Game Reserve and Spa, guests will get the opportunity to experience a Big 5 safari, together with 

outstanding service; it just does not get any better than this. With game drives, quad bike and horseback safaris situated just 2 hours’ drive 

from Cape Town, it’s the closest you will get to real Africa, in the lap of luxury. 

The world-class spa at Aquila adds to the already exceptional facilities and services on offer. It is a masterpiece of luxury, defined by its 

serenity and creative use of natural elements. 

FACILITIES & ACTIVITIES 

4-STAR ESTABLISHMENT | PREMIER, FAMILY & LUXURY COTTAGES | LODGE ROOMS | DAY TRIP SAFARI | HORSEBACK SAFARI | QUAD BIKE SAFARI 

STAR SAFARI | OVERNIGHT SAFARI | FLY-IN SAFARI | WINE TASTING | INDOOR & OUTDOOR RESTAURANTS | OUTDOOR POOL | WET BAR | CIGAR 

LOUNGE | CONFERENCE CENTRE | SPA | CURIO SHOP | CHILDREN’S FACILITIES & JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMME 

www.aquilasafari.com 

AquilaSafari 

AquilaSafaris 

RESERVATIONS: +27 (0)21 430 7260 or RES@AQUILASAFARI.COM 



A world-class cheetah sanctuary and 

working farm outside Paarl in South 

Africa’s Western Cape, Ashia is a mere 

45-minute drive from Cape Town. 

At Ashia we support conservation initiatives 

through our efforts to release captive-bred 

cheetahs back into the protected wild. We also 

offer the opportunity to contribute in aiding 

conservation initiatives through our volunteer 

programmes, working holidays and research/internship 

programmes. 

Protect • Preserve • Educate 

www.ashia.co.za 

Proud supporters of Cheetah Experience Ashia 

Tourism Tattlerl 




DESTINATIONS 

BALLOON SAFARI OVER TANZANIA’S 

Ruaha National Park 

At 20,226 square kilometres (7,809 sq mi) Ruaha National Park is the 

the largest park in Tanzania and East Africa. And there’s no better way 

to view herds of elephant, wildebeest, zebra, and Thomson’s gazelle, 

than from above, in a hot air balloon. 



Yet, despite all this space for wildlife to roam, the greatest concentration of game occur along 

the Great Ruaha River, after which the park is named. This 475 km (300 mi.) long 

river is the life-blood of the park and the focus for land-based game-viewing. 

A one-hour Ruaha Balloon Safaris 

flight avoids the game-viewing masses, 

enabling you to see the Park from a unique 

perspective. Whether skimming 

the river surface as pods of 

hippo scatter before you, or 

floating high above the baobabdecorated 

plains, as you view 

wildlife trails made by generations 

of animals, these sights are impossible 

to witness from the ground. 

You will also fly over areas that are out of 

bounds to vehicles as off-road driving is not 

permitted in the Park. 

Ruaha is famed for its vast herds of 

buffalo, elephant, and prides of lion as 

well as being one of the very few places 

where you can view greater and lesser 

Kudu in the same park. 

Balloon flights launch daily from 

15 June to 31 October annually. 

For more information, visit www.balloonsafaris.com. For reservations, contact Glory 

on bookings@balloonsafaris.co.tz or call +255 (0)27 254 8967 OR +255 (0)73 297 2308. 



CONSERVATION 

Beauty 

is in the eye of the beholder, 

and there is no better place for tourists to 

see the beauty of Africa’s most endangered 

big cat, the graceful cheetah, than at Ashia, 

a recently established wildlife sanctuary and 

education centre located in Paarl, a 45-minute 

drive from Cape Town. 



C heetah Experience Ashia is 35-hectare working agricultural farm where environmental values 

are applied with an emphasis on supporting the conservation of endangered big and small 

cats, particularly cheetahs. Founded in 2016 by husband and wife team Chantal Rischard and 

Stephan Illenberger, in partnership with Riana van Nieuwenhuizen, the founder of Cheetah 

Experience Bloemfontein, the aim of their sanctuary is to help prevent the decline of cheetah 

populations and increase the genetic gene pool through captive breeding programmes. These 

cheetahs will then be re-introduced into the wild through protected wildlife reserves by offering 

support to other ethical and sustainable conservation initiatives. They further aim to educate 

the public, especially the youth, about the plight of cheetahs. 



Ashia is an African name, meaning “life and hope”. 

Through educational experiences visitors get to 

understand the urgent need for action and the critical 

need to protect these majestic predators. 



According to the World Wildlife Fund, cheetah numbers have dropped from about 100,000 

in 1900 to probably 6,800 today and now only cover about 23% of their historic range in 

Africa. Of these, only about 2,000 live in protected areas. The species loss today is about 

10,000 times higher than their natural death rate. This is mostly due to human/animal conflict 

in rural settlements and on commercial farms where cheetahs are seen as a livestock threat. 



A shia offers an opportunity to aid in cheetah conservation through volunteer programmes, 

working holidays and research/internship programmes. Luxurious guest accommodation 

opened in January 2018, where visitors can experience farm life and cheetah conservation. 

Four spacious suites (3 x one-bedroom and 1 x two-bedroom) offer sumptuous comfort in 

relaxed surroundings, each en-suite with a fully equipped kitchenette. Guests can refresh and 

eat at the Café with its sweeping views over the Drakenstein mountains, browse through the 

extensive selection of high-end gifts and memorabilia in the Boutique Shop, or explore the 

beauty and diversity of the farm on foot. 

For more information visit www.ashia.co.za or email enquiries@ashia.co.za 

Read our Q&A interview with Ashia’s co-founder Chantal Rischard here. 



STOP PRESS: First Captive Cheetah Release 

Cheetah Experience Ashia & Bloemfontein have announced that their first cheetah release permit 

has finally been issued by the conservation authorities. The release - managed and financed by the 

registered non-profit company Ashia Cheetah Conservation - took place end of August.. 

Read more >> 



CONSERVATION 

FIRST CAPTIVE BRED 

Cheetah 

RELEASE 

AT KUZUKO LODGE 



Kuzuko Lodge, a contractual area of South 

Africa’s Addo Elephant National Park and 

managed by Legacy Hotels & Resorts, 

released the first Ashia Cheetah Experience 

captive-born cheetah into the protected 

wildlife reserve on Wednesday 29 August. 

The four-year-old cheetah named Jasmin, 

was released into a boma on her arrival to 

acclimatise to her new surroundings. From 

here, Jasmin will be released into a 300ha 

enclosure before her eventual release into the 

expanse of the 15,000ha reserve to 

meet the two resident 

males. 

Read more about this story HERE. 



As a nature reserve, Kuzuko is in its infancy. 

A five-year environmental study provided 

the benchmark for a sustainable re-growth 

of the area to its natural habitat. Working in 

conjunction with SANParks, a programme 

was embarked upon to re-stock the area with 

indigenous flora and fauna. Originally created 

by combining twenty-two farms, comprising 

an area of about 40,000 acres, the land was 

barren due to the negative impact from years 

of goat farming. 

To protect the reserve, 70km of solar powered 

electrified fencing was erected by a team 

of 70 men over a period of 10 months. In 

clearing the land approximately 230km of old 

farm fencing, 41 windmills, 15 farm buildings, 

18 water reservoirs and 20 tons of metal were 

dismantled and removed. 

Place of Glory 

Game had to be introduced in phases after 

the removal of 250ha of alien plant species 

and the cultivation and re-planting of 

Spekboom (portulacaria afra). An indigenous 

plant known as “elephant’s food”, Spekboom 

has enormous carbon-storing capabilities. Its 

capacity to offset harmful carbon emissions 

is equivalent to that of moist, subtropical 

forests. 

Once the flora began to recover, buffalo, 

zebra, and various species of antelope were 

re-introduced into the reserve in partnership 

with SANParks and the Addo Elephant Park. 

In 2005, after an absence of 150 years, 

elephant and black rhino were released on 

Kuzuko. Predators were only introduced in 

2007 when there was sufficient game to 



sustain their numbers. Kuzuko is committed 

to the conservation of disease-free elephants, 

black rhino, and mountain zebra. 

For conservation to be successful, Kuzuko 

believes that all children need to learn to 

love and protect their heritage. Funded by 

the Kuzuko Foundation, educational school 

programmes mainly focuss on the upliftment 

of disadvantage communities and their 

educational needs. The only expense that the 

school/institution is responsible for is transport 

of their groups to and from Kuzuko Lodge 

and Reserve. 

For more information visit legacyhotels.co.za 

or email kuzuko@legacyhotels.co.za 



DESTINATIONS 

September is Tourism Month. Take a Sho’t Left and dare yourself to experience 

adrenaline-fuelled activities and adventures in South Africa. From diving to 

walking safaris, hot air ballooning to windsurfing, treetop zip lining to river 

rafting – there’s no shortage of raw adventures and adrenaline-pumping 

moments. 

ADVENTURE 



Great White Shark cage diving - Gansbaai, Western Cape. 

Image courtesy South African Tourism / Greatstock. 



From popular beaches to incredible wetlands, South Africa’s 

long stretch of pristine coastline is yours to discover. 

BEACH 



Chapman’s Peak, Cape Town, Western Cape. 




Whether it’s Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans or Venda, our 11 official languages 

and cultures each offer something unique. 

CULTURE 

Tourism Tourism Tattler Trade TattlerJournal 

Issue 3 Issue of 2018 3 of 2018

Traditional rain dance ceremony in a forest in Limpopo. 


Tourism Tourism Tattler Trade Tattler 

Journal Issue 3 Issue of 2018 

3 of 2018

Every day in scenic South Africa ends with a horizon to look out on. No matter which 

province you’re in, you’re always around the corner from something breathtaking… 

something that will leave you incapable of saying anything other than “wow”. 

NATURE 



West Coast National Park, Western Cape. During early August and September the 

landscape is transformed into a wonderland of wildflowers. 




PROPERTY PROFILE 

The uMfolozi Big Five Reserve is positioned on the south-western border of the 

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park - the oldest proclaimed protected Game Reserve area in 

South Africa, dating back to 1895. Stretching over 96,000 hectares, it is located 

approximately 190km (2.5 hours) north of Durban, in central Zululand, KwaZulu- 

Natal, South Africa. The reserve is known for its rich wildlife and conservation efforts. 

The uMfolozi Big Five Game Reserve represents the future of forward-thinking 

sustainability as it blends past and present conservation models. 



The uMfolozi is a special conservation 

story – the story of how Dr Ian Player 

started a global effort to save the 

rhino from extinction, and how years 

later the tribal chiefs contributed 

their land to conserve this part of 

South Africa’s natural heritage. 



Mthembu is the first lodge being buit at the uMfolozi Big Five Game 

Reserve. It has an earthy character, yet is just as luxurious as the second 

lodge, Biyela. Situated somewhat higher off the river, it provies guests 

with panoramic views over the waters and riverine bush. 

Mthembu Lodge is comprised of 7 luxurious 1-bedroom Private Villas 

and two 2-bedroom Family Villas, sleeping a total of just 22 guests. The 

spot where Mthembu Lodge stands is the exact place where Dr Ian Player 

stabled his horses which were first used on patrols and later on wilderness 

leadership training in this area. 

Mthembu Lodge will open its doors to welcome its first guests in October 

2018 and Biyela Lodge will be ready in January 2019. 



Computer generated artists impressions of Mthembu Lodge bedroom and bathroom. 

www.mantiscollection.com 

+27 (0)41 404 9300 

reservations@mantiscollection.com 



PROPERTY REVIEW 

REAL AFRICA. REAL CLOSE TO CAPE TOWN 

Review by Des & Chase Langkide 



S 

et in the pristine Southern Karoo Highlands against a backdrop of dramatic mountains, the 

four star Aquila Private Game Reserve & Spa offers an exciting taste of real Africa just two 

short hours from Cape Town by road. 

Home to an enormous variety of game, including the Big 5, two- to three-hour game drives 

at Aquila are a perfect way to see the animals from four-wheel-drive vehicles, quad bikes or 

on horseback. 



Tourism Tattler Issue 3 of 2018

A 

quila’s afro-chic Aquila Lodge is comprised of 3 levels, accessible by a glass panelled lift 

with magnificent Karoo vistas. The Lodge has an outdoor swimming pool, a pool bar, a 

cigar lounge and a large dining room where the chef presents a rich variety of authentic 

South African cuisine. 

The four-star cottages are strategically placed for privacy and built largely from rock, 

thatch and wood to blend with the environment and offer every comfort like roaring log 

fires, wooden viewing decks, air conditioning, crisp percale linen, rock bathrooms and, in 

some, alfresco rock showers. 

The Tranquila Spa features two large heated indoor pools, steam room, sauna, nail bar, 

ten treatment rooms, a couples or group treatment room and an outdoor pool. 

0861 73-73-78-3 

+27 (0)83 301 9222 

For availability & bookings click here 



Common Symptoms of 

DIABETES 

Frequent 

Urination 

Increased 

Thirst 

Abnormal 

Weight Loss 

Excessive 

Fatigue 

Weight Gain 

Slow Healing 

Excessive Sleep 

Z Z Z 

Blurred 

Vision 

If you experience any of these symptoms, 

you may be diabetic. 

422MILLION 

adults have diabetes 

That’s 1 person in 11 

Prevention is better than cure. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Get self-care advice today. 

Tel: +27 (0)21 425 4440 

national@diabetessa.org.za 

Facebook.com/Diabetes.South.Africa 

www.diabetessa.org.za 

Advertisement sponsored courtesy of Tourism Tattler

Tourism Tattler Issue 3 2018

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