Dear Traveler
As winter crawls ever closer to the Northern Hemisphere, we here in Sub-Saharan Africa are finally experience, warmer, longer days. It is the absolute best time to visit our continent, this in-between season. In this issue we take you to all sorts of places – and invite you to do something good into the bargain! If you, like many, find yourself being driven up the wall by your holiday companion after a mere few hours in sunnier climes, there is hope yet. Why not banish the 'pool or beach', 'bar or hike' daily bicker and spend some time getting to know some needy four-legged friends instead – and make a lasting difference. Through GVI – a social enterprise supporting critical conservation and community development projects - volunteers can be as hands-on as they like with animals the world over, from vaccinating pets and monitoring endangered sea turtles to rehabilitating elephants.
Read about the different volunteer programs they have and then pick one that suits you. Then, just outside Durban, South Africa, we were fortunate enough to experience the ultimate VIP treatment by staying in the Presidential suite at the magnificent Fairmont Zimbali Resort.
The expansive 417 sq. meter space is a destination unto itself. As the website so verbosely puts it: "The unmatched suite is an embodiment of the finest leisure at the true height of opulence. All rooms will leave you destined for unforgettable memories of an experience of pure leisure."
The food, the staff, the location – it was an experience hard to beat anywhere.
Just a hop over the border and we are in our neighboring country Mozambique where the Radisson Blu Mozambique awaits you. Here we had the rare and underestimated privilege of doing nothing for most of our stay as we lazed about by the beautiful pool, indulged in superb food and were treated like a king and queen. As the hotel brochure says so eloquently: "'I don't want to be alone, I want to be left alone.' Audrey Hepburn. Here at the Blu it is totally understood that we sometimes want to do a Hepburn and retreat to the sanctuary of our own special space.'
We hope you enjoy the September issue of Africa Travel. So until next month, Bon Voyage!
Jo Kromberg,
Editor |