December time is holiday time and Christmas is around the corner!

South Africa is getting ready for the festive season and so is Ilanga Travel. We baked some Christmas cookies to keep the spirits high!

Although most people are on holiday during the month of December, Ilanga Travel will always be reachable on our cell phones 24/7 for any emergencies! Our office will only close on the public holidays which are 25.12.2020 and the 01.01.2021 – on all other days you can reach us via email or cell phone.

Here is a quick update on SA Level 1 restrictions for the period 16.12.2020 – 03.01.2021

• All beaches in the Eastern Cape and the Garden Route District are closed from 16.12.2020 until 03.01.2021.
• All beaches in KwaZulu-Natal are closed on 16,25,26 and 31 December 2020 as well as 1,2 and 3 January 2021.
• All beaches in the Western Cape remain open, but can only be visited from 9am until 6pm.
• Extended curfew from 11pm until 4am (including New Year’s Eve / Guests have to stay at their accommodation between these hours and are not allowed outside).
• Restaurants and Bars will close at 10pm in order for their staff to get home on time (including New Year’s Eve).
• No alcohol may be purchased on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday (you can only buy alcohol from Monday to Thursday from 10am until 6pm).
• Wine farms may continue to offer wine tasting and sale of wine during normal licensed hours.
• No consumption of alcohol in public areas (including parks and beaches).

Please also note that we now have more than 1 hot spot area in South Africa. With immediate effect, the following areas are declared hot spots:

• Nelson Mandel Bay (since 04.12.).
• Jeffrey’s Bay, Graaff-Reinet, Grahamstown, George, Mossel Bay, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay (starting 15.12.).

In these hot spot areas the curfew starts already at 10pm which means restaurants and bars have to close at 9pm in order for their staff to get home on time. It also means that guests have to be back at their accommodation at 10pm sharp.

In addition to that, no alcohol can be purchased on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday – which is the same as the general new lock down rules as of 16.12.2020.

But we did not sit still – Josy went off the beaten track to Rogge Cloof Private Sutherland Estate

Rogge Cloof (meaning rye ravine) is situated just outside of Sutherland in the Northern Cape, about 3.5 hours drive from Cape Town. The drive is easy and relaxed and the scenery is beautiful.

Once you arrive at the gate of the reserve you get buzzed in and start the last stretch of about 10kms within the Reserve to the Lodge – which they call the Village. The road is in good condition and easily accessible with a sedan. The Village consist of the reception, all accommodations, The Rittersaal dining hall, the farm pool, the wine-tasting venue and a greenhouse which they call the hot house. The Village is in a ravine and surrounded by growing vineyards.

Check in is easy and the staff immediately make you feel at home and as if you are part of the family. All Covid protocols are followed and adhered to.

There are a few different options of accommodation – something for every interest and family size. The Orion Suites are beautiful and stylish equipped with everything one would need, a lovely fireplace for the cold winters and a veranda to suntan on in the summer. These are suitable for 2 adults per suite and sold mainly on a full board basis.

The other offerings are self-catering and include the Oryx House (4 Guests), the Waenhuis (8 Guests), the Cedar Cottage (4 Guests) and the Wolskuur Cottage (4 Guests). With these options one can add Dinner and Breakfast if desired.

They offer very interesting activities which include Game Drive & Fossil Field Outings, Cheetah Tracking, various hikes – one including a trip to the Salpeterkop Valcano, incredible stargazing and they have Fat Bikes which guests can use as they please. Wine tasting is also a big theme, as Rogge Cloof even has 3 of its own wines on offer. We went on a Game drive and Fossil Field outing after breakfast and really enjoyed our time out in the veld! It was especially informative and very interesting! Learning about all the plants, history, fossils and animals is great experience and a Nature-lovers dream come true! Our guide Sam was very passionate and knowledgeable and made our experience unforgettable. We also enjoyed a Cheetah tracking outing which was exciting and a must do when visiting Rogge Cloof.

We had lovely warm weather and enjoyed the Farm style swimming pool which is a hit with the kids. There is a Wine-tasting centre in the making which will also be a hit with the adults!

A big thank you goes out to our hosts, Andre and Corlia – what a special bunch of people! The hospitality and attention to detail was phenomenal!

Product Updates for this week

• Federal Air has a reduced schedule until June 2021, only one flight per day to Madikwe & Sabi Sands. Please contact us for details.

• Pearl Valley Hotel by Mantis reopened in November with an additional 40 suites, an upgraded communal area, a bigger pool and a deli.

• Erinvale Estate Hotel & Spa has finished their 3rd phase of renovations – the Manor House and property re-landscaping. Ilanga will check it out soon and keep you posted.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Ilanga Travel and wishing you only the very best for 2021!