Welcome back to South Africa!

After months and months of lock down and Corona regulations, we are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel!

The South African Government has removed their list of high risk countries and South Africa is open to all international travel again. All you need to enter our beautiful country are the following:

• Negative PCR Test Certificate in English (dated less than 72 hours before departure with the stamp and signature of a registered health professional)
• Valid passport (with at least 2 empty pages and valid for at least 3 months from date of entry to South Africa)
• Completed South African entry form (which you will get in the airplane)
• South African Corona Alert app installed on your mobile phone
• Medical insurance that will cover your medical costs if you should fall ill with covid-19 while travelling.

Kyla from Ilanga Travel explored George and its surroundings for you

Day 1

"Dine with a Local", is a new project, developed by George Tourism, which allows visitors to share an enriching culinary experience with a local family.

Choose from Xhosa, Cape Malay Infused, Khoi or Rainbow Nation experience. Each experience is unique on its own.

We were treated to a Khoi style dinner. Carmalita and her family take you down the history of the Khoikhoi and how they infuse their history into their dishes. The dinner location was close to Pacaltsdorp where these members of the Khoisan Tribe live.

During the dinner our hosts explained how they used the local fauna and flora in the area to give flavor to their dishes. They also shared the history of the Khoi in George, and taught us a few words in Khoi.

The main dinner was served as a buffet, but first we were served a traditional Khoi Samosa as a starter. Spiced with herbs, it came with a honey-mustard dressing and salad.

At the buffet we had chicken, beef, carrots spiced with cinnamon, cabbage, potato wedges and pumpkin fritters. Water, wine and homemade ginger beer were set on the table to compliment the food.

If you have special dietary requirements please inform "Dine with a Local" prior to arrival.

Day 2

In George there are many small farms, such as "Red Berry Farm". Red Berry Farm just celebrated their 20th Birthday and is a popular hang out for locals as well as tourists.

Visitors have the option of going to ‘Framboos’ where handcrafted gelato, soft serve, fresh berries, ice cream sandwiches, with fruit dressings and a variety of toppings are served.

Alternatively visitors can eat at the Noshery where a variety of pizzas, cheeses and freshly baked bread are sold. We were served two delicious pizzas.

For wine lovers, Houtbosch Wines offers wine and craft beer tastings, available with delicious cheese and cold meat boards or fudge pairing.

Red Shed offers a variety of dishes for breakfast or lunch as well as something for those who have a sweet tooth. They offer a wide selection of drinks including coffee, tea, milkshakes and cocktails. There is also a small shop where you can buy strawberries, cheeses, cold meats, frozen meats, juices and snacks.

Visitors can also partake in some of the fun activities Red Berry Farm. Activities are paid for directly at the Red Shed.

The following activities are offered:

• Strawberry picking, which is offered all year round except on Sundays. You will get a bucket at the Red Shed for the picking.
• Hedge Maze. The Maze has 7 hidden stations. It can take up over 3 hours to find all 7 stations, but if you are familiar with the maze you can do it within an hour. At each station you stamp the card which you receive at the Red Shed. Each station is listed with interesting facts on how to grow strawberries. If you manage to find all 7 stations, you receive a reward at the end.

   

  There is also a 25 meter underground tunnel within the maze, as well as a look-out point. The hedge was designed by the owner who also planted 30 000 Syzygium Paniculatum plants to create the hedge. This is the largest permanent hedge maze in the Southern Hemisphere.

• Redberry Express. Take a short 5 minute train ride which goes through the maze and around the strawberry field. This is for both children and adults – all ages are welcome.
• There are also pony rides for the little ones, and a playground, amongst other things to entertain kids.

Herold Wine Pairing with Caroline’s Chocolate

Herold Wines is situated in the Outeniqua Mountains at the foot of Cradock Peak. On the way to the wine farm you travel the magnificently scenic Outeniqua pass.

The owner pairs his wines with handmade chocolates from Caroline. Each chocolate has unique spices added to them to enhance and compliment the paired wine.

To retain the true flavours and aromas of the wines, minimal fining and filtering is done. In addition, no animal fining products are used. These truly natural wines are hand bottled in the cellar.

Day 3

A local guide took us on a tour of the art galleries in Wilderness. Local artists use the surrounding area to inspire their art. To celebrate and promote their art, locals and tourists are invited to join the Wilderness Open Gallery, which takes place every October for 3 days. Visitors are encouraged to take a walk along Wilderness main road and view the art of 67 Artists from the Southern Cape.

In the afternoon we were taken to Timberlake Village, between Sedgefield and Wilderness. There are many stalls where you can buy art, leather, jewellery, pottery, meat from a German butcher, and so much more. Timberlake Village also has a small playground for families travelling with their little ones.

At Timberlake Village many activities are offered. We took part in the Acrobranch tree top adventures, which are offered to all ages and levels of fitness. There are 3 adult courses as well as a kiddie’s course.

During the evening part of the group went paragliding which is offered by two companies in the area – Cloudbase and Wild2Fly.

Some of us went horse riding, which was hosted by Amanda from Perde Poort Horse Trails. The ride is 1 ½ hours through the fynbos. The ride is for both experienced and non-experienced riders (There is a weight limit of 110 kg). Amanda can take a maximum of 6 people at a time. If you are an experienced rider paired with non-experienced riders, Amanda will allow you to canter or gallop ahead of the group. There are also plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures. During the ride you may even be lucky to see some of the local wildlife.

Our last stop was at Eden Adventures in Wilderness, where we went canoeing along the Touw River. You can rent a double or single canoe, for an hour, half-day or full day. Different routes allow you to experience a beautiful waterfall, the river mouth or just meander down the river enjoying the abundant birdlife.

Re-discovering Escape to the Beach

Escape to the Beach is a beautiful 5-star boutique guest house directly located on the beach of Wilderness. Upon arrival you are greeted by a beautiful panoramic sea view, which sets the mood for the rest of your stay at the guest house.

Your host Sarie lives on property and is there 24/7 should you require any assistance. She will gladly book you a shuttle or an activity offered in the surrounding area. She can recommend good restaurants in the area and make reservations should you require them.

Breakfast is served either indoors, or outdoors on the deck should the weather allow it. Breakfast ranges from yoghurt, granola, fresh fruits, cheese, avocado, breads and a hot cooked breakfast. Sarie makes a lot of homemade treats which she serves during breakfast.

The property has 3 beautiful sea facing rooms on the top floor. Each room has its own balcony with seating area. In the mornings or evening you can enjoy the beautiful sounds of the ocean from your bed. Year round, dolphins swim past the guest house and can be seen from your room. Binoculars are available, so you can look for whales during whale season.

There are also 2 mountain suites. Even though these rooms do not offer a sea view, the rooms are as spacious and as comfortable as the sea facing rooms. Even if you are in a mountain facing room, you will still be able to appreciate beautiful ocean views. Escape to the Beach has a beautiful deck right at the beach, where there are loungers and a pool. This is where many guests spend most of their day.

The rooms are as follows:  

• The Orca Suite has an open plan bath in the room from where you can watch the ocean. The room has an en-suite bathroom with a double basin vanity, toilet and shower.
• The Humpback Suite has an en-suite bathroom with a double basin vanity, toilet and shower.
• The Southern Right Suite has an open plan bath in the room from where you can watch the ocean. The room has an en-suite bathroom with a double basin vanity, toilet and shower.
• The Minke Suite looks over the Courtyard and Mountain slope. The room has an en-suite bathroom with a double basin vanity, toilet and shower.
• The Bryde’s Suite also looks over the Courtyard and Mountain slope. The room has an en-suite bathroom with a double basin vanity, toilet and shower.

COVID 19 “no problem at all”

Throughout all the above experiences, Covid-19 protocols where adhered to, and Kyla still had a wonderful time and enjoyed every minute of this wonderful educational.

Product Updates for this week

Madikwe Safari Lodge is no longer managed by the MORE family and is now owner managed again, and proudly represented by Kim Beyers Representation. Our current rates will not change until April 2022 and we are happy to continue selling this beautiful lodge.

Sadly we had to say “goodbye” to many of our beloved guest houses and hotels that had to close down for good due to the impacts of the Corona Virus pandemic. These products are listed below:

1. Beta Beach Guest House

2. Buya Futhi Bed and Breakfast

3. Cape Rose Cottage

4. Chapungu Game Lodge

5. Cuningham’s Island Lodge

6. Ginnegaap

7. Hermanus Beach Villa

8. Hilton Hotel Cape Town

9. House Silver Ocean

10. Ibhayi Town Lodge

11. Lodge on the Bay

12. Machaton Private Camp

13. Madison Manor in Knysna

14. Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary closed Rest Camp

15. Mount Grace

16. NH The Lord Charles

17. On the Beach Wilderness

18. Protea Hotel by Marriott Hazyview

19. Protea Hotel The Edward in Durban

20. Redbourne Country Lodge

21. Saint du barrys

22. The Windermere Hotel

23. Thornybush Waterside Lodge

24. Umfolozi Game Reserve

25. Zululand Tree & Safari Lodge UBIZANE

Many other properties are temporarily closed due to no or very little demand. We can not wait to receive new enquiries for the near and far future, so we can send them all business again.

 

We hope to welcome you back to our beautiful South Africa very soon!