What is happening in South Africa?

Winter is here! The rains have arrived in the Mother City and we are so happy because that means no water shortage in summer 😊. Ilanga Travel continues to explore South Africa for you and your clients!

Anne visited the Houghton Hotel in Johannesburg

What a wonderful night away at the Houghton Hotel!

We took the early morning flight from CPT to JNB, with check-in 2 hrs before departure, just to pass all the security and health checks at the airport.

As you walk into Cape Town Airport, you are immediately screened for high temperature and face mask. Hand sanitizing is also mandatory upon entering. Selective seats are marked to make you aware not to sit too close to strangers and stickers are on the floor to help you maintain safe social distancing, as required these days. Even while flying, people are constantly reminded, by the ever vigilant stewardesses, to keep their masks on and getting off the airplane is staggered, so that only a limited amount of people depart at a time, while the rest remain seated and wait their turn.

We enjoyed a quiet 20 minute drive to the hotel, as the traffic was very light late morning on that particular Thursday.

The reception area of the hotel is open and spacious, but before you are allowed to enter, you are again reminded to wear a mask and sanitize your hands, and a temperature check is also done before entry is permitted.

The hotel has only 68 rooms and each room is spacious and elegantly furnished, with all the essentials you would expect, from shower caps to a variety of coffee capsules.

Most rooms have an open shower and bath, with only the toilet being in a separate small cubicle, but there is the option of sliding doors that close the shower/ bath area off easily, if this is required.

There are no inter-leading rooms, but the penthouses do feature 2 or 4 bedrooms with plenty of wonderful features such as private Jacuzzis, for example.

The hotel has a Spa and Wellness Centre, with indoor and outdoor pools and a gym. There is the Sejour restaurant, Nova Bistro and Astra Lounge to tempt your culinary senses, and there is a small wine cellar and the option for private dining, if you so desire.

There is of course the world renowned golf course as well, and we were able to have a short game of mini golf, which entailed 9 holes on the putting greens – fun was had by all!

The service was wonderful, the food excellent, the rooms comfortable and all around, it was just a wonderful stay.

Thank you Ilanga Travel, An African Anthology and the Houghton Hotel – this was two days and one night that will be fondly remembered.

Josy went on safari to Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

I was lucky enough to get invited to spend 3 wonderful nights at Earth Lodge in Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve – the bush had been calling me for many months, so I was very happy to oblige.

This was an organised FAM trip which Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve put together for a number of agents and started at Cape Town Airport. We were flown by Airlink to Skukuza, from Cape Town via Johannesburg. The flights were pleasant and all COVID protocols were in place. We landed in Skukuza and were met by our Ranger who transferred us to the beautiful Earth Lodge. The transfer took about 45 Minutes. Once we arrived at the Lodge, everyone was signed in and temperatures taken, and COVID protocols explained.

During our stay we experienced amazing game viewing, delicious meals and got to see all 4 Lodges, each with their own unique style and target market. They have something for every kind of traveller.

Earth Lodge has a very special setting and features a distinctive architecture, with natural elements such as straw and stone in the forefront of the design, sculpted into a slope in the earth. The lodge has 13 suites each with their own plunge pool and fully equipped with all the luxury amenities you can imagine. This lodge is perfect for Honeymooners and couples, or a smaller group of friends. We enjoyed a wonderful boma dinner, and a private dinner in the wine cellar on the last night – this was unforgettable!

We visited the other three lodges for a site inspection.

Bush Lodge has a total of 25 suites including 2 luxury villas and the Madleve deluxe suite. This lodge is perfect for bigger groups and families. They have a wonderful kiddie’s center called the Elefun Centre where kids of all ages can have fun.

Little Bush Lodge was my favorite – with just 6 suites and a beautifully decorated main area, you feel right at home deep in the bush. Each suite has a private viewing deck and a heated spa bath overlooking the Mshuthlu riverbed. The pool and deck are situated on the other side of the river and they offer riverbed dining.

What is not to love about Selati Camp? From the main area, paths lead out to the 7 suites spread across the lovely lawn. The Ivory Presidential Suite is great for VIP clients and the Lourenco Marques Suite is just right for honeymooners and is a glorious home away from home in the bush.

Thank you so very much to the team at Earth Lodge for making our stay so enjoyable. Thank you to Jan and Jacques for hosting us, and showing us a wonderful time. Guests will surely leave feeling like family, just like I did.

Corona Update from South Africa

South Africa has been moved to Adjusted Alert Level 2, effective 31.05.2021

Wearing a mask is still compulsory at all times!

Curfew hours are still from midnight until 4am!

Our President announced that South Africa will be moving back to adjusted alert Level 2 as from the 31.05.2021. This is to encourage the citizens of South Africa to adhere to the COVID Protocols. It is important to maintain the social distancing rules, wear masks and also keep gatherings to a minimum. As the numbers are rising and we are headed into our third wave, we remain positive that we will overcome this next COVID obstacle. We have overcome so much already and with the vaccination roll out picking up it can only get better from here.

Vaccination Update from Discovery Health Medical Scheme:

The Mass COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign in South Africa started on 17.05.2021. The process has been complex, with many moving parts, particularly the difficulty of procuring the required volume of doses for the entire country; the decision to halt the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine; and the recent pause of delivery of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine, given regulatory concerns.

Phase 1 was run as a clinical trial aimed at vaccinating healthcare workers and this has now concluded. Through this trial, almost 480,000 healthcare workers were vaccinated and this Sisonke trail ended 15.05.2021.

Phase 2 commenced on the 17.05.2021 and is called the “mass campaign”. Approximately 700,000 healthcare workers still need to be vaccinated in the initial stage of Phase 2. This phase concurrently prioritises those over 60 years of age and those living in congregate settings, for example, retirement villages and nursing homes.

Over five million senior citizens are eligible for vaccination in Phase 2 and the capacity required to vaccinate this population quickly is significant, particularly in the context of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine that requires two doses per person.

Vaccine availability and site readiness – The country has secured a total of 62 million vaccine doses: 31 million of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine (2 doses required per person) and 31 million of the J&J vaccine (1 dose per person). This is sufficient to cover 42 million people.

In terms of the kick-off from 17 May, vaccine deliveries have been underway to 87 approved vaccination sites across the public and private sector. The intention is to expand to 3,000 vaccination sites at the peak of rollout during July and August. Sufficient stock has been procured to deliver 6.5 million doses to people by the end of June.

Moving into this phase of the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign marks a significant turning point in the battle against COVID-19. It will result in thousands of lives being saved and is critical to re-building the economy.

 

South Africa is on the right track and we cannot wait to welcome your clients again!