News From South Africa's Zulu Kingdom

News From South Africa's Zulu Kingdom - August 2005

. October 14, 2008

SOUTH AFRICA, August 2, 2005. Welcome to the Zulu Update, bringing you the latest news from KwaZulu-Natal, one of South Africa's most under-rated provinces! Where else can you find year-round sunshine, white sandy beaches, mountains to challenge even the most adventurous, Battlefields to stor the sould AND Big Five game reserves!

Please also visit www.zulu.org.za for the latest news and a handy list of all accommodation and tourist attractions by region.

KZN'S WINTER WONDERS

The winter months in KwaZulu Natal are ironically, and very sadly, missed by most international tourists. This is a real pity as this is possibly the best time of the year to experience this incredibly diverse province! May to September offers so much more to visitors, such as:

Average temperatures of around 23 degrees, with no humidity and little rain.
Seven hours of sunshine a day!
Quiet stretches of beach sand for maximum enjoyment of the surf and sun.
Excellent game viewing. Not only is the bush less dense, but the game tends to converge around the watering holes, producing excellent sightings!
The Greatest Shoal on Earth. The annual sardine run normally happens around

June and July - an opportunity to view millions of sardines, followed by about 23000 dolphins, and thousands of game fish, sharks and whales in a feeding frenzy. An unmissable spectacle of Nature!

Whale watching to rival (if not beat!) that enjoyed in Hermanus. For more information visit www.advantagetours.co.za.
The Comrades Marathon, run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban
The best time of year for jaw-dropping sunsets over the bush
Off peak rates and unbeatable winter specials!

Tourism KwaZulu Natal has forecasted a bumper winter season, with expected tourism numbers to reach over a million. Miller Matola, ceo of TKZN, said the province could see as much as R1,4bn in tourism spend coming from both local and international travellers. About 30 000 foreign tourists are expected to visit the province and spend about R180m. Research shows that tourists to the province tend to visit Durban Central, South Coast, Pietermaritzburg and Midlands, North Coast and the Drakensberg. KwaZulu Natal remains the third most visited province in the country after Gauteng and the Western Cape.

THANDA SPA VOTED TOP 5 IN SOUTH AFRICA

Congratulations to Thanda Private Game Reserve's Wellness Centre for being chosen as a top 5 finalist in the category of Resort Spa by Les Nouvelles Esthetique during their inaugural South African 2005 Sanitas Per Aquas Spa Awards and Conference in Johannesburg on 17 July 2005.

The awards acknowledged service excellence, commitments and innovation in South Africa and over 100 entrants were received. This is an enormous achievement for Thanda as they have been open for just over 1 year.

What made Thanda one of the top 5 was its 5-star accommodation, facilities, the wellness centre design, the unique Thanda signature treatments and professionalism of staff as well as service excellence. The Thanda Signature Treatments, through Camelot, draw inspiration from the African culture and are designed to be indulgent to both the body and soul, allowing the African spirit to enchant each and every guest. They include the Thanda Spirit, Essence of Africa Sala Treatment, Tula Ritual and the Decadent African Manicure Experience.

Thanda has a great birthday offer of R1,080 pp sharing per night at its tented camp. The special, valid until September 30, is applicable for a minimum of three nights' stay, inclusive of accommodation at the tented camp, all meals, game drives and bush walks. Return flights are available from Johannesburg at R2 000 per person sharing if booked with this special. An upgrade to the main lodge is available at a supplement of R1 020 pp sharing per night. Standard commissions apply to accommodation, flights are net.

For further information on Thanda Private Game Reserve contact Southern Spoor Marketing reservations on +27 (0) 11 704 3115 or visit www.thanda.com

CATHEDRAL PEAK BECKONS

Winter in KwaZulu-Natal is perfect for a trip to the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg mountains. The mild climate means you can enjoy warm, clear sunshiney days, ideal for hiking - with the opportunity to snuggle around a log fire or even a camp fire under the stars in the evenings. You might even see some snow tipped mountains if you are REALLY lucky!

An ideal place to base yoursef is at Didima Camp, overlooking Cathedral Peak. Besides offering fantastic accommodation, spectacular scenery and a wide range of activities. A trip up Mike's Pass and a visit to the Didima San Art Centre are definite 'musts'. The Rock Art Centre takes visitors on a journey of discovery using the significance of the eland in San culture as a theme which threads its way through the entire experience, beginning with an introduction to the fascinating culture and lifestyle of the Ukhahlamba Bushmen in the display hall. From there visitors are led into a small cave to experience traditional fireside storytelling before moving through to the cultural auditorium for the screening of an inspiring and provocative audio-visual presentation. This amazing auditorium seats almost 100, before a near life-size replica of the Clarens sandstone overhang. The presentation explores the truth, myth and legend surrounding the rock art images, and their spiritual significance in San history.

Why not combine a few days of hiking in the mountains with a few days' game viewing in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Mkhuze or Ithala Game Reserves? For more information on Didima or any of the other fantastic KZN Wildlife destinations please visit www.kznwildlife.com.

GOODERSON LEISURE CORPORATION NEWS

Please note that the Gooderson Leisure Corporation has sold Nibela Lake Lodge in St Lucia to Dream Vacations based in Johannesburg. The agreement is a suspensive sale which will be concluded in December 2005. Nibela Lake Lodge remains fully operational and is being managed by existing management, Mr John Duffy and his team, who now form part of the Dream Vacations team to maintain continuity. For further information and bookings at Nibela Lake Lodge please do not hesitate to contact Dream Vacations - Elaine Cravett on Tel: +27(0) 11 267 8300 or email [email protected]

Drakensberg Gardens Golf & Leisure Resort has recently been graded by the Tourism Grading Council and was awarded a three star status. A new addition to the resort is a beauty / health facility - Body and Soul. The facility is run by Lauren Mingay who has extensive qualifications and experience in this field, offering a variety of treatments such as facials, aromatherapy massage and manicures to name a few. Other news is that their refurbishment and upgrade is continuing and 20 new rooms are being built, comprising of 12 deluxe rooms and 8 family rooms. The double storey deluxe rooms, will include king size beds, under floor heating, corner baths and other special features. The upstairs rooms will have a balcony with beautiful mountain views. The family rooms, will have two double beds in a room. Part of the upgrade will also include refurbishing of existing accommodation, giving it a more modern feel. Expected date of completion is 15 December 2005, bringing the total number of rooms to 92. Winter is a great time in the Berg.... and there is always the chance of snow! For further information please contact: [email protected]

MAN-MADE REEF PLANNED FOR DURBAN

In a first for South Africa, Durban has announced plans to build a multi-functional man-made reef, which will have implications for tourism and the environment.

The new reef is in response to the planned development of land-based activities on the site of the old Sea World Aquarium at Wedge Beach. The beach will be expanded for beach soccer and volleyball activities, while the man-made reef will match these land-based activities with surfing and snorkelling opportunities.

UMKHOSI WOMHLANGA (ROYAL REED DANCE)

If you are visiting KwaZulu Natal during early September be sure not to miss the cultural event of the year that occurs in King Goodwill Zwelithini's palace at Nongoma.

This is a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty and majesty of The Zulu Nation. On 10th September 2005, the King will preside over the vibrant and festive ceremony in which over 15000 maidens from various communities throughout the province will gather in procession to present a reed stick to the King. Only virgins are permitted to take part and it is a source of great pride for their families and communities. The festival is a solemn occasion but also an opportunity to show off their singing, dancing and beadwork. Each region has distinctive craft tradition, colours, patterns and styles.The beadwork is luxuriantly displayed by the young women on the "isegege" they wear around their waists with a range of intricate patterns and vivid colours.

An expectant hush falls on the crowd as the chief princess chooses the first reed. The chief princess leads the huge procession up the hill to the Kings Palace.The jubilant procession dance and sing their way to the King who is flanked by his royal regiment.The reed reflects a deep mythical connection with the water, an ancient echo from the myth about the origon of the Zulu people where the original ancestor emerged from a reed bed.

The leader of the group then kneels down before the King and presents him with with a reed to mark the occasion before joining the joung women in a joyful dance of tribute to the King. The King has fittingly used this festival to educate the Zulu Nation, particularly the youth regarding sexual morals and behaviours.

By paying tribute to the King in this way, the Zulu nation represented by the young women, bestows on the king the symbolic power to rule over the kingdom and its loyal subjects in the year to come. To demonstrate his gratitude, the king responds with a sacrifice to the royal ancestors on behalf of all the young women and their communities throughout the Kingdom. The chief princess leads the procession from the palace.

For more information contact Graham Chennells at Zululand Eco-Adventures on [email protected]. Tours from Eshowe are on offer for around R395 pp.

Alternatively, Kunene Tours offers day tours from Durban to experience the Reed Dance, departing at 07h00 and returning at 18h00. A minimum of 4 guests is required for this tour and the cost is from R520 per person. For more information contact S'phiwe Kunene on [email protected] or visit www.kunenetravel.com.

PHINDA ZUKA LODGE

Since opening in December 2004, Zuka Lodge has been offering its guests an intimate and extremely private experience of the newly incorporated 3 500-hectares of exclusive land in Phinda Private Game Reserve. Recent guests captured the essence of Zuka, "This was like staying with friends at their luxurious private residence. Simply brilliant!"

As an exclusive, sole-use and homely lodge, families and small parties of up to eight guests, have the luxury of tailoring their days with their own private ranger/host, tracker and safari vehicle, perhaps with breakfasts on the nearby beach or sunset game drives at their will. Guests can enjoy cooking with Zuka's personal butler and chef, in the open-plan interactive kitchen. Others prefer to simply relax by the infinity pool or in the comfortable sitting areas, and observe the diversity of wildlife regularly seen at the lodge's private waterhole.

Phinda Getty Lodge is well on track to opening this December. For more information please visit www.ccafrica.com

BEVERLY HILLS IS REFURBISHED

The Beverly Hills Hotel , one of Umhlanga's most well known landmarks has recently completed a R25 million rand refurbishment. Umhlanga is fast becoming one of the country's most desirable business and leisure destinations and the recent refurbishment is in line with Southern Suns' strategy to position this hotel as the leading destination on the North coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Refurbishment of the hotel's four Junior suites have recently been completed. Spacious and sumptuous, all suites offer en suite bathroom, separate dressing room and lounge area as well as a private balcony offering magnificent uninterrupted Indian Ocean views. Suede ottomans, plasma screens, dvd players and luxurious toiletries are just some of the special touches.The public areas of the Hotel have also been transformed, capturing the glamour and sophistication of a bygone era.

The signature restaurant, The Sugar Club, offers dramatic views of the Indian Ocean and is rated amongst the best in the country. The lower terrace of the hotel now boasts a Fitness Room , the Hotel shop and a beautifully decorated meeting room called The Plantation Room , which is the perfect venue for corporate functions and celebrations. The elements caf'e bar - a new chic and relaxed caf'e, is rumoured to be Umhlanga's hottest spot.For further information contact Julie Barnewall at AMG Ltd on 0208 487 9881 or [email protected].

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