Emdoneni News

Women’s Day South Africa

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Womens Day on the 9th August in South Africa? It has nothing to do with honouring women just because we need another “Mother’s Day”, this day commemorates the 9 August 1956 when women participating in a national march petitioned against pass laws … (For anyone who does not know the history – “pass laws” were legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to ‘prove’ that they were allowed to enter a ‘white area’ during the Apartheid regime). On this day in 1956, over 20 000 women of all races and ages from every corner of South Africa marched together towards the Union Buildings in Pretoria. These brave women were marching in protest against the pass laws that proposed even further restrictions on the movements of women. Organised by the Federation of South African Women, the March was led by four brave women; Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophie Williams and Lilian Ngoyi. The leaders delivered petitions to Prime Minister JG Strijdom’s office within the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Women throughout South Africa had put their names to these petitions indicating their anger and frustration at having their freedom of movement restricted by the hated official passes. To conclude the Women’s March, the women sang freedom songs such as Nkosi sikeleli Afrika, however, the song that became the anthem of the march was “Wathint’ abafazi, Strijdom!” wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo, uza kufa! When you strike the women, you strike a rock, you will be crushed [you will die]! The march was a resounding success and South Africa recognises the bravery of these women who risked arrest, detention and banning by declaring 9 August National Women’s Day. Source Credit: http://blog.sa-venues.com Photo Credits: Photograph of Lilian Ngoyi © Robben Island Mayibuye Archives Photograph of Women’s Monument by and © Kalden Ongmu for Africa News Network

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Emdoneni News

7 Tips for a successful Whale Watching Trip

Whale watching—seeing some of the largest animals on Earth in their natural habitat—can be a thrilling activity. Being prepared for your whale watch and knowing what to expect can help make your trip a successful one. Follow these tips to get the most out of your experience. Book Your Trip With a Reputable Company Louise Murray / Robert Harding World Imagery / Getty Images Whale watching can be a thrilling adventure. It may also be a long, expensive trip, especially if you have children. If you’re going whale watching, take some time to research the tour operators so that you’ll have a fun, successful trip. Follow the company’s guidelines as to when to arrive for boarding the boat. Make sure you arrive with plenty of time to stand in line for tickets and get on board. Whale watching should be a happy, relaxing experience; rushing around at the beginning makes for too hectic a start of your day. Check the Weather and the Marine Forecast Imagno / Contributor / Getty Images Maybe you love adventure and the idea of cruising through rough seas and getting splashed with waves is your idea of a great time. Whale watch operators will not go out if the seas are unsafe, but most captains and crew don’t get seasick! If you’re not sure about rough seas or whether or not you’ll get motion sickness, you’ll probably want to go whale watching on the calmest day possible. Check the weather forecast and also the marine forecast for details about conditions out on the water. If the forecast is for high winds or seas, it’s likely you will have a rocky trip. Check the Sightings Mark Carwardine / Getty Images Whales are wild animals, so sightings can never really be guaranteed. Some companies “guarantee” sightings, but this usually means that they’ll provide a complimentary ticket to return on another day if no whales are sighted. You may want to check on the latest sightings in the area to see what species have been nearby recently and how many whales have been seen. Many companies will offer this information on their website. If there is a whale research organization in the area, check their website as they may be more likely to offer an objective report of recent sightings. Instead of focusing on how many whales you’re seeing or what they are doing or not doing, enjoy the whole experience. Take it all in. Smell and breathe in the fresh ocean air and observe the birds and all the other marine life you see on the trip. Pack for a Day at Sea Michael Runkel / Getty Images Remember that it can be 10–15 degrees cooler on the ocean and rain showers may happen during the trip. Dress in layers, wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes, and bring a rain jacket if there’s even the slightest chance of rain in the forecast. Wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat—and make sure it’s a hat that won’t blow away! If you wear glasses or sunglasses, it’s always a good idea to use an eyeglass lanyard (also called a retainer) when out on the water. You definitely don’t want to risk your glasses falling overboard. Think About Taking Motion Sickness Medicine Russell Underwood / Getty Images If you are not sure how you will react to the motion of the ocean, think about taking motion sickness medicine. Many whale watches are several hours long, and this can be a very long time if you are not feeling well. Remember to take motion sickness medicine before you board the boat (usually 30–60 minutes prior) and take the non-drowsy version so you don’t end up sleeping the entire trip! Bring Your Camera Aliyev Alexei Sergeevich / Getty Images Bring a camera to record your experience. Also, bring plenty of batteries and make sure you have a clear memory card or lots of film in case the sightings are spectacular! Keep in mind that the average point-and-shoot camera might not deliver the speed and magnification needed to get the best pictures, especially if the company is following whale watch guidelines that dictate they watch whales from a distance. If you have a 35mm camera, a 200–300mm lens provides the most zoom and stability for whale watching. Remember to get some fun shots of you and/or your family with the ocean in the background or interacting with the naturalist/crew on board! If At First You Don’t Succeed… Pascale Gueret / Getty Images Remember that the photos you see on brochures and websites are likely the best photos taken from many years of whale watches. While you may see similar things, they are likely not everyday sightings. The one thing that can be guaranteed about whale watching is that every trip is different. If you don’t see a certain species the first time, try again another day or another year, and you’ll likely have a completely different experience! Source Credit: www.thoughtco.com

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Emdoneni News

Durban is Africa’s leading city destination!

Cape Town’s trophy cabinet is stocked with awards. It was voted as the best city in the 2018 Telegraph Travel Awards, made the list of 2018 Worlds Best (by Travel and Leisure), was named the best destination in Africa in the World Tourism Awards 2018, voted as world’s most affordable long-haul destination in 2018 and boasts being one of the top tech cities in the world (awarded by Savills Tech Cities). But now, for a second year in a row the city of Durban has been voted as Africa’s Leading City Destination, a title they took away from Cape Town in 2018 and this year they kicked masala and some of that humidity and heat in the eyes of other nominees such as the cities of Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, Kigala in Rwanda, the cities of Luxor and Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, Marrakech in Morocco and Nairobi in Kenya. The World Travel Awards celebrates its 26th anniversary this year and was established in 1993 to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence in travel, tourism and hospitality. Nominees compete in over 30 categories and represent Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, Indian Ocean, Middle East and North America respectively before moving on to the Grand Finale that will take place this year in Muscat, Oman on the 28th of November 2019 where the world’s best of the best in travel will be announced. Under the category of Africa, South Africa walked away with 23 titles during the 26th World Travel Awards. These titles include Cape Town International Airport as the leading airport on the continent, Sun City Resort as the leading resort as well as casino resort, Cape Town as the go-to destination for festivals and events, Table Mountain as the leading tourist attraction and The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa as Africa’s best luxury hotel. Click here to have a look at the other South African winners of the 2019 World Travel Awards, these winners will compete head to head in the corresponding world categories on the 28th of November at the Grand Final in Oman. Source credit: www.goingsomewhereslowly.com

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Emdoneni News

6 Reasons why a Spa Day is important for working professionals

Browse our spa menu and book a relaxing treatment with us! We make use of only the finest quality products including Esse Probiotic Skincare, Exuviance,Bellabaci Cupping Therapy Massage, Milk Solutions, and Lola Lee Beauty Products. Contact us on info@emdonenilodge.com for queries and bookings. 6 Reasons Why Spa Day is Important for Working Professionals Our adult lives offer us nothing but a breakneck pace, and while it is okay to completely overwork ourselves because apparently, we are all workaholics, what is not right is us dealing with stress in a careless manner. And yes, vacations might seem a far-fetched idea given we are always loaded with some assignment on another, what we really need is a day off for ourselves, dedicated solely to relaxation and rejuvenation simply because of our body needs. There are also other, plentiful reasons about why you should totally take a break and go to a spa. Let’s sample some of them. 1. You get to take time out for yourself Everyone in this world needs some me time. A spa day guarantees that you have some time solely to dedicate to yourself while not sharing it with either your work or your set of families and friends. It is something that just gets us going for the rest of the month when we are suffering from stress or exhaustion. 2. Spa days are good for your health A proper massage in a spa improves the blood circulation in our body which is extremely important for our health. Not only that, it also stimulates the lymphatic system of our body and helps it take away the waste our body produces. A good massage also helps in delivering oxygen as well as important minerals and nutrients to our body cells. 3. They keep your hormone levels balanced Massage also enables the body to secrete serotonin, a hormone which is responsible for us feeling happy and satisfied. When you avail spa service for a day, your body is in harmony with your body and your soul as your brain is in its happy place. 4. Spa days help you relax Whether you are an athlete or a desk job employee, all our jobs exhaust us to some extent or the other. It is very important to take our mind and our body off the mundane life we are in and rejuvenate it, so it does not slog away on the days it needs to perform the most. A spa day helps the cause sufficiently well. 5. Get rid of the toxins A spa day means a sauna. The heat of the sauna helps the body to purify and wash away all the toxic objects that find their way into our systems. 6. Relax and rejuvenate It is often said that our body works like a mirror, it shows what it is on the inside. And a day in the spa helps exactly with that. You come out of the spa looking refreshing and it definitely works like a charm no matter where you go. There are a lot of other reasons why you should avail a spa day, but the most important reason of them all is the fact that both your body and your mind needs a day off the hectic schedule you have for yourself and needs a recharge to get going. Source credit: http://www.daisyvega.com

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Emdoneni News

Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Kwa-Zulu Natal

Dramatically beautiful and surprisingly diverse, KwaZulu-Natal, in the northeast of the country, packs in many of South Africa’s most popular attractions, despite its small size. Here, visitors can enjoy the World Heritage-listed Drakensberg mountains with their jagged-backed peaks and spectacular scenery, Durban’s golden beaches and surf breaks, a thriving Zulu culture, and exhilarating wildlife adventures. KwaZulu-Natal is home to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, the oldest game park in Africa, as well as pampering private game reserves where lucky visitors might spot the Big Five (leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino). Along the coast, nature lovers can explore the stunning scenery of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, and dive the coral reefs of Sodwana Bay. Throw in historic Boer War and Anglo-Zulu battlefields and Durban’s multicultural urban delights, and it’s easy to see why this is the province where South Africans love to play. The Drakensberg The Drakensberg The Drakensberg, from an Afrikaans word meaning “Dragon Mountains,” is a place of breathtaking beauty and one of the most popular destinations in the country. Jagged-backed peaks rise above dense forests and deep valleys, and cascades feed clear mountain streams. This spectacular region includes uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with soaring basalt peaks that are some of the highest in the county and San (Bushmen) rock paintings, as well as Royal Natal National Park with the Amphitheatre, a five-kilometer-long rock wall with one of the world’s highest waterfalls tumbling from above. The 3,282-meter-high Mont-aux-Sourcesrises beyond, and is the source for some of the nation’s mighty rivers. Nearby, visitors can see herds of eland, bearded vultures, and superb Bushman rock paintings in Giant’s Castle Game Reserve. Another highlight of the region is Cathedral Peak with some of the region’s most beautiful mountain scenery. This area is also home to the venerable Cathedral Peak Hotel, which has been pampering guests since 1939. Outdoor enthusiasts come to these velvety green mountains to fly-fish for trout, hike and bike the wilderness trails, rock climb, abseil, and raft the mountain rivers. To best appreciate the dramatic landscapes, visitors can soar over the area in a hot air balloon. Natal Drakensberg Map Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Established in 1895, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (formerly Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve) is the oldest game park in Africa and one of only a few parks in KwaZulu-Natal where visitors can see the Big Five: lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Including the wildlife corridor connecting the two sections of the park, it covers more than 96,000 hectares and is famous for its rhino conservation efforts – both black and white rhino are found here. The park lies deep in Zululand and was once the royal hunting grounds of King Shaka. Today, the park offers a rewarding safari experience with an impressive diversity of flora and fauna and typically less crowds than Kruger National Park. The Hluhluwe section in the park’s north is mountainous, while the iMfolozi section reveals sprawling savannah with taller trees along the riverbanks. In addition to the Big Five, wild dog, cheetah, zebra, blue wildebeest, hippo, hyena, and more than 300 species of birds are among the animals that make their home here. The best game viewing is in the cooler and drier months from May through October, however the summer brings lush growth and newborn animals. Guests can opt to stay within the park in modest chalets, safari tents, and a range of lodges. More lodging options are available just outside the park. 3 iSimangaliso Wetland Park iSimangaliso Wetland Park About 250 kilometers from Durban, World Heritage-listed iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly the Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park) protects the largest estuarine system in Africa. iSimangaliso means “miracle and wonder” in Zulu, and the name is fitting for this beautiful biodiverse park. The eight interconnected ecosystems here include coral reefs, croc-filled rivers, lakes, swamplands, savanna, and coastal dunes. Thanks to this diversity of habitats, wildlife is abundant and varied. All in one day, visitors can snorkel, dive, or kayak along coral reefs where leatherback and loggerhead turtles swim; spot an incredible array of birds; and see leopard, buffalo, zebra, and rhino on a game drive. The park is also home to the highest concentration of crocodiles and hippos in Africa. Also in the park, secluded Kosi Bay offers empty seascapes of sun-bleached shores and shimmering lagoons. The area is also known for its traditional fishing techniques – fish are trapped here in woven baskets. Sodwana Bay National Park Sodwana Bay National Park On the Elephant Coast, Sodwana Bay National Park is one of South Africa’s best diving destinations. Part of iSimangaliso Wetland Park, the reserve lies on the shores of the Indian Ocean with South Africa’s southernmost coral reefs shimmering just offshore with schools of colorful fish. Divers can see caves, pinnacles, and both hard and soft corals, as well as an incredible array of aquatic life including lionfish, crayfish, moray eels, rays, and many species of sharks. Whale sharks also swim these waters. Loggerhead and leatherback turtles nest on the beaches here, and nature lovers can join turtle tours to see them in season. Apart from SCUBA diving and snorkeling, other popular activities here include sports fishing for marlin and sailfish, horseback riding on the beach, and hiking the coastal nature trails. Nambiti Private Game Reserve Nambiti Private Game Reserve Gerry Zambonini / photo modified About a three-hour drive from Durban, near the spectacular Drakensberg mountains, Nambiti Private Game Reserve offers exciting guided safari adventures in search of the Big Five: leopard, lion, elephant, buffalo, and rhino. Scenery here ranges from sprawling savannah and grasslands, with unimpeded views of game, to lush riverine bush, and the wildlife is plentiful. In addition to the Big Five, the reserve protects more than 40 different species of game such as cheetah, zebra, kudu, and hippo, as well as a diverse array of birdlife. Day visitors are welcome, and those who wish to stay overnight can choose from six self-catering or full-board five-star lodges, some with swimming pools, as well as a raised luxury tented camp. This

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