#southafrica | Emdoneni Lodge

#southafrica

Emdoneni News

Hluhluwe – 5 Reasons It’s The Best Place For Your Family Holiday

Finding a great location for a family holiday can be a challenge, especially for families who have young children or varied interests. Do you often ask yourself – where will my family most enjoy a holiday? Here are 5 reasons Hluhluwe might just be the perfect answer for a family holiday:It’s the ultimate in outdoor activity: Do some members of your family crave outings in the bush while others would rather bury their toes in the sand or enjoy dips in the ocean? In Hluhluwe, you don’t have to choose. Visit the Hluhluwe / iMfolozi Game Reserve for a chance to spot the Big Five or enjoy beautiful beach time at Cape Vidal, Sodwana Bay, and Main Beach St. Lucia. Bush or sand, the glorious scenery and natural wildlife will ensure happy days for the whole family. Perfect for the sporty lot: If your family, young or old, enjoy sport activities, they will be spoilt for choice in Hluhluwe. The various lodges in the area offer a wide range of sporting activities, including hiking, walking, biking, horse riding, swimming, kayaking, and scuba diving. Getting outdoors and being physically active is sure to make everyone feel better, healthier, and happier. A thrill with some African beasts: Take a day trip to an educational facility like Crocodile Centre St Lucia and enjoy a hands-on snake and crocodile experience. You are sure to leave better educated about some of the world’s most feared creatures. And don’t forget the hippos… Home to the largest population of hippo in the area, the St Lucia Wetlands Park offers river boat excursions where you are guaranteed to see these fantastic “water horses” in their natural environment. The kids are sure to love these close encounters! Up close and personal with a big cat: our own Emdoneni Lodge boasts a world-class cheetah project. Caring for cats that have been injured or orphaned in the wild, the project gives guests a chance to learn about and interact with these amazing animals. This is the kind of experience family memories are made of. Family time: Modern life is busy and between TV and technology not many families spend regular quality time together. The beautiful scenery in and around Hluhluwe will encourage you to gather and share as a family. Imagine having dinner together under starlit skies, sipping sundowners on a group game drive, or teaching your children to snorkel… the possibilities for family fun are endless. And, these moments of natural beauty and togetherness are sure to create treasured memories for you and your loved ones.   Source Credit: www.emdonenilodge.com

Hluhluwe – 5 Reasons It’s The Best Place For Your Family Holiday Read Post »

Emdoneni News

12 Travel Tips — What to pack for your Wildlife Safari

After waiting for so long for the departure date of your wildlife safari you can finally start to pack. Follow these tips of what you must pack for your safari. 1. Passport and Travel Documents This seem to be an obvious item to pack. But can you imagine the disaster if you forgot this at home. 2. Camera During a safari you will get ample opportunities to take some extraordinary pictures of wildlife and nature. It is a good idea to invest in a quality camera with a zoom lens. Often the animals are far out in the bush and to get a good close-up you will most definitely need a powerful lense. 3. Binoculars A good pair of binoculars is a necessity on your safari. This is a must have item for game viewing. Many times animals are far away from the safari vehicle. 4. Clothes Packing the right clothes for your safari can make a big difference in how comfortable you will feel. Safari clothes are normally neutral and not bright colours. The days are mostly warm although the mornings can start off cool. Thus it is a good idea to layer your clothing accordingly. It will begin to cool again in the evenings. 5. Shoes Comfortable walking shoes or boots are the best to take with you on your safari. Pack enough socks as well. It might be a good idea to take a pair of sandles to relax in later after having your feet in boots all day. 6. Hat A wide rim sun hat is and essential item for your safari. Pack some sunscreen too as the sun is very hot even during the winter months. 7. Sunglasses Sunglasses are excellent for the blazing sun. It will also keep dust out of your eyes. 8. Swimsuit Many lodges and campsites have swimming pools that you can make use of. 9. Flashlight or headtorch Being in the middle of the bush will be pitch dark at night. Remember a good flashlight or headtorch with enough batteries. This will make walking between tents a lot easier in the dark. A headtorch is best as it leaves your hands free to do other things. 10. Medicine A good idea is to pack a few essential medication items for your trip. Some pain relievers, bandaids, eyedrops, allergy tablets etc. 11. Lightweight jacket Should you go on a gamedrive on an open vehicle it will come in handy to have a warm jacket with you. Some mornings and evenings can be a bit chilly. 12. Most of all- Pack light!! Don’t overdo it when packing for your safari. In this event less is definitely more. Source credit: www.travellocal.com

12 Travel Tips — What to pack for your Wildlife Safari Read Post »

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  

Women’s Day South Africa Read Post »

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    

Durban is Africa’s leading city destination! Read Post »

Emdoneni News

Everything you need to know about iSimangaliso Wetland Park

iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a vast reserve on the extreme north end of South Africa’s east coast, known also as the Elephant Coast. It protects over 220 km of pristine coastline with a range of wild and magnificent beaches to enjoy (minus the crowds and beach umbrellas). Considered the largest natural World Heritage Site on the planet, it stretches from the St Lucia Estuary in the south up to the border with Mozambique. It’s also amazingly diverse with half a dozen unique eco-systems. Filled with wild game – crocodiles, hippos, leopards, pythons and a range of sharks – it’s not somewhere you’d consider getting out of your vehicle. Yet the park offers not only walking trails but MTB trails – the Game Park section on the Eastern Shores (up to the cattle grid) adjacent to the Bhangazi Gate, and the Ingwe Trail through the sand forest near False Bay are must-dos! ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK – USEFUL INFORMATION It’s only fair to warn you that iSimangaliso Wetland Park is not a ‘do in one day’ drive in, see the animals, drive out again kind of park. The park is extensive with so many areas to explore that even a week isn’t enough time. That said, if you’ve only a day to spare, get there early and leave late. But don’t miss out on the opportunity. You also need to know about the different names for the various nature reserves and state forests that make up iSimangaliso – it can get confusing as the 328 000 hectare park’s various ‘parts’ are known by a bewildering collection of new and old names (if you’ve heard of uMkhuze, Kosi Bay, Sodwana and the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park then you should be okay – even if the latter hasn’t existed for, like, 10 years). Get there: from Durban involves the N2 north for about 180 km, the R618 to Mtubatuba and St Lucia, and enter the park at the Dukuduku Gate, near St Lucia. However, there are many gates into the park, it depends on what you’re there to do and see. THE IMPORTANT BITS … Tip 1: Do one of the estuary cruises – definitely worth it for the birds, crocs and hippos plus you see areas of the park you wouldn’t in a car. Look out for the unusual like kingfishers, monitor lizards, sea eagles and cranes. Tip 2: If you like being in the trees, head to the Fig Tree Forest where there’s a system of walkways and viewpoints in amongst the branches. Tip 3: Remember the sunscreen, insect repellent and bear in mind that iSimangaliso is considered a low risk malaria area. Tip 4: Bangha Nek beach is not only great for fishing and snorkelling (at least 20 different fish on any swim), but it’s also where you head to sight turtles between October and March. Tip 5: Watch out for hippos – seriously – they’re everywhere at night, even on the main street of St Lucia town, so be careful driving. Tip 6: To discourage using iSimangaliso as a thoroughfare the park has a minimum drive time from one gate to another. You’ll have to wait if you arrive at a gate outside of your allotted time. MAIN THINGS TO DO … There’s something for everyone at iSimangaliso. Scuba diving (which is big as the park includes Sodwana) and all activities are possible throughout the year. And we mention the activities because, if you really want to experience the park, we recommend you throw yourself wholeheartedly into the physical side of the park – game drives, snorkelling, stalking turtles, diving (Five Mile reef in Sodwana Bay is awesome!), horse riding (great for game viewing), hiking, and kayaking on the St Lucia estuary. And if you have the time, picnic at Mission Rocks, because you’re right next to a beach, your table beneath the canopy of a coastal forest (it’s on the Cape Vidal road north of St Lucia). WHEN TO GO … Summer can get hot and humid and even the locals complain come February and March but if sub-tropical weather sends you into orbit, you’ll be happy with the midday temperatures around 30 degrees Celsius, and the rain showers. Winter is perfect with warm days, low rainfall and cool nights (around 15 degrees). Midday temperatures don’t exceed 20 degrees Celsius. Autumn (warm days, little wind) and spring (warm, windy and often wet) are also good times to visit. Highlights of each season: Whales – June to November Loggerhead and leatherback turtles – October to March Birdlife when it’s breeding season – June to August Source Credit: blog.sa-venues.com  

Everything you need to know about iSimangaliso Wetland Park Read Post »

Scroll to Top