The Tourism world is abuzz with new travel adventures, trade shows, familiarization trips, and training sessions. At Terra Nova, it is no different. We have been at various trade shows, such as WTM, ITB Berlin, Africa’s Travel Indaba, and IMEX 2023. Our next trade show will be Africa’s Eden in Livingstone in November, and we look forward to meeting esteemed clients and suppliers, old and new!

At the 2023 Africa’s Travel Indaba, one of our most iconic trade shows, we were pleasantly surprised at the successful turnout for the show. We returned with many fresh ideas and products to share and will feature some of them in this newsletter.

Maun is the gateway to Botswana’s Okavango Delta, and there is so much to see in this beautiful city that we recommend an extended stay to enjoy a taste of Botswana. Here guests can discover the day-to-day life of the locals with an immersive Maun tour exploring the Botswana culture. For those wishing to explore Botswana from a bird's eye view, a scenic helicopter trip provides phenomenal photography opportunities by exploring the Delta from above, and to make it even more special, why not add a mokoro trip or a stop on a remote island for some bubbles, to enjoy the locally crafted beer or Okavango Gin.

Thamo Telele is a safari lodge situated just outside Maun (30 minutes from Maun Airport) on a 250-hectare private reserve. It is an ideal option for the start or end of a safari trip for guests who want to be in the bush but with all the luxury and creature comforts. The 4-star standard lodge opened in March 2022 and has 11 units consisting of classic tents and chalets. Guests wake up to the sound of birds singing a merry tune and the greeting of the resident gentle giraffes, sure to set the tone for their stay. The lodge welcomes guests of all ages and is particularly suited for little adventurers wanting to explore on foot. (top left image)

Sedia Hotel is another favorite of ours in Maun, situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River and only 10 minutes from Maun Airport. Sedia is a comfortable hotel-style accommodation offering various accommodations suitable for individuals, groups, and families. Sedia also has a spa facility to relax and unwind, and guests can book activities such as river cruises, game drives, mokoro tours, and many more tailor-made experiences.

Situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River in Zambia, Waterberry Zambezi Lodge offers multiple magnificent views and a peaceful setting, ideal for the end of an action-packed safari. The lodge offers cottage-style accommodations, and the Farmhouse offers exclusive-use accommodation for up to 10 guests, perfect for multigenerational travel. For the wild at heart, The Woodlands is a simplistic option. The permanent tents all have a private veranda and are serviced by a butler 24/7. The Woodlands can also be booked exclusively and is perfect for a family adventure. A trip to the Zambezi is not complete without a visit to Victoria Falls, which is bookable from the lodge. In addition, other activities on offer include Zambezi River cruises, a secluded island picnic, cultural tours, and birding (1 or 2 activities included in rate depending on option booked).

We took advantage of our time in and around Durban before Indaba by visiting some of our preferred suppliers in the Umhlanga and Dolphin Coast areas. To name but a few, here is a short overview of some of those who stood out to us:

Sala Beach House (Ballito) is of 5-star standard, ideally situated on the beachfront with direct access to a private beach. The property is family owned and run, with spacious guestrooms and suites, a tranquil spa area, and a pool deck for guests to relax and enjoy the stunning ocean views. We highly recommend it for a romantic getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. (top left image)

Teremok Lodge is a 5-star property situated in Umhlanga Rocks. Each room is individually decorated with tremendous attention to detail, a beautiful garden with relaxing nooks, a pool, and an on-site spa, and is within walking distance of the beach. The property is owner run and managed, and we love the sophistication and individuality of the property. (bottom left image)

Sandals Guesthouse is a little gem situated in a quiet area of Umhlanga, with individually decorated rooms and on-site management looking after guests’ every need. The property has a stunning pool deck and is within walking distance of the beach and various restaurants. This property is of a high standard and ideal for guests looking for exceptional service and attention to detail, and we recommend it for couples or individual travelers. (top right images)

Sea-Rendipity Guesthouse is one of our favorite entry-level properties in Salt Rock, Dolphin Coast. It is ideally situated within walking distance of the beach and has a cozy lounge area for guests to put their feet up and feel at home. The property comprises six very neatly furnished rooms with restaurants nearby and is the perfect stopover, with hands-on management always on site. (bottom right image)

Our colleagues Liesel and Laura recently enjoyed an educational trip exploring Damaraland, Skeleton Coast, and central Namibia. They gave some great feedback and are happy to report that our trade partners which they visited are enthusiastic about the high season ahead and some even had the opportunity to do some soft refurbs to ensure their product remains up to standard.

Laura & Liesel found the road conditions in Namibia to be in a great condition for driving and are graded regularly. This of course makes any self-drive itinerary in Namibia so much more enjoyable.

They had the opportunity to stay at some of our much-loved properties like TimBila Safari Lodge (Omaruru District), Palmwag Lodge (Kunene Region), Shipwreck Lodge (Skeleton Coast), Malansrus Tented Camp (Twyfelfontein), and Ohorongo Tented Camp (Outjo) and can with confidence say that these are up to standard and offers our guests a wonderful experience.

They thoroughly enjoyed all the stops along the way, visiting quirky curio shops, saying hello to some more suppliers en-route, and the landscapes that are always phenomenal!

For any additional information or best ways to include these properties into your next Namibia itinerary, please let us know.

  • Rovos Rail: Due to ongoing maintenance, the Cape Town to Pretoria journey currently stops at Meyerton station, and a road transfer takes guests to Pretoria station to complete the trip.
  • Spier Hotel (Stellenbosch) will undergo a major transformation from 15 March 2024 to early 2025 (dates to be advised). During this time, the hotel will be closed, however, the farm, restaurants, activities and a selection of smaller meeting spaces will remain open to day visitors.
  • Canvas Collective is a luxury “glamping” experience based solely in Hermanus, Western Cape (previously, they were moving between Cederberg and Hermanus) and offers a unique Hermanus stay. (top left image)
  • Boschendal (Cape Winelands) has introduced the new Cow Shed Cottage with 2 en-suite bedrooms and can accommodate up to 4 guests. As of March 2024, the 6-bedroom Mountain Villa will be removed from their inventory.
  • Lily Pond Country Lodge is a hidden gem in Nature’s Valley for guests looking for something different along the Garden Route – something to remember for those special occasions! (bottom left image)
  • Kamara House is a new exclusive-use accommodation in the Thornybush Nature Reserve that opened in May 2023, accommodating 4 adults and 2 children in 2 en-suite bedrooms with an interleading children’s room connected to one of the main rooms. Perfect for multi-generational travel.
  • Leopard Mountain Safari Lodge in Hluhluwe has moved off the grid and is now fully solar. (top right image)
  • Makakatana Bay Lodge in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park has completed their solar installation and is now off the grid. (bottom right image)
  • Shongwe Lookout in Victoria Falls has E-bikes available for rental from the lodge, which offers guests a unique way of exploring the town.
  • Cloud 9 Boutique Hotel and Spa (Cape Town): Stay 3 nights and pay for 2 nights valid until 30 September 2023. (bottom left image)
  • The Winchester Hotel (Cape Town): Stay 3 nights and pay for 2 nights valid until 30 September 2023.
  • Amakhala Lodges (Paterson, Eastern Cape): Stay 3 nights and pay for 2 nights valid until 30 September 2023 (available at Bush Lodge, Bukela, Safari Lodge, Hlosi Lodge, Woodbury Lodge, Leeuwenbosch Country House, Woodbury Tented Camp and Quatermain’s Camp). (top left image)
  • Simbavati Collection: Stay 4 nights at any one Simbavati lodge and pay for 3 nights. Valid until 20 December 2023. Combine any 2 Simbavati lodges for a total of 4 nights and receive an 8% discount. (top right image)
  • Oceana Beach and Wildlife Reserve (Port Alfred, Eastern Cape): Stay 3 nights and pay for 2 nights valid until 31 July 2023. (bottom right image)
  • Imvelo Safari Lodges Green Season specials apply to the Imvelo lodges in Hwange, valid until the end of the year.

As we conclude this newsletter, we want to thank you for your continued support. We've had an exhilarating few months, attending trade shows and gaining fresh insights.

Looking ahead, we're thrilled about the upcoming Africa's Eden trade show in November. We hope to meet familiar faces and forge new connections. As always, our team is here to assist you with any questions or feedback you may have.

Wishing you joy, success, and remarkable journeys in the next half of the year. Stay tuned for more updates in our future newsletters.

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