News You Can Use from Africa....

NEW MASHATU EUPHORBIA VILLAS OPENING JUNE 2020

Mashatu Euphorbia Villas will be opening in June 2020 in Botswana's Northern Tuli Game Reserve. The new, 5-star eco-camp is idyllically situated on a cliff overlooking the Majale River and the privately owned reserve below.  This new “green” eco-camp has been designed with sustainability as its focus – using solar energy and state-of-the-art water processing systems and designed to blend in harmoniously with the bush. An intimate ambience is guaranteed - with just 16 guests in 8 private villas. Inspired by the shapes and curves of the Mopani Tree's pod, the villas will have a warm, earthy glamour, with numerous relaxation and 'unplug' areas and beautiful ensuite bathrooms. Each villa will also have its own outdoor shower, “loo with view” and heated plunge pool overlooking the ravine below. Dining promises to be a magical affair in a boma of illuminated Euphorbia Trees. 

Mashatu is commonly referred to as “The Land of Giants” due to sightings of the largest herds of elephant on private land in Africa, the other giant species (giraffe, eland, ostrich, Baobab) and its exquisite, seemingly unending vistas. Expert Motswana guides (with an average of 14 years' experience on Mashatu) will host a maximum of 4 guests per safari vehicle, showcasing the daily sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, hyena and a vast diversity of plains game. Mashatu is all about adventure – be it exploring by mountain bike, on foot, in the saddle or tucked away in the underground Matebole photographic hide. Rates start from $860 pppn in 2020 and reservations are open: reservations@mashatu.com. For more details visit http://mashatu.com  

NEW SERENA HOTEL TO OPEN IN THE CONGO

The Democratic Republic of Congo is known as the “Heart of Africa”.  The country has had a tumultuous history between its civil war and mineral conflicts - but as the country has found stability, it is ripe for tourism. It is roughly the size of Western Europe, has the second largest rainforest after the Amazon and is home to many rare endemic species such as the bonobos, okapi and mountain gorillas. It boasts incredibly diverse landscapes - including rainforests, mighty rivers, active volcanos and incredible mountains.  “Bucket List” experiences include trekking mountain gorillas, scaling the active Mt. Nyirangongo, water sports on Lake Kivu and connecting with locals through their rich song and dance culture.

Serena Hotels is delighted to be launching its brand-new Goma Serena Hotel in early 2020 in Northern Kivu.  The new beachfront hotel will have a Pan-African feel to it and offer 109 rooms with views over the fresh-water Lake Kivu - Africa's 8th largest lake.   It will be the only five-star hotel in this cosmopolitan city and is just 10 minutes from Goma International Airport.   It will boast a family-friendly Olympic-size swimming pool and an incredible spa. There are two national parks nearby — the Virunga National Park to the north and the Kahuzi-Biega National Park outside Bukavu, both of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and well known for gorilla trekking.  For more information on booking it, email Goma@serenahotels.com or visit www.serenahotels.com

MACHABA TO OPEN INGWE PAN CAMP AT MANA POOLS, ZIMBABWE

Machaba Safaris will be officially opening its new Ingwe Pan Camp in Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park in May 2020.  Ingwe Camp will offer a classic, authentic safari with the focus on fine dining, excellent guiding and personal hosting. The camp consists of 8 spacious eco-luxury canvas tents nestled beneath a grove of ebony trees on the southern edge of Ingwe Pan.  The pan is one of the park's largest and is an essential waterhole that is very popular with leopards as well as herds of elephant and buffalo, lion, hyaena and numerous plains game. All tents are double/twin with ensuite bathrooms with a double vanity and both an indoor and out-door shower. With no other lights in sight, showering under the stars is an experience not to be missed.  Rooms are all on raised decks, with natural walkways between them.  The main living area consists of a spacious tent under a magnificent fig tree on the water's edge. Dining is under the stars and the covered area encompasses two comfortable seating areas, a tea station and casual bar. Mana Pools is synonymous with walking safaris and Ingwe won't disappoint!  Having a private concession means the pan can also be explore by night which is a real bonus – if you can bear to tear yourself away from the camp's pan which is popular with predators at night. In addition to the walks, Ingwe offers twice daily guided game drives with expert guides and fishing from canoes or from the bank is available on request.  No stay is complete without a visit to the nearby Zambezi River for early morning tea, sundowners - or even a bush picnic or barbeque.  Ingwe Camp combines perfectly with Machaba Safaris' camps in Hwange, Chobe and the Okavango.  The camp welcomes children over the age of 6 years.  The camp is open for bookings on book@machabasafaris.com or visit www.machabasafaris.com

THE BLUE TRAIN'S 2020 SAFARI MAKEOVER

 In 2019 South Africa's legendary Blue Train reinvented its classic Cape Town/Pretoria journey, extending it to a 2-night “slow travel” experience. Now they are giving their Hoedspruit safari departures a complete makeover for 2020 – making it a round trip including sunrise & sunset Big 5 game drives, a boma dinner under the stars and even some traditional cultural dancing! Previously, The Blue Train offered a one-way, overnight journey from Pretoria to Hoedspruit (or vice versa) leaving guests to check into one of the Sabi Sands/Greater Kruger Lodges for a few nights.

Now the train will be offering its safari departure as a RETURN ROUND-TRIP to the Kruger that will depart Pretoria mid-morning on Day 1, arrive at the Kruger National Park early the next morning for a full day guided safari including sunrise and sunset game drives. The train will then depart at after dinner to head back to Pretoria, arriving around noon on day 3. Prices for the 3-day all-inclusive safari by rail will be R37,630 (about £2,050) per person sharing in a deluxe suite. Initially, there will only be two departures in 2020 namely:  18 - 20 June 2020 and 30 July - 01 August 2020. For more information visit www.bluetrain.co.za

NEW VILLAS MAR TO OPEN AT THE POLANA SERENA IN MOZAMBIQUE

The Polana Serena Hotel in Maputo is set to launch Villas Mar - eight brand new private villas overlooking the Indian Ocean. The villas will offer either one or two bedrooms with open plan living and dining areas connected to a kitchenette. All villas will have a patio leading to outdoor shaded seating and dining areas and secluded gardens. Guests staying in these self-catering villas will also enjoy special discounts if they wish to use The Polana Serena's main hotel's facilities including dining, spa treatments and even laundry services.

For more information visit www.serenahotels.com

2020 OFFERS

THE BLUE TRAIN WINTER WARMER 

Book a trip on board Africa's Leading Luxury Train between now and 31 January 2020 for travel in South Africa's Winter season (May – July 2020) and get a whopping 50% discount for partners. This Blue Train offer will saves around £560 per suite…

Rates for the two-night all-inclusive rail journey between Pretoria and Cape Town (in either direction) start from R20,615 per person sharing a De Luxe suite (all inclusive) - but the second person will pay only half price! South Africa's Winters are a great time to visit – benefiting from off season prices and much better game viewing if you choose to go on a safari. And don't let the word Winter put you off … South Africa has lovely, sunny, mostly dry, warm winters!

Normal terms and conditions apply. New bookings only. Payment to be received by 31 January 2020.

Please visit www.bluetrain.co.za

MALAMALA FREE NIGHT OFFER

MalaMala is delighted to announce a rare Pay 3 / Stay 4 promotion, applicable for the period 04 January to 09 April 2020, offering exceptional value over this period at all three of its properties, namely MalaMala Camp, Sable Camp and Rattrays Camp.

MalaMala Camp welcomes children of all ages with a Junior Rangers programme on offer. 

MalaMala also prides itself on being one of the few lodges in the Greater Kruger/Sabi Sands that offers a wheelchair friendly suite and suitably equipped Land Rover with ramp access. Visit www.malamala.com

KIDS NOW STAY FREE ALL YEAR-ROUND AT GHOST MOUNTAIN INN

Ghost Mountain Inn in northern KwaZulu-Natal, is a 4-star family run hotel that is an oasis for families. They have recently waived their child rates for 2020 so that kids under 12 stay free (room only) in their Garden, Mountain View Rooms and Suites. The team goes out of its way to make its youngest visitors feel welcome, with fun bedding, a great kiddies' menu, a beautiful playground as well as games room with snooker and darts for older kids.  Children are welcome to join the guided safaris into uMkhuze and Hluhluwe-Imfolozi and the boat trips on Lake Jozini are not to be missed. 

Resident guide Jean might even let them steer the boat while the family spots hippos and crocs in the water as well as elephants and other game on the shores. Jean also arranges Grubby Bug nature walks in search of creepy crawlies, frogs and other creatures. Kids can enjoy fun activities like pizza making, roasting marshmallows around the boma campfire and enjoy fishing and canoeing off the jetty in front of the lodge, looking out for terrapins, water birds and fish. They can learn navigational skills, do a treasure hunt and learn about the stars. They can even learn about the local Zulu culture while they play - creating Zulu beading and bending wire to make vehicles. Baby-sitting facilities are available to give parents some down time to enjoy the spa etc.  Ghost Mountain Inn offers incredible value for money that will have families coming back year after year! www.ghostmountaininn.co.za

UK PRESS CONTACT:

Claire Roadley - PR Manager
claire@ethosmarketing.co.uk  
+44 (0)1403 243619