[SOUTH AFRICA] One of the top five lodges to visit in 2021

04 November 2020

#travelwithapurpose

Escape the weather in the UK and Europe and the post elections blues in the USA. Head to South Africa (come and stay for 3 months) and be part of the conscious travel curve at the newly launched MARATABA CONSERVATION CAMPS. Since opening on 1 September 2020 we have had the most fantastic response to the connected active participation safari experiences. A big thank you to FORBES USA who chose Marataba Conservation Camps as one of five lodges to visit as travel reopens in SOUTH AFRICA.

Top 5 facts worth remembering:

Marataba Conservation Camps comprises Founders Camp & Explorers Camp.
Each booking is allocated a private vehicle and guide.
Maximum 3 bookings at any one time guarantees exclusivity of experiences.
Daily safari experiences include game drives, guided walks and boat cruises
Getting involved in conservation experiences is the differentiating aspect and these includes active participation in the work being carried out by the dedicated conservation team: from monitoring cheetah and darting rhino to doing veld transects and snare patrols.

And getting there is easy too, 3-hours by road or 20 minutes by air north of Johannesburg. Making this the perfect combination with Kwandwe Private Game Reserve (connect with flight from Port Elizabeth), Tanda Tula (connect with flight from Hoedspruit) and La Cle des Montagnes (connect with flight from Cape Town).

FOUNDERS CAMP

Rates from: ZAR 8,250 (approx. US$ 512) per person

This magical location on the river, offers absolute privacy. With four suites, FOUNDERS CAMPhas one guide, a private vehicle and is sold on an exclusive use basis only. Ideal for older families or couples, the river setting is spectacular and an active thoroughfare for elephants, kudu, rhino and much more.
This camp sleeps a maximum of 8 adults and 2 children.

Combines perfectly with KWANDWE'S villas FORT HOUSE and MELTON MANOR or with the villas at LA CLE DES MONTAGNES.

EXPLORERS CAMP

Rates from: ZAR 5,360 (approx. US$ 334) per person

EXPLORERS CAMP is set under acacia trees overlooking a busy waterhole, with elephants who come by regularly to quench their thirst. It has just five tents and one family tent available on a semi-exclusive use basis. This camp is ideal is for couples and small families (take half the camp) or for extended families and groups (take whole camp). This camp sleeps a maximum of 12 adults and 2 children.

Combines perfectly with TANDA TULA SAFARI CAMP or the new NKARHI HOMESTEAD, and we have also seen combinations with TANDA TULA FIELD CAMP.

WHAT IS A CONSERVATION COMPASS?

A Conservation Compass ensures you stay on track with your business purpose. As a public-private collaboration, Marataba aspires to be a leading African conservation initiative by sustainably managing eco-systems and keystone species for generations to come. This requires absolute commitment to driving a financial model which underpins the long-term conservation of the park, while maximising sustainable socio-economic opportunities for surrounding communities, all of which is illustrated on the Conservation Compass infographic.

TAKE NOTE: CONSERVATION AND COMMUNITY FEES FOR 2021

For all new bookings, fees will increase from R750 to R1 500 pppn for international guests. Every cent of this levy goes towards the financial model reflected in the Conservation Compass.

#openafricantravel

An urgent call for air bridges to Africa for UK travellers: we are urging all our UK followers to share the #openafricantravel campaign to lift the blanket approach on advising all but essential travel to Africa and a two-week quarantine on returning.

FIVE REASONS TO SIGN

Africa needs tourism to continue protecting its wildlife heritage
Conservation needs tourism to control poaching
Communities need tourism to survive
Infection numbers are low, protocols in place, medical care available
Safaris are about fresh air under vast African skies: the healthiest holidays!

The petition puts pressure on the UK government to apply the same foreign travel metrics to African countries that are applied to the rest of the world. Your options:

If you are in the UK or have UK residency please sign the UK PETITION
Somewhere in Africa? Sign your country relevant petitions HERE
Share this INITIATIVE with clients, family and friends
Add the petition link to your Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Thank you for sharing!

We are so looking forward to welcoming international guests from all over the world again but thank you to all the agents who have supported us tirelessly since the launch of Marataba Conservation Camps. As a malaria-free destination just over three hours from Joburg by road, it has already captured the hearts and souls of aspirant little rangers and even the most unexpected teenagers among families.

Passing on the legacy of conservation to our children has never been more vital and one can never underestimate the long-lasting influence a stay here can achieve.

Keep them coming!

Warmest regards

Suzanne Bayly-Coupe
OWNER, Classic Portfolio

South Africa

WHAT WE LOVE: Many of our team are South African and we are all extremely passionate about the country, its people, wildlife and scenic beauty – who would not be with an office in the Cape winelands! But most of all we are proud of what South Africa has achieved and the challenges we have overcome. It is a country that has diversity as its hallmark. From lush forests, vast savannahs, beautiful beaches, arid semi-desert, dramatic mountain ranges to its cosmopolitan cities, ‘Big Five’ wildlife reserves, winelands, gourmet restaurants and colourful shanty towns: South Africa has all any visitor could ask for. Strong on adventure, sport, nature and wildlife, it is also a pioneer and global leader in responsible tourism.

Tanda Tula Nkarhi Homestead

Nkarhi Homestead is Tanda Tula’s exclusive-use home from home in the Timbavati. Inspired by the heritage of South Africa, it’s one of the oldest homesteads in the country and a place where Nina Scott spent many of her childhood holidays. Meaning ‘time’ in the Tsonga language, this is a place that inspires relaxation and allows connections to be created and cherished.

Located on a gentle hill above vast plains and winding waterways, Nkarhi’s elevated position allows guests an uninterrupted view of the vistas of the Timbavati. The farm-style family home has 4 bedrooms, 2 in the main house and 2 in the adjacent family cottage. Beautifully-kept lawns surround both and there is a swimming pool and boma area with firepit outside, all wonderful spaces for spending time with family and enjoying the bush, unhindered.

The house can be booked on an exclusive-use basis only and sleeps 8, or 9 with an additional child. Both self-catering and fully-catered options are available for as much freedom as desired and the experience is infused with the warm, honest hospitality of Tanda Tula. Each option comes with a private guide, tracker and vehicle, as well as a housekeeper and camp hand are always included, and with the fully-catered option, a private chef and butler will be available too. The house is solar powered and completely off-grid, allowing for total relaxation.

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