New SA borders to be opened

ohannesburg - Two new borders will be opened next month, the Department of Tourism said on Friday. Spokesperson Mava Scott said President Thabo Mbeki, Festus Mogae of Botswana and Hifikepunye Pohamba of Namibia will officially open the Mata Mata border between South Africa and Namibia on October 12. The border is within the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. On October 16 another border the Sendelingsdrift Tourist Access Facility, which forms the international border between South Africa and Namibia within the Ai/Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, will be opened.

Country Tourism Acquires Meetings Africa

South African Tourism yesterday, Thursday, 20 September 2007, announced the purchase of Meetings Africa, reportedly the continent's premier business tourism trade show, from Thebe Exhibitions & Events. Meetings Africa, held annually in February in Gauteng, will continue to be managed by Thebe Exhibitions & Events for the next three years.
"The purchase of Meetings Africa is a strategic development on our part," commented SA Tourism CEO Moeketsi Mosola.

My Extreme Safari

The sun hasn't yet risen, it's a freezing winter night, and we're warming our hands on cups of coffee as we listen for the roar of lions. Two skilled trackers next to me hold high-powered rifles to make sure we don't inadvertently end up on the dinner menu of any animal we encounter. As the sun comes up, the trackers find the footprints of a female leopard and her male cub. A few steps away is a violet spot no bigger than a dime, and some blond hairs snared on top of a heap of buffalo dung. These signs lead the trackers to conclude that the leopard has killed a bushbuck, which is a small antelope, and dragged the carcass away. We're off on foot into the bush to follow her trail.

Travel Deals of the Week

AFRICAN ADVENTURE Go whale-watching, take part in a wine tasting, listen to jazz and explore Cape Town, South Africa, this fall. South African Airways and Visit Southern Africa Vacations are offering a five-day Fall Cape Getaway for $1,399, which includes airfare from New York on South African Airways, four nights at the Protea Hotel President on Bantry Bay, free breakfasts and a tour of Cape Town. Available October-November. www.vsavacations.com.

Answers to basic safari questions

Q: Why are duffels the best luggage?
A: If you fly at all in a small plane while on safari, you will be limited to no more than about 30 pounds total of luggage, including your photo equipment.

Q: What shots do you need for East Africa?
A: A bunch. Yellow fever, hepatitis A and B, polio booster, typhoid pills and malaria pills, possibly meningitis vaccine. Get typhoid and yellow fever shots at a travel clinic; get the rest at your county health department.

Q: What do I pack?
A: Take neutral color cotton clothing (no blue, it attracts tse-tse flies). Essential are good binoculars, closed-toed sandals and/or hiking shoes, an electric cigarette lighter inverter to charge your camera equipment; sunblock. See my entire packing list at www.freep.com/travel

Travel safely with a Road Angel

The Road Angel 6000 is the first GPS solution in South Africa that will warn drivers of potential hazards as well as help them find the quickest route to their destination.
“The Road Angel system helps to improve road safety simply by giving you audible and visual alerts as you approach hazardous parts of the road,” says Road Vigil CEO, Kevin Huysteen. His navigation solutions company is responsible for bringing the device to South Africa.

Namibia: Young People in Tourism Get Together

The sixth annual Cross Border Tourism Youth Empowerment (CBTYE) conference was opened by Environment Minister Willem Konjore and Youth Minister John Mutorwa. Konjore said he hoped that this initiative will help young people to network, exchange experiences and work towards addressing challenges faced by the youth in the tourism industry. The occasion was attended by representatives from Namibia, Angola, South Africa, Swaziland and Zimbabwe.

Eagle Africa Offers Cover for Tourism

The cover will be provided in partnership with Safari and Tourism Insurance Brokers and will be underwritten locally and off shore. The policy has helped grow tourism in South Africa with hotels, lodges and tour operators protected against liability suits which could cripple the industry in cases of large claims

Hotel Le Vendome in Cape Town, South Africa

The word Africa probably brings to mind several stereotyped images, but does it ever conjure up stunning beaches, vast forests, and immense mountains all in one beautiful area? If not then you have never heard about Hotel Le Vendome in Cape Town, South Africa. This five-star luxury hotel allows you to be close to all the sights of Cape Town you will want to experience. Try a wild African safari one day, and the next day immerse yourself in a massive shopping center.