South Africa Fair Trade
Umlani Bushcamp, Timbavati, Kruger National Park: Accommodation Review
Umlani Bushcamp
Timbavati Game Reserve, Kruger National Park
off the R40 near Hoedspruit
Limpopo Province | Map
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Umlani Pool
Accommodation type: Game Lodge
Number of stars: 3
Rooms starting from (per person sharing): R2050
SA Blog recommends? It’s Perfectly Suitable
Snippet
The showers are open-air, but - this is where the “stylish” part comes in - the water is heated with wood-fired furnaces, and cascades out of the overhead spouts with as much warmth as anyone could wish. In a similar vein, the reed-and-thatch chalets that comprise Umlani’s accommodation - you can book a two-person rondavel or a family-sized one - have no electricity. At night, light is provided by the bright glow of gas lanterns.
(See full review below.)
Date: May 18th, 2006 |
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Life in Lesotho
You can hear the wind blowing through the red, yellow and green-tinted grass. That is how quiet and serene the little village of Mafika-Lisiu in Lesotho is, just over the border of South Africa in the Northern Drakensberg mountains.
Date: May 14th, 2006 |
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Liziwe’s African Cuisine, Guguletu, Cape Town: Restaurant Review
Liziwe’s African Cuisine
NY 111, No. 121, Guguletu
Cape Town | Map
Liziwe’s Restaurant
Category: Casual
Fare: African feast!
Price range: Low-to-Medium
Open for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Coffee
Under review: Dinner
SA Blog recommends? Enthusiastically!
Snippet
Afternoon and evening meals range from R35 to R45, and their professional chef cooks up fresh mielie pap (stiff porridge/fufu) and meat stew, served with carrots and green beans, white samp (umngqusho omhlophe), served with stewed carrots and cabbage, and steamed bread (Isonka samanzi), served with mutton and chicken stew. All of the meals go down well with Liziwe’s homemade ginger beer (non-alcoholic) - or with her mqombothi (sorghum beer - very alcholic).
See also: Liziwe’s Guest House (Accommodation Review)
(See full review below.)
Date: May 5th, 2006 |
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Djuma Game Lodge, Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park: Accommodation Review
Djuma Game Lodge
Sabi Sand, Kruger National Park
Mpumalanga Province | Maps
Bush Lodge Interior
Accommodation type: Game Lodge
Number of stars: 4 & 5
Rooms starting from (per person sharing): R1950
SA Blog recommends? Enthusiastically!
Snippet
Djuma gained its Fair Trade status for a variety of reasons, but chief among them has to be its extraordinary support for local education. The Lodge’s owner, Jurie Moolman, has capitalized on his relationship with the local Shangaan-speaking communities - a relationship that began during apartheid, when Moolman was a political activist and the communities provided him with safe harbor - to begin a series of school-building projects that has grown from strength to strength.
(See full review below.)
Date: May 2nd, 2006 |
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Kopanong, Khayelitsha, Cape Town: Accommodation Review
Kopanong
C 329, Velani Crescent
Village 4, Town 1
Khayelitsha, Cape Town | Map
Accommodation type: Bed & Breakfast
Number of stars: 3
Rooms starting from (per person sharing): R250
SA Blog recommends? Enthusiastically!
Snippet
Kopanong has an informal “cooperative marketing” arrangement with other B&Bs and home-stays in Khayelitsha, so if you’re stuck for a place to sleep there - phone Thope! She’ll make sure you are taken care of.
(See full review below.)
Date: April 25th, 2006 |
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Ikhaya Restaurant, Khayelitsha, Cape Town: Restaurant Review
Ikhaya Restaurant
B 386, Benayo Crescent (off Ntlatlo Rd)
Khayelitsha | Map
Category: Casual
Fare: Traditional African cuisine
Price range: Low-to-Medium
Open for: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Under review: Dinner
SA Blog recommends? It’s divine!
Snippet
The Ikhaya restaurant (”ikhaya” means “home” in Xhosa) is not only an eating place but also a conference and activity center. It hosts formal functions like weddings and anniversaries, as well as less-formal occasions like corporate functions, seminars - and even press conferences!
(See full review below.)
Date: May 17th, 2006 |
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World Fair Trade Day
Today is the second Saturday in May - which means it’s World Fair Trade day! The day has been set aside to increase awareness about ethical trading in world commodities like coffee - and, in South Africa, with its Fair Trade in Tourism movement, to encourage the kind of responsible travel that sees local communities benefit from visitors’ spending.
If you peruse SA Blog’s Fair Trade section (which is terrific, if I do say so myself), you’ll find there’s plenty of ways to spoil yourself and encourage fair trade simultaneously. In fact, with Mother’s Day just a day away, …
Date: May 13th, 2006 |
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Phumulani Lodge, eManzini, Mpumalanga Province: Accommodation Review
Phumulani Lodge
R569, off the R538 at eManzini
Near the Kruger National Park Numbi Gate
Mpumalanga Province
Accommodation type: Game Lodge
Number of stars: 4
Rooms starting from (per person sharing): R495
SA Blog recommends? Definitely
Book your stay at Phumulani Lodge here.
Snippet
Seventeen luxury, thatch-roofed chalets are inconspicuously nestled amongst the acacia trees. Each chalet has a full en-suite bathroom and sheltered patio overlooking the wild surrounds. The dining boma (lounge/common area) is where patrons congregate for splendid African feasts - breakfast and dinner are included in the price of accommodation - as well as traditional Swazi dancing and music. A handcrafted wooden bar, fashioned from the split trunk of a Marula tree, is always well stocked. For fatigued explorers and those just wanting to relax under the African sun, there is a tranquil rock pool.
(See full review below.)
Date: May 4th, 2006 |
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Majoro’s B&B, Cape Town: Accommodation Review
Majoro’s Bed & Breakfast
69 Helena Crescent, Graceland
Khayelitsha, Cape Town | Map
Majoro’s B&B
Accommodation type: Bed & Breakfast
Number of stars: 2
Rooms starting from (per person sharing): R250
SA Blog recommends? It’s Perfectly Suitable
Snippet
At Majoro’s, you get a genuine feel for the way South Africans are living today. You don’t have your own TV, you watch TV with the family - in fact you do everything together except share the bedroom and bathroom! When you go back home, you will certainly have stories to tell about culture and life in South Africa.
(See full review below.)
Date: April 28th, 2006 |
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Sabi Sabi Luxury Private Game Lodge, Kruger National Park: Accommodation Review
Sabi Sabi
Kruger National Park
(turnoff 3km before the Paul Kruger Gate)
Mpumalanga Province | Map
Zebra and Foal
Accommodation type: Game Lodge
Number of stars: 5
Rooms starting from (per person sharing): R3575 and up
SA Blog recommends? Especially for honeymooners!
Snippet
Being right next door to the Kruger Park - the two reserves share a border, but not a fence, so the animals pass between them without hindrance - a stay at Sabi Sabi guarantees plenty to see, in terms of the Big Five. Not to mention plenty to eat and drink: the camp’s bush feasts are much-celebrated by those who’ve sampled from them; and all beverages during your stay are on the house (except French Champagne).
(See full review below.)
Date: April 25th, 2006 |
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