Giltedge - Africa

Newspapers for Trees – Arbor Week

From 1 to 7 September every year, South Africans are encouraged to participate in tree-planting events to improve the health of our environment. This week, in support of Arbor Week, the Giltedge Team collected newspapers to swap for trees at a local garden centre.

Jock Safari Lodge

A 3 hour drive from Kruger Airport this luxury lodge is situated in the southern area of the Kruger National Park.  It is a 6000 hectare, private concession in the world-renowned Kruger National Park

Hippo Hollow

After just a 60 minute drive from Kruger Airport to Hippo Hollow we were welcomed by their warm and friendly staff with some of their fine jungle juice to quench our thirst.

African Relish - Africa’s Culinary Spirit

The fact that we extended our stay with an extra night says it all - we did not want to leave… African Relish’s cottage, Akkedis is pure heaven on earth!

A trip down the Cape Peninsula…

Up at the crack of dawn for a scheduled full day peninsula tour, the morning was chilly with the promise of warmer weather to come. We were collected from the Southern Sun Waterfront by Thompsons Touring.  The reception was warm and welcoming which bode well for the remainder of the day.

The Banhoek Experience

The Banhoek Experience to be held on the 25th of September 2010 at the MolenVliet and Zorgvliet Wine Estates, promises to be a boiling pot of creativity, with a bubbly vibe and a French street atmosphere.

Kensington Place

Who would have thought one could find such a peaceful oasis in the bustling city bowl, along with views of the mountain and the scent of fruit trees?  Kensington Place offers all of this and more.

Rovos Rail

I had the pleasure of spending 3 days and 2 nights on The Rovos Rail. It was one of the best experiences I have had and I have never been so happy and relaxed in my life.

Giltedge’s 2010 FIFA World Cup

Well it certainly came, we all saw “the games” and we conquered the critics! South Africa came out shining after delivering the World Cup to the World on 11 June -11 July 2010.

Elephant Whispers

Interacting with these majestic gentle giants was truly an unforgettable experience and a touching one. In just over an hour we learned so much about these elephants background (they were saved from culling operations), anatomy, habitat, nature and so much more.

Nkomazi Private Game Reserve

We had the amazing opportunity to experience Nkomazi Game Reserve. We were not quite sure as to what to expect, but we were very much surprised by this very special place.

The Giltedge Cocktail Party

The Penthouse at Cape Town’s trendy Pepper Club Hotel played host to Giltedge’s cocktail party, celebrating our winning of ‘Leading Luxury Tour Operator in South Africa’ at the World Travel Awards, as well as to thank staff for their dedication over the Football World Cup. 

The One&Only Cape Town…

What an exceptional experience to be able to spend my birthday at The One&Only Cape Town. I had never been to the property before and was really blown away from the time I arrived until the time I left.

Franschhoek Country House

I was invited to spend last Saturday night at the 5-star boutique Franschhoek Country House & Villas…what a treat!

Giltedge Wins At World Travel Awards

Giltedge Travel has been singled out as South Africa’s Leading Luxury Tour Operator at a glitzy Gala Presentation Dinner held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 7 July 2010.

Savuti Safari Lodge, Chobe

I was starting to get used to my early mornings; in fact I was starting to enjoy them. Today we were off to the Savuti Safari Lodge. This lodge is situated in the North of Botswana, in Chobe and has the most amazing game viewing as it overlooks a watering hole. There is almost no need to go on a game drive; the game literally comes to you.

Xugana Island Lodge, Botswana

Today we where off to Xugana Island Lodge, which is situated on an island in the middle of the Delta.

Jan Harmsgat Country House

We enjoyed wonderful country indulgences at the charming Jan Harmsgat Country House just outside Swellendam.

A Quick Guide to KwaZulu Natal

KwaZulu Natal has always been a difficult place to sell to people who have never visited, but as the second and third generation visitors come back to our shores, it seems to be getting more popular and for that I am glad!

Singita Lebombo Lodge

My impression of Singita’s luxurious Lebombo Lodge in the Kruger National Park.

Singita Sweni Lodge

Of the two Singita lodges in the Singita Kruger National Park concession, Sweni Lodge is my favourite.

Last Day at Singita Kruger National Park

Steph was fortunate enough to enjoy a weekend on a luxury safari at Singita in the Kruger National Park - this is the final day in her safari journal.

2nd Day at Singita Kruger National Park

The second day of Stephanie’s weekend at Singita in the Kruger National Park - relaxation, game viewing and spa treatments.

Singita Kruger National Park

In December 2007, Steph enjoyed a luxurious weekend at Singita in the Kruger National Park. While she was there, she visited the Sweni and Lebombo Lodges

Camp Moremi and the Moremi Wildlife Reserve

Day 3 of 6 in the Okavango Delta. After a lazy start at Duba Plains, Richard departs for the Moremi Wildlife Reserve and Camp Moremi.

Walking with the elephants & Duba Plains

Day 2 of 6 - Meeting three African elephants and going on a walk in the bush with them is quite a surreal experience, and not one you will easily forget!

Journey to the Okavango Delta

Journal of the first day of six in Botswana’s Okavango Delta - Day 1

Honeymooning at Gorah and Shamwari

Elaine and her husband enjoyed a fantastic safari honeymoon in the Malaria-free Eastern Cape. They stayed at Gorah and Shamwari.

Great Cape Town Accommodation Options!

We visit three stunning accommodation options in and around the Cape Town CBD - Mandela Rhodes, Les Cascades de Bantry Bay and the opulent Ellerman House.

Wilderness Camps in Kafue National Park

A quick review of the four luxury camps I visited while I was in the Kafue National Park in Zambia.

Kafue National Park - Zambia

Unbelievably vast, Kafue National Park is about the same size as Wales!  And the landscapes are very diverse ranging from riverine to wooded to the huge Busanga Plains.

South Luangwa National Park - Zambia

South Luangwa National Park in Zambia is worth a visit - if not for the game, then just the sheer vastness of it. I also visited a new luxury tented camp in the park, Kalamu.

Wilderness Safaris Zambia

In October, I had the opportunity to explore Zambia as part of a recce to check out the new Wilderness safari camps.

Wilderness Safaris Zambia is a fairly new operation and Zambia itself is not yet as well known or requested as much as many of the other southern African destinations. This of course has its pros and cons - on the one hand it is unbelievably pristine and has an ‘undiscovered’ air about it and on the other it can be a little pricey. Still, it?s well worth exploring just for the sheer magnitude and diverse scenery and wildlife.

Welcome to the Giltedge Travel Blog!

Welcome to the Giltedge Travel Blog!

We’ve been arranging tailor-made travel in Africa for over a decade. Over the years, our consultants have travelled extensively to all the destinations we sell to our clients in southern and East Africa. Now, we’d like to take this opportunity to share some of our personal experiences and photographs with you on our travel blog. We invite you to comment and contribute, and if you have any questions about a travel related matter in Africa we’d love to hear from you.