PARKERS NEWS: September 2010
In this month's issue:
2010 World Cup - A final comment
 Four years ago, we launched a minor project, the aim of which was to provide a free flow of information relating to the preparations for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. In our original statement, we declared our confidence that South Africa would host the greatest Soccer World Cup in history. Since then, South Africa has experienced extraordinary highs and lows, including a political and constitutional crisis which led to the recalling of the country's president, an outbreak of xenophobia and electricity shortages which threatened to cripple the country's power grid.
On the plus side, South Africa was able to ride the global economic meltdown, thanks largely to a number of multi-billion rand Soccer World Cup-related construction projects. Throughout this period, the world watched nervously as the various deadlines loomed. Just two years ago, FIFA President Sepp Blatter sparked a storm of controversy by conceding that there was a 'Plan B' in the event that South Africa was unable to host the mega sporting event. But, once again, the country produced the goods and confounded the critics.
Hundreds of millions of people spent just over a month watching in awe as South Africa took its rightful place at the centre of the universe and embraced the entire planet. The reality is that a country which was once the pariah of the international community seems to have made the world a better place. Those critics who spent four years running South Africa into the ground have been drowned out by the roar of approval from the international media and the near-record number of fans who watched the 64 matches. John Carlin, the author of 'Playing the Enemy', says all those stories, promoted by FIFA among others, about the Soccer World Cup being the 1995 rugby World Cup all over again; about healing racial wounds, uniting the fractured nation and so forth, were off the mark. 'It was much, much better than that. What we saw was just how united and racially healed South Africa really is, how far South Africa has advanced since the nervy nineties,' he says.
Sepp Blatter told waiting journalists that South Africa had scored a nine out of 10, 'making it a doctorate summa cum laude'. Blatter went on to say he had feared the high crime rate and poor public transport would jeopardise the tournament, but it went off without any major problems. 'A big compliment to South Africa, a big compliment to the people of South Africa, a big compliment to the government of South Africa for all the guarantees they have given and met. They can be proud.'
So there we have it; the country (again) produced the goods. South Africans, take a bow!
Flora/Fauna : Nyala
 The handsome Nyala is easily identified by his shaggy, charcoal grey coat, marked with thin white vertical stripes on the flanks, and his rather unusual "long yellow socks". The rams have long, white tipped horns and a chevron-marked face. Males also have a ridge of long hairs along the under-parts and a mane of thick, black hair from the head along the spine to the rump. Rams weigh around 115 kg and measure 1m or more at the shoulder.
Nyala ewes are much smaller weighing around 60 kg and standing around 90 cms at the shoulder. The hornless ewes are chestnut-coated with more prominent white stripes on the flanks.
 Nyala are grazers and browsers, feeding on leaves, fruit and flowers and the variety in their diet is one of the factors ensuring their successful survival. They breed throughout the year but mating peaks in autumn and spring, mating opportunities for rams being decided through dominance behaviour. Single calves are born after a gestation period of 220 days although twins are not uncommon.
Interestingly, juvenile males look very much like females. It is thought this helps camouflage the young males and protects them from the jealousy of the dominant bull. The young males are therefore allowed to grow up peacefully under the protection of the herd.
This rather large antelope inhabits dense woodlands and thickets along permanent water. It is quite secretive and more easily seen at night. Nyalas are not territorial and both sexes have overlapping home ranges, those of the ewes being twice the size of the rams'.
As a result of translocation, Nyalas are found in a number of game reserves and private farms throughout South Africa. They are most numerous in the greater Kruger National Park.
Featured Destination : Leopard Mountain Game Lodge
We recently returned from a (sadly too) short stay at Leopard Mountain Game Lodge, a natural heritage site set in the 23,000 ha Zululand Rhino Reserve -proclaimed a National Protected Area.
This pristine wilderness is located between Hluhluwe and Mkuze Game Reserves in northern KwaZulu-Natal, within easy reach of Ndumo, Kosi Bay, Sodwana Bay, Lake Sibaya and the St. Lucia wetlands. We thoroughly enjoyed the warm friendly hospitality at this exceptionally beautiful lodge which has the most spectacular views in Zululand from the river meandering below to the distant Lebombo Mountains.
The luxury accommodation is in nine well-appointed stone and thatch chalets nestled in the cliff tops overlooking the river. Each chalet has a private bathroom with a totally secluded "shower and loo with a fantastic view" From the comfort of your large bed, you can watch the sun rise or, if you are lucky enough to be staying on clear nights, enjoy an unforgettably romantic experience gazing at the brilliant African stars.
 There is a very comfortable lodge cum dining room, bar and lounge and we loved the friendly and relaxed atmosphere everywhere. After a hearty breakfast, you can spend the day relaxing undisturbed in a hammock on your private deck. We chose to enjoy some wonderful game drives taking us through 9000 ha of unspoilt bushveld, stocked with elephant, black and white rhino, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, waterbuck, impala, nyala, kudu, warthog and ostrich. We had one "pampers moment" during an afternoon game drive when we encountered, in fairly thick bush, a rather grumpy female ellie who was being overly protective of her calf and decided to show her annoyance at our close presence in no uncertain terms!
There are 8 kms of river winding through an indigenous forest filled with bird song where you might be lucky enough to spot red duiker, suni and bushbuck. The lodge is located in one of the top birding areas in the country, home to the likes of the pink-throated twinspot, Rudd's apalis, green pigeons, Neergard's sunbird, the African broadbill and hundreds more.
To keep cool you can swim in the unique black swimming pool set into natural rock with a breathtaking view of the timeless beauty of the bush all around you. Afternoon tea is not to be missed with cake to die for, including freshly baked scones and chocolate brownies which, for the sake of accurate research, we had to try daily in great quantities.
A highlight for us was a mid-morning visit to a hide deep in the reserve overlooking a permanent water hole. The prolific game coming to the water to drink was mesmerising and we could happily have stayed there all day. The hide has some clever one-way glass so you get to enjoy all the animals at close range while they are blissfully unaware of human presence.
This is the ideal family getaway where all ages enjoy a fascinating experience in the bush.
Highly recommended. Ask us for special rates
An Appeal For Film Footage
 Fugitives' Drift Lodge - The David Rattray Foundation
Acclaimed director and producer Anthony Makin is embarking on a project to produce a documentary about the life of David Rattray and the establishment of The David Rattray Foundation and its work. Amongst others, we have been asked to try and find as much footage of David's battlefield tours as possible for inclusion in this documentary.
Over the years, Parker Tours have been privileged to send many travellers to Fugitives' Drift Lodge to enjoy David's legendary talks first hand. If you have any film footage of David's talks - long or short - and would be willing to make it available to Mr. Makin, please contact us via email at parker@parkertours.co.za Any footage used in the documentary will, of course, be properly credited.
For more information about the Foundation's work, please go to www.davidrattrayfoundation.org.
Thank you
Specials:
Samara Private Game Reserve has so much to offer. We believe you need three nights under the Karoo skies to truly experience the wonders of Samara so we are promoting their "Stay for 3 Nights, Pay for 2 Nights" special. Enjoy a 'thinking man's safari', where you can plant a spekboom (an indigenous tree), walk with a master tracker and explore the ancient rock art before relaxing for an afternoon of indulgence with spa treatments, Karoo cuisine and sunset game drives. Elegant lodges provide luxury accommodation surrounded by an amphitheatre of mountains on 70,000 acres. So come and walk with a cheetah and experience a luxury safari in the malaria free Eastern Cape.
Valid: 1 September 2010 to 15 December 2010 and 15 January 2011 to 31 March 2011.
Want the best of both worlds? Samara in partnership with Kensington Place Hotel located at the foot of Table Mountain, brings you a magical 7 night joint package. Explore the chic city of Cape Town before travelling inland to the untouched elegance of the Great Karoo landscapes. Ask us for details.
Oceana & Oysters 5 Night Package
Book 2 nights at Oceana Beach & Wildlife Reserve near Port Alfred and get 3 nights absolutely free at Lake Pleasant Living in Knysna. Just R14,250 per person sharing.
Includes: one way economy class flight from O.R. Tambo Airport (Jo'burg) to Port Elizabeth Airport, car hire, 2 nights at Oceana on a full board basis with 2 game drives daily plus 3 nights at Lake Pleasant Living on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Kruger Safari Madness 4 Night Package
Book 2 nights at Jock Safari Lodge and get 2 nights free at Cape Royale Luxury Hotel and Residence in Cape Town. Just R13,200 per person sharing.
Includes: one way economy class flight from O.R. Tambo Airport (Jo'burg) to Kruger Airport (Nelspruit), return airport transfers, 2 nights at Jock Safari Lodge on a full board basis with 2 game drives daily, one way economy class flight from Kruger Airport to Cape Town Airport, meet & greet for return chauffeur drive and 2 nights at the Cape Royale Hotel in a Deluxe Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Wildlife & Wine 6 Night Package
Stay 3 nights at Shishangeni Game Lodge near Komatipoort in the southern Kruger and get 3 free nights at Le Franschhoek Hotel. Just R15 500 per person sharing.
Includes: one way economy class flight from O.R. Tambo Airport (Jo'burg) to Kruger Airport (Nelspruit), return airport transfers, 3 nights at Shishangeni Game Lodge on a full board basis and 2 game activities daily, gate fees into the park, one way economy class flight from Kruger Airport to Cape Town Airport, meet & greet for return chauffeur drive and 3 nights at Le Franschhoek Hotel in a Deluxe Suite on a Bed & Breakfast basis.
Need great lodges, fantastic birding, game viewing and value for money? Try our 5 Rivers Safaris Specials!
- Only US$299 per person per night (excl Christmas surcharge)
- Ready-made itineraries and package rates
- 9 lodges to choose from in 3 countries (with dozens of exciting combinations)
- No single supplement on accommodation
- Scenic free transfers between some of the lodges
- Valid for travel from 1 December 2010 to 31 March 2011
The ultimate Bush & Beach combo
Benguerra Lodge, Mozambique in conjunction with Federal Air is offering the Ultimate Bush and Beach combination. Just select your own preferred Game Lodge in the Sabi Sand Game Reserve (we will help you choose), combine it with 4 nights at Benguerra Lodge and connect them with Federal Air's seamless air transfer services to qualify for this incredible deal:
Special Price: US$3,225 pp sharing
These are just a few of the many deals and offers available at the moment. Tell us what you are looking for and let us find the ideal holiday for you.
Gift Vouchers
 Our gift vouchers are the perfect present for anyone wild about travelling!
Whatever the occasion - anniversaries, honeymoons, birthdays - Parkers gift vouchers are the ideal gift for your family and friends. What a great way to help someone save towards their dream holiday!
Parkers gift vouchers are available in denominations of R700 (± £65), R1500 (± £135) and R7000 (± £635), are valid for 24 months from the date of issue and can be redeemed against any Parker Travel group tour or tailor-made trip.
To order vouchers call us on (South Africa) 00 27 (0)35 590 1576 or (UK) 00 44 (0)207 993 5127 or email parker@parkertours.co.za
Send to Friends
With nearly 80% of our business coming from recommendations and return visits by happy travellers, we must be doing something right. Help spread the message by suggesting to your friends that they subscribe to our monthly Newsletter. It's free. And if you recommend someone who books a holiday with Parkers, we'll give you 10% off the cost of your next holiday with us!
Want something free?
In these trying economic times, we are giving away a free R700 (about £65) Gift Voucher every month. All you have to do is enter this month's competition. We will notify the winner by email and the result will be posted in our next newsletter. And your friends can enter too! So what have you got to lose?
What else is free?
If you've already been on a Parkers holiday, you'll automatically qualify for 5% discount off your next adventure, so don't forget to mention it in your next booking!
Funny Sign
Competition
Where am I?
 Our last competition pic was of the marvellous new Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban - venue for some of the Soccer World Cup matches - and the lucky Travel Voucher winner is Stan Williams from South Carolina. Congratulations . Your prize is on it's way. Happy travelling!
Travel Blog : My Big 5, 6, 7, 8
Thank you Parkers. You recommended we spend just a little more than we intended so we could stay at the most brilliant lodge in the Sabi Sabi collection. I'm so glad we did! In just three game drives, we saw the big 5, including a leopard with it's impala supper in a tree; a black rhino with a very small calf; an elephant and buffalo stand-off at a waterhole; two lions being harassed on their kill by hyena; plus six wild dogs (which we immediately christened the "Six Pack") hunting a very lame and rather thin wildebeest and - my favourite - a cheetah with it's newly-caught warthog piglet meal. So for us, not just the Big Five but the Big Eight. Top that!
Gerry and James Werner, Alberta, Canada
Quote of the day:
"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background is that, deep down, we all believe that we are above average drivers."
~ Unknown
Southern Africa - Excellent Value
The Rand is still hovering at around R11/£1 R8/US$1 / R10/€1. Compared to Dollar and Euro zone rates of exchange, South Africa still offers excellent value for money. This means you can afford that once-in-a-lifetime trip so take full advantage of the weak Rand and give yourself a wonderful holiday!
Using our currency brokers Moneycorp, remember you can lock into a very attractive rate of exchange now, even though your holiday plans may still be some way in the future. Ask us for more information.
As always we look forward to hearing from you, both newcomers to Parkers and members of the PT Survivors Club, and hatching the most marvellous holidays with you. Feel free to email or phone (including Skype) with any questions you may have about visiting Southern Africa and we'll be delighted to help.
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