Botswana is most famous for the Okavango Delta, a miracle of nature that sees the mighty Okavango River empty itself onto the parched sands of the Kalahari Desert. While the delta is a definite must for any safari veteran, the desert holds a fascination all of its own … this is one of the oldest and largest semi-desert regions of the world.

In the Kalahari time stands still … a fascinating world filled with an astounding array of wildlife adapted to life in extreme conditions. The San (or bushmen) have survived here for over 30,000 years and the remaining few offer outsiders a unique perspective on life forged by their ancient experiences.

We take a look at some of these fascinating desert destinations: an ideal add-on to your delta experience and true African adventure with a difference.

Deception Valley
Deception Valley lies in the heart of the Central Kalahari, an ancient dried up riverbed made famous by the book Cry of the Kalahari. Experience the true grandeur of the Kalahari and see the desert through the eyes of the resident bushmen whose ancestors have survived in this arid area for aeons.
Accommodation: Deception Valley Lodge

Makgadikgadi Pans
The Makgadikgadi Pans are vast, dazzling white salt pans in the middle of the Kalahari. Go wild in the miles of nothingness on quad bikes or explore ancient fossil beds of extinct giant zebra and hippo. When it rains the pans flood, attracting flamingos and pelicans to the salty waters and huge migratory herds to the fresh grasses that spring up around the edges of the pan as if by magic.
Accommodation: Jacks Camp

Tuli Block
Huge private farms in the area bordering South Africa and Zimbabwe were amalgamated to form Mashatu Game Reserve which derives its name from the magnificent Mashatu trees found here. The park is a mere 5 hours drive from Johannesburg. Cycle-Mashatu offers a unique 3-night guided mountain biking adventure through the area. Accommodation: Mashatu Main Camp

Your wedding will be one of the most important occasions of your life, so you want it to be extra special, memorable … and very romantic.

The allure of Africa is perfect for your special day, whether you are barefoot in beach sand or tying the knot in an exotic setting deep in the bush. The advantage of an African wedding location is that year-round perfect weather makes an outdoor wedding a particularly viable option.

Uyaphi.com has put together a portfolio of African wedding options for your special day, whether it’s just the two of you … or a gathering of the people you’d most like to share this important occasion with. The great thing about a destination wedding is that you get to spend quality time with friends and family in a perfect location.

Our wedding planners are experts in romantic travel and are on hand to customise your wedding package in the most romantic settings you could dream of.

Click here to view the Uyaphi.com African Wedding Page

There are 7 private concessions licensed to operate within the boundary of South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Here guests can expect every modern luxury and excellent dining while getting to enjoy the natural wonders that the Kruger National Park has to offer. Take advantage of winter game viewing at this selection of Uyaphi’s favourites:

Imbali Concession
A 10,000-hectare private concession area in the western reaches of the Park.

Imbali Safari Lodge has 12 immaculate suites on the banks of the Nwatswitswonto River featuring large expanses of glass and magnificent wooden decks for better game-viewing. Private plunge pools have views over the riverbed and the plains beyond.

Hoyo Hoyo Tsonga Lodge is set on the banks of the Mluwati River boasting 6 luxurious traditional tsonga huts. Glimpse the culture and lifestyle of the Shangaan people; the legendary boma feast hosted by the resident Shangaan Chief is a must.

Hamiltons Tented Camp offers 6 magnificent tented chalets with slipper baths and outdoor showers with a superb view of the Ngwenyeni Dam. This bush camp is a favourite: unrivalled design, service, ambience and personalised cuisine.

Singita Concession
A huge 15,000-hectare concession in the eastern reaches of the Park.

Singita Lebombo Lodge has 15 lofty rooms that hug the mountainside offering unsurpassed views from sparsely adorned spaces created of wall-to-wall glass.

Singita Sweni Lodge offers more of a personal feel to its sister lodge with 6 suites flanking the Sweni River. Even when you’re indoors, you feel close to the river and trees due to the floor-to-ceiling glass walls.

Jock of the Bushveld Concession
A 6,000-hectare concession in the south.

Jock Safari Lodge was one of the first privately owned camps, magnificently situated at the confluence of the Mitomeni and Biyamiti Rivers (the pool literally sits at the confluence!) 12 luxury air-conditioned suites with private outdoor salas overlook the river. Little Jock is a more private experience with 3 luxurious suites to ensure that personal service is a priority.

Makuleke Concession
A massive 24,000-hectare concession in the remote northern reaches of the park

Pafuri Camp features 20 luxurious tented rooms looking out over the Luvuvhu River in the wildest and most biodiverse corner of the Park. This scenic area is the ancestral home of the Makuleke people and nearby Crook’s Corner sees the Limpopo and Luvuvhu Rivers and 3 countries meet: Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique.

Mutlumuvi Concession
This 12,000-hectare concession in the west shares 15 kilometres of unfenced boundary with the famous Mala Mala and Sabi Sand reserves. This is the home of the Rhino Walking Safari, where you can experience a 4-day or 6-day wilderness adventure.

Rhino Post Safari Camp is set under magnificent Tamboti trees. Stilts raise the 8 spaciously appointed suites allowing superb views of the Mutlumuvi riverbed from bedroom, bathroom and private deck. Plains Camp features 4 African explorer-style tents nestled in an Acacia Knobthorn thicket that overlooks the spectacular Timbitene Plain and its abundant wildlife.

June/July is midwinter in South Africa, which means low season rates and very good value for travelers. What’s more, this is also the best time to see game …

Winter in South Africa is the dry season, which means that the vegetation is sparse, and visibility for game spotting improves immensely. Anyone who has strained their eyes staring into dense bush on the back of a safari Landrover desperately trying to find signs of animal life will appreciate the benefits of a little less undergrowth!

Added to this, many of the water sources dry up and animals run out of options for finding water in their usual spots. This means that they are sure to converge at water holes. The best tip for game spotting is to stay put at a waterhole and get sucked into the bush soap opera that unfolds around you. There may be little action when you arrive but patience is sure to be rewarded as the animals emerge from the undergrowth, each taking their turn to parade down to the water’s edge to drink. And while you wait, there will always be something going on: a baboon troop at play, foraging meerkats, or dung beetles struggling with their load.

On a South Africa Safari game drives are a feature of every dawn and dusk, the best time for most animal activity.

The adventurous may prefer to take themselves on a South Africa Self Drive Safari. South Africa’s game reserves are well catered to self-drive travelers and there is nothing quite as satisfying as spotting an animal for yourself.

Of course you are closest to the wild when you are on foot and a Kruger Walking Safari is the perfect way to truly experience the full drama of the African bush.

Zambia is a favourite of Safari veterans. While tourist infrastructure is relatively undeveloped, the high-end safari market thrives; locations are hard to beat and many of Uyaphi’s preferred operators are legendary in the Safari world. This is true African adventure!

Zambia is criss-crossed by two major river systems that provide unsurpassed fishing opportunities, 17 magnificent waterfalls, dramatic floodplains, a plethora of lakes and breathtaking locations. Opportunities for adventure abound: River Rafting, Bungi jumping, Abseiling, and Canoeing Safaris in some of the wildest locations you’ll encounter.

Livingstone has fast become the destination of choice for people visiting Victoria Falls. While most agree that the best views are on the Zimbabwean side, many prefer the political stability and renowned friendliness of their Zambian hosts.

The Kafue River flows through the populous towns of the ‘copper belt’ to the vast Busanga Plain and Zambia’s oldest Game Reserve, Kafue National Park . This immense 22,400 km2 Reserve is renowned for its huge herds of antelope, and of course their accompanying predators.

Onwards to the Kafue flats, an enormous shallow flood plain and the Lochinvar National Park, particularly well known for its 30,000 endemic Kafue lechwe, an antelope specially adapted to wading in the soggy conditions of the flats which become inundated during the rainy season. The abundant waters also make for unsurpassed birding with over 420 recorded species.

The south-western extension of Africa’s Great Rift Valley is Luangwa Valley, a vast wilderness paradise drained by the Luangwa River. There is very little human habitation other than safari lodges offering some of the most wild and untouched African bush experiences.

Changing seasons transform the landscape of South Luangwa National Park from dry bushveld in winter to a lush impenetrable green wonderland in the wet summer months. This is the home of the original walking safari. Game viewing opportunities are superb with 60 animal species and over 400 different bird species to look out for. The only notable exception is the rhino, sadly poached to extinction.

Read more about our Zambia Safaris

Sauti za Busara Music Festival – Zanzibar, Tanzania
February
The Sauti za Busara Music Festival will be in its 7th year in 2010. Zanzibar comes alive in February each year with this international festival celebrating East African music. 400 established and upcoming artists perform acoustic and electric, modern and classic “from city and shamba”. The festival kicks off with a street parade, followed by four days of live music at the historic Old Fort in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Zanzibar Accommodation

Cape Town International Jazz Festival – Cape Town, South Africa
April
The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has blossomed into a top international jazz event voted by Melodytrip as the 4th best in the world. This comes as no surprise considering the wealth of jazz musicians who hail from South Africa and Cape Town in particular. 40 local and international greats perform on four stages over a weekend, so the hardest part is trying to decide which stage to visit at any one time!
Cape Town Accommodation

Malaral Camel Derby – Maralal, Northern Kenya
August
The Malaral Camel Derby is an annual event held in the Northern Region of Kenya. Both amateurs and professionals put the camels through their paces on a route through this semi-desert region. Camels (with or without handlers) are available to hire for those wishing to compete. This event is aimed to bring attention to the encroachment of the desert in Northern Kenya. Other activities include cycle races, dance displays and donkey rides for children.
Kenya Accommodation

Lake of Stars Music Festival – Lake Malawi, Malawi
October
Lake of the Stars is fast becoming one of Africa’s top music events showcasing a diverse range of music from Afropop, reggae and folk to beatboxers and the best international DJs. The stage sits on the chilled out shores of majestic Lake Malawi. 2008 highlights included British folk supremo Seth Lakeman finishing his set as the lakeshore wind whipped the stage covering into a frenzy and Malawian legend Giddi Chalamanda making a surprise guest appearance to the delight of the Malawian contingent. The festival began in 2004 to showcase Malawi as a destination and to expose Malawian musicians to an international audience.
Malawi Accommodation

Oktoberfest – Namibia, various locations
Late October
The German descendants in Namibia have maintained their language and culture despite being cut off from Germany since 1915. This is why you will find a Munich-style Oktoberfest energetically celebrated in most major centres. If you are in Namibia in late October be sure to seek out the foaming pitchers of beer, sizzling sausages and thigh slapping merriment of the oompah bands.
Namibia Accommodation

Kwanga Festival – Samfya, Zambia
October
The Kwanga Festival is celebrated annually by the Njumba tribe of the Bangweulu wetlands of Northern Zambia. This three day festival sees much singing, dancing and feasting to mark a rite of passage in anticipation of the return of the rainfall in November. This is a coming together of the tribe who don colourful gear and dance to the rhythm of traditional drum and rattle beats. Visitors are welcome to participate in the festivities, so if you are in Zambia at this time of year be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity.
Zambia Accommodation

Johannesburg is an enigma. Fondly known as Jozi to her residents, she is thoroughly modern yet vibrantly African. The majority of the 3.2 million residents are young and this makes for a vibrant cosmopolitan city setting the trends; a true cultural melting pot with a fascinating array of experiences, from the restaurants and shopping to the accommodation and cultural activities on offer.

Jozi is also one of the greenest cities on earth with a sea of 10 million trees towering over sprawling suburbs. Johannesburg Zoo opened in 1904 and is still a popular attraction at the heart of the city.

The Apartheid Museum is a fitting memorial to life under apartheid. You are transported back to the 70s and 80s dodging of police teargas and toy-toying marches of the disenfranchised. The museum is located in Newtown Cultural district, a restored downtown quarter now home to the world famous Market Theatre, MuseuMAfrica, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Bassline, Dance Factory and SAB World of Beer.

The greater Johannesburg area is known as Gauteng, Sotho for “place where the gold is”. Just a rocky piece of land until gold was discovered in 1886, now Jozi is the powerhouse of South Africa’s economy. Gold Reef City is a fascinating glimpse into her mining past. Take a tour down what used to be one of the world’s deepest gold mines, and even enjoy a drink a quarter of a kilometre underground in a donkey-stable pub on level 5.

Nearby Soweto (an acronym for “South Western Townships”) is the most metropolitan black urban residential area in the country. What began as a temporary settlement for gold miners, later designated as a black township by the Apartheid government, is now a vibrant suburb dancing to her own beat. Dine out at the famous Wandies Place, an eatery popular with both locals and visitors alike. Or stay over at the boutique hotel Wandie has opened just next door. Visit Nelson Mandela’s former house and the recently restored Credo Mutwa Village, featuring Zulu and Sotho homesteads.

Johannesburg makes an ideal base for exploring nearby attractions like the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site where some of the most significant humanoid fossils have been unearthed. And when all the sightseeing gets too much, head for the famous shopping malls for a bit of retail therapy, or enjoy a revitalizing health spa to recharge the batteries before the next adventure.

• Johannesburg Accommodation
• Johannesburg Day Tours

It has been 3 years since the tragic death of David Rattray, world-renowned public speaker who devoted much of his life to the study of the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the history of the Zulu nation. His annual lecture series at the Royal Geographic Society was always sold out.

David Rattray and wife Nicky started the Fugitives Drift Lodge and Guesthouse on a spectacular site overlooking Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, both battlefields in the Anglo-Zulu War. David would lead guests to the scene of the Battle of Isandlwana, where the prowess of the Zulu warriors won them a great victory over the British. It was a British victory at Rorke’s Drift where 139 British soldiers held out against 4,000 Zulu warriors garnering more Victoria Crosses than any other battle in history.

Fugitives Drift is a remarkable location, lying within a 5,000 acre game reserve teeming with wildlife. It is a Natural Heritage Site where David and Nicky Rattray pioneered Heritage Tourism in South Africa. Close associations with families of the area make for a fascinating perspective on its great history.

Since David’s death, Nicky has taken the reins to maintain the high standards offered at the Lodge for 19 years. Guests enjoy the walking trails or go game viewing by horse. The birdlife and fishing opportunities are abundant along the property’s 20 kilometre frontage on the Buffalo River, while the pools and rapids make for a refreshing dip. Rob Caskie leads a team of accomplished guides who continue to tell David’s battle stories, and Rob fulfils the overseas lecture obligations.

Nicky Rattray also oversees the work of the David Rattray Foundation, established in David’s memory to continue his work supporting the local communities. The central theme of David’s lectures was reconciliation and the Foundation strives to uphold these ideals. Son, Peter Rattray, is also active in supporting the work of the Foundation whose patron is the Prince of Wales.

Recently, a new species of millipede was discovered by Michelle Hamer in the Nkandla Forest, just south of Fugitives’ Drift. It has been named Doratogonus Rattrayi in honour of David Rattray.

Fugitives Drift Lodge
Fugitives Drift Guesthouse

Football is known as soccer in South Africa. For decades the national soccer team was “whites-only” with other teams left to fend for themselves without proper facilities or funding. Against these odds, soccer thrived in the townships and soccer matches drew huge crowds to witness the prowess of folk heroes like Jomo Sono and Kaizer Motaung.

South African Football Association (SAFA) was founded in 1991 after the repeal of Apartheid. The standing ovation as South Africa was welcomed into the African football fold at the 1992 Confederation of African Football Congress was a proud moment, topped only by Bafana Bafana (“the Boys”) winning the African Nations Cup on home turf in 1996. Hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is a crowning glory!

You are likely to encounter lively talk in every taxi, train or talkback radio programme about the agility and shortcomings of teams like Kaizer Chiefs (the Amakhozi) known to draw more supporters at away games than the home sides. Orlando Pirates (the Buccaneers) have been the only local winners of Africa’s premier club competition, the Champions League, while Mamelodi Sundowns provide stiff competition backed by billionaire mining magnate Patrice Motsepe. The clashes between these greats are always momentous occasions accompanied by the baying of vuvuzelas.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) draws together South Africa’s best soccer clubs. Formed in 1997 the PSL has taken the game to a new level, drawing media coverage and sponsorship deals that allow local players to make a name for themselves. The abounding talent is evident in the numbers who have taken up lucrative contracts with foreign clubs.

Vuvuzela Trivia

The tradition of blowing a horn at soccer matches stems from African folklore: that “a baboon is killed by a lot of noise”. The vuvuzela sounds like the baying of an elephant. In the last quarter of a game the vuvuzela horns are blown furiously to “attack” the opposing team. The original horn was a lepatata, made from the horn of an antelope, traditionally blown by Setswana men in an old musical tradition known as a dikoma. The vuvuzela horn was adapted for soccer matches, originally made out of tin but now more commonly plastic.

The vuvuzela is often accessorised with a brightly decorated helmet worn by die-hard soccer fans. The helmets were first adapted in the 1970s from miner’s hard hats (hence their name “makarapa” which referred to the foreign migrant workers on the county’s gold mines). The helmets were originally worn to protect soccer fans from missiles thrown from the stands above and helmet owners vied to outdo each other with the elaborate decorations festooning their hats.

Regular Readers of this newsletter will already be familiar with the many corners that make South Africa the most popular African destination south of the Sahara. Twice the size of France, three times Germany, South Africa is a fascinating geographic tapestry …

South Africa is a country of world-class wildlife-watching – from the safety of a landrover, walking or elephant back safari. South Africa also boasts the world’s deepest gold mines, a thriving film industry, vast open spaces and a fascinating cultural diversity in bustling cosmopolitan cities and isolated rural villages. Try your hand at the genteel art of trout fishing, go shark cage diving or any other adventure sport imaginable.

Enjoy what Sir Francis Drake described “the fairest Cape in all the circumference of the World”. Delve into Cape Town’s city chic set against the stunning backdrop of Table Mountain. Nearby lie the vineyard-clad hillsides and Cape Dutch architecture of the famous wineland towns of Stellenbosch and Paarl.

The coastline stretches 2,500 kilometres, from quaint fishing villages on rugged outcrops to heavenly white sand beaches – the lush tropical resorts of Kwa Zulu Natal and the Wild Coast, or the Garden Route’s sublime seascapes alongside the vast emerald beauty of the Tsitsitkamma Forest stretching inland.

This incredible natural beauty provides a backdrop for the daily drama of a country grappling with poverty. From a divided past, South Africa has become one of the world’s greatest experiments in racial harmony and an inspiration to many. As illustrated in the recent box office hit Invictus, sports in South Africa has provided a perfect platform for reconciliation and the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is sure to be a profound experience for all its participants at home and abroad.