Mindfulness Retreat in beautiful Cape Town at Tintswalo Atlantic
Looking inwards, being present, and accepting what is. Being mindful during a time of heightened anxiety is incredibly powerful. It allows us to focus on the present, to appreciate the here and now, and it allows us to step back and let go of whatever we can not control. We can practice mindfulness on our own, but to dive deep takes dedicating a period of time to resetting your thoughts and training your mind. We’ve got just the place offering a “mindfulness retreat”, complete with ocean views, sea air, and mountain surroundings… Tintswalo Atlantic‘s Mindfulness Pause Retreat. About the Mindfulness Retreat Using the three Ps of place, perspective, and presence, this presents the opportunity to relax and recharge and radically enhance and shift personal growth and mindfulness practices. This is food for the soul. The Mindfulness Retreat is a four-night/five-day programme held at the luxurious coastal location of Tintswalo Atlantic. There are three separate programmes being held over the following dates in 2020: 28 May to 1 June 30 July to 3 August 13 – 17 August The retreats are hosted by Tracy Winde – renowned Mindful Host – and incorporate various activities designed to encourage creativity and introspection. Calling on the expertise of coaches in various fields of transformation and holistic healing, the retreat is an all-encompassing adventure of body, mind and soul. Each programme is not necessarily the same and might offer different activities and workshops. Activities and workshops Activities include visiting some of Cape Town’s natural wonders and most celebrated scenic locations, such as Table Mountain and Kirstenbosch Gardens. Focused sessions on meditation, silence, sound healing, and breath work is balanced by relaxed socialising opportunities in the beautiful Cape Winelands and of course, at Tintswalo’s magnificent location. Outdoor excursions are designed to connect participants to nature and offer tools to transform negativity into positive energy. Visit the great spekboom labyrinth planted in Stellenbosch in the new decade and use the opportunity to reflect on your own “wholeness”. Some of the expert-led workshops included over the five-day programmes are: Sacred drumming circle Meditations OM chanting Spekboom labyrinth ceremony and planting Insightful talks by Shelley Wyndham Silent dedications Tai Chi Sacred Sound Experience Sacred Water Ceremony Insightful teachings by Leon Lewis About Tintswalo Atlantic Idyllically located on Cape Town’s coast, Tintswalo Atlantic is a luxury hotel that embraces all the elements of the ocean and the rocky shore. Views of the famous Sentinel Peak appear on the other side of Hout Bay Harbour (sunset paradise), Chapman’s Peak winds along the mountain’s edge overhead, and the protected territory of Table Mountain National Park rolls out around it. There are 10...
Set sail, solo: tips for the single safari goer
Welcome to 2020, a time of self-reflection, self-care, and solo travel. More and more people are taking the plunge and seeking out places in the world that will rejuvenate the soul. Alone time in the world is a go! We are in full support of this movement for mindfulness and want to share our ideas for single safari goers. The perks, the pro-tips, and the money-saving moves that will get solo travellers on African safaris more easily. Perks of solo travel in Africa Lack of distraction. Take it all in on your own terms. It’s ultimately about self-care, so you choose what you need without feeling the need to consider what a partner might need. Take a morning to lie-in, alone. Enjoy the luxurious bed linen, take in the bush views through the windows, and listen to the sounds of birds in the morning. Make one cup of coffee. Travelling alone, you generally speak less, pay attention to your surroundings more. In the case of safari that means absorbing the new environment on game drive, choosing to sun-lounge or read a book or siesta in the afternoon. You decide. Enhancing the human experience. As a solo traveller, you’ll find yourself creating more memorable bonds with a guide or fellow guests as you share often first-time experiences. Travelling alone, you engage with people more and the result is often higher impact human connections. Getting one-on-one safari experiences. Many safari activities are offered on a private or personal basis. Private game drives, tracking wildlife on foot, interpretive bush walks, or spending time in a photography hide armed with your longest lens and an expert guide. These activities are a luxury and are likely to come at an additional price. Recharge and reconnect with nature. Take the time out, talk less, absorb more. Many would argue that Africa is the perfect place to disconnect from routine and technology and enjoy being surrounded by wilderness. Early mornings with the sunrise, early nights, full of good food and tired from a day of discovery. Full, happy heart. Activities for solo safari travellers: Mokoro excursions. What was once (and still is) the traditional way to get around waterways of the Okavango Delta in Botswana is today a unique safari activity. Solo travellers can hop aboard the narrow canoe while their personal guide and enjoy the tranquility of a slow cruise through calm channels and lagoons. Horseback riding. Experienced horse riders will find their happy place on the back of a noble steed, cantering through untamed areas inhabited by wildlife. We’ve got a list of incredible horse riding destinations, from Selinda in lush, northern Botswana to...
New, romantic safari treehouse in South Africa’s Greater Kruger
Opening just last month, Ngala’s romantic safari treehouse has already set pulses racing. It is not only a honeymooner’s dream destination, it is also eco-friendly and luxurious. This treehouse is an architectural masterpiece offering the perfect combination of adventure and comfort. No rickety ladders or precarious platforms. Rather style and elegance are achieved through careful design and execution. It’s available for guests who are checked in at either Ngala Safari Lodge or Tented Camp and would like to enhance their stay with a night out under the stars. Side note: we love the romance that this treehouse offers, but it can also be the perfect place for an adventurous sleep out with kids in tow. There is a special rate for children and there is enough bed space for four. Get in touch to find out about rates now, or read on to find out more. Location, location, location Located just a few kilometres from the main lodge, Ngala Treehouse is near enough for occupants to receive quick and dedicated service and delivery of whatever they might need. Yet, it is far enough to feel remote and exciting. A little clearing between the trees just a stone’s throw from a wide, sandy riverbed, this safari treehouse rises up on stilts. The Ngala Private Game Reserve is part of the Greater Kruger Park. It borders Timbavati Nature Reserve and the Kruger National Park so enjoys some of the best wildlife viewing and species diversity in South Africa. What’s in the box? There are four floors to the structure and the clever use of glass and timber throughout ensures that whichever level you’re on, you’re getting all the views. The ground floor is a small kitchenette complete with mini-fridge (important for keeping champagne cold), a kettle (important for sunrise coffee), cupboards housing thoughtful snacks and breakfast items, and a little kitchen table. The next level up is a full bathroom, complete with outdoor shower. A floor off the ground, this is of course a bathroom with a view. The third level is the bedroom under cover, perfect for when the weather might not be quite right for open-air sleeping. The bedroom is encased in glass, so even if you can’t sleep under the stars, you’re getting the full experience of what’s going on outdoors. Right on top is the sleep-out platform, which of course has a place to sleep soundly under a velvet night sky. It also has a little room for chairs and a viewing deck, because let’s face it, this is the most romantic seat in the house! Is it safe? Surrounding the four-storied safari treehouse is a protective...
Best safari lodges in Botswana 2020 #SunSafarisSays
Our choices for the best safari lodges in Botswana for the year 2020 – like any of our recommendations, suggestions, and pieces of advice – are shaped by personal experience. Our holiday experts build itineraries based on confidence and relationships based on trust. Each one of our four safari planners has at least a decade’s experience in the industry and they know what they are looking for in a destination experience. Botswana is a particular area of expertise for our team. It is a country we not only love for its sublime natural areas, but for its conservation ethic and integrity. It is a destination for the mindful traveller and it supports a tourism framework worth celebrating. It is as good to explore as a fly-in safari guest, or as a source of adventure for self-drivers. Tourists are embraced while natural heritage is preserved. This unique combination in Africa makes Botswana one of our best destinations for 2020. We asked our in-house Botswana experts to highlights five safari lodges they are recommending for this new year. We’ve got one for each prime safari region in the country. These well-loved lodges all went through a change in the last year that excites us. They have something new to offer. Without further ado, here are our choices for the best safari lodges in Botswana for the year 2020! Region: Chobe River Lodge: Ngoma Safari Lodge The view of Chobe River is probably the biggest drawcard for Ngoma Safari Lodge. Overlooking the lifeblood that divides Botswana and Namibia, this safari spot is perfectly elevated to make guests feel like they are dining on top of the world. It’s physical located in the private Chobe Forest Reserve, so night drives and walking safaris are permitted (and encouraged!) The national park is just three kilometres away, so daily game drives are part and parcel of the experience. Last year, Ngoma transitioned to new ownership and partnered with some of our other favourites in Botswana (Gomoti Plains and Machaba Camp) , which really got our attention. Pairing a trusted safari operation with a location like this is what makes a place truly special. For the hours in between your safari activities, you’ll be eating (dining room view: check), swimming (pool with a view: check), and relaxing in your suite (room with a view: check). So, Ngoma Safari Lodge emerged as one of our new favourites, and we’ll put our stamp of approval on that. #SunSafarisSays Region: Okavango Delta Lodge: Kanana Kanana Camp makes our list of best lodges in Botswana for obvious reasons. It was refurbished in 2019 and received a whole new look that...
Birding destinations in Uganda & the birds you’ll find there
There are over a thousand different bird species to be found in Uganda. Of course, a number of these is so rare or endangered or seldom seen that the average binocular-clad bird-watcher might never catch a glimpse. Like the elusive Shelley’s crimson-wing, of which there are no known photographs captured in the wild! Unless you’re incredibly lucky and unnervingly dedicated, you’re not likely to tick this lifer off your bird bucket list; but, Uganda’s value as a birding destination in Africa tops the charts. Its hugely varying altitude and combination of habitats make it the ideal home to so many species. We’ve scoured the rim of the crater lakes, trekked through the dense jungle, cruised along the Nile River, and traversed the savannah grasslands in search of birds (among other things, like gorillas, chimpanzees, and tree-climbing lions!) These are some of the best birding destinations in Uganda & the birds you’ll find there. Murchison Falls National Park Where the Victoria Nile carves its way through a narrow seven-metre-wide gap in the rock face and thunders violently through the famous Murchison Falls. The grassland territory alongside the river is one of the best game viewing locations in Uganda and it is also one of its most prestigious birding destinations. About 450 bird species have been recorded here, and a number of them can be easily spotted while out on a game drive or a Nile River boat cruise. Each habitat offering a different variety of birds altogether. Among the hundreds of species, be sure to look out for the Abyssinian ground hornbill, Rüppell’s vulture, northern red bishop, palm nut vulture, African quail finch, giant and pied kingfisher, rock pratincole, yellow-billed stork, white-faced whistling duck, and the country’s national bird, the grey-crowned crane. Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Home of the mountain gorillas, majestic territory of forest dwelling Batwa people, and habitat to so many birds, Bwindi is a playground to any nature lover. The dense forest is so alive that the pathways carved by gorillas and gorilla trackers each day just about close up again each night. The tangled vines and broad-leafed trees glow green and cast dappled shadows on the forest floor. These jungle thickets are also home to about 350 species of birds – some frequently seen and heard, and others that might remain secrets of the forest forever. Some Bwindi specials include the great blue turaco, African green broadbill, Chapin’s flycatcher, Fraser’s eagle owl, handsome francolin, black-collared apalis, and white-bellied robin chat. Queen Elizabeth National Park With over 600 bird species, Queen Elizabeth National Park is one of the best spots for birding enthusiasts to encounter a huge variety...