‘It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them.’ — Ernest Hemingway

Inspiring words?  We’ve put together just a small taster of some of the many sensational destinations in South Africa where cycling is on offer.  Explore, adventure, sweat or coast.  Grab a bike and spend some time in the saddle as we Explore…On Two Wheels.

The Plettenberg Hotel – Plettenberg Bay

The Plettenberg Hotel is ideally situated a stone’s throw from some of the best beaches South Africa has to offer, perfect for a cycle adventure.

Fat bike riding is permitted on two of the blue flag beaches in the surrounding area and the hotel will prepare special picnic rucksacks (at an additional cost) to make the most of this adventure.

Guests can choose between a 10 or 20 km ride along the scenic beaches where they will most probably not only spot pods of dolphins but could even see a whale breaching!

The hotel can also arrange a cycle route in the Harkerville forest that will meander from the Forrest down to the beach. The scenery is breathtaking. These rides are suitable for beginners right up to the more adventurous riders.

The Plettenberg has safe and secure storage facilities for bikes brought to the hotel, but can also source bicycles for guests to hire.  Plettenberg Bay has a large cycling culture and they now boast a specialist cycle shop, for any special repairs or last-minute tune ups that may be required.

The Plettenberg’s award-winning spa offers a post cycle deep tissue massage to sooth any aching muscles after a long ride or guests can choose to relax at one of the two pool terraces with cocktail in hand taking in the breath-taking scenery.

Head Over Hills – Knysna

Knysna is a beautiful part of South Africa to enjoy a bike ride.  Set off from Head Over Hills in the direction of Knysna where guests will experience some of the most magnificent views of the Heads, the ocean and the Knysna lagoon.

Head Over Hills has an excellent selection of top of the range mountain bikes for hire, all of course complete with safety helmets.

The hills around Head over Hills are not for the faint hearted!

Book a bike and join in on the fun! Guests will see that there are many mountain bikers in Knysna.

The forests are beautiful and the range of routes are suited for all levels of riders. In Harkerville there are four colour-coded routes which vary from 12-24 km.

The Homtini offers an awesome 19 km circular ride through the forest for intermediate level. The Garden Route Trail Park is a fun outing with both single tracks and a pump track to test your skills.

Family Ride Stellenbosch

Travelling with the family and looking for an exciting cycling tour?  Then the Stellenbosch Family Ride is perfect for you.

This gentle, seven-hour tour is accessible to all ages and fitness levels, plus it has loads of child-friendly activities.  Kids are entertained with ice-lolly and cool drink pairings, while parents get to soak in the sights and of course, sample some of the local wines.  It’s a win-win for all!  This tour includes a fully guided tour (1 guide per 10 guests), mountain bike and helmet rental, child seats, baby buggy or children’s bikes according to the size of the child.

Snack Packs (including bottled water, choc & peanuts/raisins), all wine tastings on route (3 estates visited) as well as non-alcoholic tastings for children under 18 are also included.  A stop at a local wine estate will be made for lunch (for own account).  And for those who prefer gliding and not so much peddling?  Upgrade to an e-bike.

Victoria & Alfred Hotel

The Victoria & Alfred Hotel is located in the heart of the Waterfront overlooking Table Mountain and the V&A basin.  From here, guests can enjoy a cycling route which leads into town and through to Camps Bay, all while taking in the spectacular views that the Waterfront and surrounds has to offer.

Cape Town is geared extremely well for cyclists, with dedicated cycling lanes that are available in town for guests to enjoy a fun cycling experience in the area.  The Victoria & Alfred Hotel works very closely with the John O’Connor cycling shop in Mouille Point which speeds any requests in terms of cycle hire, repairs or assistance.

Exhausted after your cycling experience? Feel free to unwind at The Dock House Boutique Hotel’s pool area, set in a beautifully manicured garden or get pampered at the Sanctuary Signature Spa, to relax those aching muscles.

The Leeu Collection (Leeu Estates, Leeu House, Le Quartier Francais) – Franschhoek

All 3 properties of The Leeu Collection are perfectly situated in the heart of Franschhoek making it a stunning location for guests to enjoy a cycling tour through town on their own.

Mountain bikes are available at all three properties for in house guests to use on a complimentary basis.  The Leeu Collection has easy access to shops, restaurants and cafes for guests to grab and go all while enjoying the beautiful scenery.

After exploring Franschhoek on your bicycle, why not take it easy and rejuvenate your self and your senses at the Leeu Spa.  Set among the vineyards, Leeu Spa is a wellness sanctuary that offers authentic massages and holistic treatments by expert therapists.

These tailor-made treatments were inspired by Africa’s rich heritage and traditional rituals. Premium organic products from the innovative Esse and TheraNaka™ ranges are utilised in the treatments. A range of treatments for children (aged six to 12) is also on offer.

Contact a Thompsons Africa consultant today to make a booking.

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.co.za / viki.haasbroek@thompsonsafrica.co.za

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

https://www.thompsonsafrica.com/about/contact-us

…South Africa WON!  On Saturday South Africans across the world collectively celebrated an incredible victory.  WE ARE THE RUGBY WORLD CUP WINNERS FOR 2019!

 

Not that we want to brag or anything (actually, if you read VERY carefully between the lines, you MIGHT see that we in fact DO REALLY, REALLY want to brag!) but South Africa ROCKS!  Besides being the Rugby World Cup champions (not sure we’ve mentioned that yet….) our country is simply SENSATIONAL!!!

We have the longest wine route IN THE WORLD!

Cape Route 62 is the tourist route in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, South Africa that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn, the Langkloof and Port Elizabeth.  And its BEAUTIFUL.

We boast the world’s best restaurant.

Don’t just take our word for it!  This came directly from the World Restaurant Awards 2019!  Wolfgat in Paternoster, Western Cape was awarded this prestigious first place win in Paris in February this year.

There’s the Big Five.  Of course!  BUT what about the Big Seven?

The Big Seven are the most exciting, charismatic and, in some cases, dangerous, of Africa’s big game species.  In addition to the lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo and leopard, we also have Southern Right whales and Great White sharks.

South Africa is a megadiverse country.  In fact we’re one of the top 3!

The term megadiverse country refers to any one of a group of nations that harbor the majority of Earth’s species and high numbers of endemic species.  And South Africa was recently announced as one of the top three biodiverse nations of the world along with Brazil and Indonesia!  This means that South Africa is one of the richest countries in terms of the diversity of plants and animals in the world.

Table Mountain.  Yes, we have that too.

Table Mountain has been nominated as a contender for the World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2019 at the annual World Travel Awards which take place on 28 November 2019.

We are host to one of the greatest migrations on earth – the sardine run.

Monty Halls, who wrote about the run for Telegraph Travel, says: ‘First reported in the Natal Mercury paper on August 4, 1853, this is one of the great global events of the marine calendar. It involves vast shoals of sardines moving north along the coast of the Eastern Cape and Natal, with numbers immeasurable to man. They are pursued by anything with teeth, a beak – or a camera.’

Which brings to mind the beaches.

The pictures should sum it nicely but in case you still need convincing, we have 19 blue flag beaches.  The Foundation for Environmental Education Campaign created a Blue Flag project to award countries and specific freshwater and maritime beaches the Blue Flag, which lets visitors to various countries know which authorities comply with the criteria.  If you’re visiting a Blue Flag beach in South Africa, you can be assured that the beach is well managed, kept clean and that it is safe for beach goers to use.

Oh yes…. there’s also Boulders Beach.  The only place IN THE WORLD where you can get close to African Penguins.

Game reserves.

We are home to no less than TWENTY national parks.  This includes one of the world’s most famous wildlife reserves, the Kruger National Park.  In addition, there are numerous private game reserves with world-class safari experiences.

We have ten World Heritage Sites.

These are the Fossil Hominid Sites of Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs (1999); Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape (2003);  Robben Island (1999);  Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape (2007); Khomani Cultural Landscape (2017); UKhahlamba / Drakensberg Park (2000); Cape Floral Region Protected Areas (2004); Greater St. Lucia Wetland Park (1999); Vredefort Dome (2005) and Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain Land (2018).

We really could go on and on but like we said earlier, we’re not really into bragging.  Except to say one last thing…..

Oh yes!!  We also won the Rugby World Cup 2019.  AND Prince Harry visited the players in the change room.

With so many reasons to celebrate our beautiful country, can you really afford NOT to visit SENSATIONAL SOUTH AFRICA?

 

Contact a Thompsons Africa consultant today to make a booking.

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.co.za / viki.haasbroek@thompsonsafrica.co.za

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

https://www.thompsonsafrica.com/about/contact-us

 

 

 

In the arranging and operating of variable sized tours in Southern Africa, with set itineraries and frequent departures, Thompsons Africa leads the field. These packaged holidays offer something special, unique and memorable. Our tours have been operating since 1997 and we proudly claim that our service cannot be beaten.

Our signature product, ‘Fully Guided’ means what it says: we do all the work, you relax and enjoy the experience, knowing that you are in capable and experienced hands.

The Face of Thompsons Africa

Our NQF (National Qualifications Framework) and FGASA (Field Guides Association of Southern Africa) qualified permanent Tour Guides are the very best calibre of staff. Join them on one of our exciting Guided Journeys or Tailor-Made packages – you will be completely blown away by their knowledge, excitement and passion! They speak English, German and Spanish, and our wider network of Tour Guides speak most other languages.

All of our Safari Guides have completed additional courses enhancing their skills to ensure the best possible experience for guests. These include the Kruger National Park Orientation Course, a botany course at Skukuza Nursery by a qualified botany expert and some have completed the VPDA Course (Viewing Potential Dangerous Animals).

Our tour guiding professionals have honed their skills, with many holding university degrees in fields such as marketing, photography, tourism and education. They are the collective face of Thompsons Africa and proud ambassadors for our beautiful country.

Read more about our Thompsons Africa Guided Journeys and view all itineraries.

Contact a Thompsons Africa consultant today to make a booking.

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.co.za / viki.haasbroek@thompsonsafrica.co.za

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

https://www.thompsonsafrica.com/about/contact-us

Africa is arguably one of the best destinations for photographic safaris.  With its incredible landscape and unrivaled wildlife viewing opportunities, photographic safaris are no longer just aimed at a niche market.  Absolute beginners?  Seasoned professionals?  There is a photographic safari experience for every level of photographer.

Discover the wonders of the African wilderness through the lens of a camera and capture memories that will last a lifetime.

Explore Botswana with your camera. 

This special interest package is ideal for anyone with a keen eye and a passion for photography and the great outdoors.

Spend two nights at Pangolin Chobe Hotel, an innovative and captivating structure in Botswana.  Your next three nights are spent at Camp Okuti, a delightful camp located alongside the Maunachira River which flows through Xakanaxa Lagoon within the world renowned Moremi Game Reserve.  Your final two nights are at Mashatu Main Camp located in the Northern Tuli Game Reserve of Botswana which is situated between the Tuli Safari Area, a national park in Zimbabwe and the Mapungubwe National Park, a World Heritage Site in South Africa.

Contact a Thompsons Africa consultant today to make a booking..

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.co.za / viki.haasbroek@thompsonsafrica.co.za

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

https://www.thompsonsafrica.com/about/contact-us

The Featherbed Co has recently launched an exciting and fun initiative aimed at supporting their conservation initiatives.  Shooting seedballs!

Guests on their Featherbed Eco Experience are invited to participate in their rehabilitation process by purchasing seedballs embedded with indigenous seeds and shooting them into predetermined areas, otherwise not easily accessible to their teams, by using a handheld catapult or slingshot commonly known in South Africa as a ‘kettie’.

Seedball packs are just ZAR 80 each and each contains 10 locally indigenous tree seeds.  What an innovative and fun way to make a difference.

If you have guests interested in visiting Knysna, encourage them to shoot a ball and leave a legacy!

About the Featherbed Eco Experience

This pristine piece of paradise situated on the Western Head of Knysna is a privately-owned, registered Nature Reserve and a South African Heritage Site.
In order to protect the splendour of the natural beauty, access to the reserve is controlled. Visits are only permitted in the company of the reserve’s specialist guides.

The Featherbed Nature Reserve offers a Knysna adventure activity not to be missed. The eco tour begins with a cruise across the Knysna estuary.  On arrival at the nature reserve guests will enjoy a 4×4 Unimog and trailer ride to the top of the Western Head.  Here the optional 2.2 kilometre downhill guided walk will begin, passing through Milkwood forests onto the steep sandstone cliffs, into ancient Khoi-San sea caves and along a scenic coastal path fringed with aromatic fynbos.

During the walk a guide will talk to guests about the fauna, flora and bird life in the reserve.  On the coastal walk back, you can often spot the resident Black African Oyster Catcher, one of the rarest coastal birds in South Africa.

The Food Forest Restaurant is situated on the edge of the Lagoon under a canopy of Milkwood trees where a sumptuous buffet lunch fit for a king is served.

View rates and other information here.

Contact a Thompsons Africa consultant today to make a booking..

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.co.za / viki.haasbroek@thompsonsafrica.co.za

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

https://www.thompsonsafrica.com/about/contact-us

 

South Africa is home to some of the best safari lodges and camps in the world.  Ranging from world class to rustic wilderness, guests are spoiled for choice.  Our focus for this ‘Explore with Us’ feature is on the KIND side of the wild side of some of our much loved lodges.

Shamwari Game Reserve

Shamwari Game Reserve is home to two wildlife focused centres.  The Born Free Big Cat Rescue Centre is made up of the Julie Ward Centre in the South of the reserve (opened in September 1999) and the Jean Byrd Centre in the North of the Reserve (opened in 2006).  Several big cats have been rescued from impoverished situations over the years with the Born Free Centres providing them with lifetime care in spacious sanctuaries.  Guests of any of the Shamwari lodges are welcomed as visitors to the centres however in line with an approach that we at Thompsons Africa also support, no interaction is allowed.

Differing from the sanctuary nature of the Born Free Rescue Centres, the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, which opened in 2006, takes care of a variety of injured, orphaned and sick animals and birds which are then released back into the wild once treated.  As with the Cat Rescue Centres, no interaction with the animals is permitted, however guests are encourage to visit the rehabilitation centre to learn more about the incredible work done here.

What a special experience for guests!

Read more about Shamwari Private Game Reserve, a collection of luxury game lodges located in the heart of the Eastern Cape.

Founders Lodge by Mantis

Mantis is part of a one-of-a-kind Rhino Adoption.  A highly endangered subspecies of the black rhino has been adopted and lives at Founder’s Lodge by Mantis.  There are only 250 left in the world!

Guests that stay at Founders Lodge will have the opportunity to meet Munu the Rhino and learn about how he is cared for, his species and much more.

Munu the Rhino is protected in an adapted environment where he can live a life that is as wild as possible.  His contribution to the preservation of his species, research, and conservation education are an important part of the Eco-Innovation Hub that Mantis will launch at Founder’s Lodge in 2020.

Founders Lodge and Mantis are committed to community and conservation.  Guests have the opportunity of experiencing this first-hand when staying at Founders Lodge.  From a tour of the history of Shamwari and opening the first reserve in the Eastern Cape, the onsite Founders Museum, learning how the land was rewilded from degraded farmland – listen to stories as told by the rangers of their commitment to conservation and what guests can do to join efforts through the CCFA – Community Conservation Fund Africa.

Founders Lodge is located in the malaria free Eastern Cape, South Africa.  Read more about this lodge, once the private residence of Adrian Gardiner, founder and visionary of Mantis Collection and Shamari Private Game Reserve.

Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve

Situated within a recognised hotspot of biodiversity in South Africa, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve supports over 300 species of birds, 47 large mammal species, 57 species of reptile as well as a myriad of smaller animals such as bats, small rodents, amphibians and invertebrates such as spiders, scorpions and insects.  It has over 90 species of trees and many more shrubs and grass species.

Sabi Sabi’s conservation philosophy is based on two principles.  The first is the need to conserve rapidly dwindling wilderness areas and to provide a sanctuary for fauna and flora as part of South Africa’s heritage.  The second is the belief that the business must be a true example of eco-tourism effectively linking tourism with conservation and the community.

Sabi Sabi’s environmental management system is a holistic one, where the ecological needs are balanced with the needs of people and their communities, in other words, focusing on the interdependence of tourism, conservation and local communities.

An important aspect of conservation lies in the guide/ranger training. New rangers are selected after a structured training camp, and are then included into onsite training relating to orientation and geography of the reserve, animal and plant identification, principles of ecology and guest etiquette. The training is intensive and of a very high standard. In effect rangers are environmental educators, the information and knowledge that they impart to guests may in a sense also represent a benefit that transcends site boundaries nationally and internationally.

Similarly the trackers meet the highest standards in the field with most being local Shangaan people that possess an innate appreciation and deep knowledge of the bush. Besides being able to track the Big Five on foot and interpret the diversity of animal tracks and signs like the back of their hand, they also have a wealth of knowledge on medicinal uses of the plants and trees as well as a depth of knowledge on almost all animals encountered.

Sabi Sabi is actively involved in habitat management activities (e.g. controlled burning; waste management; waterhole rotation; road maintenance etc.)  with a dedicated Habitat Management Team, which is operational all year. The development of a competent habitat management programme with input from qualified ecological consultants has allowed for informed decisions on the successful management of the reserve and to continually assess, review and revise this plan.

Through eco-tourism and sharing the respect and love for the wilderness with both guests and staff , Sabi Sabi is able to create stable employment for indigenous communities.

Sabi Sabi’s collection of luxury lodges is located in the Sabi Sand Private Game Reserve.  Each lodge offers something unique and special.  Read more.

Contact a Thompsons Africa consultant today to make a booking or learn more about these and other properties.

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.co.za / viki.haasbroek@thompsonsafrica.co.za

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

https://www.thompsonsafrica.com/about/contact-us

Did you know that Thompsons Africa has a 24 hour emergency contact number through our Customer Care Centre?  The Customer Care Centre is manned by trained professionals who will facilitate changes, handle all emergencies and are also able to make courtesy calls to guests travelling.

This is who you’re talking to when you call or mail our Customer Care Centre

Donevan (left) will be celebrating his 10^th service milestone with Thompsons Africa later this month on 21 October and Thomas (right) has been with us for over 9 years, celebrating his 10^th anniversary next year on 12 April.

Our Department Managers and Senior Management are also available 24 hours per day.

Thompsons Africa is committed to offering a remarkable service through dedicated Manager, Supervisor, Consultants and Operations staff providing an accurate, professional, and prompt customer driven service.

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.co.za / viki.haasbroek@thompsonsafrica.co.za

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

https://www.thompsonsafrica.com/about/contact-us

South Africa is fondly referred to as the Rainbow Nation because of its diverse cultures and religions.  In South Africa, we have a day dedicated to celebrating the cultural wealth of our nation….HERITAGE DAY (commonly known as BRAAI DAY)! 

Held annually on 24 September 2019, Heritage Day is traditionally celebrated with a ‘braai’ (pronounced ‘bry’ – known as a barbecue in other countries) – hence its alternative name.

While it may seem that there is little to no difference between a braai and a barbecue, there are in fact some very distinct differences!

…..the FIRE

We cook on open flame using wood and coals.  A gas braai isn’t truly considered a ‘braai’.  The fire is part of what makes it unique.  And when we’re done cooking our meat, we let the fire burn and gather around it eating and chilling.

We don’t need ANY excuse for a braai!

We braai ALL.THE.TIME.  Many South Africans will braai at least once a week!  Many more often than that.  Its Sunday…great day for a braai!  Its sunny outside…great day for a braai!  A little chilly today…move the braai to the veranda/patio/any covered area and its…a great day for a braai!

Just for meat?  No way!

We braai mostly anything at all!  Mielies (corn on the hob), vegetables, meat on a skewer, vegetables on a skewer, boerewors, lamb, chicken, fish… you name it, we can braai it!

Its a tradition

ALL South Africans love a good braai.  No matter our culture, language or religion, braa’ing cuts across all lines.

We go a little overboard…

Don’t ever worry that ‘there won’t be enough’!  We go overboard with the amount of food we cook.  And don’t forget about the salads and breads that accompany the meat!

Its festive!

A braai is all about having a good time.  A gathering of friends and family coming together to enjoy good food, drinks and great companionship.  And they can get quite festive!  Sometimes an epic rugby match will form part of the whole experience…it can lead to some pretty rowdy times!

At Thompsons Africa we didn’t break tradition!

Together with our colleagues from Pentravel, Thompsons Holidays, Edusport, Thompsons Corporate and Cullinan Holdings, we gathered for our own workplace braai and celebrated Heritage Day Thompsons Africa style!  Some of us dressed to the nines reflecting our varied cultures and traditions.  Beautiful!

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.co.za / viki.haasbroek@thompsonsafrica.co.za

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

https://www.thompsonsafrica.com/about/contact-us

 

On World Tourism Day 27 September 2019, Thompsons Africa committed to MAKING TRAVEL MATTER.

The world is looking to the potential impact our travel has on the world and powered by our not-for-profit, the TreadRight Foundation, we are making public our commitment to Make Travel Matter for the better.

Inspired by leading destinations across the globe, every one of our team members and sister companies worldwide are pledging to make travel matter. Our pledge stands for people, for wildlife and for our planet.  Together, we can work to ensure that the places we visit remain vibrant for generations to come.

Make Travel Matter Pledge

I will make my travel matter – for our planet, for people and for wildlife.

When I explore this planet, I will do my best to tread right. I will refuse single use plastics when I can and recycle what I cannot avoid. When possible, I will offset my travels.

When I meet new people, I will honor their home as I do my own and do so in the spirit of diversity and inclusion. I will purchase locally made items wherever possible and pay a fair price.

When I experience wildlife, I will do so in nature. I will not ride animals that ought not be ridden, nor support animal cruelty in any way.

Together, we will tread right upon the earth – and we will make our travel matter.

Email: info@thompsonsafrica.co.za / viki.haasbroek@thompsonsafrica.co.za

Tel: +27 31 275 3500

https://www.thompsonsafrica.com/about/contact-us