African Hotels & Adventures joins LRC portfolio

I am extremely proud to announce that African Hotels & Adventures has appointed


Luxury Representation Collection as their UK Sales & Marketing partner.


African Hotels & Adventures (AHA) owns, operates and manages a portfolio of boutique city


hotels, cultural villages, lifestyle retreats and game lodges throughout Southern Africa.


The hotels and lodges currently under AHA management include:


• The Adderley Hotel – Cape Town - http://adderley.ahagroup.co.za/
The Adderley Hotel blends gracious urban historic facades with chic 21st century interiors and is situated in the historical end of Cape Town’s main thoroughfare, Adderley Street. The hotel occupies a combination of refurbished historical buildings (build in 1903) and a modern eleven storey tower.



• Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites – Cape Town - http://harbourbridge.ahagroup.co.za/
Ideally position near the V&A Waterfront within the Cape Town International Convention Centre precinct, this state-of-the-art hotel provides the ultimate accommodation choice for both business and leisure travellers. Set against a backdrop of picturesque mountain views with a sea water canal running through the hotel’s bridge wing, Harbour Bridge Hotel & Suites links the city to the sea.




• The Bantry Bay Leisure Suites - Cape Town - http://bantrybay.ahagroup.co.za/
An exquisite blend of seas, the mountain and the city of Cape Town. First class luxury in the heart of Cape Town’s platinum mile. Literally 200 meters from the sea, a short stroll down the road will take you to the majestic Atlantic Ocean and a number of sandy beaches.



• Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel - Simon’s Town-  http://quayside.ahagroup.co.za/
Simon’s Town Quayside Hotel is set on the water’s edge on Simon’s Town yacht basin with breathtaking views over False Bay and the majestic Simon’s Kloof mountains.



• Leisure Bay Luxury Suite Hotel - Cape Town - http://leisurebay.ahagroup.co.za/
This stylish 4 star luxury suite hotel is set right on the dunes with panoramic views of Cape Town’s Table Mountain and Robben Island. Each suite faces the ocean and the spectacular sight of the African sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean is a view not to be missed.

 • L’Ermitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas -http://lermitage.ahagroup.co.za/home
Situated in the heart of the Franschhoek winelands on the Fransche Hoek wine and olive estate, the exclusive 5 star L’Ermitage Franschhoek Chateau & Villas offers sanctuary for the soul. With its breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains, quaint cobbled streets, vibrant piazza and indigenous Fynbos, you will experience a unique taste of the Franschhoek country lifestyle.




• The Rex Hotel – Knysna - http://www.rexhotel.co.za/
One of Knysna’s most elegant and sophisticated accommodation offerings, The Rex hotel promises its guests superior service and exceptional comfort. The impeccable appointed Rex Hotel offers travellers a gateway to world-class restaurants, blossoming forests and the shores of the serene Knysna lagoon.



• Hotel Izulu - Ballito - http://www.hotelizulu.com/
Hotel Izulu is a 5 star boutique hotel, which boasts 19 luxurious suites within a contemporary blend of Tuscan architecture, African features and Balinese influences. Crowning this unique property is Gigi’s Brasserie. A superb, elegant a-la-carte Ballito restaurant. There is also the Impolilo Beauty Spa which boasts three fully equipped treatment rooms and a hydro, using Clarins and TheraVine products.




• Casa do Sol Hotel & Resort – Hazyview - http://casadosol.ahagroup.co.za/
Situated in the beautiful Sabie River Valley, Casa do Sol is a little Eden of tranquil pools, deeply shaded glades and lush flower garden. Coupled with enchanting sounds and smells of the bush and the warm and friendly atmosphere, Casa do Sol is the true epitome of luxury and elegance




• Makalali Private Game Lodge - Makalali - http://www.makalali.co.za/
Situated on a 26000 hectare conservancy in the Hoedspruit region with the start of the Drakensberg mountains as a backdrop lies Makalali. Makalali consists of four exclusive camps of six rooms. Each suite has a king size bed, en-suite bathroom, outdoor shower and a private deck. Every suite has a raised sala which overlooks the Makhutswi river and serves as an ideal bird and game lookout or the prefect spot for a romantic dinner.




• Thakadu River Camp – Madikwe Game Reserve - http://www.thakadurivercamp.com/
Thakadu River Camp is set within the riverine canopy along the banks of the Marico river
in the eastern section of the Madikwe Game Reserve. The camp comprises of 12 tented
suites, each with their own viewing deck overlook the Marico river. Little Thakadu
comprises of 4 tents ideally used for small exclusive use with its own private vehicle and
plunge pool.




• Bongani Mountain Lodge - Mthethomusha Game Reserve - http://www.bonganimountainlodge.co.za/
When it is time to get back to the things that are important – like the tranquillity of nature, the excitement of culture and the fascination of history – take a trip to Bongani Mountain Lodge. We have all the offerings to revitalise your spirit.



• Chobe Marina Lodge - Chobe National Park - http://www.chobemarinalodge.com/
Uniquely located in the North-Eastern corner of Botswana where the four African nations of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia converge, Chobe Marina Lodge is surrounded by the natural beauty of Africa. The Chobe River, Chobe National Park, Kasane Forest Reserve, the Caprivi Strip and the mighty Zambezi river, each offer their own attractions and with Victoria Falls but 70 kilometres away, Chobe Marina Lodge is a 'must visit' destination when in Southern Africa



• Lesesi Cultural Village - Cradle of Humankind – www.lesedi.com
Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural Village offer the opportunity to experience the
fascinating cultures and traditions of the people of Africa. Located in the Cradle of
Humankind, a world heritage site, the village is only 45 minutes’ drive from
Johannesburg and Pretoria. The mutli-cultural village comprise five traditional
homesteads each inhabited by Zulu, Xhosa, Pedi, Basotho and Ndebele tribes that live
according to the tribal folklore and traditions of its ancestors






For more information on any of these wonferful properties please contact: info@luxuryrepcollection.com or see http://www.ahagroup.co.za/

How I fell in love with the Eastern Cape....

I recently returned from a very hectic but extremely productive trip to South Africa, having achieved my main objective - to come up with some exciting plans and creative strategies to increase business for my various clients and to experience the new properties in my portfolio “first-hand”.



My first visit was to Kichaka Luxury Game Lodge in the Eastern Cape. I knew I was in for something special but I can “hand-on-heart” say that my stay at this special little lodge exceeded my every expectation.


It would be so easy for me to wax lyrical for hours about the friendliness of the staff, the delicious lunch I enjoyed, my gigantic room with private plunge pool, the breathtaking view of the waterhole, my extremely comfortable bed, the rain shower, the out of this world WiFi connectivity, the mouth watering dinner (with my very own vegetarian menu!), the “Death-by-Chocolate” pudding and much, much more but what I really want to tell you about was the game experience.

I will be honest and be the first to say that after years of promoting the Kruger Park and Madikwe Game Reserve I was somewhat sceptical about the game experience on offer in the Eastern Cape. I always knew it was an adequate experience but wondered if it would “blow my mind” and make me want to return. The simple and honest answer to this question is YES IT DID – OH MY GOODNESS IT DID!


When you speak to friends who are not in the travel industry and tell them about how many safaris you have done in your life (Botswana, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Kruger and Madikwe for me) they often think you are a bit of a show-off. But those “in the know” understand that it comes with the job. The point I am trying to make here is that in my position I have done some fantastic game drives and have seen some amazing things in my life but never have I had a guide / ranger who captivated me and interacted with the people on the vehicle the way Ashley did.


We had a French family on the vehicle that spoke a bit of broken English but it did not stop Ashley from going out of his way to interact and try and explain things to us. I actually for the first time in many years learnt a lot on a drive. Tracks were pointed out, spots where Hyenas had marked their territory were pointed out and the markings explained to us in detail, medicinal uses for plants and most amazingly zebra hairs from the side of the road were picked up to show us where the zebras were rolling on the ground to scratch themselves!


We had a magical Elephant encounter followed closely by sighting two amazing lions preparing to hunt. The following morning I put in a request for Cheetah and after about 2 hours of tracking (we are one of the few lodges who still have a tracker on the vehicle) we spotted a female cheetah. This made my day!


Due to our marketing meeting that morning I sadly missed out on the game walk but Kichaka is one of the only lodges that hold a rifle license and thus able to offer game walks in the Eastern Cape. With the superior knowledge of the guides at Kichaka, guests are guaranteed an amazing experience!

I am so happy that I had the opportunity to stay at Kichaka and meet the wonderful team (at the lodge and behind the scenes in Sales & Marketing). I have a rule that if I can’t be passionate about a product I won’t add them to my portfolio. I think it is safe to say that I fell in love with Kichaka and the Eastern Cape.


I believe the lodge offers fantastic value for money - not only with respect to its luxury accommodation with all the wonderful special touches like the under floor heating, most amazing ponchos on game drive, complimentary WiFi connectivity, fully inclusive rate etc. but most importantly the high standard of guiding guests will experience whilst on safari.

The team from Kichaka will not be at Indaba this year but we would love for you to experience the lodge. Drop me a line if you are doing a pre- or post- Indaba trip and I will gladly arrange it for you.

Don’t forget we have a Stay for 3 only pay for 2 offer running from 01 May – 30 Sep. Please contact your preferred ground operator for rates or drop me a line if you need the STO rates directly.

My review on my stay at Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa in Johannesburg will follow soon.

www.kichaka.co.za

Photos taken by me during our game drive at Kichaka