Friday, November 2, 2012

New Bank notes for SA

The establishment of the new banknotes to be released in early November 2012 is advantageous for tourism. It serves as a symbol of an icon that is well known and respected worldwide, namely Nelson Mandela on one side and the Big Five on the other. The second advantage is that it prevents the circulation of counterfeit money because of the improved security features.Tourists should familiarize themselves with the security features of the new banknotes in order to be able to identify their authenticity by utilizing the look, feel and tilt method.

The look: Identify the security, technical and design features incorporated both on the front and the back of the banknote. These features are the watermark, main motif, security thread, unique numbering, Coat of Arms, perfect print registration, micro-printingand the size of the new banknotes.

The feel: Feel the texture of the banknote paper. Some printing of the banknotes is raised from the surface of the paper. Intaglio, or raised printing, is a printing technique that gives the banknote a unique and rough feel, quite unlike the printing on a newspaper or book, which has a smooth feel to it. Raised printing is applied on the new banknotes on both sides of the banknotes.

The tilt: (Hidden/latent image); when you hold a new banknote almost horizontally to your eyes, the denomination numeral appears in the band below the image of Nelson Mandela.

South African Reserve Bank

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Rhino death toll climbs to 455

455 rhinos have been lost to poaching this year, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Environmental Affairs.
This total is already more than the figure for the whole of last year, when 448 rhinos were lost to illegal poaching activities.

The Kruger National Park has lost 272 rhinos to poaching. KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and the North West provinces continue to be the hardest hit by poachers, collectively accounting for the loss of 150 rhinos. A total of 207 arrests have been made in connection with rhino poaching.

The department urges members of the public to report incidents of rhino poaching or any tip-offs that could lead to arrests and prevention of illegal killings to 0800 205 005

Article courtesy of Tourism Update

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Cure for Malaria?

Good news regarding the treatment of Malaria but we will need to wait a few years.


Researchers at the University of Cape Town have announced that they have made a huge breakthrough in research for a cure for malaria. They discovered a compound that has the potential to cure malaria in a single dose.
An effective treatment for malaria would have the potential to considerably boost tourism to the continent as the fear of contracting the disease remains a major deterrent to many tourists. This will be good for tourism to Africa.

So far, the drug has had a 100% success rate on animals. The next step in the research is to prepare the compound for human trials.
In addition to treating the disease, the compound might be able to block transmission of the parasite from person to person and could potentially lead to the eradication of the malaria altogether.

If the compound is successful, it is expected to be available on the market by 2020.

Dorine Reinstein- Tourism Update

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tours of South Africa- Exceeding Your Expectations Every Time


When planning your next holiday, why not choose to go on safari in South Africa? Here at Go Safari, we are well known by tourists and locals alike for being the company that offers some of the finest and most adventurous tours for South Africa and holiday packages to the best national parks in the country. We are a company that organises Safari adventures from the bookings of private game lodges to the organising of your itinerary (according to your specifications). We do everything in our power to make sure that your tours for South Africa meet-and exceed- all expectations EVERY TIME. Here are a few examples of some of the exciting tours for South Africa that we can organise for you:

Madikwe Game Reserve: 3rd largest game reserve in South Africa, bordering on Botswana, is only 3.5 hours drive from Johannesburg. Regarded one of the finest conservation areas in Africa, offering the Big Five and all the plains antelope, is also Malaria free. One of the leading tours for South Africa options.
Pilanesberg  National Park: 4th largest game reserve in South Africa and only 2 hours rive from Johannesburg. This is an ideal reserve for a short 2 or 3 day safari. Home of the big five and also Malaria Free.
The Kruger Park: The largest game reserve in SA. With its unique & unmatched biodiversity, 147 species of mammal, 492 of birds and 118 of reptiles, along with 628 types of trees, shrubs and grasses as well as thousands of insects, The Kruger Park is in a league of its own. No other national park in the world can offer this.
When it comes to tours for South Africa, we at Go Safari are the experts. We can make your visit to South Africa one to remember!

Stay in Private Lodges in Kruger
If peace and quiet is what you are after, then there are no better places to stay than the stunning lodges in Kruger. Private game lodges in Kruger are nestled in pure nature and surrounded by the animals. As you sleep you will be able to hear the roar of the lion and the pitter patter of the impala. Staying in private game lodges in Kruger will transform your holiday into something more amazing than you could ever imagine! Good food, 5 star accommodation, great game viewing and a stunning location make the private game lodges in the Kruger Park a safari to remember and a must visit on any visit to South Africa.
Courtesy www.daysafaris.co.za

Monday, August 13, 2012

Looking for Lodges in Kruger?


The Kruger Park is the epitome of a great safari holiday. If you wish to stay at The Kruger Park and are looking for lodges in Kruger that will give you the best experience possible, then contact us at Go Safari. Go Safari only uses selected private game lodges in the Kruger Park and Greater Kruger Park or within privately owned Big 5 reserves. The entire “bush/safari experience” at these lodges is much better, being private game lodges, the main advantage is there are no public vehicles allowed so all your game drives are on special 4x4 open safari vehicles driven by field guides and on tracks and gravel roads. This allows much better animal sightings, you get closer to the animals and there is nothing more exhilarating than sitting on an open vehicle a few meters from a lion with no other vehicles spoiling the sighting. These lodges in Kruger can generally offer good game viewing as the field guides talk to each other and have a fair idea as to where the animals are and know where to look for which species.

Article courtesy www.daysafari.co.za To book your lodge in the Kruger contact Go Safari.

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Photo weekender in Chobe

This package is sure to be a highlight on your summer calendar. Fine-tune your photography skills by using the latest camera equipment and be instructed by a top wildlife photographer in Chobe, Botswana in just one weekend. The bush is teeming with top-knotch game from crocs, hippos, elephants through to the big cats. You’ll have your own window seat and you get to take your image card home at the end of it. All-in-all it makes for a great bush weekend away.

Cost: US$1600 (approximately R12 800) a person sharing including all flights including taxes (bonus), transfers, dinner and breakfast, accommodation at Mowana 4 star lodge (double bonus), photographic equipment (triple bonus), eight game activities on a boat or vehicle, daily workshops by an expert photographer, refreshments and park fees.

To book this wonderful weekend contact Go Safari.

4x4 Trails in Kruger

One way to broaden your ‘bush horizon’ is to drive to remoter parts of nature using a 4×4. Getting off the beaten track in the Kruger National Park, to go where few people have been before will allow you to find secluded and wilder bushveld that is often not accessible to normal vehicles. This is an extremely relaxed trail that will allow you ample time to stop and look at game, take photos and get an overall bush experience. Camp under the stars in the bush amongst the animals. Trails can vary from 3 to 9 days and don't worry if you do not have your own 4x4 vehicle - we can hire a fully equiped vehicle for you.

Experience the bush as it is supposed to be.

Contact Go Safari to make a booking

Monday, July 30, 2012

It was early one morning when Craig Schraibman went on what could have been just another game drive in Kruger National Park. Instead, he witnessed a very interesting little dispute between a leopard and a porcupine and he was able to catch it all on camera. Needless to say, it was the leopard that walked away defeated.

Here is Craig’s story:

One early morning in April on my morning drive, I left the Lower Sabie Rest Camp in Kruger National Park and headed down south towards Crocodile Bridge on the main road. After about 3km into my drive I came across a male leopard walking in the road. The leopard continued on his morning walk and then casually veered off the road into the bush. I decided to wait and see if he would reappear, and during the wait a porcupine came out of the bush.

The leopard caught smell of the porcupine’s presence and came out of the bush in an assertive manner. The leopard continued to try and attack the porcupine while the porcupine defended himself by shooting out quills at the leopard. This scene of the leopard attacking the porcupine went on for about an hour until eventually the leopard realised that he could not defeat this determined porcupine and made his way back into the bush.
All photos courtesy of Craig Schraibman.


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Happy 94th Birthday Nelson Mandela

                 Happy Birthday Madiba - July 2012

Happy Birthday Madiba - July 2012

Nelson Mandela never wavered in his devotion to democracy, equality and learning. Despite extreme provocation, he never answered racism with racism. His life has been an inspiration, in South Africa and throughout the world, to all who are oppressed and deprived, to all who are opposed to oppression and deprivation. Mr Nelson Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for the rights of humanity. We are all challenged today to give 67 minutes of our time today to serve others. We can all make a difference in South African and the world, we can lead and influence the lives of others positively to create an awesome future!
Nelson Mandela one of the wordls greatest heros yet a humble man.

Rhino Poaching up date

The number of rhinos poached in South Africa since the beginning of this year now stands at 281, according to a statement released by the Department of Environmental Affairs on July 17.
The Kruger National Park has lost 164 rhinos to illegal killings. Limpopo, North West, Mpumalanga and KwaZulu Natal account for 110 of the total rhinos poached since the beginning of the year.
A total of 176 arrests have been made, of which 153 were poachers; 10 receivers or couriers; six couriers or buyers and seven exporters.
In response to the poaching scourge, a number of organisations and campaigns have been developed countrywide in an attempt to raise funds to for anti-poaching initiatives. One such organisation is Skydive for Rhinos, a South African conservation trust campaign.
In August 2011, 40 people skydived for rhinos for the first time, raising R500 000 for rhino anti-poaching efforts in KwaZulu Natal.  This year, the Trust has set a target of 448 people throughout South Africa to ‘Skydive for Rhino’ with a fundraising target of R10 million to help improve anti-poaching measures across the country. About R4 million has been raised so far.
The organisation also emphasised the crucial role of aerial support in the rhino poaching crisis.  “Aerial surveillance and the skills of helicopter pilots in rhino conservation is critical work and is one of the key issues this campaign is going to fund again,” said Sheelagh Antrobus,  leader of the Skydive for Rhinos campaign and co-ordinator of the Project Rhino KZN group.
Follow the campaign on www.facebook.com/skydiveforrhinos or on Twitter @RhinoSkydiver.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Pilanesberg National Park
We are at Bakubung Bush Lodge with guests once again, and after a great lunch the guests are now on the open vehicle safari drive in the Pilanesberg National Park. The weather is ideal and possibly a bit on the cool side, lets hope they see lots of different species that make this reserve their home. Pilanesberg is the 4th largest game reserve in South Africa on only being a 2 hour drive from Johannesburg it is ideal for a short stay or a day safari from Johannesburg.
Please contact Go Safari to make your Pilanesberg Day Safari a reality.

Thursday, June 21, 2012



Since the beginning of this year, the number of rhinos poached in South Africa now stands at 251 and the number of arrests at 170, according to a statement released by the Department of Environmental Affairs on June 20.
According to statistics released by the department on June 12, 245 rhinos had been killed, meaning that more than one rhino every day is being lost to poaching in South Africa.
The North West, KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo provinces continue to be targeted by poachers, collectively accounting for 86 of the total rhinos poached this year.
The Kruger National Park has lost 149 rhinos since the beginning of this year.
Of the people arrested, 147 were poachers, 10 receivers or couriers, six couriers or buyers and seven exporters.
Okay they have arrested 147 poachers but this does not solve the problem, for every poacher arrested there are plenty more to replace them. The focus should be one the people at the top, the syndicate leaders and officials, arresting one or two these people will stop this horrendous crime.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Cape Town in Worlds's Top 10

International news broadcaster, CNN, has listed Cape Town as one of the world's 10 most-loved cities. This latest international tourism excellence accolade follows a number of other awards in the last two years, including the Trip-Advisor 2011 Top Destination in the World.

Other cities on the list are: Barcelona, Montreal, New Youk, Paris, San Fransisco, Santiago, Toyko and Shangai.
According to CNNgo, CNN International's travel website, Cape Town was chosen because of its "nice architecture and weather. Good wine country, lovely waterfront shopping and welcome cosmopolitan feel. Beaches with penguins. And of course Table Mountain.

Thursday, April 5, 2012

David Livingstone Bicentenery

Next year Livingstone will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of its founder, David Livingstone, with a line-up of special events.David Livingstone, who was born in Blantyre, Scotland, on March 19 1813, was the first European to set eyes on the Victoria Falls in the mid 1890's. He named them after Queen Victoria and the town of Livingstone, in turn, was named after him. 
David Livingstone


Yellow Fever Update


The South African Health Authorities are becoming much stricter with regard to YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATES for travellers entering South Africa. This is of particular importance when arriving from countries in Africa, including Zambia, and South America. Officials at Livingstone Airport in Zambia are not allowing people to board flights to South Africa if they do not have their Yellow Fever certificates.

While you do not need a Yellow Fever certificate to enter Zambia, and South Africa is not included on the itinerary, it is worth considering that in the unlikely event of an emergency, i.e. medical, you may be evacuated to South Africa, and a Yellow Fever certificate would be required upon entry.

If a traveller cannot have the vaccination for medical reasons (e.g. age, pregnancy, undergoing cancer treatment, etc.), they must go to a registered travel clinic to get a waiver certificate. Letters from doctors who do not operate at an officially registered clinic will not be accepted.  

Friday, January 20, 2012

Kruger National Park Floods

Taken at Mohlabetsi Safari Lodge


While all rivers have subsided and no infrastructure is currently threatened, SANParks has decided to block access to the Kruger National Park (KNP) for all day visitors, as officials will not be able to locate them should they be stranded. The park is also urging guests to exercise caution around rivers as crocodiles are likely to be in flat areas.
Thank goodness the rain has stopped but there is another cyclone developing off the Mozambique coast and we are all hoping this does not bring more rain to this area. The problems are not over as the mopping up begins, there are numerous lodges who have suffered flood damage, some loosing entire rooms and a few lodges severely damaged and there are also the lucky lodges with no damage. The major problem is now access and the game drives, even if the lodge is okay getting to some is impossible and once you get to the lodge they can not go on game drives as the roads have been washed away and are to muddy to drive on even in a very capable 4x4. The plus side is guest can go on walks and experience the bush this way.


The other good thing is Game Reserves like Pilanesberg and Madikwe situated in the north west of South Africa have not been affected at all. So while the damage in the Greater Kruger Park is being repaired and this may take months – some lodges have decided to close until July 2012 – if you want a genuine safari experience you can visit one of these great “Big 5” reserves.


To book your safari in Pilanesberg or Madikwe please contact GoSAfari