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WILD SAFARI: SOUTH AFRICAN
TOURISM THINKS BIG (SCREEN)
SOUTH AFRICAN
TOURISM PARTNERS WITH nWAVE PICTURES ON WILD SAFARI
3D: A SOUTH AFRICAN ADVENTURE; FIRST WILDLIFE
DESTINATION FEATURE IN GIANT SCREEN
FORMAT
Film Puts Audiences In Open Air
Safari Vehicle On 3,000 Mile Journey Through Five
of Nation's Premier Game Parks
 NEW
YORK, NY : How do you convey the tourism message of
one of the world's true "larger than life"
destinations? Well, if you are South African
Tourism, you think BIG. South African Tourism has
partnered with nWave Pictures on Wild Safari 3D: A
South African Adventure, the world's first
large-screen-format, 3D wildlife film. Wild
Safari 3D: A South African Adventure, set to make
its world premiere in New York on April 25,
transforms its audiences into passengers in an
open-air safari vehicle as they head out on the
journey of a lifetime in search of the animal
kingdom's "Big Five" (elephant, Cape buffalo,
rhino, leopard and lion).
 "We
have a unique challenge in promoting South Africa,"
said Moeketsi Mosola, CEO, South African
Tourism. "No matter how you try and capture
the sights, sounds and emotions of a signature
experience like a South African safari, you are
faced with the inherent limitations of language and
traditional images.
By partnering with the
extraordinarily talented people at nWave, we have
come as close as we possibly can to delivering the
visceral nature of this experience," he
said.
In addition, Mosola continued,
the film makes a very strong statement on the
critical importance of South Africa's conservation
efforts. "Thanks to the work of Director Ben
Stassen and his crew, audiences will see how and
where these magnificent creatures live in a way
they have never seen before," he said. "It
provides us a perfect venue from which to share
with audiences all that we are doing to protect our
environment and its inhabitants."
Guiding audiences on this
journey is Liesl Eichenberger, a native South
African zoologist and field guide and one of the
nation's few female game drivers.
Eichenberger literally steers the action as she and
a game tracker seek out encounters with the famed
"Big Five" (elephant, Cape Buffalo, rhino, leopard
and lion) during an epic 3,000 mile journey.
Along the way, Eichenberger shares fascinating
information about the animals and their habitats,
stressing the vital role of the ecosystem in their
survival.
Wild Safari 3D: A South African
Adventure brings audiences face-to-face with
charging elephants, lounging leopards, hungry lions
and more, thanks to the state-of-the-art
stereoscopic technology brought to the wild for the
first time by award-winning cinematographer Sean
Phillips. Adding to the technological flair,
the film also uses advanced satellite imaging
techniques to create a bird's eye view of South
Africa from space and allow viewers to "travel"
thousands of miles in mere seconds.
The film traverses five of South
Africa's most renowned game parks: Addo/Shamwari;
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi; Kruger National Park, Madikwe
and Kalahari Gemsbok National Park.
Following its New York premiere,
Wild Safari 3D: A South African Adventure will be
premiered in Los Angeles at the LFCA Conference,
and then be rolled out to Imax screens across the
United States. For more information on Wild
Safari 3D: A South African Adventure, visit
www.nwave.com.
South African Tourism is the
organization mandated with the international
tourism marketing activities of the country.
For travel and tourism information on this world
class destination contact South African Tourism at
500 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2040, New York, NY 10110;
Tel: 212-730-2929; Fax: 212-764-1980; email
newyork@southafrica.net; or visit
www.southafrica.net.
The
South Africa Story
by Jerry W.
Bird
A once in a
lifetime opportunity came our way during New Years
Week, 2004, when we journeyed on Rovos
Rail ,
the Pride of Africa, from Cape Town to the
company's outstanding Capital Station complex at
Pretoria. It was such a superb experience that we
are providing our descriptive travelog of the
two-day rail tour to the world's print and
broadcast media on request. Travel World News of
New York has already run the story nationwide in
the USA and an expanded feature will appear in
Africa Magazine's Grand Tour of South Africa issue.
Here are some opening comments from the Rovos Rail
article: "What a way to
celebrate the New Year! As we joined the other
passengers assembled on the red-carpeted platform,
a traditional toast of South African champagne and
orange juice set the mood, while a trio of
violinists provided soft, soothing classical music
-- a fitting background for such a memorable send
off. At the microphone Mr. Vos gave a hearty and
humorous "bon voyage," announcing each guest's name
in turn as they boarded the train.
Many nations were represented that morning - the
UK, Norway, Italy, Australia, USA, Switzerland,
Spain, Germany, France, South Africa and Canada.
These vintage coaches have carried royalty on past
tours, and we soon discovered there was a European
countess among us, which reflects the company's
claim "the most luxurious train in the world. A
mild thunderstorm was brewing above Table Mountain,
and as rain began to beat on the windows, the train
pulled away from Cape Town station. Have no fear, I
had a feeling that the trip would be even more
enjoyable, looking out from our cozy cocoon on
wheels. My intuition proved to be quite
true".
Continued
The Dunn
Family Story
While in Cape Town, we got together with our
good friend
Daniel Dunn of Cape
Town.,
representing the Africa Travel Association's
Western Cape Chapter. As I learned in detail during
chats with him in the week following our South
Africa hosted congress in 2001, Dan is of both
Scottish and Zulu ancestry. Shortly after we
returned to Canada, Dan sent us a copy of the
Dunn's fascinating family history, which I am proud
to make available to our readers (see
Zulu).
During our week of travels and exploration with Dan
in the Cape area, the coast, wine country and
the
Kagga
Kamma
reserve in the rugged
Cedarburg
Mountains,
we learned enough to fill a book or two.
One of Africa's
most congenial tour professionals, Dan Dunn's
continuous commentary on assorted topics as we
traveled, was like a course in South African
culture, laced with historical anecdotes. We will
never forget the true wartime story of South
Africa's famous mascot ... a hound dog who was so
loved by sailors at the local naval base, he earned
the name and rank of "Able Seaman Just Nuisance"
which is on his statue overlooking the beach. It
was a superb reunion, as I welcome every
opportunity to enjoy Dan's positive, upbeat
company. " Networking is our industry's life blood,
and the opportunity to expand our contacts in the
Gauteng area presented itself on our return via
Johannesburg.
In 1974 Daniel (Dan) Dunn son of
Gladstone Dunn, was elected as Chairman of the John
Dunn's Descendants Association. He has proven to be
one of the most dynamic and effective leaders that
the Dunn clan has ever produced. Daniel Dunn set
out to achieve three goals for his people. The
Dunns have succeeded in a large measure because
they identify strongly with their remarkable
ancestor &endash; whose qualities of individualism
and single-minded determination have inspired a
sense of pride and perseverance in his descendants.
The spirit of unity displayed by the Dunn community
is a testimony to the towering personality of one
of South Africa's legendary figures.
E-Mail:
mailto:dddunn@mweb.co.za
Money
Talks: Lest I forget, with the current exchange
rate, we found South Africa a shoppers delight, and
that also relates to what you save on
accommodation. Thanks to this favorable rate, we
were able to extend our stay without hurting the
travel budget, and to purchase some attractive
items in the bargain.
Soweto Tour and
visit to Gold Drift Theme Park
At the 2003 ATA
Congress, the North American and African chapters
decided that they would "twin" for the next year.
As a result, our Canadian Chapter in Vancouver was
twinned with Gauteng Chapter, South Africa.
Territorially, Gauteng includes the city of
Johannesburg and metropolitan area. With this
objective in mind we changed our airline
reservations for the return flight, and stayed for
most of a week in South Africa's major metropolis
where we were shown the sights of Johannesburg and
area by two highly motivated entrepreneurs, namely
Minah Makhoto (above left), who operates Basiea, an
attractive bed and breakfast and diner, and her
friend Queen Mokgopo (right), who operates a tour
company, which provides among other attractions,
escorted tours
of
Soweto.
We enjoyed several auto trips to Soweto and were
impressed with what we saw in terms of new
development, infrastructure, facilities and
especially "community spirit" which is truly
outstanding.
Minah's
Basiea Bed & Breakfast and Diner.
basiea_soweto@mail.co.za
Queens
Tour and Safari . Phone/ fax 27 11 866 1830,.
cel. 27 11 828 70746, e-mail queenstours@mweb.co.za
Khayelitsha
Township Tourism succeeds.
Cape Town
Tour Guide Dan Dunn helped make our stay in Cape
Town one of the most memorable ever. Dan introduced
us to Thope Lekau (right) and started off a
beautiful friendship. We enjoyed an overnight stay
at Kopanong, a charming bed and breakfast which has
been featured in a number of hospitality trade
magazines in South Africa. Now we know the reason
why. Contact Thope at Kopanong B and B, e-mail:
kopanong@xsinet.co.za . Contact Dan Dunn at dddun)
Follow Africa Travel Magazine's journeys in and
around Cape Town, South Africa.
Meet the Cape
Doctor: Many
positive things have been happening in South Africa
that have made our job as the "Worldwide Voice of
ATA" even more enjoyable. The most exciting news is
the emergence of these thriving ATA Chapters. The
photo on the right is of ATA member Rube Khan who
we met in Morocco last December. Ruby operates
Cape Doctor
Health and
Tours, based
in Cape Town. http://www.capedoctor.net,
mailto:info@capedoctor.net
City within a
city:
Caesar's
Emperor is a holiday all by itself.
Arriving at
the Johannesburg airport full of jet lag after a
long trip from the Pacific Coast of North America
(no small feat) when our taxi arrived at the front
door of Caesar's Emperor Hotel and Casino , all of
the good things I had heard for months from my
colleagues in New York and elsewhere came true. I
will comment in more detail in our next printed
edition, and will include some photos of our
experience.
South African
Airways' new
route to Johannesburg from JFK International
Airport in New York via Dakar, Senegal, is another
winning move that is of prime importance to our ATA
member travel agents. Most of them are active in
all parts of the African Continent and welcome this
connection, which opens up many new options for
them and their clients.
. Thanks to
excellent roads, the most friendly, well informed
drivers one could ask for, and sturdy, comfortable
vehicles, we managed to visit most of the
highlights in the Cape area in a few days. We keep
in touch on a regular basis, since all three have
web sites and newsletters. For example,
The Cape Gourmet
Festival: It
never ceases to amaze me how much of a gourmet
haven South Africa really is. The Cape Gourmet
Festival is a shining example. If you ever wanted
to combine a tour of the country, with an exciting
special event in Cape Town, this is it. Check out
our special page.
Jurassic Park in
South Africa? Our
destination for day two of the Cape Country Tour
was "Kagga Kamma," a private game reserve. Not
expecting anything too far beyond the ordinary,
after a rugged 3 hour motor trip from Cape Town,
our group of five was little prepared for the
amazing 'moonscape' of this spectacular hideout in
the rugged Cedarburg Mountains. It was a site (and
sight) that could easily be the movie set for
"Jurassic Park" or "Planet of the Apes." As
twilight
approached, many of the odd rock shapes near the
camp cast weird shadows. Continued
Penguins at High
Noon.
Did you know that there were penguins in South
Africa? Now you do! I saw my first South African
penguin while visiting Robben Island prison in Cape
Town's scenic and historic harbor. This little
fellow came around the corner from his hiding place
behind a clump of bush and we met face to face. It
reminded me of a scene from the movie "High Noon"
as two strangers eyeballed each other on the main
street. Later that week I would encounter dozens
more of his gang frolicking on the beach. Visitors
to the area will discover an entire colony of
Jackass penguins lounging and fraternizing (with
each other, not the tourists) at a local community
called Boulders, not far from Cape Town. Photo by
Muguette Goufrani.
South Africa's
Diversity:
Helen Broadus, of ATA Mid
Atlantic Chapter in the Washington, DC area,
invites our readers to discover the immense
diversity of South Africa, which she describes as a
land full of rich cultural heritage, friendly
people, spectacular wildlife and stunning
landscapes. South Africa is truly famous for its
mixture of cultures, heritage and traditions that
are blended together through its festivals, music
and foods. You will also find that there is much
more than a traditional safari experience to see
the "Big Five" in South Africa. Continued
Getting around
South Africa: During our
weeks in the Cape area, we were very impressed with
the highway systems, since we seemed to be touring
continuously. For those who want to get an idea of
the immense size of this country, there is a
South
Africa Map on our site.
The nine provinces of South Africa are: Gauteng
(Capital - Johannesburg, Kwazulu-Natal (Capital
-Pietermaritzburg), Northern Province ( Capital -
Pietersburg), North West (Capital Mmbatho,
Mpumalanga (Capital Nelspruit) , Free State
(Capital Bloemfontein), Northern Cape (Capital -
Kimberley), Western Cape (Capital - Cape Town),
Eastern Cape (Capital - King
 Blue
Train! White Glove
Service!
Our
Associate Editor Muguette Goufrani comments on this
famous South African Railway. "For years I had read
that South Africa held many pleasures for those of
an adventurous spirit or romantic nature. So one
summer, taking a month's vacation from my job as a
travel agent in Ivory Coast, West Africa, I headed
south. Here at last was my chance to spend some
leisurely, laid back weeks getting to know that
fascinating country surrounding the Cape. While the
sights and delights were many and varied, the
epitome was my experience aboard the famous Blue
Train. It was like the finest luxury cruise,
sailing across a sea of ever-changing landscapes .
Yet there was time and space to savor every waking
moment.(photos to come) I managed to read some
pamphlets about the line's history, which spans
over 50 years. Back in 1928, it became the first
luxury train in South Africa. Continued
Williams Town).
South
Africa Story- Continued
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