GAUTENG: SOUTH AFRICA TO WELCOME A NEW HOTEL BRAND
Tsogo Sun Hotels is introducing a new hotel brand, hi Hotels, the first of which is set to open at Montecasino, Johannesburg, at the end of January. Director of Operations at hi Hotels, Tim de Raedt, says “There is a segment of the market that is looking for an affordable, comfortable and well-designed space to stay, rather than a hotel with all the bells and whistles.” The rooms have walk-in showers, big windows, blackout curtains, coffee and tea stations, laptop-sized safes, USB ports, and 122cm TVs. The living lobby provides space to work and play, and a deli offering for a snack or coffee on the go. Hi Hotels will be the first hotel within the Tsogo Sun Hotels stable to offer online and self-check-in facilities.

WESTERN CAPE: GARDEN ROUTE GAME LODGE RENOVATIONS
The Garden Route Game Lodge will be undergoing renovations in May 2020. Renovations will include upgrading the lounge area in the Main Lodge and a brand new reception area. The lounge at Serengeti’s restaurant and the lounge at Sunset Ridge will remain available for guests during this period. Work will begin in May and is expected to be completed in September 2020. The lodge will still be open for day visitors to enjoy Game Drives, Lunches and Spa treatments.

WESTERN CAPE: TABLE MOUNTAIN AERIAL CABLEWAY MAINTENANCE DATES
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company is currently in its 90th year of operations, and to ensure the effective running and continued safety of the cableway, the company has confirmed that it will be closed for 3 weeks in July for its annual maintenance period. The maintenance is set to take place from Tuesday, 7 July to Sunday, 26 July 2020. The annual maintenance shutdown is an important role in ensuring that the cableway runs at an optimum, reducing any possible technical delays while also ensuring the safety of the visitors to the mountain.

ZIMBABWE: LUXURY LODGE SET TO OPEN IN VIC FALLS
Ilala Lodge Hotel Group has commenced with the construction of its 4-star luxury Palm River Lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River in Victoria Falls. The lodge will feature high ceilings, spacious verandas and Queenslander-style architecture, 73 deluxe rooms, a presidential suite, 2 honeymoon suites, 2 private villas, a spa, a state-of-the-art gym and an outdoor swimming pool. Dining experiences at the lodge will include indoor à la carte fine-dining and outdoor dining on the banks of the Zambezi River. Guests can enjoy luxury river cruises on board the Ra-Ikane. The lodge is scheduled for completion in June 2020.

ZIMBABWE: NEW TOURIST ATTRACTION FOR GONAREZHOU NATIONAL PARK
Gonakudzingwa National Monument is a new tourist attraction, due to open before the end of the year in Gonarezhou National Park in Chiredzi, Zimbabwe. The monument is located at the border of Zimbabwe and Mozambique at the Sango/Chiquaquala border post, close to the Limpopo River. According to Dr Godfrey Mahachi, National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe Director, “Progress had been made and all paperwork had been completed for the development of the monument. We are therefore now only awaiting the official gazetting of Gonakudzingwa as a national monument.” Gonarezhou is part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), which also includes South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Gaza National Park.


Click on the links for more information

Eastern Cape
The Herald Cycle Tour from 16 to 23 February 2020
Addo Elephant Trail Run from 6 to 8 March 2020
Grahamstown National Arts Festival from 25 June to 5 July

Free State
Clarens Craft Beer Festival from 21 to 22 February 2020
Free State Wine Show from 31 July to 1 August 2020

Gauteng
The Randfontein Show from 5 to 8 March 2020
The Rand Show from 8 to 13 April 2020
East Rand Motor Show on 7 June 2020
Decorex Joburg from 5 to 6 August 2020

KwaZulu-Natal
Midmar Mile from 8 to 9 February 2020
Dusi Canoe Marathon from 5 to 7 March 2020
Decorex Durban from 20 to 22 March 2020

Mpumalanga
Forever Loskop Marathon on 11 April 2020
Dullstroom Arts Festival from 19 to 21 June 2020

North West
Rustenburg Show from 22 to 31 May 2020
Aardklop National Arts Festival from 22 to 27 September 2020

Western Cape
Cape Town Cycle Tour on 8 March 2020
Klein Karoo National Arts Festival from 24 to 29 March 2020
Two Oceans Marathon on 11 April 2020
Calitzdorp Port & Wine Festival from 13 to 14 June 2020


PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Please note that our offices will be closed on the following Public Holidays:

Saturday, 21 March 2020 – Human Right’s Day
Friday, 10 April 2020 – Good Friday
Monday, 13 April 2020 – Family Day
Monday, 27 April 2020 – Freedom Day