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| Edition: November/December 2009 In this newsletter:
• Johannesburg - Not just a stop over • Festivals in Africa: Six of the Best • Cultural Villages: Meet Tribes of Africa • Uyaphi News: Meet the latest Bester • Featured Newsletter Specials 2-0-1-0 Soccer Event
 Top 5 Reasons to book with Uyaphi.com
1) Our Africa travel consultants have the knowledge and expertise in all the products and destinations we offer. 2) We are accredited by SATSA and ATTA. 3) With our offices based in Cape Town, South Africa, should a problem arise, we will be able to respond to the relative issue in the same time zone as you are located. We are contactable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 4) Since all products and services are pre–paid through Uyaphi.com you are never surprised with any additional costs, with this in mind you can budget properly for your Africa safari. 5) We do not charge Visa & Mastercard surcharges. |
! ARCHIVED NEWSLETTER !
You are viewing an ARCHIVED Newsletter which may contain information, links, offers or promotions that are no longer valid. Please bear this in mind as you peruse this newsletter. CLICK HERE TO SEND AN ENQUIRY • SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER « BACK TO NEWSLETTER INDEX Hi Greetings from an extremely festive Cape Town! The past week has seen mounting excitement as a host of soccer giants and other celebrities touch down in the mother city for the FIFA 2010 World Cup draw. Our beautiful new stadium has been unveiled and excitement is now at fever pitch for next year’s World Cup event.
Regards, The Uyaphi.com Team Uyaphi.com’s service shines bright as the African Sun...
“ ...I am emailing you with regards to our trip we have just had, which you organised.
And my family and I would like to thank-you very much for a fantastic safari break It was absolutely brilliant, and would recommend you to everyone. So please pass on my thanks to everyone involved.....”
Kevin (United Kingdom)
 JOHANNESBURG - NOT JUST A STOPOVERJohannesburg is an enigma. Fondly known as Jozi to her residents, she is thoroughly modern yet vibrantly African. The majority of the 3.2 million residents are young and this makes for a vibrant cosmopolitan city setting the trends; a true cultural melting pot with a fascinating array of experiences, from the restaurants and shopping to the accommodation and cultural activities on offer.
Jozi is also one of the greenest cities on earth with a sea of 10 million trees towering over sprawling suburbs. Johannesburg Zoo opened in 1904 and is still a popular attraction at the heart of the city. The Apartheid Museum is a fitting memorial to life under apartheid. You are transported back to the 70s and 80s dodging of police teargas and toy-toying marches of the disenfranchised. The museum is located in Newtown Cultural district, a restored downtown quarter now home to the world famous Market Theatre, MuseuMAfrica, Sci-Bono Discovery Centre, Bassline, Dance Factory and SAB World of Beer. The greater Johannesburg area is known as Gauteng, Sotho for “place where the gold is”. Just a rocky piece of land until gold was discovered in 1886, now Jozi is the powerhouse of South Africa’s economy. Gold Reef City is a fascinating glimpse into her mining past. Take a tour down what used to be one of the world's deepest gold mines, and even enjoy a drink a quarter of a kilometre underground in a donkey-stable pub on level 5. Nearby Soweto (an acronym for “South Western Townships”) is the most metropolitan black urban residential area in the country. What began as a temporary settlement for gold miners, later designated as a black township by the Apartheid government, is now a vibrant suburb dancing to her own beat. Dine out at the famous Wandies Place, an eatery popular with both locals and visitors alike. Or stay over at the boutique hotel Wandie has opened just next door. Visit Nelson Mandela’s former house and the recently restored Credo Mutwa Village, featuring Zulu and Sotho homesteads. Johannesburg makes an ideal base for exploring nearby attractions like the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site where some of the most significant humanoid fossils have been unearthed. And when all the sightseeing gets too much, head for the famous shopping malls for a bit of retail therapy, or enjoy a revitalizing health spa to recharge the batteries before the next adventure.  FESTIVALS IN AFRICA: SIX OF THE BEST Sauti za Busara Music Festival - Zanzibar, Tanzania
February The Sauti za Busara Music Festival will be in its 7th year in 2010. Zanzibar comes alive in February each year with this international festival celebrating East African music. 400 established and upcoming artists perform acoustic and electric, modern and classic “from city and shamba”. The festival kicks off with a street parade, followed by four days of live music at the historic Old Fort in Stone Town, Zanzibar. Zanzibar Accommodation Cape Town International Jazz Festival - Cape Town, South Africa April The Cape Town International Jazz Festival has blossomed into a top international jazz event voted by Melodytrip as the 4th best in the world. This comes as no surprise considering the wealth of jazz musicians who hail from South Africa and Cape Town in particular. 40 local and international greats perform on four stages over a weekend, so the hardest part is trying to decide which stage to visit at any one time! Cape Town Accommodation Malaral Camel Derby - Maralal, Northern Kenya August The Malaral Camel Derby is an annual event held in the Northern Region of Kenya. Both amateurs and professionals put the camels through their paces on a route through this semi-desert region. Camels (with or without handlers) are available to hire for those wishing to compete. This event is aimed to bring attention to the encroachment of the desert in Northern Kenya. Other activities include cycle races, dance displays and donkey rides for children. Kenya Accommodation Lake of Stars Music Festival - Lake Malawi, Malawi October Lake of the Stars is fast becoming one of Africa’s top music events showcasing a diverse range of music from Afropop, reggae and folk to beatboxers and the best international DJs. The stage sits on the chilled out shores of majestic Lake Malawi. 2008 highlights included British folk supremo Seth Lakeman finishing his set as the lakeshore wind whipped the stage covering into a frenzy and Malawian legend Giddi Chalamanda making a surprise guest appearance to the delight of the Malawian contingent. The festival began in 2004 to showcase Malawi as a destination and to expose Malawian musicians to an international audience. Malawi Accommodation Oktoberfest – Namibia, various locations Late October The German descendants in Namibia have maintained their language and culture despite being cut off from Germany since 1915. This is why you will find a Munich-style Oktoberfest energetically celebrated in most major centres. If you are in Namibia in late October be sure to seek out the foaming pitchers of beer, sizzling sausages and thigh slapping merriment of the oompah bands. Namibia Accommodation Kwanga Festival - Samfya, Zambia October The Kwanga Festival is celebrated annually by the Njumba tribe of the Bangweulu wetlands of Northern Zambia. This three day festival sees much singing, dancing and feasting to mark a rite of passage in anticipation of the return of the rainfall in November. This is a coming together of the tribe who don colourful gear and dance to the rhythm of traditional drum and rattle beats. Visitors are welcome to participate in the festivities, so if you are in Zambia at this time of year be sure to take advantage of this unique opportunity. Zambia Accommodation  CULTURAL VILLAGES: MEET THE TRIBES OF AFRICAThe tribes of Africa are an integral part of the African landscape and their traditions provide a fascinating window into a simpler lifestyle that has been long lost to westerners. While many of these tribes live in remote locations, there are a number of cultural village experiences to give travelers a firsthand experience of the continent’s people and their traditions. Dumazulu Cultural Lodge and Zulu Cultural Village Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa The Zulu nation was once the most feared tribe in Africa under the legendary King Shaka. Dumazulu Cultural Village is home to 50 Zulu residents. Learn about their culture or stay the night a hut tastefully decorated in ethnic fabrics and tribal memorabilia of the 9 main tribes of southern Africa. Dumazulu Lesedi African Lodge and Cultural Village Situated close to the Hartebeespoort Dam near Johannesburg, South Africa Lesedi is a celebration of the Rainbow Nation. The centre is built in the distinct geometric patterned style of the Ndebele tribe. Visit local families who live in traditional homesteads of the Zulu, Basotho, Xhosa and Pedi tribes. As the sun begins to set, adjourn to the boma to enjoy traditional singing and dancing. Lesedi Day Tour Basotho Cultural Village Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Free State, South Africa The Basotho Nation escaped the wrath of Shaka Zulu in their hilltop fortress now the Kingdom of Lesotho. The kingdom remained unconquered and the Basotho have enjoyed a proud history. Hear all about it in the khotla (the gathering place of men) and enjoy the vibrantly decorated huts before gathering for a traditional meal in the sandstone amphitheatre accompanied by the sounds of the African drum. Basutho Cultural Village Okavango Cultural Camp Okavango Delta, Botswana Gudigwa Camp offers guests a rare opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Bukakhwe San Bushman in the Okavango Delta. Experience traditional dancing and hear storytelling in their distinctive click language. Take a bush walk and learn the secrets of their ancient knowledge. Overnight accommodation in grass huts modelled on the traditional bushman shelters. Gudigwa Okavango Cultural Camp Kalahari Bushmen Safari Oase Himba Village Damaraland, Namibia The Himba are a nomadic tribe from northern Namibia known for covering their bodies in red ochre. The Cultural village is a permanent settlement of Himba who make their living from showcasing their fascinating lifestyle to tourists. Learn how they have adapted to survive in these harsh desert conditions and see the women’s intricate red ochre adorned hairstyles for yourself. Oryx and Himba Safari  UYAPHI NEWS: MEET THE LATEST BESTER!
Uyaphi.com headquarters is all aflutter with the early arrival of the latest member of the Uyaphi clan. Jaime Ellen Bester was born on Friday 20th Nov at 11.08 pm – 3.63 kg, 53 cm and 10 days early!! Uyaphi directors James and Verity are delighted with the new addition to the Bester family and brother Xavier is loving his new baby sister too.
Featured Newsletter Specials
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