Under the Southern Cross

Under the Southern Cross
Your discerning eye on Southern Africa

January 2006

So much of who we are is where we have been - William Langewiesche, US writer

In this issue

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Letter from the editor

Hello everyone.

It's summer time again in the Southern Hemisphere and Cape Town is gearing up for another bumper tourist season. Days are typically warm and sunny with average daytime temperatures in the high 70s. Cape Town's legendary summer wind - the cooling "Cape Doctor" - keeps the air fresh and clean.

The game viewing areas to the north experience summer rainfall and high temperatures. During this so-called "green season" the bush becomes verdant and "alive" and there are many young animals and birds about. There are also fewer tourists at this time and visitors benefit from steeply discounted specials.

This has been a positive year for tourism in Southern Africa with significant growth in the number of people visiting Botswana in particular. We look forward to helping you plan your holiday to this magnificent part of the world in 2006!

Visit our website at: www.ashworthafrica.com

Wishing you all the best for the New Year!

Sincerely,
Patrick Ashworth

New Year's parade in Cape Town

Cape Town wins more travel awards

At the 18th annual Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Choice Awards in New York, Cape Town was voted "best city in Africa and the Middle East", while the city's Cape Grace Hotel won the category of "best Africa/Middle East hotel".

Meanwhile at the 8th annual Telegraph Travel Awards in London, Cape Town was chosen as "favourite foreign city in the world" for the second year running, with South Africa voted second favourite country after New Zealand.

The Latest "Ultimate Thrill"

Bored with bungy jumping? Jaded with jetboating? Does skydiving put you to sleep?

A new exhibit at the Cango Wildlife Ranch, 5 hours east of Cape Town, will provide interactive, heart-stopping crocodile tours.

Brave visitors will be lowered into a heated crocodile pool in a specially designed cage and come face to face with 4-meter crocodiles - the only animal that considers man as natural prey. This is an absolute must for adrenalin junkies and anyone who would like to see what a crocodile looks like under water!

Lights... Camera... Action!

South Africa's Western Cape Province has been rated as the 5th busiest film production venue in the world and the best stills photography destination. An estimated US$300 million is generated per year.

The region has benefited from its temperate Mediterranean climate with long periods of sunshine, favourable exchange rate and a landscape which can mimic almost any area in the world.

Movies recently completed in and around Cape Town include Ask the Dust, with Colin Farrell and Lord of War, starring Nicolas Cage (pictured left).

Cradle of Humankind

South Africa's President Thabo Mbeki has opened a new visitors' centre at the "Cradle of Humankind" World Heritage Site, 45 minutes drive west of Johannesburg.

The site comprises the Sterkfontein Caves, where about 35 percent of the world's hominid fossils have been found, including the skull of 2.3 million-year-old "Mrs Ples" (right).

South Africa's other World Heritage Sites include the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park, Robben Island and Ukhahlamba/Drakensberg Park.

Shark Tale

Ground-breaking scientific research has shown that Great White sharks migrate across the Indian Ocean between southern Africa and Australia. One shark (dubbed "Nicole" after actress Nicole Kidman) wearing a satellite tracking device made the trip in 99 days, at an average speed of 3 miles per hour.

Relatively little is known about Great White sharks which play a vital role in the marine ecosystem. Their numbers are under threat worldwide due to over fishing and trophy hunting.

Featured Property: OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA

BAINES' CAMP

Baines' Camp is situated in one of Africa's great wilderness areas in northern Botswana.

Set amongst the shady trees and water of the Okavango Delta, the small and intimate Baines' Camp features five luxurious suites set on elevated platforms in the tree line. Wooden decks offer expansive views over the permanent water of the Boro River and a lagoon teeming with life. Each suite features a spacious bedroom, with softly draped fabrics adding the romantic touch of a bygone era. The four-poster beds are fully mobile, giving guests the choice of slumber under star laden skies. Avid astronomers will delight in stargazing from the privacy of their own deck.

This exclusive lodge is named after the famed nineteenth century explorer and artist, Thomas Baines. The main area features an oversize deck for outdoor dining and views over the permanent water of the lagoon, as well as a swimming pool for refreshing sunbathing.

This area is superb for viewing all types of animals and birds. Guests may explore by land and water, often into the night to discover nocturnal species. Game viewing activities include day and night game drives in open 4 x 4 vehicles.

During the flood season the waters surrounding the camp reveal a world of floating safaris, atmospherically silent at the gentle pace of a poled mokoro (traditional dug out canoe) or faster in a comfortable shaded motorboat.

Sometimes there is no better way to tune into the bush than on foot and walking safaris are a speciality at Baines', with skilled, armed guides introducing guests to the area's natural wonders.

A unique attraction here is an educational elephant interaction experience, where one accompanies three semi-habituated elephants on their daily foraging trek.

To make a booking at Baines' Camp or for more information, click here.