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Travel Tips that will Save you Time and Money

1. Empty Middle Seat. Couples or friends flying together should always book the window and aisle seat. If the flight is not full you can end up with an empty seat in the middle for some extra space. 2. Duplicate it. Lower your stress levels should the worst happen and you loose an ID or Passport by having copies on hand. Take a quality photo of all of your important documents with your cell phone. You can even print a copy and keep it with you. At least you will be able to supply ID and passport numbers and continue with your travels. 3. Pack a snack. Take along some of your favourite snacks and avoid the expensive airport food and in-flight snacks. You might end up in a situation where you didn’t get a chance to eat and then a quick snack can be a lifesaver. 4. Travel Size Containers. Buy some travel size containers and fill them with your favourite products that you can re-use. Buying travel size products are a lot more expensive. 5. Reusable Water Bottle. Pack your own water bottel. Airports are expensive and you need to stay hydrated. You can refill your own bottel at a water fountain and save some money. 6. Mini Medicine Kit. Create your own First-Aid Kit to suite your individual needs. Fill a small cosmetic bag or ziplock bag with some pain reliever, bandaid, allergy medicine etc. You never know when you are going to need it. 7. Portable Cell Phone Charger. Be prepared and don’t get stuck with a dead cellphone battery during your travels. Pack a portable cellphone charger to make sure that you stay connected. Your smart phone works hard during any trip while you take pictures and use it for directions on Maps etc. 8. Water Bottle with Filter. Many countries have water is that is questionable. You can save some money by bringing a bottle that filters the water for you. This will also give you some peace of mind knowing that your drinking water is filtered. 9. Inform your bank. Banks might flag an account for spending in unusual areas and your transactions can be declined. Let your bank know of your travel arrangements and avoid getting stuck in a foreign country with no access to your funds. 10. Wet Wipes. This item is such a great travel essential. Handy to clean all types of surfaces and cleaning your hands or wipe a small mess on your clothes. 11. Notebook and Pen. Very useful for filling out immigration forms and jotting down a quick note. 12. Keep Prescriptions in their Containers. Bring any prescriptions that you need to take in their containers from the pharmacy with your name on. This will help if there are any questions when you arrive at your destination. Source Credit: Travellocal.medium.com

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Emdoneni News

Unforgettable experiences at Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project and Spa

Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project & Spa, Hluhluwe, KwaZulu-Natal Where comfort, luxury and nature combine, you will find the Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project & Spa. Truly a one-of-a-kind accommodation, this establishment not only offers beautiful and luxurious rooms and facilities, but they also have an on-site spa and care for South Africa’s endangered wild cats through their Cat Project. The lodge can be found just off the N2, between the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Game Reserve and the Greater St Lucia Wetlands Park. Their ideal location makes them the perfect base to explore the Hluhluwe area and all its beauty. With a 3-star grading and multiple awards under their belt, the owners of Emdoneni Lodge, Louis and Cecillie Nel are extremely proud of everything they have accomplished since first opening their doors in 1994. “Both my husband and I love the bush, people, nature and conservation. The lodge with our amazing staff have proven to be one of the best, if not the best 3-star property in Hluhluwe. “We are extremely proud of our product and what we offer to our guests. We as owners are very hands-on with our lodge and owner-driven,” said Cecillie to Home, Food & Travel. What Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project has to offer “Our return business has shown us many times that we have a winning combination, our guests feel at home and love the warm hospitality, delicious food, stylishly decorated rooms and our dedicated and efficient team. We strive for the best, as only the best is enough for our guests,” explained Cecillie. There are three different types of accommodation to choose from at Emdoneni Lodge; the Chalets, Rondavels and the Honeymoon Suite. From starting off with only seven rooms to having 50 rooms today, the lodge has continued to grow from strength to strength for 25 years. “Our Rondavel type family rooms are a winner, two rooms each with an en-suite bathroom. The very popular Honeymoon Suite, Windfall Cottage, is privately situated under Marula trees and offers great comfort and privacy. It consists of a lounge with DSTV, romantic bedroom, en-suite bathroom with a free-standing bath, leading to an outside shower in a privately fenced Boma area,” Cecillie explained. The Chalets are spacious and elegant, offering an authentic atmosphere that will maximize your comfort. A unique African-style with thatched roofs and round shape, the Rondavels are elegant and the popular choice at the lodge. Honeymooners or couples looking for an ideal romantic getaway can enjoy a stay in the Honeymoon Suite. “Sit and relax on your private patio, having your morning coffee or tea. In the afternoon, enjoy a glass of wine and watch Zebra, Nyala and Impala roam around the cottage,” said Cecillie. Top-class facilities to enjoy at Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project A well-stocked bar can be found in the main lodge where you can grab a drink of your choice and relax in the spacious lounge area. For hot days you can take a dip in their crystal clear swimming pool or relax under the sun in their lounge chairs. The spa menu at Emdoneni Lodge has been specially developed to cater for any needs their guests might have. They have two treatment rooms available, one of which includes an en-suite shower. Emdoneni Lodge caters for all age groups, “Children especially enjoy the fully equipped games room with pool, air hockey, table tennis, jungle gym and sandpit and feeding our resident family of tortoises,” explains Cecillie. The lodge offers free access to Wi-Fi and secure parking for your vehicle. You can enjoy breakfast and dinner at the lodge depending on your booking. Accommodation can be booked on a Dinner, Bed and Breakfast or Bed and Breakfast basis. Learn all about the endangered wild cats of Africa Since the beginning, Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project has been working hard to rehabilitate and re-introduce a variety of endangered African wild cats to the wild. The main aim of the project is to care for orphaned or injured wild cats such as Servals, Caracals, African Wildcats and Cheetahs. Through their conservation efforts, many successful releases back into the wild were done by their ambassador animals. To date they have successfully released two cheetahs (soon to be four), 22 Servals, 13 Caracals, and seven African Wild Cats. In order to help create awareness about the importance of conservation, Emdoneni Lodge pays regular visits to local communities in order to get them involved and create awareness of sustainability and to respect and treasure all wildlife. During your stay, you can experience an up-close and personal tour of the Cheetah Project and learn more about the endangered wild cats of Africa. Top reasons for staying at Emdoneni Lodge: The staff and owners of Emdoneni Lodge are professional, helpful, welcoming and very friendly. They have a wide selection of rooms that are spacious and elegantly decorated. They serve a delicious breakfast and a mouth-watering dinner. They have a spa on-site that offers a variety of excellent treatments. Their Cheetah Project helps rehabilitate endangered wild cats and teach you more about them. To find out more about Emdoneni Lodge with Cheetah Project & Spa, give them a call on 035 562 7000/082 713 3686 or email office@emdonenilodge.com. Visit their website at www.emdonenilodge.com. Find them on Google Maps. Thank you homefoodandtravel.co.za for the amazing article!

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Emdoneni News

5 Reasons to go on a walking safari

There’s nothing like your first encounter with a dangerous wild animal on foot: the excitement, fear and thrill of this primal experience is much more memorable than a hundred game drives where you’ve ticked off the big five. Escaping the confines of your 4×4 and exploring the bush on foot opens a whole new world of the wild. Here are 5 reasons to get out of the car and put your hiking boots on: 1. A new perspective on wildlife Being on foot changes how you view animals. You may have previously dismissed impalas as boring when you see herds of them on game drives, but when you encounter them on a walking safari, you can’t help but marvel at their beauty, speed and grace. You realise how much work it is just to stay alive in the bush, and you can feel how vulnerable prey animals are: at any given moment they could be eaten, which endows you with a new sense of respect. 2. You learn more about the bush You do find out about the behaviour of animals on game drives but you learn a whole lot more on foot, especially if you have a good guide. Delve into the stories behind a pile of old bones, learn about the place of animals, insects and plants in bewilderingly complex ecosystems, discover that trees are more interesting that you think and find out about seeds that are almost magical in their evolutionary adaptations. 3. Micro details You don’t see as much big game on foot as you do on game drives, but you do get the chance to be immersed in a fascinating world of plants, seeds, insects, reptiles and small animals: all the things you don’t see on drives. You also become much more sensorially aware when you’re walking as opposed to driving: you’re constantly alert to the sounds of alarm calls and the smells of the bush, which means that you take in a lot more detail than you would in the car. 4. Learning tracking On some walking safaris, you’ll have a tracker along with your guide, who will teach you some of the basics of this master skill. Learn to read tracks in the sand to follow animals through the bush, how to identify the smell of rhino wee or work out when ablution time was by poking through middens. Tracking is interesting and fun, and adds another dimension to your wildlife experience. 5. The chance to slow down You can’t take cell phone calls or answer emails on your smartphone while on a walking safari. If you’re a technology addict, then this is the holiday for you: you’re forced to unplug, switch off and be totally connected to nature. Source Credit: africageographic.com

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Emdoneni News

Women’s Day South Africa

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Womens Day on the 9th August in South Africa? It has nothing to do with honouring women just because we need another “Mother’s Day”, this day commemorates the 9 August 1956 when women participating in a national march petitioned against pass laws … (For anyone who does not know the history – “pass laws” were legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to ‘prove’ that they were allowed to enter a ‘white area’ during the Apartheid regime). On this day in 1956, over 20 000 women of all races and ages from every corner of South Africa marched together towards the Union Buildings in Pretoria. These brave women were marching in protest against the pass laws that proposed even further restrictions on the movements of women. Organised by the Federation of South African Women, the March was led by four brave women; Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophie Williams and Lilian Ngoyi. The leaders delivered petitions to Prime Minister JG Strijdom’s office within the Union Buildings in Pretoria. Women throughout South Africa had put their names to these petitions indicating their anger and frustration at having their freedom of movement restricted by the hated official passes. To conclude the Women’s March, the women sang freedom songs such as Nkosi sikeleli Afrika, however, the song that became the anthem of the march was “Wathint’ abafazi, Strijdom!” wathint’ abafazi, wathint’ imbokodo, uza kufa! When you strike the women, you strike a rock, you will be crushed [you will die]! The march was a resounding success and South Africa recognises the bravery of these women who risked arrest, detention and banning by declaring 9 August National Women’s Day. Source Credit: http://blog.sa-venues.com Photo Credits: Photograph of Lilian Ngoyi © Robben Island Mayibuye Archives Photograph of Women’s Monument by and © Kalden Ongmu for Africa News Network

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Emdoneni News

7 Tips for a successful Whale Watching Trip

Whale watching—seeing some of the largest animals on Earth in their natural habitat—can be a thrilling activity. Being prepared for your whale watch and knowing what to expect can help make your trip a successful one. Follow these tips to get the most out of your experience. Book Your Trip With a Reputable Company Louise Murray / Robert Harding World Imagery / Getty Images Whale watching can be a thrilling adventure. It may also be a long, expensive trip, especially if you have children. If you’re going whale watching, take some time to research the tour operators so that you’ll have a fun, successful trip. Follow the company’s guidelines as to when to arrive for boarding the boat. Make sure you arrive with plenty of time to stand in line for tickets and get on board. Whale watching should be a happy, relaxing experience; rushing around at the beginning makes for too hectic a start of your day. Check the Weather and the Marine Forecast Imagno / Contributor / Getty Images Maybe you love adventure and the idea of cruising through rough seas and getting splashed with waves is your idea of a great time. Whale watch operators will not go out if the seas are unsafe, but most captains and crew don’t get seasick! If you’re not sure about rough seas or whether or not you’ll get motion sickness, you’ll probably want to go whale watching on the calmest day possible. Check the weather forecast and also the marine forecast for details about conditions out on the water. If the forecast is for high winds or seas, it’s likely you will have a rocky trip. Check the Sightings Mark Carwardine / Getty Images Whales are wild animals, so sightings can never really be guaranteed. Some companies “guarantee” sightings, but this usually means that they’ll provide a complimentary ticket to return on another day if no whales are sighted. You may want to check on the latest sightings in the area to see what species have been nearby recently and how many whales have been seen. Many companies will offer this information on their website. If there is a whale research organization in the area, check their website as they may be more likely to offer an objective report of recent sightings. Instead of focusing on how many whales you’re seeing or what they are doing or not doing, enjoy the whole experience. Take it all in. Smell and breathe in the fresh ocean air and observe the birds and all the other marine life you see on the trip. Pack for a Day at Sea Michael Runkel / Getty Images Remember that it can be 10–15 degrees cooler on the ocean and rain showers may happen during the trip. Dress in layers, wear sturdy, rubber-soled shoes, and bring a rain jacket if there’s even the slightest chance of rain in the forecast. Wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat—and make sure it’s a hat that won’t blow away! If you wear glasses or sunglasses, it’s always a good idea to use an eyeglass lanyard (also called a retainer) when out on the water. You definitely don’t want to risk your glasses falling overboard. Think About Taking Motion Sickness Medicine Russell Underwood / Getty Images If you are not sure how you will react to the motion of the ocean, think about taking motion sickness medicine. Many whale watches are several hours long, and this can be a very long time if you are not feeling well. Remember to take motion sickness medicine before you board the boat (usually 30–60 minutes prior) and take the non-drowsy version so you don’t end up sleeping the entire trip! Bring Your Camera Aliyev Alexei Sergeevich / Getty Images Bring a camera to record your experience. Also, bring plenty of batteries and make sure you have a clear memory card or lots of film in case the sightings are spectacular! Keep in mind that the average point-and-shoot camera might not deliver the speed and magnification needed to get the best pictures, especially if the company is following whale watch guidelines that dictate they watch whales from a distance. If you have a 35mm camera, a 200–300mm lens provides the most zoom and stability for whale watching. Remember to get some fun shots of you and/or your family with the ocean in the background or interacting with the naturalist/crew on board! If At First You Don’t Succeed… Pascale Gueret / Getty Images Remember that the photos you see on brochures and websites are likely the best photos taken from many years of whale watches. While you may see similar things, they are likely not everyday sightings. The one thing that can be guaranteed about whale watching is that every trip is different. If you don’t see a certain species the first time, try again another day or another year, and you’ll likely have a completely different experience! Source Credit: www.thoughtco.com

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