Uluru or Ayers Rock in Australia has been shotlisted for the new 7 wonders of the natural world
A global campaign organised by a Swiss philanthropist has begun to decide the seven wonders of the natural world, out of 28 that have been shortlisted.
Audley's annual charity donation helps buy soccer kit
Here’s a quick update to let you know that our latest charity donation to Uthando South Africa was used to make 45 soccer kits for the children who play in the Greater Commission United, a soccer academy that offers young people a way out of being trapped into the cycle of gangs and drugs.
We hope they enjoy playing in it!
Some of the players sporting their new kit
Find out more about the charities we support
Does the prospect of the cold, short, grey days in December fill you with dread? If so, why not consider visiting one of the most beautiful towns in South Africa for a little champagne tasting?
Each December Franschhoek, arguably the prettiest town in the Winelands, plays host to the Champagne Festival, which brings together some of the best champagne - both locally and internationally.
In Franschhoek itself restaurants compile special menus and recipes to complement the bubbly. You can also taste the wines of more than 40 different wine cellars. Add to this the sublime location and some great accommodation options and it’s the perfect way to enjoy this part of the Cape.
The Cape Region climate
South Africa’s summer corresponds to our winter and vice versa, with summer running from October to April. In fact the climate is very much like that of the south of France – perfect for grape growing.
Wine tasting itinerary idea
Take a look at our itinerary idea, the Grape Escape, which includes visiting Cape Town, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) and of course Franschhoek and its neighbouring valleys.
Remember, however, this is just an example and we can tailor-make any of our South Africa itinerary ideas to suit your personal preferences.
Contact Us
You can contact us either online or by phone on 01993 838 550.
As part of our ongoing efforts to raise money for the various charities we support we have to get creative at times. It was therefore the idea of our Africa Safari team to come up with something we’ve never tried before – PIG RACING!
There were two overall prizes up for grabs: the fastest and the best dressed pigs. “Winston Churchpig” took the speed prize while “Thorpedo pig” won the best dressed award.
By the end of the event the Africa Safari team had raised £301.10 for our two charities: one in Kenya and one in South Africa (see below).
Thanks to everyone involved!
The charities
Mara Rianda Trust in Kenya provides clean water to schools in rural communities, as well as other school facilities such as dormitory blocks for children who live too far away to walk to school each day.
Uthando in South Africa is a collection of grassroots projects run by people in the townships outside Cape Town, ranging from day centres for elderly people, to centres to teach people skills to get jobs.
Other charities we support
To find out more about the charities Audley support, see our responsible travel section.
Jimmy on a rickshaw in India
Two years ago one Audley employee and two of his friends drove from Goa to Pokhara – 3000 km right across the heart of India in a ridiculous rickshaw.
Now they have decided to up the ante and buy two rickshaws to drive up and into the Himalayas. The roads in Northern India are some of the highest and toughest in the world and they will cross a series of 5000 metre passes before hopefully bagging the Khardung La at 5361m, the highest road in the world. At the same time they aim to break a record for the highest three wheeler in the world.
Now you may think that Jimmy, Audley’s East Africa Regional Manager, and his friends are mad, but their journey is not without cause. They will be raising money for the Shuxiong school, cut of from the rest of the world for eight months of the year. Recently the subject of a BBC documentary this school has one of the toughest school runs anywhere with children trekking dozens of miles along ice rivers. Jimmy and his friends aim to raise money to help transport the children, provide heating in their classrooms and also increase the classroom space. This will make a massive difference to the chances of these children getting a decent education.
All money raised will go directly to the school.
Best of luck to all three!
A wildebeest escaping a crocodile while crossing the Mara River
At about this time each year one of nature’s great spectacles begins to unfold on the banks of the Mara River in Kenya.
The prison on Robben Island, near Cape Town, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned
If you can get down the brilliant Pitt Rivers Museum in Oxford right now you can see a photographic exhibition of apartheid photos from South Africa.
The photographs are being displayed for the first time in 50 years and you can see a sneak preview if you go to this link on the BBC website.
Audley itinerary ideas in South Africa
Note, we offer a number of apartheid-related excursions in South Africa as part of an overall itinerary, such as a visit to the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg, or a boat trip to Robben Island off the coast of Cape Town, where Nelson Mandela spent much of his incarceration.
The owners of one of our properties in Mozambique, Nuarro lodge, have just emailed to tell us that the first of the season’s whales have started appearing in the area.
This lodge is ideally located on the north east coast of Mozambique, so much so that you can see them from the breakfast table. In fact if you watch the above video you can see this at 1:10 seconds and then on several subsequent occasions.
As well as whale spotting there are a variety of activities to enjoy at Nuarro. Experienced PADI diving instructors are on hand to take you on dives whilst non-divers can enjoy snorkelling, dhow sailing trips, sea kayaking and fly-fishing. On land you can enjoy eco-trails by bike or on foot, bird watching, cultural village visits and trips to Ilha de Mocambique.
Other places to see whales & dolphins with Audley
Dont forget to also take a look at our whale and dolphin watching guide as this includes an interactive map showing the best places around the world to see whales and dolphins. It also includes the best times to visit, lists some of the most common species you might encounter plus information on whale behaviour.
'Approaching the Waterhole' by Stella Mays
While I was writing my recent blog about the friendliest rhino in Africa killed by poachers, I added a link to the David Shepherd Foundation website.
David Shepherd is of course the artist famous for all those wonderful paintings of animals (although he paints a variety of subjects). I think it’s fair to say his paintings of elephants in particular have become iconic around the world.
Anyway, while browsing the site I came across this page on the recent Best of Wildlife Art 2011 competition. As you can see some of the artwork is superb. Personally, I like the drawings and paintings more than the sculptures.
You might like to note that some of the originals are still for sale. They’re not cheap though! The one above by Stella Mays will set you back £2,400.
Rhino in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya
Back in October 2009 we blogged about a new BBC travel series, Last Chance to See, in which Stephen Fry and fellow presenter, Mark Carwardine, globe trotted the world in search of creatures which were on the verge of extinction.
One of the programmes visited the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, to see a white rhino named Max. The highlight came when Fry was tricked into believing by Carwardin that Max was incredibly dangerous, but of course he wasn’t as he had in fact been hand-reared. Sadly, however, I saw in an article this week that Max has been killed by poachers; no doubt their work made much easier by his trust in humans.
Unfortunately, poaching in many parts of Africa is still a huge problem with rhino horn being particularly sought after in China for medicines, although of course it has no medicinal value whatsoever.
If you would like to help fight rhino poaching you can visit the following:
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