Welcome to South Africa

http://www.channel24.co.za/Viral/South-Africa-is-going-viral-with-this-absolutely-amazing-video-that-will-have-you-in-tears-20140526

Culinary Tourism in South Africa – join us for a taste of Africa

Culinary Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Evidence of this phenomenon is the recent growth of food shows on television travel channels and travel shows on television food channels – not just in the US but around the world. Dining out is common among tourists and food is believed to rank alongside climate, accommodation and scenery in importance. Whether traveling for business or pleasure, tourists will always partake in some form culinary tourism. Culinary tourism or food tourism is defined as the pursuit of unique and memorable eating and drinking experiences. It is the act of experiencing the food of a country, region or area. Culinary tourism is a subset of cultural tourism (because cuisine is a manifestation of culture) and is now considered a vital componant of the tourism experience. Culinary tourism is not limited to fine dining and gourmet foods. This is perhaps best illustrated by the notion that culinary tourism is about what is “unique and memorable” not necessarily “pretentious and exclusive”. In 2007, the International Culinary Tourism Association (ICTA), in partnership with the Travel Industry Association of America and Gourmet Magazine, commissioned the first culinary tourism research ever done in the United States. While the research focused on Americans, the findings were comparable to culinary tourism research performed in other countries, notably Canada, Australia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. An overview of the findings of these studies suggests that culinary travelers are similar in demographic and psychographic profiles in almost every country for which studies exist.

1. 100% OF PEOPLE EAT OUT WHILE TRAVELING

2. CULINARY TRAVELERS SPAN ALL ETHNIC GROUPS

3. CULINARY TRAVELERS SPAN ALL AGE GROUPS

4. CULINARY TRAVELERS SPAN BOTH GENDERS

5. CULINARY TRAVELERS ARE WELL EDUCATED

6. CULINARY TRAVELERS HAVE DISPOSABLE INCOME

Culinary travelers are explorers who tend to have higher levels of disposable income. Therefore, it should be of no surprise that culinary travelers have the financial wherewithal to explore new culinary offerings while traveling.

So if you are a serious culinary tourist, come explore South Africa, we have 11 official languages, 9 provinces, 7 different Biomes and the best fresh produce in the world. We have culinary delights that range from traditional Zulu to the ultra modern fusion of West & East meets Africa.

Contact us to arrange a taste of Africa : Robert@pardustours.com

South African Accommodation Grading

As A tour operator we are always looking for quality accommodation for our guests on tour, In South Africa we rely on the Tourism Grading council of South Africa (TGCSA) to grade the various types of accommodation services in South …

South African Safari Guides

As a South African Tour Operator we provide our guests with a tour that is both informative but also an experience that they will never forget, An integral part of the tour is your tour guide. We employ guides that …

Lifestyle Safari – “exclusivity within exclusivity”

The Trend for a new style of safari experience, taking private rental to the next level of comfort and luxury, in the heart of Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
 
The result is a villa experience in the heart of the bush where guests can share in the communal living spaces of the main house, with the option to retreat to one of six individual cottages within the grounds for complete privacy. This Lodge truly encapsulates a sense of exclusivity within exclusivity.

Reminiscent of an African farmhouse, richly detailed interiors in a neutral palette contrast with traditional tartans and classic prints creating an unbuttoned, lived-in appeal.  Botanical art references, luxurious bedding, country furniture and flagstone floors add to the nostalgic, time-honoured ambience.

In this idyllic lodge setting, gracious service from a staff that includes a private guide, tracker, chef, and housekeeper is finely tuned to the dictates and desires of each guest.

This exclusive Lodge takes up to 12 guests sharing, ideal for a family get away.

Enquire now for rates for 2013 & 2014 – Robert@pardustours.com

17 day South Africa – Culinary & Wildlife – 4 Star

17 day South Africa – Culinary & Wildlife – 4 Star. (click here for Information)

12 days South Africa Culinary & Wildlife Safari – Luxury

If you are looking for the best of luxury, and want to pampered this tour is for you.

12 days South Africa Culinary & Wildlife Safari – Luxury. (click Here)

South Africa’s National Braai Day – 24 September 2013

“From small towns to big cities millions of South Africans are preparing to braai for their country on Braai Day which is held annually on 24 September (National Heritage Day) under the Braai4Heritage banner and the patronage of Emeritus Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Braai Day is a celebration of our great country and its unique national pastime. It aims to unite all South Africans on 24 September by encouraging them to partake in a fun and tangible activity shared by all demographic groups, religious denominations and body types.

Braai4Heritage is a non-profit organisation solely committed to uniting South Africans all over the world through means of an activity enjoyed by all and for which we are world-famous.

There’s really no excuse not to gather your family and friends and whip up feast – it’s the start of summer and a public holiday.” http://www.sa-venues.com/events/southafrica/national-braai-day/

Explore Inhaca Island Mozambique – Part 1

One of the five types of mangrove ecosystems found on Inhaca Island (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Traditional fishing boat in Mozambique. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yes it’s time to explore again, I am curious to see what Inhaca Island has to offer, so I have been trying to find out  where  to stay, how to get there from Johannesburg, and what there is to do (I guess I will find out).

The plan is do it rough, as I like to explore and see the view from ground up. It’s a nice way to get to know the locals and see how they live and to get a feel for the area.

We have decided to leave the Vehicle at home, and take the train from Jhb to Kommatipoort (board of South Africa & Mozambique) its and over night trip only, with NO SLEEPERS…. interesting concept, I suppose we could just fly there or take the bus. But I like a good train trip and I recon it will be kind of interesting, (remember to stock up on beers). Then from the border on the Mozambique side we have two choices Minibus taxi or train, I think the minibus taxi, as the price is cheaper and it will be quicker, not necessarily safer though.

So apparently we will arrive in Maputo around noon, wonderful, just enough time to explore the local market, see the famous train station and find our accommodation for the evening…(still deciding) however Maputo is not the cheapest city for accommodation, especially if you don’t want to hangout with the locals.

Next day we can cross the channel to Inhaca island by ferry, there are two ferry’s, a government ferry that is about R60 per person one way leaving at 07:00 or the Vodacome Ferry leaving at 08:00 for about R500 per person (and only operates on Saturdays and Sundays), okay as we are now travelling as locals do, we will take the Government Ferry.

Inhaca Island – I have made a couple of enquiries as to where best to stay, by the way we decided to camp for the entire week, and it seems there is only one place to camp, Manieco Camp… took a while for them to respond to our email, they came back with a reasonable price..

What is there to do on the Island, hmm, apparently there are places to go snorkeling, diving, fishing from shore as well as deep-sea fishing and then trips to Portuguese Island and Santa Maria….

I can’t Wait to catch a good size sea fish and grill it on a fire with lemon juice garlic served with fresh salad and garlic bread… When cooking fish KEEP it SIMPLE…

Anyway this is the end of Part 1… Part 2 will follow soon, after a concrete decision is made and everything is booked. At this stage only enquiries have been made….

Hmm what do I need to Pack…tips and tricks will also follow..

For those of you that are keen for a bit of a road trip and love to rough it on holiday – Contact me Robert@pardustours.com and join us, always good to have people along explore new routes!! It will be a week trip after Christmas..Over NEW YEAR!!