With travel opening up and people longing to spread their wings, 2022 is all about bucket-list adventures, mind-blowing experiences and luxury in the truest sense of the word. In other words, making up for lost time … by really making your travel count. If money were no object, what would your perfect holiday look like? Perhaps it’s hanging out with emperor penguins in Antarctica, gorilla trekking in Uganda or drifting along the ancient waterways of the Okavango Delta. If you’ve been eagerly squirrelling away funds and are ready to push the boat out on a ‘revenge travel’ trip of a lifetime, do ..read more

Written by Charlotte Smith, Product Manager at GILTEDGE   After 25 months of staying put, I could feel the excitement mounting as we began our descent to Vilanculos, with its azure sea and islands dotted below. Vilanculos is easily reached on a daily 1.5-hour SA Airlink flight from Johannesburg, which makes it the perfect launchpad for an unforgettable Mozambican holiday. The idyllic islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago, situated 20 km from the mainland, are known for their unspoilt beauty and diverse ecologies. In fact, the pristine coral reefs are home to more than 2000 species of fish ..read more

The thwack of the drive down the fairway. The satisfying rattle of the ball in the cup. The whoop from the caddie. The ripple of applause from the crowd. Put these together with a clear azure sky, a background of blue and mauve mountains, the intense sweeping green of the course … and you have the South African Women’s Open at Steenberg, a highlight on the Sunshine Ladies Tour. The world’s top female golfers will descend on Steenberg from 30 March to 2 April 2022, vying for an increased purse of €290 000 (approximately R5.5 million) and the chance to play in one of the most beautiful settings ..read more

No matter how many times I’ve travelled around South Africa, the beauty and unique experiences continue to be awe-inspiring. Having recently hosted an exclusive fam trip with 5 US agents covering Cape Town, the Winelands and a safari, it was a wonderful way to start the year. The best news is … South Africa is ready! Starting in Cape Town at the 12 Apostles was a treat. Wined and dined in the Penthouse suite hosted by the incredible team at 12A, we were introduced to their array of vegetarian sushi and chilled bubbles. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, 12A is perfect for those looking to escape ..read more

The summer vacation is fast approaching, and there’s never been a better time to make your bucket list safari dreams come true. Whether you’re looking for the perfect itinerary for your client or are searching for your own summer vacation spot, look no further than the stunning, sun-kissed safari plains of Africa. Here are just four reasons why a safari is the perfect summer break:   1. The best sightings and fantastic weather Southern and Eastern Africa’s dry winter season, from about June to August, is arguably the best time of year to enjoy a safari. The days are still pleasantly warm ..read more

If some inspiration is required for creating bucket-list safari itineraries in 2022, we’ve got you covered with our beautiful, hand-picked selection of boltholes hidden across the continent. Low-key yet highly luxurious, these are places that guests will want to return to again and again. Places where the G&Ts are always crisp, the pillows are plump, and the wildlife is truly outstanding. If you’re ready to convert those enquiries, take note of these safari camps and lodges that truly raise the bar in 2022.     Restored Founders Railway Carriage at Mantis Founders Lodge This excl ..read more

When travel re-opened, we travelled to some amazing places in Africa. We picked our top destinations that we visited for you to share in the joy and to whet your appetite for travel in the new year. Paying Homage to Classic East African safari at Jack’s Camp Africa Travel Expert Stella enjoyed an unforgettable safari adventure at Jack’s Camp –  situated in the starkly beautiful Makgadikgadi Pans region of Botswana. She was captivated by iconic wildlife and sleeping under canvas in a classic 1940s safari-style tent adorned with Persian rugs. Stella was spoilt for choice with remarkable gam ..read more

There’s not a lot that can beat a getaway in the Western Cape, especially when you’re a lively travel-loving bunch like us at Giltedge. Earlier this year, a few of our team members had the opportunity to take on the role of tourist and traveller, exploring the Garden Route and Overberg region where you can do everything from hiking, snorkelling, bungee jumping and boat cruising. We recently got together to share our adventures and have put together a few of our favourite pitstops and activities, which you’ll certainly want to add to your travel list this year. As a bit of background, the Garde ..read more

This was my first time in Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills and a destination that has positioned itself as a leader in low volume, conservation-focused tourism. Our journey began in Kigali, the country’s capital, which really has overcome its violent past and is now a world-class city. It was with great anticipation that we left Kigali, heading in the direction of the Volcanoes National Park and an experience that had actually never been on my bucket list – a chance to walk with the region’s endangered mountain gorillas. The countryside stretching before us on the long and winding road was ..read more

Our guest Lynn Clark recently discovered that there’s no more mesmerising country than Tanzania. She spent 11 days savouring each moment on the island of Zanzibar and on safari on Tanzania’s mainland. How did the trip make you feel? Amazed! Every property, guide, and resort staff member were more amazing than the next! Seeing the animals up close on the game drives felt surreal. The guides did an excellent job finding the animals and sharing their knowledge about them. We learned a ton on this trip. What lodges did you stay at in Tanzania & what were the highlights of each? We stayed at fi ..read more