Africa and the Middle East

Fancourt is South Africa's premier golfing leisure resort, situated at the foot of the majestic Outenique Mountains, at the heart of the Garden Route. Five restaurants offer a variety of dining experiences from La Cantina's authentic Italian fare to the freshly prepared seafood dishes of Le Pecheur. Relax and rejuvenate at Fancourt's Health & Beauty Spa in the most tranquil of settings, or enjoy its four world-class Gary Player designed golf courses offering a array of experiences.

Fancourt has three highly rated Championship golf courses; Links, Montague, and Outeniqua, as well as the Western Cape's premier 18-hole public course, Bramble Hill. Since opening in the early 90's with just 27 Gary Player-designed holes, Fancourt's Outeniqua and Montagu golf courses have matured and developed into two of the finest 18-hole parkland layouts in South Africa. A round on either is a special experience, sculpted and finished as they are with rare attention to detail and designed with the coastal George winds in mind.

In addition to four golf courses suited to every type of golfer, Fancourt boasts one of the finest golf academies in the world, with state-of-the-art practice and teaching facilities, backed up by the expertise of PGA professionals, as well as several well-stocked on-course pro shops offering all types of golf merchandise.

History and culture. There is no mistaking the fact that Jordan is a Kingdom steeped in history and culture. From the moment you arrive, you get a sense of its rich heritage, all around are remnants of ancient civilizations long since past, yet they still remain, stamped into the very fabric of this amazing Kingdom and etched into the soul of the people who live here.
 
What do the Roman Emperor Hadrian, the Prophet Moses, and Lawrence of Arabia have in common? These are just three of the many historical personalities who passed through Jordan through history, and whose itineraries now attract adventure seekers and action vacationers from throughout the world.

For example, a small group of people in 4-wheel-drive vehicles can retrace the journey of the Emperor Hadrian from north to south Jordan, taking in biblical cities and legionary fortresses. Or, more ambitiously, a caravan of 25 people on camels or donkeys can set off to retrace the journeys of Lawrence of Arabia in the central highlands and eastern deserts of Jordan, spending a week en route and camping in a different place every night. Parts of these itineraries can be done along the edge of the desert in steam-powered World War One vintage trains, the same as those that were attacked by the forces of the Great Arab Revolt and Lawrence nearly a century ago.

Famed for its preserved coral reefs and unique sea life, the Red Sea port city of Aqaba was, in ancient times, the main port for shipments from the Red Sea to the Far East. The Mameluk Fort, one of the main historical land marks, rebuilt by the Mameluks in the sixteenth century. Square in shape and flanked by semicircular towers, the fort is marked with various inscriptions marking the latter period of the Islamic dynasty. The current excavations at the ancient site of early Islamic town Ayla with its two main streets intersecting in the middle dates back to the 7th Century already revealed a gate and city wall along with towers, buildings and a mosque. The museum houses a collection of artifacts collected in the region, including pottery and coins. Other places of interest include the mud brick building thought to be the earliest church in the region.
 
The ancient city of Petra is one of Jordan's national treasures and by far its best known tourist attraction. Located approximately three hours south of Amman, Petra is the legacy of the Nabataens, an industrious Arab people who settled in southern Jordan more than 2000 years ago. Admired then for its refined culture, massive architecture and ingenious complex of dams and water channels, Petra is now a UNESCO world heritage site that enchants visitors from all corners of the globe. Much of Petra's appeal comes from its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge. The site is accessed by walking through a kilometre long chasm (or siq), the walls of which soar 200 metres upwards. Petra's most famous monument, the Treasury, appears dramatically at the end of the siq. Used in the final sequence of the film "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade", the towering facade of the Treasury is only one of myriad archaeological wonders to be explored at Petra. Various walks and climbs reveal literally hundreds of buildings, tombs, baths, funerary halls, temples, arched gateways, colonnaded streets and haunting rock drawings - as well as a 3000 seat open air theatre , a gigantic first century Monastery and a modern archeological museum, all of which can be explored at leisure.

Conventional Holidays. Jordan already caters to the more traditional vacationer who likes to combine a visit to an ancient site in the morning with a swim, a round of golf, or a game of tennis or bowling in the afternoon. The exciting new horizons in adventure tourism allow visitors to push themselves to new levels of adventure and endurance.

Quality hotels and restaurants throughout the country mean that thrill-seekers who want to pamper themselves inbetween adventure treks have a wide range of facilities to choose from:

Nature lovers. Nature enthusiasts have many options in Jordan: the vast, silent drama of Wadi Rum, the forested hills of central Jordan, or the plunging Jordan Rift Valley that includes the Dead Sea - the lowest spot on earth at 410 metres below sea level. The Red Sea resort of Aqaba is always warm, balmy, and enticing for divers and other watersports enthusiasts.

Activity Holidays. Horseback riders can take a few days to retrace the segments of the ancient Spice, Silk, and Frankincense Routes that pass through the green hills of Petra, Amman, and north Jordan. More daring riders will want to mount their Arabian steeds for a four-day trek through the eastern desert, stopping for rest and water at several early Islamic desert castles and caravan stations. This trip re-enacts the original Arabian pony express mail service that operated here in the 7th century.

Aqaba offers a full range of facilities for speedboating, scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, fishing, swimming, water skiing, wind surfing, or simply loafing and sunning in the warm crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea. The sparkling purple mountains surrounding Aqaba beckon hikers who seek new adventures, and unconquered terrain.

Thrill-seekers who want to go beyond the ordinary will get into a helicopter or hot air balloon and rise to mountain-tops in Wadi Rum or around Petra, from where they can trek back down to earth. Gliding and private plane rentals are also available in Jordan, only from Marka Airport in Amman.

The Dead Sea. At 410 metres below sea level, the Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth. Jordan’s Dead Sea coast is one of the most spectacular natural and spiritual landscapes in the world and it remains as enticing to international visitors today as it was to kings, emperors, traders, and prophets in antiquity.

A large amount of investment in the area has provided the Dead Sea with new roads making the new and luxurious 5 Star Movenpick Hotel and Resort, 5 Star Jordan Valley Marriott, 5 Star Kempenski Ishtar Hotel, and 4 Star Dead Sea Spa Hotel easily accessible.

The main attraction of the Dead Sea is of course the soothing, abnormally salty water itself. The salt content of the water is 31.5% - making the water so buoyant that it is impossible for the visitor to sink. The water also contains 21 minerals including high levels of magnesium, sodium, potassium, and bromine and 12 of these minerals are found in no other body of water in the world.

If you are interested in going to Jordan, have a chat with our leisure consultants who will be pleased to find out more about your preferences and plan your ideal holiday for you in this fascinating country

A citadel constructed by Sultan Yacoub El Mansour in the 12th century to protect his palace, Maison Mnabha in Marrakesh's historic Kasbah, is a gem in a city of contrasts.

The Kasbah remains a royal quarter of palaces and monuments. One of its best known residents was Yves Saint Laurent, who set a precedent with the taste and flair with which he decorated his house. Artists, writers and actors subsequently established themselves in the old city. The Hermés family and Jean-Paul Gaultier keep houses here to this day.

Maison Mnabha was bought by its present owners (two brothers; one of them, Dr. Peter Dyer, holds a PhD on the Kasbah and is a fountain of local knowledge) in the early 1990s and painstakingly renovated. It was one of the few properties in the medina to have retained its original decorative features. Separated from the now-defunct women's quarters, the hotel's salon was used for the reception of guests by the house's original owners, who were members of the ruling elite at the Sultan's court.

The aim of the current owners at Maison Mnabha is to conserve the original features of the house and create a comfortable and calm family-run environment. Guests tend to be people searching for cultural pursuits away from the sterility of oversized five-star hotels; many are female, either travelling on their own, or in small groups. Although most hotel staff in Marrakesh speak only French and Arabic, those at Maison Mnabha communicate in a variety of languages.

The decoration of the formal rooms (four doubles/twin and one single) at Maison Mnabha reflects a traditional palace architecture that developed independently of neighbouring influences. Ceramic mosaics, carved stucco and painted wood have been integrated into an overall surface design rich in colour and bold in conception. The 17th to 19th-century decoration here is characteristic of the palace style but intimate and domestic in scale.

The upper patio, terraces (which offer views of a minaret-studded horizon and the Atlas Mountains) and bedrooms have been remodelled to synthesise traditional Moroccan elements with those of Southeast Asian (Buddha heads, Laotian silks) and African design. Antiques, collected by the owners over many years, are everywhere. In terms of value for money, attention to detail, cultural interest and personalised service, there is no better place to stay in Marrakesh.

Ask yourself, what do you look for when choosing a holiday?

Is it perfect weather – beautiful beaches – and somewhere that’s easy to get to?

If so, we believe Cape Verde may be the new and exciting destination for you..

Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean off the West Coast of Africa, this chain of tropical islands boasts year round sunshine, white sands and crystal clear waters. And, with the island of Sal recently made accessible by direct flights from Gatwick and Manchester, it is a destination that can now be reached in under 6 hours.

What else do you look for?

Stunning scenery, a taste of local culture, or a choice of activities to keep the family busy? Whatever your answer, Cape Verde has it all.
 
From the spectacular mountain scenery of Santa Antao, to the dark volcanic rocks of Fogo, to the unspoilt beaches of Boavista, the range of scenery is vast. Experience the African culture and rich history of the largest island Santiago, or visit Sao Vicente, with its tradition of music and art.

For a more active holiday, this island has the reputation for being one of the world’s best windsurfing and body-boarding destinations, while Boavista, surrounded by reefs, is an excellent base for diving and fishing. Bicycle hire is available on most islands, with Santo Antao and Fogo, also particularly interesting for keen walkers.

Each island will have its own unique appeal, with varied excursions available for you to explore as you wish. With local flights and ferries operating between various islands, why not consider a twin centre holiday, and make the most of the variety Cape Verde has to offer.

For a break from the commercial hotspots of today, why not be one of the first to experience somewhere new – with direct flights and increasing accommodation, these islands may not remain a secret for long. Our consultants will be delighted to helping you decide where to base your holiday and what to do while you are there, and then making all the arrangements to create your ideal holiday, so do contact us.

Searching for the wilderness? Then Namibia is the place for you. Located on the southwest coast of Africa, it is one of the most sparsely populated countries on the planet. The estimated population is 2 million (UN figure from 2005) with a population density of 2.43 per square kilometre. The capital is Windhoek.

Nationals from most countries are not required to obtain Visas to travel to Namibia for visits shorter than three months.

The coastal region remains cool (15-25C), humid but generally without rain for most of the year. In the interior from May thru September temperatures range for 18-25C during the day dropping often to freezing at night. From October to April the daytime temperatures range from 20-34C. Heavy fog is common especially in the coastal regions.

The Etosha National Park and Game Reserve in the north of the country is one of the best in Africa. The beautiful coastline running the length of the country is largely deserted.

Activities include:

· 4x4 Safaris
· Ballooning
· Birding
· Camping
· Caving
· Dune & Sandboarding
· Fishing
· Game Tracking
· Hiking
· Quadbiking
· Skydiving

The Henties Bay coastal area offers excellent fishing opportunities, 4x4 trails and great walking routes.
Namibia has been successful at conservation of flora and fauna so it is a great place to view both. Most lodges operate on private land or concessions and can offer on foot trails guided by professionals.

Namibia has over a 120 registered caves. The longest cave is the Arnhem Caves being over 4800 meters in length. It is presently the only tourist cave in Namibia. The famous Bushman Rock engravings at Twyfelfontein have been declared a ‘World Heritage Site’. UNESCO considers Twyfelfonteins Rock Art of ‘Outstanding Universal Value’. Around 3000 rock engravings in Damaraland form an extensive and high quality record of ritual practices relating to hunter-gatherer communities in Southern Africa of more than 2000 years.

All the rock engravings and rock paintings within the core area are without doubt the authentic work of San (Bushmen) hunter-gatherers who lived in the region long before the influx of Damara herders and European colonists. Most of these well-preserved engravings represent lion, rhinoceros, elephant, ostrich and giraffe, as well as drawings of human and animal footprints.

The site also includes six painted rock shelters with motifs of human figures in red ochre. The objects excavated from two sections, date from the Late Stone Age. The setting of the Twyfelfontein rock art is authentic and represents one of Africa’s most important rock-art concentrations.

The core area was designated a national monument in 1948 and is now protected by the National Heritage Act. Tourists visiting Namibia and Damaraland in particular really must not miss a visit to ‘Twyfelfontein’. The Old Fort Museum in Windhoek has an ongoing exhibition of Rock Art in Namibia, which explains the meanings of the paintings.

South Africa is excellent value for a holiday with the Rand being weak against the Pound. So why not enjoy a varied holiday to include the Garden route and the vineyards in the South and a visit to Jo’burg too?

Johannesburg exists because of gold. Some 1,000 metres above sea level, it was a farming area until the discovery of the precious metal in 1886, and it was Paul Kruger, president of the South African Republic, who founded a garrison on the Witwatersrand ridge overlooking the city centre. In 1893 this was turned into a prison for the city. Today, it is home to the modern Constitutional Court, but it is also possible to take guided tours of the historical areas of the complex. These include the Women’s Jail and Prison Number Four, the colloquial name for the Old Fort Prison with its rusty cells and peeling walls, where everyone from Gandhi to Nelson Mandela has awaited trial. In 1983, the complex was closed down and, after a period of near dereliction, has been renovated and reopened to provide an interesting history of both Jo’burg and South Africa. Admission is R22 (£1.40). Open 9am-5pm, Saturday 10am-3pm.

Jo’burg is a city of extreme wealth and poverty, and the way to negotiate a tour of the Central Business District (CBD) is by car or by organised tour, despite the fact that the distances involved are small. In the last few years, Main Street has been completely transformed over six city blocks between West and Rissik Streets. There is restricted vehicle access, benches, outdoor cafés, and lots of greenery, as well as heritage artefacts relating to the mining industry, such as the headgear and stamp mills used to retrieve and break down ore – complete with information plaques.

At the west end, you’ll find the two headquarter buildings of the famous Anglo-American mining company. The first, known as 44 Main Street, was built between 1937 and 1939 and has a strong art-deco theme. Opposite is 45 Main Street, which has a simpler monolithic façade, and was built between 1948 and 1950. The small park between these two buildings contains the Leaping Springboks sculpture, commissioned by the Oppenheimer family in memory of Sir Ernest Oppenheimer (1880-1957). The Chamber of Mines Building and other leading mining houses all have their headquarters along this historical walk. It’s hard to believe that under Main Street run some of the old gold mines, and that until the 1970s, the ground would frequently rumble from blasting taking place below.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the CBD lost some of the business headquarters which had left for the decentralised business districts in the suburbs. Thus, by the end of the Nineties, the city management, business and property owners realised they had to deal with the encroaching crime and grime of the city and so, precinct by precinct, the remaining businesses have invested in regenerating the area, to make it safe for both workers and tourists.

Founded in October 1887 as a club for the owners of the recently discovered gold fields of Johannesburg, the present Rand Club building is the fourth to occupy the site, and as well as now accepting all races and women, the rooms are available for hire for everything from weddings to corporate events.

On your way from Main Street back to the suburbs, your drive will take you west and through the Newtown Cultural Precinct, home to both the Market Theatre and Museum Africa, which is housed in a Victorian building in Bree Street that was originally the city’s fruit and vegetable market. All the old buildings in this area have been renovated and now house diverse cultural institutions as well as being a great night-time spot for bars and live music.

Museum Africa tells the history of Africa in general, South Africa in particular and Johannesburg specifically in one of the permanent exhibitions, as well as of the Treason Trial of the 1950s when over 150 people, including Nelson Mandela, were accused of plotting against the state. A visit to one of its current theatre productions and a meal in the adjoining Gramadoelas or Moya restaurants would be worth considering.

You may have time to fit in a short safari too, or see something of Namibia, while you are in the area? For advice on what to do and see in Southern Africa, please contact our consultants who will be pleased to help.

The North Luangwa National Park is one of the most spectacular and least inhabited wilderness areas in Africa. There is a wide variety of wildlife resulting from the profusion of types of vegetation along the Luangwa River and the open plains.

Newly opened Delia Camp overlooks this magnificent river that provides food and water for so many animals and birds. It is not uncommon to see large herds of over 2,000 buffalo, followed and hunted by the lions, which are also abundant in the Park. Expect to see elephant, antelope, go looking for the elusive and beautiful leopards, sit under the shade of massive trees and watch the vibrant birdlife.

Built only last year (2006), Delia Campis situated in an area that is renowned for its plentiful wildlife. Special attention has been paid to ensure the 5 bungalows (constructed of timber) blend into the environment whilst still allowing wonderful views of the river. What a pleasure it is to sit on the viewing platform watching the animals come down to drink from the ever-changing river. The bungalows are built well above the ground with a walkway between each unit.

The lodge has an enormous terrace of more than 300 square metres with views over the Luangwa River. Visitors often see buffalo, hippopotami, elephants and even lions come to drink. Lunch in the shade of the restaurant, with its exceptional views, is very popular. Candle-lit suppers are accompanied by the sounds of the African night.

All this, together with game-viewing by vehicle with highly qualified guides, makes this a truly memorable destination!