South Africa
Bushtracks
Indian Ocean
Australia
USA - Mid & West
USA - East
Caribbean Sea
Middle East
North AfricaRecent News
Bushbaby Staff News
Our team of consultants continues to grow! You can be assured of personal service and in-depth knowledge as our two new members of staff also herald from the regions they specialise in! They are also Mums themeselves so truly understand the needs of families if you are looking to share your Bushbaby adventure with children.
Firstly we have been delighted to welcome Chantal to the Bushbaby Team. Chantal, based in Cape Town, will be assisting Abi on Worldwide sales, but also developing her South African knowledge to become a Specialist in this region.
Meanwhile Kristi, a native Australian, is developing our new Antipodean Adventures. The new programme initially focuses on New South Wales, Queensland and Northern Terriotories (to include Uluru and Kakadu) although her in-depth knowledge also includes other regions.
Tamara is developing programmes to Sri Lanka and Europe (both places she has lived) whilst Polly is leading the way with Asia and Sara Latin America.
Sharon also joins the team, bringing with her extensive experience working in a Travel Agency setting and travelling with teenagers.
Where we’ve ‘Been and Seen’
We appreciate how important it is for clients to speak to someone who has’ been and seen’ the destinations and hotels they are considering booking. Further, in the main our Consultants are parents who have travelled to these locations with children, so families can rest in the knowledge that considerations regarding to younger guests will be taken in to account.
Mauritius & The Seychelles
Fortunately the snowfall at Heathrow wasn’t too disruptive to Abi & Jim’s trip to the Indian Ocean with their children then age 2, 6 and 9 in February 2012!
On swapping Winter for Summer, we first re-visited Lux* Belle Mare, previously known as Beau Rivage, to discover more about the recent re-branding. Kelly Hoppen has designed some stunning rooms for the Resort and we really liked the new touches such as the coffee bar (beans roasted on site) which formed a nice focus, the red telephone box where you could call home for free and on our second night we discovered the secret bar (the location of this honesty bar changes daily). Looking like a prop from the set for the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the ornate cupboard stood in a grove of palm trees surrounded by comfy beanbags! The Resort is good choice for all ages, but with the zero entry pool and gentle gradients leading to an excellent beach, we particular recommend the resort for those families travelling with young children.
Our next stop was the new Long Beach. It brings a fresh concept to Mauritius in terms of a modern design combined with a fantastic stretch of beach, as it has been built on the site of the old Coco Beach Resort. We loved the interesting and huge heated swimming pool and the sports facilities were extensive to keep older children happy including football pitches and a climbing wall. Due to a lot of height issues and the family rooms being located at the back of the resort (not on the beach), in our view this option is best considered by those travelling with school age children.
We then visited One&Only Le Saint Geran, so popular with many of our clients who return year after year. The location and beach are stunning and service excellent with the suites well equipped but obviously not as modern as the recently designed rooms at Lux or newly built Long Beach. The new steak restaurant is proving popular and the Spa with its wonderful pool area is a truly excellent retreat.
Our short flight then took us to the Seychelles and a night at the new Four Seasons on Mahe. This property is simply stunning and the suite one of the very best, if not the best I have seen across the world. The views were incredible and we had an amazing swim in the private swimming pool (good size!) with the fruit bats flying overhead. The resort is new, so has some teething issues with service, but will be a great option for couples or those with young children (low fencing can be arranged to protect against height and water issues in the suites). As much of the resort is on a hillside, open space is lacking for particularly active older children although there are plans to heading vertical with a new climbing wall!.
We then took an internal flight over to Desroches, a place I had long been interested in visiting so we could compare offerings with the Maldivian islands. It struck us as very special as soon as we arrived and enjoyed an excellent lunch on the beach in the shade of a beautiful tree (the dining was superb, a pleasant surprise and no mean feat considering the remote location). We loved Desroches as it is larger than your typical island elsewhere which can be navigated on foot in 30 minutes – you could spend an hour cycling through the jungle to the lighthouse at the far end of the island, with crabs scuttling across your path and some rather large tropical spiders overhead. We visited the giant tortoise breeding project and the boys really enjoyed their fishing experience (one even catching a reef shark!) but the highlight had to be discovering a nest of baby turtles and helping what must have been over a hundred make their way over rocks and in to the sea. Whilst the Resort does have spacious villas as well as the traditional hotel rooms, bedrooms didn’t connect so we particularly recommend Desroches for those with older children who can get involved with all the great activities and whom you would be happy having in a room adjacent.
Our final stay was on the new Constance Ephelia back on Mahe. This large resort has several beaches, one ideal for snorkelling and a whole host of facilities – being flat it also lends itself to whizzing around by bicycle! Restaurants were numerous and quality good and we were impressed by the service considering this is a 4 star property. There are a number of smaller pools rather than a large central pool area for those preferring not to swim in the sea, all-in-all a good base from which to explore the Seychelles, perhaps in combination with a stay on Desroches or Praslin.
Garden Route & Eastern Cape
Chantal found, after seeing this region several times, experiencing it the Bushbaby way in March 2012 added a special dynamic!
Having travelled for 6 hours, we were pleasantly surprised on how comfortable and scenic the Garden Route is. Even as a South African, I still marvel at the beauty! We were warmly welcomed by Hunters Country House just out Plettenberg, and just LOVED the lush surroundings! We were cradled in Nature’s magnificence. Travelling with my husband and teenage daughter, we found the hotel catered well for our family! They had several lounges, beautiful nature paths and a lovely pool area. Much of our time was spent in ‘Teenzone’, playing snooker & watching projector DVD’s to keep my daughter happy.
Travelling a further 4 hours, we reached Kwandwe Game Reserve, which had me in anticipation from the get-go! We were immediately assigned our personal chef & ranger which made settling just that little bit easier. They were eager to please!! Staying at Ecca Lodge, I found our experience simply faultless. We were the first guests to ever witness lion cubs in their reserve, as they’d just been born! Wow! Departing Kwandwe, we then made our way back to Plettenberg bay, but stopping en-route first at Lalibela Game Reserve, Mark’s Camp. Rooms were comfortable in size, cuisine was really good, and they even threw in some True African entertainment, performed by the staff members on guest request.
A really impressive safari option we saw en-route, which caters for ALL ages of children on game drives, is Riverbend Lodge located in the Addo Elephant Park! The ambience is modern chic combined with home-away-from-home comfort. The landscape was uninterrupted allowing guests to enjoy passing game, really close from anywhere in the hotel!
Continuing to Plettenberg Bay, we arrived at our next stop – Hog Hollow Country Estate. What surprised me most is that we were just outside the bustling town of Plettenberg, and yet, you felt tucked away in a forest in the middle of nowhere?! The serenity & lush surroundings was breathtaking! The views across the valley helped the acoustics to enhance the soothing sounds of nature (It was a reminder that you were only an hours walk away, through the forest, to Monkeyland & Birds of Eden!)
After our night’s stay we then headed 5 minutes away to Kurland Country Estate. Words simply cannot describe this experience as it won’t do it justice… What I can say is that we loved the children’s play rooms fitted with all the fancy fittings, and the quadbike trip through their polo fields. The cuisine at both Kurland restaurant & Katarina’s was simply out of this world!. The staff were amazing, and the rose garden was manicured to perfection…Wow!
Leaving Kurland with much remorse, we headed into the town of Plettenberg Bay, to Periwinkle Guest Lodge. The views across the Bay, the staff, the well sized rooms and complimentary afternoon tea made our stay Perfect! Recently refurbished and now including a small splash pool, your stay here is promised to make you yearn to return! You are also a few minutes from the town centre, so exploration is easy and really fun! Look out for the market on Main street which had us intrigued!
Departing Plettenberg, we then made our way to Swellendam for our last night away. Here we stayed at Jan Harmsgat Hotel, which set in a fruit farm! The staff took us through their Olive plantation and gave us a quick history lesson on the area, which was insightful. The rooms were spacious, and cozy, with your typical farmhouse layout. The cuisine was certainly the highlight for us! Most of what you eat comes directly from their garden, so fresh, delicious & wholesome meals are the order of the day!
Madikwe Game Reserve
Chantal and family set off for Madikwe, a stunning malaria-free Game Reserve, home to the Big Five, north of Johannesburg. Here she explains what she found unique and special about the different Lodges she visited, to help you decide which is best for you!
Jaci’s Safari Lodge
A lovely, lush, child-friendly setting
- Vibrant colors & trendy décor fill both Safari & Tree Lodges
- Safari Lodge rooms have their own personal deck which overlooks a frequently visited waterhole.
- Nare Suite is GREAT for families! It is a Duplex Suite with your own private plunge pool on the deck.
- The games room next the swimming pool was quite a treat during time at leisure
- Between Safari & Tree Lodge a waterhole/river viewing point has been created for guests to privately relax and be entertained by herds of elephants (This was work-in-progress!)
- The game rangers were involved with us from day 1, and made sure to show us as much as possible, with such enthusiasm & passion.
- I loved the under floor heating, especially after a chilly night on Safari!
- The canvas interior within our rooms at Safari Lodge added another dynamic which was rather exciting.
Madikwe Safari Lodge
Because of the size, you constantly felt that you were the only guests!
- I simply loved the boma dinner which was coupled with a star gazing lesson.
- Food in abundance and very good quality too!
- A definite visit for Bird lovers as they have 250 species which visit you often during meal times!
- Rooms are up, close and personal in relation to the wildlife & lush nature surrounding you.
- All have private plunge pools on the decks.
Tuningi Game Reserve
The size of the family rooms left me gasping! They were more like a luxurious villa.
- Herds of elephants visit their waterhole, which is at arm’s length away, leaving you captivated for hours.
- Luxurious large rooms provide a home away from home feel, with beautiful views into the bushveld.
- Little Tuningi is very private with its own private plunge pool (which is sometimes used as the Ellie’s waterhole!)
- The game experience was very exciting as we saw Leopard! The ranger was very passionate, and you walked away well informed about the wonders & mysteries of the African bush!
- They take great pride in their cuisine, which was presented flawlessly.
- They have unique children activities
Madikwe Hills Game Reserve
Peched up on a hill, this lodge was simply perfect!
- I simply loved the location as you are elevated so you get to view game passing by… really clearly too!
-The walkway is elevated and built around boulders where dassies reside. The luxurious rooms also incorporate the natural elements, so they blend in very well with the surroundings.
- Their large, well-designed boma was a highlight for me, as you could enjoy meals under the African stars, overlooking passing game.
- They have a host of activities for children from Marshmallow braais to bug finding… and more!
USA, Summer 2011
Following on from New York and California, Abi & Jim’s six week trip took them to Las Vegas, Arizona, Montana, Wyoming, Florida, Washington DC, Cape Cod and Boston. Below they detail their Top Ten Tips including some of their favourite stops along the way…
Favorite destination
Whilst the children of course loved Florida, for the family as a whole it’s hard to beat Wyoming, home to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks and all their wildlife and geothermal features. The Cowboy adventures focused around Jackson Hole including a ‘shoot em up’ and an authentic Rodeo alongside an excellent range of outdoor activities including river floats and rafting, downhill biking and hiking.
Favorite accommodation
Our Timber Log Home at Paws Up Ranch Resort in Montana was simply stunning whilst the Glamping options on site also combine luxury with unique style (Creekside Camp was our favourite in this category). However, our family duplex at Teton Mountain Lodge was also excellent for families, with an open plan kitchen and sitting room, balcony, bedroom and en-suite downstairs and children’s bedroom and bathroom accessed via spiral staircase.
Favorite Pool
Whilst the pool complexes at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Loews Portofino Bay at Universal Studios and South Seas Resort on Captiva Island, Florida, were very good, we found the facilities at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale an oasis in the desert, literally! excellent. In the Summer it is also the venue of ‘Dive in’ movies during the evening as it takes a while for the temperatures to drop.
Favorite Beach
The beaches of South West Florida around Naples, Sanibel and Captiva island in the Gulf of Mexico are delightful. Not so wide that it takes you 15 minutes to walk to the sea as often the case on the West Coast, warm (although temperature varies during the year) and a mecca for wildlife including birds (pelicans, ibis, osprey to name by a few) and great for those interested in shelling. Some areas are built up (such as Marco Island) whilst others are less so (including South Seas Resort on Captiva)
Enjoyable Dining
In terms of a view, it’s hard to beat the Restaurant at North Rim Lodge, Grand Canyon, perched on this world renowned precipice, or indeed grabbing a coffee and muffin and taking your place on the terrace at the Old Faithful inn in Yellowstone waiting for its namesake Geyser to erupt. However in terms of food quality this was a surprise. Once again the Hyatt Regency in Scottsdale came up trumps with some original fare cooked to perfection.
Most memorable ‘Sundowner’
It’s not always easy with a toddler in tow, but we achieved a few! Take the complimentary gondola from Teton village in Wyoming up the mountainside to an outdoor restaurant serving early evening drinks and bar snacks including delicious ‘sliders’ alongside the most incredible views. We even spotted Moose and Black bear on the descent.
Best Value
The Palomar Hotel (part of the Kimpton Hotel chain) in Washington DC not only offers excellent rates considering the location and quality, but tops that by holding complimentary wine tasting in the early evening (generous helpings of good quality) along side free milk and cookies for children at bed time. Further it often runs a programme offering complimentary Continental breakfast for 2 people per room (pastries and fruit in the main). Combine this with free museums and zoo thanks to the Smithsonian Institute and this really creates a good value City break.
Best Facilities for Families
South Seas Island Resort on Captiva has some great facilities for families, we couldn’t really think of any more! Several pools including 1 with some daredevil water slides and 2 with zero entry for toddlers, an America Diner style café serving pizza, ice cream and a dazzling array of sweets, an excellent indoor Play area (Skullys) for all age ranges where parents can hang out with their kids and take part in Arts & Crafts (off site activities also organised) plus access to Sea School and a Nature Centre – no Kids Club here, children are off on supervised trips kayaking with manatees before you know it! Oh yes, you can also do trampolining or take off down a giant bouncy slide.
Most surprising
Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson exceeded our expectations in terms of character and friendliness of the staff. Whilst temperatures were very hot during our visit, we still enjoyed a great stay. The riding tuition (learn ‘Western style’) was excellent and the scenery dramatic, with stunning sunsets over the Saguaro cactus forests enjoyed.
Most impressive
Again a pleasant surprise when we visited Boca Raton Resort just north of Miami in Florida. Guests have a choice of 5 locations including a sleek hotel right on the beach, but the original hotel was our favourite, restored to its turn of the century glory whilst incorporating clever contemporary design twists.
Maldives
Abi & Jim, February 2011
This was our second visit to the Maldives, to stay on a further 4 islands to add to the 5 previously explored. On first appearance, it may be difficult to see how the Maldivian islands differ, but they all have their own distinct flavour and advantages, so we can help ascertain the best option for you with relative ease.
On this occassion we visited Diva, a new Naiade property (Naiade have a selection of properties in Mauritius including Beau Rivage and Les Pavillons). This long island offers a fantastic stretch of beach front so that even the lead-in room types have superb locations, only steps from the Ocean. No Garden View rooms here! We were also impressed by the array of facilities and number of restaurants (with a surprisingly chic and modern style) and so it works well for longer stays of 10 – 14 nights due to access to this variety as well as touches like daily feeding of the manta rays and baby reef sharks which also sets it apart. All lead-in room types interconnect, so families can be guaranteed their own little thatched cottage with 2 x en-suite rooms. The Family Water Villas work in the same manner but over the water, great for those with able swimmers, whilst the new Water Villas at the far end of the island offer stunning arrangements for couples. Priced in reasonable range of the luxurious Mauritian Hotels, this hotel is persuading many to head to the Maldives instead for an even more ‘toe in sand’ experience.
We then sped across the Atol by boat, an amazing experience with flying fish alongside, to another new resort run by an established Mauritian brand, Constance Halaveli. A wonderful oasis, with the best Water Villas we have seen, including private plunge pools for those not wishing to delve in to the Ocean on their doorstop. Their 2-Storey Villas are also ideal for families, again with pools. This is a more intimate Resort, with not such a selection of dining outlets, but ideal for those seeking a quiet location and perhaps great for those seeking a combination with Diva. Look out for some great Pay 2 Stay 3 Offers…
Finally we visited the two Four Seasons Resorts, both contrasting but equally alluring in their own ways. Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru has the unique selling point of an excellent Marine Discovery Centre, staffed by Marine Biologists that also guide on client trips to enable visitors to make the most of the experience from swimming with whale sharks to snorkelling with mantas. You can also take party in their Coral Reef building project. When we visited local children were on a day trip, so their involvement in the local community is evident and commendable too. They have even built a football stadium on a nearby island in a ‘trade’ with locals to persuade them to stop eating Turtle eggs! We also loved the dense jungle on the island which was previously a Plantation and enjoying a sundowner at Blue’s on the ‘tip’, whilst watching the Hermit crab races was an unforgettable experience. All spacious villas have private pools, a definately plus in the tropical climate.
Four Seasons Kuda Huraa is located near to the mainland, so extremely convenient for those not wanting a long onward journey from Mahe. Its established gardens are delightful and full of colour. It has a lovely, intimate atmosphere and we would recommend as a great option for those travelling with under 5’s as it features an excellent Kids Club and this age eat free with their parents. Restrooms were stocked with nappies and wipes, the central pool gently shelved (and there is also a toddler pool), everything had been well thought out and babysitting was the most affordable we had come across in the Maldives.
South Africa
Chantal, June 2011
After recently venturing into the Cape Winelands region on search for the best hotels in the area, I was determined to find that one that stood out from the rest! One that offered a unique experience, within an amazing location.
It wasn’t long when I found myself being pleasantly surprised. I had found the gem! Delaire Graaff Estate Lodge & Spa which is one I now regard as the “Crème de la crème” choice for a Boutique hotel!
Situated on the highest point on the Helshoogte Pass between Franschoek & Stellenbosch, the location couldn’t get better than this. Driving into the Estate through their vineyards, was breathtaking. Here the magnificents of the Hottentots-Holland Mountains and the Simonsberg Nature Reserve are viewed from your doorstep.
A few unique features that stood out was the luxury Cinema room. Each room also has it’s own sun deck with sunloungers and a heated sparkling private infinity pool. I loved the State-of-the art Butler’s kitchen in each of the rooms which is serviced daily by the hotel.
Their relaxing & informative guided walks through their Vineyards coupled with winetasting will surely leave you wanting more of this slice of Heaven!
