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An image of a couple walking out of the ocean hadn in hand. A headline reads: Feel the Love in the British Virgin Islands.

This Month in South African Tourism
North America

A group with drinks relaxing by the ocean.

Sustainable Tourism Spotlight: WOWZULU

For more than a decade, Bongiwe Mlangeni of Wow Zulu, has been dedicated to rural tourism and craft development in various regions of South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal province.

With WOWZULU, your clients can enjoy getting off the beaten track to have the experience of a lifetime in the heart of rural KwaZulu-Natal. These experiences provide a meaningful way for your clients to visit the warm heart of communities and make new friends whose lives are a fascinating fusion of traditional and contemporary. They can get active, have an adventure, learn a brand-new skill, hear authentic stories, and enjoy a taste of local cuisine.

Bongiwe holds the position of Program Leader for the WOWZULU Sustainable Tourism project, which is an Africa!Ignite initiative. Additionally, she takes charge of the craft pillar, which provides support to a large group of over 1,000 crafters. These skilled artisans create premium-quality products catering to both local tourists and international markets. For example, one of the unique crafting experiences your clients can enjoy takes place is in the hills above Inanda or in Isandlwana Village, where master bead workers will teach them to create their own beaded 'Zulu love letter', to get a fun and authentic taste of local culture.

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A couple standing hand in hand by the ocean.

Whale Heritage Site Designation

South Africa's stunning Plettenberg Bay has recently been certified as an official Whale Heritage Site (WHS), one of only three in South Africa to obtain the status, and one of only seven fully accredited WHS designations worldwide.

Plettenberg Bay is situated between two Marine Protected Areas (Tsitsikamma and Robberg) on the Garden Route. It supports diverse ocean wildlife, including Humpback whales, Southern Right whales, Bryde's whales, Killer whales (Orcas) and Indo-Pacific Bottlenose dolphins.

The WHS program is an initiative created by the World Cetacean Alliance, and currently runs in partnership with World Animal Protection, to formally recognize and accredit destinations around the world that support and demonstrate the importance of cetaceans and their ocean habitats. These sites empower and defend the right of local communities to care for and protect whales, dolphins, and porpoises through a collaborative management partnership.

They showcase an entire community and their relationship with the ocean by encouraging respectful human-cetacean coexistence – celebrating cetaceans in local culture, arts, and events; supporting local economic and environmental sustainability; and developing locally based science, research and education.

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A pair of rhinos during sunset.

New Eco-Luxe Tented Camp

Immerse your clients in the captivating allure of Samara Karoo Reserve with a new eco-luxe tented camp located in the scenic expanse of the Eastern Cape's Great Karoo region.

The enchanting Plains Camp is Samara Karoo Reserve's latest addition, crafted for your most intrepid explorer clients. This new camp, situated in the southern reaches of the reserve and nestled against a gentle hill with majestic mountain vistas, embraces an atmosphere of tranquility, ensuring uninterrupted seclusion and a sanctuary free from light intrusion.

This is an off-grid experience with spellbinding views focusing on walking safaris and reconnecting with nature in elegant simplicity.

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A street full of colorful homes.

Experience of the Month: Faeeza's Home Kitchen

Faeeza's home is nestled on the corner of a courtyard in the heart of Cape Town's colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood, which is considered the historical center of Cape Malay culture. Faeeza's Home Kitchen is where travelers come to experience her passion for food, her culture, her life journey, and stories... all while learning about authentic Cape Malay cuisine.

Faeeza grew up in Bo-Kaap eating the delicious Cape Malay Dishes her mother used to cook. Her professional journey with cooking and catering began when she opened a sandwich kiosk at the University of Cape Town, and 25 years later she was asked to organize cooking classes for local and international tourists. "I love interacting with people from all over the world and live out my passion for food!" said Faeeza, "Malay food is not just a recipe; it is a culinary experience that will change the way you think of food forever. We offer more than food; we offer a Bo-Kaap cultural experience."

Cooking classes at Faeeza's Home Kitchen are fully interactive. Your clients can learn to roll rotis, fry chili bites, cook curry, and will be wrapping samosas in no time. Tours that blend food with the local Bo-Kaap culture are also available.

Discover Faeeza's
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Hidden Gems of South Africa

Last month South African Tourism North America presented Hidden Gems of South Africa as a webinar. If you missed the session, click the link below to view the recording and download the workbook.

In this session, we bring together a collection of some of South Africa's most exciting hidden gems straight from Africa's Travel Indaba 2023.

Africa's Travel Indaba is the largest travel trade show on the African Continent, taking place each May in Durban, South Africa. This year, we recorded Indaba's popular Speed Marketing sessions, and broadcast them in a fun and fast-paced format.

In this session you will hear from several products that probably haven't been on your radar yet, including fantastic off-the-beaten track regions, properties and experiences, highly impactful community-based tourism experiences, and sustainable wildlife adventures. By supporting local tourism enterprises, you can be sure to maximize the impact of your clients' tourism dollars in South Africa.

View the Recording
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