Welcome to the 2nd issue of our Newsletter, bringing you good wishes across the miles plus the latest news from KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa.  Traditionally, Zulu love letters are messages woven in beads by Zulu maidens and sent as symbols of love or affection.  Each colour means something – white for purity, black for missing you, green for pining and red for love.

Ethos Marketing is very proud to represent 6 fantastic properties in KwaZulu-Natal that compliment each other perfectly.   This portfolio includes Cathedral Peak Hotel in the Drakensberg Mountains, Fordoun Hotel & Spa on the Midlands Meander, Isandlwana Lodge in the Battlefields, Ghost Mountain Inn on the Elephant Coast, and two very different safari experiences in Zululand at Amakhosi Lodge and Pakamisa Private Game Reserve.  Click on the links to visit our website for useful fact sheets, the latest newsletters and press releases and each property’s high res image gallery – plus an itinerary suggestion combining them all for the ultimate KZN experience!

Just in case you missed it… read all about how local guide Dalton from Isandlwana met HRH Prince Charles on a dream trip to Wales last month!  http://www.ethosmarketing.co.uk/zulu-meets-prince-charles/

Also hot off the press – new General Manager, Nicholas Cronning, starts this month, bringing a wealth of experience!

There is a fantastic new map available showing all the key sites on The Battlefields Route website:
http://www.battlefields-route.co.za/images/map_large.jpg.  (Isandlwana is no. 21 on the map)

Isandlwana Lodge has announced their Festive Season Getaway package valid from 1st December 2010 till 10 January 2011.  The rate is just R1,120 per person including all meals (NETT).  For details see the festive flyer on http://www.ethosmarketing.co.uk/isandlwana-festive-package/.  The staff go all out to assure guests of an unusual and special Festive Season. This may include a scrumptious Christmas Eve dinner, a fabulous brunch on Christmas Day after the candy run, a fireworks display on New Year’s Eve, entertainment from a Zulu dance team, fascinating battlefield tours or a visit to the local village where you will have a chance to meet the most hospitable Zulus. All activities and events are planned with the utmost care and will be sure to please all who participate!  One particularly special and memorable highlight of a Christmas stay at Isandlwana is the Annual Candy Run to the local Zulu village on Christmas morning.  This tradition was started at the lodge in 2002 and is enjoyed by guests and staff alike, as guest often remark afterwards – it encompasses “What Christmas is all about”.  The faces say it all really….

Ghost Mountain Inn is situated at the foot of the legendary Ghost Mountain and is undoubtedly Zululand’s finest Country Inn.  This 4-star family owned and run hotel boasts 50 elegant rooms with private patios leading on to extensive gardens.

So much is happening at Ghost Mountain Inn at the moment!  Thanks to its recent refurb, the property is looking fantastic and is getting some rave reviews.  Do yourself a favour and check out their new images to see the changes –

http://gallery.ethosmarketing.co.uk/gallery/GHOST-MOUNTAIN-INN but to be honest,  “seeing is believing” so if you would like us to set up a site inspection/stay when you are next in Zululand, please let us know!

But it is not just the new facilities and tasteful furnishings that are outstanding!  Read this tripadvisor review to hear a little of how the GMI staff go WAY beyond the call of duty for guests… including sandwiches being conjured up in record time in the middle of the night by the Night Manager – and the bar tender handing out his mobile number to assist guests exploring the local town of Mkuze!

“Awesome Place… Very Genuine and Friendly Staff!! Being in the tourism business ourselves, we love to observe staff providing service, their body language, interactions with guests, etc. I must say what we observed was truly amazing compared to other places we stayed during our visit to South Africa”.   For the full review please visit…
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g312602-d651051-r67036423-Ghost_Mountain_Inn-Mkuze_KwaZulu_Natal.html

BOAT & SPA 2-NIGHT PACKAGE

2 night’s B&B and one complimentary dinner.
A Boat Cruise on Lake Jozini
30-minute Back and Neck Massage.

Rates start from an incredible R1885 per person sharing for both nights.  Valid until 31 October 2010.

SPECIAL OFFER:  Children under 12 stay FREE when sharing with 2 Adults in UK summer holidays 2010 and 2011.
Children aged 13 – 16 pay just R250 per night Bed and Breakfast.  Both the Garden rooms and the Suite offer comfortable pull out sofas for children.  Single rooms are not ideal for sharing with children as space is more limited.  Ghost Mountain makes its youngest visitors feel welcome with Kids sheets on the beds, a Kiddies Menu, a playground and a games room with snooker and darts for older kids.  Children are welcome to join safaris and boat trips and resident guide Jean will arrange Grubby Bug walks for the kids, where they go on an ‘insect safari’.  Baby sitting facilities are available.

Please become a fan of Ghost Mountain’s Facebook group for the latest news and special offers http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mkuze-South-Africa/Ghost-Mountain-Inn/209715462395

Situated on top of Pakamisa Mountain, this exclusive lodge offers spectacular views over the malaria-free private game reserve. Each of the eight spacious suites opens out onto a large veranda. Pakamisa is home to a magnificent Arab Stud and guests, be they well experienced riders or first-timers, are encouraged to take the well-trained horses out for guided riding safaris – the best way to get up close and personal to the local wildlife!   Other activities include game-drives, bush walks, birding, archery, clay target shooting or just relaxing around the pool.

All children are welcome, but Pakamisa is best suited to “horse crazy” children over the age of 8 years. A wide choice of activities to keep both children and teens busy includes:

Fun cooking lessons in the bush – children can learn to bake their own muffin or help prepare an exciting dinner in the bush for their parents!
Guided safaris and bush games to teach children about animal behaviour and identify their tracksFun Lessons to improve their riding skills as well as teach children about Grooming, Tack care, Outrides and Vaulting – spend many hours around the horses, always supervised by qualified staff.
Teenage riding weeks are available for teens aged 12 – 16years.

Pakamisa has some great offers available for last minute bookings (take the kids on a riding adventure quick before the summer holidays finish!) – or take advantage of their “Beat the Bunny” offer – valid until just before Easter 2011.  Kids also stay free during the 2011 UK summer holidays for those that like to plan ahead :o )

Pay 2 – stay 3

Valid until March 2011, excluding the Christmas period (20 Dec 2010 – 06 Jan 2011)

Honeymooners also get a complimentary bottle of Sparkling wine in the room, flower arrangement, CD player, special Honeymoon amenities in Bathroom, and on request – “private & romantic”  Dinner on the Veranda or Bush Breakfast (weather permitting).

ONE CHILD STAYS FREE IN UK SCHOOL SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2010 & 2011

Valid during the UK SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2010 and 2011, when sharing with 2 adults, ONE CHILD under age 14 year stays free.   Children of all ages are welcome and Pakamisa offers Game Drives & Bush walks specifically geared for smaller ones.  Other fun activities include an Animal Trekking course, Cooking classes with chef Sonto (make your own muffin!) and Horse grooming competitions.

We would like to welcome the new management couple at Amakhosi Safari Lodge  – Ryan Fulton and Karen Twine who have replaced Alwyn and Sonja Wentzel after 8 years of dedicated service.  For the introduction please visit http://www.ethosmarketing.co.uk/amakhosi-management-team/

Amakhosi Safari Lodge is a 5-star boutique lodge located in 12,000 ha of Big Five private game reserve in Zululand.  Hugging the banks of the Mkuze River, the lodge offers just 6 luxurious River Suites and 2 Umntwana honeymoon Suites.  Facilities include a swimming pool, library, curio shop, dining room, lounge and bar.  Activities include “Big 5” guided game drives and walks – plus you can try your hand at a “frogging safari” or enjoy a micro safari in search of bugs and creepy crawlies.

KIDS STAY FREE IN UK SCHOOL SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2010 & 2011

Valid for children 12 years and younger, during the UK SUMMER HOLIDAYS 2010 and 2011, when sharing with 2 adults in one of the 2 luxury family river suites (only 2 family suites are available ensuring children are limited to 4 at any given time).

Special kiddie meals and times are catered for and babysitters are available for children under the age of 8 years during scheduled morning and afternoon game drives.  Kids over the age of 3 will love joining in the Amakhosi Little Explorers Children’s Programme aimed at entertaining them and educating them about the wildlife and local culture.  For more information please visit http://www.ethosmarketing.co.uk/amakhosi-little-explorers/

Stay 3 nights  – and one person only pays 50% on their 3RD night.

Valid until 15 April 2011 excluding the long weekends of 7 – 9 Aug 2010, 24 – 26 Sept 2010 and 18 – 21 March 2011 as well as excluding the December festive season 16 Dec to 10 Jan 2011.

One of South Africa’s premier family resorts, this family-owned hotel has been newly refurbished to a 4 star standard and boasts stunning grounds with some of the best views of the famous Drakensberg mountains.  Loads of activities for the whole family include hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, tennis, squash, bowls, 9-hole golf course, heated and cold swimming pools, fly fishing, quad biking, helicopter sightseeing and lots more.

FAMILY OFFER:  9 June –31 August 2010

Book a minimum of 3 nights and receive your normal STO rates
PLUS a further 10% discount to pass on to your clients.
PLUS all children receive FREE Li’l Peakers T-Shirt and activity pack
PLUS all children’s activities free (excluding motorised activities)
Terms & conditions apply.  Only for new bookings of a minimum 3-night stay, for arrivals between 9 June and 31 August 2010 only.

BEST BERG SPECIAL:  1 August – 8 September 2010

Stay 3 nights & receive 20% discount

Stay 4 nights & receive 25% discount

Excludes peak periods. Minimum 3 or 4 night stay.  Commission is 10%.

Fordoun is an oasis of relaxation and sensory bliss on the popular Nottingham Road section of the Midlands Meander. This five star Boutique Hotel boasts luxuriously appointed rooms, friendly service and a superior fine dining restaurant. In addition to the extensive range of Elemis/ Africology treatments on offer at the spa, guests can also have a consultation with Dr Elliot Ndlovu – herbalist, ethno-botanist and the country’s leading expert on Zulu traditional healing and indigenous plants.  In addition to being a Sangoma (Spiritual Healer) and Inyanga (Medicinal Healer), Elliot also offers cultural tours to his rural Kamberg village.

Fordoun is proud to announce their recent awards:

AA Travel Guides Gold Achiever 2010 Award

House and Leisure Best Spa in the House

2009 Leisure/Visa Best of SA competition

PAY 2 – STAY 3

Valid till 15 April 2011 – excluding the Christmas period 15 Dec 2010 – 15 Jan 2011.
Special is based on staying in a luxury room, with a free upgrade subject to availability.
Honeymooners receive sparkling wine on arrival, special turndown, and a turndown gift.