Major expansion planned for Western Cape hotel

A total of 56 new hotel rooms will be added to aha The Rex Hotel, in Knysna, with an expected completion date of November. The reception and foyer area will also be refurbished and relocated. A new pool and landscaped gardens will be added with most rooms overlooking the courtyard. A new restaurant will be open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Visit the aha stand at Indaba, ICCO 01.

Wilderness Safaris relaunches Botswana camp

Little Vumbura Camp has reopened in Wilderness Safaris’ private Vumbura Concession in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. The rooms in the six tents have been increased in size by 30% and also feature large windows. The family tent has also been increased by 30%. Other improvements include the extension of the bar area, which now includes a circular bar, and a new shaded pergola between the dining and lounge area. The main dining area now features new decking and free-standing furniture and a new fire deck.

For more information, visit the Wilderness Safaris stand ICCH 03.

Natural Selection expands its operations

Meno A Kwena Tented Camp

Natural Selection is a shareholder in the Meno a Kwena camp on the Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana. It also has a partnership with Uncharted Africa, affording utilisation of four camps in Botswana, and mobile expeditions.  The portfolio includes the upmarket Jack’s Camp. 

Many more concessions have been lined up and because camps are being kept simple, the period of construction is expected to be brief.  However, environmental assessment impact studies, which the operator sets great store by, will take time.

Particularly noteworthy is the East Caprivi development at Nkasa Rupara in Namibia, across from Botswana’s Linyanti Reserve. Here the company has secured a 200 000-ha concession. 

To find out more about Natural Selection’s plans, visit its stand, ICC K20. 

African Bush Camps upgrades Botswana camps

Khwai Leadwood Under Thatch moves to a new permanent location in the park on the Tsaro Concession in the Khwai Community Area this month. The four standard and two family chalets offer thatched accommodation and have private en-suite bathrooms. Khwai Tented Camp’s six tents have been upgraded to be more spacious and modern, with private bathrooms with running water. The tents are perched on wooden decking and overlook the lagoon.

To find out more, visit African Bush Camps exhibiting under the Atta stand, ODG 01.

Aha grows portfolio

Aha Hotels & Lodges has added aha Sefapane Lodges & Safaris in Phalaborwa, Limpopo. The property includes a river lodge, a main lodge and a tented camp. The river lodge comprises five rondavels, which accommodate a maximum of two guests. The main lodge is made up of the main house, which accommodates a maximum of eight guests. It includes a kitchen, two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a wooden deck veranda with additional outdoor lounge and dining room. There are also 30 rondavels with either twin or double beds, an en-suite bathroom and a kitchenette.

Visit aha at stand number ICCO 01.

Constitution Hill expands site

Constitution Hill has recently expanded its conference offering with the addition of the newly refurbished Women’s Jail Conference Room which has a maximum seating capacity of 140 people cinema style and 64 classroom style. It is set within the Women’s Jail Museum - part of the broader Constitution Hill Prison Complex. In addition, there are  smaller boardrooms fully fitted with state-of-the-art technology and seating for six to 14 people. The rates for the boardrooms are flexible and can be charged hourly, half day or full day.

For more visit the Constitution Hill stand DEC1D43.

Enhanced wildlife experience at Simbavati Hilltop Lodge

A repaired dam wall on Nhlaralumi River in front of Simbavati Hilltop Lodge in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, has led to increased wildlife activity in the area. The dam wall, which was destroyed in 2014, was repaired last year. It’s expected that the dam will have potential to attract game, especially during the drier winter months, enhancing the guest experience.

Find out more at the Simbavati Safari Lodges stand, ICC M20.

Upgrades for KwaZulu Natal lodges

Thonga Beach Lodge is undergoing refurbishments. All the rooms and bathrooms will be upgraded. The refurbishment is expected to be complete by the end of June. Isibindi Zulu Lodge is undergoing refurbishments with an expected completion date of the end of July. All the rooms and bathrooms will be upgraded.

For more information, visit the Isibindi stand, ICC F24.

Refurb for Serena Nairobi

The Nairobi Serena Hotel will undergo a two-phase expansion and refurbishment programme over an 18-month period that commenced on December 1. The refurbishment will include better function and meeting rooms and a new ballroom; a parking silo; reconfigured and upgraded guest rooms; a new floor of guest rooms; a new executive lounge and restaurant; a revamped hair salon and guest shop; improved infrastructure, security and front-of-house areas.

For more information, visit the Serena stand ICCF 23 E.

New-look Polana Mar wing open

The Polana Mar hotel has received a new look. Ten rooms have been added and the wing will offer 66 rooms - Prime, Executive and Prime Family - spread over three floors. Polana Mar will incorporate a Kids' Club with toys, movies and games to entertain young ones.

For more information, visit the Serena stand ICCF 23 E.

Hoyo Hoyo Safari lodge gets a makeover

Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge has just completed an upgrade of its main deck areas. Three thatched salas have views around the original lodge and offer sala dining set-ups. The rim-flow pool has been upgraded and now has an extended lower deck space.

For more information, visit the Extraordinary stand, P21.

Mabula Game Lodge upliftment programme continues

Mabula Game Lodge has completed the facelift of the lodge surrounds, with a new entrance and the introduction of paved pathways around the lodge. New composite flooring has been fitted in all main areas of the lodge and a new outdoor deck has been installed.

For more information, visit the Extraordinary stand, P21.

AM Lodge opens a new spa

AM Spa – Kruger, in Skukuza, Mpumalanga, opened in May. AM Spa – Kruger offers four treatment rooms and two outdoor treatment rooms as well as a manicure and pedicure bar and pool.

For more information, visit AM Lodge at stand number ICC010.