Weddings and Honeymoons in Southern Africa
Entrepreneurial sisters Kerry & Clare set up their boutique travel consultancy, ‘Here’s
My Card’, specialising in Southern Africa in June last year.
They have created a niche in the market by providing a highly personalised service
which offers clients a totally unique experience to Southern Africa. They take care of
every aspect of the trip, creating individual itineraries taking into consideration
clients’ interests, needs pace and budget – reducing stress and ensuring you peace
of mind.
Kerry & Clare were born and brought up in South Africa and have spent years
travelling between their two homes in Cape Town and London. They have an in
depth knowledge of this vast and unparalleled country and have built relationships
with the leading hotels, boutique guest houses and safari lodges, which enable
them to offer clients a unique and unforgettable adventure. Kerry & Clare have
travelled widely and have a genuine passion for Southern Africa and conservation.
They have spent time gorilla trekking in Uganda and turtle tagging in Tanzania as
well as supporting both the NSPCC and The Gorilla Organization, for which they
recently raised money for by running 7km in a gorilla suit through the streets of
London!
Here’s My Card pride themselves on their attention to detail and remain client
focused when creating tailor made itineraries to Southern Africa. This boutique travel
agency is able to offer a ‘hands on approach’ by unlocking the hidden gems of this
magnificent country.
I sat down with the sisters and got the low down on Weddings and Honeymoons in
this magnificent part of the world….
What makes Southern Africa such a great place for honeymooning and for
weddings?
South Africa, as the largest country in Southern Africa, has been described as a
‘World in One Country’ and we think this statement is pretty apt. It is able to appeal
to many people on so many levels as it really is a multiple destination, offering
everything from fascinating cities, stunning beaches, incomparable bushveld for
safaris and the unique Winelands.
Within easy reach of South Africa lie the pristine archipelagos of the Seychelles,
Mozambique and Mauritius and the bordering countries of Namibia, Botswana and
Zambia, where you can experience such unique diversities as The Skeleton coast,
beautiful desert and mountain scenery, red shifting sand dunes, the Okavango Delta
and the mighty Victoria Falls on the Zambezi river.
Never mind incredible sights and incomparable vistas such as these, other elements
that make Southern Africa a desirable place to travel to are, the glorious weather,
value for money and the ease of travelling there (i.e. no jet lag and direct flights
from London). All in all, we feel that this is a totally unique destination with so much
variety.
What different options could you offer your clients who are getting married in SA?
There are many romantic and exotic places in SA to tie the knot. Here are just some
of those distinctive wedding options:
‘Cape Dutch Glamour’:
Tie the knot amongst the
towering oak trees, rolling vineyards and lush gardens, set
against the majestic backdrop of the mountains. Imagine
‘A Mid-Summer Night’s Dream’ setting…
‘African Chic’: Striking untamed landscapes, emotive
sights and sounds of the wilderness, and characteristically
dramatic skies. Dinner is laid in open air bomas, with soft
glowing lanterns in the trees and crackling fires…
‘Barefoot Beach’: Relaxed, intimate with hints
of sophistication. Think no shoes and feeling the sand
between your toes! Exchange barefoot vows on a
deserted island beach…
‘Villa Vista’: This option is for those wanting the privacy and
exclusivity of a home-based celebration. Personal
and intimate service for a smaller gathering of guests,
whether around the crystal swimming pool or amongst the roses in the garden…
Would SA appeal to all different types of people and ages?
Absolutely! SA has a wide appeal. We have had clients ranging in age from a
couple in their 60’s, to families with teenagers and babies, to young honeymoon
couples and large groups heading to SA for a wedding celebration.
Obviously it’s expensive for quests to come out to Africa for a wedding; would you
recommend that they make it a proper holiday and take in some of SA while they
are there? What would be an example of an itinerary you might be able to put
together for the bride and groom’s guests?
It can be costly travelling to SA and we recommend that guests make the most of
their time there. Depending on the wedding location itself, the key destinations and
attractions are: Big 5 safari, city and beach experience, the Cape Winelands,
Victoria Falls & also the Indian Ocean Islands.
Recently, we organised a group of guests who travelled from Sydney, Australia, to
attend a wedding in the Cape Winelands. We arranged an itinerary that included:
3 nights by the beach close to the pre-wedding activities; 3 nights in Stellenbosch,
the Cape Winelands; 5 nights in a private villa in Cape Town with a group of
friends and finally a 3 night safari in a stunning lodge in Sabi Sands, Kruger.
Similarly, we have also helped bridal couples themselves in post-wedding
honeymoons. This has, for example, included 2 weeks in Namibia and also
incorporated exclusive use of a private game lodge for 17 of their family and friends.
Everyone thinks of Safari when they think about SA. Tell us a bit more about safari
experiences and do they have to cost the earth?
There are 3 distinct areas in South Africa for safaris and a lot of people don’t know
that some areas are non-malarial where you are still able to see ‘The Big 5’.
The price differential often has to do with the lodge being located within a remote
private concession rather than a public park. Logistics can also put the price up,
which is understandable as you are experiencing something totally unique and you
are off the beaten track. Also, your cost is all-inclusive, 3 meals a day, all snacks,
local beverages, 2 game drives daily plus the on-hand expertise of the game
rangers. People forget to factor that all in sometimes.
We always seek out great offers and deals for our clients as we know that a safari is
expensive so, any extra savings we can make for them always goes down well! Most
clients understand that this is where they will be spending most of their budget and
they are willing to adjust their other choices accordingly.
What is the best time of year for a wedding or honeymoon in SA?
South Africa is a year-round destination and there is flexibility
when it comes to choice for example, Cape Town & The
Winelands are best experienced during the warmer months
which are Nov – April. On the flip side, the bush is good all
year round, with the summer months (Nov – Feb) being hotter
and wetter although the game is not as prevalent, whereas in
the winter months (June – Sept) are less expensive, cooler yet
with more game sightings, but this may restrict visits to
other locations, like, for example, Cape Town.
What are the highlights of SA that you would recommend?
Based on our own personal experience and to give people a taster of SA, some of
our favourite destinations include:
On Safari: We love sipping a gin & tonic as the big red African sun sets, surrounded
by the sights and sounds of the bush. Also, a favourite is ‘alfresco dining with a twist’
– imagine a roaring fire, lanterns in the trees and traditional live singing and dancing,
all under the African stars. Bird watching takes on a whole new meaning, never mind
quietly observing the Big 5 in their natural habitat. Tracking cheetah on foot is an
incomparable experience!
City/Beach: Cape Town is a ‘must-see’ as this city has so much to offer. We love the
adrenaline rush and feeling of accomplishment after hiking up Table Mountain or
Lion’s Head….the views at the top make it all worthwhile! Spend a day soaking up
the rays on our favourite beach, Llandudno, and perhaps venturing into the icy
Atlantic waters; if not, just listen to the crashing waves and watch in awe the daring
surfers. Grab a picnic and head to the famous botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch,
find a spot and listen to live music in the gardens.
Winelands: Lunch on the sweeping terrace at Tokara wine estate in Stellenbosch
overlooking the lush green vines and mountains is highly recommended. A different
way to experience wine tastings is on horseback! Soak up the atmosphere of
Franschhoek, literally ‘French Corner’, by mooching down the main street where you
will find quaint antique shops, craft markets and street side cafes…..or try your hand
at making chocolate
What about the danger factor in SA?
Unfortunately, SA does have a reputation but like any country, there are always risks.
We tell clients to behave using the same precautions and as anywhere to be ‘street
smart’. However, people are very friendly and there is excellent security everywhere
you go.
We also advise clients to take out comprehensive travel insurance and we provide
them with a ‘travel tips document’ full of advice and recommendations for their
trip.
What makes Here’s My Card different from all other travel agents?
Here’s My Card is a boutique consultancy specialising in designing truly unique
Sothern African itineraries, seeing them through from start to finish. We offer a
highly personalised and independent service based on first-hand experience,
knowledge and good relationships.
Here’s My Card takes you off the beaten track to discover the hidden gems of this
majestic and extraordinary place, leaving you with a truly unique and
unforgettable experience.
Our itineraries are exclusively created to meet individual interests, needs, pace and
price – thereby reducing stress and ensuring peace of mind.
We go the extra mile and where possible, even meet clients face-to-face in order to
build a rapport and get a better understanding of what they are looking for – a
typical agent does not offer this and more often than not , will not have the firsthand, and current experience that we have!
We will organise not only the accommodation, but also arrange any specialised
activities, such as helicopter trips, shark cage diving or even surf lessons. Our
personal experience means that we can recommend and book the best places to
eat and drink in the city! Owing to our strong relationships and good networks, we
can arrange anything from concert tickets, to a private cocktail party, be it in a
restaurant or even on a yacht! We understand what it takes to organise a
honeymoon or wedding and we aim to sustain the excitement whilst eliminating the
stresses and strains, and ensuring our clients a truly memorable and unforgettable
experience.
www.heresmycard.uk.com
www.theweddinggirl.co.uk