We can hardly believe it ourselves, but it was 10 years ago today that we launched Baobab Travel. Initially it was a dream that started with a strong love for Africa and a desire to make a difference. Even if that difference was only small. Baobab Travel, as an UK-based tour operator, started with only … Continue reading »
When we started selling holidays ten years ago, we soon realised that the industry could be responsible for large amounts of paper and print consumption. Travel brochures, booking forms, pre-departure information packs, and booking receipts were all going out by post to people around the world. The printer was churning away all day long. We … Continue reading »
BAOBAB Travel has been involved with Dalukhanyo pre-school in Langa, one of the oldest townships near Cape Town, for a number of years now. Many of the working women are single mums and need a safe environment for their children during working hours. Dalukhanyo is one of the few nursery facilities in Langa and fills … Continue reading »
Earlier this month (July 2011) the Cape West Coast Trails were launched within the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve (CWCBR). The CWCBR, with the West Coast National Park at its centre, is one of the 6 UNESCO recognised Biosphere Reserves in South Africa. Paul and I were invited to explore the brand new Darling Stagger, … Continue reading »
Looking at a map of the world it is easy to miss the relatively small triangle of land that forms the Sinai Peninsula. Yet the region, lying symbolically at the rough centre of the world, is perhaps one of the most important land masses on earth. It forms a land bridge between the continents of … Continue reading »
When BAOBAB Travel was launched nearly 10 years ago, we were one of the first travel companies in the UK and probably in Western Europe to dedicate our business fully to sustainability. Coming from an environmental background, sustainability was the logical step and to be honest the only basis I was willing to run a … Continue reading »
Having moved to the Cape Peninsula some years ago, we regularly get visitors from Europe who stay with us and wonder at the local wildlife. Whales, penguins, ostriches and….baboons! Driving along the coastal road past Simon’s Town and on to Cape Point, it is almost impossible not to encounter the Peninsula’s infamous Chacma baboons. In … Continue reading »
When I read this blog earlier this week on the Local Travel Movement blog, I was extremely keen to be able to post it here as well. It is the kind of “food for thought” we need to get valuable discussions going within the Responsible Tourism movement. Thank you Kate from the Responsible Safari Company … Continue reading »
You set sail for Chole island’s mangrove-lined shores, and as the first treehouses hove into view, the last vestiges of the 21st Century recede: no roads, no cars, no electricity, no computers, no mobile phones. Just a star-filled sky, flickering candles, superb food, great company, and the timeless luxuries of space, privacy, and utter peace. … Continue reading »
You cannot call a quick drive through the township a cultural experience – you have to participate and not just be a spectator. So say Knysna Tourism in their promotional material for the Living Local programme in this area of the Garden Route. Liesel and I decided to find out for ourselves and drove the … Continue reading »
So you have visited Cape Town and spent time on the Peninsula and at V&A Waterfront. You have seen the view from the top of Table Mountain and sampled the city life along Long Street. If you are like most tourists, your next stop will be Hermanus for whales and sharks or travel on further … Continue reading »
