How can you maximize your budget while travelling

Traveling is always at the list of our common activities, be it personal or professional. It is what makes our lives tick sometimes, especially when we travel for vacation reasons.

Surely, a change of environment for a while is always a good thing for us, and probably no one prefers to be a statue in one area. Occasionally or even regularly, we want to explore, see different people, and be in an unusual atmosphere while experiencing change.

Now, what happens if we travel on a low budget? Is it possible to have fun and turbo-charge your recreational experience while running low on cash?

Absolutely, yes, depending on where you are traveling.

Casambo Lodge offers multiple options for visitors to have the most out of their least budgets.

      Free Activities & Resources

It’s always a fact that most visitors are looking for entertainment wherever they travel to. However, fun can be costly at times. Which is why it’s a safe bet to capitalize on both free activities and resources if your budget is too tight.

At Casambo we have solid entertainment that can elevate your stay. We have live performances from underground to commercial artists. Whether, its music (live singing and jam sessions), recited poems, or performance arts, it’s all packed for our visitors at no cost.

It is simply advisable for our guests to check out our events calendar for upcoming entertainment. This will help them match their traveling dates with those future events.

Additionally, if you are an internet addict or use it for work purposes, Casambo is the home for you. We minimize our visitor’s internet costs by providing free, uncapped Wi-Fi. So even if your budget is narrow, our lodge can help maximize it.

       Self-Catering

Fancy hotel meals can drown your pocket if you are not prepared. Sometimes, you’d even find that you don’t need some these meals, but because you paid you feel obliged to eat.

Well, there’s a better option for you.

Self-catering is always a good resort to minimize the costs of your vacation. It’s your privilege because some of our accommodation rooms are equipped for this cost-efficient service.

We provide visitors self-catering facilities such as; secluded kitchen with its kitchenware, stoves, microwaves, and braai facilities. This not only saves their budget but it also gives them a sense of home in their luxurious private apartments. Allowing them to prepare and eat the meals of their choice

       Well-Centered Location

Furthermore, the context of your vacation is king, therefore, it can either save your budget or shrink it to none.

So for better odds of maximizing your capital is to find a well-centered location. A place where there’s an abundance of infrastructure like; shopping centers, banks, airport, car hire/public transports.

This will help you eliminate the stress of travelling a long distance from the airport or whenever you need an arcade. Such benefits can reduce fuel costs as well as taxi fares.

It’s even a bigger save if you can use public transport.

Fortunately, Casambo is coupled with easy access to all those travelling essentials, including places of attractions. Our lodge is within proximity to the main highways, Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, Lowveld Botanical Garden, malls, and shopping centers.

Therefore, our guests have the luxury of inexpensive access to vacation infrastructure which profits their budget.    

   

Have a memorable stay at Da Village Villas

Enjoy your indoor and outdoor stay and give yourself time to yourself at Da Village Villas in Kwa-Mhlanga. The lodge offers you meals for the whole day, breakfast, lunch, and dinner that will take your breath away.
We are three months away from closing the 2019 year. You owe it to yourself to do all things you. Spoil and pamper yourself after a long year of hard work and dealing with all sorts of problems.












You will be able to take your adventure further by visiting the Ndebele Cultural Village, where you will learn about the Ndebele culture as they still uphold culture and tradition strongly. For example, male children are taken to the bushes to learn about the Ndebele culture for two months. They get circumcised as they get initiated into manhood. The buildings are painted and decorated into all sorts of colors with patterns. This is part of the Ndebele culture.



The conference room which accommodates 72 people. It has a projector to connect your computer, sound system. a whiteboard, tea in the morning and afternoon, air-conditioning. It cannot get any professional than this.

We offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner in our restaurant. The staff is well trained to prepare meals for any occasion such as parties, weddings, formal functions and many more.
your visit to Da Village Villas will also give you an experience you will never forget. You will get to explore sightseeing, game drive, bush walks and sunset boat cruises.

Choose Da Village Villas for your holiday or business stay and you won't have any regrets.

For more information, you can contact the following or bookings.

081 319 0490
087 150 5479
email: reservations@davillagevillas.co.za

Casambo Jam Session – Sunday, 30 June 2019

Sunday the 30 June 2019 saw another incredible installment of the Casambo Jam Session. The festivities were really a marvel to watch and witness. The number of talented artists involved in this latest production was really phenomenal.

The initial purpose of the jam sessions consisted of Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge wanting to provide a wonderful platform for upcoming artists to showcase their talent. Music is an international language, one that doesn't discriminate and bring people together. The ambiance in the air when people are enjoying the sweet sounds of fellow talented artists is unrivaled. Family, friends and loved ones gathered to share an experience of a lifetime that you had to be there to enjoy.

Time and time again the great line-up of live music, good food, drink specials and so much more has proved to be a winning recipe for the Casambo Jam Sessions. It has also upheld the standard of it is a popular way to spend a relaxing afternoon with friends and family. The jam sessions also help city dwellers unwind and rejuvenate from the long hard week.

Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge is an appropriate venue to host this initiative. In addition to the fun experience, the lodge will make sure that your visit and support is never in vain. They believe in the power that is in encouraging talents to make use of platforms to grow and nurture their gifts. The Jam Session is a great example. This is their form of giving back as appreciation to the support they receive from customers.

The Jam session that took place Sunday, 30^th June 2019 to wrap up Youth Month couldn’t have been a better display of the array of talent Mbombela has to offer. Casambo is constantly looking for ways to make sure that they have happy clients. This also extend the heart of their work, they have a love for what they do and so they show it in initiatives such as the Jam Session. It is amazing how Casambo has taken to themselves to really do community work and services in such a manner. Such initiatives build the future of our country, they enlarge closed territories and do some amazing work in encouraging people to expose their gifts and talents. The future is bright because of such initiatives.

Gear up for the Mbombela Jazz Festival

The Mbombela Jazz festival is a must markup on the Mpumalanga entertainment Calendar. The much anticipated 3^rd annual Mbombela jazz festival is drawing to a close and in case you were thinking of planning for it much later, then redirect your thoughts. The festival promises to be a serious turn-up and those in tune are already gearing up for it.

The festival is planned from the 7^{th of} September and will be jam-packed with beautiful music from both local and international artists.  The workshop program will be from the 4^th September and promises to be a cultural feast with topics on fashion and music.

Various artists will be hitting the stage and taking the audience on a beautiful musical journey one of the anticipated performances include Syleena Johnson from the USA who will be performing on the 7^th September. Definitely, something to look forward too.

Mpumalanga is popularly known for its great natural scenery and for the Kruger National Park. Your Mbombela Jazz Festival experience can carry more weight with the overall tour experience of the Province.

Things to consider for a successful experience

1.       Tours and Transfer Agent

2.       Accommodation

3.       Tourist Attractions

Given the above in consideration, you will be able to have a very nice overall experience that will allow you the beauty of the Jazz Festival and Mpumalanga.

Guaranteed that multitudes of people will be making their ways to Mpumalanga for an all-around jazz affair, make sure that your travel is as pleasant as possible. Planning ahead really takes off the urge of unseen circumstances, it really allows you to be present for every moment. Your overall experience is dependent on how well you plan for it.

Take it upon yourself to make sure that you secure yourself a beautiful encounter with the jazz festival but also with Mpumalanga. With a lot of things to explore, make sure you don’t miss any moment. Your trip could be convenient from the pick-up point to your destination point.

Mpumalanga is taking into consideration the influx of people who will be flooding the province during this time and businesses are coming to the party with specials to give you the best experience as a token of appreciation. Be in the lookout and make the right choice.

In Closing

Make your experience the best ever and plan ahead, gear up for a once in a lifetime experience. Make sure that all that needs to be prepared is done, so that you take in everything that Mbombela Jazz festival has to offer. In case you are still planning to be part of the festival, your trip can be simplified with the tour and transfer services.

The festival can you give you more reasons to explore Mpumalanga and take in the beauty that makes it up. Take advantage of the vibe and enjoy more that Mpumalanga has to offer. The festival is such a beautiful excuse to add in more experience and appreciate Mpumalanga. 

4 Reasons Why KwaMhlanga Is the Heart Beat of KwaNdebele

4 Reasons Why KwaMhlanga Is the Heart Beat of KwaNdebele

Tumiso Setladi

KwaMhlanga is located in the North Western Region of Mpumalanga. It is the hub of KwaNdebele and the spirit home of the Ndebele people. It is now the administrative center for the Thembisile Hani local Municipality and the residence house of the government administration. Thembislile Hani local Municipality governs this great city and does all that it takes to put it on a nationally recognized platform. This generates a lot of incoming from people in the surrounding areas and even beyond.  According to Statistics South Africa there’s a rapid growth in population and this regulates visits which triggers a lot of entrepreneurial activities that stems businesses and tourist attractions. Here’s why you would want to visit the area:

1.       Business

KwaMhlanga generates 14, 5% to the South Africa’s GDPR, according to Statistics SA conducted in 2012. It has one of the biggest shopping complex with big stores such as Shoprite and many more.  Now this constitutes to it welcoming multitudes of people who come for shopping purposes. For this reason and others mentioned in the intro, the city is popular for generating business. Some of the Ndebele arts and traditional attires are sold as a strong entrepreneurial activity and the youth of KwaMhlanga really capitalize on that. Development on business structures are also growing to increase the level of employment in the area. One such development is the Phola Mall that was recently build and is successfully running and slowly becoming a hot spot for retail and business purposes.

2.       Accommodation

Accommodation is big in this area and the town takes pride in providing efficient guest houses and lodges that lets the visitor experience the feel of the Ndebele culture.

DaVillage Villas comes highly recommended as one of the best ranked accommodations. This luxurious 4 star lodge strives in giving quiet accommodation surrounded by nature and views that will blow you away.

 Their restaurant offers a variety of dishes that will leave you fully fed. It comes with beautiful gardening that is excellent for hosting outdoors entertainment. Their security sure keeps one safe guarded and the bar area is great for entertainment. The air conditioner and DSTV connection will leave you feeling right at home. They have Wi-Fi connection that will allow you to connect to the internet and also share your experiences with your social media following.

They also offer a conference room for that is available for meetings when visit the area for business. The conference room is equipped with necessary facilities that will make for smooth and professional presentation.

They pride themselves in a more comfortable and memorable experience that will leave you coming for more. Their accommodation service goes beyond just you coming to sleep, they extend to making sure you feel right at home and are able to do other things like entertainment and business.

3.       Tourist Attractions

The Ndebele people pride themselves with their colorful attire and house painted designs that really sets them apart. The Manala Royal Kraal and Ndzundzu Mabhoko Royal Kraal are best known for such exhibitions. Both are located in the North of KwaMhlanga and will take you on a cultural feast. Bookings are made in advance to experience these cultural joy. Here you will be exposed to the culture at best.

Dr. Esther Mahlangu, who is basically a national treasure, is resonance to the Ndebele culture with some of her artwork that resembles the Ndebele heritage. She is celebrated all over the world and is the pride and joy of this Ndebele city. Her mural design patterns influences most of the designs you will experience on homesteads along the area which are a joy to watch.

4.       Entertainment

People in kwaMhlanga are big on social events and so there’s never a dull moment in the city. Regular social events happen as a source of entertainment and this allows one to feel like they belong.

With the growing amount of visitors, the town knows how to get the party started. You wouldn’t run short of fun activities to do in this area. The annual Spin Fiesta is really a crowd puller, luring over thousands of people for the showcase. It is the biggest spinning and drifting event in the region. It is usually hosted at the KwaMhlanga Showgrounds and it is growing by the years. Kwamhlanga Showgrounds also hosts regular events that exposes visitors to a lot of huge celebrities in the country with their social events.

KwaNdebele Beer Fest also come to play when it comes to entertainment. KwaMhlanga is the proud host of this social event and it is one that get people talking about the town. This events brings you a wide range of breweries all over South Africa. Visit the KwaNdebele Beer Fest page for more information on this events.

The Solomon Mahlangu Stadium is also big on hosting major social events and also a positive influence on the sports and recreational sector.

And what is a ‘Kasi’ without a ‘Shisa Nyama’ hot spot. The Rosh Shisa Nyama and Car Wash is extremely popular for social events and a great spot to eat out Kasi style. It pulls crowds from as far as Limpopo and Gauteng. The party never stops in KwaMhlanga.

In conclusion

 With all that said, it is quite evident that this city is promising in growth to the socio- economical sector and is best fitted to get your high hopes met. Now that you know how it feels like in theory, take your time to visit the web pages of the areas mentioned in the article to make bookings so that you can enjoy all that the city has to offer. You will sure experience all that comes with the beauty of the Ndebele culture and this will be a regular place to visit for all that you hope to get in a city. Take pleasure in experiencing a different culture and visit KwaMhlanga for a cultural experience of a life time.

How to deal with off-season emptiness at your hotel

Whether it's a rush of leaf-peeping tourists in autumn or a fast-ringing register during the December holidays, seasonal businesses such as guesthouses or hotels are often faced with the challenge of generating a year's revenue in just a few months. But there are some ways to keep the cash coming in all year 'round.

Unfortunately, like the saying goes 'a closed mouth don't get fed'. To keep the money coming in, even after the key season has passed, something has to give. This means thinking creatively, learn more about the need of your customers and testing out new ideas.

Here are a few ideas to build into your hospitality marketing strategies to deal with off-season emptiness.

1) Adopt a discount policy

People love discounts and the perception of a “good deal” will definitely help your business to be taken more into account. It is possible to target a specific consumer type as well as to opt for specific categories (senior discounts, group discounts, etc.). Or you can also put the discount promotion, for example, into one of the restaurants in the city you know the owner. Another possibility is to link the discount promotion to social media: for example, 5%-10% discount for those who share a promotional post on Facebook or tag the brand name in a photo on Instagram.

2) Use local activities and events

During the low occupancy period, it is important for your business to generate more requests. You can use local activities and events as a marketing opportunity to attract more guests. So take note of concerts, parties, fairs, marathons, and parades in the area. You could also create a special promotion implying a discount for anyone who will be present at the event or make a partnership with the sponsors.

3) Create special packages

Increase your customer base by creating special packages to attract guests. It can be the “Valentine package”, “family package”, “couple package” or whatever you like … Make room for your fantasy! You may want to include in the package a gift basket, a room decorated with rose petals and free drinks, such as wine or champagne, etc. These actions will surely be of great value to the business. Not only will it bring joy and satisfaction to the customers, but it will also be a great way of promoting you! With this marketing strategy, your business can also set a higher price in exchange for the customer experience.

4) Retain customers

The customer loyalty program will help you increase your hotel’s occupation, creating an even stronger relationship with your regular customers. For example, you could send personal e-mails with a special discount.

It is wrongly believed, in fact, that people don’t check e-mail promotions. Be sure they do it! Just think that current email service providers differentiate primary mail from the one containing promotional e-mails.

And many read the marketing-promotional section only to check the discount offered by the website or newsletter to which they are subscribed!

In a few words: never forget to get the mail address of your guests when they are checking in.

5) Promote your business to a local business

Did you know that you can increase the flow of your hotel guests by promoting it to a local company for their events, such as business seminars and meetings? As you know, such events are conducted with so many guests and consequently, they are very profitable because probably the company will book many rooms at a time.

Also, keep in mind that some business events are repeated every year, so it can become the source of a safer income!

These simple marketing strategies can prove to be very effective in helping your business reach a broader market and increase employment.

6) Look to major destination events

Compile a list of any major landmark milestones or groundbreaking events that your popular attractions are celebrating during that time. If a major attraction is celebrating an anniversary, approach them to be their official host hotel for the event. You’ll usually have to pay-to-play for this type of partnership, but you’ll get massive exposure with an exclusive link on their website and other marketing collateral promoting the event. Amp up your value even more by offering an incentive to book with your hotel, such as a free ride to get to the event. Or, another form of complimentary transportation to/from. This type of partnership is competitive, so act quickly before other hotels nab the ‘official’ spot.

7) Leverage smaller, but still popular, local events

Restaurant weeks, festivals, marathons, parades, state fairs. Pull together a list of events that would attract your target market and fall during your slow period. Work out a special deal just for attendees, like a discount when they show you their ticket stub upon checkout. Work with the event organizers for additional placement on their marketing materials and advertising of your discounted rate. Simply leveraging an event and creating a partnership with event organizers can nudge a visitor to choose your property over another.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST TOUR COMPANY FOR YOU

Picking a tour company that fits ‘just right’ is hard. Really hard. For the most part, because it’s impossible to run a tour that pleases all of the people all of the time.

But in the interests of an open discussion, here are some of the things you should consider when choosing a tour company.

1. Group size

The first big decision. When you envision a ‘group tour’, how many people do you see touring alongside you? Five? Ten? Twelve? The phrase ‘small group tour’ can be (and is) used to describe all of the above.

A small group is, on average, about 10 people. But it can range up to 12 or 16 depending on the destination, and go as low as 1 (when the departure has been guaranteed), but 10 is the norm.  There are plenty of big tour operators like Contiki and Trafalgar that prefer the en mass approach. For most, 8-16 is the perfect number to fit into a local bistro, or catch a safari ride, or visit Kruger National Park. To get that local edge.

2. Price

Price is often the first thing people compare when looking at different tour companies, but it can be a little misleading. Because some companies send people on huge tours of 30 or 40 travelers at a time, they can secure bulk rates for their rooms and activities. So you might save some money or so, but it could mean you’re getting a much less bespoke and personal experience. Choosing a ‘cheap’ trip also increases the chance that your experience may not be pleasing or pleasurable.

The thing to look for is value, not just price. Are there lots of included meals? Does the company list the hotel for each night? If so, check it on TripAdvisor. Are there heaps of included activities? Do you get a local guide? If the tour is ticking a lot of those boxes, it’s usually worth paying a bit extra. Like anything else in life, you get what you pay for.

3. Itinerary

A lot of small group tours will share similar itineraries, but there are companies out there that really make an effort to go that extra step.

Generally speaking, you should look for an itinerary that hits all the major highlights but that then includes a couple of left-of-centre stops along the way. Ask anyone that’s done a bunch of small group tours: it’s often the unexpected places, the ones you’d never even heard of before, that end up being the most memorable. It’s just one of those things. Make sure to read the online trip notes thoroughly to help you make an informed decision, and if you have questions…ask! Give the company a call and check about the activities on certain days.

4. Local leaders

The approach of having local leaders has a few advantages. One, you get cool local knowledge on-tap. Two, it keeps money in local pockets and contributes to local employment. Three, the whole experience of travel becomes so much richer.

If local leaders are important to you, do your research. Brands like Inkosi Tours and Transfers use local leaders on all their tours, and they’re specifically trained in first aid and vehicle maintenance. Not all of the industry can say the same. Try to find companies that don’t just employ local leaders, but look after them too. There are too many examples in the industry of local guides being paid poorly and receiving no training, just so a company can slap the word ‘local’ on their marketing material. Not cool.

5. Online reviews

Always a great way to check the value of anything. Read what people are saying as much as possible. A website includes a bunch of reviews on every trip, but if you want to check an external source, try TripAdvisor, to mention a few. You can compare brands, see what people are saying, and make up your own mind. Another excellent source of reviews is social media. 

Check a brand’s hashtag on Instagram or Facebook or Twitter and see what travelers are saying on the ground, in real time. You can get a feel for the style of the trip, the number of people, the standard of accommodation. There’s nothing better than public validation to put your mind at ease.

6. General 'feeling'

Some people like cruise ships and big bus tours. Some travelers prefer seven swimming pools, marble bench tops, and a fully stocked minibar.  You’ve got to find a company that you gel with. 

Whose vibe feels right? The quickest way to work this out? Go on the website. Read the blog. See how the tour company speaks and how they act. Do they have a good responsible travel policy? Is that something you care about? Do they look fun, or a bit boring? Do their itineraries feel generic, or are they pushing boundaries? And you know what, it may take a few tries before you find a small group tour company that fits you ‘just right’. But when you do, it’s a good feeling, and you’ll know the search was worth it.