It is the time for giving ...gifts!

Yes Christmas is around the corner so I can't help but obsessing over christmas gifts... what to get, what to give!?
In my search, I can across some good and unusual options, so I figured it would be a great idea to share my wonderful and unusual ideas with our followers... my small gift to you , perhaps taking a bit of the scramble out of searching for all those perfect gifts!!

I came across some awesome options and even homemade ideas but not that of frilly toilet roll covers or a pair of knitted bed socks!!

This one is for the girls! Homemade Choclate Lip Balm -All you need is 1 teaspoon of beeswax, 2 teaspoons pure fair trade organic cocoa butter, 3 teaspoons organic coconut or olive oil, 5 to 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and a recycled container! Melt ingredients over a double boiler or in the microwave. If using the microwave, do 30 second spurts at a time. Cool and then pour into containers. Allow to set...smells great!

I know you all going to like this .. possibily the boys! Homemade infused vodkas! This one takes a bit of planning depending on what ingredient you wish to infuse, as it may need to "brew" for a while but from vanilla flavours to citrus , berries and apples, it is all possible!

For a little offering in the pampering department, doesn't this sound good. Coffee Sugar Scrub?Requires 2 cups of coarsely ground coffee (Fair trade coffee if possible), ½ cup sea salt or brown sugar , 3 tablespoons almond oil (or olive oil, jojoba, or apricot kernel oil) ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract. Mix it all up and you have a pampering exfoliating scrub!

If you don't have the time to make  your gifts but looking some innovating Green options, I suggest The Green Shop, from gadgets to jewellery and even composters, a great option for the greenies out there, which I hope you are all aiming to be in the 2012!

My last option but not the least, for the person who has everything..... a travel voucher or adventure experience voucher, you can never have enough adventure or fun under your belt with new thrills and memorable and exciting day outings on offer through African Chapter Tours.

We can email your personalised gift voucher to you, for your product of choice... the offers are endless!

I hope our team have brought you some fresh and innovative ideas to carry you through till the end of 2011's Festive Season and on that note, a very  Merry Christmas to you all.

Travel safe and tread lightly!!!

The ACT Team!

How much water is really used....

I recently came across an article with some very interesting facts and it really made me look a the BIG PICTURE on how much water is really used. I am sure I am not the only one who only considered the obvious when examining "saving water"!

In our daily routines we are all aware of the contribution we can make to save water (Visible water) but oh WOW we really do not want to ever be short of water!! I never considered the following facts which we use and consume on a daily basis!
It is known as virtual water... the water footprint.



* To produce an apple weighing around 100 grams, 70 litres of water is used.
* One slice of wheat bread requires 40 litres.
* The water footprint of a beer, 75 litres, pales in comparison to that of the hamburger that often accompanies it, which comes in at a whopping 2,400 litres. In fact, beef requires a full 15,500 litres of water to produce just 1kg.

.....and it is not just what we eat and drink!!

* One A4 sheet of 80gr paper, processed from wood, requires 10 litres of water - something to consider before printing out the joke email that will be discarded later.

* The global average footprint of one cotton shirt is 2,700 litres; for one kilogram it’s 11000 litres.

* One kilogram of leather requires 16,600 litres of water (global average).

South Africans consume , per capita 2,500 litres of water per day, but not by drinking or cooking or gardening alone. What we overlook is just how much is required for production of those goods we take for granted.

South Africa is facing a critical water shortage and here’s the thing, those of us with who live comfortably will not be the first affected despite being the country’s biggest consumers. The poor, whose water footprints are in many cases negligible, will suffer first, giving rise to more problems than just higher prices and water cuts; these problems will affect everyone. We waste a lot of water but if each of us developed just one water-saving habit, we’d be able to make a big difference. So please let us all continue our efforts.. and even more!

When chosing your travel packages be aware of your surrounds, just because you are not paying for the water bill does not give you the pass to waste uneccesary. Your choice of establishments & destination should be compliant , responsible venues will be proud to share their efforts and complacency in their green contributions.

African Chapter Tours encourages and promotes such travel packages, so you can rest assured your choice with us, is already a start in the green direction!

Do you know our Invasive plant species in South Africa?

It's an exciting and refreshing vibe now that Spring is here.... always a season to look foward to!

It is always very tempting to work in our gardens and watch all the spring foilage start flourishing it gives one a great sense of accomplishment to actually see the benefits of hard work digging beds , pruning and pampering the new life in the garden when all the colours start to spring!

However I am always fascinated by which plants are actually classified as invasive as some are common in all our gardens and invasives are some times pretty to look at and sometimes quite a focal point in our own gardens!

It is estimated that there are approximately 27 000 indigenous species in South Africa and 9000 foreign plant species that have been introduced over the past few centuries . Of these 9000 exotic or alien introductions, 348 have been identified as bad ecologically damaging invader plants.

The existing law divides these plants up into three categories, however regulations passed under the Conservation of Agriculture Resources Act, 1983 (Act no 43) only identifies 198 of the worst invasive alient plants species and declared illegal weeds. Although gardeners are only obliged to remove and destroy category 1 plants, eco friendly gardens endeavouring to rid their gardens of any designated invader weeds.

Here are a few images to help identify those declared weeds in category 1:

• Bugweed, one of the worst invasives both in gardens and the country side. It is spread by various birds, buck and monkeys depositing its seeds after eating the fruits.
• Cats Claw Creeper .This invasive creeper flowers between September until February. An attempt is being made to control it with the release of a beetle that specifically lives off the leaves.
• Indian Shot - Canna. This is invading Stream banks and moist sites in the warmer parts of our country. The more showy hybrids that dont set seeds are permitted.
• Oleander - This Mediterranean bush with pink, white or red blooms with a single row of petals has spread in to water courses, particularly rocky ones in semi-arid mountain valleys. The double flowers forms which have seeds taht are sterile are permitted.

These are obviously just a couple that I highlighted but possibly often seen and not aware how invasive they are! So get to know them and pull them out and replace with indigenous alternatives!

For travellers who have a passion for naturally beautiful landscapes and gardens and enjoy to incorporate such places into their choice of getaways, African Chapter Tours recommends our Green Limpopo Destinations, found under our package section.

Enjoy country stays, fine dining and beautiful flora destinations with African Chapter Tours!

Green Trek

Recently we finally reached our last steps in making our office"green" ... our great "green trek"!

We did the necessary clean up and recycled all of our CDs, DVDs, paper,plastic etc and we packed up the bare necessities and re-located to our home bases.
We are all now able to operate a fully fledged mobile operation in terms of handling the administrative roles of our travellers. This has been a goal of African Chapter Tours and now through advanced technology we have made this happen... hoorah!!

We were also very fortunate to have been awarded 2nd place in the Europ Car Green office competition, which we are very grateful for and like to see this as a feather in our green cap!

Apart from this move to reduce our carbon emissions with our reduced travelling as well as reducing our office space, there has been a continuous effort made in our daily operations and business ethics as well as encouraging our travel partners in the same direction.

If your company has not already taken some steps yet into changing the way forward with reducing your carbon footprints.. there is no good time like the present! We would like to share a few simple tips in creating a greener approach to the office.

We all know the 3 R.s by now reuse, reduce and recycle not much more needs to be said on this topic but there are some other points if interest.

• Perhaps use second hand furniture instead of expensive plastic based office furniture by adding some funky antique pieces or locally handmade "african" furniture.
• Make use of natural light in your office if you can, alternatively make sure lights are fitted with compact florescent bulbs or LED's
• Fill your office with plants for the health and happiness of your staff, plants give off oxygen and are great for brightening up your four walls naturally!
• Boil water and keep a flask or use an urn, rather than boiling the kettle to make one cup each time!
• Remember just about everything can be recycled or even ewaste such as electronics.
• Invest in a glass water bottle to keep drinking water in, it is a healthier option and eliminates the use of plastic!

Its almost SPRING, so this is a great way to start a fresh new approach to your office!

Anyone lose their jacket?

On a much lighter message today! I couldn't help wonder the story behind these images of a leopard in a tree with an obviously stolen bush jacket!















I can however envisage it all unfolded at a game lodge, whilst checking out the scenery on a game drive and stopping for that refreshment drink, this curious leopard decided to take on its mothering instinct and care for this camouflaged item of warmth?!


I dont know where the pictures came from, but it would be great to hear what your thoughts to this story might be?

Protect our children of South Africa from sex toursim

Last year when I got light of this, I was horrified and shocked to hear the statistics of Child Trafficing in South Africa and the children being exploited for sex toursim. Having two young girls of my own this really hit close to my heart.

However there is good news ... or alteast hope and that there is action in place in South Africa, part of a global effort to prevent and bring further awareness to our communities and industry players.

African Chapter Tours have joined in with this fight as we pledge our support through www.thecode.org. This is the code of conduct for the protection of children from sexual exploitation in travel and tourism. This is an industry driven tourism iniative in collaboration with EPCAT International, funded by UNICEF and supported by UNWTO. Herewith some of the facts and preventions provided by these organisations. We pledge to all interested tourism partners to show their support in such initiatives and help the prevention there of.

Who are these CHILD EXPLOITERS? This does not only include paedophiles which is a standard belief but increasingly so called "situational child sex abusers" who are sexually indiscriminate or wish to "experiment with child sex partners". Most perpetrators are local clients and a growing number are foreigners who are lesiure visitors or business travellers in a host country. South Africa's hosting of the 2010 World Cup was an alarm for concern! Exploitation occurs in all countries mainly South East Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe. The Western world accounts for the greatest demand for child sex. Some sex offenders convince themselves this is a good deed in that it helps the child to obtain money for food leading to better living conditions and for many some believe that the risk of contracting HIV is lower when engaging with a child than with an adult. However in some areas more than 50 per cent of children are infected with HIV.

Much of the awareness existing today is due to the efforts made by this non profit organization initiated in 1990 - EPCAT representing 65 counties, with the main goal to combat the commercial exploitation of children. After a declaration and an agenda for action was adopted, 122 nations committed themselves against all forms of commercial sexual exploitation of minors, with the Agenda for action covering co operation, preventative work, protection, rehabillitation and youth participation. These are the recommendations following the agenda for action during the World Congress in Stockholm in August 1996.

1. Co-operation between countries and various sectors of society.


2. Mobilising the tourist industry and the business world so that their facilities and networks are not used for child sex trade.


3. Criminalising the commercial sexual exploitation of children.


4. Actions to ensure that laws plans and programmes are established and carried out.


5. Establish special units within the police


6. Recovery and rehabilitation of children.


7. Preventative measures in the form of education and information

By joining THE CODE, there are 6 criteria for us to adopt and commit to implement-:

• To establish an ethical policy regarding commercial sexual exploitation of children.


• To train the personnel in the country of origin and travel destinations.


• To introduce a clause in contracts with suppliers , stating a common repudation of commercial sexual exploitation of children.


• To provide information to travellers by means of catalogues,brochures ,inflight films, ticket slips, home pages etc.


• To provide information to local "key persons" at the destinations.


• To report annually.

To read more about THE CODE, please visit the relevant websites relating. www.fairtourismsa.org.za/thecode

LETS ALL CONTRIBUTE AND STAND TOGETHER TO STOP CHILD EXPLOITATION!

The "green" leafed plant

I can't help talking about everything green it is definetly the latest buzz word and very much part of our African Chapter legacy and has been for a good while. I came across an interesting article based some of the facts aswell as the controversy surrounding the hemp plant. An interesting read ..... although not travel related at all, but going back to maintaining a greener environment and creating a renewable economy!

There is a petition currently circulating asking goverment to join other countries in growing hemp for industrial purposes (legally that is). Some of the countries alreading participating include Australia, Canada,Great Britain , Italy, Netherlands and many more (28 in total).

So what is the benefits of growing industrial hemp you ask? You can create clothing, housing, food, fuel, natural plastics and other locally useful and globable marketable comsumer products out of it.... resulting in jobs too. Hemp is currently a multi billion a year industry and growing!

There are over 50 000 record uses for this plant and amazing enough every part of the plant can be utilized. The outer stalks for textile fibres, the inner stalk for building materials and cellulose, the seed kernel for nutritional oils, the seed husk for biodegradable plastics and the leaves for re-tilling and fertilizing the soil after harvest.

Hemp is also grown organically and is naturally resistant to most pests so no pesticides or herbicides are required in the cultivation. An acre field of hemp can yield up to 8 tons of dry fiber thats about 3 times more than cotton . The same crop will also give 4 times more paper than an acre of forest trees. Hemp also grows in about 3 or 4 months compared to a tree taking up to 20 years to reach a size worth destroying. The hemp plant has also a rapid rate of photosynthesis therefore producing more oxygen!

A crop that contribute to a more sustainable economy according to these facts? To read more about this topic go to http://www.hempnow.co.za

What is a green travel product?

In think this is really the buzz word for 2011. "GREEN". Awareness has now officially been created in every industry and even in our homes. After attending a Enviromental Law Workshop touching only on the basics, this was really an eye opener and really devastating to see what current situation we sit in not only in SA but our world. It is time to act now if you havent already!
African Chapter Tours have for the past couple of years been doing our homework and have been looking at the various ways in which to incorporate " green products" but in order to do this we needed to set an example and only then could we really stand up and encourage others and possible lead in the same direction, in order for us all to make a small diference! African Chapter Tours are part of the Heritage Charter Programme and were the first tour operator to join this association. Now to encourage others to follow or learn more from those making great efforts to do their bit as we will never be able to do enough alone!

So what is a green product? In a simple overview it covers many aspects that influence our environment and it is those efforts made by these individual products in the prevention or even putting back a bit of what mother nature gave us. It incorporates our accommodation establishments right to any travel related experience,acting responsibly and preventing further destruction to our enviroment as well as the inclusions of social responsibilities to create secure ecologically sustainable developments in our communities which inadvertly comes back to same concerns affecting our enviroment.

Pollution is clearly the main factor caused by human destruction . The definition of Pollution as stipulated by our national enviromental management act, means change in the enviroment caused by any of the following -: Substances, Radio Active or other waves or noise, dust or heat. Althought that is quite vague we all have a good idea what the damaging factors are.Our two most important sources under pressure is our water and air - the neccesity for all LIFE!

WE all need to implement Enviromental Management Systems if you are not already in the long run it saves money too . As indivual and small establishment we can all start somewhere! There is plenty of resource information available, so lets all act now!

African Chapter Tours will be implementing a carbon foot print rating to our packages in the near future and rating all products qualifying with our green leaf for enviromentally conscious products to guide our customers in make the right green choices!

I conclude with this proverb.. "only when the last tree withers, the last fish is caught, the last river has been poisoned, will you realise you can not eat money".... so so true!