May 28, 2012
Regular Swazi Imvelo MTB Classic cyclist Linda Loffler wore her Imvelo cycling shirt on tour in Moab, Utah in the United States of America.
Loffler, an avid cyclist, proudly wore her Imvelo cycling shirt at the world mecca of mountain biking. Check her out in the photo below, looking over the White Rim Trail and Colorado River.
Imvelo cycling shirts are given to the 64km Classic entrants and have featured in so many other MTB events throughout the continent!
We wonder what this year’s cycling shirt will look like? We have only 11 days to this year’s Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic which sold out in record time. The MTB event will once again be held at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary on the 9th of June 2012.
Registration is on the 8th of June at Sheba’s Rock Spur at The Gables Shopping Complex in Ezulwini.
A BIG thank you to our cycling shirt sponsors which include: Sheba’s Rock Spur, Happy Valley Hotel , Parmalat, Powerade Swaziland, Nando’s, Eagles Nest and Computronic’s Systems. For a full list of our wonderful sponsors visit our sponsors page here.
For more information on Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic, visit our website here.
Photography courtesy of Darron Raw
Posted in ACTIVITIES, BGP PARKS/PRODUCTS, COMMUNITY, EVENTS, Imvelo MTB, Mlilwane, Mountain Biking | Leave a Comment »
May 28, 2012
We brought our fire to the 6th installment of MTN Bushfire Festival in Swaziland this past weekend and met South African born actor and producer Thapelo Mokoena.
With other 100% seriously Swazi companies, we too had a stand at the MTN Bushfire Festival which attracted over 15 000 visitors throughout the weekend.
Apart from chatting to visitors about the our diverse game reserves,
fantastic activities and dining options available to them, we also offered a FREE posting service! Visitors could send a Big Game Parks’ postcard to their loved ones all across the world. All they had to do was fill in a complimentary postcard and put it into our basket for posting on Monday 28 May 2012.
One of the many visitors that stopped by our stand for a chat was none other than South African born actor, producer and film maker, Thapelo Mokoena. The Hunter’s Dry ambassador brought his fire to festival through a screening of his latest production Skyf at The Barn on Friday.
An avid traveller, this was not the film maker’s first visit to Swaziland. He attended the Bushfire Festival last year. We were happy to hear that he is an outdoor and safari lover! Mokoena promised to visit all three parks soon.
A BIG shout out to all that popped by for a chat and posted their postcards. As promised, the postcards are already on their way to your loved ones.
If you would like more information on where we will be next, as well as our events, check out our events page here.
Posted in ACCOMMODATION, ACTIVITIES, BGP PARKS/PRODUCTS, COMMUNITY, EVENTS, Local Promotions, PRESS, SHOWS/EVENTS, WE RECOMMEND... | Leave a Comment »
May 25, 2012
Before we host our Imvelo MTB Classic at Mlilwane on the 9th of June 2012, we are bringing our fire to the 2012 MTN Bushfire Festival from the 26th of May to the 27 of May 2012.
Big Game Parks’ Marketing will be at this year’s MTN Bushfire Festival from Saturday 26 May to Sunday 27 May 2012! We are “Bringing Our Fire” to the acclaimed international music and arts festival.
Currently in its 6th year, MTN Bushfire is Swaziland’s acclaimed international music and arts festival held each year at House on Fire, in Malkerns. This vibrant, family friendly festival each year attracts a diverse audience of up to 20,000 people over the three days! The MTN Bushfire Festival owes its unique spirit and atmosphere to a successful balance of world class festivities whilst championing socially responsible ideals.
So pop by our stand for chat! We will be in the Corporate Booth Section located between the Fair Trade Market Place and The Barn. Come and send a post card to your family and friends at home with us.
Buyisa Umlilo Wakho!
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May 11, 2012
Big Game Parks is at this year’s Tourism Indaba in Durban from the 12th of May to 15th of May 2012 at the Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (Durban ICC).
Together with other tourism providers from the Kingdom, Big Game Parks’ marketing and tourism will be promoting the Big Game Parks and the Kingdom of Swaziland as an essential holiday destination.
Preparations are already under way in Durban as they help build the stand. See image below.
Visit us on Stand SADCC012 to learn more about our well positioned reserves that offer fantastic activities and dining options for every price point.
For more information about Big Game Parks, please visit our website or pop in for a chat on stand number SADCC012.
Posted in ACCOMMODATION, ACTIVITIES, BGP PARKS/PRODUCTS, Braai Facilities, Bush Accommodation, Camping/Caravanning, Chubeka Trails, COMMUNITY, Cultural Accommodation, DINING, Dining @ Hlane, Dining @ Mkhaya, Dining @ Mlilwane, EVENTS, Hlane, Luxury Accommodation, Mkhaya, Mlilwane, PRESS, Reilly's Rock, Self-catering, SHOWS/EVENTS, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
May 5, 2012
Imvelo 2012 has beat last year’s impressive record of selling out within 40 days!
Thank you for your entries received for the Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic 2012 to be held at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland on the 9th of June 2012.
We have had an amazing response this year and have already reached our maximum target of 500 entries overall.
This has meant that we have had to close entries earlier than expected and have had to start a waiting list of very anxious riders! If you would like to ride but haven’t entered, please sign-up to our waiting list here and we’ll contact you in the event of any cancellations.
Posted in ACTIVITIES, BGP PARKS/PRODUCTS, COMMUNITY, EVENTS, Imvelo MTB, Mlilwane, Mountain Biking, PRESS, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
April 24, 2012
Having entered week 3 since opening online entries on 2nd April, Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic 2012 has raced pass its 400th entry.
We now have over 400 confirmed entries to this year’s Imvelo at Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary and look as though we’ll even be racing past last year’s impressive record of selling out within 40 days!
As always, Imvelo is limited to 500 entrants so if you haven’t entered and would like to race, please do so quickly by visiting www.imvelo.co.sz to discover everything you need to know about the event, enter and avoid disappointment!
Imvelo Quick Facts
Race Date: 9th June 2012
Venue: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Registration:
Friday 8th June 2012 @ The Gables (look out for banners)
Race Distance & Start Time:
64km (Classic) – 08.00am
33km (Challenge) – 09.15am
22km (Family Fun) – 09.45am
12.5km (Hoglets)- 09.45am (Just after Family fun start)
For more information contact Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic team on imvelo@biggameparks.org or Big Game Parks
Posted in ACCOMMODATION, ACTIVITIES, BGP PARKS/PRODUCTS, COMMUNITY, Dining @ Mlilwane, EVENTS, Health, Imvelo MTB, Mlilwane, Mountain Biking, PRESS, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
April 19, 2012
Over 300 entrants in just 2 weeks!
Having opened our online entries on April 2nd 2012, we now have over 300 confirmed entries. It looks as though we’ll even be racing past last year’s impressive record of selling out within 40 days.
As always, Imvelo is limited to 500 entrants so if you have already entered or have experienced any technical difficulties please ensure your place is actually secure by following the steps entitled Secure your Place indicated below.
If you haven’t entered and would like to race, please do so quickly by clicking here to enter to avoid disappointment!
Imvelo 2012 Fast Facts
Enter Online here
Race Date: 9th June 2012
Venue: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary
Registration:
Friday 8th June 2012 @ The Gables (look out for banners)
Race Distance & Start Time:
64km (Classic) – 08.00am
33km (Challenge) – 09.15am
22km (Family Fun) – 09.45am
12.5km (Hoglets)- 09.45am (Just after Family fun start)
Secure your Place
If you’ve already booked or have experienced difficulties when booking, check your place is secure here.
1. If your entry was sucsessfull you would have received a Reply E-mail with a reference number.
2. If you made payment you would’ve received a Confirmation E-mail containing a race number.
3. If you received the Reply E-mail with a reference number and are still not sure where or how to pay your race entry fee – click on the “Download Essential Race Entry/Payment Info” on the Reply E-mail.
4. When making payment please forward proof of payment to imvelo@biggameparks.org . Please allow 72hr for your payment to appear on our bank statement and allow for weekends/public holidays for the delivery of the Confirmation E-mail.
5. If you’ve been experiencing technical difficulties in seeing or opening the entry form on the website & continue to do so, please accept your apologies & send a Request for Assistance E-Mail to imvelo@biggameparks.org
6. Once you’ve received the Confirmation E-mail you will be added to our mailing list & kept up to date with the latest Imvelo News & Happenings. You have now completed the entry process & we will see you at Registration either on Friday afternoon or Saturday Morning up to 45minutes before your race starts.
For more information contact Nedbank Swaziland’s Imvelo MTB Classic team on imvelo@biggameparks.org or Big Game Parks
Posted in ACTIVITIES, BGP PARKS/PRODUCTS, COMMUNITY, EVENTS, Imvelo MTB, Mlilwane, Mountain Biking, PRESS, SHOWS/EVENTS, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
April 4, 2012
The Governments of Swaziland and South Africa have extended border operating hours at four of the two countries’ borders just for the Easter weekend.
The borders are Ngwenya/Oshoek Border Post, Mahamba Border Post, Matsamo/Jeppes Reef Border Post as well as Mananga Border Post.
Acting Principal Secretary in Swaziland’s Ministry of Home Affairs, Anthony Masilela said this extension was always made during this time because of the increase in cross-country travellers.
On Thursday the 5th of April, Ngwenya/Oshoek Border Post will operate for 24 hours; and it will operate untill midnight on Friday the 6th of April. From Saturday the 7 th of April up until Monday the 9th of April, it will operate from 07h00 to 22h00.
Mahamba Border Gate will close at midnight on Thursday 05 April and will operate from 06h00 to 22h00 on Friday the 6th of April. Mahamba Border Post will also be operating an hour earlier than usual –06h00 from Friday 06 April to Monday 09 April.
From Thursday 05 April to Monday the 9th of April, Matsamo/Jeppes Reef Border will operate from 07h00 to 22h00. Mananga Border Post will also operate from 07h00 to 20h00 from Thursday 05 April to Monday 09 April 2012.
All the more reason for you to come and visit Big Game Parks this Easter weekend and take part in our Easter Extravaganza! Campers also welcome at Hlane Royal National Park and Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary.
Contact our Central Reservations Office for more information.
Times of Swaziland
Posted in ACCOMMODATION, ACTIVITIES, BGP PARKS/PRODUCTS, Border Posts, Chubeka Trails, COMMUNITY, DINING, Hlane, Horse Riding, Mkhaya, Mlilwane, PRESS, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
April 2, 2012
Big Game Parks is pleased to announce our newly improved website!
We are still on www.biggameparks.org but with a new interactive map, fresh images and information for all parks and associated products.
Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge as well as Sondzela Backpackers and Chubeka Trails now have their own pages! Stay in touch with us through our social media sites including Facebook. Enter online for this year’s Imvelo MTB Classic from our events page. All these links are on our new website!
Feel free to check out our revamped website. We hope you enjoy it.
Should you have any comments on the new website , please email: marketing@biggameparks.org
Posted in ACCOMMODATION, ACTIVITIES, BGP PARKS/PRODUCTS, Chubeka Trails, EVENTS, Hlane, Mkhaya, Mlilwane, PRESS, Reilly's Rock, Sondzela Backpackers, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
April 1, 2012
Swaziland was advised in November 2011 that Value Added Tax (VAT) levied at 14% would replace the existing Government Sales Tax (GST) also at 14%, which was only applicable to certain goods and services.
VAT will now apply to all goods and services consumed in Swaziland.
The effective date is 1 April 2012. Below is a summary of the effects this change has on Big Game Parks’ rate structures for the period up to 30 November 2013:
•All accommodation and meals will be unaffected for the rest of 2012 as these have always been subject to GST at 14%. A minimal (market-related) increase will take effect on 1 December 2012 and be effective through to 30 November 2013.
• All our activities were not subject to GST and will therefore increase by 14% on 1 April 2012 as a result of the introduction of VAT.
•Conservation entry fees will increase by 14% VAT to R40.00 per person with effect from 1 April 2012; they will remain as a once-off fee per unbroken stay until 30 November 2012.
Packaged Rates will be affected in the following ways:
• Mkhaya Game Reserve: VAT at 14% will now be charged on components of the package that were not previously subject to GST – this effectively means an increase in the overall package by 7%. However we are undertaking to absorb the tax component from 1 April 2012 until 30 November 2012 at which time the increase will take effect. This increase on 1 December 2012 is effectively only the additional VAT being charged on the package and it should be noted that our rates are effectively frozen until 30 November 2013.
•Reilly’s Rock Hilltop Lodge: There is no change to the rate for the rest of 2012. However, a minimal (market-related) annual increase will take effect on 1 December 2012 for the period ending 30 November 2013.
•Conservation Entry Fee: With effect from 1 December 2012 this will become a daily fee.
Aside from the activity rates which are generally not pre-booked, the accommodation rates remain unaffected, owing to prudent accounting principals employed at Big Game Parks.
We are extremely aware of the short notice and potential disruption. We apologise for any inconvenience but do believe the system is better for the Kingdom as a whole.
For a full list of updated 2012 Rates as well as 2013 Rates, and more information please contact our Central Reservations Office.
Posted in ACCOMMODATION, ACTIVITIES, BGP PARKS/PRODUCTS, Chubeka Trails, COMMUNITY, CONSERVATION, DINING, Hlane, Mkhaya, Mlilwane, PRESS, Reilly's Rock, Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »
