Tau Game Lodge has been chosen as one of the 30 AA Gold Achievers for 2009. The AA Travel Guides American Express Accommodation Awards are voted for by members of the travel trade as properties that offer facilities and service of an exceptional standard.
Vanessa Sand, the convener of the Gold Achievers Awards programme, says it is difficult to compare these establishments to most others as they have unique characteristics and in most cases cater for the international market.
Tau Game Lodge was built in 1995 in South Africa's fourth largest game reserve, Madikwe, on the far northern border with Botswana.
Tau has been celebrated over the years as a destination with the big five, bird and small game viewing as well as cheetah and wild dogs, with highly trained game rangers educated in understanding game and their habitat, complete with the medicinal value of some plants.
The lodge takes its responsibility to the local community as well as eco-tourism seriously. Tau's commitments include sponsoring the tertiary education of promising students, supporting local schools and community industry and teaching the community to be self-sufficient by, for example, growing organic vegetables.
Tau rangers have contributed to conservation by planting indigenous trees and guests are told of the trees' origins, ecology, African folklore and medical purposes.
Tau is also family friendly. Children up to three years old sharing with parents stay free and children between three and five years stay at a nominal fee and are automatically part of the Tau Cubz Club, which offers bush-oriented activities and a special child safari outing. Children between six and 12 years stay at half-price. Babysitting services are on offer.
Tau Spa Oasis offers African foot treatment (reflexologists - like the Egyptian pharaohs - believe toxins can be extracted from the meridians running to our feet), aromatherapy full-body massage, Swedish deep-tissue full-body massage and scalp and back massage.
- Call the lodge at 011 314 4350 or 011 314 4349 or 083 262 2013, fax 011 314 1162, or email taugame @mweb.co.za. Or you can visit the website at www.taugamelodge.co.za