Wedding bliss at Thonga beach lodge, Mabibi

I recently attended an awesome private wedding at Thonga Beach lodge which was simply put awesome.  We had three nights and four days with the wedding party and in so doing were privileged to some of the best breakfasts, lunches and dinners never mind the Wedding lunch on the deck on the beach.

Taking over the 24 people / 12 roomed lodge was a fantastic idea and the management team and staff just blew us away with their "No problem" attitude.  And the demands were high.

The wedding on the beach, snorkeling in the sanctuary, mucking about in the waves, tranquility, African fish eagles, yellow billed kites, turtles, whales and an amazing diving setup just make this the ultimate wedding.

The Thonga Lodge is committed to the heritage of the Mabibi tribe and all the staff are involved in this project.

The 250 odd clan or tribe have children that walk to and from school each day for 15 km each way and I am hoping that i can find like minded people who are interested in setting up a Mabibi Trust to raise money to buy a mini bus for the school children.  My goal is to raise R 25,000.00 by July 2012 which will go to a second hand minibus.  So if anyone is interested and has some ideas please email me and lets see if we can do something.  Use it or lose it!

So this is next to the inland fresh water lake Lake Sibaya which has no rivers running into it.

Do yourself a favour go see Thonga Beach lodge - at least once in your lifetime.

Paris Hotels

Well sometimes its great to get out of the bush and slum it in a city - and the only city to do this in is Paris, where the women are sophisticated, the Paris Hotels are awesome and the food is......french je ne sais quoi!

Love to buy a place in the bush - what do the banks offer?

So you have now been for a weekend away and have just fallen in love with the bush and always wanting to own your personal piece of bush heaven, you meet with a great agent who finds you exactly what you want.


The only problem is you need some finance assistance, because sure you have a deposit in pounds or dollars and getting that across is quite simple because you can arrange a free money transfer from England to South Africa and all you need is a mortgage for the balance.  But what are the restrictions, what are the costs and how do you get a home loan on a piece of vacant land or on your bush house or bush lodge.


So here are some thoughts and scenarios' but if you want details email a property finance specialist today!


Vacant Land - well Nedbank do not offer loans on vacant land. ABSA and FNB offer 60% loan and Standard bank offer 65% and 75%.  The rule of size is maximum 8,5 Hectares but under certain circumstances up to 20 Hectares may be considered.


Bush House or Bush Lodge - well depending on the value and lloan required and whether you are a non-resident (50% max) or a non-resident with work permits (80% max) to SA citizens (up to 100% depending on the property value) - once again speak to your property finance specialist. The rule of size is maximum 8,5 Hectares but under certain circumstances up to 20 Hectares may be considered.


If this is a commercial undertaking then a different loan is applied for and the maximum loans are 60% but you will pay a raising fee of up to 2% and even then there is no guarantee of getting a loan.  Business plans, financials and forecasts together with the seller and buyers pedigree is required.


So can you do it, yes!  Is it easy no!  Speak to your property finance specialist first!  All good!

Property and the Kruger Park - take a break

Time to take a break, go ahead you deserve it.

Ever imagine a place where the air is crisp and clean, the grass is green, and the sky is starlit with sparkly diamond like stars. Imagine soft sunsets filled with the sounds of chirping birds and nothing but contentment.

When i spoke with Barbara from Century 21 Wildlife properties she had this to say:

"Stop imagining because such a place exists! The Kruger National Park is a wonderful place where you can unwind from daily tension and enjoy nature at its best. Forget about stress caused by city life, and embrace the overwhelming feeling of rejuvenation and tranquility.

Being in the Kruger National Park makes you feel a lot healthier.  Think of reducing your everyday tension, stress and anxiety levels. It’s almost sounds too good to be true, but believe it or not, getting away and going to quiet places is good for you!  Thats why you should own your own bushveld property".

When was the last time you actually had time to clear your mind and have time to yourself? If you answered daily then good for you! However most folks barely have “me” time, simply because life is just way too hectic. Little do we realize how unhealthy and bad this is for us not only mentally but emotionally as well.

The Kruger National Park allows you to have that “me” time, which everybody needs. City life tends to make us forget about the finer things in life, the things that really matter. The long summer days spent outdoors with those you care about, the lazy winter evenings drinking hot chocolate and taking long relaxing bubble baths. These are the things that might not seem important at all, but these things need to be done for your own wellbeing. So when you are ready to buy a property in Hoedspruit next to the Kruger Park get a specialist to find you the one that suits your dreams.

Whenever things feel like they just piling up and not getting any easier, remember you can make it better by letting go and heading to the wonderful Kruger National Park.

Annie and Remax Wildlife Properties

So Annie gets her gun - well done

the best property agent in Hoedspruit area and a fair deal for your bush properties and offering  100% home loans - annie and her team awesome- well done and welcome!!