The low down on Tourism Grading Council of South Africa star grading

The low down on TGCSA (Tourism Grading Council of South Africa) Star Grading

When picking your holiday accommodation, it's easy to go by star grading, provided you know exactly what they entail. However, there are many guests who are disappointed by their choice due to their - sometimes unrealistic - expectations not being met. It was during my exciting game drive experience at Thula Thula Private Game Reserve, while observing elephant, rhino, buffalo, leopard including over 350 bird species at this luxury safari that I asked myself, if Thula Thula, one of the most luxurious destinations in South Africa is graded 4 stars, then how do they grade accommodations? How do I tell the difference between a 2-star and a 5-star graded establishment?

“We have been four stars from the beginning, We have all standard criteria, size of the rooms and facilities in here.We could get five stars but we don't want that because that comes with too much pressure,” said Francoise Malby Anthony the owner. Francoise took over the passing of her husband Lawrence Anthony five years ago.

The breakdown The TGCSA Star Grading is an independent quality assessment and official ranking system recognized around the world that helps customers realize the overall quality of the establishment and the kind of facilities they can expect. The accommodations are graded from 1-star through to 5-stars (with 1-star being the most basic in terms of facilities and 5-star being the highest, offering all the bells and whistles). Accommodations are divided into 9 categories Hotels, Lodges, Bed and Breakfasts, Guest Houses, Country Houses, Self-Catering facilities, Caravan and Camping sites, MESE (Meetings, Exhibitions and Special Events) venues, Backpackers and hostels

Basic grading requirements Ÿ The accommodation must have a formal reception area Ÿ An on-site representative must be contactable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Ÿ Breakfast should be provided or available. Please note that breakfast is not necessarily included in the rate, and guests should inquire about this before they confirm their booking. Ÿ Room servicing (including linen and towel change, removal or rubbish, and cleaning) Ÿ En-suite or private bathroom To be 4 or 5-star graded All the above and Accommodation must be available 7 days a week, Dining facilities on site, On-site parking, Concierge, porter, and luggage handling, Central business centre,ange of other services such as babysitting,Other exceptional facilities,such as a gym,beauty spa,etc.Full housekeeping and laundry service, Universal Access Compliance, Valet service

Ungraded Many ungraded establishments operate at star graded standards, however, an official star grading awarded by the TGCSA is the best quality assurance you can get. In other words, an ungraded

establishment is more of a gamble as you can't be sure of what to expect. Ÿ 1-star A 1-star accommodation offers modest to good quality in terms of the overall standard of furnishings, services, and customer care. A 1-star establishment should be clean, comfortable, and functional. You should expect an en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries and towels. An adequate breakfast should be offered. Ÿ 2-star It should have everything 1 star has but must include a colour television, and an in-house bar or restaurant. Breakfast should include some hot food items.

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The TGCSA star grading is valid for a year, where after a property must be re-assessed. Ÿ 3-star A 3-star accommodation offers very good quality in terms of the overall standard of furnishings, services, and customer care. You should expect multiple rooms to choose between that are slightly bigger in size; extra furnishings like a desk, colour television, or bar fridge; an in-house bar or restaurant; safe available on request; conference facilities; and an en-suite bathroom with towels and complimentary toiletries. Breakfast options should be varied.

Ÿ 4-star With its unique atmosphere, stylish décor and superb cuisine, Thula Thula offers you the choice of exclusive accommodation between the stylish Elephant Safari Lodge, renowned gourmet destination, and the Luxury Tented Camp, offering an authentic African bush experience in a relaxed atmosphere where children are welcome. Thula Thula Conference Centre - with its elegantly decorated boardroom and lounge can welcome up to 32 delegates. Thula Thula Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre for the rescue and care of orphaned and wounded animals. A 4-star accommodation offers superior to excellent quality in terms of the overall standard of furnishings, services, and

customer care. You should expect multiple room or suite options, a colour television with at least 1 2 channels, a work area (desk, telephone, and Wi-Fi), and an en-suite bathroom stocked with complimentary toiletries and towels. On-site facilities could include a business centre, concierge services, a swimming pool, gym, babysitting services, an on-site restaurant or bar, and room service available at least 18 hours of the day. A full breakfast should be offered over an extended period of time, with the choice of a la carte dining. Ÿ 5-star A 5-star luxury accommodation offers the highest quality in terms of the overall standard of furnishings, services, and customer care. You should expect multiple room or suite options, a colour television with at least 12 channels, a work area (desk, telephone, and Wi-Fi), and an en-suite bathroom stocked with complimentary toiletries and towels. On-site facilities could include a business centre, concierge services, a swimming pool, gym, crèche or babysitting services, an on-site restaurant or bar, and room service available 24 hours a day. A full breakfast should be offered all day, with the choice of seated or inroom dining.

THE MAGIC OF A Morning Game Drive

There is so much that goes into a Morning Game Drive. The Guides are up, preparing their Game Viewers, tea, coffee and rusks all before the first wake-up call, and long before the sun comes up. For guests, it’s a matter of pulling yourself out of an impossibly soft bed, getting dressed and making sure you’re awake enough to take in every moment about to unfold.

Why then, do so many people brave the dark early morning to experience an Early Morning Game Drive? The reason is really quite simple – morning game drives are unlike any others. After a cup of coffee jolts you to life, you’re climbing into a Game Viewer, pulling on a poncho for warmth, and feeling the crisp air slightly sting your face as your vehicle roars to life. At moments like this, it truly feels like the bustle of the engine is the only sound for miles. The excitement of what you could see starts to mound as your eyes adjust, looking carefully into the dark space around you.

Slowly but surely, the sky changes colour, from indigo to cobalt blue and the expanse of land around you becomes more visible. It is then that you will start to see the crepuscular animals of the wild. The ones that come out in the hours between light and dark. Barn Owls, Shrub Hares, Bats – all bringing with them, secrets of what happened during the dead of night. Often, you will see the aftermath of a kill, Jackals circling the perimeter, nervously looking into Game Viewer lights as they suss out their opportunity for breakfast. At once, you will turn a corner and realise that the sunrise is upon you. Far in the distance, you will see magnificent shades of pink, orange and crimson –the kind that no photograph does justice. In the midst of this, a spectacular sighting will appear from the thicket – the vehicle goes silent to take in this moment. The silence and calm of nature is overwhelming. You forget that your face is prickling from the chill of the morning, or that you have been sitting with your hands nestled between your legs to keep them warm.

You listen – there is no noise. Only the sound of two birds, being woken up by the sun. Now, a cheetah slinks in front of your Game Viewer and you can hear the crunch of dry grass beneath his padded feet.

On Morning Game Drive, it is the stillness that makes them magical. You feel as though all of Africa is beginning to arise from a deep slumber. The absence of bright sun, the sheer beauty of the sunrise, the silence from all those in the Game Viewer slowly waking up with nature, and of course, the sense that there is truly no better way to greet the day.