Jo Meintjes Travel

09/03/2022

09/03/2022

I have just heard on Sky News they have found the wreck of Shackleton's ship the Endurance! There was a documentary when they were looking for it it several years ago but they failed. Now it has been found at 3008 m below the sea and 4 miles south of where the ship's log book said it had sunk.

For anyone who has sailed to the Antarctic this is headline news! and something to take our minds off the conflict in the Ukraine

16/02/2022

Letter to the editor: 50 years in travel, 160 countries visited
Today 01:30
Jo Meintjes, of Jo Meintjes Travel, sent Travel News an email explaining why February 16 is a special day in her calendar.

“Today, February 16, marks exactly 50 years since I landed in Cape Town (on February 16, 1972) as an immigrant from the UK on the SA Oranje.

It also marks exactly 35 years since I started in travel with my own company (on February 16, 1987) – this later became Jo Meintjes Travel.

In those days I had to send telexes to the US to book the majority of my expedition cruises. I had to drive about 20 minutes up to Sandton, sometimes twice a day, to send or receive the answer. It was considered a luxury when the fax machine arrived and I had one in my office!

It led to a good life (until COVID arrived), organising tours and expedition cruises worldwide with the majority to Antarctica, the Arctic and the Galapagos Islands, amongst others.

I visited all these, and many more, several times. According to the USA International Traveler’s Club, I have been to nearly 160 countries.

I read Travel News every day – and I am glad to see your publication is still going strong!”



Ed’s note: When Jo arrived in South Africa Travel News (then a weekly, printed TNW) wasn’t even two years old. This must make her one of our most longstanding readers.

06/05/2021

Wish there was more to say. Let's get Covid behind us, get vaccinated and back to travelling!! Thanks to you all that have 'liked' my page.

03/07/2020

▶︎Watch Red Bull Rampage 2018 LIVE on Red Bull Bike YouTube: https://youtu.be/6E1wdD_m62M » CLICK For The Full Replay of Rampage 2015: http://win.gs/Rampage2...

10/06/2020

In case you missed it on Jo Meintjes facebook:
https://www.travelnews.co.za/article/webcast-wednesdays-vfr-be-first
Please have a look!

Great adventurer and specialist in eco adventures, Jo Meintjes of Jo Meintjes Travel, talks to Travel News journalist Sarah Robertson about the importance of family connections and her expectations that VFR travel will be one of the first international travel markets to recover post-COVID.

19/02/2020

Early February found Jo and two friends making their way to Cape Town for the Match in Africa. For those who don't know it was the only Match in Africa, rather than Match for Africa in which Roger Federer has participated for his charities. This time he invited Rafa Nadal to compete with him in an exhibition tennis Singles match and Bill Gates and Trevor Noah in a Doubles. We spent the first night - 1000 kms from Jhb at the Karoo National Park, then enjoyed Roosterbrood (a kind of special Karoo sarmies made on a braai) at Tannie Poppie in Laingsburg the following morning. Denise Scarrott and Fina are pictured with this remarkable lady and also shown under the infamous flood line this dry Karoo town experienced in January 1981. Then it was onto the Match two days later. They visited Signal Hill that morning and you can see the stadium which seated over 50 000 below. A record of attendance at a tennis match was set of almost
52 000 and $3,5m raised for the Roger Feder Foundation in Africa. They also visited Hout Bay for fresh fish and chips and saw Mr Brown, the seal, nearby on the pier. Lastly a special visit to Shand, a golden retriever which Jo and Chris had re-homed after his pal, Mike, died 9 years ago, and now lives in Cape Town. Lastly a visit to a special oasis for breakfast (and serves other meals) in Hanover, a half-way stop on our return to Joburg by road. It is well worth a visit to the Dorpshuis for home cooked meals right next to this delightful pond.

07/01/2020

Jo spent a few days on a steam train tour in December travelling on one each of the 3 days while living in luxury at the Wild Pheasant Hotel in Llangollen. The 3 trains were the Llangollen rail; Welsh Highland to Caernafon and Ffestiniog rail to Porth Madog. Please don't ask her to pronounce any of these especially the afternoon boat trip over the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and canal. The latter was very narrow as will be seen in the photos as they turn sharp left under the smallest of bridges! There was some amazing sunny weather for the first few days as can be seen at the St Collan Church where Jo went to a carol service on her day of arrival and again on Christmas day plus a lovely view over the River Dee looking at the Llangollen rail station. Their first excursion was a Santa Special with Father Christmas on board with his elves giving presents to the children and a mince pie and a small bottle of Baileys to the grown-ups for festive cheer. He posed in his sleigh with rather clever snow around and a white carpet. Jo found some extra cases to use for her bags she always travels with on the platform!

04/11/2019

Jo had a great meal on Saturday evening which her 'old' friend Cindy Reed and her cooked at Cindy's one night stay at the Fairlawns Hotel in Morningside, Jhb. Wow, what a 5* hotel with Cindy in the Tree House Suite, but Cindy (from A&K) had to scrounge for plates and utensils to cook dinner with - the ingredients of which Jo brought! (We ended up with about 4 frying pans and 2 salad bowls) Many reminiscences of old times were exchanged: meeting on their first voyage to the Antarctic in 1987 and subsequently at Londolozi in the mid-1990's where they saw a pangolin, a first for both of them. And Jo & Chris stayed with her in San Francisco in about 1992 to hear the 3 Tenors sing in LA a short while later. It was great to see you again Cindy, mustn't let 24 years go by the next time!

29/09/2019

I was on a Johannesburg Heritage tour to Heidelberg yesterday, only the 2nd one they have organised with superb guidance by Brett McDougall who passed round many photos of yesteryear in Heidelberg. It really does have a German feel about it after the founder Mr Ueckermann named it after studying in the German city. The churches are magnificent especially the Wesleyan one with its unusual ventilation(?) and why was the Anglican one called St Ninian's with the Manse next door. That sounds much more Presbyterian to me - Alan Maker please advise! I found some of the old houses very quaint and one had a chandelier hanging over the door - I wonder if they have any garden tours? It would certainly be somewhere to revisit at leisure and enjoy further delicious meals in the Railway Museum with its Craft Brewery adjacent! Thank you Brett and the Jhb Heritage group. We also visited the cemetery and erstwhile gaol and one of my pics looks as if the visitor was checking her escape route! I also photographed the Ladies loo as there are said to be ghosts there and sometimes orbs appear in photos of ghostly places which I can vouch for in other venues.
Thank you Brett and the Jhb Heritage group!

24/08/2019

Hi, I have just sent out my first newsletter in a while as suddenly there have been a lot of good offers and specials available in travel, some of which expire quite soon. If you haven't received a copy please send me a message and I will send it to you.

07/05/2019

I have recently returned from Port Alfred which is a brilliant coastal town not far from Port Elizabeth and East London. I played in a week-long croquet tournament and with a brand-new partner, Dave, in the doubles tournament managed to win a trophy to bring back to Johannesburg. A few photos of the activities attached. Thanks again to all the organisers with all their hard work.

30/03/2019

I was recently on a bus tour for a few days to the South Coast of KZN and stayed at the luxury hotel Pumula right near the beach. The tour bus also took us to Oribi Gorge one day about an hour's drive away where Leopard Rock (some people are daredevil enough to stand on it!) overlooking the Umzimkhulwena river. Tess took a photo of me just peering into the gorge which was hair-raising enough for me as no fences anywhere in sight. I felt I deserved the cheese cake afterwards. On the beach near the hotel were a pair Woolly Storks foraging in the tidal pools. Sadly very few days were sunny but otherwise this part of South Africa is highly recommended for a break from the city.

01/03/2019

I was at a fascinating talk by the author, Angie Butler, of a biography on Frank Wild whom Antarctic travellers will know was Shackleton's right hand man and successfully looked after all those left on Elephant Island after their ship sank in the ice while Shackleton sailed to South Georgia with only a few men to seek help. Luckily I knew the background as she concentrated on his life in South Africa thereafter with 2 marriages and many kinds of work. She was instrumental in getting a historian in Joburg to find his ashes after all this time and having them buried with his beloved 'Boss' Shackleton on South Georgia. The British Government as well as the family has to give their permission. Also buried on the hill near there, thanks to Angie is the ashes of Henry Worsley, a soldier who died heroically a few years ago. I know my cousin Alix Baker knew this soldier - no relation to another Antarctic Explorer in the heroic age Frank Worsley. Angie is South African but has lived most of her life since the 1970's in U.K.

24/02/2019

I felt I had to choose the Chocolate Tuscan Tart for dessert when dining at Possums Restaurant recently. There was a huge list of desirable puddings but I had to reminisce about my holiday in Tuscany last year. It was delicious!

08/02/2019

I was 'hard at work' learning more about Alitalia who hosted a party at our race track (once used for Grand Prix racing) in Kyalami last week. The Italian food was delicious, the Lamborghini cars awesome - see my pal Josie pictured by one she had sat in the driver's seat - and the African Band to entertain us. The large guy on the left descended into the audience to dance with the ladies and danced with me too! Exhausting but very enjoyable! I forget what the amazing pastry was called - just an example of their great Italian food that was served up.

17/01/2019

One of the most important things when travelling is to get to know the locals! Jo has found a photo a friend sent her of having an earnest chat to a Maremma at one of the best Tuscan Gardens she visited last October called Villa
Geggiano. The owner showed them around the interior and shared a bottle of his wine Bandinello at the picnic the tour guides prepared on his premises. Thanks Chris Bartle for the photo.

13/11/2018

I had one of my very best holidays outside the Antarctic in October in Italy. I had seen that you could only stay at this 8th C Cannonry, Pieve a Castello, if you joined the groups organised by the owner's tour company of this amazing building. Recently they promoted a Tuscan Garden trip escorted by 2 minibus' and 2 charming guides Sarah & Elisa. Elisa produced fantastic picnic lunches she started making at crack of dawn each day while the local chef served up 4 and sometimes 5 course meals in the evening which were served with wines at both meals. Plus liqueurs after dinner - see my attempt to photograph walnut liqueur! Some of the amazing gardens are also in my photos plus the dogs I came across along the way: either small ones being taken for walks near the Leaning Tower of Pisa (Jo with the bells at the top of the tower!) I found much more interesting than hordes of tourists and a dog who assists with grape picking and trying out the produce looks like a collie but I was told he was an Australian Shepherd. Margie Siddle and Liz Faber were 2 other South Africans who came along on this group of 15; 4 Americans and the rest British. We, over here, are looking forward to Chris Bartle's pics as he is a professional photographer and film-maker. At the end of the tour I met up with cousin Patrick Nicholas, also a professional photographer and took a photo of him at his studio. I finished up in Rome where you will see a photo of the dome of St. Peter's. Another city crowded out with people, even in October.
So from smug looking Jo and some amazing sunsets and storms brewing in various photos I hope you enjoy.

18/05/2018

18/05/2018

Didn't get the photos into the last post! The last pic will show you what the guide said were 'a congregation of marabou storks". They were standing like soldiers with their white fronts presumably absorbing the sun, but not quite as regimented by the time I took my photo. On the way home amusing lady in the back row, kept asking what bird was the religious one! I think it was the word 'congregation' that made her think that. We had a hard time convincing her it was the marabou stork! Hope you think that a laugh Alan Maker!

18/05/2018

At last I've been somewhere! Had a hectic but enjoyable day out with a group I belong to to Pilanesberg National Park. It's been many years since I have visited this amazing place about 2 hours drive from Joburg. We had good sitings of elephant - not a bad photo considering 20 of us in an oversized minibus! plus terrapin at Mankwe Dam and another waterhole with giraffe and zebra. Lovely to be in the bush again.

30/03/2018

Thank goodness the crisis is over and my client/friend got her passport back from the Moroccan Embassy at the 11th hour + yesterday afternoon!

28/03/2018

Hi Everyone, this is the first time I have ever asked for advice/help on facebook. I have a good friend and client who needs to know someone that can expedite her visa to Morocco. She has waited 7 WEEKS today (normal time is up to 15 working days max) and she should leave for an amazing trip next Tuesday. I have been helping for some time and racking (or is it wracking) my brains as to what can be done.
Anyone know anyone in the Embassy network or, of Moroccan background, that can assist? Many thanks and all hold thumbs please.

26/02/2018

I have just read in the March DSTV (our satellite TV program) that we will be able to watch a series on Sir John Franklin's ill-fated journey seeking a way through the North-West passage. The first viewing is on 27 March. Chris and Jo sailed along part of the route in 1989(!) and saw 2 graves on Beechey Island. These belonged to 2 officers who had died prior to the sinking of the Erebus and Terror. More recently Jo heard a lecture (as well as saw the National Geographic documentary) that it was presumed the officers died of lead poisoning as inferior cans had been used (or deliberately inferior material was used, as the expedition was in a hurry to leave) to store the food. The crew fared better as they weren't given the luxury of this particular food. Ultimately there were no survivors for those who trekked south in the hope of rescue.

19/02/2018

06/05/2017

En route to Port Alfred for a croquet tournament I stopped in at Hogs Back. It is still a quaint area but I would suggest you visit before standards drop further. The tourist office closed at the end of April. I mostly drove around and visited the unusual shops like crystals and home made Belgian chocolates (!) and ate out at the cafes' with their home made food. I did walk it off with a walk to the centre of the labyrinth (featured in a photo) and ordered a Hog ornament to be made by the guy featured in another picture. He made me 2 while I went on further explorations to see the views of the 3 mountains forming the hogsback which are not visible in the village itself. The autumn colours were also spectacular plus a peaceful wander around St Patrick's on the Hill which in recent years burned down but was rebuilt the following year.

05/03/2017

Recently Anne Marie and I drove some 700 kms to join a conservation/birding group we belong to for 4 nights at Mokala National Park. Where is that you may ask? About 70 kms south of Kimberley and replaced the Vaalbos park which was subject to a successful Land claim. It mainly has browsers who were very happy with the recent rains as the park is one of the Arid group of National Parks. It is said the Kalahari Lion will soon be imported to as the animals are too numerous. The birders were happy with their list, available to anyone who would like to ask me for it. Unusual sightings were the melanistic black springbok (seen crossing the road in my photo) and the light stripes of the zebra; both possibly intentionally bred by previous owners, trying in the case of the zebra to reintroduce the extinct quagga. The accommodation was comfortable enough (once we got into our correct self catering accommodation at the 3rd attempt) but since it was a hunting camp the chalets are too clustered together in Mosu camp for my liking. Rather take a paid for game drive with the rangers as we were forced to do because of little access along the muddy roads. Even one of our groups 4x4 had to be pulled out! The restaurant is excellent and there is a boma where you can join others to make your own braai. Staff will lay the tables and provide ice and glasses. The first photo shows the Mokala Tree with its huge pods.

01/02/2017

Jo Meintjes Travel's first newsletter is now available. Please ask Jo if you have not received. Full of some exciting destinations and special offers!

04/10/2016

Please see Jo Meintjes facebook to see my latest exploits from Canada

13/09/2016

Our tour was less hectic now that the Chelsea Flower Show was over. We were to travel on the Belmond Pullman luxury train for a half day tour out of Victoria Station with a delicious 5* star lunch served by liveried waiters and eaten with silver cutlery and drink out of crystal glasses! We were greeted by a band playing at a special waiting room for ourselves and the other 180 passengers.
All the carriages are restored from historic trains like the Orient Express or retired from taking the Royal Family to Scotland. The inlaid wood panels and brass fittings were something only craftsmen could restore with such loving care.
As luck would have it we were being pulled by a steam engine, The Tornado unveiled by Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.. Luckily I took the opportunity to beetle up the 1 km or so platform to see the engine before we embarked. So I had a chance, which few took, to see inside the part that did all the work! Also an excuse to work off a few calories before the exquisite 4 course meal was served almost as soon as we left the platform. A complimentary bottle of wine is served and of course I chose a South African brand to share with our tour manager who shared my corner of the compartment.
The Belmond Pullman trains do amazing trips 2-3 times a week to all parts of the U.K. and always include a meal. They are pricey but well worth it to celebrate a special occasion.