TREATMENTS WITH AN AFRICAN TWIST -an informational update from the Original 2AFRIKA, INC. Founder & President, Kenneth R. Hieber

Tuesday, March 04th, 2008
NEW YORK, NY

Spas around South Africa have begun offering treatments that incorporate indigenous ingredients.

ADDING SOME LOCAL FLAVOR…

The days of an onsite wellness facility beign a novelty at Southern African properties are long gone. So how do spas ensure that their offering continues to be a major draw card? The Original 2AFRIKA, INC. has taken the initiative to ‘go niche’ by offering truly African treatments.

"A quest for a spa experience with a difference is motivating some international tourists to spend time at properties with African facilities", says Victoria Smith, PR and Media Liaison for Thanda Private Game Reserve. She says this is for several reasons, the first being that clients are becoming more eco-focused and socially responsible. “Guests empathize the importance of renewable resources and sustainable tourism, especially in more rural areas such as Thanda’s location”, says Smith.

The benefits of a wellness facility that makes use of indigenous products filters back into the local communities. Smith says a large proportion of clients who use the spa purchase the products after the experience.

The Camelot Spa at Le Fransschhoek Hotel and Spa also chose to use indigenous products to allow for an authentically African Experience. “We have products that are truly relaxing and completely unique to Africa, such as African mud and Rooibos tea,” says Lize van Zyl, Spa Manager at Le Fransschhoek Spa.

THE LOWDOWN ON AFRICAN INGREDIENTS

AFRICAN POTATO:

The African potato has been used for centuries by African healers. It has a reputation for having strong immune-boosting properties. It’s also reported to be highly effective in alleviating arthritis and headaches.

MARULA OIL:

The marula fruit contains eight times the amount of vitamin C found in an orange. The oil is extracted from the kernel and is used in many skin care products. It is rich in both antioxidants and oleic acid.

ROOIBOS TEA:
From the Cederberg region in the Western Cape, Rooibos tea is well known for its extremely high levels of antioxidants. Spas use it for its detoxifying effects on the body.

SHEA BUTTER:

Shea butter is made from Shea nuts that grow on trees in West Africa. It is used to moisturize the skin but it also contains many minerals and can be used as an anti-inflammatory.

AFRICAN MUD:

Mud is commonly used for its antitoxic and high absorptive characteristics. The healing properties of African mud differ according to its place of origin. For example, the volcanic mud in Kenya is believed to fight bacteria and tone the skin.

7 AFRICAN THERAPIES

1. WISDOM OF AFRICA
Products used by the Wisdom of Africa Spa feature only naturally derived indigenous ingredients. Products include the Kalahari Body Moisture-Dew, African Ginger Body Firm, Mongongo Nut Body Detox, African Potato Body Repair and Coffee Cinnamon and Orange Cellu-Low. These products are used for treatments that include ‘African Bliss Body Embalming’ and ‘African Healing Body Polishes’.

2. LE FRANSSCHHOEK HOTEL AND SPA
Le Fransschhoek Hotel and Spa offers an ‘African Signature Treatment’ that uses ginger, African mud, Rooibos tea leaves and amanzi milk. Clients receive a scrub and body wrap followed by a tandem African massage (two massage therapists and a client). Movements in the massage include ‘the elephant walk’ and ‘the fish eagle’.

3. THANDA GAME RESERVE
The Spa at Thanda Game Reserve draws inspiration from the Zulu culture. Products incorporated into its treatments include African maize meal, shea butter balm, hot stones, lavender oil, honey, yoghurt, crushed papaya, vanilla and herbal teas.

4. MANHWANANI IN KRUGER
Guests at Hamilton’s Tended Camp, Hoyo-Hoyo Tsonga Lodge and Imbali Safari Lodge in the Mluvanti Private Concession near Orpen in the Kruger National Park can be pampered with a ‘Nomadic Africa Spa Experience’. In conjunction with Mahnwanani Africa Day Spa, guests can receive treatments in their suites, on the decks or around the swimming pools.

5. AMANI AFRICAN SPAS
Amani African Spa at Ivory Tree Game Lodge in the Pilanesberg (mear the Sun City Resort) has introduced African treatments for kids. Massages include the ‘Elephant Foot Print’, ‘Lion’s Paw Print’, ‘Baboon’s Chest Massage’, and the ‘Busy Bee’. A body wrap called ‘The Cocoon’ is offered for children with allergies or skin irritations. African potato together with marula oil is massaged into the body.

6. FORDOUN SPA
Fordoun Spa in the KwaZulu/Natal Midlands has developed a signature range of products in conjunction with Dr. Elliot Ndlovu, herbalist, ethno botanist, and sangoma (witch doctor). The products have been created from indigenous healing plants. Treatments include the Nduku-Nduku massage with traditional Zulu knobkerrie sticks, the inkomfe Herbal Wrap with African potato, and the Royal Zulu Bath with African potato, lavender and Rooibos tea.

7. FALAZA SPA
Falaza Game Park and Spa makes use of African TheraNake treatment products. All treatments begin with traditional ‘izinwayo’ foot cleanse. African-inspired signature treatments include full-body exfoliation using an African body scrub, followed by an outdoor hydro bath with forest steam milk. This is followed by full body massage with shea butter, ending with hydra moisture facial.

For further information on this informational Blog post or any other Safari in the Original 2AFRIKA Collection, visit us on the web at http://www.2afrika.com/

The Original 2AFRIKA, INC. remains committed to Corporate Social Responsibility in Tourism.

If you would like to comment on this Blog Post, please communicate directly with the Original 2AFRIKA Founder & President, Kenneth R. Hieber, electronically via kenneth@2afrika.com