Activities in Central Karoo, South Africa
Graaff-Reinet has more protected historic buildings than anywhere else in the country. Cradock Street alone has more than fifty; most are private homes. Then there's the Graaff-Reinet Pharmacy, a relic of the Victorian apothecary with his stone jars and dispensing bottles inlaid in gold.
The Dutch Reformed Church, built in 1886, was modelled on Salisbury Cathedral and is one of the finest examples of gothic architecture in the country. Out of town on a private farm is the most extraordinary of Graaff-Reinet's national monuments. The Kalkkop impact crater was formed some 200 000 years ago when a meteorite smashed into the Karoo, leaving behind a 640 metre wide crater. Over the years, limestone deposits have filled in the hole but the circular impact ridge is still visible.
Floriskraal dam, 20 kilometres south of town is scenically set amongst the hills and caters to all manner of watersports. And if you have any energy left, the 80 kilometre Karoo Marathon is run in September.
Karoo Nature Reserve, Graaff-Reinet, Karoo, South Africa
This 14 500 hectare reserve around Graaff-Reinet covers mostly hilly terrain in the foothills of the Sneeuberg (Snowy Mountains) offering a postcard view of the town nestled in a bend of the Sundays River.
The fluctuating waters of Van Rhyneveld's Pass Dam allow watersports upon occasion and there are hiking trails of varying duration through the semi-arid landscape dotted in rare Cape Mountain Zebra and Cape buffalo, antelope and ostrich and springbok, of course. But it is the Valley of Desolation that visitors usually come to see.
The pillars of eroded stone which stretch across the Karoo plains are awe-inspiring, as is the view from above if paragliding from Uitkyk (Lookout) Peak. There are no overnight facilities in the reserve unless you are on a pre-booked overnight hike.
Graaff-Reinet, Central Karoo, South Africa
The farms in the area have been in the family for generations. While there is an abundance of town lodgings, farm-stay accommodation provides a glimpse not only into contemporary Karoo life but also into its past. The farms offer a variety of activities including cycling, hiking, horse-riding, birding, plains game-viewing, tennis and golf.Some feature more esoteric excursions such as visits to a Stone Age tool workshop and one has its own fossil collection. And should the wild space and champagne air of the Karoo go to our head you can take to the sky and sightsee from above.
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Garden Route Adrenaline Tour
Beaches are wonderful – you can lie there for hours, doing nothing but lap up the sunshine. There are so many of them in Cape Town, and if the sunshine is not a good enough reason to go, the women & guys are a site for any tourist or local beach-goer.
But I must admit, with all my time in and around Cape Town and the Garden Route, I think I have found a company that can offer just that little bit more than a relaxed day on the beach. Probably the best action that you will see in South Africa can be offered by these guys – visit their site at www.adrenalinetour.co.za. You can download the brochure from this link
This is the information you will find there:
Day 1: Cape Town - Mossel Bay
• The Adrenaline Tour leaves Cape Town for Mossel Bay
• Upon arrival you have a choice of two adventure options:
• Great White Shark Cage Diving
• OR spend a day with Ultimate Water sports and experience wave-jumping, the glass bottom boat, jet boats and kayaks!
• For dinner we treat you to a traditional South African Potjie
Day 2: Mossel Bay - Oudtshoorn
• We visit Safari Ostrich Farm, where you will go on a tour of the farm, stand on an ostrich egg, and if you’re brave enough ride an Ostrich! No Ostriches or eggs will be harmed
• Take a guided tour through the Cango Wildlife Ranch where you’ll encounter a truly breathtaking display of animals, including the King of the Jungle, yes, Lions!
• Next up you can go Croc Cage Diving, and get your picture taken with cheetahs, tigers, and snakes!
• For dinner we flatter you with an Ostrich Fillet
Day 3: Plettenberg Bay
• We start off with the amazing world famous Cango Caves Adventure Tour. Truly incredible!
• Once in Plettenberg Bay we have several options to suit your mood.
• Go Skydiving, take part in a Mini Motocross tournament followed by Paintball in the forest.
• Otherwise take a break and visit one of South Africa’s most beautiful beaches and pubs.
• For this special evening we all enjoy a marvelous fish braai!
Day 4: Storms River / Tsitsikama Forest
• We begin by visiting the World’s Highest Bungee Jump (216m) at Bloukrans Bridge.
• Visit Tsitsikamma Falls where you can do the incredible Zipline tour through the forest and over waterfalls!
• In the afternoon you have the option of snorkeling in the National Park, or exploring the National Park either by hiking or by mountain bike.
• For dinner, enjoy a traditional South African Braai at Tube ‘n Axe in Storms River
Day 5: Storms / Mossel Bay / Cape Town
• After breakfast we revisit Mossel Bay for a special purpose - Sandboarding down the Dragon; South Africa’s longest dune at approximately 300 metres!
• Cruise back to Cape Town after the most exciting and memorable 5 days of your life.
Your tour includes the following:
• Safari Ostrich Farm
• Activity of your choice at Ultimate Water Sports
• Cango Caves Adventure Tour
• Tsitsikamma National Park
• Sandboarding
• 2 Professional Tour Managers & 1 Dedicated driver
• All Entrance Fees
• Luxury vehicle with air-con and DVD
• All Breakfasts & Dinners
• Cango Wildlife Ranch
• Zipline Tour
• 4 night backpacker accommodation
Restaurants in Cape Town
One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Cape Town is home to people from
diverse cultures and ethnic groups, each contributing to the array of tastes and
smells a visitor can expect to enjoy when dining in one of Cape Town’s many
restaurants.
Typically a good Cape Town restaurant will be reasonably
priced and serve well prepared dishes that will linger in your memories long
after you have left the city. This article will highlight some of the great
flavours, places and influences which give Cape Town restaurants their unique
character. To truly experience Cape Town you should try to include dishes from
various Cape Town restaurants influenced by different cultures.
Cape Malay
Probably the biggest cultural
influence on Cape Town’s traditional food comes from Cape Malay cooking
traditions. Truly South African dishes like Bobotie, Breyani, Samoosas and
Koeksisters are all brought to us by the Cape Malay culture.
Bobotie is
made from minced meat and raisins, with a creamy crust for a covering made from
egg. The dish has a sweet taste and is a South African favourite. Breyani is a
dish made from rice and lentils, with fish, chicken or other meat. This is a
tasty, yet spicy meal which is popular in Cape Town. The samoosa is a very
popular snack in Cape Town and South Africa, made by wrapping mince meat or
vegetables in pastry and then deep frying it. For the sweet tooth there is the
legendary koeksister, a sweet pastry often enjoyed with a cup of tea. The Cape
Malay version has a more cake-like consistency, while the Afrikaner adaption
comes in the form of a twisted pastry glazed in syrup, making for a very sweet
treat.
African Flavours
Visitors to Cape Town
can chose from a variety of African fusion restaurants which will give you an
unforgettable taste experience as traditional African ingredients are combined
in adventurous dishes that will tantalise your taste buds. The menus typically
offer a tremendous range, catering to diverse tastes and satisfying your palate,
no matter how particular it may be.
Cape Town Restaurant
Settings
The Cape Town Waterfront is a development which has
grown around a working harbour, where you can shop till you drop, then visit
museums and galleries, see weird and wonderful sea life in the famous Two Oceans
Aquarium, book a stay in a luxury hotel and dine in one of the fabulous
restaurants looking out over the harbour. This is one of Cape Town’s big tourist
draw cards, and after visiting you will know exactly why the Waterfront is such
a popular spot.
Camps Bay beach is a popular spot for the young and
trendy. Enjoy the beautiful white sand and warm sunshine, but remember to
protect yourself with a good sun block. The water is known to be a bit on the
chilly side, but it does serve to provide refreshing relief from the midsummer
heat. Here you can expect to find Cape Town restaurants offering top calibre
seaside dining.
Taking a walk around the Castle or browsing the stalls
on Greenmarket Square can work up an appetite which one of the Cape Town City
Centre restaurants will satisfy with style. There are a variety of good
restaurants to be found on Shortmarket Street, New Church Street, Castle Street,
Loop Street and the likes.
False Bay offers some stunning seaside
restaurants, notably those in Kalk Bay, where you can enjoy the best of Cape
Town’s more casual dining locations, with the cry of gulls over breaking waves
lending a charming character to the setting.
Green Point has a lively
nightlife with old style disco clubs and music for the liberal tourist to enjoy
a night out. There are a variety of restaurants where you can enjoy anything
from sophisticated cocktails to imported Belgian beers with your
meal.
Sea Point’s Beach Road has a couple of good restaurants offering a
view of the promenade where rollerblading, jogging and dog walking are popular
activities under the summer sun. Enjoy a hearty meal here and sip on a drink as
the sun sets and Cape Town’s night life awakens.
Southern Suburbs
restaurants range from sports pubs to the finest French cuisine restaurants on
beautiful Constantia wine estates. Newlands hosts Cape Town’s cricket and rugby
stadiums, where international events are common place, resulting in a frenzy of
patriotism and a great atmosphere for visitors to the city to enjoy.
The
Winelands are just a short drive outside of the city, where wine tasting is the
order of the day. Enjoy a wide variety of restaurants on the various wine farms
offering wine tasting and great dishes for the hungry tourist. The beauty of
Stellenbosch and Franschoek make for a breathtaking escape from city life where
you can enjoy the best food, wine and hospitality.
Tours in South Africa
Day 1: Cape Town
Arrive Cape Town Airport and meet your Cape Town holiday host, who will transfer you to your luxury boutique hotel. Check in for 2 nights.
You will be provided with a day pass for the convenient red Hop-On Hop-Off Bus, which stops at all of Cape Town’s key sights and beaches.
You will have the option of visiting all the main city centre attractions such as museums, diamond stores, arts & craft markets or ascending Table Mountain by cable car to enjoy one of the world’s most famous views. Continue to Camps Bay beach and then explore the shops and many other attractions of the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which is also the centre of Cape Town’s nightlife.
Return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Day 2: Constantia Winelands
Today, we go back to where it all began. The first vines were planted on the slopes of the Constantiaberg by then Governor of the Cape, Simon Van Der Stel back in 1685 on the farm Groot Constantia.
Starting with a detailed cellar tour followed by comprehensive tasting – Napoleon is said to have favoured the sweet wines of Constantia above all other. After the tasting there is an opportunity to explore the beautiful estate grounds and perhaps visit the estate museum.
Your personal host/guide will then discuss the various wine estates within the Constantia area available to visit, hopefully determining those which would be most appropriate and suitable to you with regards to the style & cultivar of the wines each estate produces.
Each day, you will visit a minimum of 3 different estates, including a cellar tour and 3 wine tastings.
Some of the estates within the Constantia area include Groot Constantia, Kleine Constantia, Constantia Uitsig, Steenberg and the Cape Point Vineyards.
Lunch, which is included in the package, will be either with an acclaimed restaurant or a specifically chosen estate offering picnic lunches. Today, La Colombe Restaurant at Constantia Uitsig has been reserved – it has been acclaimed as one of the world’s top 50 restaurants and voted the best restaurant in Africa.
Return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Day 3: Stellenbosch Winelands
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out of your hotel. Today we transfer to the town of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa, and the Stellenbosch Wine of Origin Region – home to over 20% of all the vines planted in SA, with an excess of 130 wine estates.
So with such a wide choice it is going to be a busy day of wine tastings. Be sure to sample South Africa’s very own indigenous wine varietals, namely Pinotage, which was ‘born’ in Stellenbosch.
Some of the estates within the Stellenbosch area include Spier, Blaauwklippen, Kanonkop, Beyerkloof, Meerlust, Neil Ellis, Rustenburg and Waterfort and many more.
Today lunch is reserved at the Volkskombuis, a restaurant specializing in local Cape cuisine and offering a wide range of Stellenbosch wines.
After lunch, your guide will take you through a short guided walk to marvel some of Stellenbosch unique history, culture and natural beauty.
End the day with a wine tasting in the Jonkerhoek Valley before returning to your hotel in the town centre of Stellenbosch. Check in for four nights.
Day 4: Franshoek Winelands
After a leisurely breakfast we visit the Franschoek Wine Valley, Valley of the Huguenots, one of the premier destinations in the World of Wine with forty three wine farms, including some of South Africa’s most respected names.
Not surprising when one considers that this fertile ground is where the French first made wine in South Africa 300 years ago. Today, that noble tradition is carried forward by the members of the Vignerons de Franschoek.
All the noble cultivars and classic styles are on show here. From superb whites such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Semillon and Chenin Blanc to the rich reds of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Not to mention the valley’s renowned methode Cap Classique Sparkling wines and Ports.
But Franschhoek’s finer tastes don’t end with wine. The picturesque valley also offers some of South Africa’s most acclaimed restaurants and with everything from delicious Cape country fare to sublime French cuisine. Not surprising that the area is known as the “Wine and Food Capital of the Cape” with menus to suit every taste and every pocket.
Today lunch is reserved at the Boschendal Estate we you can enjoy their famous picnic hamper, set in the magnificent garden under the Drakenstein Mountains.
Some of the estates within the Stellenbosch area include Graham Beck, Haut Espoir, La Motto, Boschendal, Moreson, Vrede & Lust.
Return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Day 5: Paarl, Wellington and Robertson Winelands
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
Today we visit 3 wine areas, each with there own individual characteristics and taking in some of the winelands’ most scenic areas.
We begin in the Paarl area. Set under Paarl Rock, a huge granite structure, Paarl is recognized for both large international wine companies as well as the small micro producers who all produce quality wines.
Some of the estates within the Paarl area include Nederburg, Backberg, Nelson Creek, Seidelberg and Boland Kelders.
From Stellenbosch we head to the Wellington Wine and Brandy Route. The fact that the majority of South Africa’s vine-cutting nurseries (better known as ’stokkieskwekerye’) are found in the Wellington area is due to the excellent soils and climate of the region.
The Wellington wine and brandy route is small and compact and the cellars within easy driving distance of each other. Some of the estates within the Wellington area include Bovlei, Diemersfontein, Mont Du Toit, Oude Wellington and Welgegund.
From Wellington we head over the Du Tiot’s Kloof Mountain onto the on the popular Route 62 and the Robertson Wine Valley. Nestled between the Langeberg and Riviersonderend Mountain ranges, our wine route offers a landscape of roads fringed with flowers and trees, majestic mountains and a river running through the valley. However above all, one remembers the world class wines.
Some of the estates within the Wellington area include Arabelle, MacGregor, Rietvallei and the Klipdrift Brandy Distillers.
Today lunch is reserved at the Fraaiuitzicht in the Roberston Valley.
Return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Day 6: Hermanus Winelands
Today we are able to enjoy some land based whale watching ( seasonal: July to Nov ) while en route to the Hemel en Aarde Valley ( Heaven & Earth Valley ) outside the seaside town of Hermanus. The valley is not only spectacularly beautiful but is home to the country’s top Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The close proximity to the sea is the major advantage for the vineyards in the valley. The cellars are also all situated offering spectacular views of the valley and ocean below.
Some of the estates within the Hemel-en-Aaarde Valley include Hamilton Russell, Bouchard Finlayson, Sumaridge and Newton Johnson.
Today lunch is reserved in the town of Hermanus offering spectacular views over Walker Bay, a protect whale sanctuary.
En route home we stop at the Wine Village, one of South Africa’s best, with the largest stock of SA wine under one roof. Time to stock up supplies for your journey home.
Return to your hotel for an evening at your leisure.
Day 7: Stellenbosch
Enjoy at leisure morning at your hotel. Time to do your last minute shopping in the town of Stellenbosch, enjoy a leisurely lunch & glass of your new favourite SA wine before your transfer back to Cape Town International for your continued holiday in South Africa or your journey home.
Kruger National Park Tours
If you can imagine yourself on Kruger National Park tours, then you need to contact Mmilo Tours right now. Browse all of their package deals and special rates before making your selection. Let this incredible company plan your vacation right down to the finest details.
For Kruger National Park tours that will be thrilling, fun, and memorable, the only operator that you need to book your travel vacations with is Mmilo Tours. Mmilo Tours is an owner managed and run tour operator that allows an incomparable personal getaway experience in South Africa by catering to more intimate groups of explorers. This tour company is run by Patrick Hanratty and Jenny Tyobeka who marry their strengths in business and travel information to give unique and exotic travel packages to both national and worldwide visitors. The perfect South African safari is a click away at www.mmilotours.com, and all you have to do is explore the interesting packages, answer a few questions, and the rest will be taken care of by the professional and welcoming staff at Mmilo Tours. Make a choice between planned out group tours, or if you would rather a self-drive variety, you can organize a custom-made tour that suits your tastes.
Whichever guided tour you choose, Mmilo Tours will offer you a truly authentic taste of the unbelievable Kruger National Park tours. The amazing scenery, inviting summery climate, and multitude of sights and sounds make South Africa one of the most exciting getaway destinations; but what makes a vacation experience special is a South African safari with sights of the big five and other remarkable wildlife right in the hub of nature. Enjoy the experience of viewing the king of the jungle, buffalo, zebra, and many other animals in their true habitat where they are free to hunt and live the way nature expected it to be. No other thing makes a safari experience so spectacular other than spending time with these wonderful and majestic animals. It is also one of the best ways to explore a bit of photography, too, as you won't get any more real than the South African safari. Don't leave your trip in South Africa to the last minute and face disappointment; book now at www.mmilotours.com, and guarantee yourself a place in the exploration of a lifetime.
When you organize your Kruger National Park tours with Mmilo Tours, you can expect to receive the classiest standard of service from the moment you book your guided tour to after you have left with unbeatable memories. Mmilo Tours is here to look after all your safari requirements so that you can sit back, relax, and enjoy South Africa in all its glory. You can expect to tour attractions on thrilling routes less traveled where a vast majority of travel possibilities are presented and your safari experience is enriched beyond imagination while staying in tasteful accommodation that has been personally selected to ensure an individual touch, while still comparing well to international standards. Tours with Mmilo Tours are adjustable so that you can go wherever you like, whichever dates you wish, and also like the site you go to. By using a controlled approach to the business, Mmilo Tours offers services of nationally registered and accredited in-house tour guide who will ensure consistency and a memorable holiday experience.
Whether you choose to be a part of a Kruger National Park tours experience, go on a tour of the Cape, or you wish to plan a fun trip for two in the Drakensberg Mountains, make Mmilo Tours your tour operator of choice. Your holiday experience in South Africa will be unforgettable because everything will be booked and organized for you before you even arrive. Go to www.mmilotours.com today, and start dreaming about the ideal South African safari!
A whale of a tale with a fishy ending
The Vaal River in the Parys area is just an hour away from Johannesburg and offers A River Runs Through It experience, with a local twist.
Okay, so there's no spectacular Rocky Mountain backdrop, but the surrounds are beautiful nevertheless, especially this time of the year when the grass is green, the birds and insects are abundant, and the weather is fair.
The river itself is beautiful, varying from long, slow-flowing pools to stretches of rapids and riffles, where the smallmouth yellowfish (Barbus aeneus) like to hold.
These streamlined indigenous fish are the local equivalent of the more famous but exotic rainbow trout. They keep station in the current behind the larger rocks, where the eddies allow them to hold position without fighting against the current. From such positions, they can dart out into the current to snatch up insects and insect larvae as they flow past before returning to their original position.
If their feeding tactics are known, then all one has to do is to match them with rod and fly, and success should be forthcoming.
Well, in theory anyway. In practice, it's not that easy. These fish are wily critters and are able to spot any fly that is not behaving naturally, and will duly ignore it as it drifts past.
In Czech-nymphing a dropper fly and strike-indicator are used. The strike indicator is a brightly coloured, floating, pea-sized ball that is attached to the leader close to the actual fly line and allows the fisher to keep track of things in the torrent.
A foot or so below the strike-indicator is where the dropper fly is attached and right at the end, in the normal position, is where the terminal fly is attached. This terminal fly is usually a bead-head nymph of some description, with the bead and the dropper fly adding the necessary weight so that they bounce along close to the bottom, where the yellows feed.
If the set-up is a bit different to what's used for trout, then so are the actual tactics. There's no need to cast 9m upstream. Czech-nymphing entails using a short section of line, 3-4m long, which is flicked out upstream and brought back in the current. Rather than casting far, the key lies in finding the places where fish will hold and bringing the fly in with the minimum of drag and unnatural movement.
After a break for breakfast and coffee, we tried again and soon the first fish was hooked, although admittedly it was a foul-hook and the fish was brought in by the tail. Nevertheless, it seemed to herald a change in fortunes and it was just as I had finished taking photographs of Elton's tail-hooked fish that I caught one - this time hooked in the pectoral fin. Well, we were getting closer to the mouth at least!
Now, in fishing there's often a bit of subtle competition, even between good friends. There are also lessons to be learned and, sometimes, learning follows competition. Elton caught his second fish, legitimately hooked in the mouth, and soon lost a couple more, while I was still on number one. Furthermore, he would be getting married in four days' time, while I am still very much a bachelor, so my hackles were slightly raised when he caught another fine yellow.
Does he have to have all the luck? Well, I thought to myself as I began a cast, there's naught I can do except to persevere with the tactics I know are right.
As the fly landed in the torrent, I felt a nice fish take and soon landed probably the best fish of the day. So there's the lesson: when things are not going your way, just do what you know is right and keep trying as there's not much else that can or needs to be done. By the end of the day, I had caught three yellows and a mudfish, while Elton had also caught three yellows, making it, to date, our most successful day on the Vaal.
So next time you feel the urge to use your fly rod, forget about going all the way to Dullstroom or the Natal Midlands and head down to the Vaal. It's close, there's much to do in the area for the non-fishers, the surrounds are beautiful and peace-inducing, and the fishing experience can be extremely rewarding. Who knows, you might even come away with a lesson or two learned.
Hotels While Staying in Africa
Which One Suits Your Needs
If you
plan on visiting Africa, make sure you stay in the best hotel that
suits your every need. Not every traveler will have the same needs and
therefore should do research prier to leaving. Here are help make your stay a lot easier. This hotel is accommodating to both business and leisure travelers as
the hotel sits in central location from shopping and major highways.
The Garden Court Eastgate hotel is located in Eastgate just minutes
away from the Johannesburg International Airport. It's convenient location helps both
business and vacation travelers. The wide range of business
accommodations includes onsite taxi service, wireless internet, and fax
and printer delivered right to your guest room if you need them. The
business friendly hotel will help you prepare for your meetings, but
also help you relax with amenities like workout facilities, swimming pools, and exotic gardens throughout the hotel. If you're looking for the more cultural side of Africa, then your next
stay should be in the Protea Hotel Shakaland. The hotel sits in
Zululand, between Eshowe and Melmoth, on the top the Entombeni Hills,
that overlooks the beautiful Umhlatuze Lake. You'll experience the
traditional living the Zulu people as you stay in a 'umuzi' or
homestead. This beehive like room features bathroom and modern
conveniences. You'll not only live like the Zulu people, but they'll
share their tribal dances, spear making, and beer drinking activities
with you. Experience the tradition of Africa through the eyes of the
Zulu people.
The first truly luxurious hotel and resort in
Africa is the Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa. The hotel features 82 guest
rooms, with 62 of them being executive suites. The hotel offers a
variety of relaxing amenities like a massage and different spa and
therapeutic services. The resort was named one of the Top 20 Overseas
Leisure Hotels by the 2006 Conde Nast Traveller readers traveler
awards. Africa will not only let you experience it's exotic and
cultural life, it will also show you the relaxing side.
Vacation vaccinations
Be prepared when you hit the road this December, writes Annette Bayne. The leave is booked, the bags are packed and
you are ready to enjoy the holiday you have been waiting for. But have
you prepared yourself and your family against possible medical risks? When travelling, it’s important to know about
the area that you are going to. Travel clinics, travel agents and most
guidebooks will have information about the possible risks and
up-to-date information on the type of prophylaxis you should be using.
Although there is information available on the Internet, it is
important to consult a doctor about specific areas. Travel insurance is crucial, and the correct
package will take care of costly international medical bills, and even
evacuation. It’s also important to have local emergency
numbers on hand. A note in your passport or on your phone can make a
big difference in an emergency situation. MALARIA Malaria is the biggest killer in Africa and can often be fatal. Malaria is a parasitic infection of the red
blood cells. The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of
an infected Anopheles mosquito. The most dangerous of the various malaria strains is Plasmodium falciparum, which causes the dangerous cerebral malaria. Taking malaria prophylaxis provides you with
95% protection against malaria There are three main prophylactics, each
with its own side effects. The best prevention is not to get bitten, so
ensure that you are well stocked up on mosquito repellant, available in
cream, spray and soap form. Mosquito nets are also a good investment.
Malaria can have an incubation period of up to four weeks, and should
you experience flu-like symptoms during this period or for up to six
weeks after your return, it is important to consult a doctor. YELLOW FEVER Another sickness passed on by mosquitoes is
Yellow Fever. This disease initially presents with fever, muscle pain
(with prominent backache), headache, shivers, loss of appetite, nausea
and vomiting. Most patients recover from the acute phase, but up to 15% of patients can enter a toxic phase which can lead to death. The SA Port Health Authority requires proof of
vaccination for travellers visiting 45 countries worldwide, many of
which are in Africa. A valid vaccination card in-dicates when last you received a Yellow Fever vaccination. The vaccination is valid for 10 years. Travel
clinics and doctors can administer this vaccination. Be sure to keep
the card safe among your travel documents.
For a person visiting South Africa, or for local, there is nothing quite like taking a road trip through the varied landscapes and provinces of this beautiful country. The country is larger then England, France and Germany and holds a selection of different sceneries, ranging from the dry, desert Karoo, to the rich dense forest of Knysna.
Taking a road trip with friends or family has wonderful opportunities to get to the know places, meet people and be spontaneous. There are varieties of companies in South Africa that offer different Self-Drive trips and tours, all individual with possibilities of exploration.
There are several companies that offer self-drive or road trips within South Africa. You could use your own car as the mode of transport, or alternatively hire a car for rental. There are various routes available and each operator has different scenic tours to explore. One of the more general ones would be such as a beautiful road trip driving from Cape Town, through to Port Elizabeth.
This trip has a holiday feel with plenty of time to explore the beaches of Cape Town, wine estates on the Garden Route as well as a nature reserve, a safari and plenty more. With careful planning, you could include seeing seals, penguins and even cheetahs at the Spier Estate, just outside of Cape Town. If you traveled up to Plettenburg Bay, there is opportunity to see primates at Monkey World. The actual driving is easy going with plenty to see.
This particular type of road trip gives a wonderful overview of what South Africa has to offer. It has just enough activities to keep you busy, but allows time for relaxation as well. If you are, however, looking for more of the wilder side of South Africa, there are tour operator's that offer self-drives to the Kruger National Park.
There are tour companies that offer a wonderful road trips from Johannesburg, through to Kruger National Park. The Kruger National Park is larger then Israel, and holds the complete Big 5 animals (Elephant, Leopard, Lion, Buffalo and Rhinoceros) as well as wide variety of antelope, 900 species of bird life, small predators and other animals. There are two game drives though out the day, the one in the early morning and another late at night. Both hold a variety of animals and are guided by both a ranger and a tracker.
But before you even arrive at the Kruger, the self-drive will let you explore Mpumalanga, traveling from Johannesburg to the Kruger National Park. Beautiful scenery and canyons surround you, the most famous being Blyde River Canyon that the area is known for. Just a bit further on is another canyon that can be viewed from a spot called "Gods Window".
From here the whole world seems to open its doors to you, with the gorgeous greenery and lushness provided by the forest and nature. The drive from each destination is smooth, with only a few hours in-between. Each destination has it's own activities and beauty to provide the ideal road trip. Once you have toured to your hearts content, you can take a leisure dive back to Johannesburg, and drop your car off at the Airport car rental. In contrast to this lush green tour, is the more southern part of South Africa, at the Karoo. There are tour operators that explore this region, which offer Ostrich Derby self drive trips.
This adventure starts in Cape Town and takes a relaxation ride up to Oudtshoorn. There are plenty of stops and sights on the way, but the main attraction of this trip is the visit to the Ostrich and Crocodile farm. There are often races between the locals on the ostriches and a variety of craft shops selling beautiful ostrich feathers in a variety of colours, as well as eggs, local pottery and a mixture of different things. There are also camel rides available and watching the rangers feed the crocodiles is a site to behold.
The trip even gives the opportunity to fly in a hot air balloon and float over the Karoo. Stops on the way to Oudtshoorn include the Drakensburg Mountains and driving through Stellenbosch, the home of many of South Africa's greatest wines. The trip ends off in Hermanus, which is renowned for Whale watching.
If you are coming to the Cape to try the wine routes and have a bit of adventure in between, then you should look at self-drive trips that include the Garden Route. Circular road journeys, which go completely around the Western Cape, are perfect for wine tasting opportunities. This type of road journey is fantastic as you get a wonderful opportunity to see all the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that Cape Town and the surrounding area have to offer, in two weeks. The trip shows you all the wonderful landscape, sites and landmarks that are on offer.
For the first few days, you can relax into the mood of Cape Town, with a complete travel manual for trips and actives in the City. The trip then ventures off into Hermanus and a few days in Kysna. They are plenty of hikes, boat trips, both at sea, in the lagoons and on the rivers. You then travel to the Wilderness to see the dolphins, then drive through to Oudtshoorn and visit the Cango Caves. At the end, they, takes you through a leisure drive through Stellenbosh to visit and taste all the wines available.
There are plenty of routes and destinations for every member of the family within the borders of South Africa and plenty of memories to be made. With a bit of guidance and help from the people in the industry, travelling by your own car or getting a economy car rental, you can discover first hand the adventures that are possible, which no other type of trip comes anywhere close to the experience.
Article Source: http://www.traveldir.org/articles/africa/south_africa/south_african_road_trips.html
Whale Watching in the Overberg with Southern Right ChartersWhale Watching
Our motto: ‘Observing NOT Disturbing’
Southern Right Charters departs daily from our private floating jetty in the Hermanus New Harbour, Western Cape (weather permitting).
Our whale-watching trips are informative and educational, magical, definitely an experience to be treasured.
Miroshga, a custom-built catamaran, complies with all safety regulations as per marine authorities. She is fitted with 42 individual high-backed chairs, onboard toilet and observation/photographic platform.
A qualified/registered skipper and whale specialist guide are in charge of the vessel.
We are licensed to approach the whales up to 50 m, we then stop and the decision
is left entirely to the whales as to whether or not they wish to
approach the boat – being
curious creatures, they usually come right up to our vessel.
We mostly encounter Southern Right whales, seals, penguins, marine birds – and
are fortunate to often see dolphins, Bryde’s ( our resident whale) and
Humpbacks on
many of our trips.
The Southern Right Charters crew look forward to welcoming you on board ‘Miroshga’.
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The African Family Safari Is A Fun And Memorable Experience
Families who enjoy watching the Lion King might discover that planning an African family safari might just be the adventure of a lifetime for the whole clan. There are many African safari travel companies that will not include children on safaris, but there are other companies that actually cater to family groups and encourage them to consider safari holidays for their special vacation times.
Some of the family-friendly services that are offered by African safari tour companies are baby-sitting, special menus to appeal to the kids, and specially trained guides for the family. Some family safaris will even make arrangements to have special children's activities, such as a bush treasure hunt, African-inspired crafts like bead-making, or bedtime stories told by authentic African storytellers.
Many parents have a concern about taking their kids into areas where they might get malaria or other illnesses. Limiting the family safari to some of the game reserves in South Africa is one option to address those concerns. Another possibility is to undertake a self-drive safari through some of the areas of Namibia as well as South Africa. You will find roads in good shape and can enjoy a more leisurely pace, rather than having an itinerary to follow.
One of the challenges that parents might encounter during a safari is convincing a youngster, who loves to cuddle up with his favorite stuffed lion at home, that the mother lion preening her cubs cannot be petted or even approached. This can be one of the more difficult things to get across, especially for children who have never been on wildlife safaris.
Even with the challenges that are bound to come up, a safari for families is not only possible, but also great fun. As long as family wildlife safaris are undertaken safely and are conducted under the watchful supervision of an experienced safari guide, who knows how to handle and cater to the children in the group, they can be an experience that will provide lifelong memories.
Many parents who have never considered taking African safari holidays with their children in tow might be surprised to learn that family safaris are one of the most popular types of vacations for children, from the ages of four to eighteen. There are many African safari tour operators, African tourist bureaus, and adventuresome parents who have successfully undertaken various Africa safaris with their children and claim that is was the experience of a lifetime for the entire family.
When parents spend a bit of time upfront in choosing the family safari destination and in selecting the safari travel guide they will be depending on, the likelihood is excellent that the vacation will be a grand success for everyone. If you have friends or acquaintances who have been on a safari for the whole family, then ask them for their insights and for contact information of the safari guide they would recommend.
Source: GoTravel
