Posts Tagged ‘South Africa’

A Guide To South African Holidays And Tours

Thursday, April 21st, 2011

Although South Africa may have become synonymous with its warm Mediterranean climate coupled with azure coastlines and the infamously beautiful, Table Mountain in Cape Town; it boasts countless other premium destinations. The available selection of South African Holiday and tours meets almost every need, from fun-filled adventures for the entire family, to romantic escapes for couples in need of a luxurious break.

South African safaris offer visitors the unique opportunity to observe the lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard and elephant, in their natural environment. Private Game Reserves in Limpopo offer a wide range of South African Holiday tours in the wild as well as lavish accommodation and excellent service. For a different kind of adventure, Gansbaai on the east coast provides shark cage diving expeditions and riveting tours of underground mineral havens and crystal pools.

If it is for culture and a discovery of history that travellers visit South Africa, then there are certainly no lack of destinations that will provide an enthralling experience. Previously shrouded by political unrest, this country has developed into a “Rainbow Nation”, of spectacular beauty and exciting travel prospects.

The island is centred on commemorating the political prisoners of the apartheid regime, one of which was former South African president, Nelson Mandela. Travellers who wish to indulge in a more cultural holiday experience, can visit the preserved Zulu homesteads of Kwazulu-Natal and explore time-old traditions of the great warrior, King Shaka. The essence of the Zulu nation lies in its traditional heritage which has been passed down through word-of-mouth over centuries of both war and peace.

The Garden Route, which finds its beginnings in the Western Cape, stretches lazily through to the Tsitsikamma forest, where, as if captured from a scene in a fairytale, indigenous flora and fauna live bountifully in their natural habitats. Along the route are numerous destinations where travellers searching for a peaceful retreat can bask in the organic ambience and beauty of South Africa.

If the aim of a vacation is to be entertained and enjoy the nightlife, then destinations such as Gold Reef City in Joburg, are the place to be. Entertainment venues such as this one can be found in almost every major city, many of which include impressively embellished casinos for the adults and exciting theme park rides and movie theatres for the children.

Wherever the destination may lead, its heartbeat lies in the music, protest songs and liberating poetry that has been the lifeblood of South Africa’s transformation from a past of political turmoil to its present-day charms and idyllic South African Holidays and Tours.

Basic Tips On How To Plan South African Holidays And Tours

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

South Africa is a magnificent nation and is certainly one of the more popular destinations for holidaymakers. The large part of South Africa’s tourist initially will revolve around its magnificent wildlife and therefore there are loads of different Safari options that you will have available. If you want to go on South African holidays and tours, these basic tips should help you plan properly.

The first step to take will always be to work out who you are going to go on South African Holiday or on tour with. You will have plenty of options here and can choose to travel by yourself, with a friend, with a group of friends, with your family, also be with your partner.

You will need to find a specific time of year to go. Depending on where you are travelling from, a good couple of weeks is usually sufficient to really get to grips with the country and enjoy a lot of what it has to offer. If you are going on a South Africa holiday then you will also need to consider the optimal times of year for this.

Now it is a case of action working out how big your budget is going to be and what you are willing to spend. When developing your budget you will need to think about your flights, your accommodation, and all of the activities you will be engaging in.

After figuring out what your budget is going to be you will then need to start searching around for flights and accommodation. Here you will have two choices. You can choose to purchase these separately and can shop around on your own or through the use of a travel agent. Or, if you would prefer, you could purchase a ready-made holiday. All-inclusive package deals will incorporate all of the aspects of your trip and will take away a great deal of the planning from you.

When these details have been thrashed out you can then decide upon the activities you are going to be engaging in. If you have chosen to go on a specific tour then your itinerary will already have been set out. If you haven’t, and you are going on a more general holiday, it is a good idea for you to do some research into what you can actually do when you are there. From here you can then sort out your own itinerary.

Now you simply need to gather together all of your clothing and accessories that you need to take along with you. Always consider the time of year and will you will be doing when doing so.

Cape Town, South Africa – A City Of Mountains, Beaches And Vineyards

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

When the winters in the Northern Hemisphere become too much, many people now head to one of the world’s prime tourist destinations: Cape Town, South Africa. This city has turned into one of the top ten tourist destinations in the world during the past decade.

Cape Town is probably first and foremost known for its lovely beaches. When your friends and family in the Northern half of the globe are sipping hot wine to stay warm, you could be relishing the African sun on one of the city’s many sandy white beaches.

The Mother City, as Cape Town is often called, is an ideal destination for the family traveler. Even those families that include a very recent addition in the form of a baby will find that Cape Town is a great destination. You can fly in from numerous cities around the glob, rent a car and get baby-friendly accommodation all in a matter of hours. Note: When renting a car try and book one that’s fitted with a graco car seat for the baby.

Just as an example of how sophisticated Cape Town guest houses are becoming: a guest house where we stayed recently even had a spa baby where our baby could be bathed in the (more natural) upright position. Of course not every guest house will have one, but it pays to inquire before the time.

Another favorite tourist attraction of the Mother City, and one that you can hardly miss, is Table Mountain. This colossal massif juts out from the ocean to loom over Cape Town like a mother hen guarding her children. An open secret that all Capetonians know is that if the wind blows on one side of Table Mountain, you are sure to find a peaceful beach free from wind on the opposite side. The view from the top of Table Mountain is incredibly beautiful. You can either hike to the top or take the cable car.

Then there’s the V&A Waterfront, where you can enjoy a world class meal while watching a living harbor at work. And there’s the Cape winelands, where many South African export wines are produced. Another top tourist destination is the nature reserve of Cape Point. Here a cog-wheel railway leads to a lookout point where you can see two ocean meet: the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean. A lovely restaurant, built into the mountainside, offers spectacular view of False Bay and the mountains of the Cape Peninsula.

It’s unlikely that you will get a lot of time to read in Cape Town, unless you do so when everyone else is sleeping. If you love reading, make sure to pack your digital book reader. Once the other members of your family are sound asleep, you can proceed to read your best-loved detective story while savoring the fresh sea breeze coming in through the open window…

East London South Africa

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Located in Eastern Cape Province on the southeast coast of South Africa, East London lies between the Nahoon River to the north and Buffalo River to the south. This unique placement makes East London the sole river port in South Africa. Residents of East London are relaxed and hospitable people who welcomes all kinds of visitors. The agreeable subtropical climate and the soothing waters of the Indian Ocean combine to help make tourists feel an immediate sense of contentment. IsiXhosa is the chief language of the East London region, but many residents speak and comprehend English.

The Gonibu Beach

Gonubie Beach is worth visiting. Firstly, it has received blue flag status, meaning it meets strict standards for environmental protection, facilities provided, and in safety. Secondly, a parking lot makes the beach convenient to get to. The boardwalk to the beach is scenic, passing tidal pools with lush vegetation. The beach is also right at a half hour drive from East London, and can be reached on the N2.

Nahoon Beach

The most popular beach in East London is Nahoon Beach. The beach is named after a local Xhosa chief. It’s easy to see why it is a favourite, because of its many miles of clean and uncrowded sands. Because of its amazing waves, it is home to the Surf Life Saving Club and also is the location where many national surfing competitions are held. Everyone can enjoy Nahoon Beach – whether one is a fisherman or just a sunbather.

Orient Beach

Orient Beach is a popular tourist destination for numerous reasons. Firstly, it is near the Quingey suburb in east London, and close to hotels and shops on Esplanade. Next, tends to be a safer beach, with numerous lifeguards. The beach is good for bathing, as it is protected from break waters and contains two circular swimming pools. The pools are enormous and able to hold many individuals. Lastly, there are refreshment stands and restaurants available.

East London Car Rental

If you’d like to travel around by yourself you can make use on the great East London car rental deals available at http://carrentalssa.co.za

East London Aquarium

The Frends of East London Aquarium was officially opened on the second of December 1931. It is known to be the oldest public aquarium in southern Africa. The main objective of this aquarium is to help marine animals that are victims of pollution and other disasters. They rehabilitate these animals and put them back in the ocean. Every year the count goes up to hundreds of animals. The locals in that area need to be educated so that they can understand and respect the eco system of the ocean, and the aquarium takes responsibility of this job. It also displays huge and well lighted fish tanks with the local fish population.

Visitors enjoying a seaside holiday in East London will undoubtedly want to return time and time again after viewing the migration of the stunning Southern Right whales. As they move southwards along the coast of southern Africa toward their arctic feeding grounds, the whales often linger offshore near East London. Magnificent bay views of the whales may be seen from the aquarium’s eleven metre platform, situated directly above the surf itself.