| Search By Province: |  |
Itinerary ID: 7 - 10 Day Eastern Cape Experience, Eastern Cape
 |
A 7 to 10 day trip starting in East London and ending in Port ElizabethSouth Africa Itinerary - 10 days exploring the Eastern Cape
|
Places to stay in Eastern Cape | Information on Eastern Cape
Itinerary ID: 9 - Explore the Eastern Cape, Eastern Cape
 |
A 14 day trip through the Eastern Cape taking in Addo National Elephant Park and the fabulous coastal sights.South Africa Itinerary - 14 days exploring the Eastern Cape
|
Places to stay in Eastern Cape | Information on Eastern Cape
Itinerary ID: 10 - Cape Town to East London, Western Cape
 |
This 14 day adventure lets you explore Cape Town and the surrounding area; the wine routes and the Garden Route. You will then drive through the Tsitsikamma forest to Port Elizabeth and then on to East London. A fantastic route with the best of both the Eastern and Western Cape.South Africa Itinerary - 14 day trip from Cape Town to East London
|
Places to stay in Western Cape | Information on Western Cape
Itinerary ID: 18 - 7 Day Drakensberg and Kruger National Park - Mpumalanga, Mpumalanga
 |
A 7 day trip through wonderful scenery taking in Kruger National Park South Africa Itinerary - 7 Day Trip through the Drakensberg and Kruger
|
Places to stay in Mpumalanga | Information on Mpumalanga
Itinerary ID: 19 - Sabie Safaris 5 Day Guided Tour, Mpumalanga
 |
Sabie Safaris offers a unique 5 day guided tour to the Kruger National Park and Sabie Park Private Nature Reserve. We will spend our days searching for wildlife favourites such as the Big 5, but will also pay special attention to the smaller parts of the ecosystem, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and plants. A night drive and bush walk are also included in the itinerary.South Africa Itinerary - 5 Day Guided Tour of Sabie and KrugerGuest accommodation is totally exclusive - a privately owned house surrounded by the tranquillity of nature in the Sabie Park Private Nature Reserve. This reserve is inaccessible to the general public, ensuring guests their privacy and relaxation!Tour itinerary: Day 1: Guests are picked up at Nelspruit International Airport from where they will be transported to Sabie Park Private Nature Reserve. After unpacking, we will have our first afternoon game drive in the Kruger National Park. We will return to Sabie Park in the late afternoon to get ready for a delicious buffet dinner at the Protea Hotel. Day 2: We will rise before the sun and embark on a morning game drive in the Kruger National Park, searching for various animals, including the Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino. Breakfast will be enjoyed at a scenic spot within the Park. Around noon, we will arrive at Skukuza rest camp, where we will enjoy lunch on a deck overlooking the Sabie River. After lunch, we will return to Sabie Park and spend the afternoon relaxing either by the pool or the riverside before going to the Protea Hotel for dinner. Day 3: We will embark on an early morning bush walk through the Sabie Park Private Nature Reserve. Since most animals are more active during the cooler hours of the morning, we will have the opportunity to encounter giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, ostrich, kudu, impala and several other species on foot. Your trained guide will also take the time to teach you about the different plants, birds, insects, and animal tracks you might come across. Breakfast will be enjoyed at a beautiful picnic pot next to the Sabie River. After breakfast, we will have a short game drive before arriving at Pretoriuskop rest camp for lunch. The afternoon will be spent at the Sabie Park swimming pool or riverside. In the late afternoon, we will depart to the Kruger Gate, from where we will embark on a night drive through the Kruger National Park, searching for nocturnal animals such as lions, leopards, hyenas, genets, bush babies, owls, and several other species. A late dinner will be enjoyed at the Protea Hotel. Day 4: We will rise early and go on a full day game drive through the Kruger National Park. We will travel north towards Tshokwane - a picnic spot located beneath massive indigenous trees - where we will enjoy our breakfast. From here we will travel to the south-eastern side of the park. We will arrive at Lower Sabie rest camp around noon, just in time for lunch on a riverside deck. After lunch, we will travel to the Lake Panic bird hide - a watering hole for many animal species. Lake Panic is also home to large populations of hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species, which are all sure to be seen. We will return to Sabie Park Private Nature Reserve at dusk and get ready for dinner. Day 5: We will enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast at the Protea Hotel, after which you will have the chance to browse around the curio shop for arts and crafts. We will then take a final late morning game drive in the Kruger Park before travelling back to Nelspruit. Available dates are listed on our website. Website: www.sabiesafaris.co.za Email: bookings@sabiesafaris.co.za Cell: 082 853 1033 Contact person: Neil |
Places to stay in Mpumalanga | Information on Mpumalanga
Itinerary ID: 20 - The World Famous Drakensberg Mountains, KwaZulu-Natal
 |
The Drakensberg is home to South Africas highest peaks and perhaps the most famous of all these summits is the 3,000 metre high Cathedral Peak. The Drakensberg range of mountains creates an escarpment of some 1,000km in length.Two Day Walk in the Drakensberg MountainsCathedral Peak, despite its enormous height, is extremely well laid out for walkers aiming to climb this impressive peak. For anyone attempting to climb Cathedral Peak perhaps the biggest challenge is the weather itself. As with any range of mountains the weather can change at extremely short notice so being prepared and keeping in touch with the latest weather reports is vital. Good walking shoes should be worn and wet weather gear taken at all times.Day 1 A great place to start your walk is in the Mlambonja Valley. From this village follow the paths through the valley and countryside passing lovely Proteas. The Protea is the national flower of South Africa and also the nickname given to the national cricket team. The walk through the valley has quite a mystical feel and is reminiscent of the lands in the Lord of the Rings. As you head upwards in the valley, passed waterfalls; look out for hidden caves in the rocks high up. These caves were inhabited by the San Bushmen as long as 4,000 years ago. Inside the caves you can still see some of the cave paintings they drew. Head down from the caves and make for the Cathedral Park Hotel. This amazing hotel lies deep in the valley under the gaze of the Drakensberg Mountains and is ideal for walkers as a stopover before they attempt to climb to the Cathedral Peak summit. Day 2 In order to make it up and down to the Cathedral Peak summit in one day you will require an early start. From the hotel, it will typically take 9 hours of steady walking to reach the Peak summit as it approximately an 18km round trip. The other important thing to check out before you leave is the weather report. As you walk through the hills and fields keep an eye out for baboons often seen in this area. The hike from the hotel will take you up a series of tiers eventually taking you from the Lower Berg to the Upper Berg. You will pass along places known as Swine Hill, the challenging Bugger Gulley and the lovely named Orange Peel Gap. At this point you are on the Upper Berg and about half way to the summit. Take a break at this point before following the trail all the way to the summit. Once you reach here you will not be disappointed. The views on a clear blue day are simply stunning and you can spend a few moments spotting the many other peaks spreading for miles in each direction. Overall this is a challenging walk and you do need to be fairly fit. However the views are worth it! |
Places to stay in KwaZulu-Natal | Information on KwaZulu-Natal
Itinerary ID: 21 - Port Alfred to Hermanus – a two week independent trip, Western Cape
 |
A two week independent trip travelling by car from Port Alfred to Hermanus and back again in March 2009. Places visited include: Schotia Safari Park, Addo Elephant Park, Jeffreys Bay, St.Francis Bay, Plettenberg Bay, Tsitsikamma, Sedgefield, Knysna, Mossel Bay and many more....Two week independent tripPort Alfred to HermanusAfter leaving Port Alfred our first stop was Schotia Safari Park - arriving mid-afternoon, we had a drink then off for our first drive with the game warden and four other guests. We saw giraffes, lions, many types of buck, wart hogs, zebras, crocodiles, rhinos, and hippopotami, during our visit. We chose to stay in the thatched cottage style accommodation- simple style with oil lanterns, went to sleep listening to the lions roar and awoke to hear the same, a fantastic experience and one we will never forget. We had three safari drives - afternoon, evening and early morning. We were very well catered for and can highly recommend this privately run park. We would go again.The next day we drove into Addo National Elephant Park to see the elephants and were delighted at the sight of so many, lots of baby ones too. We also saw many wart hogs, and zebras here. We spent the next couple of days in Jeffreys Bay, using this as a base to visit St.Francis Bay – a great place for golfers as it has two golf courses. At St.Francis Point, we spotted a very young Jackass penguin on the rocks and visited the lighthouse which is a rescue centre for penguins. From here, we travelled onto Oyster Bay which has a wonderful beach. We set off the next day passing through Tsitsikamma where we were lucky enough to spot a very large baboon sitting on a fence at the side of the road, and later three eagles soaring above us, such a beautiful sight. We drove along the highway passing Plettenberg Bay - great photo opportunities of the fabulous beaches here, and where we were booked in to stay on our return trip. We then came to Knysna, a very attractive harbour and waterfront with lots of bars/restaurants and boutique style shops. We reached our accommodation destination at Sedgefield, and were highly amused to find guinea fowl dropping by on the hunt for a free meal! We were also delighted to observe from our temporary home the numbers of different birds landing in the garden, including the Olive Thrush and the Cape Weaver. We had a trip out on the lake and were fortunate enough to see a Sea Eagle sitting in a tree, would have been even more exciting to see him in flight - but perhaps next time! From our base at Sedgefield we visited Victoria Bay where there are lovely rock pools, sand and surf, and then onto Herolds Bay, this was a quieter and more attractive beach with a small promenade. Finally on this day trip we stopped at Mossel Bay where we walked out to the point and lighthouse then had a walk on the beach at Little Brack River, and before returning we had a very enjoyable fish meal at Ocean Basket. This chain of restaurants can be found in many towns and shopping malls and is extremely good value for money. Our final trip out from Sedgefield found us visiting Knysna and climbing up to The Heads. The views from here are truly amazing and a place not to be missed, another fantastic photo opportunity. The next day we were on our way to Hermanus, our final stop westwards. We were staying at yet another very comfortable guest house (they are amazingly good value for money and we were never disappointed by the high standard on offer). From Hermanus we were able to spend a wonderful day at Betty's Bay and Stoney Point where we were able to laugh at the antics of the thousands of Jackass Penguins in the sea and on the shore - you can even see them sitting on their eggs. The boardwalk allows you to look down on them as they shuffle along on their daily walks up to the rocks. These rocks are homes to another South African creature - the Rock Dassie, these animals are quite small, about the size of a wombat and although they appear to be rather shy we were able to take a number of photos of them. We were also able to see cormorants and many colourful lizards on our visit to Stoney Point. Hermanus itself is very interesting, full of small shops and arcades, outside markets and many bars and restaurants. It has a lovely grass area in front of these eateries and we were lucky enough to be entertained by a steel band while there. On our return trip we stayed a couple of days at Plettenberg Bay where we visited Birds of Eden - well worth seeing and you can combine this with Monkey World right next door – we would suggest you allow a day for seeing the two. We only had time for the birds and will never forget the amazing colours of them flying around the natural vegetation. There are great photo opportunities as the birds are fed from easily seen bird tables. Through the hospitality of some South African friends we spent a number of days staying at Port Alfred which has amazing beaches. We had a trip up the Kowie River on their boat, and even a fishing trip out on the Indian Ocean. Port Alfred should be another stop on your itinerary. South Africa's coastline is so diverse and there are so many different experiences to be had travelling the Garden Route, we had a great time and can't wait to visit this wonderful country again. |
Places to stay in Western Cape | Information on Western Cape
Itinerary ID: 22 - Garden Route - 2 Day Walk, Western Cape
 |
This 2 day walk through the wonderful Garden Route covers approximately 35 km starting in Mossel Bay and ending at Fransmanshoek.2 Day Walk through the Garden RouteDay 1From Mossel Bay; head west across the rocks and along the coastal path over the great cliffs overlooking the beaches and deserted sand dunes. This 'off the beaten track' route affords you amazing views, taking you along paths where you will come across the famous fynbos that attracts so many botanists to the area. Did you know that on Table Mountain there are over 9,000 species of plant - more than you will find in the whole of the UK? This area is famous for the "Xhosa" (pronounced Corsa) people who have inhabited this area for many years. Many famous South African politicians are from the Xhosa tribe including Mandela, Mbeki and Tambo. Xhosa people are famous for their language which consists of words mixed with "clicks" - if you get the chance to hear someone speak Xhosa it’s amazing! Walking along this route you will eventually come to the Pinnacle Golf resort which demonstrates the delicate eco-balance that the Garden Route faces. The Garden Route has become extremely popular with the wealthy, the prosperous and of course tourists. Pinnacle Point will eventually have 850 houses next to a golf course which is situated on the cliff top. In contrast, immediately below the cliffs, archaeologists have discovered caves with evidence of life possibly tracing back to the origins of man. This amazing discovery may one day become a tourist attraction in itself. From here, the cliffs begin to drop and you are at the end of your first day walking. If you take this walk at the right time of year (July to October) then you may be fortunate enough to spot Southern Right Whales just off the coast line. The whales frequent these waters to play, mate and calve and watching these mammals up so close is an amazing experience. Day 2 Day 2 begins with a long walk along wide open sandy beaches along the Indian Ocean shore. With the enormous sand dunes behind you - some 100 metres high; it’s impossible to resist the urge to take your shoes off and wade into the Ocean. You will possibly spot the rare African Oyster Catcher along this route as well as people fishing for oysters in the rock pools close to the sea shore. This is a beautiful walk but if you venture up into the sand dunes keep a look out for leopard prints in the sand - yes that's right! leopards do visit down from the mountains but you are highly unlikely to see one. You will eventually come to the village of Vleesbaai and from here you can take a path along the seashore towards the jagged rocks of Fransmanshoek and the end of your trail. From here you can look back and view almost the whole two day route you have just walked all the way from Mossel Bay. |
Places to stay in Western Cape | Information on Western Cape
Itinerary ID: 23 - Cape Winelands Tour, Western Cape
 |
Some suggestions for a 2 Day Tour of the Cape Winelands. Explore some of the beautiful towns in the area such as Franschhoek and Stellenbosch.Cape Winelands - 2 Day TourThe Cape Winelands produce some of South Africa's finest wines with a wealth of wine estates situated in this extremely fertile area. No trip to South Africa would be complete without a couple of days spent exploring this beautiful region. An ideal itinerary would be to spend a night at either Franschhoek or Stellenbosch followed by a day spent visiting some of the pretty towns in the area and an overnight stay at one of the wine estates. Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are surrounded by a number of famous wine estates such as Simonsig, Spier, and Boschendal with Laborie and Nederburg close by near Paarl. The Stellenbosch Wine route was the first wine route in South Africa and attracts thousands of visitors every year.Stellenbosch is is a pretty town with fine examples of restored 18th and 19th Century Cape buildings. Franschhoek is another pretty town famed for its excellent cuisine and set against the rolling slopes of the Franschhoek Mountains. The Wine Estates on both the Stellenbosch and Franschhoek wine routes offer daily tastings and many have their own fine restaurants as well and provide excellent places to stop for lunch. Because there are so many wine estates in the Cape Winelands it it worthwhile deciding before you leave which estates you want to visit. Next decide which towns you also want to visit in the area - i would suggest doing this in the morning and then perhaps taking lunch at one of the wine estates. Alternatively have lunch in somewhere like Franschhoek and dine at one of the wine estates. Remember to nominate a driver for the day if you are doing the tour yourself as South Africa is no different to many other countries in their intolerance of drink-driving. Accommodation ideas for the Cape Winelands Day 1 Drive to Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. Spend the morning exploring and perhaps stop for a spot of lunch. In the afternoon drive off to explore one of the wine estates close by. Stopover for the night at one of the wine estates or choose from one of many beautiful guest houses in this area. Day 2 After enjoying a good breakfast set off to explore the local area taking in the beauty of the extremely fertile valleys that make this area so perfect for grapes. Stop off for lunch at another Wine Estate to enjoy excellent food followed by a trip around the wine estate enjoying the wine tasting Some Wine Estates near Franschhoek
|
Places to stay in Western Cape | Information on Western Cape
Itinerary ID: 24 - 2.5 hour Horse Safari Game Ride near Port Alfred, Eastern Cape
 |
Take a Horse Safari Game Ride and get really close to giraffe, zebra, buck, and even rhino - a great experience.Horse Safari Game RideFish River Horse Safaris - Port AlfredPort Alfred AccommodationOn one of my trips to South Africa we decided to do something a little bit different and went on a Horse Safari Game Ride. Fish River Horse Safaris are based just outside Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape. When you arrive you are met by one of the guides who takes you through to get you all kitted out. Rider safety is taken quite seriously here and proper hard riding hats have to be worn. You then gather round to be allocated your horse. This is good chance to meet your fellow riders and to ascertain what level of experience everyone has at riding. Fortunately we are all in pretty much the same boat and there are no expert riders.The guides are very helpful and they pick out a suitable horse for you based upon your height and weight and competency. All the horses look extremely well looked after and are very good natured. We had chosen to do a Game Ride which lasts approximately 2.5 hours however you can choose to do a mixture of a Beach and Game Ride (its next on my list when I go back). The additional beach ride aspect takes you down through the dunes and onto a secluded beach where you can ride through the glorious sea. We set off on our Game Ride trip and at the start it’s all about getting to know your horse and making sure you feel comfortable. The guides, although young, are very helpful and experienced. We head off through the reserve, up and down a few hills before reaching open grassland where we let the horses exercise a bit and soon we are galloping along. Now I am no expert so galloping takes a bit of mastering but if you don’t mind the bouncing up and down and are game for a laugh you will really enjoy yourself. We are soon riding through thick valley bushveld and open plains and spotting buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, buck, impala and duiker. The guides help us to spot various animals and ensure we do not disturb them. I had two highlights on my ride. The first was being able to get really close to a group of giraffe who really didn’t mind us. Some great photos were taken by our group. It's so nice to be able to experience the complete tranquillity as opposed to groups of jeeps or minibuses dashing about. This is a whole new experience. My second highlight was spotting the rhino. Of course we had to be very careful as they have a very acute sense of smell and we maintained a good distance but it was amazing to sit on the horse and watch three rhino in the field ahead. I can’t pretend that my bottom wasn't a little tender the following day but it was well worth it and I will be going back to try the beach and game ride next time. |
Places to stay in Eastern Cape | Information on Eastern Cape
Itinerary ID: 25 - Coastal Walk along False Bay, Western Cape
 |
A lovely 1 hour coastal walk with magnificent views across False Bay and the option of extending your walk up Table Mountain.Muizenberg to St.James to MuizenbergWestern Cape Coastal WalksThis walks starts and ends at the train station in Muizenberg and covers a distance of approximately 3km which should take you about 1 hour to walk. Starting your walk at the train station in Muizenburg head north on Main Road passing Muizenburg Park on your left. On the corner of the park take the road on your left named Camp Road. You will pass the old Jewish Synagogue on your right and eventually head up some steps towards Boyes Drive. Follow Boyes Road as it gently inclines and you will soon have some spectacular views across Muizenburg all the way to the beach.Follow Boyes Drive southwards and you will notice an iron gate on your left which leads down to the burial site of one of South Africa's mining magnates - Sir Abe Bailey. Infact you should be able to see his old house called Ruste-en-Vrede notable due to its red tiled roof. Continuing your walk around the next corner you will soon have some panoramic views across False Bay all the way to Simons Town and Cape Point. Now if you are taking this walk during the months of October to November be sure to look seawards as this is prime whale watching time. Keep an eye out for these amazing creatures as they leap out the sea and breach. A good camera will catch some excellent photos to take home with you. On your right now is Silvermine Nature Reserve which forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. If you want you can take one of the many trails marked that lead you up Table Mountain but this is not our route today. Continuing our walk along Boyes Drive we now reach Jacobs Ladder where you will find steps that lead down to St James train station. Alongside the train station you will spot a number of brightly painted bathing huts just like you still find today along some of Englands Victorian seaside towns. On a hot day this is a perfect spot for a nice refreshing dip in the sea. From this point you can now join the traditional coastal walk route back to Muizenburg. On the walk back look out for Rhodes Cottage also known as Gracelands after the home of Elvis. This used to be the home of Cecil Rhodes the former Cape Province prime minister. Enjoy the wonderful coastal walk back and the views across False Bay. Once you are back in Muzenburg why not try one of the many cafes and bars where you can enjoy a cooling and refreshing drink. |
Places to stay in Western Cape | Information on Western Cape
Itinerary ID: 26 - 3 day Eastern Cape Coastal Trip, Eastern Cape
 |
Here's a suggestion for a 3 day and 2 night trip along the wonderful Sunshine Coast of the Eastern Cape. The trip is approximately 335km in length and starts and ends in Port Elizabeth.3 Day Coastal Route Around Eastern CapeEastern Cape AttractionsEastern Cape AccommodationDay 1Your journey starts at the coastal port of Port Elizabeth where you should get onto the R336 and then take the R335 turn off that will take you to Addo National Elephant Park (see photo). This magnificent national park is home to over 450 elephants. It is possible to drive yourself around Addo and to explore the park yourself. Leaving Addo take the R336 and then get onto the N10. Once on the N10 then take the N2 road that heads to Grahamstown. This route boasts some of the best game reserves in the country including the likes of Shamwari Game Reserve and Pumba Game Reserve. Once you get to Grahamstown, famous for its annual National Arts Festival, there are a number of delights to explore such as the Observatory Museum, the History Museum, the Provost Prison, the Eastern Star Gallery as well as the not to be missed 1820 Settlers Monument. Grahamstown will be your first stopover and there is a great selection of guest houses, bed and breakfast, self catering and lodges to choose from. The distance covered today is approximately 166km. Day 2 So we start today with a total adrenalin rush and head to the Eastern Province Skydivers Club. You can skydive every weekend, even beginners, however booking is essential (Tel: +27 46 636 2486). So once you have had your socks blown off now head on the R27 to Bathurst which is just a short 40km drive away. Bathurst is a sleepy settlers town with lots of arts and crafts shops and a market on sunday mornings. Bathurst is also famous for its Big Pineapple which you will find just outside the town. We recommend a stop at the Bathurst Agricultural Museum that has a display of over 1000 farming items used by the Settlers. There are a number of places to eat and drink in Bathurst including the Pig and Whistle Hotel situated at the crossroads in the centre of Bathurst. Continue your journey from Bathurst taking the R67 to the lovely coastal town of Port Alfred again just a short 14km drive away. Arriving at Port Alfred why not head towards the marina and hire some canoes and take a trip up the lovely Kowie River. The river passes through some lovely countryside and is well worth it. Port Alfred has some wonderful accommodation to stay at and this is where you will spend your 2nd night on this trip. Day 3 Waking up nice an early take the R75 and drive to Kenton-on-Sea which is a lovely seaside town with some lovely beaches. Continue your journey from here passed Bushmans River until you see the sign for Boknesstrand about 11km from Kenton-on-Sea. Here you could turn off and take a look at the replica of the Dias Cross which can be found here. If not continue on the R72 to Alexandria which is set in the middle of Chicory country. Alexandria is known for its enormous sand dunes which have been around for some 6500 years and move at a rate of some 2 to 5m per year. Some of the dunes here are over 140m high. Continue along the road eventually taking the N2 back to Port Elizabeth. Where to stay:Port Elizabeth AccommodationPort Alfred Accommodation Addo Accommodation |
Places to stay in Eastern Cape | Information on Eastern Cape
Itinerary ID: 27 - A Midlands Meander, KwaZulu-Natal
 |
Our friends visited the Natal Midlands in December 2010 and this is a fantastic insight into all the things to do and see along the way.South Africa Itinerary - A Midlands MeanderKwaZulu-Natal ItinerariesKwaZulu-Natal AccommodationMy daughter had to attend a wedding in Pietermaritzburg in December, so this gave us a wonderful excuse to travel to the Natal Midlands. Travelling through the Transkei from East London is a unique experience and it is a route that is not recommended after dark.We travelled up to Durban on a Wednesday just before a public holiday and the roads were very busy. The towns in the Transkei are not big, but travelling through them can take up to an hour as the roads are so conjested you just have to have lots of patience. If you are travelling through the Transkei remember that the best stops for ‘comfort stops’ are Mthata and Kokstad – the towns in between are really not good stopping places. This might sound like it is a place to be avoided at all costs, but if you avoid the Transkei you also miss out on beautiful scenery and a section of South Africa which is still very rural. This year the countryside is looking particularly beautiful as the Transkei has had good rain and the rivers are running strongly. The people are mainly small farmers and the countryside has lots of domestic animals, sheep, goats, cows, pigs and dogs, which can be quite a menace when you are driving, so you have to keep a sharp lookout for wandering animals. The roads are pretty good, but the drivers can be the main problem, commonly referred to as “Transkei Robots”. We spent 3 nights in Umhlanga as we wanted to be near the Gateway Shopping Centre and also to meet a friend who stays near Umhlanga. This is a good area to stay in as there is so much to do, plus the beach is very good. I found Gateway a great shopping experience with lots of things to see and do, also a large entertainment area for children and teenagers. There is one thing to remember if you go to Gateway – it might be an idea to go when you have not eaten too much because the number of restaurants offering good value food is overwhelming. Gateway also has cinemas and a theatre so entertainment is never a problem. On the Friday night we went to the Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga. This is an old Colonial Hotel which has been revamped recently, but retains the feeling of the Colonial Area. We had drinks and supper on the terrace overlooking the pool and the beach just below it. The food was wonderful and this was a really memorable part of our trip. Pietermaritzburg is a very pretty city, not too big and the main buildings to see are all in the centre of town. One of the most popular events that Pietermaritzburg is know for is the annual Comrades Marathon which takes place every year between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. On Sunday we drove from Pietermaritzburg to Howick on the R103. This is the scenic road to the Midlands and as you leave Pietermaritzburg you immediately realize that this area is really beautiful, very lush green grass with lots of beautiful flowers and lots of trees. We stopped at a farm stall near Hilton and enjoyed looking at all the home made jams and preserves on offer plus beautiful looking fruit and vegetables. There was also a showroom for beautifully crafted furniture, so if you are on the look out for a table or chairs this is definitely the place to visit. We drove on to Howick which has a street full of different arts and crafts shops plus lots of antique shops. The Falls are a pleasure to view – there are steps down to a viewing platform and the view from this not only over the falls but to the surrounding countryside is awesome. The Midmar Dam is well known for “The Midmar Mile” which is a very well known swimming event where swimmers from all over South Africa travel to the Midmar Dam to take part in this event. It is also a very popular picnic and boating spot, plus if you enjoy hiking or cycling this is one of the places to visit. Driving along the road we came across “The Belgium Chocolate Shop”. Who can resist a Chocolate shop? This little shop is really something special with all sorts of chocolates – you can choose how few or how many you want and they will package them up and all you have to do is enjoy them – they are really worth the calories! I have come to the conclusion that a couple of Arts and Craft shops a day are all that I can handle, but driving through the Midlands is an experience that is well worth doing, even if you are not a great shopper. We stopped for lunch at the Piggly Wiggly Centre which is a great place to stop as there are about 4 or 5 craft shops, a wine shop, a great supermarket/local produce shop and a very good restaurant. It sounds like just a normal type of complex but it is laid out that each area is separate and there are lots of things for children to do. We decided we would then head for our hotel – after reading up about various places we decided that as it was very close to Christmas we would spoil ourselves and stay at Fordoun Hotel and Spa. I am always a little bit apprehensive when I have booked accommodation that it will be as good as it sounds. Well Fordoun definitely lives up to its advertisements and this is really a wonderful experience.The experience starts from the time you arrive, you are greeted like a friend with a glass of Champagne and taken to your room where everything is shown to you – helpful for someone like me, who is not too good at the latest technology. The rooms are very comfortable with a separate dressing room area which leads on to an enormous bathroom with a big shower and a bit bath. We had taken a package which included a neck and back massage and a facial. (A word of advise, if you do book at Fordoun reserve any spa packages when you book as the Spa is very popular). Fordoun was a dairy farm and is surrounded by lush lawns and beautiful old trees, lots of flowers and everything is well kept – no overgrown grass here. The meals are what you would expect from a hotel of this class and the service impeccable. We drove around the Nottingham Road area and tried to go to Michael House, the very exclusive boys school that has been made famous in the movie Spud. Unfortunately it was closed the day we were there. The Midlands offers lots to do, hiking, horse riding, cycling, golf courses and the scenery just makes the whole experience something well worth doing. We drove home via the southern section of the Drakensberg – Underberg which is very close the famous Sani Pass. If you wish to do Sani Pass remember that the best way to do this is on an organized day tour and to take your passport as you cross the border into Lesotho and have lunch at the “Highest Pub in Southern Africa”. This day trip is really worth doing as the mountain scenery is breathtaking. The Drakensberg Gardens Resort is very close to Underberg and is a wonderful holiday destination. The Resort offers both accommodation in the hotel or two different types of self catering. This area also has different craft shops plus due to the lush vegetation a wonderful cheese factory. The Drakensberg mountain range is our largest mountain range and to explore this region is an awe inspiring journey. |
Places to stay in KwaZulu-Natal | Information on KwaZulu-Natal
Itinerary ID: 28 - Cape Town Itinerary, Western Cape
 |
Just a few ideas for your trip to Cape Town - hope you can manage to fit them all inCape Town AccommodationCape Town in South Africa must be on so many peoples bucket list and with all the publicity that the country received after hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2010 it has probably been added to many more. Cape Town is a vibrant city which has changed much in the last 25 years and particularly in the last few years with a lot of money injected into certain areas to regenerate them. My advice to visitors to Cape Town is to try and do as much research as possible before you arrive.There are a number of attractions in the area and fitting them all in to what is probably a few days requires some planning. Some of the key attractions in Cape Town include the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Table Mountain, Cape Point, Camps Bay and Clifton Area, Cape Quarter, Chapman’s Peak Drive and only 1 hour drive away the Cape Winelands. Some of the things to bear in mind with these attractions are the distance to travel, the weather and pre-booking tickets. For instance, if you are aiming to visit Robben Island then you will need to pre-book your tickets which you can do quite easily online. Tickets for the trips to Robben Island get booked up in advance and if you leave it till you arrive in Cape Town you could well be disappointed. Also you really need to leave a half day in your itinerary for the trip to Robben Island. Table Mountain is another attraction that needs to be thought about. The weather in Cape Town can be unpredictable and Table Mountain can frequently be shrouded in cloud - known locally as the Tablecloth. My advice here is to head for the Cable Car as soon as you seen decent weather in Cape Town. Tickets for Table Mountain can be bought at the bottom of the Cable Car and if you are lucky you may not even have to queue. It is possible to purchase combination tickets for Table Mountain, Robben Island and the Aquarium which do work out to be quite a bit cheaper. Many of you will want to visit Cape Point – it’s a bit like visiting Cornwall in England and not going to Lands End! From Cape Town you can take two routes to Cape Point – one is via Muizenberg and Simon’s Town and the other is via the trendy Camps Bay and Hout Bay and the infamous Chapman’s Peak Drive. Of course what we all tend to do is take the circular route so that we get to see both sides of the Cape Peninsula. This is certainly what I would recommend but be aware that you are probably saying goodbye to most of one day as you will inevitably want to stop somewhere and have a drink or a bite to eat. The journey out to Cape Point is certainly a spectacular one with magnificent coastal views and bays to explore. Once at Cape Point it is well worth the walk up to the top but just watch out when you get to the top as the wind can be quite severe so hold on to your hats and sunglasses but the views on a clear day will be worth it. A walk around Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront should be on everyone’s itinerary. On a sunny day the area is a hive of activity with people eating out at one of the many different restaurants dotted around the harbour. There are a number of shops to peruse around as well as some very amusing street entertainers. From the harbour you can take a boat trip out to sea or just sit and relax and spot some of the many seals that frequent the waters here. The V&A Waterfront is also the point from where the boats leave for Robben Island. In terms of other places to eat around Cape Town we recommend you check out the Cape Quarter area which is in Green Point suburb of Cape Town. Cape Quarter has a wonderful selection of boutique style shops and a good selection of restaurants many of which you can sit outside at. Cape Quarter is a great place to spend a few hours perusing around and enjoying a nice meal. Other spots for a daytime meal are around the Greenmarket Square area which is also home to a busy market selling an abundance of local arts and crafts. It’s also worth taking a taxi or using your hire car in the evening to drive out to Camps Bay where you will find a huge selection of very good restaurants positioned on overlooking the sea and a perfect spot to watch the evening sunset. It’s worth making a reservation though as these restaurants do get quite booked up. In terms of where to stay in Cape Town this very much depends upon whether you want to be in the heart of the city or prefer to be slightly away from the hustle and bustle. Within Cape Town areas such as De Waterkant and Green Point are good spots to find Guest Houses, B&B’s or Self Catering houses and apartments. In the past few years a number of smart new apartment blocks have gone up offering great Cape Town accommodation for couples and families. If you have a hire car it is worth ensuring when you book that your accommodation has secure off road parking. Slightly further out areas such as Camps Bay and Clifton have some wonderful Guest Houses and Hotels many of which have quite spectacular views and a number have their own pools. Camps Bay and Clifton accommodation is generally more expensive though due to the popularity of the lovely sandy beaches here and the backdrop of the famous Twelve Apostles Mountains |
Places to stay in Western Cape | Information on Western Cape
Itinerary ID: 29 - Top 10 Natural Wonders of South Africa, Western Cape
 |
Explore the top 10 natural wonders of South AfricaTop Ten Natural Wonders of South AfricaCape WinelandsExploring the Cape Winelands in the Western Cape of South Africa is an indulging affair. The sheer number of Wine Farms and Wine Estates on offer is a treat for any budding wine connoisseur. The Winelands are located in a beautiful setting with undulating hills and imposing mountains particularly around Franschhoek. Vinyards stretch across the land hugging the bottom of the hills creating a patchwork of neat parallel lines. The Franschhoek Mountains are not to be missed first thing in the morning as you will often see the clouds dripping over the mountain tops like a huge tablecloth. Many people of course visit the famous Wine Estates of Boschendal, Laborie, Spier and Simonsig to name just a few but it is well worth exploring some of the smaller and lesser well know wineries. There are some excellent restaurants in the Winelands serving some delicious food and places like Franschhoek have a number of the Top 50 restaurants in South Africa located there. Garden Route Probably one of the most visited areas of South Africa after Cape Town the Garden Route stretches for 200km from Mossel Bay all the way up to Plettenberg Bay. There are two sides to the Garden Route – one is the well-developed coastal resort towns like Knysna, George and Plettenberg Bay while the other is the wilder areas such as Tsitsikamma and Wilderness and the famous Otter Trail which runs along the coast through the Tsitsikamma National Park. The main N2 road takes you through the Garden Route crossing bridges over rivers that flow down from the mountains to the north and passing through lush forests. To really see the Garden Route though you will need to take detours off the N2 and down towards the sea discovering places such as Nature’s Valley and Victoria Bay. This whole area is teeming with things to do such as the famous Bloukrans Bridge Bungee Jump which is the highest commercial jump in the world. At Tsitsikamma you can enjoy a Canopy Tour through the indigenous forest or take a zipline ride over waterfalls. Other popular things to do are horse-riding, abseiling, mountain biking and hiking. Drakensberg If you are into walking or hiking then the dramatic Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal are simply not to be missed. Stretching for 112 miles this impressive mountain range has become hugely popular with mountain climbers. The best time to visit is between May and September when the weather is dry and despite snow on the highest peaks the temperatures are still quite warm. Probably one of the most popular areas to visit in the area is the Royal Natal National Park which has over 80 miles of walking trails. The walks here are set against a stunning backdrop of the Amphitheatre created from an impressive rock wall that stretches across the skyline for about 4km. Other highlights include the famous Cathedral Peak where after hiking the 6km to reach the top you will be rewarded with some of the most stunning views of the Drakensberg. Addo National Elephant Park We have visited Addo National Elephant Park in the Eastern Cape a few times now and never tire of seeing these amazing creatures in such wonderful surroundings. There are over 500 elephants in a park that covers over 30,000 acres as well as lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard plus many others. The great thing about Addo National Elephant Park is that you can drive yourself around. You are provided with a map when you enter the park and they will also tell you where various animals have been spotted that day. There are a number of water holes in the park that are a great place to spot animals. The park also has a special braai (BBQ) area set aside with places to braai, sit and eat. All you need to do is bring along some charcoal and some food and drink. Just watch out for the monkeys while you are there as they are very cheeky and will steal your food! The Whale Coast South Africa has some of the best whale watching opportunities in the whole world and the great thing is you don’t even have to go out on a boat to do it! The coastline which stretches from near Kleinmond all the way up the Western Cape coast to the De Hoop Nature Reserve is known as the Whale Coast. From about July to October each year up to nine different whale species frequent the Indian Ocean waters off this coastline many to come and calve and then to rear their young. The most common type of whale you will see is the Southern Right Whale which is common to the Cape Town area. Hermanus has become world famous for visitors being able to stand on the cliff paths and watch these amazing creatures out to sea and even has its own annual Hermanus Whale Festival. However for perhaps a less crowded experience why not head to either the De Hoop Nature Reserve or De Kelders which are considered to provide even better places to watch the whales. Namakwa (formally known as Namaqualand) For something a little bit different why not travel out to the arid north-west corner of the Northern Cape of South Africa. From late July to November each year this normally arid region explodes into life with a sea of colourful flowers that can stretch for miles. This area of South Africa is best explored from the comforts of a 4x4 to fully appreciate the scenery. Springbok which is actually the capital of Namakwa is probably the most suitable place from which to base yourself as it has many of the amenities you require when on holiday. What is normally a sleepy part of South Africa truly comes to life with the large number of visitors that flock to the area during flower season. North of Springbok is the Ai-Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park where with a 4x4 you can discover some of the most beautiful scenery to be found in Namakwa. The rugged terrain and wild flowers during the flower season attract many keen botanists. Augrabies Falls National Park After visiting Namakwa why not then move further north to visit to the Augrabies Falls National Park where you can find the sixth largest waterfall in the world. The falls here are fed by the Gariep River which drops down via a series of cataracts culminating in the 300 foot drop that creates the Agrabies Falls. The Gariep River provides some excellent white water rafting opportunities both above and below the Augrabie Falls. The park here is located close to the border of Namibia and is probably best visited between the months of March through to October when the day time temperatures are bearable although the evenings can be quite chilly. You can view the waterfall best from the south side of the gorge and a particularly good time of day to visit is at sunset when you can see swallows and then bats flying around. Hiking is extremely popular in the area especially the 2-day Klipspringer Trail. There is a charge to enter the National Park and the gates are open from 0630am to 10pm daily. Blyde River Canyon The spectacular Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga extends for some 26km and the depth of the canyon reaches up to 2,400 feet in some places. There are so many viewing spots it is impossible to list them all but some of the best places to view the canyon are from God’s Window where on a clear day you can see as far as Kruger and from the Three Rondavels where the canyon opens up and you can see the amazingly blue waters of the Blydespoort Dam way down below. You can learn all about the creation of this canyon, some 60 million years ago, at the Bourkes Luck Potholes visitor centre. The Bourkes Luck Potholes are the point where the Treur and Blyde rivers meet and where truly unusual rock shapes have formed from the swirling whirlpools creating a Swiss cheese type effect. There are a number of viewing spots here including World’s End and Lowveld Lookout which are easily reached from the R534 road. Kruger National Park Kruger National Park is so big, measuring 60km wide by 350km long, that it actually stretches across Mpumalanga Province and Limpopo Province – 2 of the 9 provinces that make up South Africa. Kruger Park has an extensive network of roads that join the numerous camps dotted about. Accommodation in the park varies from the simple (and cheaper) self-catering accommodation to top of the range private game reserves. Hiring a car is essential to getting around but don’t worry you won’t be alone as the park attracts some 1.5million visitors every year. Of course the larger the park the easier it is for the animals to remain hidden from view so patience is a necessity here. The southern area of Kruger Park has the highest concentration of animals and with it most of the larger Kruger accommodation camps. The central Kruger Park region is a lot quieter with fewer camps and a lot less vehicles on the road and is more appealing to some visitors. You can still find all the Big 5 here although they are elusive especially the cheetah. The very northern section of the Kruger is very dry and quite remote. This area has very little water and hence the environment supports less animals. Cape Peninsula The Cape Peninsula incorporates some of the most visited spots of South Africa including Table Mountain, The Cape of Good Hope, the V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay & Clifton, Boulders Beach, Robben Island and False Bay. From the top of Table Mountain you can see nearly all of these attractions in the distance. Make sure when you are staying in Cape Town to head to Table Mountain at the first sight of good weather. Planning Table Mountain into an itinerary can be a big mistake as you need to be flexible and go when the weather is good. Often the top of Table Mountain can be shrouded in what is known locally as the ‘tablecloth’ – low cloud that drips over the top of the mountain rendering sightseeing impossible. Remember to keep an eye for the Rock Dassies when you are up there. A walk around the V&A Waterfront is extremely popular with lots of bars and restaurants for you to sit at and do some people watching. From the V&A Waterfront you can catch the boat to Robben Island for a half day tour. It is essential to book your tickets for this well in advance as these trips are very popular. Trendy Camps Bay and Clifton are a short drive from Cape Town and has some excellent sandy beaches. At lunch time and in the evenings the main promenade is the place to be seen and the place to eat – booking ahead is essential. Take a drive along the famous Chapman’s Peak Drive which hugs the Atlantic Coast and provides some amazing views of the Twelve Apostles and a great driving experience. Continue on to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point but remember to hold on to your hats and sunglasses when you get to the top of the lighthouse as the winds here can be pretty strong. Finally don’t forget to pay a visit to see the wonderful penguins on Boulders Beach about 2km south of Simon’s Town. |
Places to stay in Western Cape | Information on Western Cape
Itinerary ID: 30 - Day trip to Kwantu Private Game Reserve, Eastern Cape
 |
Enjoy a day trip to the 5 Star Luxury Kwantu Private Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape of South AfricaDay Trip to Kwantu Game ReserveMalaria-Free Game Reserves in the Eastern CapeEnjoy a day trip to the 5 Star Luxury Kwantu Private Game Reserve in Sidbury in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The Kwantu Game Reserve is located in the Malaria-Free Eastern Cape on the legendary Sidbury Plains. This private game reserve is home to the Big 5 and provides luxury safari accommodation as well as day trips for tourists. The Day Centre here overlooks Hippo Dam where guests can relax and take in the tranquil surroundings and enjoy the views across the Sidbury Plains.Morning Day Trip Itinerary
100% if cancelled within 7(seven) days 50% if cancelled within 14(fourteen) days Contact Details: Tel: +27 (42) 203 1400 reservations@kwantu.co.za |
Places to stay in Eastern Cape | Information on Eastern Cape
Itinerary ID: 31 - Trip to Shamwari for the weekend, Eastern Cape
 |
Shamwari – a dream destination! Can it possibly live up to a dream? Well, the answer is an without doubt YES. Weekend trip to Shamwari Game ReserveGame Reserves Eastern CapeShamwari – a dream destination! Can it possibly live up to a dream? Well, the answer is an without doubt YES. Last weekend we decided to take advantage of living so close to Shamwari and have a long weekend of luxury. We left East London about 10 a.m. and drove on the N2 via King Williams Town and Grahamstown to Shamwari Game Reserve – arriving just on 1 p.m. which was the check in time suggested in the correspondence we had received.From the time you enter the Shamwari area you can see that attention to detail is very important – the entrance area is beautifully mowed with gardens of indigenous plants and flowers. The guard on duty welcomes you and advises how to get to your lodge. We stayed at Long Lee Manor – a beautiful old colonial farm house which has been modernised but still retains a feel of the original home. We were greeted by the manager with homemade lemonade and signed the indemnity forms – a must for any private reserve.We were then advised that we would have lunch and after lunch we would be shown to our rooms. Afternoon High Tea is served at 3.30 p.m. and that is where you meet your ranger. A ranger is assigned to you for the whole of your stay and during this time eats breakfast and dinner with you. We were then taken out to the garden where lunch was been served – this is really beautiful as you look over the plain and can watch the animals in the distance and all the birds in the many trees that surround the Manor. The lunch time menu consists of 3 different starters, about 3 or 4 choices of main course and a couple of desserts plus fresh fruit and a cheese platter. Each course is beautifully presented – looks like something you would see in one of the magazines.The service is amazing – as you put your glass down you are asked if you would like something else to drink – the local drinks are included in the price, and from what I could gather it is only the more exotic imported drinks that you may be charged for. After lunch we were shown to our rooms – or perhaps I should say suites. As you walked into our room there was a sitting area, which included a TV, bar fridge, kettle and all the things you might need for tea or coffee. You walked through to the large bedroom and off the bedroom was the large bathroom with a bath and separate walk in shower. There was also a private patio off the bedroom. At 3.30 p.m. we walked down to the bar area where High Tea is served and met Phillip our ranger who welcomed us and told us that we would be joined along our drive by 2 Canadian ladies. I enjoy the vehicles at Shamwari – they only seat 2 people in a row with a box between them. The box contains warm blankets and you can put all your stuff in them – very handy. We set off on our drive and immediately were thankful for the warm jackets, gloves and Beanies we had brought as the wind was really cold. We also realized that this is why they provide lovely blankets for your legs.The first thing we saw were those wonderfully graceful giraffes. The great thing about Phillip was that he kept pointing out different birds to us. We came across a mother warthog and her 2 children – they were so relaxed, had found a sheltered spot in the sun and really – was she going to be bothered to run off for another group of tourists? We then came across a herd of elephants – lots of youngsters and babies and they were not at all bothered by us – in fact it is amazing how close they come to you. You can see that this is spring time – the veld is looking fantastic and there are just so many babies all over. We saw herds of Springboks, Impala, Blesbok and Red Hartebees with one area looking like a nursery with so many babies. We met up with our 2 Canadian ladies who would be with us until Sunday. Just after we met up with them we came across a lone bull elephant in “musc”, in other words on heat. This meeting ended up a little bit close for comfort, but it was interesting to hear that the male elephants go on must, evidently can be dangerous if 2 are in the same vicinity. Well, looking at the one poor tree, I can believe that. We drove around and then came to another plain – we could see we were going after something, but did not know what and then there they were – two youngish male Cheetah brothers. Evidently this is unusual but not unheard of, where two Cheetah brothers live and hunt together. They are really beautiful animals and also very graceful the way they walk is something to behold. We followed them for a while and then went back towards Long Lee Manor as it was beginning to drizzle, getting very cold and also it was nearly 7 p.m. That evening was the African Experience dinner – in other words a braai, but not your normal everyday braai. In good weather this would be set up around a fire, but when the weather is bad it is in an old converted barn. The array of food was spectacular with a lot of the traditional South African dishes and lots of game meat on the menu, but luckily for some of us also steak, lamb chops and chicken. Who likes to be woken up at 5.30 a.m. – well guess what when you are going on a game drive you don’t even mutter, just get dressed, grab a coffee and perhaps a rusk and you are ready to face the day. This was a special drive, we seem to set off just watching the buck, giraffes and zebras, did not seem in any particular hurry but heading north. We stopped at one of the other Lodges, Eagles Crag, to use the toilets and were lucky to see a troop of baboons, with the Alpha male showing whose territory this was. Eagles Crag is very different to Long Lee Manor – each room is entirely private and you do not see any accommodation when you drive in. The reception area is very modern and very beautiful, fits in with the mountain crags that surround it. This is the lodge where the film stars stay when they visit Shamwari, as it is very small and private. We were still heading north – having no idea why we seemed to be just travelling without seeing that amount of game, when we saw another game vehicle in the distance and realized that this must be why we had come all this way. Oh Yes! This was an experience – two lions mating and we got so close to them you almost felt you would like to have gone and tickled their stomachs as they lay exhausted in the grass. Evidently they mate for something like 48 hours and this is a continuous thing – every 10 minutes or so, guess that is why they look so tired. Shamwari had 2 male lions and a couple of months ago the one male attacked and killed the other one, so this was the victor who was taking over the old lions ladies and showing who they now belonged to. Evidently she had cubs, but the female lion will go on heat with the male as he forgets that they have mated before and will kill the cubs if he thinks they don’t belong to him. We then drove back to Long Lee for breakfast/brunch and a rest before our next drive. Breakfast/brunch is half buffet and half served – a complete cold buffet is set out – fruit, cereals, yogout, cheese, meats, rolls, croissants, pasties and juices for you to help yourself to. You then get a choice of about 4 different types of cooked breakfast, which you may mix and match if you want to. We all retired for a nap and about 1 p.m. I took a stroll to the bar area to get a cool drink and spent a very pleasant couple of hours chatting to our Canadian friends, Elaine and Cathy.We set off after tea for our game drive and took a very different direction, saw some beautiful zebras with their babies and lots of buck again, plus wildebeest. We then came to 2 fully grown Rhinos with a baby who was still suckling. How people can kill these magnificent animals is beyond me – they also seem pretty harmless. Close by were lots of giraffes, almost posing for pictures, as if to say – “Look at us, we are more beautiful than them”. We drove along the river banks and were told our Cheetah brothers were in the bushes trying to find a place to cross the river. Shamwari has changed so much this year because of all the rain that the animals are a bit confused about where to cross and Cheetahs are just big cats, they don’t like getting wet. After some driving around we came back and again saw the two handsome guys walking along looking for a place to cross, which didn’t make much sense as we had seen so many buck on that side of the river. We then went to the other side of the river and again came to a place where you used to be able to cross the river to see the two of them sitting looking at the river – as if to say – “What has happened here – don’t you know we want to go to the other side”. We stopped for sundowners and watched the sun going down – really magnificent setting as we were half way up a hill and the sun was sinking below the horizon. We then drove back to the plain where we had earlier seen all the buck with their babies and suddenly there were the Cheetah brothers looking for supper. It is quite an amazing sight to see how these two worked together to capture a baby buck and the saying “Fresh Meat” got a whole new meaning that night. Dinner that night was served in the dining room – 3 courses each one superbly served and beautiful to eat. Our Canadian friends left on Sunday morning as they were flying to Nelspruit via Durban so we did the game drive by ourselves with Phillip. We went to another area of Shamwari where the Buffalo are kept and also quite a lot of the more exotic type of buck, plus some that are just extras. Unfortunately the buffalo did not feel like been looked at and we did not find them. We then went back into the main area and looked for hippos – this has become difficult because of all the water in the river so they can now move all over whereas before the rangers more or less knew where to find them. We did find a family – guess it was a family as there seemed to be two adults and some smaller hippos. We also met up with an old male giraffe who has taken it in his head to inspect game vehicles – he walked all around the vehicle and to see this guy so tall and beautiful so close you felt his head would come in any minute was a brilliant experience. We drove back to Long Lee for breakfast feeling rather sad that this amazing weekend was drawing to a close.Shamwari definitely lived up to our expectations, or should I say exceeded them – it was an Unforgettable Experience. |
Places to stay in Eastern Cape | Information on Eastern Cape
Itinerary ID: 32 - Places to eat and drink along the Garden Route, Western Cape
 |
Some ideas of places to stop to have a bite to eat or a drink along the Garden Route in South AfricaBeach bars along the Garden Route of South AfricaThe Garden Route of South Africa has long been a popular tourist route frequented by many international visitors along its 200km stretch. There are numerous places to stop along the Garden Route to admire the scenery and the coastline but we thought we might just share with you a few ideas of perhaps less well known spots to stop for a drink or bit to eat whilst enjoying the delightful seaviews.The rather trendy Views Hotel in Wildnerness may come across to some as rather clinical in its finishes but its Sails Restaurant offers stunning views across the Indian Ocean and even allows people in to just enjoy a drink rather than a meal. There is a lovely decked area with seating where you can really put your feet up and relax. From Wilderness head south towards Mossel Bay and look out for the turn off for Groot Brak. Hidden amongst the twisting anf turning gravel roads is Die Vette Mossel. Here the owners have set up a Bedouin-style camp which is located on the beach right by the surf. The owners provide excellent seafood and you supply your own drinks. The setting is superb and the owner serves food on an eat-as-much-as-you-can basis. In Mossel Bay there are a few places where you can get really close to the sea and enjoy a drink or some food. The Palm Beach Bar overlloks the strand and is located to the west of Santos Beach. Here you can enjoy a game of rugby on TV or stroll onto the open deck to enjoy the views. One of the big favourite beach bars in Mossel Bay is The Terrace at Point Beach. This beach bar has a terrific location and is a real favourite with locals and holidaymakers. Knysna is probably the most visited town along the Garden Route but surpsringly there are very few actual beach bars here. Our recommendation goes to the East Head Cafe which has a great location with the amazing Outeniqua Mountains visible as well as the famous Knysna Heads to the south. The outside area of the East Head Cafe has a tented roof and has a real light and airy feel to it. Finally at Plettenberg Bay next to the Tsitsikamma National Park go in search of the Ski Boat Club which is positioned on the sand close to the mouth of the Piesang River. The Ski Boat Club serves some of the best fish and chips around and is not expensive. The atmosphere here is warm with a feeling that everyone knows each other. The staff are friendly too and its well worth stopping to eat or have a drink. |
Places to stay in Western Cape | Information on Western Cape
Itinerary ID: 33 - Hidden Beach Gems of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal
 |
Some real hidden little gems of beaches that you can discover on your South Africa holidaySouth Africa Hidden Beach GemsSummer has arrived and you and your loved one or family are looking to head to the beach. You have packed your bags, a picnic and the suntan lotion. Now all you need is to find the perfect beach preferably not packed to the rafters. Here are a few recommendations of beach destinations in South Africa that offer solitude and tranquillity.Mabibi BeachMabibi Beach is located in the Isimangaliso Wetlands Park, formally known as the Greater St Lucia Wetlands, in KwaZulu-Natal Province. To get there is an experience in itself with a 90 minute drive from Sodwana Bay via an off-road route through subtropical forest and sand dunes till you arrive at Mabibi Beach. Once there you are met with an amazing long stretch of sandy shoreline with just a few footprints to show that others may have been here before you. The warm waters here are popular with divers and snorkelers.Hluleka BeachHluleka Beach is a beautiful beach in South Africa situated around an unspoilt sandy cove and surrounded by coastal forest which is home to a variety of birds and monkeys. This stretch of the Wild Coast, or Transkei, is perhaps not the easiest place to get to but when you are there it’s worth the effort. Hluleka is located in the Hluleka Nature Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal and if you are travelling from Umtata towards to Port St Johns take a right turn at Libode and pass through Ntibane to reach the Hluleka Nature Reserve. The Hluleka Nature Reserve is home to a variety of animals and if you are lucky you might just spot Otter tracks on the beach. The rocks that appear out of the water here make for an interesting coastline to explore.Shelley BeachThe Sunshine Coast in the Eastern Cape is home to many beautiful beaches but we have picked Shelley Beach at Kenton-on-Sea. Kenton-on-Sea is a popular holiday destination with many South Africans owning holiday homes here so you might think that this beach would be busy however Shelley Beach is a real hidden gem. The beach itself is surrounded by high rocks shaped in a semi-circle and creating a bowl-like effect. The sea here can be quite strong here especially where the waves break onto the seashore so it’s not ideal for swimming but it does mean you are more likely to be on your own here. If you do want a swim you can visit the rivers close by at Bushman’s and Kareiga where there is safe swimming.Noetzie BeachNow it’s not often you can take a walk on the beach in South Africa and see castles but at Noetzie Beach, just 15 minutes from the popular holiday destination of Knysna, on the Western Cape this is exactly what you can see. A number of castles which operate as holiday accommodation are dotted along the beachfront. Don’t worry thanks to the Noetzie Conservation team building has been strictly controlled here and is evidenced by the fish eagles and otters that are resident here. In the lowering sun the rock faces along the beach turn a brilliant orange colour and make for a delightful evening walk. |
Places to stay in KwaZulu-Natal | Information on KwaZulu-Natal