Elephant Watch Camp In Samburu As Part Of A Kenya Luxury Safari

You will find Elephant Watch Camp in splendid isolation in the Samburu Game Reserve. As is very common with Camps and Lodges the Elephant Watch Camp is situated right next to a river, in this case the Uaso Nyiro River, and right on one of the sand banks, which is one great place to stay on a Kenya Luxury Safari.

What makes Elephant Watch Camp so special isn’t just the situation where it sits beneath big kigelia and acacia trees. Nor is it just the fact that this area of Samburu plays host to some of the largest bull elephants who are to be found wandering close to the tents picking acacia pods, and there is nothing more thrilling than a close encounter with an elephant.

It isn’t the fact that the trees are filled with lots of birds and monkeys, or that baboons call out, there are leopards nearby, as well as the inevitable lions. Yes all this is a feast for all the senses, but that isn’t what makes Elephant Watch Camp so very special.

What makes Elephant Watch Camp so special can only be partly explained by its location, because it is a combination of other factors which combine to make this place an essential port of call on any Kenya Luxury Safari.

So what is it that makes the essential difference?

To start with there is of course the location, that cannot be faulted, and the view at night of flame torches and lanterns lighting up the camp along the river is unforgettable.

The size of the camp is a definite plus, because there are only a maximum of ten guests at any one time at Elephant Watch Camp. What this means is a totally personal, closely supervised and very safe and secure environment, where you will be looked after better than you could ever believe possible.

Elephant Watch Camp was designed on very specific eco friendly lines, and has been built to maximise comfort and coolness. The tents are wide and bright and breezy, all individually styled and lots of colour in the unusual furnishings, such as huge cushioned sofas, the furniture having been made from fallen trees.

The bathrooms are built round trees, which makes washing interesting with sun heated water, and sun powered lighting. This is the only source of water and electricity because otherwise there is no running water or electricity. This is an old fashioned safari camp and that is really what makes this place special. The smell of paraffin lamps will stay with you long after you leave.

There is a large mess tent tables, comfy chairs and setees, carpets and rugs Menus are varied with a great mixture of farm fresh bush gourmet tropical fruits, and some great wine. Eating at night is accompanied by the evocative sounds of the Kenya Bush.

The whole emphasis at Elephant Watch Camp is on local guides with local knowledge, who know everything there is to know about the elephants. Every day is different as you walk on bush walks following well established elephant paths early morning or evening led by an English speaking Samburu guide. What you will see is so unpredictable it’s yet another part of what makes Elephant Watch Camp so special.

Finally one of the most interesting and unique things you will get the chance to do is to visit the Save the Elephants Research Centre, where so much effort is being put in to ensure a future for the African Elephant. It is very moving to see what has happened and what is being done to change things.

Take a Luxury Kenya safari at Samburu and enjoy the best few days of your life at Elephant Watch Camp

For more information about In Kenya Safari go to http://www.in-kenyasafari.com/pages/Site-Map.html

Kenya Discount Safari Packages- Kenya Discount Safari in Africa

Discount safari travel in Kenya

Tours to Kenya can be obtained at a much cheaper rate than often offered by the Kenya tour operators. The trick is in identifying characteristics of a Kenya safari that make it cheaper than other options. You do not need to be earning a six digit figure to afford a Kenya bargain safari. In fact its possible to only save for six-12 months and you can have your annual Kenya Africa discounted safari when you need it. But how do you tell that what you are buying is the cheapest safari option you can get in Kenya? The trick is in knowing how to identify the characteristics of a cheap Kenya safari package. The main features of a Kenya budget safari or discount Kenya safari are as below:

1.The discount Kenya safari will mostly involve you joining a group of travelers in a Kenya group tour. These tend to be cheaper as the travelers share in the cost of the local transport and other incidentals. Private Kenya safari options are usually the more expensive.

2.The accommodation in Kenya sell off safari travel will usually be in mid range Kenya park lodges. Most of the 5 star lodges in Kenya parks charge above $ 300 in the high season for a double room. In comparison mid range holiday lodges will charge in the region of $75-100 per person sharing.

3.Most of the places visited by the Kenya discount safari packages will be outside but next to national parks in game ranches which usually have high number of wildlife. It therefore avoids the $40 park fees. However, they will most certainly include a day game drive safari inside the animal park.

4.The discount Kenya vacation package will usually be a short 3-4 day tour of Kenya landmark attractions. The longer the number of days the more expensive a Kenya budget tour becomes.

5.Most discount Kenya vacation packages will have scheduled departures so as to be able to constitute groups in Kenya prior to departure for the safari. The only common denominator for such Kenya safari groups is the shared local transport and the use of a single camp or lodge.

Kenya Discount Safari Bookings

Discount Kenya travel bookings are done well in advance as tours tend to get expensive as demand builds up to the high tourism season in Kenya. Availability of vacation Flights to Kenya also becomes more and more difficult as you approach the vacation season. The main vacation season in Africa Kenya corresponds with the summer school holidays in the source countries of Europe and North America. This Kenya safari high season falls in the months of August through to October with some windfall into December and Christmas season.

In order to enjoy discounted Africa Kenya safari prices, you will need to make your bookings well in advance. Traveling to Kenya for vacation during off–peak seasons is usually cheaper since hotels and lodges also lower their prices at such times.

There are several ways that you can make your bookings for an African budget safari in Kenya. There are many Nairobi based Kenya tour operators and a plethora of safari ltd. The most common methods of booking your Kenya discounted safari tour is through:-

•Kenya safari travel agents

•Overseas tour operators for Kenya safari and vacations

•Online discount safari bookings through agent websites

•Through brochures in your local Kenya travel agent office.

•By calling your Kenyan safari company in Nairobi for a discounted Kenya tour booking

•As a last minute discount Kenya safari booking tactic you can pay on arrival at the airport for your safari. But you will risk missing a vacancy in the Kenya safari hotels.

Online Research for your discounted Kenya Africa safari

Finding your Kenya bargain safari information online can be an uphill task. You will need to know exactly the words to type in order to get the exact info you are looking for in the google SERPS (Search Engine Results Pages). So what do you exactly look for when searching for a cheap, discount, bargain, budget Kenya safari or tour? Below I have given you a few keywords that might help you get the helpful information of the best discount and budget Kenya tour options.

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In a nut shell a discount Kenya safari will cost an average of $ 100-160 per day. On the other hand a Kenya luxury private safari will cost anywhere from $ 200-400 per day.

Get yourself the best only Kenya bargain safari deal; and have a ball!!

Portugals little Floating Garden

The beautiful island of Madeira is part of Portugal. It lies in the Atlantic Ocean, 470 miles to the west of Morocco and 300 miles north of Tenerife in the Canary Islands.

It therefore enjoys a wonderful warm climate the whole year round. For centuries, it was a particular favourite amongst British aristocratic travellers wishing to escape British winters, long before travelling and winter breaks became the norm for less wealthy folk.

Madeira, or Portugese for wood, is often described as a the Floating Garden due to the luxuriant greenery and abundance of wild flowering shrubs that can be seen there.

It is a rugged, extremely mountainous, highly picturesque island, roughly rectangular in shape and measuring about 30 miles in length by 10 miles wide. The highest mountain on this extinct volcanic isle is Pico Ruivo, which is 1862 metres, or 6060 feet, above sea level.

Coaches can carry visitors up very winding mountain roads to over 5000 feet. It is not an experience enjoyed by those of a nervous disposition. Although the views from the mountains on a clear day arebreathtakingly spectacular.

Due to the hight of the mountains, their peaks are sometimes shrouded in mist or low cloud. This provides Madeira with valuable water for irrigation, as well as everyday household use.

The hard working Madeirans have, over the centuries, created a fantastic network of Levadas or irrigation channels alongside narrow paths, to carry valuable water from the highest peaks to the much drier valleys and coastal villages way down below.

The levadas are a fantastic feat of engineering and a tribute to the Madeirans dogged determination to make the best of their island. It is quite humbling to think of the heroic effort that must have gone into the creating of these levadas on the most difficult steep terrain imaginable, using the simplest of hand tools to break up the volcanic rock.

The Madeirans of old must have been as nimble as mountain goats and very tough, Today, the levada walks are amongst the favourite tourist attractions of Madeira, and one of the prime reasons that thousands return, year after year, to this gem of an island.

The scenery of the Madeiran mountains and rugged coastline is truly spectacular, particularly when the shrubs and trees are in flower.

The beautiful Bird of Paradise flower, or strelitzia is a firm favourite with visitors, who buy them in their thousands from the colourful flower shops.

Investment Property in Morocco

Morocco represents an anagram of different cultures/civilizations and boasts of being one of the most picturesque countries on the planet. Located in the Northern half of the African continent, this paradisiacal country is in close proximity to Europe and the Middle East, which enriches the Moroccan landscape with different traditions and cultural wealth from three different continents.

The coastal backdrop and miles of unspoilt sandy beaches add to the glory of this African Kingdom. Thanks to its natural riches, the country commands the place of pride among world’s who cut across different trades. No doubt, a nation with tonnes of natural beauty and a willing government is bound to be a global real estate powerhouse.

Tourism and Its Influence on Moroccan Property

One thing that stands out in favour of the Moroccan property sector is the demand created by country’s tourism potential. The picturesque locations of Morocco have left many popular figures speechless and some of them, including Sir Winston Churchill, have historically vouched for Morocco’s natural beauty.

With miles and miles of pristine beaches dotting the country’s landscape, Morocco has emerged as a dream destination for holiday visitors looking to just take a break from their routine lifestyle. This makes investment in holiday property, like holiday resorts and rental apartments, in the towns and villages along the coastline, a wise decision. The scope for regular rental income is extremely high in the Moroccan holiday property.

Many European tourists have also elicited considerable interest in making Morocco their second home due to the country’s proximity to the western part of the continent. The government has also supported moves for regular cheap flights to and from the country to the major European cities and other international destinations.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI has expressed profound desire to optimally exploit the country’s tourism potential by roping in the government in the construction and promotion of ‘Plan Azur’, which is a combination of six mega coastal resorts. The facilities include championship golf courses, marinas, sports facilities, shops and restaurants. These will be located near the town of Oujda and alon the Atlantic coast at Port Lixus near Tangiers, Mogador near Essaouira, Taghazout near Agadir, Mazagan near Casablanca, and at Plage Blanche in Guelmin. The country aims to attract 10 million tourists annually by 2010 primarily through the successful completion and promotion of Plan Azur alone.

It goes without saying that property around any of these resorts are selling like very quickly. A wise investor will buy a property around these resorts before 2010 to reap maximum rental income from the unprecedented tourist influx expected from that year onwards. Moroccan holiday property is also highly traded among the property investors here, which means you get maximum value for your property within no time, as the property trends have really been positive over the last few years.

With prices starting from as little as £21K, you can land yourself luxurious apartments and townhouses in resort towns of Saida, Tetouan, and Asilah. Of course, the prices vary according to the dimensions of the property.

Besides the coastal townships, the mountainous ski resort of Oukaimeden is also attracting lots of property inquiries from the European property investor.

The Moroccan property market also gets a periodic boost from government initiatives, like a proposed Morocco Tunnel under the sea to connect the country with Gibraltar in Europe.

Property Scenario in Other Moroccan Locations

Tourist resorts are not the only investment hotspots in Morocco. Other Moroccan towns and cities enjoy a good amount of goodwill among European investors, especially the French property investors, due to past colonial ties with the country of France.

The portfolio of investors in Morocco is diverse, ranging from rental apartments to second home luxury villas and residential homes. And since the commercial activities in the country are on the upswing, investors have struck gold in commercial and industrial property too. In addition to the built-up property, cheap off-plan property is also in the peak among investors.

The major attraction as far as Moroccan property investors are concerned differs to the tax-free rental income for the first five years. And if you hold the property for ten years or more, no capital gain tax is deducted when you resell. Another attractive feature is the exclusion of local inheritance tax in Morocco.

The most popular cities in Morocco from the property viewpoint include the modern Marrakech, commercial centre of Casablanca, capital city Rabat, and ancient cities of Tangier and Fez.

Of course, as with almost every other country, Morocco also has its own laws, rules and regulations regarding the ownership of property by the foreigners. A wise investor will do well to verify from the authorities or some reliable real estate agent about his eligibility, and ways and means to acquire diverse properties in Morocco. However, the rules for the ownership of property are not as stringent in Morocco as in other European countries.

The Apes Of Gibraltar

The Barbary Apes of Gibraltar ,Macaca Sylvanus, are actually tail-less monkeys and are an unusual and delightful attraction for anyone visiting Gibraltar or the Costa del Sol.

No one is really sure how the only wild apes in Europe arrived in Gibraltar and legend has it that were they to leave The Rock then it would fall to the Spanish. The two most popular explanations as to the appearance of the apes of Gibraltar is either that they crossed via a subterranean tunnel from their native Morocco or British sailors introduced them having picked them up on their travels. Whatever the explanation they readily adapted to their new habitat and have lived, bred and been an integral part of Gibraltar for some centuries now.

During the second World War their numbers went into a decline and Sir Winston Churchiil, taking a personal interest in the Gibraltar Apes, arranged to have some more imported from Morocco.Since then their numbers have steadily increased and today, in addition to the pack readily seen around the Apes Den, there are five other packs living wild on the steep slopes of the Rock.

The apes of Gibraltar that the visitor sees are very tame and quite cheeky, often climbing on unsuspecting tourists and onto the taxis that bring the tourists to the top of the rock to see them. Most of the taxi drivers know the individual apes and can often tell you quite a lot about them.

The tour of the rock can either be undertaken by taxi or you can take the cable car up and then enjoy a very pleasant walk taking in the wonderful views of the Mediterranean to one side and the Atlantic to the other.You will see lots of Gibraltar apes this way and can stop and enjoy their company and take plenty of photos. The walk will take you down past St. Michael’s Cave, which you should definitely visit, before carrying on and picking up the cable car again at it’s mid-way stage.

The welfare of the Barbary Apes is now in the hands of the Gibraltar Ornithological and Natural History Society and the R.S.P.C.A.

Travel to Morocco for Exciting Holidays Abroad

Morocco is a wonderful Country with some majestic mountain ranges, great coastline and some of the most intriguing Cities on the Continent. Many travellers end up in the Country to sample life in the famous Cities of Casablanca, Marrakech and Rabat and most are not disappointed by what they find. The people are very friendly as well and the infrastructure is very good for the region and it is getting better with the current Government aiming to increase tourist numbers to the Country.

The best time to visit Morocco is during the spring and autumn when it is cooler and more comfortable. The summer can be a good time to visit the coastal areas, but the interior of the country will be uncomfortably hot. The winter can get quite cold in the north though the further south you go, the days will get warmer, however, night time will still be chilly.

Health wise – There is a small risk from Malaria in the extreme south of the Country, but many do not believe it is worth the effort of taking anti-malarial medication. Consult your doctor before coming to this conclusion, it is better to be safe than sorry! Altitude sickness can occur in the mountains and you should be prepared for this. The medical services in Morocco are average and serious injuries and illness may lead to evacuation by air to Spain.

Visas and Documents – Most visitors to Morocco will be able to visit the Country without a visa and be able to stay for up to three months on arrival. Israeli citizens will have to apply for a month long visa before departure. If you are coming from a country or region that is affected by yellow fever or cholera you will need to prove that you have been vaccinated, most clinics or doctors issue certificates with the vaccination.

Cost – Morocco is relatively inexpensive to travel around, though the popular tourist destinations like Casablanca and Marrakech will be slightly more expensive. A budget of $25 a day should suffice, if you are not bothered about eating in restaurants and dont mind staying in guesthouses. Travel around the country is good value, but you should be careful when dealing with taxi drivers, especially in tourist hotspots.

The Sights – There are so many things to see and experience in this wonderful Country and the fact is that you will not have the time to visit them all and all though this is a shame, remember it is important to enjoy this visit and that you can visit again in the future.

Obviously, some of the most well known attractions of the Country are some of the best with the Imperial Cities of Fez, Meknes, Marrakech and Casablanca, all amazing destinations with plenty to do and see. Walking through the bazaars and backstreets has got to be one of the highlights of visiting Morocco – Morocco also has some splendid hiking opportunities, with the most popular being the High Atlas with the impressive Jebel Toubkal. What should be remembered is that there are alternatives to this popular destination, with the Anti Atlas to the south and the rarely visited and wilder Rif Mountains near Tangiers and Chefchaouen.

The mighty ruins of Volubulis are the largest Roman remains in Morocco and it is now a World Heritage listed site. It is one of many ruins across the north of the Country, but none are in the magnitude of this site which lies close to Meknes.

While some may not consider it a highlight, travelling down the Western Sahara to Mauritania is an adventure and a must for many overland travellers making their way to West Africa. It may be an uncomfortable ride, but think of all the fabulous anecdotes you can tell your friends.

African Safaris from East to South – Vacation Tips

If you are a novice in African safaris, you probably might find yourself overwhelmed with the Array of choices that will arrest your sight. If you have already gone there, you might as well know how to plan a tour so as to delve into the deeper wonders of the African safaris. Remember, some solitary locations are far more marvelous than those, which already became traditional destinations.

The safaris, though more famous for the games and wild animals, were not created solely to do just that. You might be busy collecting stones while discarding wonders such as sightings of intriguing insects, varieties of smaller animals and multitudes of panoramic sights.

One of the more indispensable equipments in any African safari vacation is the binoculars as they allow you to see visions even from afar. Though travel companies normally provide binoculars, you might as well bring your own sets as you may prove them more convenient than risking your chance of sharing the tool with another person.

Your exposure to mosquitoes in African safaris can cause you myriad of mosquito diseases which in most cases, deprive you from more enjoyable experiences. To ward off uninvited guests during the night, make it a point to apply mosquito repellants and expose parts of your body as little as possible.

Any self-respecting African safari vacation operators knows that guests are susceptible to certain ailments due the natural elements in wild Africa. Therefore, they are well-equipped with treatments, medications and procedures that will create lesser chances of being affected by one. However, you must still bring with you personal medications such as anti-diarrhea medicine and anti-malaria pills in case you might need them.

You surely would want to reserve memories of experiences that you have undergone during your African safari vacation. If you were to bring a camera, your best bet would be the digital ones. However, for types that make use of films, be careful that you have some good reserve of batteries and films.

Go. Plan a different route. Seek places that you haven’t scoured before and experience wonder that you should not miss.

You can’t off course explore the whole of African safaris on a few days of trip. There simply are too many sights to feed your spirit and too many places where you may see the real and seldomly seen creations.

This is what an African safari may look like-

A spot may feature a snow-capped mountain while another site will let you witness the miracle of aquatic reefs. And there are definitely desserts and endless selections of wildlife. On another spot, you may even see a remarkable waterfall that will let you experience African safari the different way. Not to mention the diversity of culture and traditions, people and norms that form Africa.

It simply has got it all! Even the most amazing wonders that you can imagine may be found lingering in its rich and vast African safaris.

East and Central Africa
Mount Kilimanjaro Ngorongoro Crater countless plains animals prides of lion along with other predators are all found in these African safari regions. It is strange how these two regions harbor the diversity of animals that feeds on its earth. Its amazing how animals like impala, hartebeest, cheetah, buffalo and others coexist harmoniously in African safaris.

South Africa
Though southern African safaris lack the famous wonders that east and central Africa offer, it still has other things to present to its guests. This is the sight most films of life in the safaris are made.

Zimbabwe is often deemed to be the most marvelous place in African safaris. Why not? It is the honors the mighty Victoria Falls.

One of the African safari favorites is the Zambia. It harbors wilderness camps that may be found in national parks such as Kafue National Park and South Luangwa.

To finish your African safari trip, you may find pleasure in the Indian Ocean islands, which cover Mozambique, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius and Seychelles Islands. The waters that cover these places are great havens for marine life.

Best international destinations for the US dollar – Part 4

Looking for a relaxing vacation as you have recently been putting in extra hours, trying to earn enough money to survive in the current tough economic times? You also want to see and experience somewhere different; get out of town and away, maybe travel overseas. But those dollars were hard to earn and you want to make sure that they are well spent; you want the best international value for your dollar. Where should you go, what should you do? Europe, with the Euro, just keeps getting more expensive and the same applies to Europe. Asia is fascinating, but a long way from home and currently the Africa or the Middle East may not be where you want to take the family. Mexico and South America sound nice, but be careful of the crime and don’t drink the water! It’s a tough decision.

Why not consider the smaller islands in the Eastern Caribbean? They have great service, great beaches, some lovely mountains, fascinating history, and are close enough to home yet definitely international. Also the Eastern Caribbean Dollar is directly tied to the U. S. Dollar, so exchange rates, (US$3 = EC$8) won’t change, your value is guaranteed! Of course you will need to learn English with a Caribbean Accent, but that is probably easier that Swahili!

In the Eastern Caribbean everyone knows about the beautiful beaches, but often miss the inland mountains waiting to be explored. Down here you will discover both European and American history intertwined with the diverse cultures. The Caribbean is a wide region with a lot to offer. Barbados, Antigua, St. Martin, St. Lucia, Grenada are all popular with a lot to offer, but do you want crowds or deals? Hard choices!

But are you traveling with either with friends or family, so want variety and everything in one location; everybody needs to have a good time. Also, vacations are for relaxing and while you may want activities during the day, nights are for moonlight and fine dining, listening to music on the beach as it mixes with the waves rolling ashore. So where to choose and what to do? Think about a combination destination. Somewhere that offers a wide selection of activities amongst a variety of scenery, with good restaurants and comfortable lodgings at the best price. You want a place that gives good entertainment and educational value for those U.S. dollars. Check out Nevis, it is an excellent choice!

Nevis? You never heard of Nevis? It is a 36 square mile island located in the Northern Antilles. It

The Garden Route is South Africa’s most important fynbos export area

The Garden Route has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, making the region popular all year round.

The pont at Malgas is the only remaining pont in the country, ferrying vehicles and livestock across the Breede River. Whale watching attracts tourists at Witsand and Port Beaufort from June to November. The area also has a few free-range ostrich farms.

The Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve outside Heidelberg comprises the popular Bushbuck Trail, a wilderness trail and two mountain-bike trails.

Riversdale is one of South Africa’s most important fynbos export areas. Other attractions include the Julius Gordon Africana Museum.

At the historical Strandveld Architectural Heritage Site at Still Bay, visitors can watch tame eels being fed. Ancient fish-traps can be seen at Morris Point and the harbor.

At the aloe factories at Albertinia, aloe juices are extracted for medicine and high-quality skin-care products.

Nearby, bungee jumping on the Gourits River Gorge, hiking, mountain-biking and angling are popular pastimes.

At Mossel Bay, the Point, a well-liked area for surfers, also features a natural pool formed by rock a popular swimming place at low tide. The St Blaize trail starts here and it is the ideal spot to watch the whales and dolphins at play in season. There is plenty to do in Mossel Bay, such as sun tanning on the 24-km beach, shark ping and hiking.

The harbour at Mossel Bay is one of the most modern commercial and recreational harbours on the southern Cape coastline. The Information Canter at PetroSA (formerly Mossgas) informs visitors about the project and the production of synthetic fuels from Mossel Bay’s offshore gas fields. Other attractions include the Attequas Kloof Pass, Anglo-Boer/South African War blockhouses and the Bartholomew Dias complex.

Great Brak River offers a historic village with many opportunities for whale and dolphin watching along the extensive coast. Game farms hosting four of the Big Five enrich the wild and bird life.

George is at the heart of the Garden Route and the mecca of golf in the southern Cape, as it is home to the renowned Fancourt Country Club and Golf Estate and various other acclaimed golf courses. Board the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe Steam Train on its daily trip along the coastline between George and Knysna (except Sundays) at the Outeniqua Transport Museum, where one can enjoy a variety of enterprises. Visitors can also board the Power Van here, and enjoy a glimpse of the Garden Route Botanical Garden.

The George Museum with its timber history as theme offers ongoing exhibitions. The Montagu and Voortrekker Passes are national monuments, providing spectacular views of the Outeniqua Nature Reserve, which offers several hiking trails.

The George Airport, the Outeniqua Pass, the railway line and the N2 offer excellent access and make George the ideal hub from which to explore the Garden Route and Little Karoo.

Victoria Bay and Wilderness are popular for their safe bathing and unspoilt nature. Wilderness is the western gateway to the southern Cape lakes area. It’s a nature lover’s paradise, best known for its beaches, lakes, placid lagoon and lush indigenous forests. Bird watchers flock to the Langvlei and Rondevlei Bird Sanctuaries in the Wilderness National Park, which host over 230 different bird species. Other activities include biking, abseiling, horse-riding, paragliding, scenic drives, canoeing, scuba ping and fishing.

Sedgefield borders Swartvlei Lagoon, the largest natural inland saltwater lake in South Africa. Activities include beach horse-riding, hiking, angling and bird-watching.

Knysna has officially become South Africa’s favourite destination. What makes it unique is the fact that the town nestles on the banks of an estuary, guarded by The Heads (two huge sandstone cliffs) surrounded by indigenous forests, tranquil lakes and golden beaches.

This natural wonderland is home to the largest and smallest of creatures, from the Knysna seahorse to the Knysna elephants, rare delicate butterflies and the endemic Knysna loerie, a colourful forest bird. Over 200 species can be found in the abundant fynbos and forest settings.

Knysna is also famous for its delectable homegrown oysters, enjoyed with locally brewed beer in quaint pubs and restaurants. An eclectic mix of art galleries showcases the diversity of talent in the area. The area also offers lagoon cruises, forest hikes, golf and adventure sports. A visit to the Knysna Quays is a must.

Plettenberg Bay is adventure country, offering boat-based whale watching, black water tubing, hiking, and forest and cycling trails. Look-Out Beach is one of the Blue Flag beaches in South Africa.

The Keurbooms River Nature Reserve at Plettenberg Bay offers a canoeing trail, and the Robberg Nature Reserve is a treasure trove of land, marine, geological and archaelogical wealth.

The Tsitsikamma National Park offers many scenic walks and trails, including the world-famous Otter Hiking Trail. It also boasts the only underwater trail in Africa. The Park is South Africa’s first proclaimed marine reserve.

There are several bungee-jumping spots in the area, including the highest bungee jump in the world at the Bloukrans River Bridge. Other popular activities include boat cruises, trout-fishing, whale watching, ping, sea-kayaking, gliding, golfing, abseiling and canoeing.

Klein Karoo Kannaland – Otherside of the Outeniqua Mountains:

The Klein Karoo Kannaland is a semi-desert area broken by unexpected lush river valleys. Excellent wines and port are produced in the Calitzdorp and De Rust areas.

Oudtshoorn, the world’s ostrich-feather capital, is the region’s main town. The Swartberg Nature Reserve and Pass are also worth a visit. The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees is held in the town annually. Some 29 km from Oudtshoorn lie the remarkable Cango Caves, a series of spectacular subterranean limestone caverns. Bearing evidence of early San habitation, the 30-cave wonderland boasts magnificent dripstone formations. Between 200 000 and 250 000 people visit the Caves annually.

Amalienstein and Zoar are historic mission stations midway between Ladismith and Calitzdorp. Visitors can go on donkey-cart and hiking trails through orchards and vineyards, while the Seweweekspoort is ideal for mountain-biking, hiking, and protea and fynbos admirers.

Calitzdorp boasts four wine estates, three of which are open to the public. The spring water of the Calitzdorp Spa is rich in minerals and is reputed to have medicinal properties. The Gamka Mountain Reserve is home to the rare and endangered Cape mountain zebra.

De Rust lies at the southern entrance to Meiringspoort. The Meiringspoort Gorge extends 20 km through the Swartberg Mountain Range. Halfway through, a beautiful 69 m-high waterfall can be seen. Wine farms in the area are open to the public.

Ladysmith is home to the Towerkop Cheese Factory. There are various hiking trails, mountain-biking trails and 4×4 trails in the area. The Anysberg, Klein Karoo and Towerkop Nature Reserves can also be visited.

Uniondale, on the main route between George and Graaff-Reinet, features the largest water-wheel in the country, the Old Watermill. Uniondale Poort is a scenic drive linking Uniondale with Avontuur in the Langkloof Valley.

At Vanwyksdorp, visitors can see how fynbos is dried and packed for the export market. Donkey-cart rides take visitors to Anglo-Boer/South African War grave sites.

Please come for a visit.

Restaurant reviews: Noodlebosch Long Street, Cape Town in South Africa

Noodlebosch, the somewhat new kid on the block. Neatly situated in the ever buzzing and clubbing Long street. Founded in 2005 at the University of Stellenbosch. Noodlebosch is certainly one of those establishments that has popped out of nowhere, much to the surprise and liking of many Cape Town sushi lovers. Enter the restaurant or peruse their take-away menu, and you get the distinct feeling that here lies quality with a degree of authenticity.

I often think of Noodlebosch as the “Polka” of sushi bars, because of their simple, unpretentious, yet very colourful and unique theme and menu on offer. You know you going to get good sushi at a good price and thats that. This is of course, not a bad thing. They offer good noodle dishes, however we were only interested in the quality and expansiveness of their sushi menu, of course. Their sushi is very good.

My favourite is the salmon fashion sandwiches, salmon california rolls and salmon nigiri. The sushi is always fresh, and the sushi rice is quite good as well. I am certainly very pleased to notice that their portions are hearty, and you always feel satisfied after an average sushi meal of 10-15 sushi portions. Another positive point is that their prices for sushi is very good, and is certainly value for money. Added to that the choice of either 4 or 8 pieces of sushi per sushi-dish.

Noodlebosch do not skimp on their condiments of pickled ginger, wasabi or

soy sauce, including packaging (for take-aways). I have always had left over condiments after a good meal of sushi.

On the topic of organics and chemicals, Noodlebosch’s commitment to serving fresh ingredients with no preservatives or MSG is certainly a very, very welcomed and well-worthy bonus (We hope other Sushi-Chef’s and Restaurant-Owners take note of that fact). This is more than enough reason to lure any grass-eating Kauai-patron to their doorstep.

As mentioned, Noodlebosch is quite a small venue. The downside of being that good and small (or customer-focused as the intellectuals call it) is that the Sushi Chef is always busy. Noodlebosch, as the name eludes to, is primarily an establishment offering noodle cuisine. The addition of a sushi offering, which in my opinion far outsells their other dishes, does place significant pressure on their staff to keep a reasonable consistent pace with serving customers. That said, it may also explain why our orders are sometimes a little late (approximately 20 minutes in the restaurant and at least 1 hour when ordering take-away). It could further explain why they only receive take-away orders

during certain business hours.

Regardless, Noodlebosch has been quite an impressive and pleasant surprise to our review. We can understand why Capetonians are going “noodles” for Noodlebosch. This one is definitely a “keeper” and they are quietly making its way up the Cape Town Sushi-Leaderboard, as long as they continue doing what they do best, providing good quality sushi at value for money prices

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