We started off in Paarl. Paarl is one of the oldest towns in South Africa and particularly known for its mountain, “Paarl Rock”. The huge granite rock is formed by three rounded outcrops that make up Paarl Mountain and is the second largest granite outcrop in the world. Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve offers some awesome hiking trails and great views.

Paarl boasts a unique attraction in the fact that the foundations of a new language, Afrikaans, combined heritage of Africa and the European mother countries, were laid here. The Monument to the Afrikaans language on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, the Language Museum and the Afrikaans Language Route through Dal Josaphat are living memorials to this achievement. A very interesting aspect to include in an itinerary if history interests you!

 

Add to this the rich heritage of well preserved historic buildings scattered through the town and the large number of top-quality restaurants offering traditional Cape cuisine.

 

We then whisked ourselves off to Franschhoek, a quaint little village not to be missed! More than three centuries ago about 200 French Huguenots, having escaped religious persecution, settled in the Berg River Valley and founded the community of Franschhoek (the French Corner). With its fine balmy summers and the majority of its rainfall in winter, the French Huguenots recognised the potential of the region for wine production and fruit growing.

 

Franschhoek alone offers over 30 wine estates where you can taste wine. It would be very difficult to get to even 10% of the wine estates in the Cape Winelands area during your stay in the Cape.  The best thing to do is to acquire a good map of the winelands area and choose some of the well-known estates to visit. You can stop at the tourism offices in each little town and get a map of the wine estates in the areas.

 

Franschhoek is often referred to as “the gourmet capital of the Cape” and this title is justly deserved as it has some of the finest restaurants in the country. With meals ranging from French cuisine, to typical Cape cooking, to simple country fare, there is a menu for every taste and for every pocket. Some of the restaurants having won various awards are Le Quartier Francais, Ruebens and Haute Cabriere.

 

Some of my favourite accommodation establishments here offering value for money are Franschhoek Country House and Klein Genot.

 

We left Franschhoek and travelled over the Hell’s Hoogte Pass into Stellenbosch, a beautiful pass linking the two towns. The second oldest town in South Africa, founded by Simon van der Stel in 1679 and renowned for its Cape Dutch buildings, university and wines, Stellenbosch lies in a fertile valley surrounded by vineyards, orchards and mountains.  It is an academic and farming community and one of the most well preserved towns in South Africa.

 

Two of my favourite properties here are River Manor and Summerwood Guest House, both within walking distance of the bustling little town. Being a university town, Stellenbosch offers a lively nightlife with array of different options such as theatre shows, live music bars and nightclubs and also a number of good restaurants.

 

Various festivals are held annually throughout the Cape Winelands, including a host of food festivals and a wonderful variety of wine shows. From arts/culture fairs to open-air shows and harvest festivals, the Winelands is an all-year-round beehive of activity, attracting visitors from far and wide to come and enjoy the warm hospitality and energy it exudes

 

Breathe the fresh champagne air of the Cape Winelands, a haven for those wanting to escape the stresses and strains of everyday city living. Celebrate your health by relaxing in our natural hot water springs or enjoy a welcome break at our world-class health spa´s with a variety of treatments ranging from aromatherapy, balneotherapy and acupuncture to reflexology and message therapy.

 

 

 

 

South Africa is more than a place you merely see, its a country to experience with all five senses. It’s an emotional encounter that makes one want to return and so I have now on my 5th visit to this land of beauty and freedom. It is a land of contrasts where traditional African ways are blended with those of modern Europe.

Here we are more a traveler than a tourist as we set out on safari changing hotels each night. We follow the Garden Route, the premier tour route preferred by locals. Included in our group of 45 were a fighter pilot, 2 physicians, 2 psychoanalysts (who came in handy for me), mother/daughter, father/son, the uncle of Julia Roberts and one of my good friend whose passport stamps trump mine, Frank.

As we passed endless shantytowns of tin shacks, we understood why the unemployment rate was at 39%. This is the wealthiest nation in Africa, but its resources are stretched due to the influx of 50,000 refugees each year from neighboring nations.

We learn that when a man erects a hut on your front lawn, after 72 hours you must allow him to remain or find him a new place to settle. In a population 30% white and 70% of color, reverse discrimination occurs for jobs. There are 11 official languages in South Africa. Most speak Afrikaans, a language derived from the Bushmen and Dutch.

There is an indescribable warmth and friendliness in the people here. “Ubuntu” is their word for welcome. They have no word for stranger in their native tongue.

Day 2 – Cape Town rules with incredible natural wonders and trendiness. A cross between San Francisco and Rio, I could certainly reside here. We do a full day Peninsula tour including Camps Bay, Fish Hook, Simons Town, Hout Bay and more. Along the spectacular coast we saw whales breeching.

The highlights included a cruise to Seal Island, a hike among thousands of penguins and funicular up to Cape of Good Hope where the Atlantic and Indian oceans merge. There were many great Kodak moments. At night all scattered to the famous V&A Waterfront with its plethora of pubs and cafes.

Day 3 – We head to laid back Hermanus for a whale of a good time. The annual whale festival is on led by the world’s only “Whale Crier” who blows his horn at each sighting. Whales gather here every September to mate. The clear bays are nurseries for mother and calves.

There are about 5000 Southern Right Whales named centuries ago as they were the right whales to hunt. They have no teeth and swallow up to 400lbs of fish per day.

My supplier said we should see thousands gathered here in protected bays, but locals told me they were shy today and only a few surfaced. Nevertheless it was a great free day of festivities. The whole town goes whale-gaga and we loved mingling with the friendly locals.

Springtime is in bloom now with a kaleidoscope of geraniums, lavender, canola, starburst and colorful protea. My wedding bouquet was calla lilies. Here they grow like weeds. We spent the night in the charming tiny town of Arniston. Our hotel sat ocean’s edge surrounded by mountains that were dotted with lighthouses.

Day 4 – We depart through majestic mountains and Mossel Bay famous for their calamaris that are the size of steaks. Our destination was Oudtshoorn, “Feather capital of the world.” Since 1864 this is the world’s foremost supplier of all things ostrich; hide, meat and feathers. We visit a huge farm to witness mating and hatching. Some got to ride the oddball creatures.

Next stop was a wildlife center for an opportunity to get extremely close to various native animals. We had our photos petting leopards, lion cubs and a pigmy hippo named Humphrey. This was home to “Duma,” the famous cheetah from the movie of the same name.

Rare white tigers are bred here. There are only 300 left on earth. Many in our group partook in the worlds only “caged croc dive” where they were lowered by cage into the warm water and surrounded by chomping jaws. These Nile crocs are huge. One bite and could break your spine and shatter all your ribs. This place provided many thrilling encounters.

Our final stop was the famous UNESCO Cango Caves, Arica’s largest show cave. I nearly opted out of going as I’m not a cave woman. It was however, incredibly impressive as we walked chamber to chamber in massive dry caverns which are a mere 800,000 years old.

Day 5 – We arrive to lovely Plettenberg Bay. First tour is Monkeyland, the world’ first free roaming mutli-specie primate sanctuary. Here it’ all about rescue of previously abused monkeys, baboons, apes and lemurs of Madagascar. They tried to steal our belongings at our outdoor lunch.

Later we visited the Elephant sanctuary for a hands on interactive educational tour. I didn’ know African elephants could be tamed like Asian or Indian. We learned that no other creature is as understanding as the elephant which can learn, remember, meditate and conceive such things man can hardly perform.

We enjoyed a Trunk-In-Hand tour where we walked, fed and examined by touch its ears, tail, tongue and tear ducts. That was sweet. The trainers were Zulu-men. I departed giving them a thumbs up. With big grins they thanked me. I didn’ know this gesture in Zulu signified they were highly fertile.

We spent 2 nights at Whalesong Lodge overlooking the ocean and a favorite of all. Here a surprise wedding reception was arranged for us with cakes, local wines and more from our US supplier. After Frank made a heartfelt toast, we all sang “Going to the airplane and we’re gonna get married.” Dinners were on our own. Everything is so affordable here that we often ordered 4 courses.

Day 6 – We’ve traveled to Knysna, oyster capital of the world. There we boarded a ferry and sailed to Featherbed Nature Reserve. 4×4 Jeeps then took us to the summit of the Western Heads for breathtaking views of the sea.

From there we did a downhill hike through forest to the crashing waves on the coast. (It’s the most dangerous bay on earth for boats which sail these waters and thus are unable to even get insurance.)

A fresh seafood buffet greets us at the Food Forest set under a canopy of milkwood trees. In departing this little piece of paradise, I noticed the pier is black covered in mussels. Rare seahorses are bred here. These remarkable creatures mate for life and it’s the male that gives birth.

In the afternoon we joined Ocean Safari’s in search of whales, dolphins and sharks. For me, this was the highlight of the trip. It was so unique how they launched our boats like rockets into the Atlantic.

These research boats allowed us legally to get extremely close to whales. Our boat came upon two 50 ton whales mating. One was the size of Moby Dick that gracefully arced as the other slapped its flipper with a cascade of water. It was like seeing 2 motorcoaches rolling in the water. Another boat spotted 2 pods of 20 whales playing together.

This eco-adventure was a powerful experience that left us in stunned silence until our departure. Fighting the surf on our return to shore was like storming the beaches of Normandy (sans bullets) and very thrilling.

Day 7-9 – We set out for our longest drive of 4 hours to our game reserve. The scenery was unblemished under the African sun with rolling hills, indigenous forests, golden beaches and sand dunes that spilled into the sea.

We arrived to luxurious Kariega, a private reserve with an abundance of game that was a world apart. Set in 14,000 lush acres bordered by the Bushmans rivers, it was stunning. We passed the electric gates to see herds of gazelle, water buck, antelope and wildebeest. The landscape was a giant lawn for the omnivore wildlife to satisfy their appetites.

Five game drives were provided and at the sunset photo stops wine and beverages were added. Our ranger guides were excellent and these were the most comfortable safari jeeps made. Conservation here is paramount. In nature nothing is guaranteed.

I’ve known friends to spend thousands of dollars on African safaris and with rain they saw little of anything. The benefit of a private reserve is guaranteed sightings.

This was just a taste of what Africa holds but here we obtained the best photography ever within mere feet of lions, elephants, rhino and countless more animals. The Cape buffalo is the most dangerous animal on earth due to its unpredictability. It’s the only animal a Masai warrior will run from.

Several here had been semi-domesticated and suddenly approached our jeeps. One client reached out to pet it as if it were the barnyard cow. It remained calm but rage could occur within seconds. For free time we enjoyed a river cruise among hippos and hiked on marked trails. No where else have I been able to walk among wild eland and zebra in the bush like I did here!

Our farewell “Boma dinner” of traditional cuisine was set under the stars of the Southern Cross. The local staff sang and danced by a bonfire. It was a perfect end to our journey well done.

Mauritius is an island nation off the coast of Africa in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres east of Madagascar.

The temperature on the coastal areas varies between 22 in winter and in summer. The sea temperature varies between 22 and 27. In the central part of the island, the maximum daytime temperature varies from about 19 in August to about 26 in February. The western and northern regions are warmer and relatively drier than the East and the South.

Mauritius is a paradise for deep sea fishing. Species include the blue or black marlin, all types of sharks, yellow tuna act. Huge fishes like the Blue Marlin roam our seas and hunt around the island from November to April, and very often until May.

The ocean is 70 metres deep one kilometre away from the coast. Mauritius holds several world fishing records, including that of the mako shark of 1115 pounds, the blue shark of 400 pounds, a bonito of 41.5 pounds, a white tuna of 224 pounds and a becune of 125 pounds. African records mention a yellow tuna of 212 pounds and a white tuna of 224 pounds. Other specimens recently caught include blue marlins of 1430 and 1355 pounds. Fishing boats can be hired from almost all hotels. The most prestigious deep sea fishing competition is the Marlin World Cup which is hosted in December by La Pirogue Hotel.

Grand Bay was the first area of the island to fully experience the tourist boom. A shopping and leisure paradise, Grand Bay also happens to be the area where Mauritians head for when they want a fun filled night out with restaurants, bars and discos. Recently renovated, La Cuvette beach is well worth a visit.

The wonderful Pereybere public beach is popular because of its shopping facilities, restaurants and pubs.

A few metres away from Baie aux Tortues, which 17th century sailors named after the many tortoises in the area, can be found the ruins of the old Balaclava estate. Visitors will be able to see the sea walls, whose initial foundations were laid down by Mahe de Labourdonnais.

The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.

Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees, colourful and perfumed exotic flowers. Trips on mountain bikes or hiking are possible.

Imagine a smoked ginger and crimson skyline towering down over a diverse natural landscape of wild flowers, untamed wildlife and restless waters. Imagine lying gazing at this distinct setting whilst enjoying the pampering and revitalization that goes along with South African traditional customs and massage techniques. A spa experience in South Africa has often been viewed as being one of the most unique and beautiful experiences that one can wish for. So what makes it so unique and what can one expect at a South African spa?

As the gateway to South Africa for many, it’s hard to imagine a luxury holiday to South Africa without some time spent in Johannesburg. Rather than just spending one night in the city, why not spend an extra day uncovering some of the key attractions before heading off on a tailor made South Africa holiday?

Johannesburg is a city which mixes a fascinating cultural heritage with many modern attractions suitable for people of all ages, with all kinds of interests. In order to show exactly how diverse Johannesburg’s attractions are, here’s a selection of 10 varied things you can expect to do in the city before embarking on the main part of your luxury holiday in South Africa:

Spend an afternoon on the greens

Sure, golf is not for everyone, but for those who like nothing more than to spend an afternoon on the greens, Johannesburg is amongst the best cities in the world. Not only does it have the perfect warm climate for strolling across the fairways, but the fairways themselves are some of the very best in Africa – indeed, 36 of the top 100 golf courses in South Africa are right here! Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a keen amateur, golf is one of the strongest attractions in Johannesburg.

Take a flutter at the casinos

Holiday gambling is a favourite of many tourists – even those who never so much as buy a scratch card when in the UK find the relaxed atmosphere of a luxury holiday in South Africa the perfect time to take a flutter, and Johannesburg is very well suited to these types. You’ll struggle to find this density of casinos outside of Las Vegas, with two large ones in the city centre, another couple on the outskirts and a handful within 2 hours drive of the city! Between them all, you can find over 8000 slot machines and 300 tables – just make sure you know when to stop!

Gold Reef City – much more than a theme park…

One of these casinos is at Gold Reef City, but the good news is that there’s plenty for children to do as well, while you’re trying to beat the house at cards. Gold Reef City is a really rather splendid theme park with a fine selection of white knuckle rides, plentiful refreshment stands and even a brand new 4D theatre!

Learn more about the end of apartheid

The Apartheid museum has become a must see attraction in Johannesburg for its unflinching look at this distressing period of the country’s history. It’s extremely powerful, and includes such moving exhibits as blown up photos of passbooks, metal cages and screens showing replays of apartheid scenes. It pulls no punches: from the plastic entry ticket which either marks you as white or non-white to the recording studio where museum visitors have chronicled their own experiences, it’s a harrowing trip but one well worth taking. The overall feeling is one of relief that the country’s segregation is in the museum where it belongs.

Absorb the culture of Museum Africa

Culture vultures will get a lot out of Museum Africa, tucked into the Newtown Central Precinct. As the name implies, the main focus of the museum is on the continent’s fascinating history, including an honest look at some of South Africa’s problems and less proud moments. It’s surprisingly modern too, and one of its most engaging attractions is an audio/visual display showing Nelson Mandela’s trial for treason.

Tear up the track

From culture to go-karts, there are few things that can match the adrenalin of taking to the go kart course in Johannesburg. Decked out in safety clothing and helmet, visitors are encouraged to put their driving skills to the test in front of a crowd of onlookers. Not to everyone’s tastes, certainly – but the thrill seekers will love to make go karting part of their South Africa holiday experience!

Take a trip on the Vaal River

There are few better ways to take in the natural beauty of South Africa than a boat ride along the Vaal river. With the wind in your hair, good company and great food, a trip down the Vaal river is one of the most relaxing and enjoyable activities in Johannesburg, and a must for South Africa’s luxury holiday makers.

Lesedi Cultural Village

Lesedi Cultural Village is an attraction designed to help visitors understand the different cultures of South Africa. Holiday makers can walk around the five different homesteads (each representing a different culture from Pedi, Zulu, Zhosa, Basotho and Ndebele), take a tour to learn more about the culture – or even spend the night with one of the groups, for the true experience! Whichever option you take, visitors will learn of the cultural differences, and get to taste some delicious traditional cuisine. A must see attraction in Johannesburg.

Spend an unforgettable night clubbing

It’s widely acknowledged that one of the main attractions of Johannesburg is its reputation as the party capital of the country! Visitors can expect an eclectic mix of live music and clubs with DJs who spin a mix of techno, trance, jungle and house music. Whether your taste is for small, intimate venues or huge warehouse style hotspots, the city has you covered!

Take a tour of the Soweto Township

This is the largest township in Gauteng with some four million people living within. It started as a settlement for people coming from the rural areas to find work, but has since grown to almost be considered a city in its own right. Highlights of the visit include the former homes of Nelson Mandela and various South African Nobel Prize winners, accompanied by the overall warmth and friendliness of the Soweto people.

There’s plenty more I could list here, but this is a nice illustration of the sheer variety of attractions in Johannesburg – both famous and hidden. The city is the perfect gateway to a luxury holiday in South Africa.

Whether it’s a Saltycrax or Wildtongue, backpacking seems to have taken SA by storm. 1000’s of young and fun loving older travellers prefer backpackers as their place to stay and most back packers offer camping sites, dorms and private rooms. They will usually have a cheap bar to start those wild nights off and a host of bathrooms for those that struggle after all the revels.

South Africa has a host of backpackers too choose from, from the mundane to the exquisite but mostly all of them are worth a visit as each has its own personality and charm.

It has always been suggested to start your tour at Cape Town, the mother of all cities. With its incredible views and amount of activities there is no reason to be bored. Basic activities include, but are not limited to, hiking, Skydiving, Pulling, Clubbing, Getting laid, Cherry picking, surfing, Wind surfing, Wild parties and lots, lots more.

A good trip to take from there is to go along the coast up to Durban and then to go inland to see some of the more amazing natural wonders of this diverse country.

The most wonderful thing about South Africa is its diversity. You have its many cultures, all living mostly harmoniously with each other, its diverse wildlife, from the people to the animals and its amazing scenery.

I was asked once on a plane From the UK by an American Tourist, “He asked me how many giraffes I had and why I wasn’t wearing my traditional dress?” I couldn’t give a reply to this statement as I was laughing my head off. South Africa is apart of Africa but it is completely modernized. We have a mostly western style of living but it is mixed with our own specialised cultures and ideals. Some of our cultures still believe heavily in the   things like “Muti,” and traditional healing but most of South Africa does have good medical facilities, both private and government run.

In Short choose this land of wonder for an inexpensive and completely amazing backpacking holiday and if you’ll be travelling consider us for the best priced rental vehicles for the holiday of a lifetime

New LED Dance Floor now available in Cape Town, South Africa.

We both got new shoes and ready to launch, I chose Andy C Nightlife 3 cause my land is too shitty to sell Drum&Bass

If you are looking for the perfect outdoor adventure, the Western Cape of South Africa is the greatest place to go on Earth. The unending landscape here is beautifully rugged, and the activities are extremely intense. The Western Cape of South Africa has it all: majestic mountains, two oceans, national parks, beaches that go all the way around the Western Cape, and historical sites where the world was changed forever. If you are a world traveler and love the challenge of conquering international terrain, make sure to pack plenty of energy, because a vacation in the Western Cape of South Africa is absolutely extreme.

The first place most travelers want to go to when they visit the Western Cape of South Africa is the beach. The unique aspect of the Western Cape is that it has two oceans. The Indian Ocean is the warmer of the two and best for swimming and sunbathing. However, Haut Bay, on the Atlantic side has incredible surf; and is home to the international Red Bull surfing competition. There is also hiking on the rugged coast and sunbathing on some of the most exclusive beaches in the world.

You can’t go to the Western Cape of South Africa without doing some whale watching. This pastime is highly pursued on the Atlantic Seaboard where whales go for shelter to mate and calve. This is a place where whale enthusiasts can watch Southern Right Whales, Bryde’s Whales, and the Humpback Whales that come here every year.

The Western Cape of South Africa is also the home of Table Mountain, whose massive peak rises 3,300 feet above Cape Town. Hiking fanatics can climb the trails all the way to the top, where they can experience breathtaking views of Cape Town and both oceans, along with the clouds that surround the summit.

If you need a breather after climbing Table Mountain on the West Cape of South Africa, the Garden Route has easy walking and beautiful scenery. Running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean, the Garden Route is a series of trails full of trees and flower gardens with explorable caves nearby.

Another favorite outdoor activity for tourists is the Wine Route, which is a little further inland from the coast. The wine business in the Western Cape of South Africa is booming, and there is no better way to experience it than to tour the historic wine estates in the valley.

On the Western Cape of South Africa, even shopping is extreme. Many shoppers can’t wait to go to the ‘Diamond Works’, one of the best places in the world to shop for exquisite diamond jewelry. There are hundreds of other unique shops throughout the cobble stone streets of Cape Town, including the famous Victor and Albert Waterfront; which has a variety of eateries, pubs, movie theaters, and aquariums.

The Western Cape of South Africa is easier to get to than you might think. There are direct international flights that go right into Cape Town, and once you get there the accommodations are world class. Clearly, for the outdoor enthusiast, the Western Cape of South Africa has it all.

The South African club scene is very vibrant and for a long time, this has been the center stage for most dating. However, there is another easy way that is becoming very popular in South Africa. I’m talking about online dating in South Africa. All the traditional ways of meeting people are becoming rare and, people have started embracing the new way of finding dates. Apart from it being very easy, online dating in South Africa is affordable to many. Many sites will offer their services free of charge. Therefore, if you fancy some single South Africans, you will have no problem accessing them. You will not only meet great friends but, you will get to meet people for long term relationships and even marriage. For a short term relationship, you will meet many singles in South Africa who are interested in the same. One thing that you can be sure of in South Africa is that; you will experience a lot of diversity. The best place to begin is going through sites to see the various posted profiles and start shopping. It is always very interesting to read various profiles. They will spark not only curiosity but, a great interest in another person for the possibility of a relationship.

Online dating in South Africa has brought together many South Africans as well as, people from all over the world. There are many dating sites and one example is flirt box. They have thousands of singles from all over South Africa who are ready to meet new people. Many testimonials only prove that there are many success stories. As you search for a good relationship, you will realize that people actually manage to meet people for love. This statement is to downplay the belief that the Internet is the option of the last resort. This feeling has especially been observed in a cross section of Africans. Traditions and other factors are the main reason for this. Despite of all this, South Africa has been on the forefront when it comes to embracing new trends brought about by technology. Sites for dating online in South Africa will ensure you get what you are looking for. This means that if you are gay or lesbian, there are suitable partners waiting for you on the other end. You will chat and use message boards to communicate all you wish to the other person. You do not have to go for a site that does not communicate with you, the client. The many options will ensure that you find a simple and clear site.

Above all, you will have so much fun flirting with potential mates. Online dating in South Africa is not stagnated. In fact, it is very completive internationally. Other countries of Africa are following suit and matching fast the pace established by South Africans. Clearly, this service and industry is here to stay. As you look for a partner, keep in mind that you need to create a profile that will make them attracted to you. Follow all the available tips and, have a fabulous time.