Around About Cars Travel Blog

“If you were thinking that I was referring to a member of the big five, you’re mistaken. I’m talking about the mountain in Cape Town, named by the Dutch Settlers. Signal hill (next to Lion’s head) was called the Lion’s tail; together these two resembled a crouching feline. If you were wondering why I would refer to it as lovely; the mountain holds a certain magnetism, which many couples make use of. A hike up the Lion’s head offers an ideal starting point to any vacation or adventure in the Cape, because you’ll be able to orientate yourself to the geography of the surrounding area.

Let me tell you a secret, in order to enjoy the view of Cape Town in all its glory, you have to be brave enough to endure the hike or rather, the climb up the mountain. Be prepared: wear proper shoes and pack a small backpack with some must-have items; water, a light sweater and a flash light. Even though you might have a partner to keep you warm, it gets chilly at the top and you’ll also need a light on your way back down. Be sure to look back up at the climbers descending, the headlights that they wear create a string of lights wrapped around the mountain, almost like a Christmas tree.

I have recently had the opportunity to go on this adventure for the first time in the 17 years that I have resided in the suburbs of Cape Town. After the first few metres I felt tricked by my friends who didn’t warn me of the steep hike and then the risky climb. I felt like giving up and turning around, but luckily I have very persuasive friends. The secret is to stop along the way up, to enjoy every little bit of the ever changing view and to appreciate the indigenous fauna and flora. There are over 2000 species of fynbos on Table Mountain alone, which is more plant species than occur in the United Kingdom.

When you finally arrive at the summit you’ll forget about all fear and fatigue.
Even though you promised yourself halfway up that this would never happen again, you’ll find that you are revising that promise. Lions head offers a 360 degree view of land and ocean. You can see the Mother City and Table Bay on one side, and the Atlantic shoreline on the other. You’ll also have a great view of Table Mountain, pulling a blanket of flickering lights over the Cape.

A more romantic spot would be hard to find. If you wait for a full moon, this could be the ideal place to woo a loved one. A picnic back pack, stocked with some champagne, strawberries and cream could easily be carried up the mountain. For many couples, Lion’s head will hold a special place in their memories.”

Source: Discover South Africa

Article written by Bruce and Judy Meeser from Wildlife Encounters.

The little town of Hoedspruit and the surrounding private nature reserves of Timbavati, Klaserie, and Balule that make up part of the Greater Kruger Park are situated in a fairly arid area of South Africa (It’s just this characteristic that bestows us with our converted sweet grasses.)

Rain is revered; we pray for it, dance for it, discuss it constantly and even name our children after it. The current season was proving to a wet one even before the Tropical Storm Dando made landfall, over Mozambique and then the North East of South Africa. The first we heard of the impending weather change was from our children reporting that our local Southern Cross School had alerted them to an approaching cyclone. Typical to bush folk we shrugged the warning off; perhaps an inherent mistrust of our weather bureau is to blame. The hot humid afternoon of Tuesday Jan 17th exhibited none of the mayhem to come and we went to sleep that evening to the comforting distant rumble of thunder. Throughout the night we were aware of falling rain that became progressively more persistent until the drum of rain on the roof top was joined by the sound of rushing water as run off accumulated into streams and then rivers. Sleep was infiltrated by subconscious alarm bells at dawn, joy shifting to alarm and we stared in disbelief at the dam in front of our camp which was now lapping at the deck and had pushed under the doors of the rooms at the B & B across the way. The 4 x 4 vehicle of resident patrons was already axle deep in mud and with a little help from our friends we hurriedly got them out and on their way heading for the mountain pass, travelling through swollen rivers gushing over the tar road. And still the rain came down in a constant curtain of water. There was no wind and only distant thunder, the downpour was misleadingly benign in all but sheer volume.

The small local community on our side of town instinctively sought out the refuse and companionship of the bush pub where we gathered under the thatch and watched the river rising. Soon the debris had collected at the bridge, slowing down the flow and causing the water to spread out, bursting its banks. Household goods and furniture were carried along by the brown swirl and we watched helpless as a parked vehicle was picked up and spun around. Still the bridge held. All communications and power was now cut off and speculation was rife. We had been notified earlier that morning that our beloved nDzuti Safari Camp was flooded with just the roof tops showing above the water and the land rover submerged. Gradually by late afternoon the sky brightened and rain slowed and paused intermittently allowing us to gingerly venture onto the bridge and marvel at the river and the volume and power of water. On many of the protruding bridge posts there was a snake of sorts that had managed to escape the torrent and cling on for dear life. Swallows were diving and swirling around us, their mud nests on the underside of the bridge ruined. Frogs leapt about and birds sang out brightly every time the sky lightened momentarily. Slowly the river subsided and a watery sun set on Jan 17th 2012.

During the night, out in the bush the water rose, overfull dams broke their earth walls so further flooding bursting rivers, roads became waterways and many folk had to hurriedly leave their beds to climb to a higher spot. The helicopters started at dawn, lifting stranded families from rocky islands in the stream or a yielding tree top. With the roads closed and the communications and power down it is a wonder they knew where to look. For a few families living out in the bush the cyclone and ensuing flood changed their lives irreversibly as they lost their homes, possessions and even their livelihood. Rebuilding of lodges is a lengthy process and some may decide to simply close shop. The air force base in Hoedspruit and the local municipality together with some concerned citizens distributed food and water to isolated areas. Here in the bush, weeks later the seep lines still ooze water out of the ground, the roads are deeply rutted and many river crossing are still impassable. The debris of numerous safari camps litter the flood plains of the major rivers and unrecognisable articles of clothing flutter in tree tops. The bush is a verdant green, sparkling and clean, the grass no longer lying flat but standing proud and tall- it almost looks like it didn’t happen!

There really is nothing like hitting the open road and there really is no reason why girls can’t do it on their own – or with a good friend (company is always good and it is safer) or with a group of girlfriends (the more the merrier – and the more giggly). Many years ago I embarked on a road trip across America with a good gal pal of mine and it was the best four weeks of our life. Many wild tales could be told (including getting pulled over for speeding by a cop in Utah who had followed us for miles as we had the Utah Rock Station playing so loud we didn’t hear the siren), but that is for another day.

In preparation for that trip I bought a wonderful little book called The Bad Girl’s Guide to the Open Road by Cameron Tuttle and it has never left my car since. It’s filled with so many useful and humorous tips, I feel I really need to share them with any girl who feels the need to go road tripping, but thinks it may not be a good idea for whatever reasons. Some are tips we found really helpful on the road, some are from personal experience and many have been tried and tested.

In part one we’ll cover the basics, like when you should go and what to take (and what not to take) and basic weaponry.

It’s time to go on a road trip when…

• A walk to the corner store for milk is an exciting outing.
• You know you should hit the gym, but feel too fat to go.
• You are about to have a birthday that is going to require you to lie about your age forever.
• You start recycling your old boyfriends.
• You start putting all your books and CD’s into alphabetical order.
• Everyone at your local mall knows your name.
• You pull up a chair in front of the microwave to make dinner.
• The only things in your freezer are a bottle of vodka and a box of fish fingers.
• You work on weekends just to keep busy.
• Your favourite sleeping companion is your dog.
• Someone calls you Ma’am or Tannie.
• You start locking the bathroom door even though you live alone.
• Your email account is more active than your social life.
• All your friends are married with children and the only friends you have left are in Gossip Girl.
• You start thinking it might be fun to have a baby.
• You start sponge-painting every room in the house or decoupaging every box you find.
• You hit the snooze button 10 times before getting up to go to work and find it’s actually Saturday.

What to pack for a road trip…

• Driver’s licence
• Cash
• Credit card that ‘s not maxed out.
• Mobile phone with emergency numbers and a reliable friend on speed dial.
• A selection of your favourite music that you know all the words to.
• Swiss army knife (with bottle opener and corkscrew)
• Sunblock (for right arm)
• Spare tyre
• Jack (not a man, the type used for flat tyres)
• Jumper cables
• Sunglasses
• Hat or bandanna
• Snacks
• Water (for you and the car)
• Clothes (spare underwear negotiable)
• Basic toiletries
• First Aid kit
• Map book (although getting lost is half the fun)
• Sense of adventure and sense of humour.

What not to pack for a road trip…

• Laptop
• Make up
• Hair dryer
• Watch
• Calorie counting booklet
• Employee ID
• Photo of boyfriend
• Children (small things get easily lost)
• Bad attitude and inhibitions.

Other things you may want to pack…

Condoms
Apart from the obvious, they can be blown up and used as a pillow and make a useful storage facility for ketchup or dispensable soap. Can also be used as a snakebite tourniquet.

Marshmallows
Can be used as earplugs (and noseplugs if a bathroom smells really bad) as well as toilet paper in desperate situations. The bag can also be used as a pillow.

Water pistol
Great for cooling off in a hot car and for waking up your road tripping partner. Also good for shooting down insects in the car or squirting at rude motorists.

Duct tape
A road tripping essential – Repair cracked engine hose, tow a car, nose strip to remove blackheads and fix broken sunglasses.

Toothpaste (paste, not gel)
Spread on nose as sunblock substitute, rub on cuts and sores or bites instead of Calamine Lotion, make fierce warpaint and glue your favourite souvenirs to the dashboard. Also good for brushing teeth and fresh breath of course.

Skipping rope
Useful as a clothes line and can be used to tie up unruly passengers or create a dividing line in the car during territory feuds. Also good as a quick roadside workout if you feeling tired and about to fall asleep at the wheel.

Useful weapons you already own…

Apart from being sensible and keeping doors locked and winding up windows in shady areas (if you get lost in an unknown town, you can bet you going to end up at the worst end), here are some items that can be turned into weaponry if the need arises:

Metal nail file: Sharp stab to the windpipe for a breathtaking effect.
Lighter and aerosol can: Because bringing along a blowtorch just isn’t practical.
High heeled shoes: Punctures are not limited to tyres.
Car keys: A fist with a few sharp points sticking out can be most effective.
Pen or pencil: Another great stabbing tool.
Your knee: Hard and fast with no regrets.
Gas: A well-timed toxic whopper is bound to clear the room.

Now that we have that covered, in part two you can find out how to cook under the hood and some fun games to play along the way. Later on we’ll learn about car troubleshooting and basic roadside emergencies (a girl must be prepared), how to take a bath or shower without a bath or a shower and the power of peeing. How to make money if you run out of cash (no short skirts required), how to know you really are road tripping and ways to come up with a rocking road tripping alias will also be highlighted.

Source: blog.getaway.co.za

“AfrikaBurn is the spectacular result of the creative expression of a community of volunteers who, once a year, gather in the Tankwa Karoo to create a temporary city of art, theme camps, costume, music and performance!”

Experience this incredible annual event in comfort with one of Around About Car’s campervan rentals.

Free things for kids in Cape Town I hear you laugh. Yip. And I do mean free. Cape Town is one of the great cities in the world especially if you are looking to enjoy the outdoors on a minimum budget (i.e. free) with your kids. Here are my five favourite things to do for free with my kids.

1. Hit the beach
Cape Town is blessed with some of the best beaches in the world and depending on how old your kids are you’ll find somewhere perfect. If your kids are really young (2 to 6) look to one of the sheltered beaches such as Muizenberg Corner or Boulders Beach on the False Bay coast. While no beach is 100% safe these are more sheltered generally and your kids are not going to be pulverised by hectic surf.

2. Take a walk
While much of the Cape peninsula is now part of the Table Mountain National Park and consequently you need to pay small entrance fees (Wild Card holders enter free www.wildcard.co.za), don’t let this dissuade you from tackling some of the epic day walks the city has to offer. My favourite is walking in Silvermine and depending on how old your kids are (or how fit you are to carry them) the circuit up to Noordhoek Peak overlooking long beach and back is an awesome day’s walk. If that’s too much to handle, saunter round the damn and if it’s hot enough go for a swim, as the water is refreshing. Don’t be off-put by the colour its brown from the natural tannins in the water. Note there are no lifesavers on duty and you need to watch your young-uns.

3. Check the seals
The V&A Waterfront is one of the cities most popular attractions (although most locals tend to shy away in busy tourist season). One thing I love doing with my kids is looking for seals frolicking and hunting in the harbour. They never seem to tire of watching them. If your family needs a junk food fix there are plenty of fast food joints to choose from.

4. Catch the train
Okay, okay so it’s not free, but its so affordable it still counts. One of the greatest train journeys anywhere in South Africa runs from Muizenberg (although you can catch it anywhere up the line towards the city if you are staying more centrally) and heads south to Simonstown. Its worth jumping on and off in St James to have a dip in the tide pool, Kalk Bay if you need a coffee and some scones from the Olympia Bakery and of course Simonstown. While you’re in Simonstown visit the Naval Museum, entrance is free www.simonstown.com, 021-787-4686 . If you have real youngsters (less than five or six) hit the kiddie’s train at Mouille Point.

5. Hang out on Green Point Common
With a range of jungle gyms and activities for the youngsters, Green Point Common is a wonderful place to blow off some steam. You get to lie on your back and drink in the sun, they get to climb, slide, explore and so on. It’s free but you must have cash for ice-cream (oh, and enough for the kids otherwise they cry).

Source: blog.getaway.co.za

If you’ve ever had to endure the underground commute in London, or any other country for that matter, you’ll understand the pain. Wedged somewhere between the humming armpit of the balding fifty-something and the woman desperately trying to claim every possible millimetre she can to be away from you; you find yourself resuming a posture worthy of a contortionist as the piping hot coffee you stupidly brought with you is splashing painfully down your leg. This can go on for up to an hour, all the while no one wants to look you in the eye.

So imagine escaping from this to completely the opposite. Friendly, sparsely populated, and above all vast, Namibia is one of those wonderful, underrated and unpublicised countries that is clean, efficient, safe and has myriad different places crying out to be explored. The word ‘Namib’ itself means vast, and Namibia therefore the land of vast, or better still the land of open spaces. So prepare yourself for a bit of self-discovery, a great deal of relaxation but above all a healthy dose of adventure. Go alone, take some friends, the girlfriend, the family, whatever; but to get the most out of the country prepare to try something a little different.

For those driving enthusiasts out there the Namibian roads are superb, a set of tarmac roads connecting Windhoek to the coast at Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, and from there on into the desert the via rally style gravel roads and dirt tracks. For those who just want to be fondly reminded of that time your ex demanded you sat through Out of Africa, or the very first time you watched the Lion King, the African savannahs on offer are utterly breathtaking. Either way the best (and cheapest) way to experience Namibia’s excellent infrastructure and awe-inspiring landscapes is via a self-drive tour.

A 4×4 costs around £100 per day so unless you’re feeling particularly decadent, it is best split through a group of travellers, your family or friends. There are places that can sort out your accommodation ahead of time and book in advance, so once you have had the pleasure of choosing your vehicle and sorted your itinerary it’s time to get going. Regardless you will save hundreds on the luxury of a pre-destined tour and have the flexibility to do and move as you want. Providing you don’t speed, particularly on the gravel roads as cars can flip, and providing you don’t venture miles off road on your own in the middle of the desert you will be perfectly safe. Just don’t hang around a riverbed in the middle of a flash flood!

Windhoek, Namibia’s capital and where you will most likely set off, really is not worth hanging around in for long. There are plenty of places to get a good crocodile steak or stock up on some Kudu biltong for the drive, but unless you’re after a good shopping mall its’ not the most exciting of places. Organised and efficient as its German colonisation would lead you to believe, and as African cities go pretty clean and well organised, it’s not as unusual or intriguing as the coastal town of Swakopmund – a mini Germany in the desert and the first stop on a self drive tour.

Fans of the late Patrick McGoohan may be interested to know that the town was taken over for AMC/ITV’s remake of the Prisoner (remember that anyone?), and quite rightly so as a town that appears so wonderfully isolated from the rest of the world. The town is quite eerie, every house nearly identical, each exuding German efficiency either side of the sandy roads. Just be careful to arrive before 5pm, when the town is actually busy or else the place will remind you of the Hills Have Eyes and you’ll be keeping your eyes out for mutants and ears out for nuclear test alarms.

There’s plenty to do here, from enjoying some fine cuisine by the pier to sand-boarding in the desert that just happens to be right next door when you roll out of bed in the morning. If you’re feeling adventurous then you can go skydiving with some rather hyperactive Eastern Europeans who will laugh mercilessly at you while you wet your pants with fear, flying up 10,000ft in a plane the size of a cardboard box only to throw yourself out of it to a burst of turrets and the most spectacular view of the Namib desert.

Once you’ve had enough of this picturesque little town, its time to hit the road and prepare yourself for one of the most stunning drives you’re ever likely to undertake. Stop off briefly at Walvis Bay to see the tens of thousands of flamingos and pelicans flocking to the bays south of the town, before heading down the C14 and into the desert. The tarmac gradually gives way to gravel roads, as you drive through what seems to be an endless desert wasteland, horizon after horizon coming and going as you start to become entranced. Slowly but surely colours start to appear in the desolate landscape, greys become browns, browns slowly turn to yellows, greens, oranges; all the while mountains starting to pepper themselves out into the distance.

The gravel tracks start to get coarser and the 4×4 starts to hum, clearly content in doing what it was made for. The vastness of the landscape starts to become overwhelming; terrain stretching off miles into the distance for as far as the eye can see, a true sense of the grandness of nature imbuing your very being. Best of all, bar the odd car noisily going past, for extended periods of time the landscape feels as though its entirely your own.

After seemingly hours of endless and stunning African savannahs, curling and weaving up and down through the mountain ranges at Kuiseb and Gaub,, still breathless with the views you’ll arrive at a lodge near Sesreim. A few small shacks, and a slightly larger central hut containing a restaurant and bar is a typical setup for a desert lodge, sitting quietly in the middle of one of the stunning savannahs. Most likely you’ll be sharing with some package tourists, paying through the nose for what you can do for the cost of the petrol. The shacks are great – a wonderfully comfortable bed in the starlight of an African landscape.

The night sky is stunning, dotted with thousands of stars, the milky way, and just about every constellation you know how to recognise (okay orion and if you’re really on the ball the big dipper). You’ll probably see one or two shooting stars if you’re lucky as you tuck in with the loved one / partner / nearest and dearest at your side.

The next morning arrives and its time to visit the phenomenal sand dunes at Sossusvlei. The Namib-Naukluft national park is one of the most stunningly unique and beautiful landscapes in the world. The park is larger than Switzerland, and at the Sesreim entrance contains a rustic and ancient looking landscape combining vast clay pans surrounded by towering sand dunes. The dunes themselves are a deep moody orange in colour, developed from the oxidization of the iron in the sand, testimony to the phenomenal age of the desert.

Driving through the massive clay pans (and do be careful not to come here during a flash flood!) you may see gemsboks, hyenas, jackals and other animal riff-raff wandering lost through the planes. Look up and perhaps you might see a hot air balloon, a stunning way to experience the oldest desert in the world. The landscape is staggering and you won’t want the drive to end. When you finally reach Sossusvlei, its time to use your 4×4 for what it was really meant for and take it out to the dunes, slowly driving over open terrain on the white sands that lead to the location of the highest sand dunes in the world. You can then walk up the dunes without a horde of tourists in tow and experience the wonderful serenity of the desert for yourself from the top.

So now, liberated from the freedom and the vast expanse of the country, the world is your oyster. Drive to Etosha to see rhinos, lions, leopards and elephants; find the ghost town at Luderitz; raid the diamond mines on the Skeleton coast – you’re free to do what you want. Take a week, a month, six months; just kick back, relax and enjoy the open road. And when your time is up, and you’re back being crushed in the Jubilee line rush hour while the heady expanse of all that freedom, space and liberty is starting to become a faded memory; just breathe deeply, shut your eyes and think back to that stunning African expanse and escape in that moment once more to the beautiful savannahs of the land of open spaces.

Source: bootsnall.com

One river, three stages, four days, loads of music and comedy and festival goers with a passion for some of South Africa’s best music in common – get ready for Up the Creek 2012!From 3-5 February 2012, the usually quiet campsite close to Swellendam will once again be transformed into a slightly surreal spot of revelry, raging rock and soulful tunes, performances from another planet and shenanigans of the type that you can only pull off when you’re safely tucked in next to the mighty Breede River for four days.

Yup – four. For R100 extra, die-hard Creekers can pull in on Thursday, 2 February for a chilled out preview gig at the bar stage. You can choose the best spot for your tent and kick-start the weekend’s carousing so that the place is cooking by the time the rest of your friends arrive.

Check out the TICKETS PAGE for the different options available.

WHAT YOU GET, UP THE CREEK
Up the Creek campsite is uniquely situated on the banks of the Breede River. In typical Up the Creek tradition we will once again run the main stage, the river stage and the all-night-long bar stage throughout the four days. You can frolic in the river during the day and then move up to main stage as the day progresses. Only one stage will be running at a time, so you won’t miss any of the acts on offer.

In 2012, we will bring you the same of what worked last year and more: Food vendors offering delicious festival faire, coffee maestros, more stalls and bars throughout the festival and all at a reasonable price. The festival ground is also kitted out with a medical tent with trained personnel, while lifeguards at the riverside will keep tans in check and of course their eyes wide open.

BOS FLOAT YOUR BOAT…..
Lobster lilos, Indian canoes, floating bars and human tube chains are making a comeback in 2012. Following the splashing, singing, howling success of last year’s float competition, the benchmark has been set. So put your creativity to the test and we’ll be giving away some awesome prizes for a variety of creative floats this year. Bos Iced Tea are sponsoring the competition with an absolutely to- die- for winners package prize.

Participants are encouraged to think outside of their beach gear boxes in order to stand a chance to win these incredible prizes.

At this stage, categories include anything from the best design and most floatable contraption to the most luxurious device on the Breede River. Keep an eye on the COMPETITIONS PAGE for updates and details of other competitions.

WHAT TO BRING, UP THE CREEK
Bring: Your ticket, ID Book, tent, mattresses, camping chairs, torches, sleeping bag, duvet, sun block, insect repellent, toilet paper, camera, cap or hat, something warm, towel, pillow, headache pills, money, sunglasses, condoms, swimming kit, anything that floats – lilo, paddle, boat – and lastly, your friends and a good attitude.

If you don’t want to pitch your tent, just pitch up for your pre-booked tented accommodation. Check out the TICKETS PAGE for the different camping options available.
Don’t bring: Firearms and pets.

Source: Up The Creek

Video – This is why we love South Africa:

Source: The Safari Company

Bronwynne Jooste – Metro Writer

Cape Town’s tourism industry is reporting a strong December season, with the city gearing up for its traditional peak months in January and February.

The city says it may set specific numerical targets in its aim to get people to Cape Town.

Cape Town Tourism said some of the statistics showed that all rental cars in the city were booked out between December 20 and 31.

Popular attractions also did well, with the V&A Waterfront recording 3 million visitors in December, while Table Mountain had 100 000 visitors over the past month.

The Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa’s (Fedhasa) Cape branch said hotels noted an increase in visitors from countries such as Brazil, India and the UK.

Skye Grove, Cape Town Tourism communications manager, said the industry had fared better than predicted in the past month.

“Tourism numbers seem to be improving beyond what was initially anticipated and there is every indication that we have seen the start of a very positive peak season.”

Grove said although all statistics were not yet available, Cape Town International had already noted a 14 percent increase in international arrivals when compared with November 2010.

There was also a 3.6 percent increase in domestic arrivals.

“January and February are traditionally peak months for international arrivals and a steady year-on-year increase in international tourists is expected when compared to last year.”

Most of the visitors to popular attractions were from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape.

Another feature of the season was budget travel.

Grove added that it was important that establishments priced themselves for their markets.

“On the back of one of the worst winters in a decade, Cape Town’s tourism industry is by no means out of the woods, yet the industry’s positive feedback on December is very encouraging.

“We have had some good weather, which plays an important role in dispersing visitors across the Peninsula and greater metropole as they seek beaches and nature reserves,” said Grove.

It was also “encouraging” that many of the biggest tourist attractions had a “noteworthy number of Capetonians”.

“It is essential that our own citizens enjoy their city as much as visitors do.”

She said restaurants, shops and hotels reported a “positive holiday upswing”.

Between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, hotels along the Atlantic seaboard and in the city centre were fully booked.

Fedhasa Cape agreed, adding that hotels at the Waterfront also had good occupancies.

Jeff Rosenberg, chairperson of the branch’s hotel sector, said hotels had occupancy levels of between 60 and 80 percent.

“There was a welcome arrival of domestic leisure guests.

“And it was very encouraging to receive a very noticeable increase in the number of foreign visitors to the city from, Brazil, Australia, USA, Canada, UK, Spain, India, Portugal, Sweden and Italy.

“It appears that while SA still remains a long-haul destination, the current exchange rate still encourages foreign visitors to spend the Christmas and new year season in South Africa,” said Rosenberg.

Dirk Elzinga, Fedhasa Cape chairman, said although there were more guests, there was not an immediate spike in occupancy.

This was because of the increase in capacity after the 2010 World Cup.

He said it was still early to record accurate occupancy levels over the festive season.

The city’s tourism, events and marketing mayoral committee member, Grant Pascoe,

said there had been a “buoyancy” in the industry in the past month.

The sector would now gear up for the peak months expected ahead.

“The season also started earlier than usual.

“It’s important to ensure that visitors have a pleasant experience.”

Pascoe said the city was considering putting targets in place. He pointed to New York, which had pushed towards welcoming 50 million visitors.

“Tourism is a hugely important industry for our economy.”

Source: IOL

The 2012 Origin Festival is a three day outdoor electronic music experience that gets the ball for the new year rolling under the summer skies. With two dance floors and an array of top shelf international and local DJs there something for everyone; from Psy trance to Balkan – all wrapped up in Vitamin D and washed down with good times.

Origin Festival 2012 lineup

• Tristan (Nano UK)
• Killerwatts (Nano UK)
• D-Nox (sprout Germany)
• Shane Gobi ( Alchemy UK)
• Tarka Sands (UK)
• Commercial Hippies
• Headroom
• Broken Toy
• Toby2Shoes
• Ivan Turanjanin

And many more

Origin 2012 Venue

The new venue, Elandskloof Farm, boasts two dance floors each flanked by new dams and oak forest and can be found between Bot River and Caledon (that’s only 125km from Cape Town.) So easy no need for directions…

Date: 27 Jan 2012 – 29 Jan 2012
Time: 13:00 – 17:00
Venue: Elandskloof Farm
Location: Between Botriver and Caledon
Price: TBC

Source: Cape Town Magazine

Building upon the success of three great years in the Mother City, the Southern Ink Xposure (SIX), the 4th Annual Cape Town International Tattoo Convention, is quickly becoming the best, friendliest little tattoo expo in the world. And we’re planning an even better one for next year!

This year’s show saw a very successful move from the CTICC to the much more intimate and friendly Pavilion Conference Centre. The fourth instalment of the Cape Town International Tattoo Convention will again be at the Pavilion from January 27th – 29th 2012. The expo promises more great international artists, more pre-convention parties, an expanded on-floor entertainment programme, and much more.

The Cape Town International Tattoo Convention is proudly brought to you by SixLove Events.

Dates:
27 January 17h00 – 22h00
28 January 11h00 – 22h00
29 January 12h00 – 20h00

Venues:
Pavilion Conference Centre
V&A Waterfront

Tickets:
R100 per adult per day pass
(R120 at the door)
R250 per adult per weekend pass
Kids under 16 enter free

Source: Cape Tattoo Convention

Neutral Colours:

If you don’t own any clothing in neutral colours, it is not really necessary to buy it just for the safari, unless you are intending to do a walking safari where the ranger will expect you to dress appropriately ie no white or bright colours.

However if you are staying at one of the smarter game lodges, many fellow guests will have the classic safari gear (in khaki or green) and you may want to blend in with your fellow guests and not just the wildlife. This is a matter of personal preference.

Washing at bush camps:

Remember that laundry is included at many of the camps in Botswana and Zambia, when you are restricted by luggage allowance and so may well need to have clothes washed. But washing is often done by hand by the camp staff, and will probably not be ironed. You may want to think twice before bringing the silk blouse or the linen trousers. Some of the newer materials are very crease- proof and ideal for a real bush safari.

Spring:

The ‘shoulder months’ of Spring and Autumn are always a tricky one as far as packing is concerned. Temperatures may vary wildly within an average two week holiday period as you never know when Winter will change to Spring or Spring to Summer…

Spring-like weather starts in late August – later in Cape Town and along the Garden Route, but there is no guarantee of this. As in Europe and the States, spring often brings variable weather – beautiful for days and then a bit cold and rainy for day or two. Rain might occur if you are in the Cape so bring a rainproof jacket and comfortable walking shoes. Hats and umbrellas can be purchased easily here if needed.

Even if the days are warm and sunny, night time temperatures will be noticeably cooler so have a warmer jacket for the evenings – pashminas for women work well.

If you are spending some time on safari, be prepared for low temperatures once the sun has set, and also in the early morning.

So bring a variety of clothes- both warm and hot weather options – t-shirts, short-sleeved tops, pedal pushers, swim gear – especially if you are spending time in the Kruger but be ready for temperatures to change quite suddenly.

Summer:

Summer in South Africa is generally hot to very hot – with the occasional cooler day in and around Cape Town and the Garden Route.

In the northern provinces of KwaZulu Natal and Kruger, or hotter areas like the Cedarberg or Northern Cape, the day time temperatures will often be in the high 30’s. So bring plenty of hot weather clothing.

The northern part of the country has a summer rainfall pattern. This generally takes the form of a cooling late afternoon shower – welcome relief from the heat – but occasionally it can rain for 2-3 days so have a couple of warmer items just in case.

Remember that we recommend long trousers and long sleeved shirts in the evenings – if you can bear it – to guard against mosquitos. (Remember that Malaria is only an issue in the Kruger and far northern KwaZulu Natal – the rest of the country is malaria-free. ) Alternatively liberally smother yourself in mosquito repellant. It’s your choice!

Autumn:

Again Autumn is a tricky one to call as far as packing is concerned. Temperatures vary wildly within an average two week holiday period so be prepared.

Bring plenty of hot weather clothing – especially if you are spending time in the Kruger and KwaZulu Natal – but also be ready for temperatures to change quite suddenly.

Night time temperatures will start getting noticeably cooler so have a warmer jacket for the evenings. If you are spending some time on safari, be prepared for a sudden downturn in temperature once the sun has set. It’s not be uncommon to start a game drive at 4.00pm feeling distinctly hot and end it three hours later feeling on the cold side. You may feel vaguely silly bringing hats and warm jackets to the game vehicle when it’s so hot, but you won’t regret it later.

Winter:

I have lived in South Africa for 18 years and have noticed that South Africans, particularly those living in the bush, tend to ignore the fact that they have a winter. However our guests, used to wall to wall central heating, certainly feel it.

During winter, you will need to pack a range of clothing as the South African winter varies in intensity from province to province.

In the Cape, where the winters are similar to Mediterranean Europe (think Spain or Italy) or Southern USA, the hotels and lodges are reasonably well-equipped with underfloor heating, fireplaces even electric blankets. However South African lodges do not have central heating and it’s fair to say that buildings are not generally heated to the same degree as in Europe or the US. You also might have some rain in the Cape so come prepared with a rainproof jacket

The rest of the country has dry winter with pleasant sunny days. It is not uncommon for the daytime temperatures to be 25°c so bring some lightweight shirts and t-shirts as well.

However it’s the diurnal range in winter which usually flummoxes visitors. A South African can say that it’s 25°c during the day but he won’t say that the day could have started at 5°c! In fact it’s the warm sunny days which produce the sudden downturn in temperatures in the evening as there is no cloud cover. If you are on safari in June, you will need to come fully prepared with hats, gloves – the lot!

Extra tip:

I also throw in a hot water bottle (easily purchased at any chemist in South Africa) just in case your hotel bed does not have an electric blanket. These are also very handy for early morning game drives and alfresco Boma dinners (though many of the more switched-on game lodges now provide them)

Packing list:

• Warm jacket (winter) or sleeveless jacket for the start and end of the day
• Lighter shirts, including short sleeves, and perhaps pedal pushers for the day
• Winter safari on open vehicle – gloves, scarf, hat
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Long trousers for evening (both in case of mosquitos or cooler weather)
• Neutral colours if you intend to do a walking safari
• Non-crease clothing (not white) if staying at Bush Camps

Other non-clothing items:

• Small torch or headlight – surprisingly useful
• Hand sanitizer (very useful after a loo stop in the bush)
• Pocket sized animal identification book (so that you don’t have to borrow the rangers)
• Binoculars –essential, ideally one per person
• Ideally one ‘serious’ camera and one point and shoot so that all options are covered on safari (plus you may not always want to lug heavy cameras around when sight seeing)
• Journal or notebook
• South African adaptor plug
• Six pack Cooler bag for drinks in the car whilst on a self-drive

Source: cedarberg-travel.com

As thousands descend on Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday January 28 for the J&B Met, the largest annual outdoor social event in Cape Town, some will be looking at more than just the racehorses. In this instance the show ponies on display will be the fashionistas.

Cape Town Tourism is offering a fantastic special for those planning a trip to Cape Town for the horse racing gala. Visit our dedicated J&B Met page for more information, updates and specials.

The fashion aspect and, more importantly, the Most Elegant Couple competition are the most highly regarded and anticipated events of the J&B Met. Here, designers are either reaffirmed or introduced, and those who have designed the winning garments in the past have gone on to become members of the fashion elite.

MADE DIFFERENT

The theme for this year’s event is Made Different, with organisers calling on designers and fashion fundis to challenge the status quo and break the rules of fashion. Make your outfit from something truly different, wear what traditionally should not be worn; whatever you wear, make sure it’s different.

If you are still looking for that perfect outfit, local shopping centres and fashion boutiques are participating in various promotions, and will assist patrons in what to wear to the Met. This stimulates the fashion industry in one of its quietest months.

We caught up with Cape Town-based designers KLuK CGDT on what fashion to expect at this year’s Met.

Christiaan Gabriel Du Toit and Malcolm Kluk of KLuK CGDT dress many celebrities and guests every year and 2012 is no different. But they are presently keeping mum on who they will be swathing in an incredible KLuK CGDT creation this year. There are whispers they will dress one of the judges, Roxy Louw.

The designers agree the J&B Met is an important showcase of local fashion talent. “It’s important to have a presence as South African, and more specifically Capetonian, designers, and with many ways to interpret the Made Different theme it allows us the opportunity to show KLuK CGDT’s creativity,” says Malcolm.

And what trends to expect this year? “I think the point is to expect the unexpected – lots of interesting prints, dresses made out of unusual material – denim, plastic, brocades and curtaining – styles one wouldn’t normally wear to the horse races,” says Christiaan. “Taking a conventional outfit and inversing it. Hats will also be used to express the theme more boldly.”

And the designers have their own ideas and interpretation of Made Different: “We love using unconventional materials for classic styles in order to keep garments special and unique,” says Malcolm. “n our pret-a-porter range we use brocade for skirts and pants and, for KLuK CGDT couture, we love using viscose lycra and mesh for evening wear .”

MOST ELEGANT COUPLE COMPETITION

Couples will be put through their paces by celebrity judges Roxy Louw, Phat Joe, Bujy, Ayanda Tini, Katlego Maboe and J&B Met executive Richard Brodrick. Photo courtesy Eddy Cassar PR
The competition has two stages, pre-judging and the finals.

The pre-judging competition was introduced to cope with the hundreds of fashion-savvy couples who compete for the coveted title. Fashion spotters from the Fashion Design Department of the Cape Peninsula University of Technology hand out invitations to elegantly dressed couples, inviting them to the pre-judging. Only invited couples are allowed to enter.

The pre-judging panel consists of Good Hope FM presenters Ayanda Tini, Leigh Ann Williams and Meegan Kieffer who will whittle down the hundreds of couples to a final 16.

YFM twins Hlelo and Ntando Masina (pictured) will host the final judging when surfer/model Roxy Louw and radio personalities Phat Joe, Bujy, Ayanda Tini, Katlego Maboe and J&B Met executive Richard Brodrick decide the winner.

PRIZES

First prize:
An all-inclusive three-night stay for two at the Tinga Private Game Lodge in the Kruger National Park to the value of R40 000.

The couple also receives two Givenchy vouchers, each valued at R2 500. A Carlton Hair hamper of Carlton products and vouchers is also included.

Second Prize:
The couple will receive two R5 000 gift vouchers from Cavendish Square, the official shopping centre for the J&B Met.

The couple also receives two Givenchy vouchers each valued at R2 500, and a Carlton Hair hamper of Carlton products and vouchers.

Third Prize:
The couple will receive two R2 500 gift vouchers from Cavendish Square, the official shopping centre for the J&B Met.

The couple also receives two Givenchy vouchers, each valued at R2 500, and a Carlton Hair hamper of Carlton products and vouchers.

Fourth prize:
The couple will receive two vouchers to be pampered in true style at the International Academy of Health and Skincare.

The couple also receives two Givenchy vouchers each valued at R2 500, and a Carlton Hair hamper of Carlton products and vouchers.

J&B Most Elegant Couple – Best-Themed Couple wins a Grand Weekend Getaway at GrandWest valued at R6 000 that includes:

Two nights’ accommodation for two at the Grand Hotel, including breakfast.

Show tickets for two to an international show at the Grand Arena.

Two dinner vouchers each.

The couple also receives two R1 000 gift vouchers from Cavendish Square, the official shopping centre for the J&B Met.

Tickets for the J&B Met are available through Gold Circle offices and designated tote outlets throughout the country, and at the Kenilworth Racecourse or from www.webtickets.co.za

Source: capetown.travel

The Kruger National Park has reopened its gates after severe flooding damaged roads, cutting off dozens of tourists, officials said on Friday.

“Everything is back to normal now, all the gates have been opened. We are receiving visitors again,” park spokesman William Mabasa said.

Heavy rains this week pounded the northern part of South Africa for days, forcing park officials to evacuate 60 visitors who were stranded on safari drives.

“The mop-up operation is still continuing, some roads were temporarily fixed yesterday,” said Mabasa.

The Kruger park, which is about the size of the Netherlands, is the country’s premier safari destination and attracts 1.3 million visitors every year from all over the world.

Mabasa said no animals were affected by the flooding.

No deaths or serious injuries were reported, though six foreign tourists –four Italian and two British – were washed away in their car and had to be taken to park doctors for treatment, he said.

In neighbouring Mozambique, five people died and about 4000 homes were flooded as the storm swept across the region.

Source: travel.iafrica

Starts: 20 January 2012 @ 17h30
Ends: 20 January 2012 @ 22h00

Intro: Unwind every Friday night at The Woodmill Music Market after a long week. Come and enjoy different artists performing while indulginging in an array of different cuisines, wine tastings, micro-breweries and crafts.

Cost: Free
Location: The Woodmill, Vredenburg Road, Stellenbosch

Description: Bring family and friends this Friday to taste Knorhoek Privates Cellars award winning wines while enjoying the sounds of live music.

Entrance is Free with ample parking.

Kiddies corner provided!

Contact: Connie
Phone: +27.786257388
eMail: admin@adam-eve.co.za
URL: www.thewoodmill.co.za

Despite increased law enforcement efforts, rhino poaching accelerated in South Africa last year. The country lost 448 rhinos to poaching in 2011, official government statistics reveal. The total includes 19 critically endangered black rhinos, of which fewer than 5,000 remain in the wild. In 2010, 333 South African rhinos were killed by poachers, nearly three times the number killed in 2009.

“The rate of poaching increase may appear to be faltering, but the bottom line is more rhinos than ever were poached in 2011,” said Dr Colman O Criodain, WWF’s wildlife trade policy analyst. “If left unchecked, poaching gangs could put the survival of these iconic species in jeopardy.”

More than half of South Africa’s rhino deaths occurred in world-famous Kruger National Park. The popular safari destination lost 252 rhinos in 2011, and witnessed the poaching of an additional eight rhinos in the first weeks of the new year, according to authorities from South Africa National Parks.

South African law enforcement officials made 232 poaching-related arrests in 2011, compared to 165 the previous year. Sentences imposed for rhino crimes have also increased in recent years, with poachers and horn smugglers receiving as long as 16 years in prison.

“Rhino poaching is being conducted by sophisticated international criminal syndicates that smuggle horns to Asia,” said Dr Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF-South Africa. “It’s not enough to bust the little guy; investigators need to shut down the kingpins organising these criminal operations. Governments in Africa and Asia must work together across borders to stop the illegal trade.”

The recent upsurge in rhino poaching has been tied to increased demand for rhino horn in Asia, particularly Vietnam, where it carries prestige as a luxury item, as a post-partying cleanser, and also as a purported cancer cure.

“Rhino horn has gained popularity among wealthy Vietnamese elites and business people to give as a gift, when currying political favour, or taking as an antidote to overindulgence,” said Tom Milliken, TRAFFIC’s rhino trade expert. “But killing endangered rhinos to mitigate a hangover is a criminal way to see in the New Year.”

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine experts, rhino horn has no proven cancer treating properties. Contrary to popular myth, it has never been used in traditional medicine as an aphrodisiac.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has found that consumer demand in Vietnam is driving much of the rhino poaching. CITES has also ruled that Vietnam needs to show progress in curtailing illegal trade in rhino parts and derivatives.

“So far we have yet to see Vietnam respond to this ruling from CITES,” says O Criodain. “For that matter, CITES must put pressure on Vietnam to respond meaningfully, as it has done with other countries whose compliance with the Convention has been called into question.”

Because it is home to most of world’s rhinos, South Africa has been the epicentre of poaching. However, rhinos in other African and Asian range countries are also being targeted by poachers.

In October, WWF announced the extinction of rhinos in Vietnam. The last Javan rhinoceros in the country was killed by poachers and its horn removed. In Nepal, however, strong conservation and law enforcement efforts ensured that no rhinos were lost to poaching in 2011.

In both Africa and Asia, WWF and TRAFFIC are providing assistance to field rangers, criminal investigators, prosecutors, and customs authorities. Additionally, TRAFFIC has facilitated visits between South African and Vietnamese government officials to discuss deepening cooperation on law enforcement.

A bilateral treaty to ramp up law enforcement collaboration between South Africa and Vietnam was negotiated in September 2011 but still remains unsigned.

Source: WWF South Africa

• Excellent value for money
• Flexibility – adapt our tours to suit you
• Change your accommodation if you want
• Select what type of car group you want
• Freedom to explore at your own pace, setting off & stopping where you want
• Driving is on the left
• Car rental is straightforward with offices throughout South Africa
• The roads are good and all the road signs are in English
• Route maps, detailed directions and a comprehensive travel itinerary are provided by most car rental agencies

A lifelong dream for many, a South African safari can take as many forms as the multitude of creatures you encounter in the wild. From a remote escape in a bush camp to a luxurious idyll, the range of experiences can suit all tastes and budgets. And just like a giraffe picking and choosing amongst the canopy of leaves for the perfect snack, you’ll be rewarded for taking the time to create a safari that’s perfect for you. Here are 8 tips to plan and enjoy the best trip:

1. When to go
For wildlife watching, winter (June to September) is ideal as many trees and shrubs are leafless, which aids spotting. Limited food and water also means that animals are out in the open more often foraging, hunting or grabbing a drink at a waterhole. South Africa’s summer (December to February) sees the countryside at its most lush, but animals can be lost in dense shadows. Most common at this time are holiday makers from Europe, who come in herds for the hot temps.

2. Choosing a National Park
South Africa has over 600 parks and reserves. You can find one offering any kind of experience you want, from utter desolation, to verdant savannah rich with life in all forms. You can join guided safaris, set out on your own or find serenity at a campsite far from others. They also cater to travellers on all budgets which makes them both affordable but also often crowded in parts. Most have good roads you can tour in your own rental car. For your first safari, two parks stand out:

Kruger National Park. The national park for safaris. Yes parts can get crowded, but given that it’s the size of Wales, you can easily escape to a remote corner. Every iconic – and not-so-iconic – African animal is found here. You can stay in the park in everything from isolated campsites to bungalows and cottages in busy compounds. Surrounding the park are towns like Nelspruit which have hotels, hostels and resorts for every budget. The downside is that early morning safaris become very early owing to commutes into the park that can take an hour or more.

Hluhluwe-iMfolozi. Combines lush scenery with all the expected wildlife. Located in the heart of Zululand, the famous culture of the namesake tribe is prevalent. Beaches along the nearby Elephant Coast are among South Africa’s finest, so you can see wildlife and go for a dip. The park is especially noted for its network of hiking trails that include multi-day itineraries and camping deep in the bush.

3. Choosing a private reserve
There are two main reasons not to choose a private wildlife reserve: cost and too much comfort. These are not places for people on a tight budget, nor are they places for travellers who want to live frills-free – at some private lodges ‘roughing it’ means the champagne served post-safari comes without fresh strawberries. But for people who want the ultimate safari-experience, a lodge in a private reserve offers:

Close proximity to wildlife. Not only do you avoid long drives before your safari starts but that bump you hear in the night may be an elephant looking in your window. Sabi Sand , which adjoins Kruger National Park, is widely considered to be the best place in Africa for spotting animals.

Fewer crowds. Safari jeeps may hold only six people compared to a dozen or more in big parks, guides will be able to give you individual attention and when, say, a pride with lion cubs is spotted there won’t be a feeding frenzy of jeeps.

Luxury. Some of the private reserve lodges are merely comfortable but others, such as Ulusaba in Sabi Sand are the retreats of the famous, such as the owner Richard Branson, and feature every amenity.

Customisation. Since you’re staying amidst the wildlife, you can easily create your own menu of activities on the fly, such as guided walks through the bush or tours that focus on particular species. At Samara Private Game Reserve in a verdant valley amidst desert in the Eastern Cape, there are treks to track cheetahs on foot.

One way to save on the costs of a private reserve is to spend just a few nights at one at the start of your trip. Take advantage of the talented guides and abundance of wildlife to see a lot of animals quickly and learn a lot about South Africa’s wildlife. Then, with your wildlife urges somewhat sated, try a completely different experience in a national park, where you can concentrate more on appreciating the rhythms of life and natural beauty.

4. Use a guide
The first time your guide shows you easily-missed leopard tracks crossing your path, you’ll be glad you’re not wandering aimlessly on your own. Although guides can keep you safe from marauding lions, their great value is simply in explaining the vast complexities and subtleties of the African bush. Animals carry the colours they do so they will be easy to miss. In private reserves guides are usually part of the price but in a national park you may be tempted to go DIY. You may get lucky (like we did in Kruger one day and have several prides of lions wander past), but as a novice you’ll simply miss much.

5. Don’t be a ‘Big Five’ cliché
Sure, it’s great – and a reason to go – to see lions, leopards, elephants, Cape buffaloes and rhinos. And you’ll see the phrase (which was coined by white hunters in the 1920s to validate their self-proclaimed bravery) on everything from businesses to buses. But there are obviously far more critters out there: zebras, hippos and giraffes are just a few and the list goes on. Read up on the animals you’re likely to see and make a list of the less famous ones and try to spot those. You can’t appreciate the beguiling ugliness of a warthog until you’ve seen one; a herd of twitchy impalas reminds you that danger can lurk anywhere amidst the pastoral beauty.

6. Drive or fly
You can fly close to Kruger park, connecting from Cape Town or Johannesburg. If you’re pressed for time this is essential for having plenty of safari time. Most other parks and reserves are equally well served by local flights and you can work out itineraries where resorts or lodges handle all your transfers. But if you can afford the time, driving in South Africa is rewarding. Outside of parks and reserves there are wine regions, spectacular natural beauty and all manner of interesting small towns and cultural attractions. As an example, from Johannesburg you can reach Kruger or Sabi Sand in a full day of driving or you can break the journey at Pilgrim’s Rest , a charmer of an 1880s gold-rush town that hasn’t been over-restored.

7. Bring the right stuff
Dawn safaris during the winter in and around Kruger can be surprisingly cold; layers (even gloves and a warm hat) can be shed as the sun and temp goes up. Binoculars are an obvious choice and don’t expect your lodge or guides to provide them. A compact pair will let you see that big cat skulking in the distance. Don’t count on wi-fi in the bush, so a good book about the land and life around you is essential.

8. Just relax
Besides shivering in the cold dawn air you should be ready to simply chill out. Guides will be doing their best to hit a checklist of animals but this doesn’t always happen. Take time to appreciate the land around you, the beauty of a deserted waterhole reflecting the vast African sky or the sounds of a bird far in the distance. Don’t fret about picking off a checklist of critters and certainly don’t spend all your time hunting for them through a tiny viewfinder. Get out of your vehicle and simply revel in the quiet. Sometimes the most magical moment on safari is when you see nothing at all.

Source: Lonely Planet

2. Visit Cape Point, where 2 oceans meet

3. Enjoy a romantic picnic while watching the sunset from Chapman’s Peak

4. Visit Noordhoek’s Farm Village

5. Dinner at the Cape Town Fish Market (fresh fish & sushi), Steenberg

6. Walk to Chapmans Peak from Silvermine nature reserve

7. Boat cruise from Hout Bay to see Cape Fur Seals

8. Eat with renowned chef Frank Dangeraux at the Food Barn , Noordhoek

9. Swimming at Fish Hoek Beach

10. Bird & Hippo watching at Rondevlei

11. Visit the Simon’s Town Waterfront

12. Surf at Long Beach, Noordhoek

13. Catch crayfish at Kommetjie

14. Watch the trek fisherman at Fish Hoek Beach

15. Seafood lunch at Chapman’s Peak Hotel

16. Deep sea fishing for tuna from Hout Bay

17. Take a 7km beach walk on Noordhoek beach

18. Camel riding at Imhoff’s Gift

19. Walk in the arboretum at Tokai

20. Swim with African Penguins at Boulders Beach

21. Take a “Topless bus tour” of the Peninsula

22. Sunset champagne beach ride on Noordhoek beach

23. Pick mussels from the rocks at low tide at Scarborough

24. Abseil from Chapman’s Peak

25. Open air concert at Kirstenbosch

26. Whale watching from False Bay coastline

27. Visit Groot Constantia historic wine estate & picnic under the oaks

28. Walk up Table Mountain (there are many routes)

29. Dinner at La Colombe – Uitsig wine estate, Constantia (booking essential)

30. Seabirdwatching at Kommetjie

31. Fynbos walk at Cape Point Nature Reserve

32. Rioja Restaurant – African lodge theme excellent food from varied menu.

33. Play golf at Clovelly Country Club

34. Take a yacht charter from the V&A waterfront

35. Visit the toy museum at Simon’s Town

36. Walk in the Bo-Kaap area above Cape Town

37. Shopping at the V&A Waterfront

38. Visit the gemstone factory and scratch patch near Simon’s Town

39. Scuba Diving in False Bay marine reserve

40. Visit the VOC Castle in Cape Town

41. Body surf at Muizenburg

42. Visit the old-world fishing harbor at Kalk Bay

43. Picnic at the Tokai forest

44. Take a 3hr tour to Robben Island

45. Visit Masiphumelele informal settlement (walk about tour with Charlotte)

46. Walk to historic stone-age cave site – Peer’s Cave in Fish Hoek

47. Golf at Simon’s Town

48. Dinner at Mariner’s Wharf in SA’s original Waterfront, Hout Bay

49. Scenic coastal train ride from Muizenberg to Simon’s Town

50. Swim at St. James tidal pool

51. Tennis at Fish Hoek

52. Birdwatching at Cape Flats Wastewater Plant (Flamingos a highlight!)

53. Visit Windmill Beach, one of False Bays secret hideaways.

54. Picnic lunch at Buitenverwachting, Constantia

55. Cycle tour of Cape Point

56. Visit the Simon’s Town Maritime Museum

57. Thursday evening at Cafe Roux, Noordhoek – braai/potjie plus live music.

58. Visit Noordhoek artists by appointment

59. Go caving in the Kalk Bay Mountains

60. Walk up Elsie’s Peak, Fish Hoek

61. Snorkelling off Sunnycove, Fish Hoek

62. Visit Sandy Bay (nudist beach) via Llandudno

63. Spend the morning enjoying the sparkling pool at Afton Grove

64. Evening at the Theatre on the Bay, Camps Bay

65. Visit the antique route at Kalk Bay

66. Walk in Kirstenbosch Gardens

67. Visit Hout Bay’s lively working harbour

68. Evening at “Nag’s Head” pub and restaurant, Noordhoek

69. Dinner at Cathrinas @ Steenberg Wine Estate

70. Search for Knysna Warbler at Constantia Greenbelts.

71. Walk along the Jagger walk between Fish Hoek and Sunny Cove

72. Rock angling at Rooikrans, Cape of Good Hope

73. Visit the fascinating Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront

74. Shop till you drop at Cavendish Square, Claremont

75. Morning tea at the Barnyard – an experience not to be missed

76. Visit Butterfly World

77. Enjoy tea under the oaks at Noordhoek Farm Village

78. Touch the cheetahs at Spier Wine Estate

79. Ballet at Artscape theater

80. World of Birds, Hout Bay

81. Visit the Reptile park at Kommetjie

82. Sea Kayak from Simon’s Town to Boulders Beach

83. Indoor Grand Prix at Kenilworth race track

84. Moyo dining and cultural experience at Spier

85. Visit the ostrich farm at Cape Point

86. Do the “four museum walk” through the heart of Cape Town

87. Stargaze at Cape Towns Planetarium

88. Visit the crocodile farm near Paarl

89. Wine tasting – taste any of 200 plus Cape wines at Winesense, Kalk Bay

90. Walk up to Just Nuisance grave in Simon’s Town

91. Take a helicopter flip around the Peninsula

92. Shopping at Greenmarket Square – local arts and clothing

93. Great White Shark safari, Simon’s Town

94. Take a ride on a night train from Spier Wine Estate

95. Walk with baboons in Glencairn

96. Maynardville / Spier / Oude Libertas open-air concerts at night

97. A favorite – 5 course lunch at Boschendal (booking essential)

98. Horse ride on Noordhoek beach

99. Walk to the waterfall at Silvermine – take a cold shower

100. Sundowners on Cape Towns own Signal Hill

Source: Afton Grove