South Africa Travel News

I ♥ Rosetta Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:15:06 +0000

I ♥ Rosetta Hi, I’m John Wetton from Jolo Guest Farm in Rosetta in the Natal Midlands, KwaZulu Natal. Rosetta IS BEST KNOWN FOR peace, tranquillity, a real village atmosphere having no 21st century commercialism. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Blueberry Hill for magnificent views of the Berg. THE BEST Berg PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the Kamberg and Highmoor Nature Reserves. OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT Gowrie Village. WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I LIKE TO fishing, mountain biking, motor biking or just...

Babylonstoren – A Celebration of Food

The Team @ SA-Venues — Tue, 15 May 2012 07:00:51 +0000

Babylonstoren Constance-Marie is wearing one of the straw hats I've just furiously coveted in the shop across from the restaurant at Babylonstoren. Her white linen blouse, faded black jeans and secateurs nonchalantly resting in a pouch tied around her hips makes her the epitome of garden chic crossed with a hint of hippie. There is, by now, a group of us gathered in the courtyard of Babel, the restaurant at Babylonstoren, for the garden tour. We sit and stand at intervals around a blackboard...

I ♥ Morgans Bay Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Mon, 14 May 2012 07:00:26 +0000

I ♥ Morgans Bay Hi, I’m Erica from Morgan Bay Hotel in Morgans Bay on the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape. Morgans Bay IS BEST KNOWN FOR beautiful beaches and family holidays. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN on the viewing deck at the Milkwood Spa, it has amazing ocean views . THE BEST sunset PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the Kranses. OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT the lagoon and rock pools. WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I LIKE TO take long walks along the beach. WHEN THE WEATHER'S BAD, I LIKE TO watch the sea from...

Weekly Events Round Up (14 — 20 May 2012)

The Team @ SA-Venues — Fri, 11 May 2012 09:00:53 +0000

National Koi Show Here’s hoping you are planning on treating your Mother to a special day out on Sunday 13 May 2012 in celebration of Mother’s Day! With the many exciting annual events and festivals happening all over South Africa to choose from, that you can enjoy with family and friends, you are sure to find something perfect. The seasonal transition from Autumn to Winter has us embarking on events with a difference – you can try free running a new sporting phenomenon taking Jozi by storm...

I ♥ Kommetjie Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:00:06 +0000

I ♥ Kommetjie Hi, I’m Jo Walsh from Sea Breeze Kommetjie in Kommetjie on the Atlantic Seaboard of Cape Town. Kommetjie IS BEST KNOWN FOR among many other things, its awesome natural surroundings, world class surfing destination, immuculate beaches, fresh air, crayfishing, seasonal whales, famous light house and spectacular views in all directions. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the famous Long Beach or for the slightly more adventurous at the top of the Slangkop Mountain with the village, sea and...

Nicolson’s Country Cafe in Hilton – A Review

The Team @ SA-Venues — Thu, 10 May 2012 08:00:10 +0000

Nicolson’s Country Café Situated on the picturesque grounds of Garlington Estate in the small town of Hilton in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Nicolson’s Country Café is an upmarket restaurant that specialises in fine cuisine. Interested to see what they had to offer I visited them for lunch recently and the experience proved to be one to savour. The lunch menu is without a doubt one of the most interesting and appetising I’ve ever encountered. Starters include dishes such as Spanish-style...

I ♥ Kempton Park Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Wed, 09 May 2012 07:00:11 +0000

I ♥ Kempton Park Hi, I’m Karen Swanepoel from Nkanga Lodge in Kempton Park on the East Rand in Gauteng. Kempton Park IS BEST KNOWN FOR OR Tambo International, Africa’s busiest airport, which is located in Kempton Park. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Kempton Park Golf Course; this is where Ernie Els learned to played golf when he was growing up. THE BEST outdoor PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT Modderfontein Conservation Park which is home to 253 different bird species, small populations of Black-Backed...

De Hoop Nature Reserve — Photographs

The Team @ SA-Venues — Tue, 08 May 2012 09:00:50 +0000

A really good friend, who lives in the States, came down to Cape Town for one week and one week only. We made the most of it ... She lived in Cape Town for a few years but had never been to the De Hoop Nature Reserve and this was on her bucket list. We decided to head up to De Hoop for one night. It was a very long drive and as we'd left at the crack of dawn after two of our group had been at a wedding until the wee hours of the morning and having a baby with us (who was only a few months old)...

Tea On 23 in Pietermaritzburg – A Tea Garden With A Difference

The Team @ SA-Venues — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:00:04 +0000

Tea on 23 When a friend recently suggested I visit Tea on 23 in Pietermaritzburg, I was a little surprised since I had never heard of this eatery before. As it turns out, Tea on 23 is situated a mere kilometre away from my home, at 23 Carbis Road, Scottsville to be exact. The establishment is owned by husband and wife team Rob and Carrie Boyd who have a considerable amount of experience in the restaurant industry. Carrie is well known to many Maritzburgers having run the very successful...

I ♥ Randburg Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Mon, 07 May 2012 07:00:38 +0000

I ♥ Randburg Hi, I’m Judith from Idwala Guest House in Randburg in Gauteng. Randburg IS BEST KNOWN FOR Cresta Shopping Mall, great concerts at the Coca Cola Dome, shopping and outdoor fun at Brightwater Commons, excellent Johannesburg golf courses and a lot of good restaurants and bars. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Northcliff Hill, just 5 min from Idwala. You will enjoy a 360 /degree panoramic view on Johanesburg as background. THE BEST nature-background PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the...

Weekly Events Round Up (7 — 13 May 2012)

The Team @ SA-Venues — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:00:20 +0000

Charity Golf Day As we start to recover following the public holiday season’s flurry of activities, do not despair as we have many more exciting annual events and festivals from all over South Africa to keep you busy over the next week. Don't let the impending winter weather give you the blues get out and about and have a little bit of fun by spending some time with your family and friends by doing something different. Mark on your calendars some of the fantastic activities on offer whether...

I ♥ Kimberley Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Fri, 04 May 2012 07:00:43 +0000

I ♥ Kimberley Hi, I’m Riana Engelbrecht from Broadwater between Kimberley and Douglas in the Northern Cape. Kimberley IS BEST KNOWN FOR the Big Hole, the largest hand-dug excavation in the world. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN in the old Town at the Big Hole, to look like a film star from the diamond era. THE BEST flamingo PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT Kamfersdam, just outside Kimberley on the Jo’burg Road. OTHER HAPPY SNAPS in the Old Town at the Big Hole. I ♥ Kimberley WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I...

Winner 3 Night Stay at Exclusive Botsebotse Luxury Retreat

The Team @ SA-Venues — Thu, 03 May 2012 09:00:04 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS to Tania Timmons of South Africa who has won a 3-night stay at picture perfect Botsebotse Luxury Retreat, a 2012 World Luxury Travel Award Nominee. Includes three consectutive midweek nights accommodation for two adults sharing; full breakfast, lunch or picnic baskets and romantic 3-course dinners, one 30-minute in-room massage per person; romantic surprise turndowns; coffee and tea with meals (drinks excluded); free self help muffins throughout the day;...

Hiking Above Wellington – Happy Valley Trail in the Limietberg

The Team @ SA-Venues — Thu, 03 May 2012 07:00:00 +0000

The Limietberg An easy there-and-back 9 km hike, ideal for families and beginners that starts in Bainskloof, is limited to 12 people a day, and follows a section of the Limietberg Trail to Junction Pool. The start of the Happy Valley hiking trail is at the entrance to the Limietberg Nature Reserve, perched up above the town of Wellington. To reach there we've scaled Bainskloof pass by car, the hairpin bends and intense mountain views a consistent reminder of the scale of work that must have...

I ♥ Witsand Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:39 +0000

I ♥ Witsand Hi, I’m Clair Pienaar from Whale Watchers Inn in Witsand in the Cape Overberg, Western Cape. Witsand IS BEST KNOWN FOR being recognised as “The Whale Nursery “of South Africa, also for being situated at the mouth of the biggest estuary in South Africa, The Breede River is well known for fishing. Kite surfing near the river mouth has become very popular and our Blue Flag long open beaches and good swimming remains a favourite.The Witsand area has a number of large Ostrich farms and...

I ♥ Mtunzini Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 07:00:01 +0000

I ♥ Mtunzini Hi, I’m Ann Walters from One-on-Hely Guest House in Mtunzini. Mtunzini IS BEST KNOWN FOR its exceptional setting overlooking an unspoilt lagoon and miles of beautiful beach. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT sunrise while strolling on the beach. THE BEST mood PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the Raphia Palm Natural Monument which is like a Gothic cathedral with palms for columns and arches. OTHER HAPPY SNAPS FROM the top deck of a barge cruising down the Mlalazi River. WHEN THE WEATHER'S...

Weekly Events Round Up (30 Apr to 6 May 2012)

The Team @ SA-Venues — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 07:00:36 +0000

Energy Expo This week continues with the hive of activity surrounding the public holiday season and if you are lucky enough to take the Monday off work as well you can make an extra long weekend of it! We all lead busy lives but it is a good idea to get out and do something different over the holidays. South Africans will be commemorating Workers’ Day on 1 May, a public holiday that is a testimony to the hard battles that workers in this country and in other parts of the World have waged for...

I ♥ Fresnaye Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:00:49 +0000

I ♥ Fresnaye Hi, I’m Melanie from The Walden Suites in Fresnaye on the Atlantic Seaboard in Cape Town. Fresnaye IS BEST KNOWN FOR its tranquillity and awesome views. Best of both worlds as you have the mountains and the ocean on your doorstep. It is also mostly a wind-free area when the well known Cape Doctor wind is blowing in the rest of Cape Town. The best part of Fresnaye, is that it is ideally located to reach Camps Bay, Lundudno & Hout Bay to the one side and Sea Point, Waterfront...

I ♥ Mooi River ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

I ♥ Mooi River Hi, I’m Arlene Arnold from Wild Berry Guest Farm in Mooi River. Originally called Lawrenceville, the town of Mooi River nestles in a valley some 1401m above sea level. The Zulus called the river “Mpofana” or “place of the eland”, while the Dutch named it “Mooi” meaning “pretty”. The countryside varies from mountainous in the west of the district towards Giants Castle, through rolling hills and grassland to the thornveld around Middelrus in the northwest. It is a well-watered...

World of Birds – A Wonderful Day's Family Outing in Hout Bay

The Team @ SA-Venues — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 09:00:18 +0000

World of Birds Walter Mangold has an unusual name. He also had an unusual vision, well over 30 years ago. That vision was to fill four hectares of land already overrun with port jackson with birds, trees and aviaries. Perhaps it is the association of his name with a highly desirable mineral that has sustained his venture, despite having no official funding, for so long or possibly it is the fierce integrity with which he runs what has become the largest bird park in Africa, and one of few...

The Victorian Café in Howick – A Review

The Team @ SA-Venues — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 07:00:22 +0000

The Victorian Café The small town of Howick in the picturesque KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is home to a number of eateries and restaurants. One of those establishments is The Victorian Café, a small restaurant situated in Main Street just opposite the beautifully restored Agricultural Hall, one of the town’s main attractions. Despite its rather posh name, The Victorian Café is not a fancy restaurant by any stretch of the imagination, and nor does it claim or aim to be. Owners Peter and Christina...

I ♥ Cape Town Central Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 07:00:42 +0000

I ♥ Cape Town Central Hi, I’m Jason Rodwell from the Daddy Long Legs Art Hotel in Cape Town Central. Cape Town Central IS BEST KNOWN FOR Long Street and the nightlife surrounding it. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Table Mountain which is, in my opinion, one of the best things Cape Town has to offer and such an amazing natural wonder. THE BEST "artsy" PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront. OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT Green Market Square. WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I...

Weekly Events Round Up (23–29 Apr 2012)

The Team @ SA-Venues — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:00:20 +0000

Freedom Day Celebrations The provinces throughout South Africa are a hive of activity this week mostly due to the up-coming public holiday thus long weekend and are treating us to some wonderful events of all varieties. It is now time to bring out your calendar and take note of these exciting things happening all around you! Don't forget to share all of this with your friends and family. We will be acknowledging Freedom Day celebrated on 27 April in South Africa which originally commemorated...

I ♥ Hoedspruit Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 07:00:00 +0000

I ♥ Hoedspruit Hi, I’m Gerrie Molle and Anita de Laat from BushGlam Luxury Holiday Home in Hoedspruit in Limpopo. Hoedspruit IS BEST KNOWN FOR its perfect location surrounded by Private Game Reserves and only 40 minutes’ drive to world famous Kruger National Park. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT sitting in your open safari vehicle when a herd of elephants’ passes by. Or what about a picture with a rhino, buffalo, leopard or lion?!. THE BEST animal PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the Kruger National...

Win a 3 Night Romantic Stay at Naries Namakwa Retreat

The Team @ SA-Venues — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 09:00:31 +0000

Naries Namakwa Retreat WIN a 3 night romantic stay at Naries Namakwa Retreat ... a hideaway in the fascinating Namaqualand, close to Springbok, off the N7 towards Kleinzee (on the R355) in the Northern Cape. Offering a unique experience amid spectacular scenery they are well positioned for exploring the greater Namakwa Region. Naries is renowned for delicious meals, warmhearted hospitality, friendly staff and variety of comfortable accommodation options. Which include 3 unique domed luxury...

Sightseeing In My Own City — the Hop-on, Hop-off Experience of CT

The Team @ SA-Venues — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 07:00:48 +0000

Open-top Bus Tour We're standing just outside the Two Oceans Aquarium on a Monday that is also a public holiday. It's early, and the weather is typically autumnal in it's insistence on confusing our thermostats with devastatingly blue skies accompanied by winds that could easily have blown in off the tundra. Particularly if you're wearing slops, like the young girl next to me, whose legs are now a delicate shade of purple. Our three boys are hopping from foot to foot in their eagerness to be...

I ♥ Morningside Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 07:00:03 +0000

I ♥ Morningside Hi, I’m Caroline from Lindsay Loft in Morningside, Durban in KwaZulu Natal. Morningside IS BEST KNOWN FOR being a trendy upmarket suburb with many restaurants, pubs and clubs. Its parks and gardens and beautiful residential homes including Kings House, the State President’s residence when he visits Durban, just add an extra dimension. WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I LIKE TO walk around Mitchell and Jameson Park. WHEN THE WEATHER'S BAD, I LIKE TO curl up with a good book. I THINK...

Gardens With a Difference – Alternative Gardens to Visit

The Team @ SA-Venues — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 09:00:55 +0000

An Orange Pincushion More and more there are gardens grown and maintained not only for the joy of those who establish them, but also for the public to whom the gardens are made available, simply for the joy of it. These are unofficial gardens that individuals have planted themselves. They are not botanical, although gardens like the Stellenbosch University Botanic Garden could easily belong here (small, not that well known, really worth a visit). Which is not to say that the botanical...

The Terrace Tea Garden and Animal Farm in Illovo Beach – A Review

The Team @ SA-Venues — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 07:00:21 +0000

Terrace Tea Garden The Terrace Tea Garden in Illovo Beach on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast is a delightful eatery that caters for a wide variety of age groups, tastes, and preferences. Situated within the lush greenery of the Illovo Nursery in Elizabeth Avenue just opposite the popular ATKV Natalia holiday resort, the Terrace Tea Garden has become popular with both locals and holiday makers alike. Owners Yvonne Swift and Lesley Austin have created a winning menu that has everything you’d...

I ♥ Underberg Because ...

The Team @ SA-Venues — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 07:00:59 +0000

I ♥ Underberg Hi, I’m Caryn Walker from Bergview in Underberg. Underberg IS BEST KNOWN FOR fly fishing, bird watching and hiking. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the viewpoint as you enter Underberg, as you get a lovely view of the mountain. THE BEST Underberg PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the top of the Hlongoma Mountain directly behind Bergview. OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT the many reserves around the area. WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I LIKE TO go tubing down the river. WHEN THE WEATHER'S BAD, I LIKE TO...