South Africa Travel News

Scraps of Hope – Pre cycle-tour Free State visit

SA Travel News Editor — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:00:34 +0000

Scraps of Hope You may recall lasts weeks post about Ruan Smit – the enterprising young cyclist who sets off on his “Explore South Africa Cycle Tour” on the 13th February. (see the article here – Collecting people’s stories – cycling 9000km in 70 days). Ruan will be sending us weekly snippets and stories abut his experiences on the road during his tour to share with our readers – and here is the first. Says Ruan – “I’m spending some...

Rugby Festival at Green Point Stadium (photos)

SA Travel News Editor — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:30:19 +0000

A few photographs of the Green Point Stadium (now officially called the Cape Town Stadium) taken on Saturday 6th February at the Rugby Festival. The Stormers won 47-13 after leading 18-13 at halftime … Photographs with thanks and © Iain Gibbin. Useful Green Point Links: Green Point Attractions Things to Do in Green Point Green Point Hotels Cape Town Hotels

Back to basics at Beaverlac

SA Activities Editor — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 09:00:35 +0000

Beaverlac Last weekend I succumbed to peer pressure and went camping. I did a 39 day trip through Africa at the beginning of 2000 and after camping for most of those 38 nights I vowed I would never, ever camp again! But the group invite for a weekend away was sent and I don’t like to miss out … so I saw the inside of a tent again. Our destination was Beaverlac in the Cederberg and my goodness it is beautiful. The entire journey was less than three hours including missing a few...

Wild Olive Guest Farm near Stilbaai

Cape Town Editor — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 06:30:06 +0000

Wild Olive Farm We’re no strangers to Wild Olive Guest Farm. We’re one of many who return to this peaceful refuge where a couple of chalets and a cottage lie on the banks of the Goukou River estuary and a wild organic vegetable garden, set in amidst a series of olive groves, is the mainstay of a bustling breakfast and lunch time venue that attracts a constant stream of visitors from Stilbaai … The main reason people head out here, other than the food, which alone is reason...

The Swartberg Hiking Trail

SA Travel News Editor — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 10:00:38 +0000

"Die Top" I’m not a born hiker. Some people seem to have a natural inclination to walking long distances, over uneven terrain, carrying heavy weights and call it leisure time. Myself, I’ve always thought that since our ancestors had no other option but to leg it everywhere, we owe it to them to make use of the wonders of manmade technology as often as possible. That said, I’ve slowly been coming round to the idea that scrambling over rocks, with nothing but trailmix and water as...

From Corporate Strife to an African Life

Kate Nelson — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 08:32:59 +0000

“Life should not be measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the number of times you are left breathless” – Anon. When I came across this quotation nearly four years ago, it helped me to realise that I needed to make some changes to my hectic and stressful world. Little did I know then the huge impact that this inspirational maxim would have on my life … At the time, I was burned out after 20 years of ‘hard labour’ in the UK corporate IT market. Having reached my dream...

Cape Town on Forbes.com “World’s most beautiful Cities” list

SA Travel News Editor — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:15:14 +0000

Open space makes Cape Town special. Renowned English sea navigator Sir Francis Drake once referred to Cape Town as the fairest cape in the world. The city houses the Kirstenbosch botanical garden, and the top of Table Mountain offers a breathtaking view of the city from roughly

South African Sports News – 3 February

Guy Mortimer — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:46:28 +0000

Graeme Smith Proteas ready for mighty India The Proteas opened their tour of India yesterday with a practice match ahead of their quest to unseat the hosts as the premier test nation. The tourists are taking on the Indian board president’s XI in a two-day match in Nagpur before the first test begins at the new Vidarbha Cricket Association ground on the outskirts of the city on Saturday. The two-test series – the second test will be played at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata from February 14 –...

Beautiful Bonamanzi!

SA Activities Editor — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 09:00:20 +0000

Beautiful Bonamanzi We had family out from the USA over Christmas so arranged to spend two nights at Bonamanzi Game Park … on safari! I will be the first to admit that I’m not a big fan of the bush; I appreciate the beauty of it but let’s face it, the bush in mid summer when its 30 degrees at 5 in the morning is just not pleasant. It’s especially not pleasant when the camp you are staying at does not have a swimming pool or air conditioning! Bonamanzi however, is a breath of fresh...

Arderne Gardens – greenery in the midst of Claremont

Cape Town Editor — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:00:21 +0000

Arderne Gardens Say ‘Main Road, Claremont’ and the picture most people conjure up definitely doesn’t include greenery. It’s a bustling hubbub of activity, the air consistently rent with the hooting of taxis soliciting business, and the irate response of drivers looking for parking. But in the midst of all of this is Arderne, the garden of weddings, a 4.5 hectare garden filled with some 300 incredible trees that is just crying out for use … This garden started...

4 Oscar Nominations for District 9, 2 for Invictus

SA Travel News Editor — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 23:44:06 +0000

Oscar Nominations The Sci-Fi box office hit “District 9″ scores 4 Oscar Nominations for Best Film; Visual Effects; Film Editing and Writing (Adapted Screenplay) and “Invictus” scores 2 Oscar nominations including the coveted Actor in a Leading Role for Morgan Freeman and Actor in a Supporting Role for Matt Damon … District 9 Nominations: Best Achievement in Editing – Julian Clarke Best Achievement in Visual Effects – Dan Kaufman, Peter Muyzers,...

Jazz on Fridays in Franschhoek

Jeannine — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:32:27 +0000

Cape Dutch Connection’s Jazz on Friday, which kicked off on 30 October at La Brasserie in Franschhoek, is having one of its most successful seasons ever, says leader of the jazz band, Derk Blaisse. According to Blaisse, the Friday evening performances are attracting audiences of up to 300 at a time … “This is a great season for us. The weather has been superb for our outdoor venue and we’ve had a great line-up of guest artists playing with us.” Cape Dutch Connection is a jazz quintet...

Sax Appeal?

SA Events Editor — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:36:19 +0000

Get Sax Appeal If you are on the roads in Cape Town this Thursday 4 February anywhere from Claremont to Table View, Bellville to Somerset West you will see a number of young people dressed a little bit differently and desperately trying to sell you something. Don’t send them away from your car window as they have something of interest. They are selling you the UCT RAG SAX Appeal at only R20 a magazine and you may just find yourself giggling at many of the articles. Here are only 45 000 copies...

Parlotone’s at D’Aria on Valentines day

SA Events Editor — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:21:19 +0000

Are you looking for a way into your Valentine’s heart? Or would you just like to spoil your loved one? If you’ve answered yes then get a move on and book your tickets for the Parlotones live at D’Aria on Valentine’s Day (Sunday 14 February 2010). The Parlotones have proved they are the biggest and most popular English Rock / Alternative band in South Africa, playing to huge, sol out crowds as well as performing next to well know international bands (i.e. Kings of Leon and Evanescence). I...

5 top spots with kids in Cape Town

Cape Town Editor — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:52 +0000

Cape Town, with its focus on the great outdoors, is seldom short of places to which you can take your children - beaches, walks, picnic spots abound - but there are times when the more formal, child-designated spot comes in handy, and a few of these are worth taking

Hudsons (The Burger Joint) in Kloof Street

SA Events Editor — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:00:10 +0000

Hudsons, Kloof Street I don’t know of anyone who doesn’t have their favourite burger spot, whether they are vegetarian, chicken eaters or meat lovers, and last night I definitely found my spot. For those of you who haven’t yet tried Hudsons (The Burger Joint) on Kloof Street in Cape Town you most definitely need to give them a try. Set in a busy part of Kloof Street they are well situated for both walk in trade and those who have already discovered the delight of the place. As you walk in you...

The Mt Moreland Swallows

SA Activities Editor — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:00:24 +0000

I first heard about the Mt Moreland Swallows from a friend whose wonderful husband had organised a surprise birthday picnic for her at the Lake Victoria Conservancy. She raved about how spectacular it was to see the swallows and I’ve been dying to experience it myself ever since. Although I now live in the Mother City, I am originally from Zululand and am normally ‘home’ for Christmas. So this December I made a concerted effort to get to Mt Moreland … Witness the spectacle of the...

Middle Earth explored – what they’re getting up to in Hogsback

Cape Town Editor — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 08:00:39 +0000

There was something about Middle Earth being sign posted as an organic nursery that had us driving down a little obscure driveway whilst in Hogsback recently. Besides, we couldn’t let the Tolkienesque name of ‘Middle Earth’ go unexplored, and so it was, on a rather hot morning (the warmest we’d experienced so far) we found ourselves falling out of our car in a rather ramshackle driveway to clasp the firm handshake of Dennis … Dennis is a treasure. A slight bearded...

Collecting people’s stories – Cycling 9000km in 70 days

SA Travel News Editor — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 07:00:37 +0000

Ruan Smit On the 13 February 2010 Ruan Smit intends beginning his epic cycle journey around South Africa. His journey across the face of our culturally diverse country is not about beating a gruelling time, or breaking a record. Rather it is a social experience. Along the 9 000 kilometre route, Ruan intends collecting stories about the people he meets. On his average 150 kilometre day, he will stop to chat to the people of South Africa, to enjoy food with them, and sleep in their surroundings...

Border hopping on Horseback

Kate Nelson — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:00:17 +0000

One of my ‘must-dos’ when I started travelling in South Africa was to experience the wild mountain terrain of the Drakensberg. The only thing putting me off was that hiking up peaks sounded like extremely hard work, so when the opportunity presented itself to explore on horseback

Bainskloof weekend

SA Events Editor — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 07:00:05 +0000

Bainskloof Where do you find yourself in just an hour and fifteen minute drive outside of Cape Town? Well on Saturday morning I found myself at a friends holiday home in Bainskloof, and no I wasn’t teleported there it was an easy drive. Three good friends and I decided to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and head to a family holiday home that has enjoyed many happy moments over the years. We had decided to indulge ourselves in a complete girly weekend and what better way...

Hiking in Hogsback

South Africa Editor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:40:15 +0000

Our roadtrip up South Africa’s east coast had already been filled with adventure (and a few mishaps) by the time we reached Hogsback in the Eastern Cape. Situated in the Amatola Mountains and named after three ridges which (apparently) look like the bristles on a hog’s back, Hogsback turned out to be one of my favourite places on our east coast trek. Although there is plenty in Hogsback to amuse and delight, including The Labyrinth and the Eco shrine, our primary goal was to do some serious...

Britannia Bunnies

SA Activities Editor — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 07:15:13 +0000

Britannia Hotel I had read about the Britannia Hotel and after asking local friends about it, it turns out that the Brittania is a bit of a legend in Durban. The building, built in 1897, is now listed and forms part of the heritage of the city. The front of the building must have been impressive in its hey day but seeing as Umgeni Road and its volumes of traffic now run past the venue its difficult to get a good look and appreciate the workmanship, for fear of being knocked over by a...

South African Sports News – 27 January

Guy Mortimer — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 06:30:49 +0000

Mickey Arthur Mickey calls it quits Proteas’ coach Mickey Arthur (pictured) has resigned. The shocking news was leaked to the media on Monday and although Arthur’s resignation has still to be made official, it has been confirmed by reliable sources. It is believed that Arthur and Proteas’ captain Graeme Smith have been at loggerheads for some time and the result is that their relationship has broken down completely. The departure of Arthur has come at a difficult time for the Proteas who...

I ♥ Clarens because …

South Africa Editor — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 11:35:50 +0000

I ♥ Clarens Hi, I’m Gavin Northcote from Highland View in Clarens in the Eastern Free State. CLARENS IS BEST KNOWN FOR great scenery, the outdoors, restaurants and galleries. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN by a friend in front of NG Church in the main street. It is the most beautiful old sandstone building in Clarens. THE BEST SCENIC PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the Golden Gate just 15 minutes outside Clarens. WHEN THE WEATHER’S GOOD, I LIKE TO hike on the many footpaths, and play tennis. WHEN...

Eight at Spier – a definite ‘must’ for brunch

Cape Town Editor — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 07:00:41 +0000

Eight at Spier Before the word gets out, I thought I’d share my addiction to the latest restaurant to open on the Spier Wine Estate in Lyndedoch Road, Stellenbosch. Eight at Spier serves good wholesome breakfasts, brunches and lunches on the grounds of the popular weekend destination. The restaurant is child-friendly, affordable, and one of very few restaurants with a green ethos where environmental consciousness and commitment to the Earth is a high priority. Most of all, the...

Beautiful, not-so-peaceful, Stilbaai

Cape Town Editor — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:00:24 +0000

Stilbaai Stilbaai, also known as Still Bay, is well known amongst Capetonians as a peaceful, seaside getaway on the Garden Route, perfect for weekends. It has, to a large degree, managed to maintain an unspoiled and natural environment that is particularly beautiful during spring, with a pretty beach village atmosphere on the eastern side of the village, and beautiful beaches. But come here during the festive season, and you begin to wonder whether the residents may not have been a little...

2010 Host City, Durban

SA Travel News Editor — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 07:00:15 +0000

2010 Host City Durban Durban is more than just the city of Durban with its natural harbour, busy port and Golden Mile of impressive international hotels and glorious beaches – regarded as the definitive coastal ‘playground in the sun’. Rather, the Durban Metro is a region that extends up to Umhlanga Rocks to the north, to Inchanga and Botha’s Hill in the west, and just beyond Yellowwood Park in the south. Some of the areas and suburbs it includes are the likes of Glenashley, Hillcrest,...

Win 3 Nights at the exquisite Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro

South Africa Editor — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:40:13 +0000

WIN a 3 night stay at Euphoria Golf Estate & Hydro, located in the beautiful Waterberg mountain range of the Limpopo Province, only 2 hours drive from Johannesburg. The estate offers 4 star luxury bush villa accommodation, an 18 hole championship golf course, a Hydro and cablecar that connects to a Sundowner Deck restaurant offering stunning views! Valued at R10003, the prize includes: accommodation for 2 people sharing for 3 consecutive mid-week nights breakfast, lunch and dinners daily...

I ♥ Montagu because …

South Africa Editor — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:00:01 +0000

I ♥ Montagu Hi, I’m Fida Hess from Mimosa Lodge in Montagu in the Western Cape. MONTAGU IS BEST KNOWN FOR its Muscadel, Hot Springs and Adventure Sport GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT our great NG Church in Church Street, This is one of the most historic streets in Montagu apart from Long Street. THE BEST PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the hole in the wall (tunnel) coming from Ashton to Montagu in the Cogmanskloof. OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT the bird sanctuary where hundreds of birds took over 2-3 trees as...

Just what they’re getting up to in Hogsback

Cape Town Editor — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 07:30:30 +0000

Starways pottery and the Rose theatre – You don’t expect to find a theatre in Hogsback. Not only is it a theatre, albeit a little one, but it’s open air, in the middle of a glade of pine trees, and named after the Elizabethan theatre of the same name. The Rose was London’s most historic theatre, built in 1587 by Philip Henslowe on Bankside in Southwark and home to many of Shakespeare’s productions. The Rose at Starways is similarly built mainly of timber, with...

South African Sports News – 20 January

Guy Mortimer — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 06:30:46 +0000

JP Duminy Proteas finally get it right Paceman Morne Morkel grabbed four wickets to guide South Africa to victory by an innings and 74 runs over England as the home side squared the series on the fourth day of the fourth Castle test match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Sunday. The towering Morkel finished with the impressive figures of 4/59 off 16 overs as the visitors were dismissed for 169 just before the lunch interval. The result means that the Castle test series ends 1-1 and South...

Events to get you going in February …

SA Events Editor — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 19:33:57 +0000

February Events Even though February is the shortest month of the year it is most definitely not short on events around the country. So here are a few snapshots of the up and coming events in February to get you excited … In Limpopo: Kicking off in Limpopo is the annual Limpopo Marula Festival which takes place from 20-27 February and is held in Phalaborwa. This festival has been going since 2008 and due to all of the diverse activities taking place over this week there are 3 venues,...

January and February Special Offers

SA Travel News Editor — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:10:12 +0000

So we are all back at work and the December holidays are slowly fading into our memories … so much so that a weekend away sounds like a really good plan right about now. Maybe not this weekend, but with Valentines Day around the corner it seems like a good time to start planning a weekend or mid-week break. Still feeling the effect of overspending over Christmas? We’ve scouted around and found some great deals for you to assist with planning a break that won’t break the bank...

2010 Host City, Pretoria

SA Travel News Editor — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:40:57 +0000

2010 Host City, Pretoria Known as the Jacaranda City for all the purple blossom-bedecked trees, which line its thoroughfares, 2010 Host City Pretoria is a lovely, quiet city. It has a long, involved and fascinating history. Here you will find significant old buildings and fascinating museums. The Transvaal Museum has natural history displays and is the home of Mrs Ples, the australopithecine fossil found at Sterkfontein in the Cradle of Humankind. Also worth visiting are the Cultural History...

I ♥ Mossel Bay because …

South Africa Editor — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:00:23 +0000

I ♥ Mossel Bay Hi, I’m Petra du Toit from Linkside2 Guest House in Mossel Bay in the Garden Route. MOSSEL BAY IS BEST KNOWN FOR its moderate climate, beautiful white beaches and the Dias Museum. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Post office Tree, because of its historical Value and you can still mail your postcards from there. THE BEST SUNRISE PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT The Point early in the morning, breathtakingly beautiful!!! OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT Linkside2 with the most beautiful view of the...

The Heath

Cape Town Editor — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:00:33 +0000

We stumbled upon The Heath, the Garden Route’s bohemian farm store, whilst on our way to Stilbaai from St Francis Bay. Now many of you may know about this fantastic find, but I was immediately entranced by the stop and couldn’t understand why no-one had bothered to inform me of what definitely qualifies as my ‘best shopping experience of the year’ before! It turns out that mostly everyone who travels this route knows about it. In fact my sister has mentioned it to me...

2010 Host City, Port Elizabeth

SA Travel News Editor — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 07:00:37 +0000

The new Stadium 2010 Host City Port Elizabeth, is the gateway to the Eastern Cape Region, its well-equipped airport and harbour linking South Africa with other national and international destinations. Known as the “Friendly City”, Port Elizabeth is located on the south-eastern coast, 763 km east of Cape Town. A superb value-for-money holiday base, Port Elizabeth offers a diverse selection of attractions as a family-fun holiday destination including scenic nature trails, historic...

Winner 3 Nights in Luxury Cape Town Hotel

South Africa Editor — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:19:07 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS to Niki Brandt of South Africa who has won a 3 night stay at the plush and playful Grand Daddy Hotel on Cape Town’s trendy Long Street. The prize includes 3 consecutive nights accommodation for 2 persons in a Superior Room, breakfast each morning at The Showroom Café, 2 drink vouchers to be enjoyed at the Sky Bar at the Airstream Penthouse Park on the rooftop of the hotel, further 2 drink vouchers for the very cool ‘Daddy Cool’ Bar on the first floor, a set of 2 tickets to the...

I ♥ Wilderness because …

South Africa Editor — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:15:31 +0000

I ♥ Wilderness Hi, I’m John McIldowie from Porcupine Pie Lodge in Wilderness in the Garden Route. WILDERNESS IS BEST KNOW FOR its long golden beach, extensive lakes, waterways and lush indigenous forests. That combined with casual continental sidewalk restaurants and a village atmosphere makes Wilderness the ideal base from which to enjoy the Garden Route. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Dolphin Point with the spectacular Wilderness Bay and kilometres of beach as a backdrop. THE BEST PARAGLIDING...