South Africa and Surrounding Areas

Springtime in Southern Africa is an especially wonderful time of year to enjoy Africa, and making the most of your trip has never been easier or more pleasurable. Cape Town boasts an extremely wide array of things to do and see, from downtown fine dining and enjoyable night life, to adventures in the surrounding countryside. This is the place where the metropolitan tourist experience meets the exciting world of wild world travel.

Historic and beautiful Table Mountain is certainly one of the sights to consider, and the Table Mountain Cableway is the best way to see this breathtaking location. A part of Table Mountain National Park, the Aerial Cableway is a leisurely and exciting trip and will allow you to take in Table Mountain and the surrounding views. Once at the top, enjoy a free guided plateau walk and see some of the sites more interesting features in detail. Off the tram, enjoy a hike through one of Table Mountains many hiking trails and experience first hand the incredible flora and fauna of this amazing location. This is luxury African travel at its best.

Another place to enjoy the majesty of the African landscape is to visit one of South Africa’s botanical gardens, such as the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. These living museums are a monument to the blessings of the natural world, and boast some of the most exotic and amazing species of plants and animals anywhere on the planet. The South African National Biodiversity Institute maintains nine different botanical gardens, with Kirstenbosch being the largest of all. Kirstenbosch was established in 1913 to conserve and promote indigenous flora of the southern African continent. Known internationally as one of the greatest botanical gardens anywhere in the world, and is situated on the eastern slope of magnificent Table Mountain.

If you are more interested in a cosmopolitan experience, then perhaps a tour of the wine country is in order. Cape Route 62 is a well known tourist route that runs through the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Winding its way from Cape Town through Langkloof, Port Elizabeth and Oudtshoorn, it is often known as the shorter alternative to the N2 Highway. The areas along this route also include Klein Karoo, The Breede River Valley, Paarl and Wellington. This is perhaps the longest wine route in the world.

Rustic accommodations, hot springs or luxury hotels are all options when traveling along Cape Route 62. This safe and scenic route passes through many of South Africa’s most quaint and appealing towns, and offers a relaxing and leisurely experience for travelers of every background and taste. From private game reserves which offer traditional African safaris such as the luxurious Lalibela Game Reserve, Kwantu Game Reserve and Sibuya Game Reserve to Camdeboo National Park, Addo Elephant National Park and Mountain Zebra National Park you will find the traditional African safari experience along this route. Yearly spring events such as the Splash Festival, Wild Trout Festival, Algoa Bay Week, Middleberg Karoo Cycle, East London Agricultural Show, Queenstown Mountain Race and the Science Festival are all seasonal attractions in this region.

No matter what you choose to do, an adventure in Africa is among the most exciting things you can do in your lifetime. Form animal watching to sea kayaking to safaris, Africa is an exotic and magical place to spend a vacation. A luxury African vacation will leave you with memories and experiences that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

The Cape Point Route

The Cape Point Route in Southern Africa is an adventure that you should definitely consider if you are taking a vacation in Africa. This magnificent stretch of highway is a breathtaking drive through some of the most beautiful country in the world.

Take the Cape Point Route and explore both coastlines on either side of a national park, visit up to 18 beaches, see a wide variety of wildlife including whale watching, penguins, seals, exotic birds and baboons among others. Situated at the southern end of Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world, you will find rural Noordhoek. Browse shops at Noordhoek Farm Village, stop off for a bike ride or walk along the trails of the Silvermine Reserve, experience the Noordhoek Art Route which boasts working artists and tours one Sunday each month, and visit the Red Herring Trading Post set amongst the ancient and majestic milkwood trees. Art galleries, pottery studios and a plant nursery are just a few of the attractions awaiting you at the Red Herring.

Following the Cape Point Route will take you to many other beautiful and exotic locations such as Kommetjie, known for its incredible surfing, Slangkop Lighthouse, which is the tallest cast iron lighthouse in South Africa, Solole Game Reserve offering close encounters with buffalo and antelope in their native habitat, and the peaceful and quaint settlement of Masiphumelele, home to a mostly Xhosa speaking community offering walking tours and visits to some community projects.

Scarborough and Cape Point is a seaside conservation village known for its natural splendor and creative indigenous gardens and is a great place to see whales and other native marine animals. Scarborough beach is an ideal location for bird watching, walking the beach, sea kayaking and surfing, and is home to Cape Clawless Otters. The Good Hope Nature Reserve is within Table Mountain National Park and is one of the most frequently visited attractions in South Africa. Offering angling, surfing and diving spots and protecting over 1200 species of fynbos, 250 species of birds and a wide variety of other mammals including buck and baboons, The Good Hope Nature Preserve is not to be missed.

The boulders, beaches and museums of Simon’s Town and Glencairn are just a few of the attractions to see on this stop along the Cape Point Route. Historical sites such as The Church of St. Francis, the oldest existing Anglican Church in South Africa and The Roman Rock Lighthouse are in Simon’s Town and boat trips for harbor tours, whale watching and Seal Island and Cape Point depart from here.

Fish Hoek and Clovelly lies on the Cape Point Route and boasts one of the safest swimming beaches in South Africa, surrounded by beautiful rugged mountains and white sands. A Stone Age cave site known as Peers Cave was where a 12000 year old man was discovered as well as a collection of Stone Age tools. The Fish Hoek Valley Museum houses interpretive displays of the Peers Cave excavations and many collections of interest. A walk along Jager Walk will take you along the rugged and rocky coastline to Sunny Cove where you can learn about the life of the playful local dolphins and humpback whales native to this area. Finish off your stay in Fish Hoek with 18 holes of golf at the Clovelly Country Club, a gorgeous course offering native sand dunes, flora and fauna and lovely water features.

Intermingling arts, crafts and natural splendor is Kalk Bay, St. James, Muizenberg and Lakeside. Kalk Bay is one of the hippest seaside villages found on the cape offering a cosmopolitan experience of fine art, delicious gourmet cuisine and beautiful architecture. Enjoy the community based project known as Adventure Kalk Bay and take a fishing trip out with some of the local fisherman, or visit the harbour at noon when the fishing boats are returning with their catches. The 125 year old Holy Trinity Church is one of the many historic sites to be found in Kalk Bay. 36 kilometers of white sand and safe beaches are to be found in Muizenberg, as well as swimming pools, waterslide and putt-putt courses intermingled with lovely cafes and shops. The well known Historical Mile is home to the South Afrcian Police Museum, Het Posthuys which is a historical diorama of the 1795 Battle of Muizenberg and the Rhodes Cottage, where Cecil John Rhodes spent his final days. The Lindbergh Arts Foundation is a block of four houses designed by Sir Herbert Baker and is home to an incredible collection of Africana and is frequently used for musical performances and art shows. At the foot of the Muizenberg Mountains you will find beautiful Lakeside, with views of Zandvlei Lake and False Bay, and the incredible Rondevlei Nature Reserve which is a wetland reserve and home to 230 bird species, small mammals and hippopotamuses. The Imvubu Nature Tours offers activities within the Rondevlei Reserve.

The Cape Winelands Region is a must see area on any trip to southern Africa. Steeped in a diverse history and culture, this area offers many wonderful opportunities to experience the fascinating and beautiful culture of the Rainbow Nation. Preserved architecture, museums, art galleries and craft markets will allow the past and present to blend seamlessly in a truly amazing experience. A region known for its innovation and creativity, Cape Winelands is home to some of the world’s greatest master potters, beadworkers and weavers. Spring in this region offers a variety of seasonally specific events and attractions including The Bonnievale Enduro Bike Race, Ceres Squash Festival, Pick ‘n Play Robertson Half Marathon, Woord Literature Festival, National Cheese Festival, Nederburg Auction, JC le Roux Devon Valley Run, Dirtopia Mountain Bike Festival, Michelle’s Pass Half Marathon, Shark Rally, Safari Half Marathon and many others. Regular attractions and things to do in the Cape Winelands region includes miles of 4x4 trails and hiking trails, animal watching caravan and camping experiences, environmental adventures for backpackers and day trippers, and a host of adventures geared toward family and children.

This wonderful route offers many exciting adventures from sea kayaking to African safari, and is sure to make any African holiday an adventure to remember. Do yourself a favor and enjoy the Cape Point Route when you take your next vacation in Africa. Enjoying this drive is luxury African travel at its finest.

Luxury African Travel

To truly take a vacation that rivals any other you could imagine, taking a wild African safari could be the most amazing. Travel in this exotic continent offers a multitude of amazing experiences and a lifetime of memories for the intrepid explorer who wishes for something very unique and different.

Tanzania is a mysterious and beautiful land rich in exotic, diverse wildlife, a fabulous ecosystem full of pleasant surprises and a rich ancient culture thriving with wonderful energy. Majestic Mount Kilimanjaro, the beautiful and captivating shores of the Indian Ocean and a whole range of other fantastic locations and wonderful surprises await you in beautiful and enchanting Tanzania.

Incredible events that most people never get to witness like the annual Great Migration of wildebeest and zebras, or the colorful and quirky community of flamingos on Lake Manyara happen here in this African Paradise. Vacationing in Afrcia and seeing lovely Tanzania offers the chance to see the incredible towering sheer walls of Empaki Crater, sacred Oldonyo Lengai volcano, the untamed, wild Serengeti Plains and the breathtaking Great Rift Valley. Add to that the remoteness of many other adventurous locations and sights, and an African safari in Tanzania becomes one of the most incredible adventures you could possibly explore.

Kenya is very well known for its wide spectrum of incredible game. The Masai Mara, a very famous and arguably the prime area for wild life in Kenya boasts the great Annual Migration. Experience the classic African adventure as you get to see all the big game typical of the vision of Africa. To experience the amazing Chyulu Hills, see the elephants of Amboseli, view the volcanic formations of Shaba, to feast your eyes on the geysers of Lake Bogoria and the flamingos of Lake Natron requires the adventurous traveler to take a sojourn in Kenya. Kenya has long been known as the classic safari destination with its golden, open grasslands and scores of majestic wildlife.

Taking a safari in Africa is something many people dream of for their whole lives, but few people build up the actual courage to do. Resources are available now for folks who wish to be able to have a hands-on, wild African adventure while also having a safe, reliable guide who knows the ins and outs of this exotic land. Now the adventurous traveler can experience luxury travel in Africa without having to sacrifice comfort and safety. You can camp, have a safari, go sea kayaking, enjoy whale watching, go on a walking safari, see far off locales, enjoy pristine wilderness and scenery, explore some of the most amazing sea and ocean shores in the world and do many more amazing things while enjoying luxury African Travel.

Breathe, taste, feel and see the majesty of Mother Earth in a whole new way, while building memories and experiences that will serve you for the rest of your life. Companions who wish to have a truly bonding experience will benefit greatly from taking such a wild adventure together. Share the joys and excitements of all the sights, smells and tastes of this rich continent and ancient and haunting locations. There is nothing quite like the life altering experience of taking a true, wild African safari. If you have ever dreamed of such a trip, or even if the idea is new to you, consider taking advantage of the expertise and resources of the experts and let them help you plan the adventure of a lifetime.