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Adventure Travel Guide to Africa

admin — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 18:35:57 +0000

Africa is home to some of the best adventure travel destinations in the world. So whether you’re after a full-on adventure holiday, or just want to chuck some adrenaline-inducing activities in with your volunteering, Africa is the perfect place to do it.

Tanzania

Ever since Chris Moyles, Cheryl Cole and a bunch of other celebrities climbed Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro for Red Nose Day 2009, the mountain’s been getting a lot of coverage. But you don’t have to be a celebrity to take on the tallest mountain in Africa. And getting to the summit of this awe-inspiring mountain is a real challenge, so this is one trip that will be big on satisfaction.

Of course, there’s no need to push yourself that hard though! Slightly more laid-back travellers can opt for a little hiking instead. The views are almost as stunning, but you don’t have to put quite so much effort in. The Ngorongoro Crater is certainly a good place to start, offering fantastic trekking and unforgettable wildlife.

South Africa

South Africa is undoubtedly one of the best adventure travel destinations in the entire world. The coast is ideal for all kinds of water sports, so whether you’re a surfer or a scuba diver, a sailor or a water skier, this is the perfect place for you.

This incredible country certainly caters for the adrenaline junkies too. South Africa boasts both the highest commercial bungee jump and the highest commercial abseil in the world. At Bloukrans Bridge those with a seriously adventurous side can bungee jump off the bridge, plummeting a massive 216 metres towards the Bloukrans River below. While at Table Mountain, travellers can take in spectacular views as they abseil 112 metres off one of South Africa’s most iconic landmarks.

Uganda

It’s odd, you wouldn’t really think of Uganda as a top adventure travel destination – but it is. You should head to Jinja, a city that has become known as the adventure capital of East Africa, offering bungee jumping and even the chance to zip wire across the Nile.

Or for something that will really get the adrenaline pumping, why not try white water rafting? This is one the best places to do it in the entire world and you can take a short half-day trip or a full on three-day one, depending on how much time you’ve got. There’s something for every level too – so whether you’re a beginner or an expert, there’s something to suit.

Finally, it’s worth taking time to try the local quad biking. It’s not one of those activities that travellers tend to plan for, but it’s more than worth a go. And aside for getting your pulse racing, it’ll also show you the spectacular countryside.

Zambia

Victoria Falls isn’t just famous for Sherlock Holmes-related reasons – it’s also the perfect place for a spot of adventure. You can try your hand at bungee jumping, river boarding, canoeing, abseiling and speed boating – and that’s only the beginning. So if you’re travels are taking you through Zambia, make sure the Victoria Falls are high on your to-do list!

Kenya

For something even more vertigo-inducing, Kenya offers fantastic climbing. And as challenging climbs go, Mount Kenya is a pretty impressive adversary! It’s the biggest mountain in the country, offering magnificent views from its three main summits and loads of exotic wildlife on the way up. Just be sure not to rush – while any strong walker can take on Mount Kenya, going up too quickly can cause altitude sickness.

Or, for something that will allow you to cool off and set your pulse racing all at the same time, travellers should head for Mombasa and the coast. Its miles of white sandy beaches offer everything from surfing to jet skiing and scuba diving to snorkelling, making Mombasa a great place to unwind, with a dash of adventure thrown in for good measure.

Ghana

Thrill seekers in Ghana are advised to head for the Kakum Canopy Walkway – a set of seven bridges that look down on the lush rainforest canopy of the Kakum National Park. The dramatic walkway starts off at ground level, but the rainforest below gradually drops away to leave you suspended 100 metres above the ground, swaying precariously in the wind as you walk. The Kakum National Park is home to hundreds of species of butterflies and tropical birds, which are difficult to spot from the forest floor, but from the walkway you can clearly see them dotting the forest canopy with vivid splashes of colour.

The Best Rated Country Routes in South Africa

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:33:42 +0000

Like a meandering river, slowly majestically winding its way in a round about route to its final destination. Every drop not knowing where it’s going until it arrives and after arrival there is every trace of its journey mingled into every atom.

This is what happens when you go on those glorious and relaxing country drives whether it is with a picnic or just stopping in route there is nothing better than soaking up all that the country side has to offer.

When country side is mentioned, the image that comes to mind is of beautiful emerald green hills and soft cloudy days. This is a fantasy the country side is alive and vibrant with textures and hews that dazzle the eyes, diversity that’s as unique as an abstract oil painting and beauty that takes your breath away.

In this article I’ll include some of the more interesting drives in each of the provinces in South Africa with a slight overview of what each drive entails.

Gauteng:

The Magaliesberg Circular is a 200km circular route which encompasses the Witwatersrand botanical garden, Krugersdorp, Krugersdorp Game Reserve, The Sterkfontein caves, Rhino Park, hekpoort valley and the Magaliesberg and Hartebeespoort Dam.

The Crocodile ramble route which includes Croc City crocodile farm.

Limpopo:

Soutpansberg birding route, for all those birding enthusiast and nature lovers. The route includes Eastern Limpopo River valley, Eastern Soutpansberg, Kruger national park, North Western Flats, North Eastern Venda and the South Western Flats.

Ribbola Open Africa Route, for lovers of African curious such as arts and crafts.

Rixile Open Africa Route, a slow meandering route with mind blowing scenery and unbelievable cultural experiences.

Zoutpansberg skirmishes route, a definite must for those who adore history. Follow the last days of the Anglo-Boer war in the Zoutpansberg.

Mpumalanga:

Cosmos country route, although this area is one of the biggest mining areas in South Africa, it suddenly bursts with pink and white when the cosmos flowers open in late summer. Some points of interest are that it is home to the big five and is the only area in the world that makes petrol out of coal.

The wild frontier route boasting discoveries of some of the oldest life on earth. The area in which the route takes place is also known as the cradle of life and home to the historic towns of Barberton, Badplaas, Komatipoort and Kaapmuiden. The Mkonja Mountain range is considered of the oldest in the world with its immense and imposing beauty.

The Panorama is a route of what can only be said, eye candy. Its beautiful backdrops and natural scenery draws tourists by the hoards and is generally just one of the most amazing places to visit. It is home to places like Gods window and the world’s third biggest green canyon, Bourke’s luck potholes which are formed by the meandering river, and lastly of the 3 rondawels.

Lowveld Legogote is a route where you can find the oldest dolomite caves, Sudwala Caves, in the world, a botanical garden that boasts an African rain forest and what is considered as some of the oldest living plants species in the world, the cycads.

Highlands Meander boasts some of the sub continents rarest bird species, rock climbing, extravagant wild flowers and the fly fishing Mecca of South Africa. This route is definitely meant for those who have a great love of nature.

The cultural Heartland route is one of those routes where you can immerse yourself in the culture of the area, the Ndebele, and experience life in the Homesteads of the people. Within the route you can also learn more about the Boer war and enjoy some of the best that nature has to offer.

The grass and wetlands route, a bird watchers paradise, historian’s playground and nature lover’s escapade. This route boasts the largest freshwater lake in South Africa, with a frog watching festival in summer and a star gazing festival in winter. You can also witness a reenactment of the Boer war annually.

Kwazulu Natal:

Apart from beautiful coastlines and vibrant city life the Kwazulu Natal countryside is exquisitely beautiful.

The midlands meander is an arts and crafts route that was started in 1985. The main aim of the route is to bring people inland for a bit and to show the master craftsman at their best. Apart from arts and crafts you can also experience incredible lush scenery, beautiful towns and even a Botanical Garden in Pietermaritzburg.

The battlefields route boasts the largest concentration of battlefields in South Africa and goes out of its way to show visitors how South Africa was shaped and how South Africa also rocked Europe to its core. But apart from battlefields you can enjoy a wonderful sub tropical climate, beautiful scenery and wildlife galore.

The KZN Zululand route gives visitors a unique view of the life, culture and history of the Zulu People and shows how from a minor tribe of the Eastern Nguni people it became a powerhouse to be reckoned with.

The Free State:

Although this area has no formal routes it has some incredible scenery and a lot to see. The scenery changes from open grass lands to exquisitely weathered Sandstone hills. It is abound with surprising picturesque valleys and has some definite highlights such as the Golden gate national park, Harrismith, Ficksburg (cherry capital of the country), Clocolan (the centre of SA’s asparagus production), and Fouriesberg (with stunning scenery and beautiful game and national parks).

Northwest:

Although with out formal routes this is a land of bountiful splendor with loads of entertainment. Here you can visit places like Lichtenberg, which was the scene of the last truly great diamond rush. The gold mining town of Klerksdorp. Pochefstroom with its incredible university and learning centers. If you want to take in a bit of fun and entertainment then why not visit Sun City and the Pielansberg national park where the most successful game stocking ventures, coined operation genesis, in South Africa took place. Sun City has everything from Casino’s, game rides, crocodile farm, golf course (where incidentally the Nedbank Million Dollar takes place) and hotels to beautiful scenery and exquisite luxury. The North West is also an agricultural hub with rolling maize and grain fields and much more produce to be found.

Northern Cape Routes:

Augrabies route is a sub-Saharan route with all the splendor of a dessert. Witness how animals survive extreme temperature fluctuations from up to 45 degrees Celsius in summer to below zero temperatures at nigh in winter and sometimes in summer to.

Kalahari Red dunes routes, for nature lovers. Witness the game, bird life and other wildlife while traveling over the rust red dunes of the Kalahari.

Kamiesberg Route is where you can find some incredible rock formations, fascinating plant life and all the wildlife you’d ever want to see. Hire a vehicle with air conditioning as temperatures can get stifling.

Richtersfeld route, ever wanted to see the moon? Well this route come close to it with its desert and rocky mountainous landscape.

Western Cape:

Cape Karoo route, if you’re looking for great contrasts and incredible beauty then this is it. The route takes you through famous towns such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, mountainous scenery with contrasts of lush Winelands and semi arid desert.

There are also many routes in and around Cape Town. From the North, South, East, West and central routes to further ranging routes such as the Winelands route and whale route with each route offering its own special bit of scenery, history and beauty.

The Cape Garden Route is a beautiful route that is approximately 800km’s long. It boasts a landscape of forests, mountains, water and fynbos, hence its name. The best part of the trip is that the route is largely untouched by industry so the natural wonder is immense. The trip will normally take about 4 days but you can make it as long or as short as you want to.

The Cape Town route 62 is characterized by open area and mountainous scenery. It is an inland route that stretches about 600km’s and is filled with diversity and beauty. It is also known as the world’s longest wine route going through most of the central wine growing areas such as Paarl, Tulbach, Wellington and many more.

The Cape West Coast route. Do you enjoy your fresh seafood, beautiful flowers and much more then the West coast route is perfect for you. Although these 2 items aren’t the only pleasures you’ll find most Cape Town Locals will name them as the biggest attraction of the West coast route. The route stretches for about 600km’s and usually takes about 5 days to complete.

The Cape Whale route is a route of dramatics where you will find or hear about things like the ghost ship the Flying Dutchman which is forever doomed to try and round the Cape bend. You will also see things like the wreck of the Birkenhead where the nautical tradition of woman and children first began. Considered to be South Africa’s most scenic and interesting drive, the route stretches for about 400km’s and will take you about 2 days to complete.

Eastern Cape:

Tsitsikama Falls Adventure Park, this is a route which leads you back into the garden route and is home to the highest commercial bungee jump in the world (standing at 216m), the highest narrow gauge bridge in the world, South Africa’s first natural marine park and South Africa’s first tree top canopy tour. Tractor rides and horse trails will astonish you with tours into the heart of the forest.

The Kouga Route, here you can drive along routes with pastoral scenery, beautiful seashell beaches and natural wilderness with national and game parks. The route goes past Jeffrey’s bay which holds the annual Gunston 500 (also known as the Mr Price surf classic), St Francis and nearby Cape St Francis where you will witness things such as whale watching surfing and angling. Along the route you can also see rock art or the place where Khoi San Sarah Baartman has been reburied. The story of Sarah Baartman is that in the 1800’s she was deported to Europe where she was put on as a living specimen of native Southern Africa. People were intrigued by the big bottoms and coloring of the people. After her death she was preserved and housed in France and eventually after years of negotiating she was bought back to South Africa and given a traditional burial.

Sundays River Valley route, from beautiful Citrus farms to an elephant park. This route will show you everything from white dunes, lakes and thorny bushveld. The biggest attraction being the Addo Elephant Park which incorporates a 120000ha marine reserve. It is the first park that introduces the big 7 which are lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant, leopard, Southern right whale and Great white sharks.

The Sunshine coast route is found within 45km’s of the city centre of Port Elizabeth. It has a lot to offer, nature reserves with forests and cape fynbos regions, exquisite beaches, picnic areas, place where you can safely swim, dolphin and whale sightings and rock pools. You can also visit the popular Sacramento Shipwreck which occurred in 1647 at Schoenies.

The frontier Country route. A distinct feature of this trail is that it has arid farms that have been saved and turned into big 5 game reserves. The history of the area is incredible as it is the place where the British fought their longest and most expensive frontier wars. You can visit many towns along the route such as Grahamstown which is known as the city of saints because of the occurrence of its numerous churches.

Karoo heartland route. Sometimes referred to as God’s own Cathedral the heart of Karoo boasts open arid plains with vast dolomite spires that’s shadow barely touches sides. A place where 9000 different plant species have adapted to living in the harshest conditions and the only other distiller of tequila outside of Mexico can be found here. Here the spirit is called Algave spirit.

The Friendly N6 route which is set of the beaten track is ideal for outdoor activities. Activities on offer are fly fishing in cold trout streams, hiking on beautiful mountain trails, skiing at the only ski resort in Southern Africa, viewing San rock art and reviving in natural hot springs. Guest farms also boast beautiful conical hills, white rhino, horse riding, hiking and much more.

Amathole Mountain escape. For the adventurous souls or for those just seeking peace and solitude then this is perfect for you. You have abseiling, mountain bike riding, hiking, fly fishing and much more. The setting will take your breath away with majestic, forested mountain slopes and that fresh air that tucks you in at night.

The Wild Coast route is one for the ancestors. Here you can really get back to your routes with untouched and undeveloped lands and a host of activities. Activities include but are not restricted to hiking, horse trails, cliff jumping, salt water fly fishing, canoeing, water sports such as surfing, scuba diving and all the good things in life. For those interested in history then come and see where Nelson Mandela lived most of his free life and find out more about this great visionary leader at the Nelson Mandela museum.

For all these routes you will need different car type requirements please don’t hesitate to contact us at www.southafrica-carhire.com for a no obligation quote on a car to suite your needs for the time you’re here.

South Africa – a Beautiful Place for Your Next Trip

admin — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:33:43 +0000

Ever visited South Africa? It is a wonderful country with breathtakingly beautiful scenery, amazing wild life and a community of various ethnic groups living together. The people of South Africa share a rich culture and take great pains in passing it to the next generations.

South Africa is one country where dreams turn to reality. It is where nature is at its best. It showcases the ancient African heritage to its maximum. The cultural experiences of the South African community are definitely going to impress you a lot. The music, the wild life, the natural beauty and the friendly people are enough to make you dance in ecstasy to the tune of drums; the African drums.

What to Visit in South Africa?

South Africa has a lot to offer. It has mountains, safari parks, wonderful beaches and all you can imagine. Here are a few of the options.

Perhaps South Africa’s greatest assets are its 21 conservation areas or national parks, where you can watch the wild life in its natural habitat freely. It is surely going to be a memorable experience. Some of the more important national parks are as follows:

Addo Elephant National Park: It is a well known place to watch the elephants closely in their natural environment. And it gets better than this. You can see some great whales and white sharks as well. Talk about diversity!!!

Tankwa Karoo National Park: Located in the Northern Cape, it is a wonderful place to be if you wish to move away from crowds and enjoy nature at its best.

Mountain Zebra National Park: It is located in the Eastern Cape. As its name suggests, it is the conservation park for zebras, but not any kind of zebras. These are special zebras particularly adaptable to the mountainous area.

Camdeboo National Park: Located in the Eastern Cape, it is comparatively newer and this park showcases South Africa’s true heritage really well.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park: It is ideal for bird and animal watching as well as for adventuring.

The Garden Route: Covering an area of about 600 km from Cape Town, the garden route is home to several towns and villages, farms and wineries and is the ideal place to view the South African community at its best. Friendly and extremely hospitable, they are going to make a lasting impression on you.

Kruger National Park: Home to pride of South Africa, elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopards, this park is all for the nature lovers.

Table Mountain: Table Mountain is probably the most wonderful scenes of South Africa; a place not to be missed.

People of South Africa

The dearest of all assets of South Africa are its people. People from various tribes live together in harmony. Zulu, Xhosa, Mapungubwe, Venda, Shangaan, Ndebele, Swazi and the San, these are the famous tribes of South Africa. The South African people are not only proud of their heritage; they are possessive about it and take great efforts in preserving it. Their friendliness and hospitality are their greatest virtues.

Holiday Rentals In Knysna, South Africa

admin — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:33:49 +0000

The South African town of Knysna is a great destination for a holiday property rental and has something for everyone.

The town, which is in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, is part of the country’s Garden Route and is located on the banks of a beautiful lagoon. Forests, lakes and beautiful beaches surround Knysna and make it a perfect base in which to explore the town itself and the surrounding area.

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Knysna offers its visitors plenty to see and do. There are good shopping facilities (look out for wooden ornaments and furniture made from local forest timber), a great selection of places to eat, some fantastic outdoor activities available and an abundance of beautiful landscapes to enjoy.

The stunning scenery – and lovely weather – makes it a particularly ideal natural backdrop for a wide variety of sporting activities around Knysna.

You can go mountain biking in the lush forest, enjoy some deep-sea fishing or, if you’re feeling really brave, you can try your hand at abseiling!
If you’re into water sports, then be sure to go to Knysna Lagoon. It’s a haven for fishing and sailing. The famous Knysna seahorse is also found here and the lagoon is also home to an oyster hatchery!

However, if you’re not feeling energetic and you don’t want to get wet, then you can take a ferry trip on the lagoon. It’s worth doing and you will get a good view of the famous Knysna Heads (the two cliffs which guard the entrance to the lagoon).

While you are in this area, you should visit Featherbed Nature Reserve. You can do a 4-hour trip, which includes a short ferry trip across the lagoon to the beautiful Featherbed Nature Reserve, followed by a fascinating nature drive and an optional guided walk. You can then enjoy a delicious buffet lunch.

Knysna doesn’t have a beach, so if you’re looking for a nice beach to lie on, you should check out the beautiful sandy beach, Buffalo Bay. It is excellent for safe swimming, too, and is ideal for families. You could also visit during the beach at Brenton-on-Sea, which is great for sunbathing. Others include the beach and estuary at Noetzie and Bollard Bay on Leisure Isle.

Knysna is ideal for a family vacation and boasts some good self-catering accommodation available. Why not take a holiday property rental in this great area of South Africa?

If you’ve got children in tow, then there are plenty of suitable attractions to keep them entertained.

Be sure to take the kids to Knysna Elephant Park, which is situated between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay. The youngsters will love visiting here as they’ll be able to get up close to the elephants and will even get the opportunity to feed the animals too! Or if you’d rather watch the monkeys, head to Monkeyland, which is located at Plettenberg Bay. What is so unique about Monkeyland is that it is the world’s first multi-species free-roaming primate sanctuary. It is a fascinating experience as you are taken on a guided monkey safari. Next door to Monkeyland is Birds of Eden, which boasts the world’s largest dome with an amazing free flight bird sanctuary. It’s a great opportunity for visitors to see a large variety of birds which are able to live in a safe haven and natural environment.

This area of South Africa has so much to offer its visitors of all ages and tastes. Whether you’re looking for a sporting holiday, a relaxing break or a fun-filled family vacation, Knysna and the surrounding area has it all.

The 10 best sunsets in the world

admin — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 06:49:12 +0000

Navigating the Internet, travel forums, blogs and travel specialists, we’ve compiled as many as the best places to watch sunsets in the world. Do you know any place where sunsets better than these?

Taj Mahal, India

Santorini, Greece

Serengeti, Tanzania

The Pyramids of Egypt

Grand Canyon in the U.S.

Sentosa Island in Singapore

Cape Town in South Africa

Maldives

Ipanema Beach in Brazil

Santa Monica Pier in the U.S.

Trip to delta Okawango

admin — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:09:33 +0000

One of the most recommended travel through Africa is one who travels in a vehicle 4 x 4 countries of South Africa, Namibia and Botswana. There are plenty of amazing scenery there, and one of them is Okawango Delta in Botswana.

This natural park itself justify a trip to Botswana, not only for its incredible beauty, but for such an incredible feeling that you experience being in such close contact with animals. This feeling is not experienced in any other national park in Africa.

There he can see the 5 large mammals, which many tourists call it the big five: lion, panther, elephant, rhino and buffalo, but you can also see the 5 large birds, including the martial eagle. A curiosity of the park are lions swimmers, who are forced to enter the river to hunt antelope.

The park can be visited while staying at one of 40 existing lodges or camps accessible only by SUVs. So if you do not want to ruin the show do not go with a 2 × 4. That yes, the campsites are also very expensive. About 30 euros per night.

A tip if you go to visit the park is Delta Okawango you to stay inside the park to sleep in your tent (there are two or three camping areas, plus the super luxury resorts or lodges) because it must leave the park at 5 pm and is when the show begins with a capital everything. Many people have traveled to many places but there are placed the creeps …

Animals rest during the day, heat, evening and at dawn they hunt at five is forbidden to keep walking with car inside Etosha, so if you camp there you do not lose everything as it is when animals go to drink and you can see them from the ponds of the campsite.

A The Okawango park with free movement, with hundreds of tracks (only 4 × 4). If you get to sleep you see the circus as we have said from the 5 pm. It’s amazing what happens at dusk as hundreds of elephants that do not know where they’ve gone, lions, zebras, wildebeest, oryx … and all at your side.

Some say it is dangerous for the tent is small, the animals and because of this are huge stores. Although not known mishaps lately.