South Africa boosts of a range of elegant world-class hotels some of them under international chains. Johannesburg South Africa is the main entry to South Africa thus offers incredible accommodation from luxury five star hotels, Three/four star hotels, standard Airport hotels and other budget South Africa hotels.

There are number of Johannesburg luxury hotels situated at OR Tambo International Airport, and just a few meters from South Africa flights, arrivals and departure time. Getting convenient accommodation near the airport make late night travel and departures easier on South Africa holidays.

Many of these hotels have a number of facilities and services to suit all travellers. A shuttle bus service is available for the short 10-minute trip to and from OR Tambo International Airport, gym, pool and meeting room, dry cleaning and laundry, business centres, swimming pool, private verandas, Jacuzzi and family suite. All rooms in each of these hotels are well furnished with luxury designs.

Booking Johannesburg hotels in advance is very crucial and important. It can be done online through a travel agent, local South Africa travel operators or call the reception of individual hotels. Many times the hotels are overwhelmed with guests and 2 months in advance is necessary. Check out the list of Johannesburg Hotels below;

Airport Lodge Guest House
Koppie Road 6-123, Pomona, Kempton Park
Tel: +27 (0)11 979 2365
Fax: +27 (0)11 9792871
Mobile: +27 (0)82 851 7232
Email: reservations@airportlodge.co.za
www.airportlodge.co.za

Birchwood Hotel
Viewpoint Street, Bartlett, Boksburg
Tel:+27 (0) 11 897 0000
Fax: +27 (0) 11 897 0001
Email: reservations@birchwood.co.za
Website: www.birchwoodhotel.co.za

Cedar Park Hotel
120 Western Service Road, Woodmead, Sandton
Tel: +27 (0) 11 804 3777
Fax: +27 (0) 11 802 1004
Email: info@cedarpark.co.za
Website: www.cedarpark.co.za

City Lodge – Bryanston
Corner Main Road & Peter Place, Bryanston West, Sandton Suite 224
Tel: +27 (0) 11 706 7800
Fax: +27 (0) 11 706 7819
Email: clbryan.resv@citylodge.co.za
Website: www.citylodge.co.za

City Lodge – Isando
4 Sandvale Road, Isando
Tel: +27 (0) 11 392 1750
Fax: +27 (0) 11 392 2644
Email: info@citylodge.co.za
www.citylodge.co.za

City Lodge – Morningside
Corner Hill & Rivonia roads, Morningside
Tel: +27 (0) 11 884 9500
Fax: +27 (0) 11 884 9440
Email: clmside.resv@citylodge.co.za
www.citylodge.co.za

Crowne Plaza – The Rosebank
Corner Tyrwhitt & Sturdee avenues, Rosebank
Tel: +27 (0) 11 447 2700/+27 (0) 11 448 3600
Fax: +27 (0) 11 447 1261/+27 (0) 11 448 3735
Email: reservations@rosebankhotel.co.za
Website: www.rosebankhotel.co.za
Website: www.tintswalo.com

Fairlawn’s Boutique Hotel
Alma Road, off Bowling Avenue, Morningside Manor, Ext. 6
Tel: +27 (0) 11 804 2540/1/2/3
Fax: +27 (0) 11 802 7261
Email: reservations@fairlawns.co.za
Website: www.fairlawns.co.za

Ferndale Lodge
271 Pine Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg
Tel: +27 (0) 11 787 7308
Fax: +27(0) 11 787 8400
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 454 3138
Email: bookings@ferndalelodge.co.za
www.ferndalelodge.co.za

Foxwood House
13 5th Street, Houghton
Tel: +27 (0) 11 486 0935
Fax:  +27 (0) 11 486 2300
Email: info@foxwood.co.za
Website: www.foxwood.co.za

Garden Court
2 Hulley Road, Isando Ext 3
Tel: +27 (0) 11 392 1062
Fax: +27 (0) 11 974 8097
Email: gcortairport@southernsun.com
www.southernsun.com

Garden Court Sandton City
Corner West & Maude streets, Sandton
Tel: +27 (0) 11 269-7000
Fax: +27 (0) 11 269-7100
Email: gcsandtoncity@southernsun.com
www.southernsun.com

Garden Court Morningside
1 Cullinan Close, Morningside
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 884 1804
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 884 6040
Email: claudiag@southernsun.com
www.southernsun.com

Garden Court Sandton
Corner Rivonia Road & Katherine Street, Sandhurst, Sandton
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 884 5660
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 783 2004
Email: gcsandton@southrnsun.com
www.southernsun.com

Gold Reef City Casino Hotel – Ormonde
Corner Northern Parkway & Data Crescent, Ormonde
Tel: +27 (0) 11 248 5152
Fax: +27 (0) 11 248 5400
Email: reservations@grcc.co.za
Website: www.akanihotels.co.za

Hilton – Sandton
138 Rivonia Road, Sandton
Tel: +27 (0) 11 322 1888
Fax: +27 (0) 11 322 1818
Email: meetings.sandton@hilton.com
www.sandton.hilton.com

Holiday Inn Soweto
Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication, corner Union & Main roads
Kliptown 1811, Soweto
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 527 7300 / + 27 (0) 82 619 2120 / 2129 / 2130
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 527 7330
Email: reservations@sowetohotel.co.za
www.sowetohotel.co.za

Hotel Formula 1 – Southgate
Corner Murray Avenue & Rifle Range Road, Southgate
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 941 3822
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 941 1667
Email: all@formule1.co.za
www.hotelformula1.co.za

Hyatt Regency
191 Oxford Road, Rosebank
PO Box 1536, Saxonwold, 2132
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 280 1234
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 280 1238
Email: johannesburg.regency@hyatt.com
Hotel group website: www.johanesburg.regincy.hyatt.com

InterContinental Johannesburg
Opposite Terminal 3
Tel: +27 (0) 11 961 5400
Fax: +27 (0) 11 961 5401
Email: reservations@icairport.com
www.intercontinental.com

Lenasia Hotel – Lenasia
Rose Avenue, Ext 2 Lenasia
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 852 1170
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 852 1173

Mapungubwe Hotel Apartments, Marshall Town
50-54 Marshall Street, Marshall Town
Tel: +27 (0) 11 429 2600/+27 (0) 11 429 2700
Fax: +27 (0) 11 838 9125
Email: gm.mapungubwe@faircity.co.za

Melrose Arch Hotel – Melrose Arch
1 Melrose Arch Square, Melrose
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 214 6666
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 214 6600
Email: info@merlosearchhotel.com
Website: www.africanpridehotels.com

Park Inn by Radisson
118 Katherine Street, Sandton 2146
Tel: +27 (0)11 303 1000
Fax: +27 (0)11 303 1001
Email: sales.sandton@rezidorparkinn.com
Website: www.parkinn-sandton.com

Premiere Classe Suite Hotel
62 Corlett Drive, Melrose North, Sandton
Tel: +27 (0) 11 788 1967
Fax: +27 (0) 11788 1971
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 554 9638 / +27 (0) 82 418 0305
Email: merle@premiereclasse.co.za
Website: www.premiereclasse.co.za

Protea Hotel – Lenasia
Shaft 14, Northern Parkway, Gold Reef City, Ormonde
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 248 5700
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 248 5791
E-mail: res@goldreefcity.co.za

Protea Hotel Parktonian All Suite
De Korte Street, Braamfontein
Tel: +27 (0) 11 403 5740
Fax: +27 (0) 11 403 2401
E-mail: accom@parktonian.co.za

Road Lodge – Germiston
Kruin Street, off Herman Road, Harmelia Ext 2, Germiston
Tel: +27 (0) 11 392 2268 / +27 (0) 11 827 1550
Fax: +27 (0) 11 392 4820
Email: rlairport.gm@citylodge.co.za
Website: www.citylodge.co.za

Road Lodge – Randburg
Corner Republic Road & Malibongwe Drive, Randburg
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 792 9995
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 792 9994
Email: rlburg@citylodge.co.za
Website: www.citylodge.co.za

Road Lodge – Rivonia
Corner 10th Avenue & Rivonia Road, Rivonia
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 803 5220
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 803 2778
Email: rlrivonia.gm@citylodge.co.za
Website: www.citylodge.co.za

Sandton Sun Hotel
Corner Fifth Street & Alice Lane, Sandhurst
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 780 5000
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 780 5002
Email: contactus@southernsun.com
Hotel group web: www.southernsun.com / www.sandtonsun.com

Southern Sun Katherine Street
Katherine Street, Sandown, Sandton
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 884 8544
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 884 8545
Email: Katherinestreet@southernsun.com
Hotel group website: www.southernsun.com

Summerview Guest Lodge
Chapel Street, Bryanston, Sandton, Johannesburg
Tel: +27 (0) 11 462 1269/+27 (0) 83 900 9299
Fax: +27 (0) 86 518 0585
Mobile: +27 (0) 82 475 3083
Email: info@summerview.co.za
Website: www.summerview.co.za

Seb’z Accommodations
15 Bosch Avenue, Kempton Park
Tel: +27 (0) 11 394 9173
Fax: +27 (0) 86 538 8024
Email: info@sebz.co.za
Website: www.sebz.co.za

Senator Hotel, Emperor Hotel, at Emperors Palace – Kempton Park
64 Jones Road, Kempton Park
Tel: +27 (0) 11 928 1000
Fax: +27 (0) 11 928 1201
Email: info@emperorspalace.com
www.emperorspalace.com

Southern Sun
Jones Road, Kempton Park
Tel: +27 (0) 11 975 1121
Fax: +27 (0) 11 975 5846
Website: www.southernsun.com
Email: ssortambo@southernsun.com

Sunnyside Park Hotel – Parktown
Princess of Wales Street, Parktown, 2041
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 640 0400
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 640 0019
Email: sunnyside@legacyhotels.co.za

The Don – Isando
6 Electron Avenue, Isando
Tel: +27 (0) 11 392 6082
Fax: +27 (0) 11 807 6154 / 086 678 7734
Email: res@don.co.za
Website: www.don.co.za
Central reservations: +27 (0) 11 807 5227 /080-011-5446/5228

The Falstaff Hotel
Rivonia Road (Entrance Longdon Road)
Morningside
Tel: +27 (0) 11 784 8580
Fax: +27 (0) 11 784 8585
Email: gm@falstaff.co.za
Website: www.falstaff.co.za

The Grace – Rosebank
Bath Avenue, Rosebank, 2196
Tel: + 27 (0) 11280 7200
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 280 7474
Website: www.thegrace.co.za

The Michelangelo on Sandton Square – Sandton
Sandton Square, Sandton
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 282 7000
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 282 7171/2
Email: hrmichel@legacyhotels.co.za
Michelangelo@legacyhotels.co.za
Central reservations
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 806 6888
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 806 6899
Email: hotels@legacyhotels.co.za
Website: www.michelangelo.co.za

The Palazzo – Montecasino
Montecasino Boulevard, Fourways
Tel: + 27 (0) 11 510 3000
Fax: + 27 (0) 11 510 4001
Email: palazzo@palazzomontecasino.com
www.palazzomontecasino.com

The Peech Hotel
61 North Street, Melrose, Sandton
Tel: +27 (0) 11 537 9797
Fax: +27(0) 11 537 9798
Email: bistro@thepeech.co.za
Website: www.thepeech.co.za

The Quatermain Hotel
60 West Road South
Morningside
Tel: +27 (0) 11 290 0900
Fax: +27 (0) 11 290 0901
Email: gm@quatermain.co.za

Thaba Ya Batswana Eco Lodge
46 Impala Road, Kibler Park
Tel: +27 (0) 11 959 0777
Fax: +27 (0) 11 959 0887
Email: info@tyb.co.za

The Saxon Hotel – Sandhurst
36 Saxon Road, Sandhurst
Tel: +27 (0) 11 292 6000
Fax: +27 (0) 11 292 6001
E-mail: info@saxon.co.za
Website: www.thesaxon.com

The Westcliff
67 Jan Smuts Avenue, Westcliff
Tel: +27 (0) 11 646 2400/+27 (0) 11 481 6000
Fax: +27 (0) 11 481 6010
E-mail: info@westcliff.co.za
Website: www.westcliff.co.za

Tintswalo at Waterfall
Maxwell Drive, Kayalami
Tel: +27 (0) 11 234 2456/27/39/+27 (0) 11 300 8888
Fax: +27 (0) 11 234 2449/+27 (0) 11 300 8890
Email: res3@tintswalo.com

Valverde Country Hotel
Beyers Naude ext, 71 Elandsdrift
Tel: +27 (0) 72 587 0361/2
Fax: +27 86 666 5900
Email: info@valverde.co.za
Website: www.valverde.co.za

12 Decades Johannesburg Art Hotel
286 Fox Street
Johannesburg
Tel: 0878 300 420
Email: 12decades@livinghotels.co.za

93 on Jan Smuts
93 Jan Smuts Avenue, Saxonwold
Tel: +27 (0)11 646 5016/021 4070
Fax: +27 (0)86 681 6797
Email: info@93onjansmuts.co.za
Website: www.93onjansmuts.co.za

Camdeboo National Park previously known as the Karoo Nature Reserve in one of South Africa’s newest National Park previously gazetted in 2005. Huge rock columns with Spandou kop (hill) in the background in the valley of desolation basically form this botanical garden park.

Although small, the Camdeboo National Park with its unique Karoo landscape and ecosystem offers an exciting variety of nature, wildlife and culture experiences besides the dramatic landscape. From the lookout point on Cave Mountain one looks down on the historical town of Graaff-Reinette. One can clearly see that the town is almost encircled by a loop of the Sundays river and the Park itself, as the river forms the boundary between the Park and the town. On the far slopes beyond the town lies still more of the Camdeboo National Park.

Facts

The Karoo Nature Reserve was established in 1979, when the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the World Wildlife Fund recognized the emergency for conservation measures within the Karoo biome and listed this course of action like a world conservation priority.

Re-named the Camdeboo National Park, it had been announced as South Africa’s 22nd National Park underneath the control and management of South African National Parks in October 2005

The greater portion of the Park is situated between 740 and 1480 metres above sea level on the foothills of the Sneeuberg mountain range. In addition a small section of the low lying-plains is included. The Park offers walking trails that range from an hour to overnight hikes, as well as picnic sites for those who simply want to gawp at the majestic rock formations.

Vegetation

The diverse landscape of the Park in relation to altitude, aspect and soil type has led to the development of three distinct classes of vegetation, shrubland, succulent thicket and dwarf shrubland. To date 336 plant species have been identified, among which 71 families of flowering plants. The most important of these are 50 species of daisies, lilies, succulent Crassula and more than 30 species of grasses.

Due to the extreme weather conditions, poor soils and increased human activity (animal grazing) in the park, most of the park’s beautiful vegetation is under danger of extinction.

Sights in the Park

The historical 19th century town of Graaff-Reinet is a prime attraction for the park. Established in 1786, the town was named after the Governor of the Cape Dutch governor Cornelis Jacob “van der Graaf” and his wife “Reinet”. Graaff-Reinet boasts many tourist attractions and adventures such as paragliding, micro-light flying, trout fishing, fossils search, golf and horse riding, mountain biking and guided township walks, to name but a few.

Gannalapa is an outdoor recreation facility development for use by the local community as well as tour groups who wish to hold a social function around picnic or ‘braai’ activities. It includes a bar, kitchen, toilets  and picnic tables.

The Nqweba Dam is a major sight in the park after the Graff Reinet town. Covering close to 1000 hactres, the dam is predominant source of water in the park.

Wildlife

There are 43 mammal species to be found within the Camdeboo National Park including 11 species of rodents and 13 carnivores. Wild animals regularly sighted by visitors include Steenbok, Springbok, Blesbok and Black Wildebeest in the more open areas. From the dense thickets are sights of Kudu and Grey Duiker, Cape buffalo, Red Hartebeest and Gemsbok. Cape Mountain Zebra may be seen from time to time, but they prefer the more mountainous areas of the reserve

At least 225 bird species have been recorded in the Park with many being endemic of the Great Karoo of South Africa. The Ostrich is perhaps the most well-known example of a bird adapted to life on the plains of the Karoo, a beautiful sight in this park.

Other birds in the park include Speckled Mousebird, Cardinal Woodpecker, Pale Chanting Goshawk, Titbabbler Longbilled Crombec, Namaqua Dove, Brownhooded Kingfisher, Diederik Cuckoo, Levaillant’s Cisticola, Lesser Honeyguide, Neddicky and Rock Kestrel among others

When to visit

Summer season are extremely hot with temperature lows of 31°C with peaks as much as 40°C. The summer adventure activities are normally done in the early morning before the break of the scorching sun. You can as well expect heavy rains and thunderstorms in the summer months especially around March. Winters can be very cold with temps calculating around 6.1°C, frequently shedding below zero at night.

Getting there

There are South Africa flights to Cape Town and for international visitors or alternatively pick charter flights with Flysaa from Port Elizabeth airport. From Cape Town travel is by gravel road to Graaff-Reinet town which is approximately 600km. Take the highway towards Beaufort West. Pass through the town of Beaufort West and then proceed 290km to Graff Reinet.

Coming from Port Elizabeth, Cambedoo National park is 251km to Graaff Reinet using the Kleminpoort- Wolwefontein highway. Take the right before reaching Wolwefontein and continue to Jansenville and Graaff-Reinet.

Hotels and Accommodation

Accommodation facilities run through the park are restricted to just one hut utilized on the trails and also the Camdeboo Environment Education Center for school groups which could accommodate as much as 40 people.

Graaff Reinet is basically the place where you’ll find overnight accommodation with a number of standard South Africa hotels and guesthouses such as The Drostdy hotel. It is the ideal base from which to enjoy worlds; the Park and the town itself with the dam and its surroundings.

The people of Graaff-Reinet are renowned for their hospitality, warmth and friendliness. Whether you decide to remain in the historic town or on the farm nearby, you’ll be bowled over by great accommodations, a warm welcome and luxury you are able to truly relax in

Johannesburg hasn’t typically been known as the tourist destination in South Africa but is however the city you can not miss since it is the transit point for hooking up flights to Cape Town, Durban, and also the Kruger National Park. Consequently, most international visitors to South Africa pass through Johannesburg at least one time on their Holiday.

It is the largest city in South Africa and is the capital of Gauteng province-the wealthiest region of South Africa. It houses the constitutional court of South Africa that handled all crimes of Apartheid and racism in South Africa. The city is the source of a large-scale gold and diamond trade, due to its location on the mineral-rich Witwatersrand range of hills.

Johannesburg South Africa is additionally famous for it notorious suburbs like, for Soweto and Alexandra. Most visitors to Soweto have to visit the Mandela Museum that is situated within the former home of Nelson Mandela. Soweto, which was a separate city from the late 1970s  was an original acronym for “South-Western Townships” home ot many native blacks during the apartheid regime until 1990.

Tourist Attractions

The Cradle of Mankind a UNESCO World Heritage Site is 25 kms (16 mi) towards the northwest from the city. The Sterkfontein fossil site is known for being the earth’s wealthiest hominid site and created the very first adult Australopithecus africanus and also the first near-complete skeleton of the early Australopithecine. The Roots Center Museum showcases the roots of mankind in Africa, and houses a comprehensive assortment of rock art.

The town has several art museums, like the Johannesburg Art Gallery, which featured South African and European works of art. The Market Theatre complex achieved prestige within the seventies and 1980s by staging anti-apartheid plays, and it has now be a center for modern South African playwriting. Recent refurbishments has been centred on historical museums, like the Apartheid Museum and also the Hector Pieterson Museum.

The Johannesburg Social Theatre is South Africa’s foremost “receiving house” of live entertainment-showing world class theatre, both local and international.The And surrounding suburbs of Melville, Newtown, Parkhurst, Norwood, Rosebank and Greenside are popular for his or her bohemian atmosphere, street existence, and several restaurants and bars.

Additionally a large draw for vacationers is Gold Reef City, a style park that provides a depiction of mining existence in the turn from the nineteenth century, including an subterranean mine tour other points of interest incorporate a large amusement park along with a popular Tribal Dancing show. Other points of interest in this region range from the Lesedi Cultural Village, while Magaliesburg and also the Hartbeespoort Dam are popular weekend (and holiday) locations for Johannesburg citizens.

Wildlife in Johannesburg

The Johannesburg Zoo is among the biggest wildlife centre or Zoo in South Africa. The Lion Park reserve, near Lanseria, hosts over 80 lions as well as other game, as the Krugersdorp Character Reserve, a  Game Reserve, is really a forty minute drive in the city center. The Lion Park can be very busy over weekends and public holidays. If you want some quality time with the lion cubs, it is better to go during the week when it is not so busy.

The Rhino & Lion reserve located in the “Cradle of Mankind” on 1200 ‘ of “the normal highveld of Gauteng” also runs a breeding programme for endangered species including Bengal Tigers, Siberian Tigers and also the very rare White lion.

Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens is one of the last green areas remaining within Johannesburg housing  Lots of birds, including the endangered Black Eagle. Montecasino Bird Gardens is open 8:030h to 18h00 every day for those tourist that love birds like theparrots

Getting there

Johannesburg is served by O.R. Tambo International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Africa and a gateway for international air travel to and from the rest of Southern Africa. There are weekly/daily flights from Johannesburg to Cape town with cheap flight tickets for South Africa Holidays, Honeymoons and Beach holidays. More recently Lanseria International Airport has started international flights, and is situated conveniently on the opposite side of the metropolis. Get direct South Africa flights from London heatherow with South Africa Airways and other renowned international airlines.

Park Station is Johannesburg’s central station and is in the city center between Rissik (west), Wolmarans (north), Wanderers (east) and De Villiers (south) streets, it occupies several blocks. Trains run from Johannesburg and Germiston outwards to Springs, Pretoria, Soweto and Krugersdorp. You can visit the city with a hired car, using minibuses or public transport means like buses and taxis.

Hotels and Accommodation

There are several places to stay in Johannesburg including five star intercontinental South Africa hotels, apartments, chalets, bed and breakfast, Guesthouses and others. There are many near the Tambo Jo’burg airport and scattered in all parts of the city.

Offers include a wide range of options to suit all pockets and requirements, ranging from the super luxury to the standard en suite room. Get tourist facilities for Johannesburg South Africa Hotels such as air-conditioned rooms, wireless internet access, gift shop, spacious lounge, Bernoullis Restaurant and Wine Bar, beauty salon and in-house gymnasium are available. Among the services provided are dry cleaning and laundry, secretarial and business services.

Shopping

Shopping is frequently well-liked by vacationers, because the city offers a variety of venues and encounters, from numerous upmarket shopping malls for example Sandton City and Nelson Mandela Square, to numerous marketplaces and flea marketplaces, like the Oriental Plaza and also the Rosebank Flea Market the second are popular for souvenirs and African Art.

There are many craft markets in Johannesburg and the surrounding areas. You will also find plenty of beautifully crafted beadwork and wirework being sold on the roadside and at intersections. Though you will be able to bargain with the locals, give a thought to the crafters who are often unemployed and rely on sales to support themselves and their families

As you are arranging your African holidays, you are probably thinking of your ideal holiday destination but here, we recommended strongly that you zero on a holiday to South Africa. Be it a month, a long weekend, summer holiday vacation, Christmas holiday or Honeymoon, South African holidays have the best beaches and safari parks that will make your Holiday memorable!

South Africa beach holidays are the first priority that anyone visiting South Africa will look into. South Africa is gifted with more than 3000km of white sand beaches from the East coast to the western cape, some crowded with holiday makers and others in remote serene setting off the Eastern Cape coast.

Whichever beach you choose…it is the right one for your South African holidays. Cape Town is one of the best places to visit, not only for its palm beaches also its friendly people and weather. From Cape town to Garden Route are another series of spectacular beaches like Boulder’s beach where you’ll enjoy the African Penguin colonies, botanical garden, hike in the nearby mountains or take horse rides on the beach. Port Elizabeth and Durban are other interesting places to visit if you are considering scuba diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, swimming and sun bathing

South African Safari Holidays

Well, if you don’t like the beach, then South Africa’s National Parks and Game Reserves will do for your African Safari Holiday. Kruger Park is the most visited National park in South Africa but you could decide to check out its wide range of Private game reserves like Sabi Sands and Singita, try Kwa Zulu Natal province parks like Hluhluwe-umfolozi or Madikwe National Park. There are many to visit. Garden route will thrill you with its Botanical Gardens, unique blossoms of endangered plant species and its unique wildlife besides its awesome beaches.

Holiday Travel and Tips

Tambo International airport in Johannesburg receives most of South Africa’s visitors. There are more than 10 airports in South Africa in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and other smaller airstrips in different parts of South Africa.

You can hire a self drive vehicle or get a chauffeur to take you on tours around South Africa. There are many South Africa travel and tour companies that can arrange a perfect south Africa holiday for you. South Africa holiday packages come with South Africa flights, hotels, transfers, tours and any other preference that you consider important in making your African holiday worth the expanse.

It is very important to book your holidays to South Africa before arrival. Peak holiday season are around the New Year and Christmas and such periods come in very costly and expensive on the pocket. Christmas holidays in South Africa are more enjoyable if booked 2 months in advance to fore go the hassle of arranging a perfect relaxing holidays.

Singita Game Reserve is a small reserve in the heart of the renowned Sabi Sands Private Game reserve from Kruger National Park. It is found in the wildlife abundant Mpumulanga province on the eastern escarpment near the border with Mozambique.

Like Sabi Sands Game Reserve and other smaller reserves within Kruger Park, Singita Kruger Game Reserve is crossed by the Sand river making way for acacia thickets, open grasslands and a few sand stone outcrops where zebras, antelopes and other wild animals are found.

Game viewing

Regular wildlife sightings within Singita Private Game reserve include zebras, elephants, lions, wildebeests, rhino, buffalo, giraffe, impala, warthog, African wild dog, eland, leopard, and many others. Many of Kruger National Park Wildlife crosses from one game reserve into another since there are no actual barriers within the park.

Singita Lodges and Accommodation

There are several safari lodges and camps within Singita game reserve but about 5 are popular with Singita Kruger visitors. Singita Ebony and Singita Boulders, are located within the Singita Sabi Sand Reserve. Other singita lodges include Singita Lebombo, Sigita Sweni and Singita Castleton Camp that faces the waterhole.

Singita Boulder’s Lodge is a famous safari Lodge in Singita Private Game reserve. It is built  near the wine cellar that occupies the place that was formerly under the sandstone boulders. The guests have iconic views of the Sand River, over the grass plains and also enjoy the serenity of the pond alongside the lounge. It has twelve suites with fitted bathrooms, running water, private lounge, Game viewing deck, swimming pool, gym and health spa and other incredible south African safari accommodation facilities.

Singita Ebony Lodge sands pout among the luxury safari lodges within Singita Sabi Game reserve. It has 12 air conditioned suites with fitted bathrooms, hot water showers, private lounge, game viewing deck and luxury Egyptian décor that will give you the relaxation you need after a hard day’s game drive.

Kalahari Gemsbok National park is the South African section of the greater Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park bordering Gemsbok National park of Botswana. The two parks combined form the largest protected area in southern Africa cutting through the dry area of Kalahari Desert for stretch of more than 35,000km² in red sand dunes, sparse desert vegetation and the dry river beds of Nossob and Auob river where the wildlife congregates for the dry season.

Wildlife

Kalahari Gemsbok National park covers an area of 9510sq km and  is home to several lion prides led by black maned males, leopards hiding away in the shady bushes, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, gemsbok, impala, duiker, waterbuck and the suricate among other animals.

Some of the birds within the park include pygmy falcons, sociable weavers and many other raptors.

Getting there

The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park is situated approximately 260 km from Upington in the far northern Cape and 904 km from Johannesburg. Tourists have a choice of two routes, either via Upington (60 km gravel) or via Kuruman. Hotazel and Van Zylsrus (approximately 300 km gravel). However, only 4wd are allowed within the park.

Light aircrafts and charters are allowed with landing at the airstrip at Twee Rivieren.

Accomodation

There are three rest camps within the park; Two Rivieren, Mata Mata and Nossob. Twee Rivieren with some notable facilities like laundry, neat bed rooms, swimming pool, well stocked bars, and more.

Twee Rivieren Rest camp is the main camp with six bed family cottage, two bedrooms, bathrooms with running water, living room, air conditioning and fully equipped kitchen. Bungalows with two single beds and a double sleeper coach, bathroom (shower), air conditioning and fully equipped kitchen. It doubles as the park’s headquarters with tourist camp, swimming pool, a few shops, and fresh produce market. You’ll find fuel and any other supplies from Twee Rivieren Camp.

Mata Mata Rest camp is on the South African border with Namibia on the road from Twee Rivieren. It has six bed family cottage, two bedrooms, shower bathrooms, living room and fully equipped kitchen. Three bed chalets with communal ablution facilities. Out door camping is also allowed in the camp.

Nossob Rest Camp is built on the banks of Nossob river bordering Botswana, north of Twee Rivieren camp. There are six bed family cottages, two bedrooms, two bathrooms, living room and fully equipped kitchen. There are also 3 grass thatched cottages within the camp. Camping is alsoallowed

Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve was declared a game reserve in 1895 becoming one of the oldest South Africa game reserves in the Kwa Zulu Natal Province. It occupies roughly 95,000ha of immense flora and fauna beauty, rolling grassland clad hills in the northern part and rivers. The park is managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and has done so for numerous years, KZN Wildlife manage most of the parks in KwaZulu Natal

The black Umfolozi River-zig-zag flowing river is a major source of living within the park. Several animals living in the southern part of the park visit the river to quench their thirst. Hluhluwe Game reserve is famous for its rolling plains, rhino sanctuary and birds.

Wildlife in Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park

There is a rhino conservation sanctuary in the game reserve focusing on the conservation of the black and white rhinos as the largest Rhino conservation sanctuary in the world. The African wild dog is predominatntly found in Imfolozi game reserve with rare sights of hunting cheetahs, lions, elephant, buffalo, leopards, hyena and more. Smaller mammals within the reserve include wildebeest, duiker, bush pig, reed buck, suni antelopes, impala, Nyala, kudu, eland, giraffe, zebra, jackal, baboons, monkeys, tortoise, terrapins and many reptiles.

More than 300 species of birds are found within Hluhluwe and Imfolozi Game reserve, many nesting by the flood plain and Umfolozi River. Some of the birds commonly seen here include the yellow throat and orange throated Long claw species.

Accommodation

There are several overnight options for camping and accommodation within Hluhluwe and imfolozi game reserve. Some of the common options include Gqoyeni camp, Hlatikhulu bush lodge, Mamsinda camp, Mpila Safari camp and lodges. Hilltop Camp is located near main gate of Hluhluwe reserve and offers self catering accommodation with spectacular views; why not book a sunset drive to witness the Big Five. Each of the mentioned accommodation units has restaurants, bar, laundry facilities, gift shops and many are just 25km from the nearby town of Hluhluwe. It is here that you will get fuel supplies

How to get there

The main Gravel route is the one that takes N2 highway through the Hluhluwe village and follow the tarred road to Memorial Gate. The best time to travel and tour Hluhluwe Game Reserve is during the summer months of November to February. Birding is good in March to October however you have to respect the closing and opening hours of the park’s gates. The park is normally open 6h00 to 18h00 depending on the season.

Hluhluwe’s main gate or entrance, Memorial Gate to the North of the park is approximately 10 km from Hill Top Camp. Umfolozi Game reserve is rarely visited but has well maintained gravel roads from Mtubatuba, to Halbisa and then to Nyalazi Gate near St Lucia South Africa’s first world heritage site and the New Centenary center.

Addo Elephant Park in South Africa is found in the malaria free region of Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape Province. It was gazette in 1931 to protect just 11 of the African Elephants that wandered in the Eastern Cape.

It is the third largest National park in South Africa now home to more than 350 Addo elephants, 280 cape buffalos, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, springbok, gemsbok, eland, kudu, waterbuck, reedbuck, warthog and very many other animals to mention a few. There are also mountain Zebras, rock rabbit, dung beetles, aardwolf, black backed jackal, baboons and others.

The Sunday’s river flows in the deep valleys over which Addo Elephant Park reigns. The 75km drive from Port Elizabeth to Addo region will give you sight of the blooms of the springtime, different birds, citrus tree with fruits and the like.

Getting there

The park is actually 75km from Port Elizabeth with 3 alternative routes-from Grahamtown to Motherwell, another from Grahamtown to Paterson (120km) and from Grahamtown , crossing Sundays river bridge to Addo Main Camp. The park is open from 7h00 to 19h00 every day.

Activities

Some of the activities within Addo Elephant Park South Africa include scheduled 2 hour game drives for the morning, mid-day, evening and night game viewing. Prior Booking is essential. Horse riding is another fascination way to tour Addo Elephant sanctuary with 2 daily schedules for the morning and early afternoon. Horse trails are led by experienced guides with departures from Nyati main camp into the abundant wilderness.

Bird watching is good in the park with more than 170 species of birds in the Red Bishop Bird Hide opposite the main camp water hole. The host of other interesting activities include 4X4 trails, hiking and out door camping

Addo Elephant Accommodation

There is enough accommodation in Addo Elephant Park with options like Game lodges like River Bend Five star Lodge, Addo Elephant Safari Lodge, Grand Elephant Luxury camp, the Long Hope luxury Villa at River Bend, Kuzuko Luxury safari lodge, the Green tress Guesthouse, Woodall Country House and other options near the park’s bordering reserves of the Greater Addo.

The Table Mountain National Park is found in the south western part of Cape Peninsula from Signal Hill in the north up to Cape Point on the south tip. The park was gazette in 1998 changing its name from Cape Peninsula National park occupying an area close to 221km² of high flora diversity, endemic wildlife and an iconic view of Cape Town that surrounds the park.

Table Mountains

This mountain range occupy much of the park’s area stretching from Signal Hill, Lion’s head, Devil’s Peak, the Twelve Apostles peaks, Orange Kloof and also borders cape Town in the north. This mountain is one of the oldest mountain ranges in southern Africa. The mountain slopes are covered in forest- Cecilia State forest and Newlands Forest. In 2004, the mountains were declared a world heritage site thanks to the Cape Floristic region (amazing botanical region with more than 800 different endangered species of plants) that forms part of the Park’s area on the lower ranges.

Attractions with TMNP

The Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope is one of the most interesting places you can not miss if you are visiting Table Mountains Park. These two historical points mark the boundaries of the park.

The par lies at the heart of the Cape floral kingdom with more than 2,000 endangered plant species endemic to the mountains alone. Part of the park is covered in Afrom-temperate forests, Peninsula Sandstone and Granite Fynbos. The Silver Tree is a locally cultivated tree that grows on Lion’s head.

Boulder’s beach is home to large colonies of African Jackass penguins. Other interesting places to visit include the Table Mountain Cable way from where you have views over Cape town as you launch from Kloof Nek road Cable station to the top of the mountains.

Game viewing

There are several mammals that live in the park including large cats like the Cape Lion, leopard, spotted hyena and Jackal that are the predominantly sighted predators in TMNP. Other animals within the park are African bush elephant, kudu, impala, mountain zebras, black rhino, bontebok, caracal, rock hyrax, cape grysbok, klipspringer and the Himalayan Tahr. The Chacma Baboons occupy the southern parts of the park an incredible site you can not miss when you visit the park.

Activities

Hiking is a great fascination for visitors on the Table Mountain. There are several hiking trails to enjoy. Take your mountain bile to the furthest of the park’s trails and drive through Tokai forest, Silvermine, Kloofnek, Cape of Good Hope and many other scenic trails. Scenic drives may be taken along Boyes Drive, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Victoria Road, the Ou Kaapse Weg, from Simon’s Town to Smitswinkel Bay, from Kommetjie to Scarborough and to Cape Point.  Mountian Climbing and Hand Gliding are also a host in interesting Adventure in the park but you have to make prior booking by telephone.

Fishing, sun bathing, swimming and surfing are part of the very engaging water adventures from the Cape Peninsula. There are tidal swimming pools at Bordijiesrif, Oudekraal and Buffels bay from the Cape of Good Hope. Scuba diving and snorkeling are good at the Cape Peninsula.

Accommodation within TMNP

There are several options for accommodation within TMNP such as self catering tents and camps, cottages and safari lodges. From the Cape of Good Hope are two standard cottages-Eland and Duiker with accommodation fro more than 6 people, a kitchen and warm lounge. There are additional several South Africa Hotels in Cape town, Cape Town safari accommodation, apartments, guesthouses and luxury villas where you can find overnight accommodation and dinner.

There are numerous reasons you are to choose South Africa for your African honeymoon. South Africa is a perfect holiday destination for a newly wed couple seeking solitude and privacy as they enjoy the moment after the stress associated with arranging a dream wedding. South African honeymoons are spent in several places be it in the wild, on the beautiful sand beaches, and beyond the mountains.

South Africa has several beautiful towns and cities such as Durban, Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Johannesburg and several others off the coast. The weather is beautiful all through the year giving no excuse for skipping South African for your honeymoon holidays. The winter season begins June to September giving cool and dry weather to make your honeymoon activities some thing you can not miss. Bird watching is great in the winter while the best time for your romantic gateway is November to February when the dry season is celebrated throughout the wild and on the beaches of South Africa.

Luxury South African Honeymoon

If you can define luxury for a honeymoon, then get set to find the best Luxury African Honeymoon safari packages in South Africa.  For any honeymoon, luxury will include wine dining, luxurious romantic rooms in a five star hotel, private picnic walks, 24/7 room service and mu more.

South Africa honeymoon packages are designed with care to grant the couples ample time to indulge in the presence of each other. Some of the luxury packages in Cape Town Honeymoon include beach stroll, drive to wine farms and of course wine tasting, diving and swimming with the marine life, stays at a private lodge or apartment and much more.

South Africa Safari Honeymoon

South Africa’s wilderness and national parks are the ideal place to relax in a bush camp, safari lodges or from a grass thatched cottages tucked away in the trees. Safari honeymoon packages are a special arrangement for several South Africa Safari Lodges.

The safari honeymoon itinerary involves early morning game drives to catch sights of lions, buffalo, giraffes, rhino, hyena, cheetah and elephants in a game park or reserve like Kruger National Park. breakfast  is served under an umbrella like acacia tree within the surrounding of birds, giraffes at a sight and in some parks facing the flowing rivers like Sabi river in Sabi Sands Private Game reserve.

The afternoons are dominated by activities like swimming, boat rides, walks in the park and other relaxing session in the health spas of Luxury safari lodges. A romantic candle-lit dinner by the true star filled African sky and bonfire is served before enjoyed by the couple. The chef/ butler serves champagne and wines to mark the nights and then retire to your well themed suite…covered in romantic perfumes, roses and anything you want.

South Africa beach Honeymoon

You can never go wrong with beach holidays in South Africa. Come honeymoon, the beaches in South Africa will give more than you can expect. You have more than 100 beach resorts to choose from, right from the pristine crowded beaches of Cape Town, Garden route resorts, remote beaches of Eastern Cape (say at Port Elizabeth) and from Durban in Kwa Zulu Natal province. You have the choice to determine where the Honeymoon magic will happen.

You have a wide range of activities to do while on the beach and these will include swimming, sun bathing, jet skiing, high speed boating, wind surfing, hiking, kite surfing and  helicopter rides among other activities. Pack the right clothing that will charm your partner…bright colored swim suits, light clothing, warm blankets, sun screen, brimmed hat, perfumes and any thing you consider romantic.

South Africa is a big African safari destination receiving more than 50,000 visitors every year to its national parks, mountains, beach resorts and historical towns. There is no other country in Africa with these entire packaged in one beautiful home.

South Africa beach holidays

Several kilometers of South Africa coast is lined with incredible beaches stretching from the east to the Western Cape on the Atlantic Ocean. The beautiful white sand beaches are crowded very summer holiday with South African holiday makers from all over the world. Cape Town is very exotic palm fringed beaches, some with spectacular granite boulders with Penguins, others lined with several fishing boats and so much more. You can swim, surf, do high speed boating, sun bath and anything you wan to do under the African sun. Other interesting beach resorts are found in Kwa Zulu Natal province-Durban, Port Elizabeth and other small towns along the coast.

South African safari

South Africa’s wilderness is one of the best places to experience on tours to South Africa. South Africa boasts more than 30 national parks and reserves but the most popular being Kruger National Park, Kalahari Gemsbok and Table Mountains National park. Some of the unbeatable sights on your south Africa safari tours include big five game, giraffes, zebras, hyena, African wild dogs, wildebeest, hartebeest and different species of Antelopes. There are several lodges and camps found in many of the national parks for overnight and dinner with incredible facilities and accommodation.

Ever dreamt of an African safari Honeymoon? South Africa tours have several South Africa honeymoon packages to make your romantic gateway as memorable as one from the Cape Town beaches.

Other interesting places you don’t want to miss on your South Africa tours and travel include Table Mountains, Drakensburg mountains, the Zulu people and culture, city tours of Durban, Cape town, Garden Route’s wine farms, white water rafting on the Limpopo and orange rivers…so many interesting places

Arranging your South African tours is as easy as counting your alphabet. There are several South Africa travel agents online and others are just a call away. They are capable of arranging a South Africa tour, tailor a south African safari to meet your particular wants and most importantly for the best deals, lowest rates. The South Africa travel and tour packages normally include South African hotels, South Africa tours, transfers, car hire, flights to South Africa as discussed with your South Africa safari company or travel agent.

Sabi Sands Game Reserve is part of the private game reserves found within Kruger National Park. Sabi sands occupies just 65 sq km of the vast Kruger park to the west but also contains several other smaller private game reserves such as Sabi Sabi Game reserves,  Mala Mala Game Reserve, Djuma Game Reserve, Lion Sands Reserve, Exeter Private Game Reserve, Londolozi Private Game Reserve, Singita Game Reserve and Ulusaba Private Game Reserve.

The Sabi Sands Game Reserve is typically a mix of bush savanna, acacia thickets, marula and combretum trees and termite mound thickets. Rocky outcrops called kopjes queue in the northern section of Sands River that in turn lined with riverine forest.

Game viewing

Since there is no actual fencing between Kruger and these private game reserves, there is free movement of wild animals. Sabi sands reserve is particularly good for big five sights in addition to Greater kudu, bushbuck and nyala, impala, giraffe, warthog, wild dog, grey duiker, waterbuck, and many other animals that prefer thicket, dry grasslands, riverine forests and the big cats are often found lounging in the trees.

More than 300 different birds that live in Kruger Park also build nests in Sabi Sands, several water birds are found along Sabi river and Sands river drain their water in the park to the southern border.

Getting there

There are charter flights with schedules from Johannesburg tot eh airstrips in Kruger National Park at Mpumalanga and Hoedspruit airport. Mpumalanga Airport on the southern border is recommended for guests to Sabi Sands Game reserve. Each of the lodges within Sabi Sand Reserve is easily accessed by road and there are rental cars, 4WD and trucks to carry guest to their booked lodging and also open vehicles for game drives within the reserve.

The best time to visit Sabi Sands Game reserve and Kruger National park come in the dry season. The days are quite hot but cool temperatures set in for the night. The dotted winter time is April to September when it is quite dry and water is scarce making game sights clearer for game drives near the banks of rivers Sabi ad Sands.

Sabi Sands Safari Lodges Accommodation

Sabi sands reserve is prized for its luxury world class safari lodges ideal for Sabi Sand honeymoon packages and family lodging. There are several lodges and camps from the different private reserves within Sabi Sands to suit each Kruger Park Tourists. Some of the game lodges in Sabi Sand include Elephant Plains Lodge, Inyati Game lodge, Leopard Hills safari lodge, Nkorho Bush lodge, Savanna game lodge, Lion sands Ivoory Lodge and Sabi Sabi Bush lodge. There are camps fromeach of the different small reserves in Sabi Sands such as Sabi Sabi bush camp, Sable Mala Mala camp, Mala Mala camp, Londolozi Tree camp and many others

The Drakensburg Mountains are found in the Kwa Zulu Natal province in South Africa. They are recognized as the highest mountain range in southern Africa. To the Zulu people, it is called Ukhahlamba meaning the Barrier of Spears and to the Afrikaans, it is called The Dragon Mountain. The Drakensberg mountain range stretches the entire length of KwaZulu-Natal’s western boundary into Lesotho for hundreds of miles of high towering cliffs.

The basalt sheer cliffs are snow capped in the winter showing off the scenic peaks that stand at 3,482m above sea level. Several millions of years ago, a volcanic mountain erupted pouring significant lava over a large area of southern African. The highest peak on the mountain is called Thabana Ntlenyana at 3,482m and other notable parks being Mafadi, Mokoaneng, Njesuthi and Champagne Castle to mention but a few. Cathedral peak is popular with hikers on the Drakensburg

The mountain ranges are a spectacular with unique plant species, 119 of them listed as endangered and the others endemic to the mountains’ slopes and the park on the foot hills. The mountain is covered in high alti-montane grasslands, conifers on the lower slopes and riverine bush among other unique flora species.

Wildlife in Drakensburg

The Drakensburg mountain ranges are home to several species of birds and animals living in both the high altitude zones and in the lower mountain foot hills. Some of the wildlife in the mountain includes Klipspringer, eland, mountain reedbuck, white rhino, black wildebeest, grey rhebok, oribi and many other animals that live in the park on the foot hills.

Several birds are endemic to the mountain with endangered species such as mountain pipit, bush blackcap, buff-streaked chat, rudd’s lark, orange breasted rock jumper, yellow breasted pipit and the Drakensburg Siskin. Cape Vulture and Lesser kestrel are the prey birds in the park.

Amphibians are also part of the sight along the river with different frog species within the park.

The spectacular Drakensberg trails need to be treated with caution. The weather can change dramatically from one moment to the next and especially if you are at high altitudes the strong winds, mist, snow and extreme cold can arrive unexpectedly. It is of utmost importance that you complete the rescue register in full at any entrance to a Drakensberg area, even if you are only planning on going for a short stroll.

Attractions in the park

There are several rock paintings by the bush men and Khoi people that lived in the lower mountains several years ago. More than 35,000 paintings are found on rocks and in 500 different caves in the Royal National Park. Some of the caves with incredible paintings include Sebaayeni with 1146 paintings and Ndedema Gorge with more than 3,900 painting in its different caves. The paintings have been flagged as UNESCO World heritage site, the second in Kwa Zulu Natal

Royal Natal National Park is found north of Drakensburg Mountains spreading over peaks such as the Amphitheatre, Mont-aux-Sources, the Sentinel, Inner Tower, eastern Buttress and Devil’s Tooth. The dome of Mont-aux-Sources, which is 3282 metres high, is the source of five major rivers, including the Tugela which plunges 600 metres over the escarpment in a magnificent waterfall. Ukhahlamba Drakensburg Park was listed as a UNESCO world Heritage site covering over 243sq km and is an important ramsar site in the mountains.

Hiking in the Drakensburg Mountains

Although much of the mountains are weathered due to erosion, this has not deterred tourism in the mountains. Drakensberg is however a hikers paradise! Hiking trails go through shaded valleys, lush forests, under shimmering waterfalls and over looming mountains. Some of the interesting places to see and hikes include Devil’s Hoek Valley, Amphitheatre to Cathedral; Mckinley’s Pool, Gudu Falls; The Grotto Mont-Aux-Sources via Basutho Gate and The Chain Ladder, Otto’s Walk & Bushman Paintings, Tugela Gorge and the river plus waterfalls.

The central Drakensberg trails goes over the Blue Pool and Nyosi Grotto, The Cathedral Peak Hike, Ganabu Ridge and Baboon Rock Mlambonja Pass to Twins Cave. All differ in days and scenery. The Southern Drakensberg offers hikes such as Mkomazi Wilderness Area, Kamberg Vergelegen & Sani Pass and Cobham & Garden Castle.

It is an incredible opportunity to hike up a mountain, breathe the crisp clean air, sleep over in the most in a cave or camp out under the star filled sky.

Other activities in the mountain include fishing on the river, walking trails on the lower slopes of the Drakensburg, rock/ice climbing, abseiling, white water rafting and also exploring the mountains on a helicopter ride.

You can as well takes some time off to experience the Zulu People, their cultures and way of life by visiting towns and cities on the slopes of the mountain such as Ulundi the former Zulu capital, Kwa Zulu Natal, coal mining towns of Dundee and Ixop and probably proceed on to neighboring Lesotho capital Maseru

Drakensburg Accommodation

The only road that reaches into the montains is via Sani Pass in South Africa. While there, you don’t have to worry about where you are going to spend the night or have an overnight meal. The are several Drakensburg hotels, guest houses, camping sites, self catering facilities and also safari lodges.

Central Drakensberg is a centre for tourism with resorts, b&bs, hotels, guest houses, self catering establishments, golfing, horse back trails, hiking trails, 4×4 trails and much more. Options include Cathedral peak  hotel, Tugela river lodge, Robin’s guest house, Valemount Country Lodge, Acorn Cottages, Umsuluzi Riverside Luxury lodge, Champagne Castle Hotel, Sani Pass Hotel…the list goes on and on.

Talk of Africa and every one’s thoughts will first run to South Africa as a country that has opened Africa to the world. South Africa is on the southern most tip of Africa bordered by Namibia and Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Lesotho thus occupies close to 1,219,900 sq km. The capital city of South Africa is Pretoria however it is over shadowed by the growth and bustle pf other towns like Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban

South Africa is referred to internationally as the rainbow country given its diverse natural beauty, unique cultures if more than 10 different tribes and strong historical background. There is a little of every thing in South Africa from the desert to the mountains, grasslands, wine farms and the beautiful beaches.

South Africa Attractions

There are several things to see while touring South Africa from its national parks, beaches, botanical gardens, birds, mountains and so much more.

There are more than 20 South African national parks and game reserves that account for more than 200 species of big game such as lions, buffalos, rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, wildebeest, porcupines, insects, reptiles and other small mammals. Several birds are found in these national parks. Kruger national Park is particularly the most visited South Africa national park when it comes to South African safari. Other popular national parks include Table mountains park, Addo Elephant, Garden route Park and many others.

Cities and towns of South Africa date several years back even before the beginning of colonialism. Cape Town is the most on South Africa holidays thanks to its white spotless beaches, a long history of welcoming South Africa’s early explorers.  The Garden Route from Cape Town is a destination identified for its wildlife, extensive Wine farms and beach resorts. Other cities and towns worth visiting include Durban where you’ll visit the Drakensburg Mountains, Johannesburg the main entry port for tourists in South Africa, Pretoria is the administrative capital and also Port Elizabeth for it amazing people and beaches.

Other interesting places in South Africa include Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned during the period of Apartheid, Ushaka Marine Park, the cradle of Man near Johannesburg and many other UNESCO world heritage sites.

Getting there

By land, South Africa is accessed from all its neighboring countries. From Botswana, the border post at Skilpadsnek is open every day to 22h00 with buses to Gaborone from Johannesburg for 6hours drive. Sky coaches link South Africa to Lesotho with daily schedules between Bloemfotein and Maseru the capital of Lesotho. For Mozambique, there are several buses with schedules from Durban to Maputo. There also links to Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe by road using either bus or trains

Flights to South Africa are handled in Johannesburg and Cape Town which are the major international airports. There are also small airports throughout South Africa handling domestic flights and charters. South African Airways is the national carrier with flights to all major airports in Europe, Africa, America and Asia.

Things to do

There is so much to do on South African tours and the range of activities will vary form Game drive and walking safaris in Kruger Park and other national parks, hiking through the table mountains and Drakensburg, diving and snorkelling in Cape Town, river rafting on the orange river border with Namibia, kayaking and boat rides on Limpopo, wine tasting at the wine lands of Cape town and garden route, Golfing, bungee jumping, shark cage diving  and several other.

Hotel and Accommodation

South Africa accommodation is an easy choice with several options to choose from like luxury five star hotels in Cape Town, budget bush camps in Kruger Park, guesthouses, inn, beach holidays, safari lodges and many others. You’ll ample satisfactory South Africa Hotels and accommodation from Cape Town, Jo’burg, Soweto, Garden route and in every town.

South Africa Travel tips

There are several South Africa safari companies and tour operators that are capable of arranging and customizing a South Africa safari package to include your preferred destinations and yet offer much adventure and satisfaction that you want to get. South African holiday and tour packages normally include tour guides, hotel accommodation, transfers and also flights (as per the details of your travel agent.

Book your South Africa travel with any travel agent online or through a direct safari company if you are intending to travel in the peak season of September to December. It is however cheap to travel and tour South Africa in the off peak season.

Visa and passport are important on your South Africa travel documents. Visa requirements are exempted for British territories and a few other countries. It is quite important to check with South Africa embassy and mission in your country as you arrange a visit to South Africa.

The Rand is the national currency and it is advisable to change your dollars and Euros before you go on safari in the remote South African areas. However, credit cards are widely accepted by hotels, and other shopping malls around South Africa’s major cities like Jo’burg, Durban, Pretoria (the capital city) and Port Elizabeth.

South African tourists are encouraged carry light clothing, brimmed sun hats, malaria treatment and prescriptions, sun glasses, a good lens camera, and any other thing you many need on an Africa safari. South Africa is one of the most violent countries and thus tourist are encouraged to be keen with their baggage and also limit unguided night tours of different cities for safety concerns.

South Africa is gifted as one of the most wildlife abundant countries in South African with more than 20 national parks managed by South African National PAKS (SANParks). More than 37,000sq km i.e. 3% of South African land is covered by wilderness protected areas that make National parks and game reserves.

The most visited South Africa national parks include Kruger Park and Table Mountain receiving more than 2,000 South African tourists every year. However you are not to be disappointed by any of the South African parks or game reserves you will visit on South African safari holidays. Each of the South Africa national parks has something special with wild animals especially the Big Five.

Addo Elephant National Park is South Africa’s largest game park gazetted in 1931. It is a very incredible game park set to conserve the rich bio-diversity in northern South Africa area of Karoo around Darlington Dam near Port Elizabeth to the rugged mountains of Zuurberg. It occupies around 180sq km of an elephant protected area. There are now more than 550 elephants, buffalos, rhinos, lion, spotted hyenas, leopard, zebras, antelopes, red hartebeests and jackals among other wild animals that make up the rich habitat.

Agulhas National park is actually one of the first sights of African wilderness set eyes ion by the early European explorers on Cape Agulhas. The coast is a sight of wrecked ships from the mysterious storms that rocked the coast and the different archaeological remains of early man. The park was gazetted to protect the coastal marine life that include African Black oysters, Damara tern and Cape Plantana besides other attractions left by the early explorers on the beach coast.

Augrabies Falls National Park is a great place on South African Safari. The park was called Aukoerebis by the Khoi-Khoi people that settled here which translates for…The Place of Great Noise. The Orange River creates a beautiful water fall that runs over a narrow gorge forming the scenic Augrabies Falls. The park has several interesting sights that include Moon rock, Swart Ramte hills and a range of wild game that are rock hyrax, springbok, black rhino, Klipspringer, flat lizards and several birds like African fish eagles and Verreaux Eagle.

A world Heritage site from a diverse botanical spectacle is Bontebok National Park.  The park is renowned for its Bontebok antelopes that numbered 30 by the time it was gazetted in 1931. There are also several unique plants species that grow in the park and not found anywhere else in the world. Although Bontebook is ranked the smallest national park in South Africa, you can enjoy distinct sights of cape zebras, hartebeest, rhebok as part of the park’s wild animals. Other interesting site in this park includes Montangu Hot springs and Breede river.

Camdeboo National Park lies in the scenic landscape of Karoo lying more than 700 -1800m above sea level on Sneeuberg hills. The park is only visited by visitors on 4X4 vehicles as martial eagles fly over the predominantly eroded rocks. The Valley of Deception is a major attraction within the park that was formed called Karoo Nature reserve. Nqweba Dam over more than 1,000ha of the park in the rainy season and is another tourist attraction within Camdeboo. Some of the wildlife in Cambedoo includes Cape mountain zebras, rodents, springbok, blesbok, wildebeest, steenbok, Cape buffalo, red hartebeest and gemsbok. The most common birds in the game viewing area are: Pale Chanting Goshawk, Rock Kestrel, Namaqua Dove and Speckled Mousebird.

Golden Gate Highlands National Park occupies around 116sq km on the hill slopes of Maluti Mountains in north eastern Free State province. Some of the game in this park includes wildebeest, eland, springbook, burchell’s zebra, oribi and blesbok while the birds include Lammergeyer’s vultures and bald ibis and many others. Other interesting sights in the park include Van Reenen grave, Brandwag buttress rock and hikes to its peaks where you have undeniably beautiful views of the Drakensburg, Generaalskop and Zuluhoek.

Garden Route National Park is another of the South Africa’s largest Game parks stretching to include Kysna lake, Tsitsikamma and Wilderness game reserves in the southern cape area. The park is predominantly made up of forested slopes, rugged coastal scenery and ranks as third in most visited South African National Parks. In Wilderness Nature reserve is home to the brightly colored Knysna lourie, and runs from Touw River delta to Swartvlei estuary where it joins with the Goukamma Nature Reserve.

Karoo National Park is home to the largest and richest eco-system in South Africa called the Great Karoo. The park only makes a small area of the entire Karoo landscape on the rolling plains of Nuweveld Mountains. The park is home to the cape mountain zebra, buffalo, black rhino, black eagle and many other animals. Much of the park’s wildlife was under great extinction threats but there are conservation drives to restore wildlife in this park.

Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a vast Southern Africa wilderness region that extends from Botswana Gemsbok National Park to the borders on Namibia and South Africa. The rolling red dunes, camel thorn trees, Black-Mane lion, leopards, gemsbok, springbok, eland and blue wildebeest among many other sights mark the park’s scenery.

Kruger National Park is the most famed South African National park on the border with Mozambique. As one of the oldest game parks in south Africa, Kruger park extends to include some private game reserves such as Sabi Sands, Timbavati and thornybush to create one vast wild habitat for animals like lions, zebras, giraffe, buffalo, elephants, plus 500 different birds among other interesting features.

Table Mountain National Park is another famous South African National park from the every western tip of Africa covering the scenic Table Mountains and across the Cape Point Reserve to the beaches of the Cape Peninsula. The park is a rich, diverse and unique fauna and flora, truly remarkable and, historical site for South Africa. The reserve is a beautiful coastal attraction inscribed in white sand beaches, beautiful aquatic plants and with very historical attractions of Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point that date back several years before the colonial era.

Mountain Zebra National Park was gazetted as a national park in 1937 to basically protect the endangered cape mountain zebras that are unique to South Africa. Other animals within the park include black rhino, grey rhebok, mountain reedbuck, gemsbok, red hartebeest, eland and the cheetah among others. Some of its habitat birds include Denham’s bustard and the blue crane.

Mapungubwe National Park is found on the border of South Africa with Botswana and Zimbabwe in the hills of Mapungubwe. The major attraction within this park is the confluence of the river Limpopo and Shashe that make a source of life within the park. Some of the animals living in this South African National park include elephants, giraffe, eland, gemsbok, lions, leopards, hyena, white rhino and birds like fishing owl, kori bustard and the tropical boubou among others.

Namaqua National Park is a splendor as you drive through the beautiful valleys of Namaqualand, the spring flowers and more than 3,000 different plants and wildlife. The park is home to porcupine, baboons, Namaqua Speckled Padloper, klipspringer, scorpions and many other smaller mammals.

Mokala National Park is the latest of South Africa national parks from Kimberley west of Cape Town. The rolling hills of Mokala Koppieveld and the vast open plains are what make up the park’s scenery. Most of the park’s plains are dotted with Camel Thorn trees from which the park derives is name Mokala (Setswana dialect). The wildlife in the park include black rhino, tsessebe, roan antelope, wildebeest and the white rhino among others

Marakele National Park is found in the valleys of Waterberg Mountains of eastern south Africa. The area is clad in grassy hills, rare yellow wood and cedar trees, ferns and several other palnts. Elephants, rhino, vultures, kudu, reedbuck, eland among other animals are part of the scenery at Marakele South African National park

Takwa Karoo National park is found in the Northern Cape border within the boundaries of Roggeveld Escarpment and mountains. The succulent Karoo Biome marks the area’s scenery besides the rich birdlife and sheer cliffs from the mountain.

Richtersveld Transfrontier Park is situated in the north on the bend of the Orange River as it flows in the rugged mountain deserts of the Nama land occupying around 160sq km. The park has a wide variety of plant life, some species occurring nowhere else, such as gnarled quiver trees, tall aloes and the quaint ‘halfmensboom’ (half person tree) keeping vigil over this inscrutable landscape. You will also find a remarkable range of small reptiles, birds and mammals like rock hyrax, Hartmann’s mountain zebras and Jackal Buzzards.

West Coast National Park is a secluded wilderness on Saldanha Bayand near Langebaan lagoon to the west. The park was gazetted as a south Africa national park in 1985to protect the endemic  bio-doversity if Geelbek, seeburg and Abrahamskraal birds. Other birds in the park include flamingos, waders, black harriers and many others. The summer in the park bring a boom of blossom of wild flowers that are inviting to nature lovers who are forced to explore the park by cycling, of on mountain bikes. The beach is a popular site for kayaking, kite boarding and jet skiing among other water adventure. The whale visit Saldanha bay around August to November in Tsaarsbak.

Choosing South Africa for your African safari and holidays is a plus on your annual travel details. There is a vast collection of South African hotels, safari lodges, guest houses, self catering apartments and anything you would want as South African holiday accommodation when you are there.

Hotels in South Africa

There are several options that offer classic south African accommodation ranging from very luxurious inter-continental hotels to the budget South Africa hotels and all with undeniably splendid service and accommodation. All the way from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg, you’ll have a place to stay for your South Africa tours.

Cape Town is actually the finest tourist destinations in South Africa with a range of amazing South Africa hotels, guesthouses, B&B, apartments and anything you may want. Some of the Luxury five star hotels in Cape Town include Mount Nelson Hotel, Taj Hotel, Cape Grace and more than 200 of them in every other suburb of Cape Town. Other great South African hotels can be found in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban and every other leading town in South Africa.

Facilities offered by south Africa hotels include spacious air conditioned rooms, en-suite bathrooms, satellite television, 24/7 room service, internet café, business centre, safety deposits at the reception, exquisite restaurants, well stocked bars, health centres and Gym, laundry, gift shops, swimming pool and many others as per the Hotel rating.

Read South African hotel reviews, articles, and find South African Hotel ratings before you choose the perfect Hotel to stay in while in South Africa. It is very important to make South Africa hotel bookings whether direct by telephone to the Hotel reception pr through an online travel agent especially of you are travelling during the peak South Africa holiday season.

South Africa Safari Lodges

Safari lodges in South Africa have comparable facilities to those of hotels except that game lodges are tucked away on the serene African wild setting. The safari lodges are also rated with luxury safari lodges from Kruger National park to the budgets safari camps in Natal. With South Africa safari lodges, you’ll be treated like royalty…sleep under a star filled sky with sound of the African night like roaring lions, laughing hyenas, croaking frogs and then wake up to the Birds’ soothing songs.

South African safari accommodation is not limited to safari and game lodges. There are also budget bush camps, luxury canvas tented camps, self catering cottages and chalets to mention a few. You’ll most certainly enjoy sights like Big five, giraffes, spiders, birds, and anything you attach to African safari holiday.

Bed and breakfast facilities are also part of the South Africa accommodation with a unique service similar to Home Stay. Full English breakfast is served on schedules every morning for overnight guests. Self catering accommodation in South Africa is another growing charm with options like holiday apartments, beach villas, cottages and fully equipped homes.

Bed and Breakfast accommodation in South Africa gives you a unique, personalised travel experience with a touch of local hospitality. A full English or Continental breakfast is included in the daily room rate and other meals are often available as optional extras

If your holidays are destined to South Africa’s beaches, then brace yourself for excitement and fun filled adventure. South Africa boasts some of the finest tropical beaches in the world from the beautiful family beaches of Cape Town to remote secluded beaches of the Eastern Coast.

There’s so much to see and do along the over 300km south African beach front including horse riding, sun bathing, swimming, boarding, windsurfing, high speed boating, coastal hikes and so much more you can imagine.

Cape Town South Africa beaches

Cape Town is a leading tourist destination in south Africa, first for its awesome beaches and then its secluded South African Safari destinations. It has some of the finest beaches in Africa stretching from the Eastern Cape and several crowded by holiday makers from the Western Cape Peninsula.

The long white sand b aches on the Western Cape are found at camps bay and Garden route. Sunsets at camps bay are spectacular and offers splendid views of Lion’s Head and the Twelve Apostles at St.Tropez. There are several South African Beach hotels and accommodations options within a few kilometers of the different beaches on Camps Bay

Clifton Beach from Western Cape is renowned for its film production settings and is this favorite South African beach for international celebrities and movie makers. The facilities around Clifton are quite expensive but you’ll still find a few people of South African Origin. Bloubergstrand has a very iconic beach Blouberg beach with dramatic views of Robben Island and the Table Mountains from over the horizon. Boulders Beach is renowned for the vast colonies of African Penguins and its huge granite boulders that queue along the beaches.

Hermanus is a popular beach for the annual whale festival that brigns these water giants to sight in spring. It is actually ranked one of the best places to watch the whales in the world.
Grotto Beach has won international recognition for its pristine condition and excellent facilities while Muizenberg is best for swimming thanks to its warm waters.

Talk of Garden Route from Western Cape and the mind will draw to the beautiful scenery, forest slopes and spectacular beaches. The beaches of Garden route are experienced on adventure coastal hikes and horse rides. Plettenberg Bay is home to two fantastic beaches of Robberg and Lookout that have long white sand beaches that turn golden when the Africa sun sets over the horizon. Other amazing beaches from Garden Route include wilderness and Nature’s Valley although it is almost deserted. You will find a bunch of fishermen at Nature’s Valley besides the playing otters.

From the eastern coast are incredible beaches of Port Elizabeth and East London where surfing is a fascination. The beaches here are intensely crowded with South Africa holidaymakers all through the year. There a variety of beach hotels from Port Elizabeth form the luxury five star to the budget South African Beach accommodation. Kings Beach is a favorite from Port Elizabeth, and Humewood Beach is a frequent Blue Flag winner. There’s also a nearby snake park and dolphins at play in the oceanarium.

The KwaZulu-Natal beachfront has great weather all through the year attracting several holiday makers and tourist to the beautiful beaches. Durban beaches are a blend of several cultures that harmoniously mingle to create a vibrant beach holiday for South Africa.

Cape Vidal, iSimangaliso Wetland Park is a leading tourist destination for Kwa Zulu Natal with a long stretch of palm fringed beach, rocky beach line and October brings in sight of Humpack whales for its visitors. The beaches of Umhlanga, north of Durban are popular with school holiday groups and are a great place for South African family beach holidays. There’s sea swimming, surfing, boogie boarding, rock pools and warm tidal pools.

South Beach from Durban marks the famous Golden Mile which is ideal for swimming and surfing. Ushaka Marine Park lies on the mile as the biggest marine theme park in the world attracting some renowned guests from all over the world. KwaZulu-Natal’s Hibiscus Coast, drawing crowds of youth on their summer holidays.

Cape Town, in South Africa, is among the continent’s most visited cities. The most popular attractions in Cape Town include scenic mountain landscape good for Mountain biking, trekking and hiking, Beach holidays, wind surfing, diving, kite surfing, high speed boating and other adventure water sports on the beautiful beaches. Other attractions include the Skeleton gorge, Cape point, Kirsten Bosch Gardens, Robben Island, Victorian Buildings, Constantia valley, False Bay and local surburbs/towns of Langa, Gugulethu and Cross roads.

Cape Town Flights

Cape Town International airport hosts arrivals in Cape Town and is the second largest and busiest airport in South Africa besides Johannesburg airport. You will find flights that will go direct to Cape Town airport, however, that may not be the top option if you are searching for cheap flights to Cape Town as many of these direct flights are quite costly. Flights to Cape Town are predominantly with renowned air carriers like KLM, British Airways, South Africa airways, Emirates and others. There are direct flights to Cape Town International Airport from London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Mauritius, Namibia and other major cities in Africa. Arrivals from USA and Australia are hoisted at Johannesburg airport from where you can catch a charter flight to Cape Town.

There are numerous domestic flights between Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Port Elizabeth and other centers around South Africa. There are 6 domestic airlines and small charter aircrafts that will then take you to your desired destination, major cities and towns or even safari lodges. Airfares range from first class to economy for example with South African express and Airlink Fly. A flight to Cape Town does not have to hurt your pocket as long as you keep these few tips at heart.

Flights and travel arrangements to South Africa and Cape Town ought not to be direct flights. You could possibly get low cost flights to Cape Town by adjusting your travel schedules and flying by regional airlines like Kenya Airways or departing from several European cities. Another consideration is flying straight into Botswana, Namibia, or Zambia and arranging transport to Cape Town locally. This makes more sense during the peak season of summers in Cape Town. The season during which you wish to travel could affect the airfares of your Cape Town safari vacation. You should also keep in mind any big events or holidays in Cape Town such as New Year, Xmas and the like which could drive up the air fares. Be ready to make such adjustment if you looking at cheaper flights.

Booking and Travel tips

Book as far in advance as you can. Although there are many Cape Town flights available everywhere, the simple truth is that traffic to Cape Town is very high and seats are reserved upright. Therefore, the further before hand you’ll be able to book your flight to Cape Town, the greater your chances are to beat the dates for your safari trip and of course at a much lower price. There are thousands of travellers that arrive here from Europe, Asia and America with intentions of escaping the harsh winters. Late flight booking is always penalized with higher airfares, cutting down on your safari budgets

Booking with particular safari and tour packages is wise as most packages and itineraries include flights to Cape Town. Some hotels may provide a discount packages with cheap flights as a bonus. Sometimes tour and travel agents run specials on cheap Cape Town flights, so it may help to subscribe for newsletters from travel agencies that specialize in Africa safaris and travel that will notify you of last minute and cheap Cape Town flights.

If you are looking at a romantic gateway or honeymoon in Cape Town, high airfares can be a huge hindrance on your vacation. However, cheaper flights to Cape Town are available online if you are persistent and prepared to take making changes as required. With meticulous planning and a few strategic decisions, airfare tickets to Cape Town should not possess strain your safari vacation budget. Think ahead; think away from the box; be flexible.

Hotels in Cape Town are one of the beautiful sights besides the different scenic wonder that Cape Town, South Africa has to offer. The city by itself is engraved in timeless traditions, music, art, culture and history reflected in its building and Victorian architectural work. Other interesting places include the Cape Point National park, Kirstenbosch Garden, the old castles and many others.

Western Cape Town is the best place to be as you’ll be engrossed in the magnificence of the Atlantic coast and the Table Mountains. The white sand beaches from Camps Bay, Clifton, Bantry Bay, Hout Bay and Blouberg surround the breathtaking serenity of large acres of wine farms and other suburbs like Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Enjoy endless summer days at the beautiful beaches or go hiking, trekking, biking and jogging up the Table Bay or to Devil’s peak to get a unique overview of the coast. There are several hotels within the city itself and outside in other suburbs ranging from luxury hotels, boutique hotels, resort hotels and spas, villas, cottages, safari lodges, bed and breakfast facilities, self catering apartments and Guesthouses.

There is always something for every traveller to perfectly suit your taste and budget. Each Cape Town hotel offers award winning facilities such as excellent restaurants and dining, well stocked bars, shopping malls and centers and remarkable room service. Dining in Cape Town hotels covers an array of cuisines and cooking styles that represent its many faces of culture and people. From spicy Malay dishes, Indian curries, African foods, European cuisines and so much more. Sea food is a favorite in many restaurants and hotel, often accompanied by a good wine glass, fresh form the vineyards in the neighborhood Meals and dinner is served on the veranda facing the serene sea, in the beautiful gardens or from a bon fire setting for the winter nights.

Luxury Cape Town hotels

Make your choice from the world class rated Cape Town luxury hotels such as Protea hotel, North wharf, Mandela Rhodes place, Walden suites, Dysart boutique hotel, Clarondon – Fresnaye, Place on the Bay, Lawhill apartments and so much more. The winelands have some of the best hotels and accommodation options from Western Cape Town. The luxury of these hotels can be seen in the well maintained traditional thatched roofs, wooden floors, carved room furnishings and lush backyards that are inviting and beautiful to the eye. You’ll have an excellent view of villages and the large acres of vineyards from the comfort of your hotel balcony. Find yourself exclusive luxury accommodation from five star and small luxury Boutique hotels  in Cape Town such as Boutique Manolo from the slopes of Signal hill in the heart of cape town, Hippo Boutique hotel, the beautiful Cape Cadogan Hotel, Ezard House, Ellerman House, Urban Chic Boutique Hotel and the like. You’ll find the latest in modern facilities, elegance and comfort from each of these. Camps Bay as Cape Town’s exclusive suburb has a number of options that include the luxurious Atlantic Pearl, cloud Nine, 100 Genevadine, Cape Dutch, Sea Point Cape Town Hotel, Bantry Bay Hotel, House Fusion and cheaper options like Apostle at Funkeys, beach side villas, Bingle Place downstairs and others. You may look into other hotels and accommodation from the Cape Peninsula, False Bay, and Table Bay or from Victoria waterfront. Regardless of whether you are searching for luxury Cape Town hotels, Cape Town boutique hotels or budget Cape Town accommodations, or some thing in the middle, you are able to locate what you want from the variety of around 170 hotels and accommodation options. Make your hotel reservations online or through a trusted tour and travel operators who will make your decisions much easier and fitting into your budget plan. Enjoy your holiday vacation in Cape Town!

South Africa is the leading African safari destination receiving thousands and thousands of visitors for business and tourists alike. South Africa is ideal for wildlife safari to Kruger National park, birding safaris to Cape Town, beach holidays and honeymoons from Cape Town and in Durban. Every corner in South Africa has something to offer.

South African Flights Information

South Africa has 3 international airports; OR Tambo International airport in Johannesburg, Cape Town International Airport and Durban International Airport run by Airport Company South Africa, ACSA. Other domestic airports run by ACSA include Bloemfontein, Port Elizabeth, east London, George, Kimberely, Upington and Pilansberg. There are other charter companies operating other airports in South Africa

Several airlines have flights to South Africa and other major cities around the world. South African Airways is the national airline flies to international airports and also has domestic flights for Bloemfontein, George, Pietermaritzburg, Mthatha, Kimberley, Polokwane, Richards Bay, Upington, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, East London, with world class facilities for economy class, business class and class cabins. Other regional flies affiliated to South Africa include South African Express and Airlink, with flights from Jo’burg, Cape Town or Durban to other African destination.

Charter flights to South Africa are available with 1 Time with single class cheap flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town or Port Elizabeth, Mango also has cheap flights to Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Bloemfontein operated by SAA, Kulula.com is another low cost single class flights throughout South Africa, from Jo’burg to Lanseira Airport, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban. Other small carriers wit south Africa flights include Jet Airways, All Nippon, TAP, Iberia, Qantas, BMI, Finnair, Alitalia, Asiana Airlines and others…to mention a few

Other fliers to South Africa include British Airways with direct flights from all UK airports to Jo’burg, Cape Town, and Durban and to Kruger National park for charter flights. Other international airlines with airfares to South Africa include;

• Quatar airways
• Malaysia airlines
• Lufthansa
• Virgin Atlantic
• US Airways
• Saudi Arabia Airlines
• Royal Air Maroc
• LAM Mozambique Airlines
• Kenyan airways
• KLM Royal Dutch
• Egypt Air
• Emirates
• Ethiopian airlines
• Etihad Airways
• Delta has flights to South Africa from USA
• Cathay Pacific
• Continental Airlines
• Air France
• Air Botswana
• Air Portugal
• Air Mauritius
• Air Seychelles
• Air India

There are actually more than 50 airlines that have flights to South Africa, direct flights and others airlines with one stop flights en-route to other international destinations.

Flight tips and Reservations

Book flights to South Africa is quite easy, to get cheap flights to Cape Town for example, you have to book at least two months earlier. Peak seasons such as New Year and Christmas time have highly priced tickets to South Africa given the high traffic of holiday makers for South African holidays. You can book South African Flights from anywhere, in Europe, Asia or Latin America with travel site online or through your South African Safari and Tour Company.

South African Safari and tour operators are companies that will help you arrive the best South African safari, South African honeymoon holiday, or some excursion off to the coast in Cape Town or to Garden route in Durban

If you are arranging a trip to South Africa and you don’t want to go through the stress of finding the best South Africa Travel package to the best South Africa destinations like Kruger National Park, game drives to Sabi Sands Game Drive, Cape Town tours, Vehicle hired/ Self Drive tours, include the best South African hotels and accommodation and South African flights too.

Finding the best South Africa safari and tour operator is not a piece of cake! Get to go through travel reviews and articles of several tourists who have visited South Africa before! Getting to know details of tour operators will help you identify which South Africa travel agencies are credible and offer value for service.

You can still see that there are numerous companies covering anything from bird watching safaris, wildlife, game, mountaineering, game drives, walking safaris, hiking, Lion safaris, big five safaris, scuba diving, microlighting, hot air balloon safaris, bungee jumping, beach holidays, luxury honeymoons, and several tourist attractions. Some of the tour companies include;

Absolut Tours & Safaris
Specialists in group- individual travel, car rental and self-drives in Southern Africa. Tel +27(0) 21 5568365.

Suva Explorers
Shuttle serv., day tours, tours, southern Africa highlights; unforgettable experience.
Tel +27 12 259 0859

Cape-A-Joy-Tours
Enjoyable and fun-filled tours. Western Cape, Garden Route, Cape to Kruger, Namibia. Tel +27 (0)21 8548064.

Climax Tourism Services
Affordable tours and safaris for small groups and families. Scheduled or tailor-made. Tel +27 (0)12 9911619

Quiver Tree Safaris
Highlights of Southern Africa; Kalahari, Namib; affordable camping tours. Aircon vehicles. Tel +944 (0)208 6052156.

Andulela Experience
Meet authentic people, explore traditions, participate. Discover real South Africa. Tel +27 (0)21 7902592.

Wimberger Private Tours
Private Minibus tours with own guide; more than 15 years experience; choose your dream route. Tel (0)21 9130801

New Frontiers Tours
Full service ground handler. Group tours; self driver tours; transfers; hotel bookings. Tel +27 (0)31 2082955

Mkulu Kei Horse Trails
Near Morgan Bay. Horseback eco safaris along the scenic Wild Coast. Quality horses.Tel 0027 (0)43 8411525

Magic of Desert Tours
4×4 camping expeditions into the Kalahari; best guide; RSA and Botswana. Upington. Tel +27 (0)54 3325787

There’s something so exciting and amazing about an Africa safari is the fact that you are lucky to experience the best South African safari if you decide to visit South Africa. Probably the toughest choice for making is usually making choice on what particular South Africa national parks, Towns, beach resort and other places to include on your South African Safari itinerary.

Kruger National Park

However, any local South African safari and tour operator can help you over the procedure and offer crucial advice on the places to tour and things to do. Having a crystal clear safari itinerary can not just relieve the worries regarding organizing almost any trip, but also ensure you do not miss out on some thing interesting!

South Africa safari packages can incorporate everything at a private African safari adventure checking in with the distant game reserves. All of it will depend on what you look for from a South Africa safari. Luxury South Africa hotels and lodging is offered, and you may tend to take advantage of the beautiful South African whit sand beach resorts to relax and also cool down. Creative options consist of walking safaris to Backpacking and camping, together with shopping along with visits to many ecosystems.

South Africa’s tourism gives you options wildlife safaris, hiking trails, gourmet extravaganzas, neon city tours, riding safaris, fishing and scuba diving expeditions or just lazing on a beach.

Flora and Fauna

Bird watchers will be captivated by national parks crowded with myriad varieties of bird life. Over 500 different birds are found in World of birds Cape Town and in many other South Africa National Parks and game reserves. Wild animal enthusiasts can easily make the most of South Africa tour deals including sightings of the Big 5 – lions, elephants, rhinoceroses, leopards in addition to buffaloes. I have listed a number of the species you will encounter on a South Africa safari. You will view zebra, wildebeest, as well as tigers along with hippos. Mention Kruger National park and any traveller will just associate it with South African safari.

The Kruger National Park, is South Africa’s premier game sanctuary and has more species of wildlife than any other game park in Africa – 147 species of mammals, 114 species of reptiles, 49 species of fish, 34 amphibians and 507 species of bird. With a bit of luck you will see elephant, buffalo, zebra, kudu, giraffe, impala, white and black rhino, lion, leopard, cheetah and more!

other south Africa national parks and reserves include Sabi Game reserve, Addo Elephant National Park, the Table Mountains National Park, Kalahari Gemsbok National park and host of many other parks. Actually, South Africa is raked to have more than 25 recognised National park and more than 30 other Game reserves and  protected Areas. Of course you would like to know and see why all this protected areas are grouped as national treasures.

Luxury Safaris and Holidays

Night Game drives

Speak of Luxury South Africa safari to private game reserves in Kruger National park such as Sabi game reserve, Londolozi and Singita, chartered aircraft or helicopter safaris to Cape Town, garden route and Fly in Safaris to Kruger Park. Luxury South African hotels and safari lodges are often part of the luxurious South African safari packages. Lodging ranges from fly-camps to budget lodges. How about luxurious Boat cruises from Cape Town to Robben Island, to Cape Point and beyond where you will find dolphins, penguins, whales and also do some deep sea fishing.

Golfing safaris in South Africa could be inclusive of your Luxury south Africa tours if you book earlier enough. There are several well maintained 19-hoel golf courses and clubs that fringe the beach on Cape Town.

Family Holidays and Adventures

South African Family safaris are another way to enjoy South Africa safari tours. Madikwe game reserve is malaria free and is a good destination to adventure with kids for the big five. Sabi sands Game reserve offers family safaris accommodation.

In some areas, safaris are offered by canoe, by foot, as well as by elephant trips. make research prior to speaking with a South Africa safari travel company, and narrow down your alternatives to what you long to see as well as experience in South Africa. All this makes the planning procedure that much simpler.

The Garden Route, runs parallel to the coastline and features lakes, mountains, tall forests, rivers and pristine beaches. It offers spectacular scenery, a mild climate and is perfect for nature lovers and the adventurous. There are tantalizing beaches, nature reserves, picturesque towns, adventure activities, there are forest walks and beaches for lazing. Via spectacular mountain passes you reach the Little Karoo where there are the ostrich shows and the awe-inspiring Cango limestone caves.

Day tours and Cities

Pretoria & Johannesburg, two neighboring cities that form the powerhouse of South Africa: Johannesburg is the commercial metropolis where high-rise buildings cluster and suburbs sprawl outwards. Green and prosperous enclaves dotted with turquoise swimming pools contrast with dusty townships. Pretoria is the administrative capital of South Africa, a city of parks and gardens, quiet residential streets and imposing public buildings.

Cape Town & surroundings are impossible to exhaust if you start describing its beauty. There are miles of stunning coastline & Table Mountain; there are the historic & the cosmopolitan faces of the city with parks, historic buildings, stylish shopping malls, the vibrant waterfront district and beaches. Just off the coast is Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. There is Cape Dutch architecture, the charm & beauty of the wine country and extending 50 km south from Cape Town, the Cape Peninsula – a scenic feast of tree-covered mountain slopes and a dramatic coastline.

South Africa Safari Lodges

Durban South Africa is a blend of different people both local and foreign, the capital of Kwa Zulu Natal province which home to the Drakensburg mountains, Hluhlulwe national park, beautiful beaches and south Africa’s main sea port.

South Africa Beach holidays

Cape Town is one South Africa tour destination to consider on South African safari and beach holidays. It is an immense and impressive country with a coastline that borders two great oceans and a vast interior of rich farmland, game-rich plains, rugged mountains, cosmopolitan cities, and traditional villages. Exotic beach holidays will include visits to Mozambique on Bazaruto islands, to palm fringed beaches of Mauritius good for South Africa honeymoon safaris.

Hotels and Accommodation

There are several options that offer classic south African accommodation ranging from very luxurious inter-continental hotels to the budget South Africa hotels and all with undeniably splendid service and accommodation. All the way from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg, you’ll have a place to stay for your South Africa tours.

Cape Town is actually the finest tourist destinations in South Africa with a range of amazing South Africa hotels, guesthouses, B&B, apartments and anything you may want. Some of the Luxury five star hotels in Cape Town include Mount Nelson Hotel, Taj Hotel, Cape Grace and more than 200 of them in every other suburb of Cape Town. Other great South African hotels can be found in Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth, Durban and every other leading town in South Africa.

 Travel Tips

The options for luxury hotels, boutique hotels, apartments, self catering residential and other private holiday arrangements such as Home stays are there to provide accommodation for those that what to reveal in the nightlife of any Africa city.

The trick to enjoying such a safari itinerary and more is getting in touch with a reliable tour operator. There are many travel and safari packages but the difference is with customized holiday packages for safari honeymoons, family holidays, beach holidays or just safaris with close friends.

There are cheap holiday packages offered by different travel operators in Africa and Europe. These include self catering holiday and all–inclusive packages with a guide. The most important thing is to find one that fits within your budget and one which keeps that magic going

Best times to visit

You may choose to travel by air, on a group tour, by coach or you can self-drive. When you reach your destination some of Africa’s finest lodges, hotels, country inns and private homes will offer you a standard of hospitality second to none and the surrounding countryside will be everything you could hope for.

The wintertime time (May to August) is best period pertaining to sightings. Road access is good, really should you decide to hire your own safari vehicle, although the provided along with well-maintained major highways will often be filled along with donkeys and other wildlife therefore attention need to be used when driving.

Safaris Extras

Tourists visiting south africa always extend the safari trail to neighbouring countries among which is Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland…to mention but a few.There are several adventures in all these beautiful countries for tourists every time of the year.

Namibia boats an incredible range of wildlife, open savannah, thorny plant species and an endless rugged terrain. If it is wildlife safaris, one of the best places to go is Etosha National Park.Botswana tourism highlights the best of wild Africa holidays with trips to the famed Okavango Delta which prides with large herds of elephants, antelopes and different species of predators.

Both SWAZILAND and LESOTHO Safari tours often add-ons in South African tours. Swaziland is the smallest country wit only a handful of inhabitants but gifted with beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife and friendly people. Lesotho is called the “Kingdom in the Sky” with spectacular mountain scenery and one of the best ways to see the country is on pony treks.

CAPE TOWN SOUTH AFRICA

Cape Town south Africa tours are something out of this world! Cape Town is one of the prime South Africa holiday destinations with the Western Cape being home to several beautiful places that range from the Cape Peninsula, rugged mountains, beautiful beaches, the abundant Cape Town Garden route, scenic coral reef inviting to scuba divers… and the list goes on and on.

Cape Town, known to South Africans as the “Mother City”, was the first area to be settled by Europeans in the 17th century and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

In 1580 Sir Francis Drake wrote; “This cape is a most stately thing, and the fairest cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth.” The passage of time has done little to blunt his words. With Table Mountain as a spectacular backdrop and miles and miles of coastline and sweeping beaches, this cosmopolitan city of parks, historic buildings, and stylish shopping malls is an ideal place to spend a week or more.

Cape Town City tours and sights

Cape Town day trips definitely start at the heart of Cape Town city. Hop on a red bus tours with over 15 stops and attractions to enjoy within the city alone. The Two oceans Aquarium is a start on your Cape Town tours enjoy the dive in the shark cage that takes you to the ocean and explore South Africa’s marine life

Visit Cape Town’s monuments and old building that have been carefully intertwined with modern architectural work like Cape Town international convention centre and tourist information centre. The monumental clock tower is a historical building built in 1882, St. George’s Cathedral, the South African museum, Jewish museum, District Six museum, the castle museum, the Gold museum and many other sights to behold.

In fine weather, a cable car will carry you up to the top of Table Mountain where you can survey one of the finest panoramas in all South Africa. On the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens display 4,000 of the 18,000 plant species that have been classified in South Africa.

Cape Town Wine tours

Cape Town wine tours

One of the things that distinguish Cape Town from any other common city on Africa Safari is its unique wines and spirits. South Africa’s wine lands spread for several acres in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Cape Peninsula, Constantia valley, Durbanville, Paarl and many other towns. Several South Africa Tour operators in Cape Town will arrange gourmet, cheese or chocolate wine tasting, visit to the cellar, spectacular wine dining and so much more if you book in advance. Groot Constantia is the oldest vineyard and homestead in Cape Town, built in 1692 it is a superb example of Cape Dutch architecture and is now a museum and vineyard.

Cape Town beach tours

The Castle of Good Hope is south Africa’s oldest building  that will clearly give you blend of south Africa’s history  and present day. More than 2,000 birds are resident around the Cape of Good Hope and its surrounding mangroves and marshes like sea gulls all seen on Hiking trails.  Just off the coast is Robben Island, South Africa’s ‘Alcatraz’ and the place where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for over two decades.

The Cape Peninsula is one of the most scenic beach resorts and Camps Bay beaches a re a favorite for many South Africa holidays. Sea Point is not only a port but also an also an interesting port with several internet shops, restaurants, pubs and many hotels.

Penguins on Cape Town Beach coast

The towns here are small and there are numerous fine examples of Cape Dutch architecture as well as boutique hotels and superb wineries and restaurants to be enjoyed.

A great place for shopping, dining and entertainment is the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Original buildings have been renovated and new ones added in Victorian style and all contribute to the timeless charm and appeal. Visitors can enjoy world-class shops, a variety of fascinating museums, an excellent selection of restaurants, pubs and coffee shops, craft markets, historical walking tours, cinemas (including an Imax!) and theatres, the Telkom Exploratorium, outdoor entertainment, helicopter flips and much more.

Cape Town Safaris

Extending south from Cape Town is the Cape Peninsula and a nature reserve that boasts indigenous flora and fauna. Keep an eye out for baboon, bontebok, zebra, Cape grysbok, steenbok, grey rhebok, eland, springbok, grey mongoose and over 150 species of bird. In the reserve, at the end of the Table Mountain chain, is world-famous Cape Point, the dramatic and visually awe-inspiring promontory, where one can dine in style or throw caution to the winds where the two oceans are said to meet. Cape Town safaris are often add-ons on South Africa Safaris from Kruger National Park

Cape town Garden Route tours are the right treat for holiday makers that would like to experience south Africa Cape Town safaris, visiting surrounding towns and attractions like Hermanus, Cape Agulhas, Elephant Park, Tsittsikamma National Park and Kysna, the jewel of Garden route Safari

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are part of any Cape Town tour itinerary showcasing a wide variety of exotic plants with more 2,000 different plant species not found anywhere else in the world!

Smithwinkle Baboons on Cape Town Coast

If you are enthusiastic about the warm and friendly people of Cape Town, visit the old town of Imizano Yethu on Hout Bay, learn of its long unfortunate history and why its people smile all the way on your cape town tours.

Cape Town Hotels and Accommodation

Some of the most remarkably beautiful hotels in Cape Town include the President Hotel on Bantry Bay with facilities fit for a royalty, iconic beach views, unexplainable comfort and service. Mount Nelson Hotel is on the foot of the Table Mountains a famed spot to catch South Africa celebrities on an afternoon tea. There are however many hotels, guesthouses, inn, boutique hotels, self catering apartments and game lodges to offer overnight on tours to Cape Town South Africa.

Cape Town is accessed by both road using bus and taxi and air from Johannesburg with several regional and international airlines. Helicopter charters are also available to give you aerial tours of the town.

KwaZulu-Natal is found on the south coast of Natal South Africa a tropical paradise with excellent game viewing, unspoilt wild beauty, sugary sand and palm fringed beaches, abundant wetlands, mountains, botanical gardens and …the list goes on and on

Hluhluwe Imfolozi National Park

The South Coast of the Kwa Zulu Natal province offers a subtropical garden paradise & some of the finest golf circuits in South Africa, but the region’s true beauty lies in its golden beaches, coastal dune forests and long summer days. Emphasis is on outdoor attractions with big game fishing and scuba diving at Aliwal Shoal, one of the top ten diving sites in the world.

Safaris in Kwa Zulu Natal

Game viewing on Kwa Zulu Natal province is really good with more than 10 private reserves, each with unique wildlife traits with habitats like sand forests, savannah, bushes and wetlands. Some of the smaller private game reserves include Ital game reserve in the north, Mkuze in the north east, Royal Natal national park in the Drakensburg mountains, Ukhalamba, and Mismar Dam reserve in the west and Craigie Burn Nature reserve, Umgeni Valley Nature reserve, Albert Falls Nature reserve and many others.

Hluhluwe- Imfolozi park is one of the biggest game reserve in South Africa and is particularly dedicated to the conservation of endangered white rhinos in south Africa with less than 30 of them in the world. The 9600 ha park is also home to several other mammals like the Big five in addition to giraffes, zebras, vervet monkeys, antelopes, waterbucks, cheetahs, hyenas and many others. Phinda Game reserve is privately owned under Isimangaliso wetlands around St Lucia Lake. This area is a protected UNESCO world heritage site with sand dunes making the boundary between the coast and the lake.

Over 600 birds are recorded in Kwa Zulu Natal province alone making it a number destination for birders from all over the world. Some of the birds seen here include vultures, martial and fish eagles, Buzzards, rollers, bee eaters, hornbill, ibis, pelicans, seagulls and many others.

A microlight helicopter trip will give you a bird’s view over the serene landscape, beaches, the lake, forested areas and other beautiful views.

Kwa Zulu Natal coast is a diverse eco-system with long sand beaches, rolling sand dunes, mangrove coast, beautiful marine and coral reefs, salty marshes and estuaries. Relax on a beach resorts in Kwa Zulu Natal after a long game safari in mainland game reserves and parks. Some of the beautiful beach resorts in Kwa Zulu Natal include Margate Beach, Marina Ransgate, Lucien beach, and Willard beach.

Big game fishing is a favorite activity on the Natal coast off the coast of St. Lucia and Kosia Bay. Other water sports include Boating, surfing, dolphin watching and jet skiing among others. The tide wave is high for the coast making it good for several water sporting activities. Diving is good in many marine parks like Maputaland Marine reserve off the Mozambique Channel where you’ll find leatherback sea turtles. Sodwana Bay is a rather prominent site for scuba diving drawing more 30,000 experienced divers every year.

Visitors travelling north will be left breathless by the unspoilt beauty of the rugged beaches and lush, undulating hills of Northern KwaZulu-Natal. The coastline is known as the Dolphin Coast, because of the vast number of dolphins seen frolicking and surfing in the azure waters of the warm Indian Ocean.

Hiking is another favorite activity from the spectacular trails within the Drakensburg, on the rugged beach coast and within the different forest reserves. Trails through the Drankensburg will take you to the scenic deep valleys, to lush forested slopes, to glistening waterfalls and with spectacular scenery below. Hiking in the mountains requires some serious caution given its changing weather.

Zulu Warrior's Dance

Kwa Zulu is the kingdom of the renowned Zulu people who are praised for their strong cultural traits in South Africa and in South African history since the time of the imperialists. Find some time off to visit one of the Zulu homestead, learn their cultures, songs and dance and their unique clothing.

Kwa Zulu Natal Travel

Eventually the subtropical bush gives way to the rolling green hills of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Boasting cooler evenings and less humid days lavender, thyme, sage and other Mediterranean herbs flourish. Perhaps best known of the attractions is the “Midlands Meander”, a charming collection of plant nurseries, art and crafts shops and stalls, restaurants and tea gardens – all tied together by a network of winding roads. Durban residents often escape to this area for a weekend in the country.

You don’t have to worry about where to stay for overnights while in Kwa Zulu Natal because you have several options like camping sites, backpacking, game lodges and many other options. Some of the luxury safari accommodation include Wendy’s country lodge near elephant coast and St Lucia with swimming pool, stunning gardens, relaxed rooms and excellent dining

Drakensburg holiday resorts are doted everywhere in different towns. Some of these include the luxury Leopard mountain game lodge, Qambathi Mountain lodge and many others

The Garden Route, running along the South African coast near Cape Town, begins in the west at Swellendam and ends at Humansdorp. Garden route is particularly renowned for its beaches, lush dense forests, nature reserves, botanical gardens, lakes, mountains, villages and many other spots. each of these has played part in maintaining the Garden route Cape Town tours as one of the most visited places on south African safaris.

Garden route Tours

The town of Knysna boasts a variety of shops & restaurants as well as a small waterfront district situated on the Knysna Lagoon. The Lagoon, which is surrounded by two impressive rocks called the Knysna Heads, is ideal for windsurfing, water-skiing, canoeing, angling and for diving. Around the town the Knysna Forest, South Africa’s largest remaining forest area is a great place to hike.

A popular day tour is a trip on the Outeniqua Choo Choo, a historical train pulled by a steam engine. The ride goes through breathtaking landscape with stunning views of fern-covered mountains, wide river plains, lagoons and miles of pristine beaches. The 3-hour ride starts in George, goes through Wilderness over the much photographed arch-bridge at the Kaaimans River and ends after crossing the lagoon in Knysna.

Garden Route Safari South Africa

The road inland takes you via spectacular mountain passes to the Little Karoo where the ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn issue a challenge & offer a show. Learn everything worth knowing about ostriches and, if you are brave enough, ride one of the obstinate birds, or make a bet on who might win the ostrich race.

The nearby Cango Caves are among the biggest stalagmite formations in the world and a great place for subterranean walks rich in Limestone.

The Tsitsikamma National Park is an 80 km coastal strip between Nature’s Valley and the mouth of the Storms River. Hiking trails offer an experience of a unique plant and animal world with giant trees and ferns. Some indigenous Yellowwood trees still exist here, over 800 years old. This park is also home to some 200 different birds.

The Wilderness National Park is an ecologically unique landscape of rivers, lagoons, saltwater lakes and wetlands. The National Park is a paradise for the bird lover and is one of South Africa’s ecologically richest water bird habitats.

Knysna Garden Route

Plettenberg Bay was named after Governor Joachim von Plettenberg, who incorporated the bay under the administrative sovereignty of the Dutch-East India Trading Company in 1778. Nowadays Plett (as South Africans know it) is one of the more exclusive seaside resorts and boasts the most beautiful beaches of the Garden Route.

Things to do

Enjoy several nature reserves found in Garden route such as Rein coastal, Goukamma, Keurbooms, Robbeerf, Outeniqua and many others. There are also national parks and game reserves within garden route and are home to different primates, elephants, rhinos, giraffe, lions and many others. At Cango wildlife ranch, you’ll be at home with several snakes and reptiles.

Whale watching is spectacular along the coast of Garden route to Cape Agulhas. You could also try your hand at deep sea fishing at Plettenburg bay. Cycling and hiking is a fascination with the canopy of lush Tsitsikamma forest. Guided tours of the forests, specialist history & botanical tours are offered by a trusted Garden route South Africa safari operator. Golfing by the beach on Garden route safari is unique and relaxing by only affordable by prior booking.

If you love gambling, Garden route casino is open24/7 to meet your wealth making desires. Other interesting activities around garden route include Bungee jumping, diving, parasailing, surfing, canoeing on Knysan Lagoon and many other water sports. You could alternatively take helicopter rides over garden route for amazing Garden route overviews.

Garden Route Safaris

Garden route Hotels and accommodation

There are several options for Garden route overnight accommodation. Garden route game lodges are mostly preferred with excellent service and facilities. Some of the game lodges include Garden route game lodge, Pletternberg Bay game lodge, Buffelsdrift game lodge, Kwandwe Ecca Lodge and many others.

You’ll find Garden route hotels in Pletternberg bay offering luxury accommodation and facilities such as Tsala Treetop lodge, trogon House and forest spa, Hog hollow, Hunters Country lodge, Emily moon river lodge and several others. They all boast of iconic views of surrounding mountain backdrop, river coursing bay, the beach coast and thatched roof cottages.

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK AFRICA

The Kruger National Park boasts the world’s greatest concentration of species and is the largest game reserves in north east South Africa. The Park as it is known today covers roughly 18,000 sq kms, it is 360 kms long and on average about 60kms wide. Kruger Park includes several private game reserves like Sabi Game reserve

Kruger National Park history

A brief history reads – in 1844 the border between Portuguese, Mozambique and South Africa was agreed, today that same border comprises much of the Park’s eastern boundary. In 1869, a gold rush in the area resulted in over-hunting and in 1884 President Paul Kruger proposed that boundaries in the region be defined as game reserves to protect the flora and fauna. He encountered inevitable resistance with the proposed restrictions and did not succeed until 1898 when the Crocodile and Sabi River areas were officially deemed reserves. Eventually they grew into today’s Kruger National Park.

Kruger national park form a large part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park that extends from Zimbabwe and Mozambique

Kruger National Park Tours

Kruger Park is home to thousands of wild animals, birds and plants, one of the richest wildlife heritage sites on any South Africa safari tour. Some of the game that you can hope to see includes black and white rhinos, Burchell’s zebras, blue wildebeests, buffalos, lions, cheetahs, elands, leopards, elephants, giraffes, hartebeests, impala, vervet monkeys, hyena, hippos, crocodiles, antelopes and wild dog among other animals.

Sabi River attracts several herds of wildlife during the dry seasons and flocks of colorful birds all through the year. Some of the interesting birds in Kruger National Park include Grey lourie, heron, yellow billed stork, martial eagle, the Egyptian goose, cormorant, hammerkop, saddle billed stork, white back vulture, ground hornbill and many others.

Kruger Park to the south is gifted by the coursing Sabi and Crocodile rivers which have made it a unique eco-system with several opportunities for a game viewing. The riverbanks are covered in dense forests, thorny thickets and woodlands.

Guided day and night game drives are a unique way to adventure on Kruger national park safari. Meet the creepy nocturnal predators like lions, cheetah, jackals, leopards and the wild dog on hunt around the park.  Walking safaris led by armed game warders and rangers are unforgettable. There are 6 different trails and get one-on-one encounter with Kruger’s wildlife, insects, exotic plants and so much more.

Kruger National Park hotels and Accommodation

There are several Kruger national park safari lodges, camps and accommodation options with restaurants, self catering accommodation, picnic sites, laundry services, swimming pools and very many other tourist services located inside the park and near the park

Some of the recommended rest camps include Skukuza, Letaba, Berg en Dal, Mopani, Punda Maria, Maroela …etc many of these being private camps. There are also bush camos that will give you the real feel of an African night characterized by sounds like croaking frogs, laughing hyenas, lion roars and chirping birds in the morning. Some of these include Bateleur Bushveld, Sirheni camp, Talamati camp and many others.

Kruger national park safaris also have incredible luxury African safari lodges and they include Lukimbi Safari Lodge, Rhino Post safari lodge, Hamilton’s camp, Tinga private lodge, outpost lodge and many others. Often the luxury safari lodges have Kruger National Park honeymoon packages with unequalled service to make your romantic gateway memorable.

Access to Kruger National Park

The park is opens 6h00 to 18h00 for visiting tourists who are admitted after paying a nominal park entrance fee. Kruger Park is one of the most accessible African Safari game parks with well traced roads and tracks through the park. The park has more than 5 gates of Malelane in the south east, Numbi in the south west and Kruger in the north are the main gates.

By planes and chartered aircrafts, the park has access to 3 airstrips and airports; Kruger Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, East gate airport at Hoedspruit and Phalaborwa airport. They all recive flights form Johannesburg with small aircraft charters.

When to Visit

Kruger Park has a long wet season that begins in October to January although it is a replenishing time in the park; several blooming plants, growth of new savannah pastures, impala breeding season. The dry season then begins in Feb to July when vegetation is dense and several animal sighting throughout the park.  The giant Baobab tree bloom around June with beautiful flowers while different migrant birds like Stonechat flying to the park in July.

Durban located on the east coast of South Africa is a vibrant port town bustling with shipping, business, soft sand beach resorts and everything a holiday maker would prefer and choose for South Africa holidays. It started life in1823 as a tiny British trading post and today is the capital of KwaZulu-Natal, a province that offers abundant game reserves, the majestic Drakensberg Mountains, the temperate Midlands and a subtropical coastline.

Durban City Centre

Durban Kwazulu Natal is blessed with balmy weather all year round, making it a perfect holiday paradise and many of the facilities demanded by holiday makers can be found here – great restaurants, shops & touring options. The city is justifiably proud of its beautiful parks, which include the Durban Botanical Gardens, a Japanese Garden and the Jamieson Rose Gardens, in which some 200 varieties of rose bloom in springtime.

Durban City day tours

Durban city hall is one of the most popular sights clad in a long history together with Phansi Museum that holds collections of traditional art, craftworks like Zulu clay pots and beadwork. Take some time off at the Botanical gardens founded in1849 and discover different plants and exotic African, American and Asian trees. Take a peek inside the Emanuel Cathedral before we head off to the informal settlement of Cato Manor.

More Indians live in Durban South Africa on the Golden Mile beach front than any other city outside India and they have brought the exotica of their homeland – mosques and temples, colourful saris, markets packed with Oriental curios, tropical fruits and spices. The heart of Durban’s Indian business district, around Grey Street, is a colourful spot to explore. Shops selling delicacies and jewellery, saris and European fashions occupy the arcades of the Great Mosque. The Indian Market in Warwick Street, a few hundred meters west of Grey Street, offers the tourist a sampling of the romance and mystery of the east.

Durban South Africa safari tours

The mighty Drakensberg Mountains, with its 3000m peaks, forms the north-western border of KwaZulu-Natal. Wildlife seen in this area includes antelope, baboons, small mammals

Lion Safari in Hluhluwe Game Reserve

and reptiles. The whole area is a bird sanctuary inhabited by an abundance of diverse bird life, including sugar birds, kingfishers, storks and eagles – and the endangered lammergeyer. Plant life varies widely with altitude – proteas flourish on the slopes while cycads, ferns and yellowwoods are found in the sheltered gorges.

West of Durban is the breathtaking Valley of a Thousand Hills and the pulsating rhythm of PheZulu Village, a living Zulu museum. The quaint villages of Kloof and Hillcrest are also worth a visit. Take a stroll down the tree lined garden avenues and browse charming country hotels and shops. Every now and again you will come across a viewpoint overlooking the valleys in the area.

Hluhluwe Game Reserve located north of Kwa Zulu-Natal is a protected wildlife reserve that hosts nearly 84 different species of mammals and a variety of birds. Some of the common animals include lions, rhinos, buffalos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, spotted hyenas, wildebeests, cheetah and wild dog among others. Take an open vehicle game drive through reserve’s unspoilt beauty.

Start a trip through the undulating lush hills, Sugarcane fields to Himeville and to the north coast at the heart of Zulu Kingdom from Nkwalini valley. Below is the Umhlatusi river surrounded by a large kraal, Shakazulu’s birthplace now an incredible museum. Enjoy the harmony of the intertwined peoples and cultures, music, art and crafts, cuisines and food.

An educational tour of Ushaka marine world is worth spending. The marine park includes some tropical fish species, dolphins, seal, penguins and beautiful coral gardens.

Durban hotel and accommodation

Savor a wide selection of Durban accommodation, hotels and lodges built on raised hills with beautiful lawn backyards, iconic views of the lush rolling hills and views of the serene sea coast. There area Durban hotels that offer luxury and superior facilities such as Audacia Luxury Manor Guesthouse, Makaranga Garden lodge, Balmoral Hotel, Auberge Hollandaise luxury guest house and Edward Durban hotel.

You can also get self catering Durban accommodation from Isundu Villas, Harmony Haven couples retreat, North Durban North Lodge cottages bed and breakfast options from Umhlanga Ocean View, Amazimtoti Sunsplash, Amazaimtoti Wavecrest and Dolphin point in Athlone park.