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:: Special Interests
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South Africa |
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Cape Town |
 Often touted as the most beautiful city in the world, Cape Town's spectacular location combines with its cosmopolitan history to offer visitors a fascinating mix of culture and scenery. The first people to inhabit the Cape Peninsula were stone age tribes, followed by San hunter-gatherers and the KhoiKhoi who were closely related to their San predecessors. The first Europeans arrived at the Cape in 1487 when Bartholomeu Dias sailed around the edge of the continent and named it the "Cape of Good Hope".
Cape Town is located 40km from the Cape of Good Hope itself, and lies
nestled in the lee of Table Mountain, possibly the most photographed landmark in South Africa. The Mountain is 1000m high and is often blanketed in a "tablecloth" of wispy cloud, making the climb to the top an exciting way to spend a morning! Cable cars also run from part way up the mountainside for visitors wishing to take a more leisurely route to the summit.
The city and surrounds offer a huge variety of attractions in addition to Table Mountain. These include the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, located on the opposite side of the mountain to the main city centre and bequeathed to the nation in 1902 by Cecil Rhodes. The gardens are planted with mainly indigenous species and 9000 of South Africa's 22,000 native plant species are represented. The Cape of Good Hope
nature reserve boasts an amazing variety of plant species including the country's national flower, the Protea. The unique fynbos flora found here constitutes the world's smallest unique floral kingdom. Visitors to Cape Town may also like to visit Robben Island, the isolated jail of Nelson Mandela for so many years.
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South Africa |
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Drakensberg Mountains |
 This basalt escarpment forms the border between Kwazulu Natal and the kingdom of Lesotho in South Africa. The name literally means "dragon mountains" which seems appropriately enigmatic for this often mist-swathed and lonely landscape of towering peaks and forested valleys. The Drakensberg are usually split into three specific areas; the Northern, Central and Southern Drakensberg. The whole area is scattered with tea shops, craft centres and plenty of beautiful places ideal for spending a relaxing afternoon.
The Northern 'Berg stretches from Golden Gate National Park to the Royal Natal National Park and encompasses some of the most dramatic scenery in South Africa. The Golden Gate Park is relatively small at 8000 hectares and encompasses the Amphitheatre, an 8km
stretch of magnificent cliff face which is a climbers paradise with breathtaking views from the ledges along the cliff edge. The Mont aux sources mountain also rises here, at an altitude of over 15,000m, three rivers have their source here including the Orange which runs from here all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.
The plentiful water supply combined with the variety of habitat niches has resulted in over 200 bird species making this Park their home, as well as many small mammal, amphibian and retile species.
The Central 'Berg includes Giant's Castle, a rugged and remote area which often seems deserted despite it's popularity with visitors. Clear, cool water streams bubble down the mountainsides and an enjoyable walk up the wildflower strewn valley leads to some ancient San rock paintings, evidence of the area's first inhabitants. Giant's Castle is also home to over 60 mammal species in addition to ther are bearded vulture.
Some of the Drakensberg's most challenging climbs are to be found within the Central 'Berg. These include Cathkin Peak, Monk's Cowl and Champagne Castle. Hikers will be rewarded by the spectacular views which seem to stretch forever, and by the occasional sighting of a klipspringer antelope or a mountain reedbuck.
The Southern 'Berg runs down to the Transkei and includes the steep and scenic Sani Pass which leads to Southern Lesotho. This area is less developed than the north and central regions, but is no less beautiful.
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South Africa |
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Garden Route |
 This section of beautiful coastline stretches along South Africa's southwest coast and covers indigenous forest, lagoons and sand dunes as well as some beautiful beaches. The sleepy town of Mossel Bay is one of the first towns along the route and was first established after Bartholomeu Dias' visit in 1488. Trade between Europeans and the resident KhoiKhoi tribes continued and today the town's history is evident.
The areas of Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma are favourite stops along the
Garden Route and are surrounded by the lush Outeniqua Mountains, indigenous forest, freshwater lakes and pristine beaches. Several walking trails exist in the area including the popular Otter Trail. Knysna lagoon is an excellent diving and snorkeling site where visitors may get the chance to see the unique Knysna Seahorse before enjoying a trip on the steam train or a meal at one of the many excellent seafood restaurants. Plettenberg Bay, further east along the route, is a bustling resort with lovely beaches and many activities on offer including canoeing, hiking, diving and mountain bike trails.
Traveling the full route offers guests a relaxing and varied holiday with a great
many activities and natural features to enjoy along the way.
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South
Africa |
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Hluhluwe & Umfolozi Game Reserves |
These protected areas were first proclaimed in 1897 and, although
relatively small, they are home to many interesting species
including lion, elephant, black and white rhino and giraffe.
The two areas are not joined, although there is a wildlife
corridor allowing animals to move across the combined area.
Guided walking trails can be arranged in Umfolozi's 24,000
ha wilderness area, and day and night drives are available
from the lodges within the area, or from the nearby coastal
town of St. Lucia.
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South
Africa |
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Kruger National Park |
Kruger was originally founded in 1898 by Paul Kruger, the
then president of South Africa. It is now one of the largest
wildlife parks in the world at just under 350km long and an
average of 60km wide. Straddling the border with Mozambique,
it covers an area the size of Wales (almost 2 million hectares).
The greatest variety of animals within any park in Africa
exist within its boundaries, and visitors may hope to encounter
lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, rhino, cheetah, giraffe,
many antelope, hippo and much, much more. In total there are
thought to be 137 mammal species, around 500 bird species
and more than 100 reptile species ranging from the "Big
Five" to the lesser known and rarer, small mammals which
are no less interesting!
The area consists of a multitude of ecosystems, and Park
authorities keep visitors well informed about the movements
of the animals so there is a good chance that guests will
see a wide variety of species. Due to the excellent infrastructure,
Kruger can certainly not be described as a wilderness area,
but it does have the advantage of offering visitors a safe
and comfortable way to see some of Africa's best known wildlife
species. In addition to driving around the Park, there are
also some guided wilderness trails on offer which are run
by professional, armed guides.
Many private reserves border the Kruger Park, the most famous
include Mala Mala, Sabi Sabi and Londolozi within the Sabi
Sand conservation area. These reserves offer visitors a luxurious
alternative to the municipal camps inside the Park borders.
The municipal rest camps are comfortable and well equipped
with shops, restaurants, phones and fuel stations. Some have
swimming pools.
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South Africa |
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Stellenbosch |
 Stellenbosch is only 20km from Cape Town and the surrounding area is often compared to southern France with its rolling, green hillsides and lush valleys. Many different wine producing estates can be found in the area, most offer wine tasting and some have cosy restaurants offering wonderful meals. The town of Stellenbosch itself has a
very last century European feel to it with wide avenues lined with oak trees, a rambling university and many buildings in the Cape Dutch style.
Wine producing began in the region back in the 1670's with the arrival of 200 French Huguenots, and much beautifully crafted architecture can still be seen from this period. The nearby towns of Franschoek and Paarl are equally picturesque with steep, winding passes leading to nature reserves and secluded wine farms where visitors can sip a
particularly good vintage whilst looking out across the surrounding valleys.
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South
Africa |
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St. Lucia Wetlands |
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St. Lucia area is one of Africa's premier eco-tourism destinations,
and a haven for bird and animal life. Five separate eco-systems
exist within the area; marine habitats including coral reefs
and beaches, shoreline habitat, reed and sedge swamps, the
largest estuary in Africa and the western shores with fossil
corals, sand forest, bushveld and grasslands.
The area is managed by the Natal Parks Board and much work
has been done to ensure that these habitats are conserved
and that the tourism activities undertaken here are sensitive.
Excellent marked hikes through woodland, grassland and across
pristine beaches can be taken around St. Lucia, Cape Vidal
and False Bay Park. Snorkeling and diving at the restricted
area of Cape Vidal are popular pastimes, as is fishing, whale
watching and walking in the forest reserve there.
Boat trips on the estuary at St. Lucia also present wonderful
scenery and beautiful sunsets. This shallow area of brackish
water is teaming with fish and attracts a great many water
birds in addition to crocodile and hippo. Sodwana Bay, one
of the most popular diving sites in Southern Africa, is close
by and also includes a great variety of habitat niches which
are home to over 330 species of bird.
The St. Lucia and Maputaland Marine reserves cover the coastal
strip and three nautical miles out to sea from Cape Vidal
to Mozambique. This area encompasses the world's most
southerly coral reefs and several nesting sites of the rare
leatherback and loggerhead turtles.
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South Africa |
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The Transkei |
 One of the designated "Homelands" during apartheid, the Transkei is an area of wild and rocky coastline south of Durban with warm waters, white sand beaches and sub-tropical vegetation. The so-called 'Wild Coast' of the Transkei is notoriously dangerous for ships but wonderful for surfers! Around 40,000ha of indigenous forest still exists in the area, and although many of the animal species that once roamed have now
disappeared, the birdlife is still varied and plentiful.
The town of Umtata is the main settlement in the area and was founded in 1871. The birthplace of Nelson Mandela, the village of Mvezo, is just a few kilometers from Umtata. One of the most beautiful small towns in the Transkei is Port St. Johns, named after a ship which foundered on the shores many years ago. This small, relaxed town is dominated by dramatic cliffs towering above perfect beaches and is a wonderful place to
spend a few days just enjoying the scenery. The nearby Silaka Nature Reserve is home to clawless otter and many species of bird and butterfly.
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