South Africa Blog

Links to Fabulous South African Web Sites – Hand-picked links to good South African Sites (and some of the editor’s favourites!).

Arrive Alive – The Arrive Alive Website is managed and funded by individuals and companies in the interest of road safety in general and endorsed by the Department of Transport.

Accommodation Cape Town - A useful directory of Cape Town accommodation option with a simple search option to search by town or an advanced search option to search by certain criteria. Also feature attractions and a Cape Town Activities section..

Accommodation in Hout Bay – Troodos House & Cottages Hout Bay offer Self Catering Cottages or Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa.

South Africa – The Good News! About this site: In South Africa, we’re sitting on the edge of greatness, but many of us know little of the progress that’s been achieved since 1994. Fewer still have a sense of what the future holds. This website will provide you with daily, weekly and archived news items to inform whatever interests you may have. Hopefully, if you know where we’ve come from and get a sense of where we’re heading, your confidence in South Africa will improve and you’ll want to describe what’s happening here positively and with passion.

Camps Bay Guest House – Unique in Camps Bay, Cape Town, and nestled under the Twelve Apostles in a peaceful location, Cape Rose Cottage enjoys breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the most magnificent sunsets. Pam and Steve invite you to enjoy three beautiful luxurious suites created for the discerning guest who appreciates attention to detail and something extra special.

SANParks – Official Website: SANParks – Africa’s Premier Wildlife Tourism Destinations. Experience the beauty and diversity of South African National Parks, Travel and explore South Africa!

TSOTSI! 2006 Academy Award Winner, Tsotsi! Best Foreign Language Film of the Year.

Free State Accommodation and Tourism – A lovely little site with Free state destination info and featuring some of the best available Free State Accommodation options.

Current Travel News from SA-Venues.com
South Africa Travel News
Travel News from South Africa by SA-Venues.com

I ♥ Britannia Bay Because ...
I ♥ Britannia Bay Hi, I’m Lucille Byrnes from Dolphin B&B+S/C in Britannia Bay a suburb of the town St Helena Bay up South Africa’s Cape West Coast. Britannia Bay IS BEST KNOWN FOR long stretches of pristine beaches, “heaven” and “hell” surfer’s corners and the wreck after which the bay is named. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the deck of my house (where do you get sea and surf in the foreground and backdrop of the Winterberge in one photograph?). From Britannica Heights one can see north to...

Weekly Events Round Up (6–12 Feb 2012)
Comrades Marathon If you are a sporting enthusiast or your New Year’s resolution is to take on the Comrades or Two Oceans this year, then we have a list of this weekend’s sporting events to help you with your training. From marathons and half marathons to swimming, we have a number of sports events happening around South Africa to excite both serious athletes to recreational competitors. We will keep you up to date with the latest events happening around the country, where you can add any...
Win a 2 Night Stay in the Heart of the Cape Overberg
De Kloof Luxury Estate WIN a 2 night stay in Swellendam, the heart of the Cape Overberg, at the 5-star graded De Kloof Luxury Estate. This boutique hotel is a stylish, historical masterpiece of Cape Dutch architecture and is a national monument (dated 1801) with spacious, designer garden rooms and suites, courtyards surrounded by indigenous trees, zen & herb rose gardens, birdlife and koi ponds. This intimate boutique estate is situated in a green secluded valley with breathtaking views,...
The Best of Local Fayre on Saturdays at the Jozi Food Market
Jozi Food Market If you live in the Greenside area of Johannesburg and are looking for somewhere a bit more novel than the local supermarket for your weekly groceries why not give the Jozi Food Market a try?  Open every Saturday from 08h30 to 13h30 and conveniently located at the Pirates Sports Club you can expect to be greeted by artisans and stall holders happy to share their love and knowledge of food. The market offers a wide selection of food; take your pick from the 50 delicious recipes...
Where to Lunch in De Rust, and Why it's Worth a Visit
Lunch in De Rust We don't mean to stop in De Rust. We're on the N12 that heads off the N1 close to the Karoo National Park en route to Ladismith, our intended destination, and have just come through the incredible Meiringspoort, when De Rust appears out of nowhere. The main road through town is littered with colourful restaurants, coffee shops and the odd boutique. The place is hot and humming. And a big board informs us that De Rust has won 'dorp van die jaar' and claims to be the best town...
I ♥ Kleinemonde Because ...
I ♥ Kleinemonde Hi, I’m Marlene from House Purfikt in Kleinemonde. Kleinemonde IS BEST KNOWN FOR its fantastic white beach which stretches on forever. We also have two lagoons right next to one another … fantastic for swimming, canoe rides, fishing etc. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN ON the beach on a bright sunny day, the dunes & blue sea looks incredible! THE BEST PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT Three Sisters rocks. OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT the biggest Pineapple in the world in Bathurst. WHEN THE...
Essence Café in Pietermaritzburg — A Review
Essence Cafe Location plays a critical role in the success of any restaurant and Essence Café is most certainly well situated at Wetherlys Centre, probably the most upmarket location in the Pietermaritzburg CBD. On the day of my visit there were a number of luxury cars, including BMW’s, Mercedes Benz’s, Audi’s and even a Porsche gracing the centre’s parking bays – unmistakable proof that this venue is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the best meeting places for local business...
I ♥ Menlo Park Because ...
I ♥ Menlo Park Hi, I’m Anna Marie Pienaar from Cottage Guest House in Menlo Park, Pretoria. Menlo Park IS BEST KNOWN FOR being very centrally located to Shopping Centres and the University of Pretoria and the Pretoria Country Golf Club. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Pretoria Country club, because of the beautiful gardens. THE BEST PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT during October when the Jakarandas are blooming. WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I LIKE TO go swimming, play tennis or play golf. WHEN THE...
I ♥ Beaufort West Because ...
I ♥ Beaufort West Hi, I’m Elsolique from Old House Guesthouse in Beaufort West. Beaufort West IS BEST KNOWN FOR its unique Karoo hospitality. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the Chris Barnard Museum; Chris Barnard was the famous heart surgeon who performed the worlds first heart transplant. THE BEST Karoo PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT the Karoo National Park. OTHER HAPPY SNAPS AT our beautiful pear trees on the Main Road. WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I LIKE TO be outside in the fresh Karoo air. WHEN...
Weekly Events Round Up (30 Jan to 5 Feb 2012)
Up The Creek If you haven’t thought about what you’re going to do next week, we’ve come up with a list of some of the most exciting events that will be taking place. We will now be giving you a weekly round up of the upcoming events and festivals throughout South Africa. We will keep you up to date with the hip and happening events that you can attend. Think sports, entertainment, culture and more. Break out your diaries and start phoning your friends to make sure you don't miss out. There...
Graaff Reinet's Obesa Nursery – Walk the Cacti Labyrinth
Obesa Cacti Nursery You either get it, or you don't. With the Obesa Cactus Nursery. Although describing it as a 'nursery' hardly does the experience justice. For a visit here, if you allow it, is far more of an experience than it is a simple trip to the nursery to pick up a cactus or two for your window sill. First of all the 'nursery' takes up the better part of a block. For those of you who want to find it, hunt down the street dominated by a myriad psychedelically painted houses. They're a...
I ♥ Chartwell Because ...
I ♥ Chartwell Hi, I’m Alan from Hoopoe Haven Guest House in Chartwell, in Sandton. Chartwell IS BEST KNOWN FOR its country atmosphere and living. All plots are from 2.5 to 10 acres in size, so it is very peaceful. The Lion Park is on the border of Chartwell West 1 km away as the crow flies and just 5 km south is the busy metropolis of fourways with lots of malls and shops, MonteCasino and plenty of activity like live theatre, ice rink, extravaganzas, bird park etc. Chartwell is a place where...
5 great things to do when in Graaff-Reinet
Reinet House Stop your car on the outskirts of town on the Camdeboo Mountain Drive and below you will lie the circular shape of Graaff-Reinet, held within a generous bend of the Sundays River closest to you, and the mountains of the Sneeuberg in the background. It's a glorious setting, to say the least. Depending upon the time of year that you go, it will either be mercilessly hot (at least 40 degrees in the shade if the last couple of summers are anything to go by) or really cold (during...
I ♥ Kamberg Because ...
I ♥ Kamberg Hi, I’m Gerhard from Qambathi Mountain Lodge in Kamberg. Kamberg IS BEST KNOWN FOR its Bushman Rock Art, fly-fishing and breathtaking mountain scenery. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Highmoor or on one of our game drives with Giant’s Castle in the background. The views are really something special with Mount Eskirne and Mount Cleopatra very dominant everywhere you look. THE BEST nature PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN by just driving around Kamberg. There are so many treed lanes, wild flowers,...
I ♥ Mkuze Because ...
I ♥ Mkuze Hi, I’m Nicky Kinnell from Leopard Mountain Game Lodge in Mkuze. Mkuze IS BEST KNOWN FOR Game Reserves and Conservation. The village of Mkuze is a mere 18km’s from the entrance gate to the Mkuze Reserve, in the shadow of the Ubombo Mountains. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT the reserve — the bird and animal life is spectacular. There are also over 700 plant species WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I LIKE TO go bird watching — with the species we have in this area I will more than likely spot...
Escape to the West Coast and the Berg River Region
West Coast Beach Think West Coast, think sand, heat, sea and little fresh water. And you wouldn't be far off the mark. The West Coast is arid, wild and windswept, but it does have water. And one of the major sources of water available that makes farming possible, in the arid Sandveld and undulating hills of the Swartland, is the Berg River — its source in the Drakenstein Mountains just south of Franschhoek and its mouth at Laaiplek on the Atlantic Ocean. In the presence of the Berg River...
I ♥ Tzaneen Because ...
I ♥ Tzaneen Hi, I’m Natalie from Tzaneen Country Lodge in Tzaneen. Tzaneen IS BEST KNOWN as the fruit basket of South Africa and famous for its tropical fruits and extraordinary scenic beauty. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Debegeni Waterfall – meaning the place of the Big Pot. (It’s a stunning waterfall with lush bush and vegetation). THE BEST adventure PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT Magoebaskloof Canopy Tours while sliding through the indigenous forest on a 2½-hour Tarzan and Jane style...
A Long Lunch and Celebration in Fairtrade at the Bosman Family Vineyard
Harvest Festival If you are looking for a fantastic experience on the weekend of 17 and 18 March 2012 why not take a drive to Wellington for their annual Wellington Harvest Festival. Purchase your access pass at your first port of call or at the Wellington Tourism Office. Your pass allows you free wine tasting at participating cellars otherwise it is a pay-as-you-go system. Wondering where your first stop should be, why not stop at the Bosman Family Vinerard as they have joined together with...
The Cape Leopard Trust — small cats with big problems
Dr Quinton Martins, the man behind The Cape Leopard Trust, has seen only seven ad hoc sightings of wild leopards in the Cederberg where his research takes place in eight years. Even with collars, he sees but a few each year. The Cape Leopard is a vulnerable, isolated population that occurs at low density in the mountains of the Northern, Eastern and Western Cape. Due to the influence of European settlers over the past 350 years, it has already been made extinct in many areas where it used to...
I did it Five Bays!
Five Bay Trail It is just as well that when first reading the email inviting us to join one of the Cape West Coast Biosphere Trails that the rather obvious fact that I was going to have to actually walk the 28 km didn't register. Or I probably would have chickened out and sent my other half without me. My eye, instead, homes into the word 'gentle' (used to describe the hiking trail) and the fact that we will not have to carry heavy packs, will have our food laid on for us, and be put up in a...
The Karkloof Canopy Tour – An adrenaline fuelled rush through the tree tops
Karkloof Canopy Tour The Karkloof Canopy Tour is probably the most well-known outdoor activity in the Natal Midlands, attracting people from all walks of life in search of the adventure of a lifetime. Situated amidst the beauty and greenery of the majestic Karkloof Valley, the tour involves traversing from one wooden platform to another along a pair of steel cables (with a two ton breaking strain) suspended high above the forest floor. Those in the industry refer to this traversing as ‘zip...
Being a tourist in your own town — 10 unusual things to do in Cape Town
The Cape in a side car There are a lot of things I've not done in Cape Town that the average tourist has. Exploring Cape Town through the eyes of a tourist can be as good as going on holiday elsewhere, a lot cheaper, and will earn you greenie points for saving on carbon emissions and for contributing to the local economy. So this year over the Festive Season, why not try to explore the city as a tourist. Here is my choice list of things we'd like to do – not all of them fall in the Top 10...
Rawdon’s Restaurant – Good old fashioned service and hospitality in the Midlands
Rawdons Estate Situated in the heart of the Midlands Meander and only a five minute drive from the N3 highway is Rawdon’s Estate, probably one of the oldest hospitality establishments on the Midlands. The first thing that struck me about Rawdon’s was its unique, old world charm. Closely resembling an English country estate of a bygone era the establishment is furnished with a variety of prize antiques that create an atmosphere of class and sophistication. Walking through its numerous hallways...
Winner Romantic Stay for 2 on the Cape West Coast
CONGRATULATIONS to Hennie Lombard of South Africa who has won a romantic stay for 2 people in Langebaan, at The Farmhouse Hotel, ideally situ­ated over­look­ing the tran­quil Langebaan Lagoon. Includes accommodation for 2 con­sec­ut­ive nights in a Superior Room for 2 people sharing, scrumptious break­fasts daily, a spa voucher from Mint Wellness loc­ated at The Farmhouse Hotel and a din­ner voucher at The Farmhouse Restaurant loc­ated at The Farmhouse Hotel. Hennie, your voucher is on its...
All I want for Christmas – some interesting and creative gift ideas
Christmas Gifts Ding, dong, ding ,dong – it's Christmas. Again. The time of endless standing in queues listening to Boney M re-runs of Christmas carols, tinsel and turkeys begins. Bet last year you made a vow not to get caught up in the mayhem. And yet, here we are... If like most of us you've still not bought all your gifts, we've put together some easy, local (well, not all, but most) gift ideas. Some have a travel theme in keeping with the blog, but we've also thrown in a few just because...
Tips for a stress-free 'xmas holiday travel experience
Travel Tips There is something almost deranged about the festive season. People become gripped by an inexplicable mania. Take my average shopping experience during Decembers of late where shoppers hurl themselves at the shelves in similar fashion to post-Christmas sales. Are they frightened that the shop will run out of items? Has Woolworths ever run out of turkeys or mince pies before? As far as I know, they were selling mince pies on special well into February the following year, so why the...
Gunther’s – A little piece of Switzerland in the Midlands
Gunther's I’ve never been to Switzerland, but I got the chance to experience just a taste of what that might be like when I visited Gunther’s on the Midlands Meander recently. Gunther’s is not really a restaurant in the traditional sense, serving only light meals of German / Swiss sausages washed down with your favourite draft or glass of wine, but even without a formal menu it certainly is a venue that has a lot to offer. The secret to its success is the hands on approach adopted by owner...
I ♥ Edenvale Because ...
I ♥ Edenvale Hi, I’m Bianca Hersov from Glendower View Guest House in Edenvale on the East Rand, Gauteng. Edenvale IS BEST KNOWN FOR being really close to Africa’s largest airport, OR Tambo International Airport. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Hunyani Reptile Educational and Breeding Centre with one of South Africa’s Deathly Dozen and listen to Clive’s animated and super interesting presentation on the education and conservation of South African reptiles. THE BEST bird PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN AT...
I ♥ Yzerfontein Because...
I ♥ Yzerfontein Hi, I’m Myrna from the White House Beach Villa in Yzerfontein. Yzerfontein IS BEST KNOWN FOR white sandy beaches, relaxed seaside living, whale spotting, birdlife, the September flower season, unforgettable golden sunsets, surfing and boating. GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Pearl Bay, on the beach, a stone’s throw from the White House Beach Villa. THE BEST midday PICTURES CAN BE TAKEN lying in a field of Spring flowers. WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I LIKE TO take a long leisurely...
La Popote Restaurant in Hilton – a little oasis of peace and tranquillity in the Midlands
La Popote Restaurant The quaint little village of Hilton in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is a pleasure to visit no matter what time of the year. The crisp, clean air is always refreshing and with a number of quality eateries to choose from, you are almost always guaranteed to find the perfect venue to tickle your taste buds. La Popote Restaurant, situated amidst the beauty and tranquillity of Sue Tarr’s Summerhouse, is without a doubt one of the best eateries in the area as I found out when...