South Africa Blog

City Sightseeing Open-Top Tour, Table Mountain Cableway and Two Oceans Aquarium have joined forces to launch the Go Cape Town Card, an all-inclusive ticket for the three popular tourism attractions. The card will be available from Tuesday December 1, 2009. Visitors pay only R360 per card, which includes a return trip on the Table Mountain Cableway, a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium and a ride on an open-top City Sightseeing Bus. Children under 18 years pay R180 per card.

“The beauty of the card is that visitors no longer have to stand in queues at any of the attractions; as well as the three-month validity, allowing for more flexibility in planning your itinerary,” said Jillian Grindley-Ferris, brand and business manager of Two Oceans Aquarium.

Sabine Lehmann, CEO of Table Mountain Cableway, believes the Go Cape Town Card encourages visitors to experience all three attractions at a reduced rate making it an affordable and stress-free outing.

Claus Tworeck, of the City Sightseeing Open-top Tour, says the open top bus is the perfect connection between the Aquarium and Table Mountain Cableway with regular departures leaving every 20 minutes.

The Go Cape Town card can be purchased at any of the three attractions, the Cape Town Tourism offices or online at www.webtickets.co.za from Tuesday December 1 this year. The cards are valid for three months from date of purchase. The Cableway operates weather permitting. For information please contact any of the three attractions or Cape Town Tourism.

Cape Town Tourism 021 487 6859 www.capetown.travel
City Sightseeing Open-top Tour 021 511 6000 www.citysightseeing.co.za
Table Mountain Cableway 021 424 0015 www.tablemountain.net
Two Oceans Aquarium 021 418 3823 www.aquarium.co.za

By: Janine Erasmus, Source: Mediaclubsouthafrica.com

South Africa added a sixth biosphere reserve to its tally when the Vhembe region of Limpopo province became one of 22 newly proclaimed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).

The 22 new biospheres, located in 17 countries, were added to Unesco’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves during the 21st session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere programme. The total now stands at 553 sites in 107 countries. Unesco’s Man and the Biosphere programme addresses the impact of man on the environment by studying the social, ecological and economic implications of biodiversity loss. It then takes steps to minimise this loss through sharing of knowledge, research and monitoring, education and training, and multilateral decision-making.

Biosphere reserves are nominated by their governments for inclusion to the Man and the Biosphere programme. Whether they are terrestrial, freshwater, coastal and marine in nature, all are experimental areas where different approaches to integrated environmental management are tested. This is important as it helps to deepen our knowledge of what works in conservation and sustainable development.

With South Africa celebrating National Environment Month in June and focusing on climate change and the attitude of citizens towards the environment, the biosphere project takes on an even greater significance. Various activities are planned throughout the country to mark the occasion, including campaigns to boost awareness of the need for sustainable living, much tree planting, and conferences, workshops and information sessions.

A number of important environmental commemorative days are held around the world during June. World Environment Day falls on 5 June, while World Oceans Day is celebrated on 8 June and World Day to Combat Desertification falls on 17 June. The other new world biosphere sites range from the sacred Mount Myohyang in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, to the tiger reserve of Similipal in eastern India and the island of Fuerteventura off the coast of Spain, and Australia’s Great Sandy marine area.

Vast biodiversity
South Africa’s six biosphere sites are Kogelberg (added in 1998), Cape Winelands (2007), Cape West Coast Reserve (2000, with an extension in 2003), the Waterberg (2001), the Kruger to Canyons Reserve (2001), and Vhembe. This is a tshiVenda name for the mighty Limpopo River symbolising life.

The new addition is situated in the northeast of Limpopo province. It is famous not only for its bird and animal life, but also for its rich cultural history, dating far back to the awe-inspiring rock paintings of the San people. Vhembe encompasses the ancient African kingdoms of Thulamela and Mapungubwe. The latter is one of South Africa’s eight world heritage sites and was inscribed on the Unesco list in 2003.

Vhembe includes the northern part of the Kruger Park, the Makuleke Wetlands, which are protected under the international Ramsar Convention, the Soutpansberg and Blouberg bio-diversity hot spots, and the Makgabeng Plateau, which boasts hundreds of rock art sites.

Economy in the region is driven mainly by agriculture. As it falls into the subtropical belt of the country, crops are usually fruits and vegetables. There is also a substantial cattle farming industry.

Natural treasures
Vhembe is preceded by five biosphere reserves that cover an amazing diversity of landscapes, plants and animals.

The 100 000ha Kogelberg reserve on the country’s southern coast sits in the middle of the world heritage Cape Floral Region. Home to an extravagant 1 880 different plant species, 77 of which are found only in this region, the Kogelberg is richer than the South American rainforest in terms of sheer biodiversity. Economy is boosted by apple farming, commercial pine forests, and tourism.

The Cape West Coast biosphere reserve starts in Cape Town in the southern suburb of Diep River and stretches up the west coast as far as the Berg River. Also encompassing parts of the Cape Floral Region, the reserve includes the Ramsar-protected Langebaan lagoon as well as Dassen Island, a penguin colony. The Koeberg nuclear power station falls within its boundaries. The main economic activities are fishing and agriculture.

The Cape Winelands biosphere reserve includes a part of the Cape Floral Region as well as the world-famous wine-growing region. Here, too, lie the historic settler-founded towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. Agriculture and tourism are the main sources of income.

In the northern reaches of South Africa lies the Waterberg biosphere reserve, an area of some 400 000ha in Limpopo. It is an important catchment area for the Limpopo Basin, with four large rivers originating within its borders – the Lephalale, the Mokolo, the Matlabas and the Magalakwena Rivers. San rock art abounds, as does the flora and fauna of the area. The main economic driver is tourism.

The Kruger to Canyons biosphere reserve is so named because it stretches from the Kruger National Park to the spectacular Blyde River Canyon. It is an important conservation area in South Africa because it also covers three biomes, or communities of plants and animals living together in a certain climate – the Savannah woodlands, montane grasslands, and forest. The economy revolves around mining activities, forestry, and fruit and vegetable farming.\

Source: http://mediaclubsouthafrica.com/

Men’s portal AskMen.com has come up with a list of the top 10 beachside cities where the sand and the surf are an integral part of the place. At no 1 is Miami, USA followed by Dubai, UAE and then Barcelona in Spain. Fourth on the list is Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and then at number 5 is Cape Town, South Africa. Here is what they say:

5. Cape Town, South Africa
A city where sickening wealth rubs its Prada-clad shoulders with heartbreaking poverty, Cape Town has risen up the tourism ranks in the past decade to become a go-to place for expatriate residents looking for a better life in the sun.

Best beach: Clifton Beach is one of Cape Town’s most glamorous waterfronts while Big Bay and Little Bay are best for water sports such as windsurfing.

Photograph of Clifton’s 4 beaches with Twelve Apostles backdrop © SA Tourism

Links to Related Sites:
http://www.AskMen.com
Cape Town Beaches

Wine Valley Horse Trails operate from the beautiful Rhebokskloof Wine Estate in Paarl in the Cape Winelands. They offer horse-drawn carriage drives for those that do not want to actually ride a horse.  A variety of different carriage drives are on offer, ranging in duration from one hour, two hours to half day wine tastings and lunches in the spectacular Cape Winelands. This sounds like very special experience and judging by the photographs on their website, it is one of those “must-do” things to do when visiting the Cape. (Note to all husbands and boyfriends out there: Surprise the lady in your life with a romantic carriage drive through the Cape Winelands – you’ll score big points with this one!).

Some of the carriage drives they offer are:
15 minute drives around Rhebokskloof Wine Estate; a 1 hour wine tasting carriage drive which includes 1 tasting, (requires a minimum of 2 passengers); 2 hour wine tasting carriage drive (includes 2 tastings, minimum 2 passengers); Champagne breakfast trail (approximately 1:30 minutes, minimum 2 passengers); Half day trails (includes 2 to 3 wine tastings on different estates) … lots more of these available on the website!

So there seems to be a good variety to select from to suit mosts budgets and of course depending on how much time you have to spend doing this! Enjoy and we would love to hear from anybody who has done this before or let us know if you go and do this!

Contact Wine Valley Horse Trails on: 021 869-8687 or 083 226-8735 or visit the website at: Wine Valley Horse Trails.

Related Links:
Cape Winelands Accommodation
Things to do in Cape Town

Next time you are in Cape Town, why not try a Horse-drawn Carriage tour through the streets of Cape Town? The Cape Town Carriage Company offers the experience of exploring Cape Towns Central Business District and the Company’s Garden in leisurely style and a more sedate way of viewing the historical landmarks in the City’s Centre.

The carriage tour is guided and your experienced guide will provide an interesting account of the history and occurrences that happened throughout Cape Towns wide and varied history. The Tour takes approximately 75 minutes (depending on the traffic of course) and the tour times are scheduled to allow visitors to the Castle of Good Hope to experience the free tours around the Castle prior to or after the carriage tour. This is a unique South African experience – even for locals it is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon and take in some of our history!

Booking: Essential – at least 24 hours in advance.
Where: At Castle of Good Hope Carriage Tours.
When: Mondays to Saturdays from 09:30 to 17:00.
Telephone: 021 703-4396. 
Approximate Cost: Guided Carriage Tour from the Castle is R100.00 per adult. (Kids R50.00)

Related Links:
Cape Town accommodation
Cape Town City Bowl Attractions

Safari in South Africa:  Cape Town Wine Route Wonders – How To Find Your Way Amongst The Treasures - By: Helen Palmer - editor of the website:
www.TailorMadeSouthAfricaTravel.com

The Wine Route offers visitors to Cape Town something quite unique.  Don’t stop reading just because you don’t think you’re into wine!  Plunge onwards and find out why you’ll be surprised by what you find.  More often than not, these fabulous estates offer far more than just wine.

Just drive out to one of these delightful wine estates to find something magical about the art of viticulture and we dare you to say you didn’t have a great time.  The most trouble you’ll have is trying to decide which wine estate to visit on which wine route – there’s so many and they’re all different.

However, there’s an art to this, especially in the busiest tourist seasons, so let us guide you round our particular favourites and show you how to pick the best ones to visit, ensuring you make the most of your time and experience the best wine route wonders Cape Town has to offer.

Once you get the bug, you’ll want to return more and more often, until finally, just like us, a trip to Cape Town wouldn’t be complete without a wine route trip.  

What draws you up the driveway to discover what’s beyond the rather bland brown signposts?

Gateways filled with glorious flowers such as canna lilies and roses, spectacular beds filled with wonderfully vivid colour, stretch into the distance just urging you to find what’s at the top, all with an impressive backdrop of soaring mountains.

Many of the estate houses themselves are built in a traditional Cape Dutch H shape.  They are often maintained as museums, allowing us to glimpse an age long past.  We’ve spent many an hour wandering around the cool interiors, whilst the sun blazes outside in a clear blue sky: relishing the tranquillity and peace that comes from the thick, whitewashed walls, the beautiful use of indigenous woods in the flooring and furniture, the graceful flow of the rooms.

One wine estate that is a charming example is Uitkyk, pronounced “Ate Cake”.  Tucked away down a short track leading from one of the main roads into Stellenbosch, this wine estate is worth a visit just to view the handsome manor house alone, but why not try your hand at boules, sometimes known as petanque.  Uitkyk supply the boules and a set of rules, all for free, whilst you enjoy tasting its award winning wines. 

Better still, book a picnic hamper the day before your visit, sample wine for your lunch before finding the perfect spot under the trees to enjoy the awe-inspiring views, whilst whiling away the afternoon.

Uitkyk is one of our particular favourites because it’s off the beaten track of the usual wine route tours.  A number of the extremely well-known estates end up with bus-loads of people all vying to taste wine and view other attractions.  At certain times of the year this can be extremely off-putting.  Knowing where to find the best of estates and wines will save you time and allow you a stress-free wine route experience, making it truly memorable.

Others that are notable for their manor houses are Vergelegan, Somerset West; Boschendal, Franschhoek; Groote Constantia, Constantia, Cape Town.

However, these are all very big and well-known, with a large number of cruise ships and tours preferring to take their customers to these wine estates.  Choose your time to visit them with care, so that you miss the crowds and enjoy your visit.

Not all the wine estates are old.  One or two are ultra modern, like Eikendal, just outside Somerset West or Dornier Wines just off the road to Somerset West.

If the name Dornier rings bells to those of you who know anything about aircraft (I didn’t, but the man of our house did!), Christoph Dornier, the Swiss-based painter is a member of the family.  His amazing new building, housing the cellar and tasting room is truly spectactular.  Light, glass, mountains and water are all reflected in the building and it neatly brings together both the old and the new – in the wines themselves and the surroundings.

We particularly love the ornamental lake with its enormous Koi carpe fish in front of the unusually shaped tasting room.  New for 2007 is a bistro style cafe, opening in April. Others like Spier in Stellenbosch, combine the very old with the very new, in a tremendous combination.

Wine is not the only consideration at the majority of estates.  Described by South Africa’s wine bible, John Platter as “this manicured, riverside pleasure dome” Spier’s latest attractions include “Moyo”, an outdoor African eating experience with Arabian Nights-style tents and a treehouse platform, providing the most exotic setting for a bountiful buffet.  During the chilly Cape winter nights, you’re warmed by large brazier’s and woolly blankets.  Be warned – this is incredibly popular with tourists and locals alike, so booking early is a must.

Other attractions include an hotel, conference centre, open-air amphitheatre with a full season of music and the arts, five other restaurants, a deli, golf course, tennis centre, equestrian centre, wildlife close encounters and last but by no means least … fine wines! 

If you only had one day to do a wine tour, you would probably not go far wrong by choosing Spier – there is literally something for everyone here! You would be forgiven for thinking that wine sometimes takes a back seat to everything else going on, but taste the wines made on the Spier Estates and you’ll be in no doubt you’re tasting an excellent quality wine.

Couple that wine with a picnic from their Deli, the setting sun, Swallows winging their way through the early evening sky, candles and the Cape Town Philharmonic orchestra playing Christmas carols and you have the makings of one of the most memorable evenings you could experience.

Not what you had in mind when we said wine?  How about Chocolate? Now there’s another tale …  

Helen Palmer is the editor of the website Tailor-made South Africa Travel where tailor-made luxury vacation and safaris in South Africa are all about your own safari round South Africa.  Whatever you want, whenever you want it, we have the expertise to be able to deliver.

Useful links for the Cape Winlands:
Cape Winelands
Cape Wine Routes
Cape Winelands Accommodation

101 Things to do in Cape Town for under R101.00 (under $15.00). From climbing to the top of Table Mountain, horse riding on Noordhoek Beach, club-hopping to see up-and-coming South African Musicians, Dragon Boat racing at the Waterfront, Cruise around Cape Town’s historic harbour, museum visits, wine-tasting, indoor karting, Sight-seeing on the double-decker, topless City Explorer Bus, Theatrical Dining at a Restaurant in Rondebosch, places to go, things to do all for under R101.00. And about 50% of the suggestions are totally free of charge!

Visit the South African Rugby Museum in Newlands, attend a parliamentary session (no charge but bring your passport!), stroll up Government Avenue, Watch the firing of Cape Town’s Noon-day Gun on Signal Hill (it’s free), enjoy a site-seeing horse-drawn carriage tour through the streets of Cape Town (did you know that exists? I didn’t), visit the Comedy Warehouse for a good laugh or laugh yourself silly at the side-splitting comedy at Theatre Sports … so much to do, so many places to see.

A very cool list. See … 101 Things to do in Cape Town »
on the Cape Town Accommodation site, or see Things to Do in Cape Town on SA-Venues.com for a more comprehensive list (500+ and counting …)

By: Helen Palmer, editor of www.TailorMadeSouthAfricaTravel.com

The Garden Route stretches from Port Elizabeth in the north down to Cape Town in the south.  In some ways it seems hard to recognise the word “Garden” when applied to the section of coastline which takes in some 800+ kms of fynbos, mountainous hillsides, interspersed with long, sweeping expanses of fine sandy beach, as well as smaller inlets and coves.  I think that in the words “Garden” we are looking for a plethora of flowers, manicured lawns and cultivated correctness.  There is no doubt that you will find all this, but to me, it is the “other” things that make this such a spectacular piece of coastline. 

Each kilometre covered throws up something different, such as the surfing in Jeffrey’s Bay, where you’ll be able to catch the famous Supertubes once described as “the most perfect wave in the world”; the magnificence of Tsitsikamma National Park where acclaimed hikes such as the Otter Trail hug the coastline from Storm’s River Mouth to Nature’s Valley or the radio-active hot springs in Montagu, where swimming in the renowned healing properties of the 43 degree water is guaranteed to relax the most exhausted of bodies.

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By: Helen Palmer – www.TailorMadeSouthAfricaTravel.com 

The West Coast region of the Western Cape is still one of the most unspoilt.  A couple of hours drive out of Cape Town, you’ll find this area hard to beat for sheer peace and quiet. It’s famous for its spring flower displays, bringing people from all over the world to see it’s magnificence during late August, September and early October.  Carpets of daisies and brightly coloured bulbs erupt to create brilliance hard to match with words – superlatives don’t do justice to this magnificent spectacle.

The land could be seen as rather austere and not much appreciated outside of the flower season, but the desert and semi-desert areas do have their own appeal of wide open sky, distant hills and multi-coloured rocks. Of course, there is much more to this region than just the flower season.  Dropping down off the main N7 road, down to the coast, you come to St Helena Bay. 

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Competition being run by SA-Venues.com

Write your holiday story – submit your experience of your travels in South Africa to www.SA-Venues.com and stand to win a monthly prize. If your story is chosen as the monthly winner you will be eligible to win the grand prize of R15,000.00 in cash which will be awarded in December 2007. Monthly prizes of gift vouchers from Amazon.com (or your choice of Amazon.de, Amazon.uk etc) or Kalahari.net if you are South African. In December 2007 three independent judges will select the best travel story of 2007 from the monthly winners who will receive a R15,000.00 cash prize.

So sharpen your pencils and get writing … submit your South African holiday experience and get in line to win one of these fabulous prizes. Submissions from both overseas and local travellers are welcome. All travel stories received that comply with a few criteria (as set out below) will be published on the site. Photographs are welcome but not essential … Click here for more info and to enter »

Whatever your plans for the weekend, be sure not sleep through the lunar eclipse on Saturday night. But be warned, the Moon will become an eerie, coppery-red colour that could bring out the Wolf in you.

A total lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes into the shadow of Earth, becoming dim until it emerges from the shadow. This is a rare occurrence, only one will happen this year.

On Saturday the partial eclipse begins at 23:30, the total eclipse begins at 00:44 early on Sunday morning and lasts until 01:58, and at 03:11 the last sliver of the Moon will emerge from the Earth’s shadow.

Our astronomers will be doing special eclipse event talks and telescope viewing for visitors in the National Parks – Kruger, Golden Gate, Mapungubwe, Marakele and Mokala – and at Forum Homini in the Cradle of Humankind. We’re also doing some events in neighbouring countries – at The Falls in Zambia, Hwange Zimbabwe and in Mauritius.

Enjoy, wherever you are on Saturday night.

From Astronomy Africa
photo: bluepearlphoto.com
By: Barberton Manor

Soweto is an urban area in the City of Johannesburg, South Africa. Its name is an English syllabic abbreviation, short for South Western Townships. However, some feel it came from the relocating residents asking “So Where To”. Soweto is well known for its past history of struggle and uprisings.

The history of the black townships that would later form Soweto was propelled by the increasing eviction of black Africans by city and state authorities. Black Africans had been drawn to work on the gold mines that sprang up after 1886. From the start they were accommodated in separate areas on the outskirts of Johannesburg. The economic development of Soweto was severely shortened by the apartheid state, which provided very limited infrastructure and prevented residents from creating their own businesses. Roads remained unpaved, and many residents had to share one tap between four houses. Soweto was meant to exist only as a dormitory town for black Africans who worked in white houses, factories, and industries. (more…)

Loggerhead nestings have reached record levels in South Africa, which is great news for the endangered marine turtle.

Article from SA – The Good News.

“We’re thrilled to announce that over the 2005/6 season we recorded over 2000 Loggerhead nestings in the project area. This is the highest number recorded in 43 years,” says Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife manager, Richard Penn Sawers, who is also the project leader of the WWF/Green Trust Turtle Monitoring and Community Development Project.

Photograph: Loggerhead turtle returning to the sea after nesting.

South Africa has the world’s longest running programme for the monitoring of two of the world’s largest sea turtles – the Leatherback and the Loggerhead. It was initiated 43 years ago along the northern KwaZulu-Natal and southern Mozambique coastline. During the breeding season, which lasts from October to March, monitors cover the 56km project area every morning and every evening to ensure the safety of these marine animals … Click here to read the full article:
http://www.sagoodnews.co.za/search/environment/632870.htm

The Barberton Daisy was discovered in 1884 in Barberton (Mpumalanga) by Robert Jameson, after whom it is named: Gerbera Jamesonii. Since then it has been propogated by mainly Dutch breeders – they created many varieties: colors, number of petals and size were mixed and matched into the wonderful flowers you can buy today at florists worldwide.

The Gerbera Association was established in 2002 with the following goals:
1) Conservation of Gerbera species (several local ‘varieties’ are endangered)
2) Education
3) Protection (breeders from all over the world need the genes of the original plants, which they try to smuggle out of the country)
4) Awareness: South Africa doesn’t benefit at all from the global popularity of the Gerbera – local growers have to import seeds… (more…)