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Cape Town
South Africa 's parliament is seated in Cape Town, the "Mother
City" of the country. It is recognised as one of the
world 's most beautiful cities and is a most exciting destination.
What 's more, the city can claim to be the food and drink
capital of the country (if not of the whole continent), and
is fast being promoted as a major centre for adventure sports
and activities.
South Africans go to Cape Town on vacation to enjoy the long
white beaches. The summer months are from October to April,
but visitors holiday there throughout the year.
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Table Mountain
Table Mountain (a nature reserve) forms a
backdrop to this city situated on the Atlantic coastline,
with the imposing Twelve Apostles, part of the Table Mountain
range, running out along the western coastline. The Dutch
East India Company 's fruit and vegetable gardens - now the
Cape Town Gardens - offer a breath of fresh air in the centre
of the city. They are behind St. George 's Cathedral, one
of the city 's many historic buildings. Visit the Castle of
Good Hope and the many other fine museums and places of cultural
interest in the city. A great nightlife offers live entertainment
music, dance and other excitements. If you enjoy the great
outdoors, you will find a variety of things to do close to
the city, such as fish net trekking, abseiling, kayaking,
diving, biking and playing golf. Simply relax on the beach
or take a walk along the Sea Point promenade to enjoy the
beautiful sunsets. In the harbour you will find the charming
and vibrant Waterfront with a large variety of shops and restaurants.
Within a radius of 150 km. from the city centre you will find:
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The Winelands
The environs of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are world
famous wine growing areas, and abound with fine cellars where
visitors can taste and purchase local wines.
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The
Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve
The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where you can see zebra,
eland and ostrich on land and penguins and seals at sea.
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Robben Island
Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned.
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Hermanus
Hermanus, a vibrant coastal town where you can observe whales
close to the shore in the calving season from July to November.
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Langebaan
Langebaan, which is South Africa 's preferred venue for windsurfing,
is also breathtakingly beautiful from May to October in the
wildflower season.
Cape Town is also a good starting (or ending) point for a
long trip (from 3-5 days) along the Garden Route up the coast
towards Port Elizabeth.
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The Garden Route
The Garden Route runs along the country's south coast from
Mossel Bay in the west to the mouth of the Storms River in
the east. The peaks of the Outeniqua Mountains and other coastal
ranges form the background to arguably the most beautiful
coastal scenery in Africa. Soft sandy beaches emerge from
lush countryside, and are washed by the warm Indian Ocean.
You can learn about the first European explorers at the Diaz
museum in Mossel Bay, play golf at the magnificent Fancourt
Estate in George, take a trip back in time on board the Outeniqua
Tjoe-Choo steam train, visit the world-famous Cango caves
or an ostrich farm in Oudtshoorn, sail on the lagoon at Knysna
and then sample some of the local oysters, soak up the sun
on Plettenberg's beautiful beaches and explore the ancient
indigenous forests of the Tsitsikamma. These are but a few
of the many experiences that await you.
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 Oudtshoorn
The Cango Caves, one of the world's great natural wonders,
provide a magical journey through massive caverns and fascinating
limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colours.
Regular guided tours are offered daily.
Warm, dry summers and sunny winter days make it the ideal
breeding ground for the world's biggest bird, the Ostrich.
Before the arrival of the first settlers Ostrich roamed wild
in this area. Amid the current 400 Ostrich farms surrounding
the town, three have distinguished themselves worthy to be
named 'show farms'. Interact with this exotic bird species,
the largest in the world. For the more adventurous take an
ostrich ride.
A Wildlife Ranch with more than 300 animals like crocodiles,
cheetahs and many more to see. Gaze with awe at slithering
reptile species from all over the world. Imagine more than
400 crocodiles and alligators in their prehistoric unattractiveness.
Be photographed cuddling a cheetah, the fastest animal on
land.
A Butterfly Show Farm and Angora Rabbit Show Farm, are also
amongst the many interesting and rare places to visit.
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Knysna Lagoon
One of the highlights of any visit to South Africa's Garden
Route is a ferry ride on the Knysna Lagoon with a visit to
the famous Heads.
Knysna Lagoon is in fact an estuary which is fed by the Knysna
and Salt rivers. As an estuary it plays a vital role in sustaining
the rich bird and aquatic life not only of the lagoon but
the coastal waters around Knysna as well. The nutrient rich
waters which flow through the Heads into the mighty Indian
Ocean play a vital role in the ecology of the coastline.
This spectacular entrance, feared and respected by sailors
past and present, has become a famous landmark and a popular
tourist attraction. Meet the Heads face to face from the safety
and comfort of our fleet of personal-service ferries.
See the beautiful homes on the Eastern Head which remind
one of the Mediterranean Riviera. Marvel at how tranquil blue
waters meet the lush coastal forest of the Western Head -
a wonderful reminder of the beauty and splendour of nature.
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John Benn
Pleasure Boat Cruise
Knysna's only luxury pleasure cruiser!
This unique vessel has carried many local and international
travellers on the Knysna lagoon over the years. The John Benn
herself is beautifully appointed with upper and lower decks
constructed of Yellow Wood sourced from the Knysna Forest.
Passengers can enjoy sumptuous local specialities with a
sea food emphasis while cruising sedately past yachts and
oyster beds on the 1½ hour lagoon cruise to The Heads.
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Johannesburg
Just over 100 years ago, the economic and industrial centre
of South Africa today was an endless untouched savannah. This
changed very fast when the first gold was found in 1886. The
news spread like wildfire and the area experienced an unprecedented
gold rush. The government sent two deputies, who founded a
little settlement and named it after the first name they both
had in common, Johannesburg.
Three years later the place was the biggest town in the country.
By 1875 almost 100,000 people lived in Johannesburg and the
mines employed more than 75,000 workers.
Black people from the reservations were forced to work in
the mines. The men had to do that for at least a year. During
this time they were separated from their wives and children
and were living under inhumane conditions in the so-called
"hostels". To stay emotionally in contact with their
home and their culture, many of the men started to practise
their traditional dances. In the course of the years these
performances of the mine dancers also became part of the weekend
entertainment for many whites in Johannesburg.
Jo'burg, as the locals call it, is the biggest metropolis
in South Africa. With its two million citizens and another
two million from nearby Soweto, the city on the Witwatersrand
is the predominant economic centre of the republic.
Of the 14 original mines in Johannesburg only two are still
busy in the vicinity of the city, but around the mines and
the mine dumps a varied industrial structure has evolved.
Here, many service enterprises, the mining companies and the
big banking institutions have their headquarters. The Johannesburg
Stock Exchange, founded in 1887, is the centre of the capital
markets for he whole of southern Africa.
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Gold Reef City
The many visitors to Gold Reef City see a combination of show,
pleasure resort and a little "living theatre." On
the grounds of a former gold mine, houses and entire streets
have been rebuilt true to the originals from the gold-rush
times. Most of the employees of the resort are dressed in
costumes of that era.
Interested visitors can take the nostalgic steam-train or
a historical coach for a sightseeing tour through the extended
premises. Those interested in gold mining can see the gold-containing
ore veins in an old mine, or observe in a small museum how
real gold is poured into barrels. Adequate accommodation is
also provided. In the Gold Reef City Hotel - just 10 minutes
from central Johannesburg you can spend the night in the ambience
of the olden days.
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The Kruger National
Park
Covering an area roughly the size of Wales, the Kruger National
Park is the country 's largest and most famous wildlife park
and has a diversity of animal life unequalled anywhere else
on the continent. The park and the many adjoining private
game reserves offer a variety of accommodation to suit most
tastes and budgets. You can enjoy your holiday in a simple
tent camp or a self-catering chalet. Or you can opt for a
luxury lodge. Many visitors choose to drive themselves through
the park, though tours are also available in luxury coaches.
But the best way to get the true "safari experience"
is undoubtedly in an open 4x4 vehicle accompanied by a professional
ranger and tracker. Just outside the Kruger National Park,
you will find the beautiful "Panoramic Route", where
you will enjoy the views from God 's Window. See the Blyde
River Canyon, lots of waterfalls and the old gold digger town
of Pilgrims Rest.
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 Sun
City
Legend has it that once upon a time a tribe wandered down
from the northern part of Africa and settled on a volcano
in South Africa. Here they built a citadel called 'The Valley
of the Sun'. It is said that the Sun City of today, inspired
by Disney, is built on the foundations of that old citadel.
It 's a magical playground peopled with fun-lovers. Play golf,
water ski on artificial lakes and feel the ambience of a rain
forest in this man-made version of the real thing. Sun City
has four big hotels, one of which is The Palace, the very
best of luxury hotels. The pivotal point of this place is
the casino, surrounded by the very best of restaurants, bars
and a concert hall.
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The Lost City
The Lost City is found in front of The Palace but the residents
of all the other hotels are welcome there. An electric train
and special buses connect all facilities, but everything is
within ten minutes walking distance from everything else.
There are two international class golf courses, several tennis
courts, swimming pools and a man-made lake. The exciting Pilanesberg
National Park is nearby. In the make-believe world of Sun
City, you will enjoy a cartoon version of what Africa looked
like hundreds of years ago, before the first settlers arrived
over two hundred years ago.
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Durban
Durban, whose Zulu name is Tekweni, lies in the Province of
Kwa Zulu-Natal which is the ancestral home of the Nguni people.
Probably the first European to have sight of the bay around
which Durban was to develop was Vasco De Gama on his pioneering
sea voyage to India in 1497. Durban takes it's name from Sir
Benjamin D'Urban, governor of the Cape Colony at the time
of the first successful colonial settlement in 1835. Since
then, Durban has been colonised by firstly Dutch and then
English traders. A large number of Indian labourers were brought
to Durban during the 19th century to farm the emerging sugar
industry. With them came traders and their ancestors form
a large percentage of Durban's current population.
Durban is blessed with balmy weather all year round, making
it a perfect holiday paradise. The beachfront is bordered
by five star hotels and luxury apartments, all of which have
an idyllic view of the Indian Ocean.
The Central Business District, a hive of activity, is within
easy reach of all hotels and convention venues. If however,
you wish to travel further afield, there is a very competent
public transport system running throughout Durban, as well
as an abundance of taxis.
Durban is a major gateway to Africa and is also the largest
and busiest port city on the continent. Due to this, there
is an extensive road network leading to and from any destination
in South Africa. Durban International Airport, is only a 10
minute drive from the City and is serviced daily by domestic
flights, as well as international flights. The International
Convention Centre, centrally located, is an innovative, world
class convention centre which can cater for conferences of
up to 5000 people.
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Kwa-Zulu Natal
From the lofty peaks of the Drakensberg Mountains to the unspoilt
wetlands and beaches of St. Lucia, Kwa-Zulu Natal is a province
of contrasts, both geographically and culturally. Home to
the country 's largest ethnic group, the Zulu nation, Kwa-Zulu
Natal is also home to most of South Africa' s Indian population.
Many key battles between Boers, British and Zulu have been
fought here, and the "Battlefield Route" has become
an increasingly popular tourist route.
Big game is also a major attraction and the reserves of Hluhluwe
and Umfolozi are particularly renowned for their rhino (both
black and white), though all of the Big Five are to be found
in those reserves.
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Journeys by Rail
Take a safari by rail. The Blue Train and Rovos Rail offer
excursions throughout Southern Africa. The famous journey
between Pretoria (near Johannesburg) and Cape Town, the Victoria
Falls, Durban or the Kruger National Park is a wonderful experience
through ever-changing countryside. Your comfort is a priority,
even on less illustrious trains than these. But the famous
Blue Train and Rovos Rail lend an air of luxurious exclusivity
to this journey.
The Blue train has a restaurant, bar and lounge and a choice
of various types of coupes. A one-day journey is relatively
expensive but very worthwhile and exciting.
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Rovos Rail
Rovos Rail harks back to the days of the Orient Express. It
is however even more glamorous. An old locomotive engine draws
splendidly appointed five star hotel style carriages. This
is the most luxurious train in the world, an adventure train
running between Pretoria and the Kruger National Park. On
arrival at the famous wildlife park you may wish to go on
safari, and be accommodated in a private game reserve, returning
to Pretoria the following day. This not-to-be-missed excursion
takes a total of four days. Rovos also offers other set tours.
There is a three days excursion from Pretoria to Cape Town
and a three days excursion from Pretoria to the Victoria Falls.
The journey from Pretoria to Durban, and from Cape Town to
Dar Es Salaam and finally to Tanzania, takes fourteen days.
This last journey takes place only twice a year. All train
journeys can be arranged in conjunction with individual arrangements,
or as supplements to group travel itineraries.
For train enthusiasts with a limited budget, Union Steam
and the Shongololo Express offer very reasonably priced journeys,
but only as tourist class products.
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 Victoria
Falls
Without doubt, the Victoria Falls constitute one of the most
spectacular natural wonders of the world.
Visitors can gaze at the mighty Zambezi as it flows, broad
and placid, to the brink of a basalt lip seventeen hundred
metres wide before taking a headlong plunge into the frothy
chasm of the gorge below. This is the world's largest sheet
of falling water, yet although its fame has spread far and
wide, the site has been tastefully preserved so that tourists
do not spoil the magic of the very place they have come to
see.
There is far more to do at Victoria Falls than to marvel
at the Falls themselves; upstream, the Zambezi plays host
to the famous 'sundowner' cruises, excursions onto the river
to watch the local wildlife while gently sipping a glass of
champagne and partaking of a light snack.
But once the river has taken its plunge, there is quite a
different experience to be had. For those with the courage,
the rapids immediately downstream offer some of the most terrifying
white water rafting anywhere in the world. Several companies
now offer one and two day trips on this stretch of the river,
while the more adventurous can take a week long journey all
the way to the mouth of Lake Kariba.
There is also a spectacular excursion to be made on foot.
The Rainforest on the lip of the chasm opposite the Falls
is a unique swathe of dense tropical vegetation which thrives
on the spray thrown up throughout the year. A well-kept path
takes tourists on a walk through the forest, with occasional
diversions to viewing points for the Falls themselves. But
the ultimate view of this natural wonder can only be seen
from the air. The 'Flight of Angels' provides a fabulous vista
of the upstream river and its many islands, the spray from
the Falls as it is kicked a thousand feet into the sky, and
the tortuous zig-zag of the gorge downstream.
To absorb all these experiences can take many days, and Victoria
Falls is not short of excellent hotel facilities. The Victoria
Falls Hotel, built in 1904, is still one of the most romantic
in the country, an opulent building in the grandest of colonial
styles occupying a prime view of the site.
Many of the hotels offer a choice of evening sustenance:
a splendid buffet under the stars, with the sound of the Falls
rumbling in the distance, or a sumptuous dinner in their restaurants.
After supper, there's a fabulous display of traditional dancing
to be seen., But people do not come to the Victoria Falls
for holidays alone. There are also superb conference facilities,
offering delegates a remarkable experience of Africa to complement
the business of the day.
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