Archive for South Africa Tourism
South Africa’s Most Popular Safari Park
Posted by: | CommentsWhen you think of safari hotspots, the The park National Park in South Africa is certainly one of the places that people automatically think of. It is situated in the north east area of South Africa crossing over Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. Kruger covers an place about the size of Israel and provides a wildlife experience that is thought of as the most desirable in Africa.
The The park National Park was set up in 1898 to help look after the wildlife residing in the Lowveld. The variety and diversity of species found right here is striking with with 330 types of tree, 500 bird species and close to 150 animals.
The nearest airport to Kruger national park will depend upon which place of the National Park you wish to pay a visit to. Hoedspruit Airport provides access to the north of the park while Kruger/Mpumalanga International Airport provides access to the south. Both of these international airports have decent internal connections from Joburg, Durban and Cape Town. Additionally, it’s feasible to travel up from Johannesburg. For the southern gates, follow the N4 to Nelspruit and from there, the National Park is sign posted. Driving time is approximately 4-5 hours. More time needs to be allowed if you are driving to the northern gates of The national park.
There are many different options for travellers and tourists to The park. Day tours are readily available from regional towns such as Hazyview. Self drive tourists are also welcome but there is a cap on visitor numbers which means it is wise to pre-book.
There are nine entrance gates to Kruger and appropriate travelling time ought to be allowed as entrance gate and restcamp gates are shut after sunset. Entry to Kruger National Park won’t be allowed after sunset and there are many other park rules to which tourists must consider.
There are several camps and facilities within Kruger including restcamps, bushveld camps, overnight hides, bush lodges and luxury lodges. There is plenty to watch in Kruger national park like the Big Five (Buffalo, Elephant, Leopard, Lion and Rhino) and the legendary Baobab tree.
Cape Town and the Nearby Winelands
Posted by: | CommentsThe so-called ‘Mother City’, The Mother City is South Africa’s best loved metropolis – and it is quick to see why. Its temperate, Mediterranean-style local climate is pleasant in the extreme and with old Georgian properties, sophisticated eating places, leafy squares and stacks of cultural flair, the entire urban centre is a feat for the senses.
At the heart of The Mother City and permanent backdrop is Table Mountain, the flat-topped symbol of the city that’s as amazing in the rain as in the sunshine. Embark here with a six minute cable-car ride up the mountain and you can straight away get your bearings.
The metropolis is flanked on both sides by shorelines with the balmy waters of the Indian Ocean and the clear Atlantic lapping the long shores that have made Capetonians a metropolis of beach-lovers. To the south-west and a part day trip away is the Cape of Good Hope; below is Robben Island, former prison home to Nelson Mandela and another must-see location.
The South Africa Museum, St George’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament are significant points of interest in the old town, not to mention the popular Green Market and landmark hotel the Mount Nelson. By night the action moves to the Victoria and Albert Waterfront, where eating places, bars and retailers line a marina packed with yachts and fishing vessels.
Soon after a couple of days in the urban centre, head north-east over the mountain tops to the vineyards and Dutch-style homesteads of the South African wine-growing region. At is heart, just 18 miles out of Cape Town, is Stellenbosch additionally recognised for its university and plentiful colonial-era architecture.
A large number of wineries here and in nearby Franschoek are happy to receive travellers for tours and tastings. A growing number have terrific restaurants and hotel accommodation, too, and a number of days exploring the Cape Winelands has become a must for travellers to Cape Town and the Western Cape.
Building of R10 billion Winelands toll road to start 2012
Posted by: | CommentsThe South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) said on Friday the tender for the construction of the Winelands toll highway in the Western Cape will close next month, confirming that the actual construction will commence in 2012.
SANRAL CEO Nazir Alli said the N1-N2 Winelands project, stretching 150 kilometres, is values at around 10 billion rand.
Alli said the preferred bidders and the ultimate winning concession will be announced in 2011.
He added that the project will be funded through bank finance and not through bonds.
The roads agency has spent 23.7 billion rand, raised through bonds, to fund and expand toll roads, especially the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, its single largest project.
Source: IOL Business Report (http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=552&fArticleId=5679520)
Community events boost Western Cape Tourism Economy
Posted by: | CommentsTourism Month is reaching a climax in the Western Cape with a host of high-profile, community events enriching the local scene this Heritage Day weekend. Western Cape Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Alan Winde, says: “Besides the social and cultural significance of these community events, the economic contributions should not be underestimated.”
Speaking from the Cape West Coast, ahead of the West Coast Tourism Awards this evening is Cape Town Routes Unlimited CEO, Calvyn Gilfellan adds: “Events and festivals play a very crucial role in our fledgling democracy. Festivals build community cohesion, pride, social integration and often act as a buffer against modern day community ills such as crime and teenage delinquency associated with boredom during holidays. This Heritage Day weekend and for the rest of Tourism Month, the public are spoilt for choice with the various events and festivals taking place.”
One such iconic festival is the Hermanus Whale Festival (24–27 September 2010). It is the ultimate celebration of whale watching, the Cape Overberg town’s main tourist attraction and one of the Western Cape’s many biodiversity tourism treasures. Stretching over Heritage Day and World Tourism Day 2010 (themed ‘Tourism and Biodiversity’), this popular annual enviro-arts festival illustrates the importance of a tourism destination’s natural assets.
The Hermanus Whale Festival, will attract an estimated 115 700 event goers and concludes Tourism Month 2010 in the Western Cape. It promises to once again be a festivity of local music, arts, culture and of course… whale watching! The economic impact of this festival is estimated at R22 million.
Other festivals celebrating Cape Town and the Western Cape’s tourism and biodiversity treasures over this period, include:
Tulbagh Horse and Wildflower Show, 22-25 September 2010
Cultivaria Festival (Paarl), 23-26 September 2010, estimated R17 million economic impact
Outeniqua Country Hop Festival (George), 23-24 September 2010
Elim Wild Flower Festival, 24-27 September 2010
Stanford Glendower Bird Fair, 2-3 October 2010
Breedekloof Outdoor & Wine Festival, 8-10 October 2010
Robertson Wine on the River, 15-17 October 2010
The destination has just hosted the best ever soccer World Cup and festivals like these play a pivotal role in strengthening Cape Town and the Western Cape’s image as a world-class events, heritage and nature-based tourism destination. They also help us to ensure that our visitors’ experiences reconnect them with the people of our region. We wish their organisers, sponsors and event goers a safe, most enjoyable and enriching experience.
Source: Travel Daily News (http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/39132-Community-events-boost-Western-Cape-Tourism-Economy)
Bushbuckridge Centre To Lure Tourists
Posted by: | CommentsA tourism information centre has been officially opened in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, to draw tourists to this sprawling peri-urban area.
Travellers have to pass through Bushbuckridge on their way to famous attractions such as the Kruger National Park and the Manyeleti and Timbavati Game Reserves, however, few of them stop in this area, where roadsides are lined with funeral homes, spaza shops, humble homesteads and the occasional wandering cow or goat.
“This information centre will certainly boost our tourism fraternity,” said Ehlanzeni District Mayor Khosi Mkhonto.
“It will afford visitors access to information from any one of the five local municipalities in the district. They will also have tourism choices that have never been marketed before because local tourism outfits couldn’t afford to promote themselves.”
Mkhonto said these included the Inyaka Dam and the Shangane Cultural Village, where tourists could learn more about culture and traditions indigenous to the area.
The centre is located at the Bushbuckridge shopping complex, which offers easy access along a well-travelled route.
It also includes a small, medium and micro enterprises trading centre, where local crafters registered on the municipality’s database can leave examples of their wares. If tourists are interested in any of these products, tour guides will take them on a shopping trip to various stalls in the area.
Tourists can also make bookings at the centre and use the internet cafe.
Mkhonto further encouraged domestic travel among local communities. “By being a traveller in your own country — either in the province, district or local municipality — you are contributing towards the tourism industry, and you will learn what it means to be a welcoming host,” she said.
Source: BUA News (http://www.buanews.gov.za/news/10/10092811051002)
