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Archive for the ‘things to do’ Category

Top 5 Best National Parks for Safaris in Africa

Monday, November 7th, 2011

You’re up for a dose of Africa’s wildlife but you’re not quite sure which country you should be visiting, or which park you should be entering to get the best game-viewing experience. Here are our top 5 best national parks for safaris in Africa, to help you decide.

1. Namib-Naukluft National Park (Namibia)

Namibia’s Namib-Naukluft National Park. Okay, so you’re wondering how on earth anything but tumble weeds survive in this arid desert famous for its orange dunes and ‘Dead Vlei’. Don’t worry. So am I. Earning its place in the Top 5 Best National Parks in Africa, this national park is actually the largest in Africa and is filled to the brim with a startling amount of fauna that scuttle, slither, lumber and pounce. Hyena, jackal and gemsbok are to be seen alongside rare desert-dwelling crawly insects and loads of interesting bird species making it great for safaris in Africa. True story.

namib-naukluft-national-park

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Namib-Naukluft National Park:

Self Drive Tour: Namibia

2. Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Chobe National Park has one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa! Brimming with migratory herds, the park is packed with game… and the hungry predators that follow. Naturally.

Chobe has strong roots in conservation and an uber elephant population. Set in Botswana, the park offers four different eco-systems that make for great settings for hikes and game drives. You can enjoy horse-back safaris or cruise over the grasslands in a hot air balloon. Super cool safaris in Africa.

chobe-national-park-hippo-yawning

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Chobe National Park:

Central Africa Loop

Botswana Adventure

Okavango Delta to Johannesburg

3. Kruger National Park (South Africa)

If you have your heart set on seeing the Big Five and want to journey along the beaten track in an extremely well managed and maintained national park, the Kruger National Park is where you want to be raising those binoculars on a safari in Africa.

The main highlights of the park include endless stretches of unspoiled landscapes, game scattered throughout, plus bushman rock paintings and the archaeological sites of Thulamela and Masorini. The park offers loads of different accommodation options: from budget accommodation to butler-with-towel-draped-over-forearm 5 star accommodation. Something for every type of traveller.

Watch the video below as nature takes its course in the wild when three lions take down a buffalo in the Kruger National Park. Kerri Bowie and her mother, Glynis took the video 400 m from the main gate of the Skukuza Rest Camp.

kruger-national-park

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Kruger National Park:

Kruger Lodge Safari

Kruger Treehouse Experience

Kruger and Swaziland Lodge Safari

4. Etosha National Park (Namibia)

Etosha National Park is where the endangered species of the Northern Black Rhino are camping out. Yes sir, the park has worked extremely hard at keeping its wildlife within the park safe and, well, alive! That’s why they are proud to say that hyena, silver-backed jackal, lion, cheetah and leopard prowl the desert land within the park. Gemsbok, curly horned kudu, giraffe, elephant and even endangered black-faced impala can be spotted roaming the plains, not to mention the 360 species of birdlife.

Etosha-national-park

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Etosha National Park:

Namibian Discoverer

Namib Desert Explorer

Namibia Dash

5. Addo Elephant National Park (South Africa)

Brimming with wildlife greatness, the Addo Elephant National Park is one of the only places in the world where you can see the Big Seven (representing marine life, the Great White shark and seasonal Southern Right whale add the extra two to the crew)! The park’s wealth of wildlife and marine species span across seven different biomes while massive herds of elephant, rich African culture, malaria-free safaris and awesome photographic opportunities offer themselves for enjoyment.

addo-elephant-national-park-elephants-playing

Safaris in Africa which include a trip to Addo Elephant National Park:

Cape Town and Garden Route

Best of South Africa

Short Garden Route Safari

Game viewing and tracking, a slice of culture, sinking sunsets and 100% African flavour are all on offer in our Top 5 best national parks for safaris in Africa. So pack your terrible ‘African safari’ button-up shirt, with the dark green pockets, and go explore.

Best New Routes in Western Cape 2011

Thursday, October 27th, 2011

So you’ve seen Victoria Falls and Table Mountain. You know what a township looks like and you’ve jumped out of a plane that was far too high, for a moment that was far too short. You’re in the mood for something different. Thanks to the innovate travel and tourism minds out there, there are 5 New Routes, at least one of which is guaranteed to tickle your fancy.

1. Voortrekker Express Route

The road less travelled. That’s what this route is all about. The Voortrekker Express Trip is an overland tour offered which offers an authentic flavour of ‘real’ South Africa, visiting local destinations that really are off the beaten tourist track!

Leaving Cape Town, the trip takes you to see the massive SALT telescope, across the Karoo, to ‘old school’ Afrikaner towns, and to check out the black-maned Lions. Camp on the Orange River, experience Evita Bezuidenhout’s humble hospitality, and finish in Mother City Cape Town!

Book your spot on the Voortrekker Express now!

voortrekker-express

2. Cape Town Design Route 2011

Cape Town has recently been awarded the title of World Capital of Design 2014, so when in Cape Town, do as the Capetonians do! Revel in the relaxed atmosphere of natural beauty and creativity the Mother City has to offer. The Cape Town Design Route plots a string of extremely talented artists and designers with innovative ideas and a flair for the creative so hot, you’re guaranteed a design experience with a bang.

If you’re up for a dose of amazing design, check out the latest Cape Town Design Route 2011 and pair it with a trip starting in Cape Town!

cape-town-design-route

Photo by Whale Cottage

3. New Wine Route

Swirl. Sniff. Taste. Offering a diverse glimpse of the surrounding communities, the Franschhoek Wine Valley has launched a brand new wine route: Franschoek Rond en Bont!

The route traces through Dwarsrivier, a neighbouring region of Franschhoek, communities in Wemmershoek, Bosbou, Groendal, Mooiwater, and Tyotyombeni, neighbouring farms, and the town of Franschhoek.

If you’re keen to try a wine route with a cultural twist, give this new route a swirl, sniff and a taste.

new-wine-route

Photo by Patrick Hajzler

4. Absa Cape Epic Mountain Biking Route 2011

If you love the feeling of your thighs on fire, then the latest Mountain Biking Route is for you! This Epic Route consists of eight days, 1 200 riders and 781km. From Cape Town to Lourensford, the ultimate adventure tour of the Western Cape offers a thrilling, extreme scenic cycle of awesome! I can feel the burn just thinking about it.

“The Absa Cape Epic has again selected some of the best terrain that the Western Cape has to offer. Our route designer, Leon Evans or as he is best known amongst riders, Dr Evil, has again found the perfect balance between exciting trails, challenging terrain and wider vistas in the pursuit of the ultimate mountain biking experience.” says Kevin Vermaak, Director and Founder of the Absa Cape Epic.

The Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike Route 2012 flows through various areas of the Western Cape:

Stage 1: Loop around Robertson Valley
Stage 2: Klein Karoo
Stage 3: Robertson to Caledon
Stage 4: Loop around Caledon
Stage 5: Calendon to Oakvalley
Stage 6: Circuit around Elgin Grabow over Groenlandberg
Stage 7: Lourensford

Watch this inspiring video about the new Absa Cape Epic Mountain Bike Route.

An adventure tourist route not to be missed!

5.  The Perlemoen Route

This scenic hiking trail kicks off near Gansbaai. The fun thing about this hiking trail is that it is versatile. The route you take depends on what the wind and tide are doing, and of course, how fit the hiker is.

The first day starts at De Dam just east of Pearly Beach for a day of scenic fynbos covered dunes, beaches and rocky shores. The second day on route follows the recently renovated Duiwelsgat trail passing coastal fynbos, Stanford Cove’s milkwood forest and various great archaeological sites along the way. Also, this part of the trail is great for Whale watching in season.  Day three is an optional extra, where you will spend the day tracking down a few of the caves on ‘The Five Caves Trail’. Explore the Drip Kelder Gideon’s Cave, Duiwelsgat, Dry Cave and Klipgat, on the final day of the scenic Perlemoen Trail.

When planning your next overland trip in Africa, be sure to take a few extra days to enjoy these new routes before or after your scheduled trip.

Go on… explore!

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