Southern Africa - Tour and Travel Comments

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in South Africa. Cape Town is also affectionately known as the "mother city", due to the first early European explorers settling here.

Cape Town's City Centre is partly surrounded by Table Mountain and extends outwards into the Cape Flats. This forms the greater Cape Town and its suburbs, which all fall under the Cape Peninsula.

The Cape Peninsula is a south western area of the Western Cape province in South Africa. Most of this area is a mountainous peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of South Africa. Cape Point is found at the southern end of the peninsula and on the northern end is Table Mountain, overlooking Cape Town.

Cape Town boasts a multitude of entertainment, ranging from outdoor activities to a roaring nightlife. From playing at casinos to playing on the sandy beaches or swimming with sharks, the choice is yours. It also offers a number of 'under roof' entertainment and activities, like ice-skating and the Planetarium amongst others. The spectacular St Georges Cathedral, the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival as well as the pentagonal Castle of Good Hope, can be found in this beautiful city.

Cape Town - a beautiful city offering so many places to see and an almost limitless choice of activities, arts and culture. A scenic tourist haven, that offers an unforgettable stay.

Day Tours around Cape Town

Type: Half Day Excursions
Cape Point - Half Day
	Morning or Afternoon. Drive past Clifton beach and Camps Bay, one of South Africa's top beaches. Travel along past Houtbay and Chapman's Peak Drive - if open. Cape Point Nature Reserve. Simon's Town with its Penguin colony (for... [More]	From: ZAR 480
Cape Point Tour - Half Day
	Tour the spectacular natural beauty of the Cape Peninsula and be inspired by the wild and rugged splendour of 'the two oceans' at Cape Point. [More]	From: ZAR 440
Cape Town City Tour - Half Day
	The ultimate 'Mother City' experience, designed to orientate you and give you an insight into the magic of Cape Town. [More]	From: ZAR 350
Stellenbosch Winelands Tour - Half Day
	Historical Stellenbosch, with its Cape Dutch architecture is the heart of the beautiful Winelands, surrounded by stunning wine estates. [More]	From: ZAR 440
Township Visit - Half Day
	From Cape Town we drive through District Six with its colourful history. We view the District Six Museum - If open* and enjoy the hospitality of a local B&B. Visit a creche offering fun and a safe haven for local... [More]	From: ZAR 370
Walk to Freedom Tour - Half Day
	Experience the raw energy of our 'Rainbow Nation' in one remarkable morning. [More]	From: ZAR 355
Type: Full Day Excursions
Cape Point & Table Mountain - Full Day
	Travel to the top of the world famouse Table Mountain (or Signal Hill) weather permiting, where the best views of Cape Town are seen. The cable car will get you safely there in about 10 minutes while rotating for a full 360 degree view. [More]	From: ZAR 670
Cape Point & Winelands - Full Day
	Drive through the historical town of Stellenbosch. Wine & cheese tatsting and cellar tours at Zevenwacht. See a cheetah you can touch (for your account). Second wine tasting at Anura Wine estate (time permitting). Travel to the... [More]	From: ZAR 820
Cape Point Tour - Full Day
	A wonderful scenec trip to the Cape Point Nature Reserve on the tip of the Cape Peninsule, also known as The Cape of Good Hope. This trip includes the awesome views of Clifton Beach, Camps Bay, Hout Bay and Chapman's Peak... [More]	From: ZAR 670
Hermanus Whale Watching Tour - Full Day
	The once quiet fishing village of Hermanus provides some of the finest shore-based whale watching in the world. See the southern right whales at play. [More]	From: ZAR 680
Peninsula Tour - Full Day
	See for yourself how this spectacular southern tip of Africa became known as the 'Fairest Cape'. [More]	From: ZAR 600
Winelands - Option 1 - Full Day
	Option 1 (Mon, Wed, Thu, Sat) Nelson's Creek - Cellar tour with wine & cheese tasting, Drive past the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in Feb 1990, Franschhoek - Drive through Franschhoek... [More]	From: ZAR 670
Winelands - Option 2 - Full Day
	Option 2 (Tue, Fri, Sun*) Try the awsome KWV Brandy & chocolate tasting and then drive past the Groot Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela was released in Feb 1990. We head on for a Cellar tour, wine tasting and... [More]	From: ZAR 670
Winelands Tour - Full Day
	A whole day dedicated to the indulgence and splendour of Africa's premier wine region. [More]	From: ZAR 600
Type: Evening Excursions
Sunset Beach and Dinner
	A wonderful way to end a day in Cape Town. Spend a carefree evening, savoring a glass of sparkling wine as you watch the sun set from one of Cape Town's beautiful beaches. [More]

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Labels: Cape Town Tours

Edeni Hoya Hoya Bush Lodge

Where the Drakensberg escarpment plunges to the ancient plains of the Lowveld lies Edeni – the Shangaan word for "Eden". It nestles beneath a canopy of riverine forest on the banks of the Makhutsi River, where it winds through the 21,000 acre Edeni Private Game Reserve, which is in close proximity to the Kruger National Park (Phalaborwa gate and Orpen gate).

This game reserve is pristine with riverine bushveld, mixed woodland and open grassland habitats, perfect for the wildlife that inhabit this unspoiled region. Game visitors can expect to see four of the Big Five (except buffalo) as well as Cheetah, Wild Dog, Hippo, Crocodiles and a host of smaller game. Bird watching is also excellent with some 400 species being recorded.

The tents have magnificent views over the Makhutswi River. Tents are perched on wooden platforms under shady trees, with table and chairs on the verandah for guests' viewing pleasure.

A highlight of Bush Lodge is its thatched-roof lookout deck where guests can enjoy 360 degree views over the mountain, bush and river, sip sundowners while game-spotting on the savannah or even spend a balmy summer night on one of their comfortable outdoor beds.

Room Description

Tented Bush Lodge: 14 Luxurious en-suite tents with shower and toilet. Built on wooden decks, each tent offers superior décor consisting of mosquito nets draped over four-poster double bed, large closet, writing desk. No electricity, solar powered although lighting is battery operated. All tents built on an elbow of the river.

travel@toursa.com

Labels: Edeni, Kruger Park area, South Africa

A short review of our Namibian trip...

Chameleon Guest House, Windhoek * * *
Intersting location, very inernational, very nice guest rooms available

NauaNaua Game Lodge * * * * *
Excellet set-up, highly recommendable. New owner: Stefan & Daniela Kondzilewsky 00264 67 687100 We were the first guests!!Stefan is planning to buy a Cessna Aircraft, allowing him to offer air/safaris out of NauaNaua

Brandberg Rest Camp, Uis * * *
Interesting, historical set-up. We were the only guests that day

Bagatelle Kalahari Game Ranch * * * *
Exciting place, good kitchen.

Central Lodge, Keetmanshoop * * * *
Nice, well kept location

Ai-Ais Hot Spring Resort ???
Was not open yet. All workers have booked out Terrace Bay Fishing Resort * * * so we left the place as only tents were available. Opening in about 6-8 months. We were asked to drive back to CANYON LODGE * * * * , where we were welcome with drinks and had dinner, and breakfast. Very good service. All charges went to Ai-Ais!!

In south Africa
Daisy Country Lodge, Springbok * * * +
Nice set-up

Hantam Huis, Calvinia * * * +
A great historical place with unique atmosphere, kitchen & restaurant, Golf View B/B,

Laingsburg * * * *
Very nice place, well kept. Great hospitality.
On the way from Springbok to Laingsburg we had a flat tyre. Had to run on "tempa/spare tyre" to Knysna. Our car had not a very common size of tyre (!)

Generally we would recommend for Namibia Tours 4x4 vehicles, we had many critical places to pass with our sedan. We do have to mention however that we had almost every day some rain.
Thank you again for your kind assistance.

Beste regards
Norbert & Elisabeth

Labels: Brandberg, Calvinia, Kalahari, Laingsburg, Namibia, NauaNaua, Northern Province, South Africa, Windhoek

My first experience of what I call posh food. This was a learning curve.
Leonard Quinn - Crew U.K.
Cape Town to Pretoria Route - 20 to 22 Oct 08

Many thanks for an excellent journey. The staff were fantastic and very helpful. The food was delicious - cant wait to travel with Rovos again.
Christine & Fred Prottey - Wolverhampton U.K.
Cape Town to Pretoria Route - 20 to 22 Oct 08

Food better than Australian Indian Pacific and Canadian Rocky Mountaineer.We consider the standard of service, Ladies and Gentlemen providing service to Ladies and Gentlemen to be among the highest, if not the highest we have encountered anywhere.
Geoff Brown & Gerry Helfrich - North Berracoppin - Australia.
Cape Town to Pretoria Route - 18 to 20 Oct 08

All a wonderful experience. Bar and Waitress staff are terrific. Special thanks to Chef and cooks. They are the true stars on this journey.
Robert and Pamela Gresty - U.S.A.
Cape Town to Pretoria Route - 17 to 19 Oct 08

Excellent selection of food and wine and great service all round.
Ricky and Sheila Vittele - Thousand Oaks Calif. U.S.A.
Cape Town to Pretoria Route - 17 to 19 Oct 08

Overall we have really enjoyed this journey and would recommend it to others.
Musa and Alisha Yusuf - Harare Zimbabwe
Cape Town to George -10 to 11 Oct 08

The dinning cars are superb. Lounge areas very civilized and relaxing. Outstanding food, thank you to all that assisted in making such great meals.
Marc and Jackie Warner - Glenashley R.S.A
Golf Safari Tour (Pretoria, Durban, Pretoria) - 16 to 20 Oct 08

When we returned to the train it was like coming home.The wonderful staff never made you feel that anything was an effort. We have some "new logs to burn one day in our old age memories".
Koos and Linda Jacobs - Bocksburg R.S.A
Golf Safari Tour (Pretoria, Durban, Pretoria) - 16 to 20 Oct 08

Labels: African Luxury Train Safaris, Cape Town, Durban, George, October 2008, Pretoria, Rovos Rail, South Africa

Jennifer Lane
"Thank you so much! So relaxing, yet so busy and active. Fantastic welcome, food, staff etc. A totally perfect way to end my African adventure! Bertus and Pearl 100 %!!"

Ellen A White
"I can’t believe how quickly time has passed. Wish I could stay longer, what a fantastic experience! What an amazing adventure! Thanks Delina, Pearl, Bertus and Thulani for an unforgettable experience!"

Tom Godfrey
"Great food, very friendly hospitality – thanks to a great staff. Great safaris - Bongani a legend"

Tammi Macquine
"WOW - I have had the most amazing time here. You are so very lucky to be able to experience this every day! Thank you for welcoming me so warmly. You are all such beautiful people. I know I am leaving a part of me behind as I have fallen in love with South Africa, especially Balule Plains! I have a favour to ask: Please, please, please, remember each day how lucky you are to be at Tremisana seeing the awesomeness of God’s creation"

Benedicte Westin
"Four Norwegians had the time of our lives!!! Thanks to Delina and her staff. Bertus really did the trick: we changed our flight to stay one more day and Bertus took it home – we’ll be back"
Anna Roche"Peart, Bertus, Delina, Toby - thank you for a wonderful 5 days. We have seen all the animals and learnt a lot. But more than that, we have made some friends and shared lots of experiences, fun, laughter and wisdom. It has been like coming home – and we will be back again"

Peter Collins
"Thanks for the extra couple of kilos gained. Great game viewing. Great time "

Labels: Balule Game Reserve, Krugar Park, Kruger-Safaris, September 2008, Tremisana Game Lodge

Kruger-Safaris

Annabel Pacula, 8 August 08
“A great big THANK YOU to all of the staff. I traveled here alone and never once felt lonely. The food, chat and knowledge is amazing. Thank you to all the drivers and guides and to Bertus for his enthusiasm and jokes. Thank you all so much”

The Wilkinsons, 15 August 08
“We had a wonderful time. The staff are all lovely. Pearl is a real pearl! Bertus – your stories and patience are great! I shall have to come back so that Nelly can show us the leopard”

TC and Weilynn Chong, 28 August 08
“Thank you so much for your tireless efforts to make us feel so much at home. We have had a fantastic first impression of Africa and look forward to returning to Tremisana as soon as possible. Take care”

Labels: August 2008, Balule Game Reserve, Krugar Park, Kruger-Safaris, Tremisana Game Lodge

Stay at Kosi Bay in KZN Wildlife chalets June/July 2008. The chalets were OK... but are in desperate need of renovation. It was cold and most of the windows were damaged allowing the cold air into the chalet.

The roof needs to be closed off somewhere at the top as we had squirrels living in the roof who seemed to fight all night. Now I know you are in the bush but when they are in your room at 1am, it's not so nice.

The DSTV did not work as the bill had not been paid. We did not go there to watch TV but let's face it, Kosy Bay in the evening is not exactly vibey, and you can only look at the stars for so long each night. I actually demanded to speak to the person who should have paid the bill. They gave me his contact number and the TV came on for 1 day then was off again. When we booked, we paid for all facilities including DSTV and a chalet that had windows intact.

There was no heater either so we froze to death with lots of blankets.

I should actually demand a refund or a free holiday but I'm sure that will not happen. I'm sorry to say, but when you call the parks board its like talking to a brick wall.

Denny wright

Labels: Elephant Coast, Kosi Bay, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa