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Points To Consider Before Going On A South African Safari

August 31st, 2010 No comments

Since the 2010 World Cup, many people have added South Africa as a vacation destination. The wildlife in South Africa is a big attraction, and there are many national parks and private game farms that afford visitors the opportunity to see South Africa’s ‘Big Five’ in their natural habitat. There are, however, several things that you should consider before going.

Site of Soccer 2010 World Cup
Image by DanieVDM via Flickr

Budget

Although the exchange rate is generally in the international visitor’s favor, there are a variety of options available that can make your vacation more affordable. There are luxurious game lodges that offer elegant accommodation and five star service, generally on private game farms with organized game drives. These are for the people who want a nice place and have money to spare.

The national parks usually offer self-catering cottages and camping facilities, with stores and food available.

Hotels are usually going to be affordable and you can take day trips to the park. You may have to hire a car, but you will have more freedom to see around South Africa. South Africa has many well equipped camping sites.

The Season You Go

South Africa, being in the southern hemisphere, has its seasons reversed. The best game viewing time is in winter – June to September – where temperatures may reach 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit depending on which part of the country you are visiting.

The animals are in the midst of a dry season at this time and will be out at the watering holes. Vegetation isn’t super dense at this time, so you can see them more clearly.

Safety

The crime statistics in South Africa may deter some visitors, an alert tourist will have no problems. Being alert about what’s happening around you is crucial. In smaller towns, you really only need to look out for petty theft. Cameras, mobile phones, wallets and purses are popular items that may be snatched if left unattended in restaurants or shops. Lock cars up and lock all valuables in trunks.

The animals that you are going to look at are wild. Any rules that you are given, follow. An animal can get spooked from the smallest things.

Check and see if the area is prone to diseases like malaria. Whether you are visiting a malaria zone or not, take insect repellent and use it liberally, especially in the evenings and at night. You must wear sunscreen, too.

A South African safari will offer you views of wild animals you will never see outside of a zoo. The “Big Five” are lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and Cape buffalo, and are supplemented by other animals like antelope and giraffe. With beautiful landscapes, lovely beaches and many other attractions, make sure you don’t make your South African safari too short, as you will want some time to see what this diverse country has to offer.

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Western Cape Accommodation – Comfort, Class And Stacks To See And Do At A Super Price

April 5th, 2010 No comments

The Western Cape region of South Africa has become a tourist hotspot during the past couple of decades and with very good reason. The region offers more to see and do in a relatively small area than you will find in most other places in the world. You actually need weeks not days to see everything there is to see. Western Cape Accommodation can provide a comfortable stay for everyone: from the backpacker to the connoisseur.

The Mother City is of course situated in this area. Cape Town has developed into one of the world’s tourist hot spots during the past twenty years, and with good reason. The city lies at the base of Table Mountain with the glittering waters of the Atlantic Ocean never more than a few minutes away. It has everything to offer: from an atmospheric waterfront development to white sandy beaches, from stunning mountain scenery to wine farms where you can taste world class wines and from fascinating historical sites to the breathtaking scenery of Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Outside Cape Town there are a number of small towns, each with a very special character. From the student town of Stellenbosch to the French colonial town of Franschoek, from the Boland winelands to the beaches of Hermanus – all deserve your time and all will provide you with an enjoyable few days of sightseeing.

As far as accommodation go, this area is well prepared for the yearly tourist influx. If a five star hotel is your preferred type of accommodation, Cape Town has more than its fair share of world class hotels. You will find them everywhere, from the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town to the beach towns of the Western and Southern Cape.

As far as mid-range accommodation is concerned, you only have to do a quick search with your favorite search engine to find a long list of very affordable establishments that offer everything that you are used to at home and more.

If you would like to stay in a place with a slightly more personal atmosphere, try a guest house or bed-and-breakfast. The Western Cape has an abundance of these. In the more upmarket establishments you will find everything that even a boutique hotel normally offers, while the small and informal bed-and-breakfasts offer a cozy and comfortable stay with a highly personal touch.

Hostels is not a new phenomenon to South Africa, but they have really come into their own during the past two decades. There are now literally hundreds of them all over the Western Cape. Accommodation in one of these is comfortable, clean and very reasonably priced. Many a world traveler swear by hostels: they are the best places to meet fellow travelers while on an extended trip.

Self-catering units are the ideal choice for the family man. They are not always centrally situated, so it’s advisable that you have a car at your disposal when staying at one of these. They are often the best way to stay in the heart of nature, since you will find them in scenic locations where there are normally no hotels or guest houses. No matter what type of Western Cape accommodation you eventually select, you are sure to have the time of your life!

Western Cape accommodation comes in all price ranges and with all available creature comforts. We have got the ultimate inside scoop on super inexpensive accommodation in Western Cape.

Start Your Hunt For World Cup 2010 Packages Now

January 22nd, 2010 1 comment

You should start looking for decent World Cup 2010 packages right now because there is hardly even six months to go before the tournament gets under way. From finding out where the different stadia are located to learning how to get to South Africa there is much that you will need to learn and the sooner you get started the better. The simple truth is that tickets for the 2010 World Cup have gone on sale and are being taken at lightning fast speeds ‘ and the process of buying tickets is also quite complicated.

If you are trying for good World Cup 2010 packages then you can start your search by selecting Delta as well as South African Airways ‘ both of which will suit people that are planning to travel to South Africa from America. If you are departing from Europe then you will do well to check out British Airways and Virgin Atlantic and then there is KLM and Lufthansa as well as Air France that will get you to the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.

If you are going to fly out from the Middle East you can choose Emirates; and if you are emplaning out of Hong Kong then you can fly Cathay Pacific while Varig will serve those who are flying from Brazil. Qantas will provide good service to those who are flying out from Australia.

Even if you are unable to get a flight to South Africa there are some useful alternatives that you should use. You can for example fly to Windhoek that is located in Namibia or you can fly to Gaborone that is located in Botswana. From there you can take a bus ride and easily reach South Africa.

To get the best World Cup 2010 packages you have to deal with tour operators that are 2010 FIFA World Cup preferred operators and who can offer you a good deal that includes international flight tickets, match tickets as well as accommodation and even transportation to the match venues.

There are several different kinds of world cup packages available and most have options that include, for example, team specific with group 1 match, group 2 match, all group 3 matches, group 3 matches and round of 16 plus quarter finals; group 3 matches and round of 16 as well as quarter-finals, semi-finals and also the finals. You can also purchase a package for match specific with a quarter final of your choosing; or match specific with two semi-finals and also match specific and two semi-finals plus the finals.

All these World Cup 2010 packages seem to work on the basis of base camps in which you select three cities in South Africa from where you can then move out to wherever the matches are being played.

On the day of the match, your package deal will include transportation (by air or road) to the stadium where the match is to be played. And, when there is no match being played you are free do to as you please. Now that you know what to expect it is up to you to ensure that package deals are available and then you can purchase one that suits your budget and your needs.

If you are attending the World Cup, then the World Cup 2010 packages can help organize your trip with virtually no hassle. Don’t miss out on this momentous occasion! Also, it is never too late to consider the upcoming 2010 winter games packages either.

Virgin Airlines

January 22nd, 2010 No comments

Owned by Virgin Group and Singapore Airlines, Virgin Airlines is well known for its decidedly British feel. Its main hubs are located at two London airports, Heathrow & Gatwick. It also has a secondary hub at Manchester. The airline provides service from the United Kingdom to North America, Africa, Caribbean, Australia, Asia and the Middle East.

Virgin Atlantic serves about 30 destinations worldwide with its fleet of more than 35 aircraft. It further extends its network through code-sharing relationships (agreements that allow airlines to sell tickets on each other’s flights) with other airlines including Air China, Continental Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Australia-based sister company Virgin Blue.

Plans for two routes, one from London to the Falkland Islands in the aftermath of the Falkland War, and the other from London Gatwick to JFK Airport, were either scrapped or rejected. Plans were in the works for a route between London Gatwick and Newark Liberty International Airport, when it became necessary for the company to secure additional funding.Virgin Atlantic and its sister companies got their start in’82 when American Randolph Fields teamed up with pilot Alan Hellary to launch British Atlantic Airways.

Fields and Branson struck an agreement after tortuous discussions which led to the formation of the airline currently known as Virgin Atlantic starting its first flight between Londan and Newark in June’84. (Fields was later bought out.) A combination of funding from sister company Virgin Records and the timing of the agreement within the peak summer travel system allowed the company to make money in its first year of operation.

This move led to BA’s so-called “dirty tricks” campaign against Virgin Atlantic which included libel lawsuits, and an out-of-court settlement on BA’s part after lawyers found evidence of the extraordinary efforts BA was taking to “kill off” Virgin Atlantic.Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have been rivals since the company’s inception. The competition became even more intense when the UK government began allowing Virgin Atlantic to operate from London Heathrow airport in January’91.

Virgin has never been shy about taking on its competition through its advertising. Some examples: Mine’s Bigger Than Yours – painted on the back of the Airbus A340-600s because they are the longest passenger aircraft in the world

Avoid the Q – Advertised Virgin’s London to Hong Kong to Sydney route in opposition to Quantas which was operating the same route; also promoted Virgins online check-in literally allowing passengers to avoid the queues.

Upper class is the equivalent of business class since the airline does not offer a traditional first class cabin service. Virgin Atlantic claims its Upper Class seat is the largest fully flat bed when compared with any other airlines’ business class seating.No Way BA/AA – Expressed Branson’s displease with a proposed British Airways/American Airlines partnership.Virgin Atlantic currently offers three cabin classes: upper class, premium economy and economy.

Premium Economy passengers have their own check-in and get to board before Economy passengers. They enjoy greater seat width and legroom. Most planes have undergone upgrading to provide Premium Economy seats that come with power supplies for laptops. Economy class now includes free drinks and upgraded seats with adjustable back support in all aircraft.

Personal televisions mounted in the seat backs are available on all of the planes flown by Virgin Atlantic. Audio and video on demand systems are also installed on some of their aircraft. In addition, Virign Atlantic has various sister airlines. These are Virgin America, Virgin Blue, Virgin Express, Virgin Galactic, Virgin Nigeria Airways, Virgin Atlantic Global Flyer and V Australia.,

Tom Martens is the content syndication coordinator for South Arica’s leading Flight comparison portal, which includes Virgin Atlantic Airlines amongst others.

Jeffrey’s Bay South Africa – Amazing

September 20th, 2009 No comments

Jeffrey’s Bay South Africa is a magnificent place to visit. Jeffrey’s Bay is located on the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The sandy beaches are gorgeous. The ocean is clear and full of different colors of blue and greens. On a sunny warm day you can even watch the dolphins play in the wave’s right around you. The things to do in Jeffrey’s Bay are limitless.

No matter why type of place you want to stay in rather it be a hotel or private home I am sure that you will find something to suit your needs as well as wallet. The rage from all the tourists is the breakfasts that are served everywhere they are amazed at how large the meals are.

The most famous attraction to visit at Jeffrey’s Bay is the shell museum, it is known for its vast collection of shells. The museum is only open one day a week so check and see when it is in operation so you don’t miss out.

There are a lot of restaurants in and about Jeffrey’s Bay the best way to find the best ones is to speak with your locals. The locals will always know where the best favorites are. The best restaurants may not be right in front of your view. The Sunflower Restaurant and Kitchen Windows are a few that are on the favorite list. Before you go to any country make sure you check up on your language so you can interpret the menu.

When going to any foreign country or outside of the United States you need to know the kind of money that they use. The African currency is the rand which is 100 cents per rand. You will have no problem if your money gets low because there are banks and ATM machines everywhere. Another thing to keep in mind when going to Jeffreys Bay or any other country is make yourself knowledgeable with the phone systems, driving rules, money systems and the languages that are spoken there.

Jeffrey’s Bay is mainly known for its tourism due to its beauty of the coast and mountain side. Everyone that has gone to Jeffrey’s Bay wishes that they could stay longer and not leave. Everyone always says that a few days aren’t long enough to see all that the city has to offer.

Andrew Keet has lived and travelled in South Africa for nearly five decades and Jeffreys Bay is one of his favourite destinations.