Saturday, December 31, 2011

Cape St Francis Holiday Resort



This unique and exclusive paradise on the South African Southern Coast draws holiday makers from all over the world to enjoy the glorious beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, excellent water-sport facilities, a leisurely lifestyle and the magical beauty of its unspoilt surroundings.

 The Cape. St Francis Bay characterized by a unique style of thatched architecture and an extensive canal system linked to the Kromme River estuary offers residents and holidaymakers an exotic marina lifestyle. Here, one can experience the pleasures of living right at the water’s edge.

Cape St Francis with its historic lighthouse built in 1878 is a tranquil eco-destination. The pristine beach with mild temperatures and the longest sunshine hours on the South African coast ensure a relaxed all year round destination.

It is surrounded by nature reserves dune fynbos proliferates in the area and many species are endemic to our local region. Cape St Francis Resort borders the beach and provides easy access to a variety of activities. Action or leisure the choices are varied, exciting, and endless. Start by  exploring the canals  by boat or venture  onto the Kromme River,  experience golf at  St Francis Links or St Francis Bay, surf the Endless Summer , charter a fishing vessel , visit the penguin rehabilitation centre or simply relax. Whales can be spotted between June and November but sightings tend to peak in the months of September and October when several Southern Right Whales may be spotted in the bay at any time.

Cape St Francis Resort is the ideal base from which to visit nearby national parks with Tsitsikamma to our west and Addo National Park to our east. The thrill of the bungee jump or canopy tours is just an hour away. On the doorstep lies the wilderness area of the Baviaanskloof  so to the bread basket valley of Patensie.

Friday, December 30, 2011

Buffelsdrift Game Lodge, Oudtshoorn, Western Cape



Buffelsdrift is a beautiful game farm in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains. Unspoiled bushveld, lush vegetation and a dam provides a haven for 20 game species and more than 217 bird species.
The Lodge is situated just outside Oudtshoorn, in the heart of ostrich country, and not far from the Swartberg Nature Reserve. This beautiful Nature Reserve became part of the sixth South-African World Heritage Site offering a wealth of endemic plant species.

The Lodge offers 9 superior tents on the water’s edge and 16 luxury tents each one with its own en-suite bathroom and private outdoor shower, air-conditioning, mini-bar, digital safe, tea/coffee facilities and a game viewing deck. The swimming pool is situated in between the tents.

Situated next to reception is a large round stone fireplace in the middle, overlooking the dam with the Swartberg Mountain Range in the distance.

There is a quaint wooden chapel situated on the edge of a natural water hole with a wide wooden deck as entrance to the intimate little chapel. The deck is an extension to the restaurant and this creates a beautiful space for wedding guests to take their seats and witness the couple exchanging their wedding vows.

There is an À La Carte and Buffet Restaurant specialising in local cuisine, fully air-conditioned for those typical hot days of the Klein Karoo.


Thursday, December 29, 2011

15 on Pinehurst, White River, Mpumalanga


15 on Pinehurst is the ultimate golf, game, and leisure getaway for those seeking superior accommodation at reasonable rates. The whole house is designed and equipped to cater for the discerning visitor requiring 5 star amenities.

15 on Pinehurst is ideally situated for exploring forests, lakes, dramatic landscapes, wildlife, game reserves, sophisticated restaurants and historic towns. It also offers a superb all year round climate for exclusive golf estate living. 15 on Pinehurst is located in a malaria free area on a secure country estate which boasts a magnificent 18 hole championship golf course.

This prime spot, with the White River snaking through the African veld, is close to other scenic golf courses and Kruger National Park gates. The warm waters of cosmopolitan Maputo are only a 2-hour drive away, whilst the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport is reached in 15 minutes.

The residence comprises of four spacious individually furnished suites with lavish en-suite bathrooms and their own private entrances. All these stylish units have a lounge area and patio with a choice of king sized or twin beds. Suites are available individually or alternatively, the entire house can be rented at a discounted rate.

Breakfast can be ordered as an optional extra to be enjoyed in your suite, on your patio, poolside or in the dining room which features fold-away doors opening onto the pool area with its inviting water cascades.

Guests are welcome to take advantage of the outdoor pool and garden.

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

White House Lodge, White River, Mpumalanga


The White House Lodge sits among ten hectares of mountaintop with beautiful views of the surrounding farmlands and hills and mountains, mainly “The Lion Head” - a remnant of a long extinct volcanic core.

The indigenous sour bushveld trees and shrubs surround the lodge, as do around one hundred species of bird, which are the only source of sound to disturb your peace.

The White River area’s climate is renowned as one of the most congenial in South Africa, and ensures you of a relaxed time, with the right combination of luxury indoor and outdoor living, with the lovely rock pool in which to keep cool.

The Lodge is situated in South Africa’s province of Mpumalanga - “the place where the sun rises” - just 5 km from the small town of White River and 8km from the new Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport with its unique thatched roofed terminal and you can reach White River’s 18 hole Championship Golf Course in ten minutes.

A little further away is Nelspruit, the provincial capital city with all modern amenities including a casino. The Kingdom of Swaziland is only an hour’s drive away, and a further hour can see you in Maputo, the capital city of Mozambique on Africa’s East coast.

There are seven en-suite rooms, one luxury cottage with own lounge and private veranda and one two bedroom cottage with lounge, dining area and kitchen if you wish, all with television,  while the public facilities includes  huge swimming pool, with Lapa and Boma, and two terraces for relaxing. 


Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Blyde River Canyon Lodge


Blyde River Canyon Lodge is situated in Mpumalanga along the Panoramic Route.

Nestled between the Drakensberg Mountains, it offers travellers a unique bush experience whilst soaking up the beauty of the natural surrounds. The lodge itself is on an 85 ha fully game fenced, botanical nature reserve.
Accommodation comprises six (6) double / twin rooms with en-suites and one (1) Honeymoon Suite with en-suite. There is also a luxury two bed roomed cottage with two bedrooms and two bathrooms en-suite.

All rooms are tastefully furnished, fully air-conditioned and are equipped with satellite TV, Internet as well as tea and coffee making facilities. Each room leads out onto the tranquil gardens where zebra and wildebeest wander by.

A blend of Victorian and African decor compliments the beauty and majesty of 900 year old Jackelberry trees, whose shade cascades over the pristine lawn areas.

Recreational activities include lazing at the swimming pool or enjoying some of the many adventure excursions on offer. These include white water rafting, mountain bike trails, walking trails, 4x4 trails, abseiling or boat trips on the Blyde Dam and various game drives. Day excursions to the famous Kruger National Park, God's Window and the historic Pilgrim's Rest Village can also be undertaken.




Saturday, December 24, 2011

Dinokeng, Gauteng, South Africa


The Dinokeng area is famous as the place where one of the world’s largest diamonds, the Cullinan diamond, was wrestled from the earth and brought into the light. Situated a few minutes away from Pretoria, Dinokeng is a great destination for people who want to take a look at how people lived at the turn of the 19th century near the early diamond mines.

Dinokeng falls into the catchment zone of the Pienaars and Elands Rivers. This small town is just a few minutes away from Pretoria and is home to the third richest diamond mine in South Africa. Even though the famous Cullinan diamond was found here over a century ago, the mine is still active, bringing out a large number of high quality stones every year. The mine is open to visitors and there are mine tours allowing visitors to see how the mine worked a century ago and how diamonds are mined today with modern technology.

Dinokeng offers visitors the chance to see how people lived at the turn of the 19th century. Perhaps the best example of the old way of living is the Sammy Marks Museum.

South Africa’s first industrialist built a home in Dinokeng that is the very image of the Victorian era. The Sammy Marks House Museum is an impressive mansion with an extensive garden that was once the home of wealthy industrialist Sammy Marks. A tour through the Sammy Marks house gives visitors the chance to see how a wealthy family of the time lived.

The Dinokeng area is also home to many ruins from previous conflicts and inhabitants. Some of the old battlefields and forts are marked while others are semi-forgotten, waiting for visitors to uncover them and to remember.

For an interesting excursion into the diamond country of Gauteng, a journey to Dinokeng is in order. Situated only a short distance from Pretoria or Johannesburg, the area is a great place for visitors to see and learn about the diamond mining enterprises of the turn of the 19th century.


Thursday, December 22, 2011

Bird Island Nature Reserve, Western Cape


The world’s most accessible Cape gannet colony can be found on an island, linked to Lambert’s Bay by a breakwater wall. Bird Island also gives shelter to thousands of cormorants and penguins, whilst Cape fur seals can still be found on the rocks on the seaside of the island.

The three hectare Bird Island Nature Reserve is an important breeding and roosting site for this cacophonous and, on the face of it, unruly bunch of birds that serves as both an environmental educational opportunity, and a tourist attraction of note. Bird Island is one of only six sites where Cape gannets breed in the world.

Bird Island has a fantastic modern bird hide that has transformed the island into something of an educational classroom on the life of these birds.

It also means that visitors are less subject to the incredibly strong smell of guano, collected from the island between 1888 and 1990 for use in fertilisers and known as “white gold.” Because of this regular collecting, the penguin community sharply declined, particularly because their eggs were regarded as a delicacy. Visitors to the island can also explore an aquarium, auditorium, penguin pool, curio shop, and coffee shop, and there is a video on the history of the island available in a number of different languages.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Barberton, Mpumalanga, South Africa

The gold rush of the 19th Century started after the discovery of the reef here in 1883. This resulted in the haphazard establishment of the rather rough frontier town of Barberton, and not much has changed. A few semi-hermits still pan for gold in the nearby streams, hoping to strike it lucky. And of course, on the heels of the gold came South Africa's first stock exchange.

 The gold in the area became uneconomical and richer reefs were discovered in Johannesburg. The stock exchange followed on the heels of the miners. Barberton is now a quiet and peaceful town with beautiful old buildings and set in stunning surroundings. There are some interesting attractions worth visiting in Barberton, including the nearby Songimvelo and Barberton Nature Reserve, and the Barberton Museum.

Nearby is the site of one of South Africa's least celebrated but most interesting artists - Nukain Mabuza. Mabuza is a self-taught, self-inspired artist who decorated the stones around his dwelling - painting the whole hillside in bright colours. Mabuza died in 1981, but the site, which was restored by the Barberton Museum, is open to visitors.

 Women
 Recipes

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

South African facts



South Africa is located on the southern tip of Africa and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the west and the Indian Ocean on the south and east. Its neighbouring countries are Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Swaziland. The Kingdom of Lesotho is situated in the eastern central plain of the country.

South Africa's total land area is 1 219 912 sq. km (471,011 sq. mi). The country is five times larger than Great Britain and three times the size of Texas.

South Africa is divided into 9 provinces: Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, North West, and Mpumalanga.

South Africa boasts three capital cities. These are:

Bloemfontein: The location of the Supreme Court of Appeal, the highest court in non-constitutional matters. 

The Constitutional Court in Johannesburg is the highest court in constitutional matters.

Cape Town: The legislative capital of South Africa and home to the seat of Parliament.

Pretoria: The administrative capital of South Africa.


South Africa is a diverse country filled with a myriad of traditional origins, languages and beliefs, and is home to over 47 million people from all walks of life. The population of South Africa is divided into four ethnic groups, black Africans, whites, coloureds, and Asians.

Officially, the Republic of South Africa, this country is a constitutional democracy with a government and independent judiciary, all operating under a parliamentary system. The national, provincial, and local levels of government all have legislative and executive authority in their own regions. Advisory bodies operate at both national and provincial levels and are drawn from traditional leaders of South Africa.


South Africa is 2 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GTM), one hour ahead of Central European Wintertime, 8 hours behind Australian Eastern Standard Time and 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Wintertime. There is no daylight saving and no time zone changes between South Africa and its neighbouring countries, or between the 9 provinces of South Africa.

South Africa is a year round holiday destination, but it all depends on what kind of experience you are looking for. Different activities are better suited to different seasons.

For the best game watching, visit during a South African spring (August – October), Whale watching from mid-June to the end of October and for diving and surfing, April to September. The beaches of Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban are great and best visited in the peak of summer (November – February), but are often overcrowded.

The unit of currency is the South African Rand, denoted by the symbol R. One hundred cents makes up one Rand (R1). Coins are available in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5, and notes in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200.

The Rand is weaker than the Pound and Dollar, making a visit to South Africa highly affordable by international standards. Accommodation, eating out and shopping in South Africa offers great value for money to the international traveler.

Your foreign currency can be exchanged at most local banks and Bureaux de Change. There are many banks and ATM’s all around South Africa, including airports, petrol stations and malls.

South Africa is generally a very casual country, with warm, windy days and chilly nights. Denims, t-shirts, and skirts are fine for during the day. In summer, the days range from pleasant, to very hot and evenings are balmy. In some areas of South Africa, winter is wet and windy during the day, while in other areas it is dry, hot, and humid.

Winter nights are, however, always cold. Formal to semi-formal attire is worn to work, upper-class restaurants, and clubs. Casual wear is accepted at most restaurants, pubs, and bars. The majority of clubs do not accept guests in running shoes. Bathing suits – full or two pieces - are for the beach.

Monday, December 19, 2011

South African foods and culinary terms


Here are some of the unique foods of South African and some culinary terms:

Biltong
Biltong is a national delicacy. Similar to American jerky, but very different, it is made from spiced slices of meat that are hung up – out of the sun – to dry in the wind. The most common variety is beef, but game biltong is also available. Connoisseurs claim that ostrich and kudu biltong are the best.

Bobotie is a traditional Cape Malay dish consisting of a fruity mince curry, which is topped with egg custard and lemon or bay leaves, and baked.

Boerewors is essential at a braai. It is a fatty, spicy beef sausage – there are loads of secret recipes all containing quite exotic spices such as coriander, cumin and others.

Bokkoms are definitely an acquired taste. They are small, whole mullet (called harder in South Africa) that are salted and dried. They are a bit tough to just chew on but they can be reconstituted and cooked into something approaching a Portuguese bacalhau, which makes them far more palatable.

Braaivleis
Braais are part of South African life and they are so much more than a barbecue. As well as boerewors, sosaties, pap en sous, and roosterbrood, there may be any other kind of meat and fish. Crayfish braais are very popular.

Bredie is a stew, usually mutton-based and served with rice. The most popular is tamatie bredie (tomato stew).

A bunny chow lunch is an essential part of a visit to Durban. Consisting of curry (either meat or veg) piled into a hollowed out half or quarter loaf of bread it is best eaten with the hands on the street.

Butternut squashes are large, gourd-shaped vegetables which are very similar to pumpkins but with brighter orange, more solid flesh and a more intense taste. They are often cooked over the coals at braais or made into lightly curried soups.

Coastal oysters are wild, as opposed to cultivated oysters.

Crayfish are spiny lobsters. They are delicious.

Gatsby is a form of street food found mainly in Cape Town. Cheap and filling it consists of a whole loaf of bread cut lengthwise and filled with chips (French fries), salad and either meat, curry or fish.

Imifino is a wonderful dish of wild spinach-like greens fried up with onion, spices, and perhaps a bit of chilli, and usually served with pap or putu.

A koeksuster is a sweet, syrupy, plaited confectionary not entirely unlike a doughnut but much richer. Great stuff if you have a very sweet tooth and fantastic with strong coffee.

Konfyt is the term given to any preserve. Two of the most popular are made from a type of otherwise unpalatable melon, and from green figs. With a bit of ginger and other spices, these are actually tasty and not at all cloying although obviously sweet.

Line fish is the term given to fish that has been caught locally that day on a line (as opposed to netted fish). In restaurants, it will often be the 'fish of the day'.

Milk tart is a traditional baked custard tart, sprinkled with cinnamon.

Peppadews are designer vegetables developed and patented in South Africa. A cross between a sweet pepper and a chilli, they are slightly spicy, fruity, and piquant, and are usually found pickled.

Peri-peri hails from neighbouring Mozambique. It is a fiery concoction of mainly, chilies, garlic and tomato (and a few other secret ingredients). It is most commonly used as a basting for fish, chicken, or prawns but can be used for anything. Beware; some varieties are very hot, while others are nicely tasty.

Perlemoen is the local word for abalone. Many locals claim the best way to eat this is braaied  on the beach in a piece of kelp (hollow seaweed), but it is easier to try it as a schnitzel in a restaurant, or cut into strips and stir-fried.

Pot brood is bread made in a cast-iron pot on the top of a fire.

A potjie is a three-legged cast-iron pot and it is the basis of one of our best-loved specialities – potjiekos. It's a stew made by putting in the onions first and then the items which need most cooking, e.g. meat, potatoes and/or hard vegetables. Softer vegetables are added in layers and the pot is never stirred. As it simmers for hours, the flavour permeates the whole dish.

Roosterbrood is bread made on the grill over an open fire.

Rotis are traditional Indian flat bread, which may be quite familiar.

Samosas are an Indian delicacy that has become part of the South African culinary landscape. It's a triangular fried pasty filled with curry – meat, fish or veg.

Samp is whole maize, which is cooked up rather like rice and most often served with beans, which makes it a very nutritious, high protein food highly valued by traditional societies.

Smoorsnoek is a kedgeree-like dish made of flaked smoked snoek cooked up with tomato, onion and spices.

Sosaties are chunks of meat impaled on a skewer. Traditional ones will be marinated in a lightly curried fruity sauce and then cooked over the fire but there are dozens of variations.

Whenever you travel to South Africa, make sure you try at least a couple of our traditional foods.


Sunday, December 18, 2011

Badplaas, Mpumalanga, South Africa


The hot mineral waters that filter from a natural spring in Badplaas were popular with travellers in the mid 1870's. However, the powers of the water were known to the local tribesmen long before that, naming the waters 'Emanzana', or 'healing waters'.

This thermal spring is situated in the valley of the Komati River, just 48 kilometres east of Carolina on the Barberton road. According to legends, the spring was presented as a gift to Jacob de Clerq by a Swazi chief, and by 1893, it was declared state property.

The alkaline waters of Badplaas are rich in sodium bicarbonate, and are 50 degrees Celsius when they filter from the earth. This water flows at about 32 000 litres per hour and is pumped into a warm mineral pool, as well as the private pools of the resort.

Many people travel to Badplaas with rheumatic ailments to soak away their aches and pains. They have to, however; vie for space as holiday makers descend onto this gem to enjoy the facilities offered by the large resort and nature reserve nearby.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Aliwal North, Eastern Cape, South Africa


Aliwal North has been named after a battle which took place at Aliwal in India. As time moved on, Aliwal grew as a health resort location. Today Aliwal North is a farming district; the main products are wool, maize, wheat, beef and dairy. The main assets of the town are the 2 hot mineral water springs.

Some of Aliwal's attractions are: Aliwal North Museum, Aliwal Spa Holiday Resort, Buffelspruit Nature Reserve, De Leon Park, Garden of Remembrance, the Eastern Cape's great bio-diversity, historical places and buildings, Kerkplein Museum and the San rock art.


Friday, December 16, 2011

Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa


Alice is a quaint little town situated 20 kilometres to the east of Fort Beaufort. Alice grew around a military encampment known as Fort Hare. It became well known as a mission centre, with Presbyterian missionaries founding a famous educational centre known as Lovedale.

This small town is well known as it is the site of the University of Fort Hare, the alma mater of Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, and many other leading political figures in the liberation movement and the government.

Alice is a fascinating and historical place; however, you will get little out of it without the aid of a knowledgeable guide. The University of Fort Hare was established as a place of higher education of black graduates from Lovedale and other schools. It is the repository of the archives of the African National Congress and houses one of the most significant collections of African art on the continent.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Alexander Bay, Northern Cape, South Africa


Alexander Bay takes its name from Sir James Alexander, who dreamed of making a fortune by exporting copper. Because of the copper, the town experienced a brief flush of prosperity until the 1870’s. Unfortunately, this ended and Alexander Bay became something of a ghost town.

The town became rejuvenated once again when in 1926, diamonds were discovered. The resulting 'diamond rush' led to the Diamond Coast rebellion of 1928. Today, the area where the diamonds are mined is quite a high security area.

The company that is in control of this area is happy to receive visitors and will readily issue permits and arrange tours. Visitors are also shown the Seal colony and oyster farm.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

South African Towns: Addo


Addo is a small and charming farming town situated in the Eastern Cape. It is close to the world-renowned Addo Elephant Park and offers a good alternative to staying in the park.

This area is not only renowned for its national park and game farms, it is also well known for its orange growing. Citrus is picked during from April through to September. The annual Citrus Festival is held at the end of May.

Visitors can also take part in the Addo Rose Festival in October, with numerous craft and food stalls. The close by Addo Elephant Park is a definite must-see and offers an array of activities, including game viewing, horse riding, 4X4 trails and so much more.

There are several historical sites that can be visited in Addo, some of which date back as far as 1829. The most well-known site is Drift House, the inn used by most people crossing the Addo drift from the old Cape Colony into the Hinterland.

Addo is beautifully set on the heart of Sunday's Valley and is a less than an hour's drive from Port Elizabeth and the nearest airport. The Sunday's River Valley Route/Addo region is only a scenic hour’s drive from the pristine beaches of the Sunshine Coast and the rich settler history of Grahamstown.