South African Tattoo 2011

Grab the kids – it's heads-up for the South African Tattoo!

Bringing over 600 local and international performers to Montecasino, the spectacular South African Tattoo blends traditional massed pipe bands with a uniquely African flavour and spectacular International acts.

The show is modelled on the globally renowned Edinburgh Tattoo. 'Most of all the South African National Tattoo is an enthralling, foot-tapping, heart- pounding cultural extravaganza arranged to delight young and old', says Steve Howell, General Manager of Montecasino.

Thrill to the precision and spine-tingling sound of the Massed Pipes and Drums, the sleek lines of the Metropolitan Horse Unit, military and police brass bands and much, much more in an extravaganza of sound, light and movement.

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PORT SHEPSTONE

Port Shepstone lies along KwaZulu-Natal’s Hibiscus Coast, which stretches from Scottburgh to Port Edward. Visitors on South African holidays can enjoy the sight of many hibiscus flowers. Port Shepstone is situated at the mouth of the Mzimkhulu River (a Zulu name meaning ‘place of the great kraal’), it was the discovery of marble deposits on the bank of the river in 1867 that first attracted settlers to the area. The town was established four years later and named after Sir Theophilus Shepstone, Administrator of Native Affairs in the Natal government. The river mouth soon became a port for the export of marble, lime and sugar. The harbour was developed following the arrival of a party of 246 Norwegian immigrants in 1886, but the port fell into disuse after the railway line reached the town in 1901.

The largest town along the South Coast, Port Shepstone is a popular resort, offering safe bathing in a tidal pool and a lighthouse as a landmark. The coast and estuary offer good angling opportunities, while boating is possible on the river. The history of the town is depicted in the Port Shepstone Museum, which has a maritime focus. Guests on South African holidays can see one of the largest collections of seashells in the country at the Sea Shell Museum at Shelly Beach, a few kilometres south of Port Shepstone.

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The natural and cultural beauty of SA – our World Heritage

From the floral explosions that sweep across the Cape on South Africa’s western landscapes, to the majesty of the Drakensberg Mountains that soar along the eastern escarpment, the Rainbow Nation is blessed with natural and cultural beauty.

A World Heritage Site is a place – be it natural like a desert or a coral reef, or man-made like an ancient burial tome or an exquisitely built cathedral – that is recognised by UNESCO (United Nation’s Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation) as having great heritage. “Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage is both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.”

As at 2010, South Africa is home to eight World Heritage Sites, and a further 12 have been nominated and are in the process of being reviewed against ten selection criteria, two of which include ‘representing a masterpiece of human creative genius’ for a cultural site and ‘containing superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance’ for a natural site.

Once a place is designated a World Heritage Site, both the host country and UNESCO commit to preserving and protecting it for future generations to enjoy. South Africa’s eight World Heritage Sites are...

Vredefort Dome

When viewed from space, you’ll see the unmistakable circular features of a 190km-wide impact crater made by an asteroid 2.023 million years ago. Not only is it the largest crater on the planet, it is also the oldest! Well-preserved although eroded by the years, the Vredefort Dome has helped scientists understand the geological history of the Earth. It is located in the North West and Free State provinces, and approximately 120km from Johannesburg.

Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Environs

Fossils have been discovered at all these sites, including the famous Taung Skull (Australopithecus Africanus) and the archaeological caves of Makapan Valley where humans lived 3.3 million years ago. There is also evidence of the domestication of fire 1.8 million to 1 million years ago. More recently, another fossil was discovered in the Cradle of Humankind by then nine-year-old Matthew Berger and his father, Professor Lee Berger. This juvenile hominid skeleton (Australopithecus Sediba) has been described as the ‘missing link’ in what we understand about human evolution, and has been named ‘Karabo’ which means ‘answer’ in local language Setswana.

Robben Island

UNESCO says, “Robben Island and its prison buildings symbolise the triumph of the human spirit, of freedom, and of democracy over oppression.” Now a major tourist attraction, some of Robben Island’s most famous inmates when the facility was still running include former state president Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki, Steve Tshwete, Jacob Zuma and Tokyo Sexwale.

iSimangaliso Wetland Park

On the tropical coastline of Kwa-Zulu Natal, iSimangaliso (which means ‘miracle’ and ‘wonder’) is home to a rich ecosystem that is made up of sandy dunes and coral reefs, three large lakes and swamp lands, as well as many species of flora and fauna, including 526 species of birds. It has the distinction of being named South Africa’s first World Heritage site and is a natural wonder.

uKhahlamba Drakensberg Park

Not only is the park a place of extraordinary beauty, it is also home to the most rock paintings made over a period of 4000 years ago by the San people, which showcased the spiritual life of these ancient tribes.

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape

Far in the north of South Africa, you’ll find the sites of palaces and settlements – all that remains of what was the largest tribal kingdom of the country in the 14th century.

Cape Floral Region

Explore the rich flowers and plant life of this region in the Eastern and Western Cape and you’ll find over 20% of Africa’s flora, including the ‘fynbos’ which is a type of vegetation that can be found nowhere else in the world.

Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape

The Richtersveld is home to the Nama people, who still live in portable homes made of rush mats, are semi-nomadic and communally own and manage this beautiful mountain desert landscape.

By Stacey Vee

Family Travel in South Africa

South Africa is the powerhouse of the African continent. It is a country rich in culture and history, an unrivalled abundance of natural beauty and scenic views, trendy restaurants, great nightlife, white sandy beaches, superb climate and friendly people. What else could a family traveling to South Africa ask for?

Families can visit the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, experience the hustle and bustle of the 'City of Gold' or enjoy the amazing beaches of the coastal city of Durban. No visit to the continent is complete without descending on this African jewel.

South Africa is definitely family friendly. Everything about this country is first class, from the restaurants to the world famous tourist attractions. South Africa's tourism industry is extremely broad; therefore the country caters for everybody's needs.

Beaches, which are the ideal place for some family bonding and fun, are bountiful in South Africa. Whether you want to participate in exhilarating water sports, go swimming, surfing or just relax in the warm rays of the African sun, South Africa has a beach to suit all.

There are endless family restaurants serving delicious, uniquely South African dishes. Many of the restaurants have playpens, colouring books and pencils to keep the younger kids busy while their parents enjoy a hearty, South African feast. Guests can also stay at one of the many family friendly hotels, guest houses, lodges and holiday resorts scattered throughout this stunning country.

A good climate, clean water and excellent hygiene make South Africa a safe family destination. Adults will not need any inoculations when traveling in South Africa, unless you are traveling from a yellow fever zone.

Hepatitis B inoculations are generally recommended for children up to the age of 12 who have not completed the series of injections as infants.

The medical facilities in the cities and larger towns are excellent, so guests can expect the best of service should anything happen to you or your family while in South Africa. However, the rural areas of South Africa offer only basic health needs and do not offer a wide range of medical care but the first class services of the city are just a phone call away.

Due to the warm climate, families are advised to wear sunscreen/hat/sunglasses when outdoors, especially during 10am-4pm.

Safe, high quality water is available everywhere in South Africa and is safe to drink from the tap. Bottled water is also available throughout South Africa at most convenient stores. Do not drink any water from rivers and streams.

Most of the tourist areas in South Africa are malaria free; however, Kruger National Park, the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and the northern part of Kwazulu-Natal are at risk during the summer months. Many travellers and locals do not take anti-malarial medication, but most medical professionals will recommend you do for the complete safety and protection for your family.

Acknowledgement: http://www.southafrica.org.za

Please consult your doctor before departing for South Africa for advice and professional guidance so that you and your family can safely enjoy the amazing things this diverse and magical country has to offer.

Golfersdream

Welcome to GolfersDream Self-catering Guest House!

This spacious and luxurious apartment is situated in the Mossel Bay up-market residential Golf Estate and Nature reserve in the heart of the beautiful Garden Route in South Africa.

You will wake up to the sound of birds and other small animals dwelling the fairways of the 13th hole. On the one side you have magnificent ocean views and on the other side, fairways, tees and greens...perfectly situated for your convenience.  Five minutes’ walk to clubhouse and restaurant. Also only five minutes’ drive to beautiful beaches.

Golf: Golfersdream is situated on the Mossel Bay Golf Estate. When you walk out the stag-doors you walk unto the golf course onto the 13th fairway.

Luxury: With quality linen and finishes you will feel spoilt here at Golfersdream.

Activities Nearby

·         Bird Watching

·         Scuba Diving

·         Fishing

·         Golf

·         Bicycle Touring

·         Fishing - Deep Sea

·         Fishing – Saltwater

·         Health & Fitness

·         Scuba/Snorkeling

·         Surfing

·         Shark Cage Diving

·         Walking

·         Camping

·         Hiking / Backpacking

·         Whale Watching

·         Big 5

·         Bungee Jumping

·         Game Drives

Jenny Love

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Charlize Theron

Soeterus Guest Farm

Situated on Route 62, Soeterus Guest Farm is easily accessible and an ideal stop on the alternative route from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

Starry nights and sunshine-filled days create the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. Accommodation is available in the form of six twin B&B rooms. The units offer the following amenities; cotton percale bedding, luxury towels and courtesy toiletries, en-suite bathrooms with showers, coffee and tea-making facilities with complimentary home-made rusks and bar fridges. Rooms are serviced daily by our efficient staff. We hope to make your stay both pleasurable and memorable and will accommodate special requests as far as possible.

Hearty breakfasts are included in the standard rates and can be enjoyed either in the dining room or on your screened patio. Lunch and dinner is available upon prior booking.

Soeterus Guest Farm offers something for everyone, be it relaxing beside the solar-heated swimming pool, retiring to a shady spot with a book or exploring Calitzdorp and the surrounding area.

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South African Beauty

Tansey Coetzee

Wonderboom Nature Reserve, Gauteng

The Wonderboom Nature Reserve is situated in the northern part of the city and straddles the Magaliesberg Mountains. This 200 ha reserve is famous for its magnificent specimen of Ficus salicifolia, a wild fig called the "Wonderboom".

The fig tree is older than 1 000 years, and legend has it that it grew this big because the chief of an indigenous tribe lies buried beneath its roots. It is recorded that the tree was once big enough to shade 1 000 people at a time, or 22 ox wagons with 20 oxen in front of each! Today it is much smaller – probably because of the devastating fire in 1870 started by a hunting party, or because of a parasitic infestation, which put it in quarantine for 20 years. Over the years the branches have grown longer, hanging lower and lower until they touched the ground, rooted and produced a circle of daughter trees. There are now three circles of daughter trees surrounding the original tree.

Come and see this amazing tree, and take the interpretation trail from our new boardwalk in and around the tree.

Wonderboom Nature Reserve has a large number of dassies (rock hyrax) living in caves overlooking the Apies River. They provide a food source for a breeding pair of black eagles that nest on a rocky ledge nearby and that can often be seen circling above the reserve.

At the top of the Wonderboom Hill are the ruins of the Wonderboom Fort, one of four forts built by the former Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek at the end of the 19th century to defend Pretoria against the British forces. It was never used. It was blown up, probably on the instruction of Prime Minister Jan Smuts, in the early days of the Second World War, lest it be used by anti-government dissidents as a springboard for an attack on the state. At the foot of the hill near the Wonderboom is an important Iron Age site and nearby is one of the best Stone Age sites in the area.

The reserve has picnic facilities.

Jenny Love

South African Beauty: Model Rizelle Applegreen