Since the 1600s, people have been making wine in the Cape Town wine country.  The Cape Dutch architecture at the vineyards is as beautiful as the rows of wine grapes, which seem to flow endlessly into the horizon.  There are a total of eight wine estates in the region known as the Constantia Valley, only a thirty minute drive from the center of Cape Town, South Africa.  One is the Constantia Uitsig wine estate, where they also serve excellent food at their garden restaurant.

A White Lion

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve is a combination of posh spa-like accommodations and miles of wilderness, located three hours from Cape Town. It’s a luxury safari experience, with the world’s only free-roaming pride of white lions. There are tented lodges, like the Dwyka Tented Lodge, with its own deck and plunge pool.  This is the ultimate splurge vacation if you’re planning any South Africa travel.

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve has a White Lion Project which seeks to return white lions to the wild.  There are rare species here, too:  the riverine rabbit among others.  Remember, this is the largest private wild game reserve in all of South Africa, so there’s plenty of room for indigenous plants, wildlife, and also for you to escape and do nothing at all.  There are vast open plains, rugged mountains, endemic bird species, and very competent field guides to assist you on your safari.

Backroads bike tours make a stop here, always sure to stay at the Graskop Hotel.   The town is a mix of artists and Afrikaner farmers with a recent influx of Zulu, Swazi and more Africa groups moving around since the end of Apartheid.  Arts thrive here and the overland trip to Graskop is beautiful so you get more for our time: beautiful natural scenerey, exciting things to do, and a vibrand arts scene and cool motel when you stay in town. What could be better?

The Blue Train is a passenger train outfitted to please even the most demanding guests, with marble bathrooms and original artwork.  This orient express-like passenger train is operated by South African Airways, and is part of a package tour operated by that company.

The package takes you to the Pilanesberg Game Reserve for two nights on a safari.  You also get to stay three nights in Cape Town at the Commodore Hotel.  The tour leaves from New York and Washington, D.C. and other gateways for an extra charge.  Contact SAA for info.

Getting Ready for 2010

Soccer fans around the world, get ready for South Africa World Cup 2010! This global major sports event has never before taken place in Africa, and South Africans are ecstatic that they’ve finally been chosen to host this world event. The South Africa World Cup is also important to this nation because it symbolizes an end to the isolation felt during the terrible era of apartheid. About half a million visitors will descend upon South Africa in June 2010, donning colored wigs, crazy costumes, team-colored makeup and anything they can come up withe to support their teams. They’ll be waving flags, singing, screaming, creating the electric atmosphere known to always be a major part of the World Cup experience. The South Africa World Cup will be no exception to the usual crazy atmosphere that comes with this world soccer event.

June 10, 2010 in Johannesburg is the time and date of the start of South Africa World Cup. Fans around the world already have their calendars marked. 32 teams play 48 games in 9 cities. It’s not just Johannesburg, it’s also Durban, Rustenburg, Polokwane, Pretoria, Nelspruit, and Bioemfontein, as well as Port Elizabath and Cape Town South Africa. It all culminates on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, where the World Cup South Africa holds the final game attended by no less than 90.000 fans and about a billion people around the world watching on television.

If you want to see the games in person and you’re willing to travel to South Africa, you’ll need some South Africa World Cup tickets. But you can’t get these tickets on Ticketmaster! There is such strong demand, and high risk of counterfeiting, you can only get tickets on certain dates from the website of the group that runs the World Cup. Dates aren’t even announced very far in advance. Some World Cup tickets are sold via lottery, some are first-come first-serve. If you are lucky enough to win South Africa World Cup tickets, then pay online and you get your ticket at designated venues in South Africa at the time of the match. Luck has to be on your side for these World Cup tickets!

Prices of the South Africa World cup tickets range from US$80 to US$400, the latter being the price for a final game. For South Africans, there are $20 seats, but it’s for them only and they are high in the rafters. There are also special World Cup ticket packages, since chances are, if you travel to South Africa for the World Cup, you will want to see more than one game. They are called “follow your team” packages, and you get three opening-round matches and at least one elimination game.

And just as exciting as the games for many, are the celebrations and parties that follow each South Africa World Cup game. Get ready to stay up all night and celebrate!

Cape Town

Fifteen miles south of Cape Town South Africa lies Noordhoek Beach, perfect white sand backed by lush cliffs facing the Atlantic Ocean. Cape Town South Africa is so many things, and first and foremost it’s big and wild. Perched at the bottom tip of the African continent, at the edge of the icy Atlantic waters, we have rocky canyons, sandstone and granite outcroppings that border every landscape in every direction. There are white sand beaches, penguins, dunes and baboons.

Cape Town South Africa was settled more than three centuries ago by the Dutch, who chose the Constantia Valley for their new home. They subsequently covered the valley in sun-drenched vineyards, which still exist today, producing some of the world’s best wines. Cape Town South Africa is not just about rugged nature and big skies, it’s about vineyards, funky neighborhoods, fine dining, and luxury hotels. What’s more, when it’s wintery and cold – perfect time for a sunny getaway in the northern hemisphere, it’s summer time in Cape Town South Africa.

If you love the outdoors, now’s a good time to consider South Africa Travel. The South African currency, the rand, is low against the US dollar. Luxury South Africa hotels that previously cost US$400 now cost US$350. You can get everything cheaper now, in 2009 prices. Renting cars, hotels, eating in fine restaurants, exploring some of the worlds’ most magnificent wilderness areas for hiking or biking, it has all come down in price for the time being.

Go horseback riding on Cape Town South Africa’s Cape Peninsula, fifteen miles south of town. There are trails through wetlands and dunes and you end up on the beach. View Egyptian geese wading in freshwater streams, and other birdlife that stops on its way. The cliffs rise straight up from the beaches here near Cape Town, and one of the most famous is Chapman’s Peak, famous for its harrowing road, built on the edge of oblivion. Birds go swooping for oysters and clams here on the beach, seals can be seen, and it feels so remote you wonder if you’re not at the end of the world.

Cape Town’s beach communities are worth checking out too. South Africa has a wide range of cultures, and you will see urban poverty in Cape Town. But beach towns will offer a funky view on life. Kalk Bay is right on the coast, and picturesque. Back to Noordhoek, you will find a grand example of Cape Town South Africa at its finest: the culinary revolution. Head for the Foodbarn and you’ll see what we mean!

Table Mountain is also on the Cape Peninsula, with its foothills suburbs of Newlands, Claremont and Bishopscourt. The plantlife is wonderful here: bougainvillea, palms and all kinds of lovely tropical vegetation. Visit Kirstenbosch here, South Africa’s Cape Town location of the National Botanical Gardens. It’s under US$5 to get in and is well worth five times that price. Pathways, hiking trails, cobblestone walkways, benches, manicured lawns, ponds, and more. What a treat!

Love the outdoors? Then for you, there are plenty of things to do in South Africa! From cross country cycling to hiking, trekking and backpacking, discover an amazing world of things to do in South Africa!. It’s your paradise to explore, so let’s get going and see what’s out there!

Your exotic trip will unveil an array of activities bound to leave you breathless. On your exciting adventure, why not try cycling from house to house, hosted by locals who run bread and breakfasts, and know how to make you feel so welcome. You’ll spend your days traversing the countryside, admiring this rugged and beautiful country. Take in the natural beauty of South Africa. At night, you’ll relax at a small guest house or inn, with your group. Pace yourself for a relaxing evening and enjoy the camaraderie, a home cooked local meal, and the best sleep ever! We’re pretty sure you can now see why this is one of the best things to do in South Africa.

Things to do in South Africa

• Explore Cape Town’s wild side
• Visit Kirstenbosch, South Africa’s National Botannical Gardens
• View the African penguins on the Cape Peninsula, also known as jackass penguins for their braying call!
• Rent a wetsuit and go lobster diving near the Cape of Good Hope
• Take pictures of ostriches and antelopes on the dunes at the beach
• Go surfing
• Go horseback riding in Kommetjie
• Visit Table Mountain National Park