Cape Town Tourist Information

Price of Tours

Prices are subject to change and are reviewed at the start of the next summer season starting 1 September 2003.

Seasons

Summer is approximately from September till March with the peak of summer during December / January / February with the average temperature around 27º C

Winter is from June - August with the average temperature around
17º C - therefore a mild winter compared to most countries around the globe. This is the secret season of the Cape where most tourism companies, including 34º South Tours, offer special winter packages.

Visa Requirements:

Those wishing to enter South Africa must be in possession of a valid passport and, where necessary, a visa. Inquiries can be directed to South African diplomatic representatives abroad or the Department of Home Affairs in Pretoria. If you intend traveling to South Africa's neighbouring countries and back into South Africa you are advised to apply for multiple entry visas. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means to support themselves during their stay, and that they are in possession of return or onward air tickets.

Malaria:

Malaria does not occur in the Western Cape and none of the tours on this site enter Malaria areas

Immunizations:

No international immunization is needed when entering South Africa. The only inoculation requirement is a yellow fever vaccination certificate from travelers Who enter South Africa within six days of leaving an infected country.

Electricity:

220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110 volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances.

Currency:

One Rand 'R'= 100 cents 'c'. Notes issued R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c and 5c. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press.

Traveler's Cheques:

Most international traveler's checks are accepted provided they are in an acceptable currency and may be cashed at most banks. Many hotels and shops also provide this service.

Driving:

Drive on the left and give way to traffic approaching from the right.

Tourist Information

South African Garden Route Wilderness Town Travel Information

The town of Wilderness is along the Garden Route in South Africa between Mossel Bay and Storms River, the Garden Route runs parallel to a coastline which features lakes, mountains, golden beaches, cliffs and dense indigenous forests.

The Garden Route has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, making the region popular all year round. The pont at Malgas is the only remaining pont in the country, ferrying vehicles and livestock across the Breede River. Whale watching attracts tourists at Witsand and Port Beaufort from June to November.

The climate is wonderful all year round, temperatures hardly ever dropping below 8°C. The average rainfall is around 700mm, spread all year round, meaning that the winters are as warm and sunny as the summertime. Back in the 1800's, Wilderness was already renowned for it's hospitality and the natural beauty of the surrounding area.

Back in those days, a small stone farmhouse was the only form of lodging and it was through this that the legend of Wilderness hospitality and goodwill was established. A seaside-boarding house was established in the old farmstead, which was later to become the Karos Wilderness Hotel.

Wilderness is set between the Kaaimans River and the Goukama Nature Reserve, whilst being bordered by the Outeniqua Mountains. Renowned for it tranquil sea and beaches which stretch on forever, Wilderness has become a Internationally sought after holiday resort.

Wilderness is also surrounded by many rivers and natural lakes and lagoons. This makes it a great spot for water sport enthusiasts, who flock there regularly. There is 2500 ha National Park with five rivers, five lakes, two estuaries and 18km of coastline. Wilderness sports many types of wildlife, in particular birds.

Many types of water birds breed here and this makes it ideal for bird-watchers. The many other types of recreation include hiking, dolphin and whale-watching, hang-gliding, paragliding, horse riding, mountain-biking, scenic drives, Wilderness Lakes Art Route, day tours, ferry cruises, angling, boating and other water sports.

Wilderness also has a great number of craftsmen and women in the area. There work is often for sale and the tourist can pick up many bargains at the monthly craft markets, held in the middle and end of the month.

This and many other interesting aspects of the town add to it's rustic charm. A place that must be visited by any tourist in the Garden Route, it truly is a place of timeless beauty. There are many things to do and see in this small village. The famous "Map of Africa Viewpoint" offers fantastic view of the Kaaimans River Valley and an ocean vista rivaled by few. Another great viewpoint is Dolphin Point which gives a magnificent view of the ocean for miles.

Source: Ezine Articles
Cape Town Tours

Families love to visit the Cape Winelands - South Africa

And you'll love the Cape Winelands too, if you

- enjoy being out in the open, surrounded by beautiful scenery

- have a family that will enjoy doing things together.

There is so much more to the Winelands than wine! Most visitors (our family included!) are not wine connoisseurs, so don't feel left out if you don't know a Chardonnay from a Chenin Blanc...

Where exactly IS the Cape Winelands ?

The original vineyards of the Cape were planted at Groot Constantia. Constantia wines were famous even in Jane Austen's time! The vineyards at Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek were not far behind as these were also established in the Cape Colony era.

These days the vineyards stretch far and wide. (Wellington, Robertson, Montagu and on up the Route 62 as far as Calitzdorp in fact.)

It's up to you to decide how far you want to go! But unless you're looking for exhaustive (exhausting?!) regional wine tastings, there's more than enough to enjoy within an hour's drive of Cape Town.

Which wine route?

The Stellenbosch wine route alone is made up of 5 sub-routes and 130 wine farms. And the Paarl and Franschhoek wine routes are nearby too - think you can visit them all? Nope? So how do you choose?

This is what we do.

Generally our trips encompass some Paarl and some Stellenbosch wine farms, partly because it allows for an easy circular drive: out on the N1, across on the R44 and back via the N2. We meander along map in hand (opens in new window), pick out farms we want to visit, picnic or lunch somewhere, then meander some more before finally heading for home.

The key is to soak up the ambience along with the wine. You may have to designate one adult as driver to be sure all that vino doesn't stop you getting safely home :-).

We love the Franschhoek valley for its beauty as well as its wine, so we'd certainly recommend you do an exceptionally scenic drive through it and of course stop anywhere that takes your fancy!

What else is there?

Aside from the fruits of the vine, the Cape winelands can provide a fair few days of entertainment. What's worth doing? Let's see -

visit Stellenbosch itself with its quaint and picturesque town centre

great hikes in Jonkershoek Nature Reserve (but don't bank on the picnic site there!)

- strawberry picking in summer

- a crocodile farm

- a butterfly farm

- trout fishing

- hot air ballooning (if you have the budget!)

And that's not all:

Stellenbosch Tourism is about to launch their 'children's route'! This is so hot off the press that when I asked at their offices on the weekend they told me it was Classified Info -- Top Secret -- I would have to wait for the "Official Launch"!

Source: Article Base
Cape Town Tours

Why You’D Want To Tour Cape Town At Your Own Pace

Cape Town is one of the premier travel destinations in the world and offers a wide array of choice as far as travel highlights are concerned. If, however, you really want to embrace the city and her people, it is best to do it slowly and independently.

No public transport to talk of

Although the city is in the process of beefing up the negligible public transport options in time for the FIFA World Cup in 2010, there aren’t really any feasible alternatives for travellers at the moment. Public trains and buses do run, but are generally dedicated links between the suburbs and the central business districts.

It is far more sensible to opt for car rental and indulge the senses with a slow and slumberous self drive sojourn – not only does car hire allow you to reveal some of the more distant gems of the city and its surrounds, but it effectively permits you to enjoy all the sights and sounds without the constraints of time or irritating travelling companions you have recently met.

Incorporate Cape Town’s pace into the travel itinerary

Cape Town is one South African city renowned for its relaxed atmosphere and the ‘chill’ factor not only emanates from the people themselves but is very much a part of the overall lifestyle. Don’t expect harassed waitrons rushing around at restaurants - the cuisine will be fabulous but you may have to wait a tad longer for it than in most other cities in the world. This is the pace of Cape Town, a pace all tourists should incorporate into their travel itineraries – as the old adage advises “When in Rome, do as the Romans do...”

Many of Cape Town’s natural attractions are unique to the world and deserve to be explored at a slow and gentle pace. The hectares and hectares of mountainside encrusted with the world renowned Cape Fynbos, or tracts of indigenous flowers and plants, should, for example, be discovered on a stroll up the mountainside or an excursion to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

The Cape Winelands deserve more than a day

The Cape Winelands deserves more than a day – many of the less commercialised wine estates, offering some of the best produced tipple, are slightly farther afield and off the beaten track.

These estates may be less popular and frequented by the large tour operators - another great reason to include them into your self-drive itinerary - but they will also spend more quality time with you, the visitor. They may well take you on a guided tour of the entire estate with the cellar master himself revealing the secrets of the wine-making process, something that rarely happens today on the more commercial farms in the Paarl/Stellenbosch region.

Then there the far flung beaches, that all have their own unique appeal. The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve is where the mystical Cape Point is located and the dozens of pubs, sidewalk cafes, restaurants and night clubs are all well worth a visit. Cape Town is not a city where a fleeting visit will suffice; it is a city that demands to be exposed in a slow and graceful manner.

Source: Article Base
Cape Town Tours