Car Hire South Africa

Car Hire in South Africa  is one of the best ways to get around when travelling in South Africa. Hiring a car gives you the freedom to travel wherever you want and it means that you don’t have to rely on the South African public transport system which can be very unreliable.

If you opt for Johannesburg car hire make sure you book your car hire well in advance to avoid disappointment. This gives you the opportunity to inquire about possible free upgrades or discounted rates on your car hire.

Consider how long you will need the car for. Occasionally weekly car hire rates are much cheaper than daily car hire rates.

If you would like to read more please visit Around About Cars

Shark Cage Diving in Cape Town

Looking for things to do in Cape Town, how about something more exciting than going to the mall?

Why not shark cage diving?! I have been shark cage diving in Cape Town and it is AMAZING, experience of a life time. It might seem horrifying, but it isn’t so bad or scary, to tell you the truth the scariest part was the cold Atlantic Ocean water, but don’t worry, you do get wet-suits.

There are so many shark dive tour operators in Cape Town; you’ll have a wide variety to choose from, you can do shark cage diving in Cape Town, Gansbaai, False Bay or Simon’s Town. Just go and read some reviews to help you make your decision. So go on, and book ashark cage diving trip.

Magical Cape Town Beaches

Cape Town offers some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet, with sunny white beaches stretching east to west. It’s no surprise that many of South Africa’s beaches have been awarded the blue flag status, given only to the most perfect beaches of the world. Part of the allure of this area is that this is where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. The Atlantic lies on the west side and is about 4 degrees cooler. Many of the most popular beaches lie on this side of the coast, with many referring to it as South Africa’s “Riviera”. These beaches are lucky to have longer days and protection for the Cape winds, making them a very pleasant experience indeed. 

One of the most notable is Clifton which is comprised of 4 beaches all together, it is no doubt one of the most fashionable beaches. The wealthy all aspire to own homes fronting its snow white sands and people fly from all over to see and be seen against the backdrop of the bright blue water, decorated with gleaming white yachts.

The East coast however has the warmer water with many hidden and secluded gems, which tourists travel from far and wide to experience. These are also preferred by local families wanting to steer clear of the crowds along the west coast. Each beach has its own particular charm however, so it’s always best to go to a few and decide which is most suited to your tastes.

If you are thinking about visiting this side of the world you are sure to be left with more than just a glowing tan, but fond memories of this captivating region and the hospitable people which reside in it. There is a wide array of accommodation options you can take advantage of such as SelfCatering Accommodation & Holiday Rentals or hotels. There is plenty to choose from and they line the coast, offering a wonderful way to experience the sun and surf offered by Cape Town, South Africa.

Tips For Finding Accommodation In Green Point

Green Point is possibly one of the most vibrant parts of Cape Town and unfortunately often over looked by tourists when looking for accommodation. Green Point sits on the slopes of signal hill and spills down to the coast at Mouille Point. It is hemmed in on its eastern side by the City bowl and the V&A Waterfront and its western side by Sea Point. It has a vibrant night life popular with the gay community and is host to some of the finest dining establishments in the country. Accommodation in Green Point is plentiful since the world cup and ranges from backpackers to boutique hotels.

Choosing accommodation in Green Point is an obvious choice for anyone wishing to be close to the city without having to put up with the noise that comes with staying in any city centre. Its a short bus or shared taxi ride or even a walk on a sunny day and you are out of the city and onto the caf lined Main Road of Green Point. The steep lanes that lead you off the main road up onto the slopes of signal hill are often lined with trees providing shade and in some of the older area around the Cape Quarter are even cobbled. This is where youll find some the best accommodation Green Point has to offer.

The proximity to the CBD is ideal for business travellers, the international convention centre is only a short taxi drive away and the choice of restaurants provide excellent opportunities to host business meetings. Almost all the accommodation in Green Point provides internet access but if this is a necessity it is best to check before hand to ensure that it will be available. After a long day of meetings however youll find it hard to stay away from the famous night life of Green Point main road.

Green Point is perhaps most famous for the stadium that was recently built to host the Cape Town games of the 2010 world cup. The tournament was largely responsible for turning the area around. It was always a place of natural beauty and popular with locals, its many charms though were often missed or ignored by tourists. It became infamous for its prostitutes and drug dealers, as well as its vagrant population. With the advent of the world cup the local council set about cleaning up the area, sometimes controversially. A result of this was the many guesthouses and boutique hotels which opened up as home owners and local entrepreneurs realised that accommodation in Green Point was sorely lacking.

It would be wrong to say that Green Point is growing as it doesnt really have anywhere to grow unless it starts spilling out into the sea. There is however an aspect of it that is growing and thats the accommodation. Green Point is becoming an increasingly attractive option for overseas visitors. Its proximity to the city and the ocean, its vibrant night life, world class restaurants and above all its excellent accommodation are all helping it become one more popular stop on the Cape Town tourist map.

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Green Point Self Catering

Know the Positives and the Negatives of a Cape Town Property

Buying a property is not always an easy process. It is very easy to find many good reasons to buy a Cape Town property. However, no matter how much you love the location the process of buying any property must take into consideration a number of important factors. If you are on the verge of looking for a Cape Town property be sure you have the right kind of help. The high demand for a Cape Town property has resulted in a thriving real estate industry. However, it is important to choose an agent who has personal knowledge of your chosen location.

You want someone who knows all the positive aspects of a specific location as well as the negative ones. It does make sense to have an alternative choice of location and a Cape Town property just in case the chosen area and property does not meet all your requirements. If you are looking for a Cape Town property it may be a good idea to keep an open mind. It is much harder to find a home that is to your exact specifications. In most instances a property seeker must be flexible. For example, you may have to compromise on the size of a garden in order to get a Cape Town property with an uninterrupted view of the ocean.

Often, there is limited space on a seafront and so the garden may be smaller. You may even have to do without a garden and opt for a smaller patio if the Cape Town property is built on the side of a cliff. In such instances, the view is spectacular and the homes have such large windows that it makes up for a garden. It is highly likely your private patio would have a plunge pool or hot tub. The lack of garden space need not spoil your lifestyle.

Not every person wants a Cape Town property with a view of the ocean. There are locations such as Newlands, Bishops Court and Constantia that have breathtaking views of Table Mountain. This side of the mountain is lush and green and in these areas a Cape Town property will have a large garden to fit the generous proportions of the houses. Those who prefer a flat will find there are more available in the suburb of Newlands. However, this suburb is leafy and small and so whether a Cape Town property is a large house or flat they are scarcer than in the larger suburbs. It would be hard to find a part of this city where a Cape Town property would be turned down. However, it is important to find the right home in the right location for you. This is why you should make use of a knowledgeable agent. Not only must the agent know the area but he must also understand your needs. Whether you are a single individual, a retired couple, living together, newlyweds, a family or getting divorced you need an agent who can handle any situation. In the end, you want a smooth transaction that gives you the Cape Town property you want, in the area you want.

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Property Cape Town

Cape Town City and Table Mountain - "The Mother City"

Explore Cape Town, one of the world's most beautiful and cosmopolitan cities, cradled in the amphitheatre formed by Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Devil's Peak.


Things to do in Cape Town:

Rising 1087 meters above the "Mother City", the grandeur of Table Mountain can be seen 200 kilometres away from sea, and for centuries provided a welcome site to the exhausted sailors who visited the "Taverns of the Seas" after spending an average of 6 months at sea. The sight of Table Mountain with its flat top must surely be the most well known landmark in the Southern hemisphere. Weather permitting, we undertake a cable car ride to reach the summit from where one has the perfect 360º view of the "fairest Cape in the world".

The Castle of Good Hope, oldest European structure in South Africa, was built to protect the early Dutch Settlers against possible attacks by other European powers. Walking through its formidable entrance one is transported back in time to the late 1600's on experiencing the cobblestone floors, sundials on the original walls and the beautiful balcony that was the stage from where the Governor made his important announcements. Aside from the Changing of the Guards ceremony that is still performed, the Castle today protects valuable collections of Chinese Porcelain, old Cape furniture, Artwork and Cape Silverware.

The Malay Quarter, also referred to as the Bo-Kaap (when translated meaning Upper-Cape) is an extremely colourful area situated on higher ground than Cape Town itself and reminds one of the Mother City's days gone by. It boasts a distinctive Muslim flavor with beautiful small mosques, as many of the people who live in the Bo-Kaap are direct descendants of the former slaves from far away places like Malaysia, Java, Indonesia and the various Portuguese Spice Islands.

The oldest garden in South Africa, the Dutch East India Company Gardens started as a fruit and vegetable garden to provide for the many sailors on their long journey from Europe to the Spice Islands in the East. The purpose was to reduce the number of people who suffered from scurvy. As the Cape developed and more farms was established, the Garden gradually changed into the botanical pleasure garden it is today, still frequented by many a Capetonian on their lunch breaks.

Cape Town's link with the sea, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, is a result of reclaiming the historic waterfront of Cape Town, and reuniting the Capetonians with their heritage - the sparkle of the sea. The V&A Waterfront offers a wide variety of entertainment, present-day shops and restaurants to enjoy in Victorian style.

Suggested Lunch options are restaurants around the vibrant Green Market Square in the centre of Cape Town with its flea market and interesting mix of "characters" or the V&A Waterfront with its endless choice of restaurants.



Interested in taking a tour of Cape Town? Check out cape town tours

So What’s so Amazing About the Garden Route?

According to Webster's International Dictionary, the definition of amazing is ‘bewilderment arising from fear, surprise or wonder' and once you have visited the Garden Route, you too will be bewildered with wonder at its breath-taking natural beauty and shy, elusive inhabitants.

Magical, mystical land

It is a magical, mystical land where shadowy, near-extinct elephants browse undisturbed in an indigenous forest that, to this day, is still largely impenetrable and where some of the most distinctively coloured birds and butterflies ply their pollen.

It is a region where some of its occupants include the tiny Blue Duiker, a Bambi-like creature that measures only 35 centimetres at its highest point and weighs a miniscule 4 kg's, and the endangered Knysna Sea Horse that grows to 13 cm and is found exclusively in the lagoons of the area.

Diverse natural environments

It is a region that encompasses some of the most fertile arable land in the country yet at the same time is home to the Western Cape's semi-desert, the Little Karoo, where hardy succulents carve out an existence and Ostriches roam free.

It is also a burgeoning international tourist Mecca where luxurious five star hotels and lodges are commonplace and every activity under the sun has been harnessed for the intrepid traveller. Kloofing, blackwater tubing, kayaking and the tree-top canopy tour are but a handful of superior activities to enjoy whilst visiting the Garden Route.

It is an area that is effectively squeezed into a strip of land between the warm yet turbulent waters of the Indian Ocean and the lofty peaks of the Outeniqua Mountain range, so both beaches and mountain passes are within easy range.

Some of these mountain passes have been declared national monuments and the tales of their birth is hewn into the history books of the area. A quick sojourn from Oudtshoorn, the Ostrich capital of the world, over the awe-inspiring Swartberg Pass is a must for all visitors to the area. While near Oudtshoorn, pop into the Cango Caves where stalactites and stalagmites have been well-preserved for an eternity.

Robust economy

The Garden Route boasts a particularly robust economy and is the preferred holiday destination and full-time residence of the wealthy of South Africa. Well designed and managed golf estates abound, making this the avid golfers' Mecca while Plettenberg Bay is home to South Africa's polo players and ponies.

The area is also carefully managed and conservation is paramount. With the vast number of national parks, the Garden Route should retain its mystery and extraordinary beauty for many generations to come.

Source: www.articlesbase.com
Garden Route Tours & Safaris

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