Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Experience South Africa

Located at the top of the Cape Peninsula, Cape Town is probably the most popular destination in South Africa. Overlooking Cape Town is the prominent landmark of Table Mountain. Table Mountain is a level plateau with steep cliffs surrounding it which resembles a table. Frequently covered in clouds, these appear to hang over the edge of the mountain like a table cloth. There are some great beaches around Cape Town. Beaches on the Atlantic Coast have much cooler water than on the Indian Ocean Coast, with up to a 10 degree temperature difference. A short ferry ride away is Robben Island which served as a maximum security prison up until 1991, and is now a museam.

Cape Winelands

Close to Cape Town are The Winelands, popular with wine lovers and a great location for weddings. The Winelands are full of picturesque vineyards that produce some of the worlds best wines. There are six different wine regions, with the most famous being the Stellenbosch Wine region. It is well worth going on one of the many wine tours in the regions.

Garden Route

The Garden Route is a popular and scenic route along the south coast of South Africa, starting at Mossel Bay and finishing at Storms River in the Tsitsikamma National Park. The best way to enjoy the scenic route is to hire a car, to really open up the route to exploration in your own time. For those who would prefer not to drive, Africa's last remaining passenger steam train runs between Mossel Bay and George.

KwaZulu Natal and The Battlefields

KwaZulu Natal set against the Indian Ocean with a sub tropical climate, is a great all year round holiday destination. The Drakensberg Mountains (which translated means Dragon Mountains) are highest in the KwaZulu Natal region. With spectacular scenery, they are great for hiking or for biking. Zululand is home to the largest concentration of battle sites in South Africa, between the British, Boers and Zulus, and there are tours available of the historic sites. A visit to the region isn't complete unless you take in the culture and traditions of the hospitable Zulus.

South Africa Safari

South Africa is home to some great malaria free safaris. Sabi Sands Game Reserve situated on the western border of the Kruger National Park has excellent guides, luxury accommodation and fine cuisine. The Madikwe Game Reserve situated on the Botswana border, is one of the largest game reserves in South Africa, with many superb lodges to stay in. The Shamwari Game Reserve is located on the Garden Route with many great lodges to stay in. Safari's in Waterberg have some of the most exceptional scenery as a back drop to your wildlife experience.

Article Source: http://www.travelarticlelibrary.com

Bontebok National Park - Accommodation in the Western Cape - South Africa


Click here to see Accommodation in Swellendam.

Bontebok National Park is a place of simplistic beauty and peaceful charm. The majestic Langeberg Mountains provide a picturesque backdrop for this Park of colorful riches. A part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, now heralded as a world heritage site, Bontebok National Park always offers something in bloom.

The Park is proud to promote its achievements in biodiversity conservation, from the endangered fynbos veld type, coastal Renosterveld to the namesake bontebok! Once these colorful antelope numbered a mere 17, and through effective management we are proud to affirm that the present world population amounts to around 3000. The Park offers much more for nature lovers, from a diversity of indigenous animal life to over 200 remarkable bird species.

The Breede River provides an idyllic western border to the park and offers guests scenery, bird watching, fishing, and a refreshing swimming spot. Visitors can also get a profound familiarity of the Park’s endless sights and sounds while on one of the various hiking trails or on a winding bike trip. Furthermore, Bontebok provides its guests with an experience of South African culture.

Connect to the people of the past and learn about how the Khoisan lived and changed through local history. Come and enjoy all we have to offer, from adventure or a lazy day braai to a relaxing stay in a Park of natural and cultural tranquility.

Areas of Special Interest

Bontebok is an excellent place to use as a home base to visit:

The wine routes and historic buildings of Swellendam, Robertson, Montagu, Ashton and Bonnievale.
The hot springs in Montagu.
A six-day hiking trail that winds through the Langeberg Mountains in Marloth Nature Reserve and is rated amongst the top hiking trails in Southern Africa.
The Drostdy Museum that will transport you back through the history of the Swellendam area.

5 Things to seek

Bontebok
Cape Mountain Zebra
Stanley's Bustard
Breede River
Lang Elsie's Kraal

Did you know that.

The park was proclaimed in 1931 to protect the last 30 Bontebok left in the wild?
It is also one of the largest remaining 'renosterveld islands' containing several plant species found nowhere else in the world?
It is also the smallest of South Africa's 20 National Parks?
It has a high density of rare and endangered bird life, fynbos species and animal life?
The Breede River runs through it?
The rest camp is named after the 'Hessekwa' khoi-khoi chieftainess called Lang Elsie?
The Hessekwa traded with the first Dutch settlers who landed in Cape Town in 1652?
The park has a spectacular view of the Langeberg mountains?




Activities

Birding
Game viewing from own vehicle.
Two short nature-hiking trails, starting and ending in the rest camp area.
Bathing in the Breede River - in the Rest Camp Area and soon at Die Stroom.
Angling in the Breede River - anglers must be in possession of a valid angling permit, available for purchase at Park Reception.
Canoeing / Kayaking in the Breede River, with own equipment.
Biking opportunities available, regular and mountain biking, to increase with Parks project.

Facilities

Picnic and braai/barbecue sites with ablution facilities are available for day and overnight visitors.
A shop at the park entrance supplies basic commodities like beer, wine and curios can be purchased. Fresh produce and other groceries are available in Swellendam.
Please be informed that the fuel station in the park has closed down. The nearest fuel supply is in the town of Swellendam.

Read further

Fullham Lodge

Information on Cape Town, the winelands and cedarberg mountains, Western Cape, South Africa.

Information on Cape Town, the winelands and cedarberg mountains, Western Cape, South Africa.

Cape Town

Cape town is justly famous for its beaches, restaurants, V&A Waterfront and other tourist attractions.

No visit to this part of the world is complete without visiting the Boulders beach penguin colony, one of only two mainland breeding colonies of the African or Jackass Penguin.

False Bay

Boulders is in the historic naval town of Simonstown, a spectacular train ride or easy and picturesque car trip on well maintained roads. Simonstown is well served with restaurants, shops and beaches.

Cape Point nature reserve is a short drive away, first named "Cape of Storms" by early seafarers the reserve now boasts excellent tourist facilities.

The area known as the Western Cape has been settled since the 17th century and the land which once teemed with game such as elephant, lion, rhino, hippo and vast herds of antelope, has been subdued and put to the farmers plough.

The Cape Winelands

The Western Cape is synonymous with wine and the area bounded by the eastern mountains are the Cape Winelands. The early French Huguenot settlers brought their passion for wine-making with them and many of the wine estates carry their legacy with names such as L'Ormarins, L'Avenir, La Provence and Mont Rochelle.

This is a land of gentle green vines, towering mountains, snow capped in winter and trout filled streams and lakes.

The towns of Franschoek and Stellenbosch are at the centre of this wine growing area. Some world class wines have come out of the valleys and hills of the Cape and the annual Nederberg Wine Sales attract buyers from all over the world.

Cedarberg

The Cedarberg mountain range wilderness area is a two hour scenic drive from Cape Town. There are a number of day walks and short hikes to features such as the Maltese Cross and Wolfsberg Arch, these landmarks can also be taken in as part of longer hikes of two days or more.

Other popular hikes take in "Crystal Pool" or Sneeuberg, the highest peak in the Cedarberg range at 2027 metres above sea level. The mountain is frequently snow covered in winter.

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