South Africas Natural Attractions

Tsitsikamma Forest's Big Tree

The Big Tree in the Tsitsikamma stretches its distinctive yellowwood leaves skywards, towering over the other trees in the canopy. This tree is estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old, and is well worth a special visit.
 The origins of the town name Knysna are probably from the Hottentot words 'Xthuys Xna', which mean 'place where the wood is'. An entire industry sprang up around the beautiful yellowwood trees in the forests of the Tsitsikamma until South Africa's national tree became an endangered species.

Some of the trees that were felled for their pale, unblemished wood were over a thousand years old, and now, the largest remaining yellowwood is doesn't even approach this venerable age. Fortunately some of these ancients have survived. In the Tsitsikamma Forest, near Plettenberg Bay, you can catch a glimpse of the majesty that once ruled the forests on a short walk to the big tree.

Although visitors to Plettenberg Bay are drawn to the scorching white beaches crammed full of sun worshippers in the summer months, they can find respite from the heat and crowds on the forest path to the Tsitsikamma Big Tree.

This tree is estimated to be between 600 and 800 years old, stands 36,6 m tall and has a trunk circumference of 9m. From a parking lot on the side of the N2, the area's famed Garden Route that stretches from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth, a boardwalk path leads visitors through the dappled light of the lush, cool forest.

The forest boardwalk is well maintained and visitors can walk the 1km round trip to the Tsitsikamma in a comfortable 10 minutes. Two additional trails start from the same spot for the slightly more intrepid hiker: one of 2,6km and another of 4,2km.

For anyone who loves trees, there are any number of other activities in the area to appeal to the nature lover in you, from zipline canopy tours to tubing down a black water gorge, or even taking on the world's highest bungee jump off the Bloukrans River Bridge for the truly adventurous.

                               
Travel tips & Planning info

How to get here
The well sign-posted path to the big tree is just west of the Paul Sauer Bridge on the N2.

Tours to do
The world's highest bungee jump from the Bloukrans Bridge.

Best time to visit
The trail is open all year around, and unlike local beaches, isn’t only to be enjoyed in summer.

How to get around
A pathway through indigenous bush leads to the yellowwood giant. The walk to the tree takes about 10 minutes.

What will it cost
It’s free to visit The Big Tree.

Where to stay
There is plenty of accommodation in Knysna and Plettenberg Bay to suit every budget.

You can contact Namibia Reservations for accommodations, tours, activities or just for your travel information.

@

info@namibiareservations.com
info@southern-africa-travel.com

Breathtaking wildlife of South Africa

South Africa is one of the world's natural gems, a treasure nestled at the southern tip of the abundant African continent. Visitors from all around the world descend on the country to take advantage of the stunning climate, accommodation, game reserves, natural attractions and of course, the huge variety of wildlife.

 

South Africa's big 5

 Elephant

 The African Elephant is the largest living land mammal, one of the most impressive animals on earth.

Buffalo

 Buffalo are extremely large, ox-like animals. Standing approximately 65 inches at the shoulder.

Lion

 Lions are the second largest members of the feline family in the world. Lion are tan in colour and have a slightly white under-body, with a tuft of black hair at the end of their tails

Rhino

 The rhinoceros is a large, primitive looking mammal that in fact dates from the Miocene era millions of years ago. In recent decades rhinos have been relentlessly hunted to the point of near extinction.

Leopard 

The most secretive and elusive of the large carnivores, the leopard is also the shrewdest. Pound for pound, it is the strongest climber of the larger cats and is capable of killing prey far larger than itself.

The landscapes of South Africa offer the full spectrum of habitat types (from dense green forests to arid deserts, and everything in-between), making them ideal for thousands of species. These include exciting predators, birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and a huge variety of fascinating insects. These different species are found in plentiful abundance in the game reserves and national parks of the country, as well as in the wild and natural countryside, where they live free.

 

Your Camping Holiday in South Africa

Whether you crave open landscapes to feed your mind or mountain country to stimulate your emotions, there is a place for you on the South African map. A camping holiday is not about the equipment or the planning; it’s about the journey, the destination and the adventure.

 What destination features interest you? Is it jaw dropping scenery, stunning seascapes or the mysteries of the forest? Are you following a bucket-list, or wanting to see some of the Earth’s last great wilderness areas? For many it’s about the activities – how to keep your kids busy and what you can do to forget about day to day worries and live in the moment.

 Here are some of the most popular destinations for a camping holiday in South Africa:

  

The Eastern Escarpment

Do you long to get in touch with mountains, canyons, or waterfalls?
The Blyde River Canyon area is just the place for you. Choose among several camping sites and remember to visit the must-see places: God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes and Pilgrims Rest.

The Kruger National Park

Observing wildlife in its natural habitat is the holiday of your dreams?
The world-renowned Kruger Park is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. It has many delightful camps.

The North-East Coast

Kosi Bay, Sodwana Bay, iSimangaliso, St Lucia: all of these places have camping sites with good, tidy facilities. You will stay close to the beaches and get a chance to visit the nearby game reserves abundant with wildlife. Activities include turtle nesting tours, whale watching, game viewing tours, fishing, kayaking, hiking, etc.

The South and Wild Coast

If you yearn for the bustle and the excitement of holiday crowds, you should opt for a camping site near popular holiday resorts such as Margate. Others will head for more secluded sites on the South Coast. Or, even better, head further south to the Wild Coast. Having successfully resisted the onrush of property development, the Wild Coast community is now concerned with the proposed highway construction and strip mining. So, visit it while it is still in its unspoiled beauty!

The Drakensberg Mountains

Lush greenery in the summer, all hues of yellow, red and brown in the autumn...
Whatever the season, camping in the Drakensberg is an unforgettable experience. You can set base in one of the many camping sites and venture onto day trails; you can hike with a tent on your back and sleep in the mountains; you can even sleep in a cave (do book ahead of time, or you may find “your” cave already occupied).

The Great Karoo

The stark beauty of the Karoo semi-desert is best enjoyed from one of several good camping sites. Spending a night or two out in the South African great wide open is a must, because the Karoo is one of the best places in the world for star gazing.

The Garden Route

This part of South Africa has it all: giant yellowwood forests, lagoons, gorges, sandy beaches, rocky headlands... Set your tent in a camping site near the coast, in the vicinity of Plettenberg Bay, Knysna, Wilderness or Mossel Bay, and immerse yourself into the beauty of the Garden Route.

The Western Cape

In this area, you will find camping sites situated along the coast, in the mountains and at several dams and lakes. When in Western Cape, visit the Table Mountain, Cape Point and, of course, at least two or three wine farms.

The West Coast

Surfing in summer and a carpet of flowers in the spring: that, in a nutshell, is why the West Coast is a favourite among surfers and nature lovers. There are several good camping sites in the area.

Astonishing Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa

The Drakensberg (derived from the Afrikaans name Drakensberge meaning "Dragon Mountains") is the name given to the eastern portion of the Great Escarpment, which encloses the central Southern African plateau. The Great Escarpment reaches its greatest altitude in this region (2000 – 3000 m). From below, this part of the escarpment has the appearance of a range of mountains, hence its name, “Dragon Mountains” in Afrikaans.

A map of South Africa showing the central plateau edged by the Great Escarpment and its relationship to the Highveld and Lesotho Highlands. The portion of the Great Escarpment shown in red is known as the Drakensberg, although most South Africans think of the Drakensberg as only that portion of the Escarpment which forms the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho. Here the Escarpment rises to its greatest height of over 3000 m.

The Drakensberg escarpment stretches for over 1000 km from the Eastern Cape Province in the south, then successively forming, in order from south to north, the border between Lesotho and the Eastern Cape, and the border between Lesotho and KwaZulu-Natal Province. Thereafter it forms the border between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, followed by the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga Province. It then courses through Mpumalanga to end near Tzaneen in Limpopo Province.

Be Amazed by Giraffes in South Africa

Giraffes are found in most of South Africa’s game reserves outside of the relatively treeless Karoo. They’re not rare or endangered but they are fascinating, and not only because of their height. They have no hierarchy, they have inordinately long tongues and their babies drop two metres when born.
The giraffe stands head and shoulders higher than any animal on Earth. A tall specimen can measure 5.5 metres from hoof to head. But that’s not the only distinguishing characteristic of this distinctively African mammal.
Giraffes also have an unusually loose and non-hierarchical approach to social lives. Giraffes are very seldom seen alone because they clearly enjoy one another’s company, but there’s also no leader. They don’t co-ordinate their movements and no single giraffe calls the shots.
They’re sometimes spread out over a large area – their height allows them to see each other – and other times eight or more will cluster around one particular tree.
Giraffes have a clear love affair with acacias, winding their long dark tongues to pick out the nutritious
leaves from among the fierce thorns.
They’ll eat up to 34kg of leaves in a day.With all those thorns, the love affair is clearly not reciprocated from the acacia’s side. Yet giraffes are thought to help with pollination and the seeds seem to grow better after having gone through their digestive tract.
These tall vegetarians may seem like softies, but they’re tough in unexpected ways. A newborn baby drops nearly two metres to the ground from the birth canal. This kickstart into life might explain why they can walk and run within hours of being born.

Giraffes have also been known to kill lions by kicking them. Their hooves are the size of soup-plates. And there are few creatures as protective as a mother giraffe.
The males have a peculiar way of sorting out their differences and issues of dominance. In a low-intensity wrestling match, they lean against one another to test weight and twine their necks – often while gazing peacefully into the distance. Then all of a sudden they’ll swing their heads away and back again, connecting with a thud. It’s very seldom a deadly fight, but some males have been known to lose consciousness.
They’re among the quietest animals in the bush, but that doesn’t mean they don’t make any sounds. Calves will sometimes bleat or make a mewing sound and cows that have lost their calves will bellow. They’ve also been heard to snort, moan, snore, hiss and make a high, strange fluting sound.
You can tell a male from a female giraffe by looking at the tops of their horns – females' horns will have tufts of hair growing from them, while males' horns are bald.
Their conservation status is classified as ‘least concern’ on the IUCN Red Data List, but giraffe numbers have sunk down in the last few decades. Still, they’re fairly easy to see in most South African game reserves and conservation areas outside of the Karoo.

Namaqualand Flower Power

One of the spectacles in Africa is the flowering of a 600-mile strip of coastal desert in Namaqualand. Once a year it becomes carpeted with blooms, in a similar way to the phenomenon of Flowered Desert in Chile. Plants compete to attract their pollinators with colour, as the water is scarce and the show will not last long.

The sole issue is predicting the best time to be in Namaqualand, as the flowers bursts into life depending on rains.

These lands have a high concentrations of succulent plants, the ones that are thicker and fatter to retain water, like cactus.

Even the hills are literally paved in blooms.

TOP 10 TRIPS - SOUTH AFRICA

CAPE PENISULA AT DUSK
Surely one of the most beautiful regions on the planet, the Cape Penisula is a treasure of mountains, beaches, scenic beauty and protected fauna and flora. Take day trips its beaches, table mountain, cape point or immerse yourself in its natural on the trip a lifetime.

 GARDEN ROUTE

Lush with evergreen vegetation, beaches, rivers, lakes and friendly towns, the Garden route is the most extraordinary natural beauty. Play golf, dine, sunbathe and experience one-of-a kind marine, nature and adrenaline sports activities amid it's dramatic mountain scenery and ancient forests.

CAPE WINELANDS

 Any time is a good time to visit the winelands in the Cape. Rated among the best in the world, the well priced wines and diversed wine routes will leave devotees of the grape spoiled for choice.

PANORAMA ROUTE

From beginning to end, the Panorama Route is breathtaking – a joyride of geological wonders encompassing the splendour of the Blyde River Canyon, Bourke’s Luck potholes, waterfalls, and sweeping lowveld vistas as far as the eye can see.

JOHANNESBURG TO DURBAN

Free State grasslands near Harrismith, and the majesty of the Drakensburg Mountains near Ladysmith. The green hills of the Midlands lead you to Victorian elegance in Pietermartizburg, and your final destination: Durban – South Africa’s Golden Mile of sea, sun and fun. A detour to the Battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal, and small town stops along the way are de rigueur.

JOHANNESBURG TO CAPE TOWN

From the City of Gold, follow the N3 all the way through varied landscapes - Highveld flower fields and farmlands, golden Head out on the N1 to the City of Roses, Bloemfontein. All the way, magnificent scenery and small towns filled with history and character beckon. From Beaufort West, spectacular mountain passes, nature reserves and lush farmlands keep you company until you arrive in Cape Town – one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

KwaZulu-Natal Midlands
Explore Pietermartizburg’s colonial heritage, then head for the Midlands scenic landscapes to explore its art galleries, craft studios, country pubs and bistro’s, old fashioned farm stalls, artisanal and organic farmers, micro-breweries and home-style hospitality.

Cape West Coast
Absorb the attractions of the West Coast at a gentle pace; relish the unspoiled coastline, acres of wildflowers, bird life, lakes, fresh seafood and warm hospitality this coastal treasure trove at the southern edge of Namakwaland presents.

ELEPHANT COAST 

In northern KwaZulu-Natal, track the coastline to the World Heritage Site of iSimangaliso - a natural Eden where each season brings fresh wonders: whales in November, turtles in December, world-class scuba diving, and Big 5 reserves in landscapes barely changed since time began.

 Route 62

Laid-back adventurers will relish the world’s longest wine route. Lose yourself for a day, a week or more on a sybarite’s journey of discovery that includes wine tasting, dining, country shopping, homely hospitality and a host of unforgettable characters.

Meet the Denizens of the deep - Two Oceans Aquarium

The southern tip of the African continent is the meeting place of two mighty and bountiful oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic. The Two Oceans Aquarium on the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town is ideally positioned to showcase the incredible diversity of marine life found in these two oceans. The Aquarium is one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town and over 3000 living sea animals, including sharks, fishes, turtles and penguins can be seen in this spectacular underwater nature reserve.

 The Two Oceans Aquarium opened in November 1995 and is recognised as one of the top tourist attractions in Cape Town

.

 It has established itself as a key player in raising environmental awareness through its high-quality exhibits, conservation and education programmes.
 

The Aquarium is rapidly gaining recognition as a leading environmental education centre in South Africa. It is also respected internationally for its high standards of animal husbandry and the expertise of its staff in collecting and transporting live animals.

The Two Oceans Aquarium Trust is a private body carrying on business as a public aquarium with emphasis on education and entertainment.

♠ Wild Coast Horseback Safaris ♠

Saddle-up for a Seaside Safari

Horseback safaris don’t come much better than those on offer at the Wild Coast. Not only is the rugged, untamed landscape mesmerizing  but the seemingly endless coastline fulfills every horse rider’s dream: free-spirited gallops along deserted beaches.

Horseback safaris along the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape are one of the most exciting and riveting ways to see this magnificent slice of South Africa's coastline. An absolute must for your Wild Coast holiday, horse riding trails allow you to truly experience this diverse region in all its natural splendour.

Ride for a week, a day, even an afternoon; trace sheer cliff paths for endless ocean views, with whale and dolphin sightings along the way; pause for ship wrecks and ancient shell middens, evidence that the earliest San people once gathered molluscs for sustenance here.

A number of routes, of varying lengths, are available, including beach trails, bush-and-beach packages, and combined beach and cross-country routes. This provides for varying riding conditions, from undulating hills to lofty cliffs, rolling green savannah to coastal forests. All the trails provide ample opportunity for you and your trusty steed to enjoy a cool dip in the ocean. Almost all the trails pass through small coastal hamlets, bursting with the warm and friendly hospitality for which the Wild Coast is famous. Overnight trails – of up to 14 nights – include stays at these rural retreats which, with their hearty meals and comfortable (if often basic) accommodation, will leave you refreshed and ready for another day in the saddle. 

The Wild Coast is steeped in culture and dotted with traditional Xhosa villages that maintain the tribe's customs and rituals of years gone by. Most horseback safari operators include visits to these villages as part of their trails, allowing you to meet the people, immerse yourself in their culture and enjoy a genuine African cultural experience.

The trails cater for all levels of riders, including children and beginners, are conducted by professional guides, and utilise reliable, well-schooled trail horses that are familiar with the landscape and terrain.   The Wild Coast is an exceptionally beautiful area, and in between rides you can enjoy boat rides, beach walks, bird watching, game viewing, fishing and sunset river cruises. There are also a number of backpacking trails in the area.

How to get there:

Many of the trails are within an hour’s drive of East London. Fly direct from any of South Africa’s major cities to East London or, if you’re driving, from Johannesburg take the N1 highway to Bloemfontein and then the N6 to East London; from Cape Town and Durban take the N2 east and west respectively to East London. Beware, though, the drives from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban are long and arduous ones.

Best time to visit:

The Wild Coast is an all-year-round destination due to its temperate climate. The dry winter months (April to August) are particularly suited to horse riding.

Length of stay:

Anything from a weekend to two weeks.

What to pack:

As you will be spending much of the time on horseback and outdoors, make sure to pack appropriate riding gear (jeans and boots), a hat and plenty of sunscreen.

To Book your Coastal Horseback Safari please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com

Think SOUTH AFRICA..Think SAFARI.. Think BIG 5 !!!!!!!!!

You’ve seen the Big Five in books and you’ve seen them on TV. But it’s time to come and see them for yourself.

The real thing.

In person.

And there’s no better place for this than South Africa, which offers the most exciting, memorable and exhilarating experience of your life – coming face to face with the Big Five.

Even though you know that Africa and South Africa are so much more than the Big Five, the familiar images soon begin playing in your mind: lions roaring; elephants trumpeting; buffalos lurking in long grass; rhinos standing stately under a thorn tree; leopards prowling in the gathering darkness.

Who doesn't want to see

Africa's KING of the Beasts?

To Book your Big 5 Safari please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com

Accommodation in the Kruger Park and Surrounding Areas.

Whether you are looking for an Exciting Adventure or a Place of peace to recharge from modern urban life, we offer you a chance to escape back to nature and all it has to offer.

Accommodation in the Kruger Park ranges from 5 star luxury to simple camping. The most popular accommodation is the self catering bungalows found in the Kruger National Park.

Over one million visitors stay in the accommodation in and around the Kruger park annually at the various lodges and rest camps. Wildlife at its best and home to the big five.

 

Kruger National Park Main Camp:

• Crocodile Bridge Camp
• Letaba Camp
• Lower sabi Camp
• Mopani Camp
• Olifants Camp
• Orpen Camp
• Pretorius Camp
• Pundu Maria Camp
• Satara Camp
• Skukuza Camp                                                    
• ....................and MANY MORE !!!!!!

Safaris in the Kruger Park

3 Day Microbus Kruger Safari to Tremisana Game Lodge

Highlights:

Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondawels

Night drive

Game Drives in Open Game Viewer Vehicles

Wildlife viewing in Kruger Park and Balule Game Reserve

Bush walk with ranger

   5 Day Microbus Kruger & Mpumalanga Safari - Tremisana Lodge

Highlights:

Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondawels

Night drive

Game Drives in Open Game Viewer Vehicles

Wildlife viewing in Kruger Park and Balule Game Reserve

Bush walk with ranger

Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre

For the visitor who does not want to waist time getting into the action. Enjoy all the comforts of a Game Lodge, traditional African meals and game viewing in the world famous Kruger Park.

Safari tours offer a set tour with items planned, a great option if you do not want to drive around yourself.

.“I like animals. I like natural history. The travel bit is not the important bit. The travel bit is what you have to do in order to go and look at animals.” – David Attenborough

For more Information please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com or visit www.namibiareservations.com

White House Lodge, White River, Mpumalanga

EXPERIENCE 

"THE WHITE HOUSE LODGE" 

IN A UNIQUE AND EXTRAORDINARY WAY

White is the color at its most complete and pure, the color of PERFECTION and PURITY.  White is the color of NEW BEGINNINGS, wiping the slate clean. It opens the way for the creation of anything the mind can conceive.

Situated on a mountain top with sprawling views of the valleys of Mpumalanga. The White House Lodge is the perfect country getaway.

Surrounded by  the farms, mountains and valleys of Mpumalanga, this guest house is a place of beauty and splendor. It offers guests an opportunity to explore an area rich in natural beauty, with acres of plant life, over 100 species of birds and in close proximity to one of the world's most popular wildlife resorts, The Kruger National Park.

  

   

The climate in this region is suitable for every traveler as the country experiences long, warm summer days, and cold winter nights. Summer, however, is also when the province gets most of its rainfall. On those days guests can get toasty in front of the fireplace, head to the cinema or try out their lucky streak at the casino less than 10 kilometers away.

Many well known South African artists call White River their HOME.

At The White House Lodge guests can indulge in bird watching, hiking, horse riding and river rafting. The lodge also has a beautiful and refreshing rock pool, saunas and a bar/cocktail lounge to enjoy at your leisure. 

Guests can also visit the cinema, Reptile Park, golf course and tennis courts not more than 20 km from the lodge. Game drives can also be organized by The White House Lodge. Various sports activities can also be arranged and even trout fishing and helicopter rides are on the lodge’s itinerary for the more adventurous guest.

For Booking details please contact

Namibia Reservations at

info@namibiareservations.com or visit www.namibiareservations.com