* MOTHER CITY MAGIC *

Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa

This Beautiful mother City has something for Everyone, which is why it’s attracted more than 20-million visitors since it was opened in 1929.

There are few better places in the world to spend a day out with the family, as the mountain offers panoramic views and activities to suit visitors of all ages. Table Mountain is a Hiker’s Paradise, with several routes to suit both experienced and novice walkers. 


There is a cafe at the top, which provides excellent value for money. There is also a souvenir shop where you can buy anything from a warm jacket to a postcard to send to friends and family.  If you’re feeling adventurous, you could abseil down Table Mountain with Abseil Africa.  If you’d just like to relax, you could sit with a glass of wine or champagne and enjoy the spectacular views.

High-altitude fun for the whole family

Table Mountain is the perfect destination for families looking to get up and away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The cable cars whizz up the mountain in less than 5 minutes, and with a passenger capacity of 65 per car, you’re virtually guaranteed to travel together. But if the more energetic members of your family want to hike their way to the top, there’s lots to keep the rest busy while they wait.

An elevated stroll

The three visitor walks along the top of the mountain are neither long nor strenuous, and can be combined so that everyone in the family gets to see as much (or as little) as you want. The Dassie Walk promises spectacular views to the north, south and west. The Agama Walk will provide you with 360° aerial views of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula, while the Klipspringer Walk takes hikers along the edge of the plateau to the top of Platteklip Gorge. All these walks are on level ground and are easy to navigate, while more lengthy options are available for the more adventurous. Free guided walk are also on offer at 10h00 and 12h00 daily. The walks depart from the signposted meeting point outside the Top Station building.

Family fare

All that exercise is guaranteed to build up an appetite, and there are meals and snacks for all ages available at our Café. The youngsters might enjoy a Dassie Pizza at the Table Mountain Café, while older visitors can savour some authentic South African cuisine, or a steaming cuppa at the coffee bar.  You can grab a table for the whole family at the Café, or if you want to savour the wide open spaces, you can get some readymade packs from the Gourmet Deli and head out in search of the perfect picnic spot. There is a selection of light meals and snacks available from the deli in the Café, and a tapestry of spectacular views to choose from on the mountain top.  After you’ve eaten, mums and dads can either grab a locally brewed draft of beer at the Cafe, or head off to the Shop at the Top for a bit of retail therapy at over 1000 metres.  Gifts and souvenirs are available, to remind you of your special family trip.

For more information please contact 

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com

♥ GOLDEN SOUTH AFRICA ♥

Golden Gate Highland National Park, Free State, South Africa

Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north eastern Free State lies the Golden Gate Highlands National Park. The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park's sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock, keeping vigil over the main rest camp.  

Areas of Special Interest:

The Van Reenen family graveyard

The Impressive Brandwag buttress rock formation

Vulture Restaurant

Cathedral Cave (Guided Walk)

Interesting lookout points and viewpoints - Zuluhoek lookout point, Generaalskop viewpoint, the third highest point in the park; Oribi basin and Drakensberg view

The Golden Gate Hotel

The Golden Gate Hotel is a unique retreat situated in the heart of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the scenic North- Eastern Free State.

Being in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, The Golden Gate Hotel offers the fabulous world of sandstone cliffs, sparkling rivers, age-old culture and heritage and spectacular mountain splendor of the Maluti’s.

Formerly known as Brandwag Hotel, this luxury accommodation has always been synonymous with Golden Gate. A wide spectrum of services and facilities has always been offered, which stretched out onto the 34 adjacent fully-equipped chalets.

Although the hotel has undergone minor renovations over the years, a point was reached where a major upgrade was necessary. Visitors to the newly improved (and newly named) The Golden Gate Hotel can expect their stay to be nothing short of fabulously luxurious.

For more information please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com

On the river banks of the Zambezi

A'Zambezi River Lodge is located in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 25km from the airport, nestling on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river within the periphery of the Zambezi National Park. The imaginative architecture with its sweeping curve of grass thatch blends well with the lash green lawns. Azambezi is the perfect retreat to relax and unwind in the quiet ambiance of the African wild life and nature, whilst enjoying renowned services. The A’Zambezi is the only hotel with a river frontage and jetty site in Victoria Falls.

Azambezi is the perfect retreat to relax and unwind in the quiet ambience of the African wild life and nature, whilst enjoying renowned services. 83 well appointed and air conditioned rooms including 2 suites, 46 twin rooms, 11 family,17 triple and 7 double rooms. nonsmoking rooms available. Majority of the rooms have balconies facing the river and swimming pool whilst the rest face the National Park and the gardens

Located in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 25km from the airport, nestling on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river within the periphery of the Zambezi National Park. The imaginative architecture with its sweeping curve of grass thatch blends well with the lash green lawns. . 

The A’Zambezi is the only hotel with a river frontage and jetty site in Victoria Falls.

For more information please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com

In and around Kimberly

Kimberley is the capital of the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. It is located approximately 110 km east of the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The city has considerable historical significance due to its diamond mining past and the siege during the Second Boer War. Notable personalities such as Cecil Rhodes and Barney Barnato made their fortunes here, and the roots of the De Beers company can also be traced to the early days of the mining town.

In and around Kimberly, South Africa

The Big Hole

“The Big Hole”  is an old diamond mine which closed in 1914 – it is now a massive crater filled with water – about 214 meters deep and a perimeter of a little more than 1.5  kilometers. The city of Kimberley (South Africa) rests right on the tip of the Big Hole.

On March 1888 the owners of several mines decided to Combine & unite the mines of that area into one big mine and one big company which is still known today as De Beers. De beers is still responsible for the site and is trying to register the Big Hole as UNESCO World Heritage Site, De beers has made some work on the site and now there is an entrance fee, a small museum and a viewing deck overlooking the Big Hole

Kimberly Mine Museum

Restored buildings at this historic site include a pub, a smoke shop and the De Beers family home. The mine itself is an astonishing crater from which over 22 million tons of earth has been removed by hand.

Rooipoort Nature Reserve

Situated roughly 70 kilometers West of the town of Kimberley in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa is one of CVS’s prime plains game hunting areas. Rooipoort is a private game reserve, of 140,000 acres with 20 miles of unspoiled Vaal River frontage. Over 10,000 animals of over 20 species running in many herds of 100 to 500 Eland, Gemsbok, Springbok and Zebra to mention a few, may be seen here. This is without question one of the 2 best available plains game hunting in South Africa - by far! CVS has exclusivity to both. 

The Flamingo World

The intoxicating era of the Diamond Rush has returned to Kimberley with the advent of the Flamingo Casino. It is a renaissance celebration of the turn-of-the-century style and romance of this Victorian age. The design of the Flamingo Casino is based on the contemporary architecture of the gracious buildings in modern Kimberley that survived the heady days of the diamond rush.The Flamingo Casino is passionate about always providing their customers with a Fun Filled, Exciting and Memorable Gaming Entertainment Experience.Teemane's much anticipated Flamingo Casino provides an exceptional leisure and entertainment facility for adults. The Flamingo Casino is situated adjacent to the Kimberley Golf Club and guests can enjoy both the incentive of a challenging course and a stimulating casino experience.The focal point of the development is the Casino with 11 tables and over 250 state-of-the-art slot machines. The exotic texture and brilliant pink shades of its namesake are accentuated throughout the design and décor.The casino is flanked on one side by a family restaurant, Squires Gill and Bar, providing a lavish dining experience, as well as the Flamingo Conference Centre. There are bars and a small retail component. Accommodation is available at the 90-room Road Lodge Kimberley

For more information please contact 

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com

Torra Bay - NAMIBIA

Going to the Namibian Coast this festive season?

TORRA BAY RESORT   

 Is open in the festive season. Campsites are still available over the period of  December and January 2014.

The main attractions here are :

Angling, Walking, Bird watching and Fishing!

Camping Per Person  =  N$ 150.00

Children 6 - 12 Yrs  =  N$ 75.00

For more information please contact us at info@namibiareservations.com or phone us at +264 67 304716

We look forward to plan your special Holiday!

Christmas in ISIMANGALISO WETLAND's

The name Isimangaliso means: 

"Miracle and Wonder", 

which aptly describes this WONDERLAND.

Come and experience the diverse experiences in the 10 jewels that make up the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. Enjoy the Endless Beaches that stretch 220 kilometers from Maphelane in the south to Kosi Bay on the Mozambique border, View Game on self-guided or guided trails and routes on the foothills of the Lubombo mountains in uMkhuze or in the coastal forests and rolling grasslands of Lake St Lucia’s Eastern Shores. See the Spectacular Coral Reefs and Colourful Underwater Life whilst diving or snorkeling or Embark on Adventures ranging from Kayak Trips to Horse Rides.

‘iSimangaliso must be The only place on the Globe where the oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest terrestrial mammal (the elephant) share an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the coelacanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (the whale)’ 

– Nelson Mandela

Accommodation

The iSimangaliso Wetland Park has a wide range of accommodation options to suit the budget and requirements of all its visitors.  

Campsites can be found at Kosi Bay, Mabibi, Sodwana Bay, uMkhuze, , Cape Vidal, Lake St Lucia Estuary and Maphelane. Guests requiring catered accommodation can stay in Sodwana Bay or any of the three fully catered facilities in the Coastal Forest section of iSimangaliso, or go on an overnight Horse Safari on iSimangaliso's Eastern Shores.

 The Eastern Shores offers a fantastic equestrian experience. Horses are carefully chosen to suit  the terrain and will be carefully matched to each rider so that whatever your experience, you can enjoy the adventure.

The wide range of horse trails for day visitors include beach, game or combination rides. Overnight horse safari packages are also available. 

To book your Christmas Vacation please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com

Cloudy with a chance of WHALES

South Africa's secret world of Whales

South Africa is one of the best destinations worldwide for watching marine mammals, whether from land or from boats, with spectacular annual visits from southern right and humpback whales and enormous pods of dolphins year-round. Every year, southern right whales migrate from their icy feeding grounds off Antarctica to warmer climates, reaching South Africa in June. The country's coastal waters teem with the giant animals, mating, calving and rearing their young – and giving whale-watchers spectacular displays of raw power and elegant water acrobatics.

When is the best time?

The best time for watching the southern right whale in South African waters is from June to November along the Cape south coast, although some will already be as far north as KwaZulu-Natal. Peak calving season is July and August, but whales can be seen through September and October. The curious humpback whale can be seen between May to December, moving up along the coast from Hermanus to St Lucia in KwaZulu-Natal. The medium-sized Bryde's whale can be spotted all year round, and while rare, orcas can also be seen.

Where are the best spots?

South African whale-watching territory runs from Doringbaai, south of Cape Town, all the way east and as far up the coast as St Lucia. They can be viewed from cliffs and beaches, with boat operators offering trips out to sea for close encounters.

Western Cape

The southern right's breeding ground is the sheltered bays of the Western Cape coast, with the majestic animals spending up to five months a year here. They pass their time playing, courting, and nursing their newborn calves, providing spectacular land-based viewing.

In Cape Town, you can see them from the road along the False Bay coast, and they're distinctly visible on the western seaboard if you get high enough.

On the Cape west coast, excellent sightings of southern rights can be enjoyed all the way from Strandfontein to Lambert's Bay, Elands Bay, St Helena, Saldanha and Ysterfontein, just north of 

Cape Town

The town of Hermanus in Walker Bay on the Cape south coast offers possibly the best land-based whale watching in the world. The animals can be clearly seen from a scenic cliff-top walk, and the town holds a whale-watching festival every September.

Whales can also be seen all around the Cape Peninsula and along the south coast to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. Agulhas is particularly rewarding, with great views of southern right cows and calves at play – up to 50 pairs at a time.

Read more: Where the two oceans really meet

Plettenberg Bay and the Garden Route

Southern rights visit Plettenberg Bay, further east, on the Western Cape Garden Route, from about June to November. Migratory humpback whales can also be briefly seen from May and June and then, on their return trip, from about November to January. Bryde's whales or orcas are occasionally seen, and bottlenose and humpback dolphins are in residence all year. A breeding colony of Cape fur seals completes Plettenberg Bays' impressive array of marine mammals.

It is in Plett that the dolphin and whale-watching industry is most organised, with trips in boats, kayaks and aircraft on offer. Viewing, distances and time spent with each animal are strictly monitored so that there is minimal interference. The Garden Route generally, from Stilbaai through Mossel Bay and on to George, Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma, is a magnificent stretch of coastline hosting southern rights in their season, humpbacks between May and December, Bryde's whales all year round – and, occasionally, killer whales.

For more information please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com

♥ There is a World.... and then there is AFRICA ♥

Every Morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It must run faster than the fastest Lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes and it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. Whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle, when the sun comes up.....you better start Running.

When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him - South Africa

A fight between grasshoppers is a joy to the crow. ~ Lesotho  

To be without a friend is to be poor indeed.  ~ Tanzanian  

Much wealth brings many enemies. – Swahili

The skin of the leopard is beautiful, but not his heart. Never underestimate your enemy ~Baluba

As it is Africa, congruent things are similar. But similar things are not congruent, 

As it is Africa, a lizard images as a crocodile, But a crocodile will never be a lizard, 

As it is Africa, a smile images as laugher, But laughter will never be a smile; 

As it is Africa, Laugher image as love, But love will never be laugher.

As it is Africa, a company images as friendship, But friendship will never be company,  As it is Africa, false sound as truth, But truth will never be false, 

As it is Africa, all wild trees look green, But wild trees do not bear the same fruit, 

Phinda Mkhonta 

Matusadona National Park - Zimbabwe

Matusadona National Park ... is situated on the shores of Lake Kariba. This was one of the last wild sanctuaries of the endangered Black Rhino and was also considered to have the highest natural population density of lions in Africa although this is no longer true due to increasing populations elsewhere. 

Matusadona is ideal walking safari territory and is worth visiting year round. Small seasonal bush camps in the traditional style are erected for mobile safaris but there are also two good lodges situated on islands just off shore. For a truly traditional safari experience, the best of these is Musango Safari Camp. 

Quite a number of Matusadona's camps have been "put in mothballs" during the past few years but there is no doubt Zimbabwe's home grown professional safari guides and camps will once again appear when there is enough demand to do so.  The Matusadona shoreline on Lake Kariba invites water based activities, usually from game viewing boats or pontoons and is one of several protected wildlife areas with shorelines on Lake Kariba.  Open woodlands on the plateau behind the escarpment are dominated by Julbernardia globiflora. The mountain acacia, Brachystegia glaucescens, is also common on the slopes and ridges of the escarpment.

From the plateau the park falls abruptly to a flat, low-lying area covered mainly with Mopane scrub and woodland and with dense patches of Jesse bush. The entire northern boundary of the park is created by the lakeshore itself. This shoreline, which is subjected to irregular variations in water level caused by fluctuations in annual rainfall, is still in a state of rapid ecological change and development.  Along much of it are "drowned forests", up to several kilometres wide, containing dead trees standing more than 29 years after the filling of the lake. Many of the animals rescued during "'Operation Noah" when the lake was filling were released into Matusadona, which now holds strong populations of most mammals occurring in the Zambezi Valley.

To book your Safari Getaway in or around Zimbabwe please contact

Namibia Reservations at:

info@namibiareservations.com