A Peek into St. Francis – playground of Millionaires

Serene St Francis Bay

Only 30 minutes away from the surfer’s paradise of Jeffrey’s Bay lies St. Francis Bay. Driving through this little village of thatched-roofs and white-washed houses, it’s easy to see that this enclave holds a lot of wealth. As with many places in South Africa, you won’t have to look too far either to view extreme poverty close by. One the drive to Port St. Francis, we passed little children playing outside their houses made from tin.

This was such a vast contrast to the luxury exuded once in the port. We stayed in a friend’s apartment and from the lounge we could see the yachts and expensive boats moored in the port. This was a place where many owners came to retire and enjoy their wealth or holiday occasionally. Fishing boats from the main harbor would leave early in the morning and return as the sun was setting. We sat out on the balcony, braaiing delicious meat and having drinks to keep us refreshed. Continued

Top Nature Reserves of the Elephant Coast

Lake St Lucia

The Elephant Coast is a wild, unspoilt part of the magnificent KwaZulu Natal Province of South Africa. It stretches up, almost meeting the Mozambique border, and is lush and fertile. It is acclaimed for the dune elephants, a herd of African Elephants that have been living here for generations.

Exploring the nature reserves of the Elephant Coast allows you to appreciate the natural abundance, the flora and fauna, in a close, personal way. Each of the reserves offers something unique, and boasts its own appeal. Visitors to South African and KwaZulu Natal are urged to take time in discovering the wonders and beauty of creation in this very special destination. Here are some of the most popular nature reserves of the Elephant Coast: Continued

Natures Valley’s Best Kept Secrets

Gorgeous Natures Valley

Nature’s Valley is an exquisite valley and forest (as well as a tiny community) that is tucked away from the hubbub, but easily accessible as it is perched along the world-famous Garden Route. It is part of the magnificent Tsitsikamma Nature Reserve as well as the De Vasselot Nature Reserve. Its local residents have worked hard to prevent urbanisation here, maintaining a quiet little village look and feel about the place.

Nature’s Valley is popular amongst hikers and campers; those who enjoy the outdoors. These ones are invited to explore its hills and mountains, walk deep into its forests, and sit along the banks of the Groot River (Big River) and listen to the uninterrupted calls of the many birds that have made this their home.

Here are some of the less-known things to do and see in Nature’s Valley, all of which promise spectacular views and unforgettable vistas: Continued

A Weekend Stop-Over in Jeffrey’s Bay

Surf in JBay

Exploring the coast of South Africa’s Eastern Cape is something every adventurer has close to their hearts, either they have it in fond memories and tales plentiful or they have yet to come across this sacred land and live in hope for the chance to bear witness and experience it for themselves.

Jeffery’s Bay is at the start of this adventure or at the end, depending on which side you start at. This quaint seaside village rich in fishing heritage and Afrikaans culture has become incredibly diversified and popular in recent years – so much so that the town had to add a traffic light, yes, one traffic light. This surge in popularity is due, mainly, to its penchant for consistently producing some of the best waves in the world as well as its pristine beaches and location. Continued

Discovering the West Coast’s Jacobsbaai

Tranquil Jacobsbaai

Most people would never have heard of Jacobsbaai (Jacob’s Bay) which was said to be named after a Frenchman Jacques Titius. There is hardly any information about it, but after spending a weekend there I realised just how much of a well-kept secret it really is.

Its best quality is that its nestled in the heart of the South Africa’s West Coast, a rough and relatively untouched part of our coastline. The ever-transforming Atlantic Ocean changes its faces constantly throughout the day, making it almost unpredictable for those wishing to enjoy its waters. And of course the fynbos that covers this region so generously is something to behold especially during South Africa’s spring. Continued

Quaint and Vibey Kalk Bay

A Trip to Kalk Bay

Kalk Bay is a beautiful, somewhat bohemian, fishing village on the outskirts of the suburbs of Cape Town. It is completely different from any other part of the Mother City, and attracts a very diverse combination of tourists and locals. Kalk Bay is defined by a friendly vibe that is simultaneously fun and relaxed.

Bookshops, antique stores, boutiques and restaurants line the main street, and promise any shopaholic a day of delights as they explore them. There are fun novelty stores that stock clothing, ornaments and accessories that are not easily available elsewhere. The antique stores and bookshops give the entire town a charming old elegance that is simply irresistible. Small cobbled alleys between the buildings lead visitors up to hidden treasures in which any variety of goods are available – ranging from Balinese décor items to art and trinkets. Quirky shops and boutiques promise awesome keepsakes, and gifts for those at home. Continued

Exploring Calitzdorp in South Africa’s Klein Karoo

Visit Calitzdorp

I never imagined that I would spend any longer than a few hours in a one-horse town like Calitzdorp. I’d only heard the name a few times before my parents took my brother and I there for a few days. Being a lover of the sea, I didn’t quite understand the allure of the Karoo. But that was until I got to experience it for myself.

We stayed at the Calitzdorp hot springs just off Route 62 and spent rainy evenings bathing in hot water, hiking up into the mountains during the warmth of the Winter days and spotting springbok almost totally camouflaged against the stony hues of the mountains rocks. Ostriches seemed to be in abundance, despite bird flu killing off a large portion of them and setting back this big part of the tourism industry. Continued

The Best Places To Watch The Sunset In Cape Town

The time just before the sun sets is my favourite time of the day. The rush of the day is drawing to a close and there is a peace in the air as if the city and its inhabitants are breathing a sigh of relief and beginning to rest as the sun’s tired glow is the only thing that remains. The fiery colours that light up the sky during sunset always leave me in awe of this maginicifcent earth we live in. Having grown up in Cape Town, I can safely say that sunsets are magical here. And this is where I suggest you go to chase the sun… Continued

Nature Reserves to visit in South Africa

De Hoop Nature Reserve

It’s wonderful to know that in a diverse and abundantly beautiful country, land and the species that live on it are preserved.  Within every province you will find another reserve with a different climate, rainfall patterns, vegetation and inhabitants.  There are so many to choose from so I’ve made a list of ones you shouldn’t miss.

De Hoop Nature and Marine Reserve

I love that this reserve combines the coastline and the veld (field).  One minute you could be trailing through fynbos and low lying vegetation whilst spotting zebra and the next you could be searching rock pools to observe what lives within its waters.  There are a few overnight trails available which go through De Hoop, the most popular one being the Whale Trail. There isn’t a better way to explore this territory than on foot, up hills and sand dunes and past bontebok on the pathways. Continued

One-tank trips out of Cape Town

Find Yourself in Hermanus

There are weekends when you just need to get away. Recharge your batteries, relax surrounded by nature and out of your own space and home. You don’t necessarily want to break the bank either, so a trip just out of the city is what you most desire. Here are some great places to drive to just outside of Cape Town…

Hermanus

This seaside town is quiet but has enough shops and restaurants to keep you busy. Its population increases tremendously during the whale festival where radio stations and markets burst out into the streets. You can enjoy the beach, a hike up into the mountains filled with fynbos or pop into an art gallery in the town. Watch Southern Right whales who have migrated to the Western cape’s sheltered bays between June and November. Continued

Cape Point Nature Reserve

Cape of Good Hope

Setting sail on board a vessel powered by wind, will and strong arms alone, bound for a coast yet uncharted, sounds like the kind of story-opening that inspires the valiant traveller within us to down our tools, skill sets and common sense in search of a life open to unbridled adventure. The kind of life we imagine when we stand looking out over the sheer cliffs of the south-western tip of the African continent, watching the meeting of two oceans, and try to remember what things were like for the great explorer, Bartholomew Dias, when he rounded this leviathan of Cape’s in the year 1488 – well over five hundred years ago now.

He named the peninsula The Cape of Storms for its infamous weather, which sailors hold in absolute reverence today never mind the days before radar, satellite imagery, GPS and packet data. A decade later it was Vasco da Gama, another famed Portuguese explorer, who opened the new trading route to India and the East around Cape Point which was later renamed to The Cape of Good Hope because of hope the new route inspired. Continued

Saving Our Rhinos – 9 Ways You Can Help

The Rhinoceros

I don’t know about you, but I feel despondent every time I read about the desperate plight of the aggressively poached rhinos in South Africa. I feel dismayed, frightened and utterly appalled. I also feel enraged because there doesn’t seem to be anything I can actually DO about it, other than give money to one organisation or another.

And I get countless desperate rhino emails, smses and FB pleas to share this, like this or send this. But does it help? And how is it helping? What can I actually do to change the situation? Somehow sharing a gut wrenching picture of butchered rhinos with all of my friends feels like a distasteful parody of hand-wringing, and may well leave my ‘friends’ feeling ineffective.

It has reached the stage when I delete anything about rhinos rather than face the guilt when I fail to respond to the pleas for yet more money (can donor money balance the finance that drives the slaughter, and which organisation would it best serve?). Continued

De Hoop Marine and Nature Reserve

Magnificent De Hoop

The first step in wishing the ‘world’ goodbye came as I drove through gates of De Hoop marine and nature reserve.  Three hours drive from Cape Town; it was a welcome reprieve from the long road, its shops, stores and gas stations. What unfolded before me was all natural. Once we had booked in and had lunch at the restaurant beside the reception area, I walked around the corner to find an ostrich sitting close to a quad bike. The two were side by side beneath a tree whose branches spread out over a large part of sandy grass. The story goes that this ostrich seldom moves from the quad bike and seems to be drawn to its bright red and yellow colours.

And that was when I truly escaped into the wilderness. A wooden white and yellow boat putted along to the other side of the tranquil lagoon and moored beside the swaying jetty. Standing before us was a quaint, old barn where people occasionally held weddings and two stone-walled houses that beckoned us in. A family occupied the cottage closest to the water and ours was slightly further back, tucked next to a tree and an old warehouse. Continued

A beach in Cape Town for every time under the sun

Camps Bay beach

Cape Town is the advantage of being a peninsula jutting out amidst the currents of the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean.  On one side you will be totally flabbergasted by the icy temperatures of the water whilst on the other, the wind will teach you the true meaning of a sandwich.   Surfers will steer clear of wave-less beaches whilst those in search of a tan will head to others, here’s my guide to a beach for every occasion …

Sunrise and a dawnie on Muizenberg

For those early birds who wish to catch sunrise and surf may head to Muizenberg for both.  You’ll want to wait for offshore conditions before grabbing a longboard and wetsuit and heading out for a surf session at dawn.  If you’re yet to stand up on a board, this is the perfect place to learn.  It’s lined with surf shops where you can rent equipment as well as get an able instructor Continued

Alfred Nzo District

Northern Ukhahlamba

The Alfred Nzo District Municipality has, as its seat, Mount Ayliff. It is situated in the northern part of the Eastern Cape and is surrounded by Lesotho, KwaZulu Natal, the OR Tambo District and the Ukhahlamba District. Being so centrally situated makes Alfred Nzo an ideal base from which to launch your tour of South Africa.

The Xhosa cultural heritage of this area is fascinating, and gives this quiet retreat a sense of true South African pride and identity. Visitors are encouraged to visit local villages, interact with the folk occupying the land and immerse yourselves in this authentic African hub. Continued