Cape Town, in South Africa, is one of the world’s great marvels and a destination that’s guaranteed to give you a unique holiday. Sometimes however holidays can be as much of a challenge as they are a pleasure. The discerning traveller typically has limited time and high expectations and this leads to certain requirements.
• You [...]

Not too many holiday destinations can compete with the charms and attractions of Cape Town. Yes, of course, if you’re a seasoned and discerning traveller then you’ve probably heard that before about many destinations; but perhaps not all have subsequently lived up to your expectations. Yet in the case of Cape Town, you certainly won’t [...]

If you want a break with a difference – then why not think about walking South Africa? If you’ve never been on a ‘guided walking’ holiday before, then perhaps the thought of walking South Africa may leave you a little intimidated – but don’t be.
You can put out of your mind any images of forced [...]

Greenmarket Square is the location of the best flea market in Cape Town and is easily accessible via Long Street and Shortmarket Street. It was once an outdoor vegetable market, and for many years the site was occupied by a parking lot. Now Greenmarket Square is an attractive area of cobbled streets lined with coffee [...]

The Bo-Kaap district is one of the oldest and most fascinating residential areas in Cape Town. Situated on the slopes of Signal Hill, not far from the Parliament, Bo-Kaap has its own distinct and very strong identity. The residents even speak their own dialect of Afrikaans, although it is gradually losing ground to English.
Cape Malay [...]

Fascinating Long Street is one of Cape Town’s most popular and diverse attractions. With its views of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill, it invites a leisurely exploration. It was first settled by Muslims about 300 years ago, and made up Cape Town’s old boundary. By the 1960s, Long Street had become a disreputable [...]

As with any vacation destination, the weather in Cape Town is an important factor to consider when you are planning your holiday. Certain seasons are better for some specific activities than they are for others. For example, while summer is the best time for beach lovers, the city’s winter months are better for visitors who [...]

Cape Town’s musical pace is pretty laid back and leisurely compared to the wild and woolly music scene of Johannesburg. Nonetheless, a remarkable amount of high quality music is produced there, especially by jazz artists. Cape Jazz is, in fact, the city’s greatest musical legacy, and a South African treasure. Cape Jazz has in its [...]

The South African city of Cape Town was founded 350 years ago, making it the oldest city in the country. It was once just a place where Portuguese ships put in for food and fresh water on their way to and from the Far East. When the Dutch took over the lucrative spice trade, they [...]

If you’re planning a holiday walking South Africa, the chances are that you are going to be joining a group tour with an experienced leader to guide you. These types of tours are the best way to get the most out of a walking holiday as you have most of the hard work, like finding [...]

With everything to do in Cape Town, you could be forgiven for wanting to take a little while to sit back, sip on a Mojito cocktail, and relax to some of the unique sounds of Cape Town’s music. As well as being home to a wide variety of South African cultures, the city is also [...]

No trip to Cape Town would be truly complete without setting some time aside to experience a trip to Table Mountain. Once the habitat of lions and leopards, the mountain has come to be seen as a symbol of the city it towers over. But as spectacular as the views from the mountaintop are, there’s enough [...]

So you’re tanned, you’ve toured – in fact, all the items in your guidebook have been checked off, one by one. So what better way to refresh yourself than by seeing Cape Town through the eyes of a fellow traveller? Discovering the quirks of a holiday destination through stories and novels has been a time-honoured [...]

If you’re spending some time in Cape Town during your holiday in South Africa, you will most likely need somewhere to stop for lunch at some point. Why not call into one of the best cosmopolitan cafes in Cape Town?
Afro Cafe
Tucked away down a pedestrian street that is littered with antique stalls, the Afro Cafe [...]

Walking South Africa is hungry work and if you’re planning on walking around the Stellenbosch then you’ll find that your stomach won’t stop rumbling from all the delicious food on offer. The Stellenbosch isn’t just the wine capital of South Africa, but also a gastro-lover’s paradise offering fresh local produce and gourmet restaurants. Here are [...]

There are many wonderful places to visit in South Africa. But whilst most tourists head to Cape Town and Johannesburg, there is another gem that should find its way onto your itinerary: Pietermaritzburg.
Pietermaritzburg is the second-biggest city and the capital of KwaZulu-Natal province, and is often referred to as Maritzburg or PMB. It is located [...]

The World Cup brought South Africa to the forefront of the world’s attention, providing a great chance to remember the incredible history of the country’s fight against apartheid.
The football may now be over, but if you head to South Africa one opportunity you should not pass up is the chance to visit some of the main [...]

South Africa’s temperate climate makes it an ideal holiday destination for an energetic break involving walking, hiking or cycling. Any of these activities will enable you to approach your itinerary with a different view, and you will be able to see and experience things that you may otherwise not have been able to. Whilst walking [...]

Whilst walking South Africa’s wonderful paths and trails, you will see all manner of wildlife, from the smallest of blue crane birds to the largest of elephants. Seeing these animals in their natural habitat will take your breath away; however if you’re looking for a real animal encounter, there are ways to get just a [...]

Cape Town is often lauded as being South Africa’s premier city destination but, although it is undeniably beautiful and an exciting and cosmopolitan place to visit, it is not the only jewel in South Africa’s crown. Durban, in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal, is a beautiful sub-tropical city with just as much personality as her [...]

South Africa is one of the most magnificent landscapes in the world to explore from the air. Imagine the undulating savannah landscapes miles below you, as you take to the air and watch migrating wildebeest and pink flamingos below you. Whether you’re looking for a romantic breakfast over the Western Cape or an adrenalin-packed flight [...]

For many, a trip round the golf course is the best way they know to let go of the week’s stresses and strains and relax. By that logic, the best way to really unwind is to make sure you get plenty of time out on the golf course while you’re in South Africa. Here are [...]

The holding of the 2010 World Cup Finals in South Africa perhaps brought three things to mind to anyone that watched them – even momentarily; the beauty of the countryside, the warmth of the people, and the vibrancy and unique cultural mixture that is the modern ‘Rainbow Nation’. You can experience all those things on a [...]

Few holiday destinations currently offer the intuitive attractions of South Africa. The ‘Rainbow Nation’ has spent recent years busily transforming itself into not only a great holiday destination, but also a vibrant and exciting new country.
A touch of history & culture
The indigenous peoples of the area have left us a fascinating archaeological record that takes [...]

The Franschhoek Wine Route in the Winelands district of South Africa is famous for its scenery and for the beautiful estates that dot the countryside. One of the most interesting attractions to be seen here is the gorgeous Cape Dutch estate of Boschendale. This winery produces some of South Africa’s best known wines. Located between [...]

A combination of year-round sunshine, beautiful sandy beaches, and never-ending surf has made the southern coast of South Africa a mecca for vacationers from the country’s interior, and from Europe and North America. This coastal playground stretches for 162 kilometres (100 miles) from Durban to the border of the Eastern Cape. More than thirty resort [...]

Do you like to get off the beaten track when you go on vacation? Do you appreciate the natural beauty of long stretches of windswept, empty beaches, with distant mountains behind you when you look out to sea? Do you love a feed of fresh crayfish? If so, then the West Coast of South Africa [...]

Much has been written about the many and varied charms of a holiday to South Africa. There is something for everyone; be it a bungee jump for the backpackers, a history tour for the boffin, a beautiful beach for a bikini-babe and much, much more besides. But apart from everything you’ve read, South Africa can [...]

What with the 2010 World Cup taking place in South Africa, the sporting status of the country has undoubtedly risen. However, it’s not all football, rugby and cricket in the rainbow nation. There is a whole range of sports, which are as diverse as the people of South Africa themselves – read on to find [...]

Full of diversity and distraction, South Africa is truly one of the most exciting places you will visit in an entire lifetime of travel. However, it’s important not to stick too closely to the mainland or you might just miss out on some of the spectacular sights that surround the country – also known as, [...]

Cape Town is a great place to get outdoors and try your hand at some active pursuits. From skydiving to sand-boarding there are so many activities that we decided to just cover the first three letters of the alphabet – so here is the A to C of active pursuits in and around Cape Town:
Abseiling
What’s [...]

Sometimes there’s nothing more relaxing on holiday then sitting back and sipping on a nice cool cocktail, as you watch the bustling city life pass you by. This past-time is even more enjoyable in the laid-back South African capital of Cape Town and whether you want to flash the cash or enjoy a secret sun-downer [...]

Table Mountain – the symbol of Cape Town. Wonderful to look at it may be, but do you want to get more out of it during your trip to this amazing city? There are loads of ways that you can experience the mountain, some of which are certainly not for the faint hearted. Here are [...]

When it comes to holidays involving lots of walking, South Africa is hard to beat. There is plenty to see and do during a walking holiday, but one of the things that you really shouldn’t miss is the excellent local food on offer. South African cuisine is varied and delicious, and if you are a [...]

Why consider Cape Town as a holiday destination?
A different world
We take overseas holidays for many reasons. For some, it’s perhaps a question of getting guaranteed sunshine. For others it may be more to do with beaches, pools and tanning etc. Yet some people take their holidays primarily because they’d like to have a new experience.
That’s [...]

The idea of a holiday walking South Africa may sound like an adventure. That’s good, because – it’s meant to be!
South Africa – The rainbow nation
The comparatively recent history of South Africa, over the past 20-30 years, is relatively well known to all. Out of troubled times has come a modern nation for the 21st century [...]

One of the oldest and most fascinating residential districts of Cape Town is the Bo-Kaap. It is located on the slopes of Signal Hill, not far from the Parliament. The Bo-Kaap is made up of a network of alleyways hidden behind a façade of brightly coloured 19th century Dutch and Georgian terraces. This is the [...]

Drivers and cyclists everywhere are often at odds over such matters as who has the right of way, but visiting car drivers and bicycle riders agree on one thing; Cape Town has good roads and bad drivers. Whether you will have your foot on a gas pedal, or be pushing pedals when you travel around [...]

Some people will not consider African vacations because they are worried about exotic tropical diseases, bad water, various creatures that have poisonous bites or stings, and substandard medical facilities run by under qualified staff. Such fears are certainly justified for some parts of Africa. However, this is not the case with Cape Town. Here the [...]

There are not many people who can resist some retail therapy when they are on a holiday abroad; there’s just something about the lure of unfamiliar shops and exotic marketplaces that makes you want to spend. If you’re on a holiday walking South Africa, not only will you have the opportunity to explore what the [...]

The Jewish population of Cape Town is about sixteen thousand. Most of them are descendants of Eastern European refugees who fled discrimination and pogroms of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Jews of South Africa faced few legal obstructions because British law protected freedom of religion. However, in the 20th century there would be [...]

Cape Town presents an odd mix of historical buildings. They are the result of the city’s historical role as the halfway point on the maritime trade route between Western Europe and the Far East, and of colonisation by the Dutch and then the British. Cape Town’s hottest tourist attraction, the glitzy V&A Waterfront Complex, is a [...]

A holiday to Cape Town will provide you with a mind-spinning array of activities and sometimes it can be hard fitting everything in. But if you do happen to find yourself with a spare day and want to experience something a little out of the ordinary, why not try a little train-travel to see some [...]

When it comes to walking, South Africa is a country second to none. From Cape to Cape and East to West there is stunning scenery, breathtaking landscape and extraordinary sights that you will be hard pressed to forget in a hurry. However, there are some other walks that will stand out in the memories of [...]

Cape Town is a vibrant city of many cultures, from the Muslim population of Cape Malay to the Rastafarians and Trendies in the Bohemian capital of Observatory. The best way to immerse yourself in these Cape Town cultures is by attending one of the many festivals that celebrate the unique identity of the residents:Cape Town [...]

If music be the food of life for you, then you won’t want to leave it behind when you’re on holiday in Cape Town. The good news is you don’t have to. There are many ways that you can enjoy music in Cape Town, whether you are simply watching it, or making it yourself.
Go on [...]

For a long time, South Africa had a reputation, as far as dining was concerned, in which the cooking placed third to the restaurants’ imaginative décor and lively atmosphere. However, thanks to a steadily growing number of foreign visitors, the days of overcooked meats and pasty sauces are becoming a thing of the past. Dining [...]

Cape Town is situated mainly on a mountainous peninsula that stretches from the Cape Flats in the north to the Cape of Good Hope in the south. To see all of the city’s most interesting sights, you’ll have to travel the length and breadth of it. That won’t be a problem, because there are organised [...]

For people who like to spice up their vacations with a bit of adventure, South Africa is the ideal destination. Here, you will find a wide range of exciting outdoor pursuits to choose from, no matter what the time of year. Whether you want to go canoeing on the Orange River, hunting exotic plants in [...]

Kruger National Park is the largest national park in South Africa , and one of the best wildlife reserves in the world. It stretches from the Limpopo River in the north, to the Crocodile River 352 km (220 miles) to the south. The park averages 60 km (38 miles) from east to west. It is [...]

The word Overberg is Africaans for “over the mountains.” It is an appropriate name for this remote but stunningly beautiful part of South Africa. It is near the southern tip of the country, separated from the Cape region by the Hottentots Holland Mountains. The Overberg is almost as wild today as it was when the [...]

Walking South Africa will reveal to you a country which wears many guises. With an extremely diverse landscape, you can be feeling the sand of one of its many stunning beaches between your toes one day; and the next day you can be stalking the Big Five in the bushland of a wildlife reserve. The [...]

Visiting Cape Town is an ambition for many. One of the world’s truly great locations of natural beauty, it offers visitors a wealth of culture and sights.
A little history
From the 15th century onwards, South Africa and Cape Town as a location was very much ‘on the radar’ of Europeans and the area was initially [...]

Is there anybody out there? It’s the million dollar question and the world is divided into the believers and the non-believers. We’re talking aliens here: little green men in silver suits and one-eyed monsters with ten-foot tentacles and laser beam eyes… Well, perhaps today’s expectations and theories about ‘outer space’, and those who may populate [...]

Turtles may have hard shells but they are not adequately protected against the threat man represents to their survival. Wildlife conservation activists have identified a number of ways human influence threatens the survival of turtles, and have initiated the animal conservation work that aims to repair the damage to the species.
The turtle is a creature [...]

It’s easy to see why the waterfront in Cape Town has become South Africa’s leading attraction for tourists. With so much to do here, you can spend hours on end in this colourful and vibrant atmosphere, if not days! With glorious sea and mountain views, not only can you experience everything that this great place [...]

A hundred years ago, you could find cheetahs running wild across the majority of Africa and areas of Asia. Now their numbers have dwindled and are confined mostly to protected areas. The wild population has reduced by half since the 1970s, which has made them vulnerable to extinction, so the rehabilitation of these animals and [...]

Wildlife conservation holidays are a great way to get up close and personal to some of the world’s rarest animals. However, if you want to spot an animal that’s not often seen in the wild you’ll need to travel a long way. Here are a list of the eight rarest animals in the world and [...]

I’ve just got back from my conservation holiday in South Africa, where I was lucky enough to spend a day at the Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre. Many people wonder how they will spend a typical day on their chosen conservation project and whilst I can’t stress enough that every day and every experience is completely different, [...]

Huge organisations such as eBay and American Express have recently started to offer a fully paid year’s sabbatical into their staff contracts. However, they are not alone as statistics show that 11% of companies are now offering their staff paid gap years, whilst 29% of organisations are offering up to four months unpaid leave. So, [...]

There are over 350 known species of sharks. According to the Shark Foundation, a quarter of these species are hunted commercially, which has contributed to many species, all over the world, becoming endangered. Some of the sharks with declining numbers have exotic names like the Endeavour Dogfish and the Zebra shark, as well as favourites [...]

You could spend six weeks categorizing your 80’s cd collection; you could start work on that novel about a boy wizard you’ve been planning for so long; or you could just spend the entire time gazing at your navel and dreaming of a desert island. But if you’re passionate about animal conservation work, and you’re [...]

South Africa is not just a country of extreme and rugged beauty (although it is renowned for its spectacular coastlines and landscapes); it is also a country with a wonderfully vibrant culture and a thriving arts community. Some of South Africa’s most successful exports have been its actors and actresses who, whilst forging highly successful [...]

Since the release of Jaws, numerous shark-related cartoons have been released with the fearsome shark often playing a formidable character. These cartoons have a lot to answer for in the eyes of shark conservation, as they have all helped to stereotype the shark into the role of the predator that we perceive it to be [...]

Some animals are constantly on the move, whether in the continual search for food or territory, or as part of a seasonal migration. This year, because of the intervention of wildlife conservationists, there are some animals on the move for very different reasons.
The Panda Express
A giant panda named Tai Shan made the news in February [...]

Wildlife conservationists are battling alarming trends both in Britain and abroad to protect the future of endangered species. Already in 2010 there have been a number of important scientific press releases regarding the future of our animals and their habitats.
Tigers in the Wild
Like pandas and whales, the tiger has frequently been the poster child for [...]

Picturesque Cape Town is South Africa’s definitive centre of arts and culture. A city of poets, writers, artists and performers, it is at the same time refined and eclectic – an intoxicating blend for those lovers of the arts. While you may wish to explore this vibrant city on your own, tailor made holidays to [...]

Do you want to divide your time between working with animals in Malawi and teaching local communities? If so, a Born Wild holiday could be the perfect solution.
Malawi is perhaps best known as the country where Madonna controversially adopted her children, David and Mercy. The star received a lot of negative press for allegedly using [...]

Breakfast
Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So, in order to get your day off to a great start, take breakfast at the Shoreline Cafe. This small cafe is known for its egg and bacon breakfasts, and for children there is also the option of a special small fry breakfast. [...]

Want to volunteer for wildlife conservation work? India can be a great destination to choose.
Wildlife Conservation in India
There are numerous destinations around the world where it is possible to volunteer to work in wildlife conservation. South Africa is one of the most popular, with its enormous national parks and a large population of big game [...]

With a fear of sharks being one of mankind’s most common phobias, it is no surprise that shark conservation too often falls by the wayside.  But in reality, it is the sharks that should be afraid of us.  There is no better way to discover the grace and magnificence of the tiger shark, than to [...]

There’s no better way to get involved in animal conservation work, than to take the proverbial buffalo by the horns and complete the Level One Game Ranger training course.  Based at a game reserve in the Eastern Cape of South Africa this course requires no prior experience, but after six weeks of invaluable experience, you [...]

Most tourists on Cape Town holidays will visit the city’s major sights, which are indeed well worth seeing. But beyond Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and Cape Point, lie a host of fantastic and interesting places that only the locals tend to know about. Here are some of the city’s best kept secrets…
The Old Biscuit [...]

Wildlife conservation holidays are the perfect way to combine a good old fashioned adventure with a chance to do something worthwhile. It seems that more and more young (and young at heart) people are signing on to head out to exotic lands to lend a hand to some meaningful and exciting projects.
If you’re a little [...]

There are plenty of places that you can go walking in South Africa but for somewhere completely different, why not visit the Knysna forest for scenery that is like nowhere else on earth?
Knysna is located on South Africa’s scenic Garden Route and contains the smallest eco-region in the country. This unique eco-structure has made it [...]

Africa is known for its wildlife and abundance of big game. But with urbanisation, population growth and insufficient conservation funds, the populations of wild animals are on the decrease. Shamwari Game Reserve is dedicated to conserving South Africa’s remaining wildlife, with a special focus on working with lions, the kings of the African continent.

Predators Under [...]

Learning a new skill is an incredibly rewarding experience that allows you to develop hidden talents, whether you’re thinking of changing careers or simply want to learn something new. Of course, developing a new skill is even more rewarding if you’re practising it on the African plains.
Sculpting
If you have an artistic flair and a [...]

Wildlife conservation holidays are becoming more and more popular as global attention turns towards a deeper understanding of environmental concerns. It is an ideal way to experience life in another culture, as well as play an important part in the hugely important issues concerning wildlife conservation.
Located in the coastal region of Kenya about an hour [...]

Looking to work abroad but want to do something a little different? Learn more about some unusual wildlife conservation holidays, from learning how to film animals…to learning how to sculpt them
For many people, a gap year or a career break is the ideal opportunity to do something different that makes a difference. Wildlife conservation holidays [...]

Learn about one of wildlife conservation’s biggest success stories – the conversion of a depopulated and depleted stretch of South African farmland into the Shamwari Game Reserve.
Located in the South Eastern Cape Area and home to all of the ‘Big Five’ game animals,  the Shamwari Game Reserve is one of the most significant wildlife centres [...]

Wildlife conservation holidays are an ever popular way of doing something unusual yet rewarding. Whether you are a student looking for a gap year adventure, a worker desperate for a sabbatical to refresh yourself, or a grown up gapper wanting to give something back, this form of ethical tourism can provide you with that [...]

Cape Town holidays just aren’t complete without a visit to Table Mountain. The flat-topped sandstone mountain is synonymous throughout the world as a symbol of South Africa’s ‘Mother City’. To date, it is believed that over 18 million people have made the trip up the aerial cableway to the top of the mountain:
The largest point [...]

Cape Town holidays will likely see you spending large amounts of time outdoors. With beautiful sunny summer weather, you won’t want to spend a second longer indoors than you need to. And with so much natural beauty to be found in the city, you won’t be short of scenic spots to while away your sunny [...]

Interested in a Cape Town holiday? Don’t miss out on these fascinating festivals and exciting events – whether you are after sporting challenges, high fashion, or the finest food and wine in South Africa, you’re sure to find an event that’s perfect for you.

Cape Town Festivals and Events
Cape Town is a spectacular destination to [...]

Most tourists on Cape Town holidays will visit the city’s major sights, which are indeed well worth seeing. But beyond Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and Cape Point, lie a host of fantastic and interesting places that only the locals tend to know about. Here are some of the city’s best kept secrets…
The Old Biscuit [...]

Camps Bay is an area not to be missed on a Cape Town holiday – one of the trendiest, most beautiful suburbs found in the Mother City. With a stretch of beach no less breathtaking than a postcard, and some of the city’s best bars and restaurants, it is no small wonder people flock to [...]

Cape Town is a beautiful city and a top tourist destination. With its white sandy beaches, scenic vineyards, thick forests and buzzing town centre, there is something for everyone in the ‘Mother City’. A tailor made holiday in Cape Town will do just the trick, as you can pick and choose which aspects of the [...]

A holiday in Cape Town offers the best of both worlds from a vibrant city life with numerous visitor attractions to soft, white sand beaches providing the perfect place to relax with a sundowner whilst overlooking breathtaking mountain scenery. With the capital situated on both the Atlantic and Indian Ocean the beaches have two very [...]

Cape Town seems to come to life at night, and you could well have some of your best Cape Town holiday experiences when out at night. Whether it’s a relaxed seaside cocktail bar you’re after, a trendy city bar or a fashionable, pumping night club, there is something for everyone in this city.

The best [...]

Cape Town has some exceptionally beautiful areas of wildlife, with botanical gardens, forests and nature reserves waiting to be explored on your Cape Town holidays.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
One of the most pleasant and relaxing ways to spend an afternoon on holiday in Cape Town is to pay a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. These gardens [...]

If you’re after something a little different on your Cape Town holiday then why not take a trip to the nearby location of Simon’s Town, which is as well famed for its ghosts as it is its ancient history.
The Simon’s Town Museum may house many artefacts of life in Simon’s Town throughout the ages, but [...]

Walking in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal region will afford you the opportunity to experience a magical African kingdom. Rolling hills, stretching plains, lush vegetation and an air of African tradition can all be experienced in this single province. Home to the Zulu peoples, this area is steeped in a rich history, filled with African mythology, warriors [...]

Cape Town, the undisputed jewel in South Africa’s crown, is also its most popular tourist attraction.  Set in a stunning location at the meeting point of two oceans, Cape Town’s unique geography makes it an ideal starting point for a holiday hiking in South Africa. Walking trails network all along the dramatic peninsula of rugged [...]

The Cape Province is one of the most beautiful areas of South Africa for walking, with rolling vineyards, craggy mountain slopes, a glistening coastline and brightly coloured flowers.  Its diversity makes it ideal for long and varied walks, wandering through vineyards, dry desert plains, forests and beaches. And the bright Cape sunshine will add to [...]