A mongoose darts in front of our car. Minutes later, a donkey cart takes advantage of a break in the traffic. Baboons, young and old, are also risking their lives on this stretch of South African highway.
The best thing about a self-drive holiday in South Africa is the diversity – and not just from the different types of animals taking their chances.
In less than a day, you can venture from cosmopolitan Cape Town to the southernmost tip of the continent, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans clash in a swirling sea of foam, then sip fine wine surrounded by snow-capped mountains in the acclaimed Winelands region.
And that’s just for starters. During our three-week sojourn in South Africa, driving from Cape Town to Kruger National Park, we covered more than 3000 kilometres. There were long days at the wheel but the scenery was always rich, taking in dramatic mountain passes, rustic villages, bustling market towns, lush forests and white sand beaches. And, of course, the wildlife. Our days were crowded with so much to absorb.
The country has almost 600 national parks and reserves, with several showcasing the big five – buffalo, rhino, elephant, lion and leopard – but there is plenty to see along the mostly fenceless highways, with a procession of animals crossing by day and night.
Initially, we planned to collect our car, booked via the internet in Australia, at Cape Town airport. Instead, we opt to explore the country’s legislative capital by foot and taxi for five days and have the car delivered to our guesthouse on the day of our departure.
It proves to be a sound decision. We not only save money – albeit a small amount, as car hire is cheap, with deals from as low as $35 a day – but Cape Town is an easy city to walk around. Cheap taxis and popular City Sightseeing tourist buses take you to the lively Waterfront; the cable car to Table Mountain, where there are stunning views and walking trails; Camps Bay, one of the city’s most popular local beaches, with the Twelve Apostles of Table Mountain as its backdrop; the Sea Point promenade; museums, galleries and restaurants; and the 528-hectare Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.
Read further: WA Today
Camps Bay Accommodation
Cape Town Historical Heritage
Castle of Good Hope
Built between 1666 and 1679, the Castle of Good Hope is one of the oldest buildings in South Africa and has been exceptionally well preserved. Inside the castles pentagonal walls you will find an array of cultural and military memorabilia dating back to the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck to the Cape in 1652. Explore this majestic castle with a guided tour to the dungeons, the dolphin pool and the blacksmith. The Castle of Good Hope’s Key Ceremony takes place on Monday – Friday at 10am and the Change of Guards at 12 noon.
Rhodes Memorial
This national monument was built in remembrance of Cecil John Rhodes, the former Prime Minister of the Cape Colony. It was built to illustrate Rhodes’ desire to “Make Africa British from the Cape to Cairo “. Cecil John Rhodes was a businessman, by age 35; he controlled the largest diamond mining and trading companies in the whole of South Africa. He fought strongly for the British. Zimbabwe was formerly Rhodesia – named after Cecil John Rhodes.
There are 8 large lions on each side of the stairway, and a bust of Rhodes by J.M. Swan. On a wall of the memorial is an inscription written by Rudyard Kipling, who was a friend of Cecil John Rhodes. It reads, “The immense and brooding spirit still shall quicken and control. Living he was the land, and dead his soul shall be her soul.”
The monument is situated on the eastern slopes of Devil’s Peak on a portion of the land Rhodes himself set aside to preserve the beauty of the Table Mountain. The steep steps of the impressive memorial offer far-reaching views over the Cape Flats stretching out to distant northern mountain ranges.
Alongside the memorial is a large reserve which homes eland, zebra and various antelope. There is a pleasant tearoom housed in an old stone cottage with a beautiful garden to sit, relax and take in the views; for the more adventurous, this is a popular starting point for hikes and trails around the mountain.
Source: Explore South Africa
Guest House Camps Bay
Safe Travel in South Africa
South Africa is a beautiful country with much to offer visitors. Part of its charm is the strange mixture of modern malls and technology, mud huts and rural areas and magnificent game parks. South Africa also has a reputation for being a violent, crime-ridden country and care needs to be taken when traveling there.
Airport Safety
Most international flights arrive at The O R Tambo Airport in Johannesburg. This is an acknowledged hotbed of theft and it is best to have suitcases plastic wrapped before arriving in SA. Once in the airport, beware of pick pockets and thieves. They work in groups and target items such as cameras, cell phones, wallets and laptops. They are incredibly quick so don’t take any chances.
Hotel Rooms
Take extra care to ensure that all valuables are locked away. Cleaning staff are known to be very light-fingered.
Road Safety
Rental Cars are the safest way to travel round SA. However there are some basic safety rules to remember:
- Keep all the doors locked
- Be vigilant at traffic lights. Hijackings are very common
- Keep all valuables out of sight or on the floor
- Leave a gap of 1cm at the top of the window. This makes it difficult for wouldbe thieves to shatter the glass
- Park in a car park that is well lit and busy
- Uniformed car guards may offer to watch your car. This is the norm and they will expect a tip for their services
Public Transport
Don’t expect much in the way of public transport. Locals use minibus taxis which are often dangerous. The taxi bosses are involved in gang wars and the vehicles are often in poor mechanical condition.
Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town have limited commuter train services but these are best avoided. They have a huge problem with muggings, assault and crime on the trains and a tourist is seen as a soft target.
Hiking
South Africa has incredible scenery and lovely weather. Hiking is popular but stay in large organized groups with a guide who knows the area well.
Expect to Pay
The unemployment rate in South Africa hovers at around 45%. Aids is a huge problem as is poverty. People desperate for a few cents will pop up everywhere and can become aggressive. Look out for those who offer to act as guides, to wash your windscreen or sell you cheap merchandise. Some are quite legitimate but be careful.
What to Avoid
Don’t go walking alone. Quiet side streets, deserted beaches and dark areas are to be avoided at all costs. Be careful on normal beaches and try and stay with a group, even if not part of it.
Violent Crime
Unfortunately, violence is an integral part of crime in SA. A lot of theft is driven by poverty and need and people have been murdered for a couple of dollars, a pair of shoes or an old cell phone. Keep valuables out of sight and if confronted by a criminal, give them what they want and comply with their demands.
It is still possible to have a safe, enjoyable holiday in South Africa but vigilance and care are keywords to remember. Don’t take any chances.
Source: Suite101.com
Fullham Lodge
Holidaying in Camps Bay
By Phil Smulian
Are you looking for the perfect beach holiday? If you like your holiday to have sunshine, long white sandy beaches, cocktails and palm trees, then consider Camps Bay as the perfect beach holiday destination. Choose Camps Bay in Cape Town as the holiday destination of a life-time. Camps Bay is an exciting suburb of Cape Town, set between the magnificent mountains of Cape Town and the Cerulean Blue of the Atlantic Ocean. In Camps Bay visitors will be able to enjoy the long white sandy beach as well as the vibey street café style street which follows the beach. The trendy up-market suburb of Cape Town, Camps Bay has its own special selection of fabulous restaurants, bars and nightclubs to satisfy any tourist’s entertainment appetite.
For a visitor the easy to pick draw-card for Camps Bay as a holiday destination is easily the location. Not only can visitors enjoy fabulous beach days and up-market entertainment, but sightseeing from Camps Bay is also accessible. Hire and drive holidays from Camps Bay are beautiful; you can also look into driven tours where you can experience the natural beauty of the Cape Peninsula as far as Cape Point, the most South Western tip of South Africa. Camps Bay is only a few minutes drive from Cape Town City centre and the V&A Waterfront, and Cape Town’s famous landmarks such as Table Mountain.
The unique position of Camps Bay makes this a very popular destination for holiday-makers. Visitors can enjoy the peace and quiet of this trendy suburb of Cape Town, or if they choose they can be in the middle of all the action with only a short drive or stroll. Accommodation in Camps Bay is easily organized and it is a recommendation to ensure you have made a booking. There are many places to stay, depending on what you are looking for, search the internet and find your desired accommodation.
Many travelers stop and stay in Camps Bay, not only to fully appreciate the many beautiful beaches found along the Cape Town Coast, but also to take in the local culture and create their own African adventure. There are many different activities visitors can take part in, from hiking in the local mountains, water sports to sunbathing. The beautiful natural environment of the area allows for endless opportunity for active and relaxing holiday vibes.
Cape Town is fast becoming one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations: visitors flock to South Africa to take in the cultural aspects of such an interesting country with a past marred with conflict and struggle for many South Africans. Take in the history and culture of this complex country while staying in one of the most beautiful regions of Cape Town: Camps Bay.