Archive for the ‘Tourism South Africa’ category

Interesting Facts and Information on Port Elizabeth

January 14th, 2010

Together with the towns of Uitenhage and Despatch, the city of Port Elizabeth forms part of the area known as Nelson Mandela Bay.  Among South Africa’s larger cities, Port Elizabeth is second only to Cape Town in terms of historical interest.  This history can be seen in the form of parks, monuments, and architecture. 

 

Port Elizabeth is commonly referred to as South Africa’s water sports capital due to its good climate, warm sea, stunning beaches, and breathtaking coastline.  PE for short, Port Elizabeth’s nicknames include “The Windy City” or “The Friendly City”.  Port Elizabeth is also one of the major seaports in South Africa; it actually has two harbours.  Port Elizabeth is one of the most important production centres of South Africa’s motor industry, which means it hums with business and commerce.   

 

  • Port Elizabeth’s “Eastern Province Herald” became South Africa’s first daily newspaper in 1898;
  • The main library of Port Elizabeth contains books dating back as far as 1800;
  • Six of South Africa’s seven biomes (major habitats) are on offer in the Eastern Cape;
  • The area surrounding Port Elizabeth boasts more indigenous plant species than there are in the entire British Isles;
  • Port Elizabeth’s Feather Market Hall was originally built to house ostrich feather auctions; and
  • Climatologists claim that Port Elizabeth is the least windy coastal city in South Africa.

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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City of Bloemfontein worth a Visit

December 11th, 2009

The city of Bloemfontein is centrally situated in the province of the Free State; therefore, Bloemfontein is also located roughly in the middle of South Africa.  Bloemfontein’s position between Johannesburg and Cape Town means that it has neither a big-city vibe nor an ocean.  It also has no rush hour traffic, no road rage, and no urban sprawl either.  It’s just a nice little city in the middle of the country.  However, Bloemfontein does boast other attractions.       

 

The name Bloemfontein literally means “Spring of Flowers’, hence the city’s nickname of “City of Roses”.  It is a pretty name that Bloemfontein actually lives up to.  Bloemfontein is planted with thousands of rose bushes, which makes for a fabulously colourful roadside display.  The green theme is carried a bit further by a small nature reserve called Naval Hill, located right in the centre of the city.  The Orchid House is another must for floral lovers, as well as the Free State Botanical Gardens on the outskirts of the city.

Bloemfontein has a number of art galleries and some interesting museums, including the War Museum and the National Women’s Monument – a poignant reminder if ever there was one of the futility and ferocity of war.  Even though Bloemfontein is thus not exactly the tourist mecca of South Africa, it is still a good stopover place if you’re driving the N1, and it’s definitely worth spending a day there if you have the time.  There are decent restaurants, some nice pubs, and some good live music venues.  It is also the closest city to the Kingdom of Lesotho.

Bloemfontein functions as one of three capitals of South Africa, as it serves as the judicial capital; the others are Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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About King Shaka International Airport

December 2nd, 2009

In order to improve the transport infrastructure in and around Durban for the 2010 Soccer Finals, the South African Government together with the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA), have decided to construct a new international airport for the city.   The new King Shaka International Airport will be situated at La Mercy, approximately 30km north of Durban.  As soon as King Shaka International Airport is fully operational, the old Durban International Airport will be decommissioned; this is due to take place by the first quarter of 2010. 

 

The existing Durban International Airport is currently the smallest of South Africa’s three international airports.  Studies have indicated that the existing Durban International Airport terminal is too small to handle the growing tourist and commercial trade through Durban.  Passenger growth at Durban International Airport has doubled since 2005 from two million to four million passengers a year.  With the 2010 Soccer Finals looming large, important decisions had to be made; hence the construction of King Shaka International Airport.

 

The King Shaka International Airport was named after the famous Zulu warrior king.  This is because Durban, South Africa’s third largest city, is located in the heart of the Zulu lands.

The King Shaka International Airport will integrate both passengers and freight. This will subsequently eliminate any operational and logistic constraints experienced at the old Durban International Airport. 

The passenger terminal at the King Shaka International Airport will have around 18 passenger aircraft stands and a size of 19,500m², which will cater for both domestic and international travel (six million a year).  The initial capacity of King Shaka International Airport will allow for 7.5 million passengers on an annual basis with opportunities for future expansion, should it be required.

The runway of the King Shaka International Airport will be 3,7km long in order to accommodate the latest New-Generation Large Aircraft (NGLA) which includes the A380 Airbus, with expansion options.  The passenger terminal at King Shaka International Airport will have greatly expanded retail concession opportunities.

The King Shaka International Airport will also boast facilities for police, military, VIP, general aviation and aircraft maintenance operations.

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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Early Beginnings of Durban

November 24th, 2009

The region of KwaZulu-Natal has been inhabited since the Stone Age.  Rock art relics were found in caves throughout the Drakensberg mountain range, where it is believed the Khoi-San people lived as hunter-gatherers for thousands of years.  Vasco de Gama, the Portuguese explorer, landed along this coast in 1497 while discovering the passage from Europe to India.  He named the area Natal.  Trade slowly developed along the coast and marooned mariners built temporary shelters around present-day Durban.       

 

The Birth of Durban

 

Durban as a city was established around 1824 when British Lieutenant FG Farewell and a party of 25 men arrived from the Cape colony and subsequently established themselves on the northern shore of the Bay of Natal.  After a meeting in 1835, the white residents of this region decided to build a town which was called D’Urban, named after Sir Benjamin D’Urban, governor of the Cape at the time.  1838 saw whites of continental descent trekking from the Cape colony to escape British rule.  They established the Republic of Natalia, with Pietermaritzburg as the capital.  However, fierce conflict with the local Zulu tribe led to the well-known “Battle of Blood River”; this conflict even spilled over to Durban which caused the city to be evacuated.  Due to military pressure, the Afrikaners had to accept British annexation in 1844.  As a result of this, a lot of Afrikaners left Durban, instead opting to head north where they established Transvaal and the Orange Free State.  A British governor was appointed in Durban while settlers flooded to the area in large numbers.  In 1854, the municipality of Durban was set up.

 

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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Exploring Cape Town’s Wine Routes

November 20th, 2009

Wine tasting and viticulture have almost become synonymous with Cape Town’s wine routes over the years.  Wine routes, vineyards, and wine farms are in abundance in and around Cape Town.  Even if you are not a wine lover, but only visiting Cape Town for the 2010 Soccer Finals, you can still enjoy the beautiful wine routes and wine estates that wind around Cape Town’s countryside. 

 

There are plenty of different Cape Town wine routes to choose from.  Stellenbosh, for example, is home to four main wine routes, which includes Helderberg, Simonsberg, Bottlary Hills, and Devon Valley.  This wine route can be explored by car, and is very popular due to its spectacular scenery.  Because the wine farms in the area is located so close to each other, it allows enough opportunity to squeeze in several visits per day. 

 

Worcester in the Breede River Valley is another Cape Town wine route worth visiting.  There are plenty of wine farms situated in Worcester, each offering wine tasting opportunities together with restaurants and shops.  A variety of fauna and flora as well as a number of historic buildings can be viewed here.

 

The town of Wellington is another great Cape Town wine route of choice.  The town is located in the Boland area of the region.  Over a dozen wine farms, together with a brandy route, can be explored.  The beautiful scenery alone would be enough reason to go on this route. 

 

Conclude your Cape Town wine route experience with a trip through the Somerset West region.  The town is situated in the Helderberg wine route region and offers visitors the chance to visit more than 30 wine farms.  Visitors can also enjoy a golf course, a nature reserve, and a shopping mall as well.

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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Significance of the City of Cape Town

November 13th, 2009

Cape Town is one of the most significant cities in South Africa.  Cape Town performs an important role both culturally and administratively.  Even though Cape Town comprises a fairly large area, its population density is still low.  Cape Town is most famous for its scenic and natural beauty.  Apart from its famous landmarks, Cape Town also boasts a number of beautiful beaches.  This makes the city of Cape Town a popular tourist destination, explored by tourists throughout the year. 

 

Interesting Facts regarding Cape Town

 

  • Cape Town was the site of first settlement of both Dutch and English settlers in the 19th century;
  • Cape Town is home to well known landmarks like Table Mountain and Cape Point;
  • Cape Town was the largest city in the Republic, until the expansion of Johannesburg;
  • Cape Town is the primary harbor and airport in the Western Cape;
  • The Port of Cape Town is deemed to be one of the busiest shipping corridors in the world;
  • Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa;
  • One can see Southern Right Whales on the coast of Cape Town, during the breeding season between August and November;
  • Surfing is a popular sport in Cape Town and it organizes a Red Bull Big Wave Africa surfing competition every year;
  • The “Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour”, organized in Cape Town, is the largest individually timed cycle race in the world;
  • Cape Town has a rich architectural heritage, housing a high density of Cape Dutch style buildings.
  • Cape Town conducts an annual Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, a large minstrel festival, known by the name “Kaapse Klopse”;
  • The headquarters of Naspers, the largest media company in Africa, are located in Cape Town;
  • Cape Town is the capital of the Western Cape and also the seat of National Parliament;
  • Cape Town is regarded as the economic centre of the Western Cape and even the regional manufacturing hub;
  • Cape Town is one of the most popular tourist destinations of South Africa; and
  • Whale watching is quite popular in Cape Town. Bryde’s Whales can be seen here throughout the year.

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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Top Things to do in Johannesburg

November 4th, 2009

A trip to Johannesburg, one of Africa’s largest cities, is sure to be a wonderful experience.  The city of Johannesburg is a combination of today’s modern day attractions and a fascinating cultural heritage.  People of all ages with different kinds of interests will find something to entertain them with in Johannesburg, no matter whether you are single or have a big family.  However, it is important to find activities that are appropriate for all family members, including children.  Fortunately, many activities in Johannesburg are designed specifically for children.   You should spend at least a few days in the city to experience some of the main attractions on offer.  You can expect to be quite busy while spending time in Joburg, as the city is also known, or Jozi, as the locals call it.

 

Tours are an excellent way to see the city of Johannesburg.  Bus tours, both of the city itself and outside of the city, are available year round.  Mining and animal-viewing tours are two of the most popular tours for families visiting Johannesburg and its surrounding area.  Zoos, museums, theme parks, and entertainment venues are just some of the attractions waiting to be discovered by you.

 

With the 2010 Soccer Finals now just a few months away, a lot of tourists are expected to embark on South Africa while the tournament is taking place.  A visit to Johannesburg is almost inevitable, seeing as most tourists will arrive at OR Tambo International Airport, the local airport located near Johannesburg.  Most of the top attractions within Johannesburg and its surrounding areas are also easily accessible from the airport.         

 

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best accommodation, restaurants, things to do, transportation, car rental, places to shop, weather patterns and what to pack, emergency procedures, and stadiums, and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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Different Means of Transportation in Johannesburg

October 30th, 2009


Johannesburg lacks a convenient public transportation system, partly due to the fact that the city is geared towards private motorists.  A large number of the city’s residents are dependent on the city’s informal minibus taxis.  However, other means of transportation do exist, which include buses, trains, and airports.

  • Taxis

Johannesburg has two kinds of taxis, namely metered taxis and minibus taxis.  The minibus taxis are the essential means of transportation for the majority of the population.  However, since the 1980s, the minibus taxi industry has been severely affected by turf wars.  Unlike many cities, metered taxis are not allowed to drive around the city looking for passengers and instead must be called and ordered to a destination.  The Gauteng Provincial Government has launched a new metered taxi programme in an attempt to increase use of metered taxis in the city.

  • Buses

Another means of transportation is buses.  Johannesburg is served by a bus fleet operated by Metrobus, a corporate unit of the City of Johannesburg.  Its fleet consists of approximately 550 single and double-decker buses supplying 84 different routes in the city.  This total includes 200 modern buses (150 double-deckers and 50 single-deckers).  Metrobus’ fleet carries approximately 20 million passengers per annum.  In addition, there are a number of private bus operators, though most focus on the inter-city routes, or on bus charters for touring groups.

  • Trains

A new means of transportation is the Gautrain.  Construction of the Gautrain will only be completed by 2011, thus unfortunately not in time for the 2010 Soccer Finals.  It will consist of a number of underground stations, as well as above ground stations.  When completed, it will run from north to south between Johannesburg and Pretoria, and east-west between Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport.  The rail system is being designed to alleviate traffic on the N1 freeway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, which records vehicle loads of up to 300,000 per day.

  • Airports

Johannesburg is served by OR Tambo International Airport for both domestic and international flights.  Other airports include Lanseria, Grand Central Airport, and Rand Airport.  Lanseria Airport is used for commercial flights to Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Botswana, and Sun City.  Grand Central is located in Midrand and caters to small, private aircraft. Rand Airport, located in Germiston, is also a small airfield used mostly for private aircraft.  It is the home of South African Airways’s first Boeing 747 Classic, the Lebombo, which is now an aviation museum.  Airports are a popular means of transportation in South Africa.      

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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Facts about the Gautrain

October 27th, 2009

The Gautrain is a state-of-the-art high-speed train under construction in Gauteng. An 80-kilometre mass rapid transit railway system forms part of the greater Gautrain project. The Gautrain will link Johannesburg, Pretoria, and OR Tambo International Airport. Apart from the above mentioned three stations, the seven other stations that will be linked by the railway include Sandton, Rosebank, Marlboro, Midrand, Centurion, Hatfield, and Kempton Park.

What is the Aim of the Gautrain?

The aim of the Gautrain is to bring relieve to the traffic congestion in the Johannesburg-Pretoria corridor (especially the N1 Ben Schoeman Highway), and subsequently provide an alternative public transport mode to road transport. The NI Highway carries some of the highest traffic volumes in South Africa with more than 157 000 vehicles making use of it each day; it also has a traffic growth rate of seven percent per year. The Johannesburg-Pretoria traffic corridor carries approximately 300 000 cars per week day. The Gautrain is expected to cut the number of vehicles on the NI Ben Schoeman Highway by 20 percent, with 100 000 daily passenger trips. It is thus estimated that one-fifth of Johannesburg-Pretoria commuters will make the switch from traveling by road to traveling by rail.

Who is behind the Gautrain?

A public-private partnership between government and the Bombela Consortium (representing Murray & Roberts and international specialists in tunneling and maintenance of similar train systems) are responsible for the project that is the Gautrain. The Gautrain is the biggest public-private partnership in Africa.

What are some Interesting Facts surrounding the Gautrain?

• The Gautrain project will be completed in two phases. The first phase is the route between Sandton and OR Tambo International Airport, and Sandton and Pretoria. It is estimated to take about four years. Phase two involves the outer links between Johannesburg city centre and Sandton, as well as between Pretoria and Hatfield. Phase two should also take approximately four years

• During construction of the Gautrain, 48 000 jobs will be created;

• A projected 104 000 people will use the Gautrain each day;

• The Gautrain will operate daily from 05:30 to 20:30;

• 65 road intersections will be upgraded during construction of the Gautrain; and

• More than six million cubic meters of soil will have to be moved and disposed of during construction of the Gautrain.

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Top Things to do in Johannesburg

October 26th, 2009


Johannesburg is a city which combines a fascinating cultural heritage with a lot of modern day attractions.  People of all ages with different kinds of interests will find something to entertain them with.  You should spend at least a few days in the city to experience some of the main attractions on offer.  Below is a selection of 6 things you can expect to do in Johannesburg.

1.  Take a trip on the Vaal River

If you want to take in the natural beauty of South Africa, then a boat ride along the Vaal River is a great idea.  A trip down the Vaal River accompanied by good company and great food is one of the most enjoyable and relaxing activities around Johannesburg.

2.  Pay a visit to the Casinos

Even if you are not big on gambling, you should still try your hand at it in one of the many casinos found in and around Johannesburg.  Only in Las Vegas will you find a bigger density of casinos than here.

3.  Spend an afternoon on a Golf Course

For those who like nothing more than to spend an afternoon on the greens, Johannesburg is amongst the best cities in the world.  Not only does it have the perfect warm climate for strolling across the fairways, but the fairways themselves are some of the very best on the African continent.  Whether you are a seasoned golfer or a keen amateur, golf is one of the strongest attractions in Johannesburg.

4.  Visit the Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid Museum has become a must see attraction in Johannesburg over the last couple of years, partly due to its moving exhibits containing apartheid scenes.  When having a look at this distressing period of the country’s history, the overall feeling is one of relief that the country’s segregation is in the museum where it belongs.

5.  Spend a day at Gold Reef City

Gold Reef City is a theme park with a selection of rides, a 4D theatre, a casino, and refreshment stands.  Gold Reef City offers plenty entertainment for both young and old.

6.  Take a tour of the Soweto Township

As the largest township in Gauteng, Soweto can almost be considered a city in its own right.  Some highlights of the visit include seeing the former homes of South African Nobel Prize winners, among them the home of former president Nelson Mandela.

This article forms part of The Ultimate South African Tourist Guide White Paper.  It is an essential guide to any tourist who has the opportunity to explore South Africa, containing all the information you could possibly need to ensure your stay is an enjoyable one.  Featuring the best restaurants, accommodation, spots to shop, attractions and much more, all listed according to the specific region in question, this guide will be the ultimate in assisting your travels.  It is available to those members of the public who are interested in purchasing a piece of land in South Africa, and subsequently becoming a shareholder of land in South Africa. Visit http://www.ageofafrica.co.za to find out more about this project.

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