BUSHCAMPS - Thaba Nkwe Bushveld Inn

Part 2 of fantastic, cheap, bushcamping!  The name means "Mountain of the Leopard."  Situated in Thabazimbi, about 150km outside Johannesburg.

Things to do  :  Game viewing (various buck species, leopard, monkeys, birds, nag appies, squirrels).  Horse riding, game drives, hiking, birding.

Facilities :  Swimming pool, ablutions, self-catering, restaurant, bar, braai areas, security.

Rates  :  Wooden cabins = fm R230 p/p sharing
                 Chalettes          = fm R400 p/p sharing
                 Camping           = R50

Great family fun and cheap prices!

Contact  :  +27 014 772 2710
                 OR visit http://www.limpopo.placetosleep.co.za/

BUSHCAMPS (Kosi Bay & Thaba Nkwe)

(I appologise for the random scattering of my photos - seems to be a technical problem I can't solve at the moment!)


Kosi

Kosi



Read the Sign!





 

Popping in with 2 cheap quickies.  First we go to Kosi Bay in the northern part of Kwa-Zulu Natal, near the Mozambican border.

*Beautiful, sandy beaches, where, from Nov. to Dec., you can watch the turtles lay their eggs!

*You can go birding, quad biking, snorkeling, saltwater fishing, fresh  water fishing, diving, 4x4 driving or game drives.

Facilities include  :  Mnet, security, laundry, swimming pool, kids playground, pets on request, wheelchair friendly, internet, babysitting, bar and restaurant.

Kosi Challets

RATES  : 

Kosi Nature Reserve

Kosi Accomodation

 Camping = R100

Kosi Dining

Wood cabins = from R310 p/p sharing.

CONTACT  :

Kosi Bay

(035) 592 0236

http://www.greatescapes.co.za/ or

http://www.kosibaylodge.co.za/

Great place and cheap prices!











SUNCITY

 Okay, so I've been bad!  Sorry for being gone so long.  Sun City is an inter-

nationally renowned holiday resort in South Africa.  Just 2 hours drive from Johannesburg.

You get to choose from 4 luxury hotels, one being the infamous Palace of the Lost City.  Sun City is surrounded by the Pilanesberg National Park, so you'll get to see plenty of wild life.

This is the ideal family getaway or honeymoon hide-away.  The buildings and sites are just amazing!  Packaged tours can be arranged such as : Cape Town to Sun City to Zambia OR Sun City &  Honeymoon Safaris OR Sun City & Madikwe Family Holiday.

Loads to do, so you or the kiddies will NEVER be bored.

*Archery, clay pigeons, golf, horse riding, elephant back rides, quad bikes

*Casinos, gourmet restaurants, sports facilities, games arcade for kids and     Valley of The Waves.

*Waterworld and train rides.

Valley of The Waves is a large, man made lagoon with machine generated waves of up to 1.8m high rolling in every 90 seconds.  There are also 5 thrilling flumes to choose from.

Kamp Kwena Creche is there for folks who want to break free from the kiddies for a few hours.  Professional staff take care of and entertain kids from 0-12 years.

Prices are steap!  Anything from R1300 p/p sharing.  This includes bed and breakfast.

Summer is here, so book your place and have a blast!

Contact Sun City at :  +27 021 424 1034  OR visit http://www.suncity.co.za/

Have fun and don't forget the sunscreen!

The Serengeti National Park is 14 800 sq km, North- East of Tanzania.  Established in 1941.  Famous for their Wildebeest migration.  Numbering 1.8 million.  Also to view are 500 000 zebra, 3 000 rhino, lions, elephant, hyena, gazelles, buffaloe and giraffe.  You'll never be bored!

Migration begins in the Ngorongoro area in Febuary.  From March - May, the herds move west and north to the grassplains.  Around 500 000 calves are born in this time and during the migration about 250 000 wildebeest die.

Various luxury, tented camps are available from R2 715 p/p sharing.  Luxury lodges, overland camping with guides, you name it, it's there.

Take malaria meds!  Credit cards, US dollars or Tanzanian shillings. 

You can visit all year round.  Rainy seasons are from March - April and October - November.  If you enjoy wild, african thundershowers, then this is the time for you to go!

The Wildebeest migration passes through the Serengeti from September - December.  This can change, depending on the rain, so consult with your tourist agency to avoid disappointments!

Enjoy the video!  You can also visit http://www.go2africa.com/  or contact the Cape Town branch at  :  +27 021 481 4900

Chow!

AFRICAN BUSH CAMPS

Remember Ernest Hemingway?  Well, this is how he lived on safari.  These are luxury tents with twin or double beds, en suite bathroom and views of the river on your private deck.  Situated on the border of the Kruger National Park, between the Timbavati and Sabi Sands Reserves.

Comprises of 2 tented campsites, namely, Khoka Moya and Mantobeni Camp.  Each have 12 tents with a thatched boma with a bar, dining room, lounge and small swimming pool.

Children's safaris and family safaris available.  Enjoy morning and evening 4x4 safari trips or go on foot with experienced guides.

Wake up to the sounds of African drums!  You'll be served coffee, tea or juice by waiters at your tent.  What more can you ask for?

Rates  :  *They include accommodation, all meals, beverages, wine and activities.
                R3800 p/p/night (from October  2010 - September 2011 excluding low season)
              *Kids under 2 = free!  Kids 2-12, 1/2 price.
              *March 2011 - June 2011 = R2500 p/p/p night sharing.
              *30% Deposit

Contact +27 011 341 0282  or visit www.honeyguidecamp.com

See you soon!
Bobi

HOTTENTOTS-HOLLAND NATURE RESERVE

Okay, so it's a mouthful.  Meaning someone similar to a bushman.  Breath-taking mountain scenery, flowers and natural pools to swim in.  I'd prefer Spring and Summer time to go as the weather is very unpredictable in the mountains.  Spring is around the corner, but none the less, always go prepared for all kinds of weather.  Don't die out there due to stupidity!

The entrance to the reserve is about 90km from Cape Town at Nuweberg, between Grabouw and Villiersdorp.  You can choose accommodations in the nearby towns like Grabouw, Elgin and Caledon.
Two huts with bunks and mattresses are available on the hiking trails.

You have 42 00ha of reserve to wonder in.   The reserve is an important conservation area for over 1300 recorded species of fynbos (our vegetation covering our mountains).  There are 3 hiking trails to choose from, ranging from 17-24km.  12 People per permit for overnight and day trails.

*Go hiking, 4x4 trails, mountain biking or kloofing (similar to abseiling down the sides of the  mountains).
*Fynbos species, various buck species, over 100 bird species and leopard can be seen.
*Nearby interests  :  museums, butterfly world, art galleries and wine estates.

The most amazing thing about these mountains is this  :  they are the southern end of a never-ending mountainous chain, which in effect, cuts the Cape off from the rest of South Africa!  Amazing!

Visit http://www.sahikes.co.za/

See you there!
Bobi

NAMAKWALAND/RICHTERSVELD

It's a lovely, hot, sunny winters day.  So, I decided to take you to one of my old haunts I used to frequent when I was in the Navy.  Boy, if the Richtersveld could talk!  Shameless acts of youth and never-mind-about-tomorrows!  But jeez, what fun we had!  In the desert and on the Orange River.  If you don't appreciate nature, if you don't like 50 degree temps in summer and if you can't see the woods for the trees, then this place is not for you!!

This is the most desolate area in Southern Africa.  A beautiful, harsh landscape.  Only 4x4 vehicles are permitted due to very bad roads.  Contains some of the worlds richest desert flora.  Over 200 bird species, shrews, bats, monkey, rare brown hyaena and aardwolf, honey badger and various antelope.

Also to view is the San rock paintings.  The Richtersveld joins Namibia on the south-west side where you can visit the Fish River Canyon and the Ai-Ais hot water springs.  Flowers can be viewed from June-October - depending on the rainfall.

Wheelchair accessible accomodation at Tatasberg and Ganakouriep Wilderness Parks.

Visit the Augrabies waterfall.  The worlds 6th largest waterfall.  This Khoi name means "place of great noise".  After good rainfalls, it's astounding to see and listen to!

Go hiking, 4x4, rafting, birding, swimming.  Accomodations at Senlingsdrif, Augrabies Fall, Potjiespram and many more.

Prices  :  Day trips  =  R40-R110 p/p.
               Accomodation  =  R145-R540 p/day (pensioners discount)

Visit http://www.tatamatata.co.za/ and http://www.sanpark.org/

Chow,
Bobi

KWA-ZULU NATAL - BATTLEFIELD TOURS

Hi All!  Today we'll be going on a historical tour.  The good old school history we used to study before everything became over-run with modern day politics and other nonsense.  The 1800's history is so much more exciting.  Anyhow, today we'll be visiting THE BATTLE OF THE BLOODRIVER.

Failure to negotiate the secession of land, the Boers and Zulus went to war at the Ncombe River in Kwa-Zulu Natal on 16 December 1838.  500 Boers against 10 000 Zulu impis (warriors).  With great faith in God, 3000 zulus died and no boers.

Today, you can visit these grounds and see the amazing boer monument - a fort of 57 bronze-cast wagons.  In December 1998, a memorial for the 3000 zulus who perished, was inaugurated by Zulu Chief, Mangosuthu Buthelezi.  16 December is now known as Reconciliation Day.

Place to stay :   Zulu Wings Game Lodge.  6 Ensuite rooms, homestyle cooking and
                             close to all the battle sites. (Many more in and around Dundee).
                          

Things to do  :  game viewing (walk/on horseback), birding, game drives (self/guided), fly fishing,

                            cultural tour across the Buffalo River, battlefield museums, white water rafting,

                            4x4 and quad biking.

Prices  :  R350 p/p/s and R410 for single p/night
                11-16 y/o - R155 p/p/p night sharing
                  6-10 y/o  - R95

Prices include bed and breakfast and are valid until 31 September 2010.

Contact  :  +27 034 212 5976 or visit http://www.zuluwings.co.za/

Chow!
Bobi

TOURS OF EGYPT

Ah, land of the pharaohs, pyramids, tombs, camel rides, Nile cruises and sand!  Yes, endless sand, but what an exciting place to visit! Egypt!

Visit The Valley of The Kings or King Tutankhamens tomb.  Go for a swim in the Red Sea, or scuba dive.  Visit the exotic spice markets and stalls where you can haggle the prices.  Breathtaking sights and a rich culture.

Take a hotair balloon ride at USD229 over The Valley of The Kings or visit the Gayer-Anderson museum - house of Major R.G. Gayer-Anderson from 1935-1942.

Take a leisure cruise up the Nile or Lake Nasser.  Enjoy 4 & 5 star accomodation.  Vsist Damascus - the oldest city on earth or take a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Jerusalem.

Tours available  :  Family, Private or Groups.  All escorted by qualified egyptologists.

Tours are 6-17 days long and prices are from USD199 - USD2750 p/p sharing.

Visit http://www.onthegotours.com/ for loads more info and amazing photos.

See you there!
Bobi