SUTHERLAND, NORTHERN CAPE

 Observatory

SALT

Almost a stranger on my own blog! But, I'm back!  Welcome to Sutherland, the Gateway to the Universe!  Situated in the Small Karoo, known to be the coldest place in South Africa.  This winter we have seen temperatures of  -9 degrees Celsius!  Sutherland is also home to the largest telescope in the Southern Hemisphere and famous for its observatory and clean, fresh air.

The telescope is called SALT (South Africa's Largest Telescope) and cost near R200 million to construct.  It is the largest, single optical telescope with a hexagonal mirror of 11m in diameter!  That's one hell of a mirror!  The telescope weighs in at a hefty 82 tons!  Every night is star-gazing night.  Doesn't matter what the weather is like!

Stargazing session are presented every night.  The sessions last 2 hours where you can observe the stars and planets to your hearts delight.  This can all be seen through a Celestron go-to telescope, 3x11 inch.

Apart from stargazing, Sutherland also offers hiking trails, mountain biking, visits to the museum, a night march on the ghost trail and an enjoyable, historical walk through some of the old buildings.  Oh, and of course, 4x4 routes.

There are various B&B's, guest houses and a caravan park.  The caravan park has got 7 stands with electricity and ablutions.  Tents and bikers are welcome by the Muisbos enclosure.  There you'll find a braai lapa (thatch roof), electrical plugs and surrounding lights.  Most guest houses are 4* (stars!)

In contrast to the winters, the summers can be hell-hot!

Prices vary from R330 per person sharing, including breakfast.  For singles, it's from R430, breakfast included.

Contact SALT tours for the stars and planets at : (023) 571 2436
Sterland Caravan Park at  :  082 556 9589  OR
visit www.sutherlandinfo.co.za for more information.

Chow for now!

SINGWE RIVER LODGE

 Singwe River Lodge is situated near the Kruger National Park.  The name Singwe means "Bushbaby" - a tiny, nocturnal primate.  The vegitation found here is the African savanas, the well known Marula trees, Acacia trees and Sweat Thorn trees.  The Marula tree produces a delicious yellow fruit which the elephants and baboons favour.  We humans love them to, especially in the form of Marula Cream - a delicious liquor.

The game roam freely here.  You can see the Big 5, visit the natural dam, waterholes and  the Olifant River.  You can use your own car or the lodge will arrange a vehicle with guides and trackers to take care of you.

Things to do include game drives, game viewing on the riverbank, birding, spa treatments and a fresh water swimming pool. 

You can also visit The Moholoholo Wildlife Rehab Centre or The Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centres where they take care of our injured and threatened wildlife.

For the more adventurous, hot air balloon safaris and micro-lighting safaris can be arranged.

Accomodation includes 3 luxury suites in the Manor House and three 1 bedroom thatched chalets on the riverside.  Accomdations are fully catered for and private dinners can be arranged for those special occasions.

Rates are from R1600 - R2300 per person per day sharing.  Kids under 12, sharing a room with their parents, get 50% off and kids under 2, staying with the folks, for free!

This is an ideal Winter getaway as the weather is cool and dry during this season.

Rates are subject to change at any time.

Specials are always available, so give Singwe River Lodge a call.

Contact them at  :  +27 082 304 4912 / 082 551 4816

Or visit www.singwe.co.za.

AREENA RIVERSIDE RESORT

 Well, with the heat we've been having in the Cape Province, this is the ideal holiday resort to visit.  Situated 23km from East London on the banks of the Kwelera River.  A special place to escape to from the rat race!


Accomodations available are caravaning and camping, luxury cottages, rondawels and timber chalets.  Conference facilities are also available as well as team building and adventure sports.


This is a pet friendly holiday resort, but you must first make arrangements regarding this.


Enjoy delicious meals alongside the slipway or have a drink at the bar.  Go game driving where you will see a variety of antelope species and birds.


Go abseiling, paint balling, quadbike game driving or take a canoe trail.  You can also enjoy a game of golf, tennis or table tennis.  Go fishing!  Have fun in the swimming pool, braai and the kids can have a blast at the kiddies playground.


Prices are from R500 per unit (up to 4 people)


Contact Areena Riverside Resort at (043) 734 3055 or visit www.wheretostay.co.za/areena/


A fun family resort for the young and not so young!


See you there!

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!