http://www.southafrica.com/blog/ en 2010-02-22T08:37:33+00:00 hourly 6 2010-02-22T08:37:33+00:00 http://www.southafrica.com/blog/journey-along-the-caracal-ecoroute 2010-02-22T08:37:33+00:00 en Editor Features Stretching from Groen River in the south, to Skilpad in the northeast, the new Caracal Ecoroute 4x4 trail opens up previously unreachable areas of the spectacular Namaqua National Park in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. The first adventurers traversed the trail in July 2009 and no doubt the word will soon be out that the Caracal Ecoroute has much to offer. http://www.southafrica.com/blog/flower-valley-conservation-trust 2010-01-27T07:43:31+00:00 en Editor Features Located on the Agulhas Plain, north-east of Gansbaai in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, Flower Valley farm lies in the heart of the spectacular Cape Floral Region and is home to the Flower Valley Conservation Trust. As the name suggests, the trust has as its goal the conservation of the indigenous fynbos endemic to this region, while at the same time empowering local communities by promoting profitable utilization of natural resources by means of sustainable practices. http://www.southafrica.com/blog/the-southern-line-rail-route 2010-01-02T09:10:19+00:00 en Editor Travel Starting at the main train station in central Cape Town, the Southern Line rail route stops off at Newlands, Observatory, Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Simon’s Town, offering passengers an interesting view of the Cape Peninsula, with stretches of the railway line running a mere few meters from the sea. Buy a day pass and between the hours of 10h00 and 16h00 you can get off the train at any of the stops and get back on when the next train comes by. If you are staying on the Peninsula for your Cape Town holiday, you can take a ride to the city centre or any of the other destinations, each of which has its own unique charm. http://www.southafrica.com/blog/buddhist-retreat-centre-in-ixopo 2009-12-08T10:59:08+00:00 en Editor Out and About For more than twenty years the Buddhist Retreat Centre, located at Ixopo in KwaZulu Natal, has been welcoming people to take some time out of their busy schedules to re-connect with themselves in an area of great natural beauty and tranquility. The retreat is located on a ridge overlooking the Umkomaas River, indigenous valleys and rolling hills. Paths winding through the 300 acre property take guests through the lush greenery to quiet places which are perfect for meditation and contemplation, while enjoying exquisite scenery. http://www.southafrica.com/blog/helderberg-wine-route 2009-11-13T08:44:22+00:00 en Editor Features Stretching north from Somerset West to Stellenbosch and southeast to Sir Lowry's Pass, the Helderberg Wine Route incorporates the majestic Helderberg Mountains, on the slopes of which some of South Africa's finest vineyards flourish. The Helderberg region is truly one of the Western Cape's treasures well worth exploring. Not only is it exquisitely beautiful, but as home to some of the oldest wineries in South Africa, the Helderberg Wine Route is steeped in history and culture, with some of the wineries having been family-run businesses for generations. http://www.southafrica.com/blog/dana-bay-along-the-garden-route 2009-10-20T12:24:20+00:00 en Editor Features Dana Bay is a wonderful destination in Mossel Bay that is often overlooked by visitors, as they are under the impression that it is merely a suburb of the picturesque coastal town. But there is so much more to Dana Bay than meets the eye, and it is one of the few destinations in South Africa where the animals have the right of way, and people live their lives in accordance with nature. It is a community that strives to conserve and protect the wildlife and vegetation of Dana Bay, and is therefore a wonderful attraction and breathtaking part of the Garden Route. http://www.southafrica.com/blog/vaal-meander 2009-09-23T08:39:07+00:00 en Editor Out and About Usually when creative people get together to brainstorm an idea, one can expect a masterpiece, and in the establishment of Vaal Meander this is just the case. A mere hours drive away from the bustling city of Johannesburg awaits a world of beauty, creativity and relaxation that has become a popular getaway for locals, the perfect venue for special occasions and a chance for tourists to discover the quieter side of South Africa, while being close to towns and cities. http://www.southafrica.com/blog/witness-hitlon-arts-festival 2009-09-18T11:26:39+00:00 en Sophie Thompson Features KZN’s foremost arts and culture festival - the annual Witness Hilton Arts Festival comes to the Hilton College from 18 to 20 September with a glittering line-up of cutting-edge drama, comedy, music and cabaret, as well as an impressive array of arts and crafts in a bumper programme that features an enticing mix of hot South African performers and artists gleaned from the most prestigious stages around the country including the National Arts Festival in Grahamstown in July. http://www.southafrica.com/blog/the-jane-goodall-institute-s-chimpanzee-eden 2009-08-28T10:01:49+00:00 en Editor Features Just outside the city of Nelspruit is a unique sanctuary and attraction in South Africa that protects and conserves through educating the public and offering a safe environment for chimpanzees. It is the only chimpanzee sanctuary in South Africa. The institute takes in chimpanzees from around world, that have been taken from their natural environments at a young age and now find themselves lost and without refuge. The Jane Goodall Institute’s Chimpanzee Eden rescues and takes care of these chimpanzees, and through their efforts they save countless lives each year. http://www.southafrica.com/blog/richtersveld-cultural-and-botanical-landscape 2009-08-04T14:16:22+00:00 en Editor Features Nature lovers bound for South Africa’s Northern Cape Province will likely find themselves being drawn to the Richtersveld. This mountainous desert landscape is unlike anything most people have ever seen – some even choose to describe it as ‘martian’. It is a place where craggy, sharp mountains rise steeply from flat, sandy plains and where the dryness of these places is contrasted sharply with the lush vegetation growing on the banks of the Orange River. This all comes together to form the Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape.