The Eastern Cape in South Africa is now better known as the birth place of Nelson Mandela, hence the name change of Algoa Bay to Mandela Bay.Born near Umtata in the Transkei and educated at the University of Fort Hare, Nelson Mandela brought the spotlight to a gem of an area, where people are still down to earth and most parts of nature still unspoilt!
Port Elizabeth is the main city and its airport is the choice of entrance to this natural beauty.The airport has connecting flights from Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban.This region of South Africa is quite impoverish and more known for it's motor manufacturing and associated industries.
From Nature's point of view it is a hidden gem, waiting to be found.The diversity can be seen at the dense indigenous forest along the Tsitsikamma National Coastal Park, with a high rainfall and the Big Tree with a cicumference of nearly 9 metres, adjacent to a barren area that can experience droughts for up to 8 years.
If you travel west from PE , then you will find some of the best camping sites in South Africa at Beachview. Every site has it's own seaview and there is an excellent tidal pool. A few kilometres further you'll find high sand dunes at Maitlands beach and never ending stretches of white beaches and excellent white mussels. From this coastline you may even experience the sights
of dolphins hunting or whales blowing. 65 kilometres from Port Elizabeth you reach the the town of ' white gold' and ' the ultimate wave' - Jeffreys Bay.
You will only hear the words 'JBay' from professional surfers as they try to keep it secret. Jeffreys Bay is known as the mecca for squid fishing, hence the white gold, and the supertubes where winter time is the best for the ultimate wave, when the wind direction comes from inland. Here property is still way undervalued and many times a surfer has decided to stay and hence the cosmopolitan nature of this town! Further west you find Cape St. Frances, with its whitewashed houses and thatched roofs, before you drive into the Tsitsikamma Forest.
The warm Indian Ocean causes mild temperatures along the coast line, though during peak summer times 40 degrees Celsius is not out of the question. Winter times an average 10 degrees is the norm. The Tsitskamma Nature Reserve has excellent walking routes,stretching some 80 kilometres, though some can be dangerous for the inexperienced and a local guide is advisable.The deep river gorges and rapids is the playground for white water rafting and kayaking for adrenalin junkies.
Fishing is still excellent along this coast and in Nelson Mandela Bay,so is snorkelling and spearfishing that bags most of the national records from this area. Unpolished gems are Nature's Valley and the Langkloof.Nature's Valley lies in a hidden enclave along the sea, with only a few houses and little development.The locals will not encourage further development along this
unspoilt white beach.In the Langkloof time has stood still.
If you travel east from Port Elizabeth, you will see long stretches of white beaches,drive through dense bushy areas and reach the Coega area, a multibillion rand industrial development complex and deepwater port.If you turn inland, towards the Sundays River Valley, the best quality export citrus can be found, so too some of the best hunting farms in South Africa and getting a
Kudu trophy, the pride of the big buck in this region, is the ultimate! Visiting game farms, without the risk of malaria, is a big positive for this region.
It is here the culture of the people to provide you with a meal when you visit them.It is all hospitality with no hidden agenda.
Enjoy it !
Read further at : http://www.johannesburg-flight.com/
Tuesday, 25 September 2007
Sunday, 9 September 2007
Johannesburg-the gateway to the rainbow nation
South africa is known as the Rainbow Nation due to the complex variety of cultures,languages and tribes.Since The release of Nelson Mandela and the democratic elections of 1994, the country has risen as the leader of the African continent.Tourism is growing rapidly,but most of the world has not seen the real South Africa yet.
Flying into any of the major cities like Johannesburg,Cape Town,Durban and Port Elizabeth a whole new world opens up.South Africa is a country to visit all year round if you have the knowledge of the different regions.Flying into Johannesburg airport,now known as O.R.Tambo airport,the hub of the financial centre,one quickly notices the mixture of rich and impoverty.Johannesburg is the starting point to visit the excellent game farms and the Kruger National Park.
The best time for these visits are the winter months May ,June,July and August.The reason for this is mainly the lack of mosquitoes with a lower risk of malaria,the dry season that forces the animals to go to the watering holes and thus easier to spot.At the same time the temperatures are mild during day time,cold at night,but much more bearable than the 40 degree plus in summer time.Even the bushes an grass are at a shorter level,so wild animals can easily be seen.
Visiting Cape Town via a 2 hour flight from Johannesburg or with the luxury Blue Train,is best from end December to mid April,less tourists,less south easterly winds and incredible long sunny days.This is the best time to visit the wine growing regions like Stellenbosch,Paarl and Franschoek,the French Quarter.Shopping and dining is out of this world,due to the influence of the Indians,Malaysians,French and Dutch.The views from the top of Table Mountain across the bay and harbour (now the possession of an American syndicate) are exquisite.
From Cape Town a 2 hour flight takes you to Port Elizabeth,or a 8 hour non stop drive.The last can really be for a week or two as you will be driving along the most scenic part of the country,the Garden Route.Port Elizabeth is known as the 'windy city',but the locals will tell you a different story.Get out early at 6 in the morning onto the famous beaches untill 10 during summertime,and you will have perfect weather.This region is highly undervalued,due being the motor manufacturing hub of South Africa,especially Uitenhage,known as 'Beetle City',due to the presence of VW.Properties can still be snapped up for a fraction of the cost of the Western Cape along the coastline,although the beaches and weather along the Indian Ocean are far better than those along the cold Atlantic!
From Port Elizabeth a 2 hour flight takes you eastwards to Durban,the subtropical tourist paradise.Humidity can be high,but the pure beauty and cultural variety,make this a must visit in South Africa.Durban is considering putting in a bid for the next Olympic Games.This region has excellent coastlines,private game parks,national parks and a variety of cuisines.
For more info visit: http://www.johannesburg-flight.com/
I love travel and has covered most of South Africa's destinations over a period of 30 plus years.Now a UK citizen,dental surgeon and internet marketer as hobby.
Flying into any of the major cities like Johannesburg,Cape Town,Durban and Port Elizabeth a whole new world opens up.South Africa is a country to visit all year round if you have the knowledge of the different regions.Flying into Johannesburg airport,now known as O.R.Tambo airport,the hub of the financial centre,one quickly notices the mixture of rich and impoverty.Johannesburg is the starting point to visit the excellent game farms and the Kruger National Park.
The best time for these visits are the winter months May ,June,July and August.The reason for this is mainly the lack of mosquitoes with a lower risk of malaria,the dry season that forces the animals to go to the watering holes and thus easier to spot.At the same time the temperatures are mild during day time,cold at night,but much more bearable than the 40 degree plus in summer time.Even the bushes an grass are at a shorter level,so wild animals can easily be seen.
Visiting Cape Town via a 2 hour flight from Johannesburg or with the luxury Blue Train,is best from end December to mid April,less tourists,less south easterly winds and incredible long sunny days.This is the best time to visit the wine growing regions like Stellenbosch,Paarl and Franschoek,the French Quarter.Shopping and dining is out of this world,due to the influence of the Indians,Malaysians,French and Dutch.The views from the top of Table Mountain across the bay and harbour (now the possession of an American syndicate) are exquisite.
From Cape Town a 2 hour flight takes you to Port Elizabeth,or a 8 hour non stop drive.The last can really be for a week or two as you will be driving along the most scenic part of the country,the Garden Route.Port Elizabeth is known as the 'windy city',but the locals will tell you a different story.Get out early at 6 in the morning onto the famous beaches untill 10 during summertime,and you will have perfect weather.This region is highly undervalued,due being the motor manufacturing hub of South Africa,especially Uitenhage,known as 'Beetle City',due to the presence of VW.Properties can still be snapped up for a fraction of the cost of the Western Cape along the coastline,although the beaches and weather along the Indian Ocean are far better than those along the cold Atlantic!
From Port Elizabeth a 2 hour flight takes you eastwards to Durban,the subtropical tourist paradise.Humidity can be high,but the pure beauty and cultural variety,make this a must visit in South Africa.Durban is considering putting in a bid for the next Olympic Games.This region has excellent coastlines,private game parks,national parks and a variety of cuisines.
For more info visit: http://www.johannesburg-flight.com/
I love travel and has covered most of South Africa's destinations over a period of 30 plus years.Now a UK citizen,dental surgeon and internet marketer as hobby.
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