How to hire a car while in South Africa

South Africa is a country that truly abounds in breathtaking natural wonders. During your visit to this exquisite rainbow nation, it would be worthwhile to take leave from the bustles of city excitement; and head for the country’s most treasured natural wonders in the hinterland. Whether it be assimilating the majestic tranquility of the Drakensberg range, imbibing the natural remedy of a hot water spring, marvelling at the enchanting carpet of naturally blooming flowers; relishing the magical display of whales; or distilling the simultaneous spectacle of two oceans, the choice is all yours. While numerous guided tours can enable you to sample the gracious wonders of South Africa, a rented car gives you the unmeasured hassle-free liberty to capture South Africa’s replenishing beauty and bounteousness.  

When renting a car in South Africa, endeavour to establish the credibility of the car rental company. Ensure that you fully understand the car rental company’s insurance and supplementary insurance policy. If you maintain an insurance policy that is valid outside your area of residence, present proof of that to the car hire company. If travelling with the car beyond the national boundary of South Africa, request a letter of authorisation from the car rental company. Present your international driving licence, complete the necessary form and leave your credit card imprint. For information sake only, some of the credible car hire companies in South Africa include the following:

justcarhire.co.za, budget.economybookings, europcar.co.za, southafricacarrentals.net, htirentacar.com, bookingcar.com, travelocar.com, arguscarhire.com, justcarhire.co.za, and more.

Remember that driving in South Africa is on the left hand side of the road; and the steering is positioned on the right side of the car. Unlimited mileage may be a more attractive option for your car rental deal; but check conditions associated with that particular alternative. Verify the mechanical health of the car before you set off; and ensure that your petrol tank is topped up. Don’t forget to acquire a clear map of the area you are driving too. Your spare tire and wheel spanner should be handy. Enjoy your liberal exploration of South Africa.

The most amazing tours in Cape Town not to be missed

Cape Town is endowed with a stunning spectrum of cultural, floral, botanical, animal, maritime, shoreline, picturesque, historical and contemporary wonders. Some of its compelling marvels include its diverse people and their colourful history, the spectacular table mountain; impressive Cape of Good Hope nature reserve; table mountain’s gorgeous animals, its enchanting atlantic seaboard with pristine beaches; spectacular topographic and scenic routes, blissful history and its thrilling blend of nature and modernity. 

While some of these wonders are within easy reach, your legs alone would not suffice to put you in close range with all these irresistible marvels; and thus you may resort to well planed, excellently fine-tuned and properly executed day tours to almost all of these wonders. Cultural tours would put you in touch with the vibrancy of the lives of indigenous people; and the story of their daily battles with life. Cape Point tours would enable you to capture Cape Town’s scenic and maritime panorama. Tours to the magnificent vineyards in Stellenbosch would allow your appreciation of the spirit of visionary enterprise. 

A tour to Kirstenbosch botanical gardens reveals the merits of one of the world’s most captivating botanical paradise. A cable car ride to table mountain places you at the summit of the most embellishing city décor in the world. A boat expedition to robben Isand presents the gift of the human spirit, where Nelson Mandela battled with suppression for more than two decades. All these wonders render Cape Town a place that can nourish the vividness of your imagination; and restores your biological, mental and spiritual integrity. 

Some of the most credible executors of day tours in Cape Town include: carlouistours.co.za; lekkercamper.co.za; ashtonstours.com; toursbylocals.com, ourincapetown.com, capeadventurezone.com, cape-xtreme.com, ecotourism.org, selfhelpafrica.org, mytours.co.za, milebymile.co.za, snapshot-tours.co.za. This listing is for information purposes only. Therefore, you are encouraged to explore the unique offerings of each of these tour operations, in order to determine whether they speak the language that settles your dreams. Enjoys these amazing tours.

How to find cheap hotels in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is the capital city of the Western Cape region of South Africa. The city is one of the most captivating visitor destinations in Africa. The charisma of this breathtaking city is hard to withstand; with its awesome cityscape, refreshing environs and colourful people. Indeed, the city of Cape Town is considered to be one of the most geographically privileged cities in the world, due to the spectacular table mountain in its backdrop.

Cape Town offers a wealthy spectrum of accommodation options; from the most pampering five-star deluxe, to basic accommodation for the carefree traveller. Whatever your specific holiday accommodation requirement , Cape Town can be trusted to fulfill your expectations with utmost cordiality, so that you can capitalise in making the best of your holiday. You can be assured that Cape Town offers the complete variety of accommodation possibilities; including: five-star deluxe, standard hotels, cheap hotels, very cheap hotels, special deal hotels, guest houses, lodges, apartments, bed and breakfast, backpackers, etc. If you are uncertain about the prospects of quickly securing your preferred accommodation in Cape, you may seek the assistance of Cape Town Tourism, the city of Cape Town’s official visitor bureau. This is a credible and reliable travel information Centre; and a platform that assembles all the tourism and tourism-related businesses in Cape Town and its environs. Therefore, they are very well placed to find your precise accommodation for you. They can be contacted by e-mail at: info@capetown.travel.

Nonetheless, there are also a considerable variety of credible and professional tourism service providers, who should be able to carefully find suitable accommodation for you in Cape Town. Amongst such reliable tourism services providers can be mentioned the following: hotelium.com,

mydestination.com, luxuryretreats.com, housetrip.com, mydestination.com, agoda.com, hotels.com, hotelclub.com, lastminute.com, tripbase.com, hotelsio.com, bookit.com; etc.

Good luck with finding your suitable accommodation in Cape Town; and have a rewarding holiday.

International flights to South Africa

South Africa is an enchanting country situated in the Southern most part of the African continent. This charismatic bubbling nation is Africa’s most cherished economic treasure; and one of the most breathtaking destinations in the world; with its impressive spectrum of spectacular cultural and natural wonders.  

Each year, tens of millions of international holiday makers privilege South Africa, as their preferred tourist destination, rendering it the most visited tourist destination in Africa. South Africa possesses excellent airport infrastructure, in par with international standards. The country boasts three world-class international airports; comprising: The Johannesburg international airport; the Cape Town international airport and the Durban international airport. The Johannesburg international airport is the busiest and major gateway to South Africa, with countless daily international departures and arrivals, covering all the four cardinal points of the world.  

Some of the most popular international airlines servicing South African international airports are as follows: South African Airways, British Airways, United, Comair, Lufthansa, Air New Zealand, British Midland, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, KLM Royal Dutch, KL, Cathay Pacific Airways, Emirates, Delta Airlines, TAP Portugal, Crossair, Ethiopian Airlines, American Airlines, All Nippon Airways, Iberia, Qantas Airways, LAM Mozambique, Qatar Airways, Air India, Turkish Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Finnair, Air France, Austrian Airlines, Air Mauritius etc. 

For flight schedules and low cost or discounted airfares to South Africa, please consult competent travel agents and other ticket booking platforms such as: lowfares.com, farespotters.com, momondo.com; cheaptravelhunter.com, economytravel.com, edreams.com, jetradar.com, expedia.com, lastminute.com; and a multitude of other credible cheap air ticket avenues. Whether you are travelling from Europe, USA, Canada, Latin America, Asia, the Oceanic or from elsewhere in Africa, you are bound to find cheap flights or cheap airline tickets for travel to South Africa. Have a safe and ecstatic journey to South Africa.

Soweto- The most vibrant local community in Johannesburg, South Africa

Soweto is a thriving indigenous community, located in the outskirts of Johannesburg in South Africa. Witnessing the marvelling audacity and indomitable spirit of Soweto Township is a truly edifying and memorable experience. Soweto is characterised by friendship, vibrancy and sharp contrasts. It’s a land that had withstood institutional oppression and systematic intimidation, to champion and foster the vigorous and unrelenting quest for civil liberties and fundamental freedoms. It’s a land where the reprehensible impact of apartheid was most intense; and also where sustained momentum to topple the regime most endured.

Highlights of any tour to Soweto include the Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital, the largest hospital in the Southern hemisphere; taxi ranks, multi-shops and traditional healers. Equally rewarding is a visit to a squatter camp or informal settlement, where one can acquire local art and craft items. Other important highlights include the following:

Freedom Square is where the People’s Bill or Right, known as the ‘Freedom Charter’, was finalised and agreed upon.

Nelson Mandela’s formal home is a four-room small house, which has now been transformed into a museum. Just a stone thrown from Nelson Mandela’s home is the formal home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who was also a prominent warrior against the apartheid regime. Nelson Mandela’s formal home in this area is one of the most visited sites in the country.

The Lion Park in Johannesburg, South Africa

The Lion Park is beautifully nestled in proximity to Lanseria Airport and Fourways, quickly reachable from both Johannesburg and Pretoria.  The park contains a wide assortment of predators and large herbivores native to South Africa. The park covers an area of 2 km² (500 acres); and is home to more than 80 lions, including the rare white lions, in conjunction with numerous other carnivores, such as cheetah, wild dog, brown spotted hyena and back backed jackal. Also residing in the park is a broad variety of free roaming antelopes, which inhabit a designated antelope area. Other species which dwell in the antelope area include blesbok, gnu, impala, gemsbok and zebra.

Visitors have an opportunity to interact with some of the animals in the ‘Cub World’ area. A giraffe feeding platform puts you at eye level with the tame resident giraffe, creating a thrilling and unprecedented experience for everyone. The hugely popular cub interaction allows guests to touch the cubs and take photographs.

South African attractions-Johannesburg Botanical Gardens and Emmarentia Dam

The Johannesburg stunning Botanical Gardens are situated on the western shores of the popular Emmarentia Dam, only 6km (4ml) from the central business district. The park contains recreational open space conducive for an assortment of outdoor leisurely activities, such as walking a dog, riding a bicycle, jogging or simply taking a relaxed and refreshing promenade within its setting. 

This admirable 81ha botanical wonder is set in the midst of three dams, which were established in 1866, approximately the same time that the park was also pioneered.

The park boasts an amazing collection of 30.000 trees; among them, exotic species such as oaks, redwoods and birches; alongside a wide variety of indigenous species.

In the northern part of the park, the formal gardens feature terraced ponds and fountains; while the 4 500 rose bushes enable an awesome summer display in the Shakespearean garden. The herb garden contains plants of medicinal, culinary and cosmetic value.

The succulent garden, which may be visited only by appointment, boasts about 2 500 species. Indigenous vegetation is encouraged in the reed beds and Highveld grassland areas.

In the north-east of the garden, the dam provides opportunities for water sports, such as canoeing and sailing of small boats. Bird species include geese, dabchicks, moorhens and other waterfowls.

Events of frequent occurrence in the park include wedding parties, photography and picnics. In summer, the park also hosts open air musical concerts, which have proven to be of tremendous popularity.

South African attractions -The Origins Centre in Johannesburg

The Origins Centre is located in the Wedge at Yale Road in Johannesburg; and is operated in partnership with the University of Witwatersrand’s archaeological department. Significant archaeological materials have revealed time and time again that Africa is the cradle of humanity, or the mother of mankind. Credible and compelling scientific data testifies that, the Homo sapiens species, which humans comprise, sprang in Africa; and later spread to other parts of the planet. The museum is therefore entirely dedicated to exploring and celebrating the emergence, history and subsequent evolution of humanity. Through a well executed fusion of avant-garde technology and creative vision, the sequential structure of the museum enables visitors to get a glimpse into the complex and sometimes mysterious history of mankind.

The museum commences with an exploration of the origin of Homo sapiens; and provides a structured and persuasive hypothesis on how humans spread from Africa to the rest of the world.

The second section of the museum covers the evolution of art, symbolism, technology and language in Africa. Exhibitions, film, holograms and touch screens, coupled with narratives, spotlight the heritage of the San people (Bushman), whose genetic DNA print has been linked to the early Homo sapiens (160 000 years ago). Much is illustrated as regards the rock art, ancient tools, belief systems and significant spiritual dances of the San people.

The exploration highlights the destruction of the fascinating and diverse Southern African rock art traditions by foreign elements, and terminates more positively with the rediscovery of these ancient masterpieces in the contemporary world. On display is an extensive collection of rock art from the Witwatersrand University Art Research Institute. Exhibitions at the museum demonstrate how our understanding of human evolution has been enhanced by genetic testing.