by admin | Dec 30, 2023 | Safari Tips
Introduction
South Africa, a land of breathtaking diversity and natural beauty, offers an unrivalled safari experience that beckons adventurers and nature enthusiasts from across the globe. The country’s vast wilderness, teeming with wildlife and rich in cultural heritage, presents an unforgettable adventure that is a must for any travel enthusiast. This blog post delves into the heart of South African safaris, highlighting the unique allure of this extraordinary experience.
The Magic of South African Landscapes
South Africa’s landscapes are as diverse as they are magnificent. From the rolling grasslands and dense bushveld of Kruger National Park to the arid deserts of the Kalahari, each region offers a distinct safari adventure. These landscapes not only provide a stunning backdrop for wildlife viewing but also contribute to the country’s rich biodiversity.
Kruger Safari: A World-Class Experience
Kruger National Park, a flagship of South African safaris, is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. This vast reserve, one of the largest game parks in Africa, is home to the iconic Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and buffaloes. A Kruger safari offers not just a glimpse but an immersion into the heart of African wildlife. The park’s extensive road network and range of accommodation options make it accessible to all types of travellers.
Beyond Kruger: Diversity of Wildlife
While Kruger is a jewel in South Africa’s safari crown, the country’s other national parks and game reserves, such as Addo Elephant National Park and Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, offer equally compelling wildlife experiences. These reserves boast unique ecosystems and wildlife, including cheetahs, hippos, and a myriad of bird species, providing a comprehensive view of South Africa’s natural heritage.
Cultural Richness and Historical Depth
South African safaris are not just about wildlife; they are also a journey through the country’s rich cultural tapestry. The region’s history, from ancient San rock art to colonial-era landmarks, adds layers of depth to the safari experience. Visitors can engage with local communities, learn about traditional ways of life, and understand the intricate relationship between the land and its people.
Sustainable Tourism and Conservation Efforts
South Africa is at the forefront of conservation and sustainable tourism. Safaris in South Africa are not only about appreciating wildlife but also about understanding the importance of conservation efforts. Many reserves and lodges actively participate in wildlife conservation, anti-poaching initiatives, and community upliftment programs.
Conclusion: Why South African Safaris Are a Must-Experience
A safari in South Africa is more than a vacation; it’s an expedition into the heart of nature, an educational journey, and a retreat into the wild. The combination of breathtaking landscapes, abundant wildlife, rich cultural heritage, and commitment to conservation makes South African safaris an unparalleled experience. Whether it’s your first safari or a return visit, the magic of South Africa’s wilderness is an enduring call to the wild that no traveller should miss.
Embark on a journey like no other, where the wild heart of Africa beats in unison with your spirit of adventure. Experience the extraordinary, the unforgettable, the soul-stirring – experience a South African safari.
by admin | Jan 7, 2014 | Tourism South Africa
Global travel industry predictions
Is there anyone that still travels without first doing their research on the Internet? I doubt it!
Websites like TripAdvisor, AirBNB and Booking.com are bringing travel right to the traveller’s doorstep.
I think in time most B&B, hotel and fixed tour reservations will be automated.
Is the travel agent dying a slow death?
Now this is where the picture gets interesting. When talking luxury 5 star tours and safaris, guests would much more likely make use of a travel booking agent than just buying something off the Internet, but they are still very well-informed customers.
Personalised travel services does seem to have a place after all
It’s completely possible to put your itinerary together at a discounted price, but to be honest, who (in the upper echelons of income) has time these days to sift through countless websites that present very similar offers?
Let a friendly travel agent put it all together for you!
No, this is not an ad. I can attest. I was stuck in Thailand trying to get a flight out of Krabi during their New Year Festival of Water and after spending countless hours of failed attempts online I just phoned our travel agent who had our tickets booked within an hour.
So DIY is not always DIY after all. The more complicated your itinerary the more likely you’ll need a travel agent…
In South Africa it’s no different. There is fierce competition on all inbound tourism and it’s not likely to change soon. I think the big global players mentioned above has made an impact on the local market putting some companies out of business, but it’s for the greater good of tourism to South Africa. Many were fly-by-nights that just couldn’t afford to stick things out (in some cases, sad stories).
Luckily there are many great travel operators still left in South Africa.
by africagirl | Apr 30, 2010 | Uncategorized
The most outstanding and independently vetted safari lodges, camps and hotels in Africa are going to be honoured at the 2010 Good Safari Guide (GSG) Awards to be held at the Indaba at the Hilton Ballroom in Durban on Friday, May 7 2010.
Safari specialists, tour operators, agents and travel journalists were invited to nominate camps, lodges and hotels that they believe offer the best safari experience. The finalists will compete in categories including: Best Safari Property Africa, Best Safari Property Southern Africa, Best Safari Hotel, Best Ecological Safari Property, Best Safari Cuisine, Best African Tourism Board and Traveller’s Choice.
The panel of judges consists of highly respected independent and experienced tour operators. To see a full list of the nominees and to check out the judges, visit the Good Safari Guide website.
by africagirl | Feb 14, 2010 | Uncategorized
The Zulu men and women of KwaZulu-Natal have always been renowned for making colourful and intricate beaded creations.
These unique and beautiful trinkets are not just limited to jewellery. With great dexterity and skill, the Zulus can create almost anything out of bead, thread or wire. Apart from ornate necklaces, earrings, bangles and ankle bracelets, artisans also construct beaded bowls, cups, baskets, handbags, entire garments, sculptures and even… love letters.
Long before westerners turned to greeting card companies to communicate their love to a special person on Valentine’s Day, Zulu maidens have been following in the footsteps of their ancestors by spelling out their love with tiny seed beads. These missives, officially known as Ibheqe but typically sold as souvenirs to tourists under the appealing name of ‘Zulu Love Letters’, are rectangular beaded flaps attached to a narrow beaded band that is worn around the neck as a necklace. For tourists’ ‘sakes, the flap is sometimes attached to a safety pin and attached to a card on which the meaning of the Love Letter is explained.
All the different coloured beads used in the Love Letter have specific meanings – much like a special code or an unspoken language. Traditionally, a Zulu maiden would carefully select the colours to send a particular message to the unmarried young man who is the object of her affection. Each colour can have positive or negative connotations, so she could sometimes even use it to express anger or frustration.
Therefore black beads used in the Love Letter can either signify marriage and regeneration; or sorrow, despair or death. Blue beads could mean that she is requesting something, possibly his fidelity. On the flip side, it could also signal a feeling of hostility towards him. Yellow means health, fertility; or, negatively: thirst, badness and withering away. In this instance, red also means love and passion. On the other hand, red beads could also spell out anger, heartache or impatience. White – the colour code for spiritual love, purity and virginity – is the only colour in the Zulu Love Letter beaded language that has no negative implication.
Zulu maidens combine the colours in various ways to express a certain sentiment. Although many intricately beaded patterns are used, the main shape used in all Zulu Love Letters is the triangle. In the Zulu culture, the triangles found in beaded Zulu Love Letters have various meanings. The three corners of the shape symbolise father, mother and child. An inverted triangle signifies the unfulfilled male principle (i.e. an unmarried man). If the apex points downwards, it implies the unmarried female. If it is the shape of two triangles joined along the base to form a diamond, it means that a woman is ‘complete’ or married. (Yes, the Zulus add much value to marriage. Once married, you immediately have status in the community, therefore it is something that young people are encouraged to aspire to.) If the two triangles are positioned in such a way in that it meets at the apexes (like an hourglass) it means that a man is married.
Yet no matter how carefully one tries to interpret the meaning of the colours and shapes, the true meaning of a Zulu Love Letter is often obscured by the many proverbs and imagery of the spoken Zulu language and culture. Luckily no understanding is required in order to enjoy and appreciate such an artfully created, hand-crafted object. Whether on a safety pin or as a necklace, Zulu Love Letters make truly wonderful gifts and will serve as a lasting memento of your visit to a very special place.
by africagirl | Dec 11, 2009 | Uncategorized
This is the tale of how the Rhinoceros got his horn:
The rhinoceros was given his name because of the horn on his nose, but he did not always have this horn. He was once known as the simoneos, or flat-nosed-one, and he would snuffle his way along the ground eating the sweet grasses of the African savannah and letting the pretty birds sit on his back and eat the fat ticks behind his ears.
One day the simoneos was having a dust bath when the boa constrictor, Bo, came slithering along the path to visit him. Bo told him of the trouble in the animal kingdom. The king of all animals, Leo the lion, had eaten a hyena which had drunk the poisoned waters of the pool of Sowe. He was very ill and nothing could help him.
The simoneos was certain that there must be something that will help the king as he was still young and strong. Bo assured him that there was only one cure – tea made from the leaves of the bulewo plant. That plant only grows when the rains fall, and there had been no rain for months.
As he slept, the simoneos had a strange dream. In this dream, all the birds who always sat behind his ears and ate the ticks, whispered: “We can help you if you can help us!”
When he woke, the old and wise Strix, the shriek-owl, came forward and told Simoneos that, since he had for so many seasons allowed the birds to rest behind his ears and eat the ticks behind them, the birds wanted to thank him by making him a hero in the animal kingdom.
The birds settled on his spade-like nose and Simoneos flung them right up into the air to a height they could not reach by simply flying.
The birds soon resembled tiny ants in the sky as the strong nose and neck of Simoneos sent the birds higher than they had ever gone before. A whirring noise, like the winds in the north, broke the silence. The birds were flapping their wings while performing one great dance in the sky. Huge dark clouds hung over the savannah. Then the rains started.
The plants began to sprout and Bo squeezed some of the fresh leaves from the saplings and gave them to Simoneos so that he could use it to make the medicinal tea for the ailing king. The miracle tea cured the king and he soon sat up to speak to all those present.
He asked Simoneos to tell his story. He did, remembering to mention his good friends, Bo, Strix and all the birds, and how they had all played a part in helping to cure the king.
The king rewarded Simoneos by giving him a huge diamond. Simoneos put it onto his spade-like nose to carry it home, but – as if by magic – the diamond just stuck on the end, like a unicorn’s horn.
Simoneos discovered that he could use his new horn for all sorts of useful things, because it was so hard and strong, and the pretty birds could sit on it too! He was given a new name – Rhinoceros – which means ‘horn on your nose’. And that is how the Rhinoceros got his horn.
So, if you ever see a rhino charging, you must get right out of his way. For all we know, he may be trying to save the King again!
by africagirl | Dec 7, 2009 | Uncategorized
As the kick-off for the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup approaches, the excitement is already mounting. Fans are whipping out the face paint, buying vuvuzelas and warming up their vocal cords in preparation for the first South African Soccer World Cup. At the speed with which tickets are already being sold, it is clear that stadiums will be filled to capacity, so guests should prepare themselves for the experience of a lifetime of unforgettable soccer moments and brace themselves for fans’ ear-deafening passion.
A fluffy, young leopard with a wide smile and green dreadlocks is hardly the animal tourists will expect to encounter on the African continent when visiting South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup. But that very creature, named Zakumi, will be impossible to miss. Word has it that he plans to captivate all visitors to the FIFA 2010 stadiums with his confidence, charm, enthusiasm and uniquely African spirit.
For 40 years, every FIFA World Cup tournament around the world has had its own unique mascot. The first was a lion called World Cup Willie. Willie was the mascot for the 1966 event, hosted by England.
Zakumi, the mascot for the South African 2010 FIFA World Cup, was born on 16 June 1994. This extraordinary leopard seems to already have a bit of a reputation. FIFA has described Zakumi as being “the first on the dance floor and last off it at the biggest party in the world”. But he is far more than just a party animal. With his self-confidence, pride, hospitality, social skills and warm heart, he embodies South Africa and the rest of the African continent.
So what’s the story behind his green dreads? A source has told us that Zakumi has been dyeing his dreadlocks green in order to be camouflaged against the green of the football pitch.
A witty extrovert with a hunger for adventure and football, Zakumi has already travelled the globe: riding on an open-top bus through Luxembourg, joining Spain’s national team at a training session in Brussels, and – of course – visiting every corner of South Africa to drum up excitement ahead of the first soccer World Cup to be played on the African continent.
The spirit of the World Cup is indescribable, transforming front and back yards into impromptu stadiums and streets into carnivals. The passion of South African spectators has already enveloped the country, creating hype like no other. A combination of hysteria, tears, laughter and joy are bound to ensue as the FIFA World Cup finally reaches African soil in 2010. All South Africans are sure to become mascots in their own right, and coupled with Zakumi, to delight both foreign and local visitors.
by africagirl | Dec 4, 2009 | Uncategorized
As the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup finally reaches the African continent, thousands of passionate fans are sure to follow, bringing with them the hopes of victory and all their misconceptions regarding the country’s offerings.
Any one asked to comment on South Africa is quick to mention rich landscapes, thick bush and awe inspiring wildlife. Although rightly so (after all, South Africa does have all these things), visitors often fail to recognise the depth of what the country has to offer.
Gold, the world’s first heart transplant, Nobel peace prize holders, wine routes, an enormous man-made hole and Retinal Cryoprobe are just a few other important elements making up this diverse, vibrant and passionate country.
As the producer of almost half the gold in the world, South Africa is a world leader in gold and diamonds, proving that it is a diamond in the rough, fraught with possibility.
Few people realise the medical expertise the country has housed. Some notable South African medical professionals include Dr. Chris Barnard, who successfully completed the world’s first heart transplant in 1967, and Dr. Percy Amolis, who invented the Retinal Cryoprobe used successfully on former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to repair a detached retina. That same type of surgery was also used to successfully remove a cataract from Nelson Mandela’s eye, enabling the former president to – for the first time – read a speech without glasses.
In addition, South Africa is the only country in the world to have two Nobel Peace prize winners from the same region. When they won their awards, both former president Mandela and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu lived in Soweto, a township situated near Johannesburg.
South Africa also boasts the largest man-made hole and the longest wine route in the world.
So next time South Africa enters the topic board, one should dig deeper and consider the country’s other hidden talents, beyond the bush. Many would be surprised to discover South Africa’s other “wild” achievements.
by africagirl | Nov 30, 2009 | Uncategorized
As the Fifa 2010 Soccer World Cup approaches, hoards of dedicated fans from around the world are sure to descend upon the African continent’s Southern tip, South Africa. They’ll be laden with loads of luggage, sunscreen and expectations.
Despite the worldwide hype surrounding Fifa World Cup, many teenagers are still quick to turn up their noses at the prospect of having to endure an African holiday away from civilisation, with only family and wildlife as company. After all, it is considered “social suicide” to spend time with one’s own family, away from the excitement and hustle and bustle of city life.
Few realise the huge diversity offered by this country and the excitement it presents, not only in the game reserve but also in our cities, brimming with fast paced action, entertainment and extravagance.
Johannesburg, or ‘Jozi’ as it’s more commonly known, is without a doubt the great big beating heart of South Africa. It is the biggest city in South Africa and has the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Not only does Johannesburg offer riveting night life, it also offers visitors’ trendy suburbs like Parktown and Norwood, with restaurant-lined avenues – catering to the dining and décor set – and the extensive malls of Sandton, all combining to make the city a great place to be.
Cape Town, or the Mother City, is described as the city which merges historic architecture, breathtaking natural beauty and modernity. It attracts hoards of visitors yearly, all drawn by the myriad of things to do, see and experience. Framed by the world renowned Table Mountain, Cape Town is said to possess a form of magic, compelling visitors to return time and time again.
A relaxed holiday filled with spectacular scenery, wildlife and exhilarating game drives, coupled with the fast-paced metropolitan sophistication of South Africa’s biggest cities, will create a get-away sure to satisfy even the harshest of family critics, truly offering the best of both worlds.
by africagirl | Nov 27, 2009 | Uncategorized
The Zululand coastal plane is home to a wide array of bird species. The province has proven to be the most diverse part of South Africa regarding bird life.
Often overshadowed by the infamous “Big Five”, the beauty of bird life is regularly overlooked. But with their exquisite feathers and their big part in the local Zulu culture, they are valued members of the African wildlife family.
The Bateleur Eagle, also known as the rocker and acrobat, sweeps through the sky, displaying spectacular acrobatic skills. Its vivid black and white feathers, accented by its red face and feet, adorn the sky. The Bateleur Eagle, when seen in unusual numbers, is thought to bring war and is thus feared among the local Zulus.
Another bird said to bring misfortune is the Ground Hornbill, a strange turkey-like bird which is believed by the local Zulus to be the bird of execution. The locals believe killing the bird will disrupt the elements and cause the destruction of homes by lightning or floods.
The Burchell’s Coucal, however, is a welcome sight, acting as the local weather forecaster. The Coucal predicts the weather and indicates imminent rainfall through his liquid bubbling call. According to the locals, if the bird’s call tumbles down the scales, the weather will be fine; but if the scale ascends, then rain is bound to follow.
The Litany Bird, also known as the Fiery-Necked Nightjar – exquisite with its shades of grey and brown – was in early years referred to as the “goatsucker”. Since the bird showed no other means of survival, locals believed it suckled goat’s milk at night, when nobody was looking.
Closely observed, the local bird life of KwaZulu-Natal is fascinating, not only due to their intricate beauty, but also due to the mirage of local folk lore that surrounds these delicate creatures.
So next time one fervently searches the bush for a glimpse of a lion or leopard, why not take a moment to notice the little creatures that hide among the trees?
by africagirl | Nov 23, 2009 | Uncategorized
‘Shade’ and ‘oxygen’ are usually the first two words that pop to mind when one mentions trees. However, the word ‘tree’ has much more meaning for some, such as the local Zulus of the KwaZulu-Natal region. For decades, the Zulus have used the local vegetation for practical, spiritual and even medicinal purposes.
Medicine, coffee, perfume, marriage and fever are not typically associated with trees, but those are just a few of the uses the trees provide for the locals.
The Transvaal Saffron’s bark is often used by the Zulu and Tsonga people for dyeing and tanning and also medicinally for stomach cramps, body pain, menstruation, acne and infections.
The Weeping Boer-bean with its bright red flowers and corpus nectar provided Boers in the early trekking days with a coffee substitute. They used the roasted beans inside the pods of the tree as an alternate caffeine boost.
The Tamboti tree offers a different use, providing locals with a pleasantly scented “dangerous” fragrance. The sandalwood-like scent is of dangerous origin, because the sawdust, smoke and sap of the tree are poisonous and can be deadly, and should therefore be handled with care.
Successful marriages are attributed to the infamous Marula tree which, according to the Zulu culture, represents fertility and is used as a cleansing ritual before marriage. In order to ensure the preferred sex of a married couple’s child, the pregnant woman drinks a concoction made from the bark of a male or female tree.
Previously less welcomed by the local Zulus, is the Fever tree, which was thought to be the reason many European adventurers and travellers who camped in Fever tree vicinities, died from high fever. Years later, it was revealed that their deaths were in fact caused by the malaria-carrying mosquito which also frequents Fever tree populated areas. Today, locals actually use the trees bark to reduce fever and for treating eye complaints.
These beliefs and cures held so dear by the locals are often slammed as outdated, mythical and unrealistic. However, if the properties of the vegetation prove true, imagine how much time and money they could save us? If true, it could offer free medicine, perfume, fertility treatment and even marriage counselling. Therefore one should perhaps admire the locals and their resourcefulness, and question whether we with our western-held beliefs are not possibly the ones in need of a revamp.
