What type of a tourist are you?

When people think of a tourist, they picture a camera poised-Japanese tour bus going past Camps Bay beach or a safari truck bumping away through the Kruger National Park. But if you think about it, there are many types of tourists, and South Africa can offer a host of options for your next trip. To give you an idea, we have the following popular options other than leisure tourism:

Health / medical tourism

The first thought you have when a doctor says that you have to have an operation, is not going to be about going on a holiday! But once the shock of it wears off, and plans start taking shape, you realise that not only does South Africa have some of the best medical care in the world, but recovering would be so much easier in a stress free environment.

Adventure tourism

Sight seeing is great – you get to see stunning things around the country including wild-life in game parks, the expansive ocean, mountain ranges and pass massive deserts. But how about stopping to make more of these sights – how about walking with the lions, diving with the sharks, diving the wrecks, bungy jumping off dizzying mountains and quad biking in the Namib! South Africa is the place to be ultimately adventurous. We dare you.

M.I.C.E

All work and no play? M.I.CE tourism is becoming increasingly popular. The acronym stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions. All of these work activities are found around South Africa. People love SA as a destination as its different and offers world class facilities. Not many people can turn down a presentation followed by drinks watching the African sunset.

So whether you are the type of person to hire a car from a local cape town company or need unlimited mileage for your trip, possibly want to go on the best adventure of your life, need a nose job or simply want to impress clients, South Africa is beckoning.

Friends in high places

I was back in Cape Town a few days ago, and decided to get the best view again – the birds eye view!  We chartered a small plane as a friend of mine has his PPL and we took an awesome trip from Stellenbosch airport.  We went from Stellenbosch to Bloubergstrand, Robben Eiland, Green Point up to Hout Bay, Noordhoek then to Muizenberg and back to Stellenbosch.  We thought it would be a bumpy ride, but not at all!  There was a slight breeze and the skies were absolutely clear.

Once we got back to the ground, we got back into our hired car and drove to the V&A Waterfront to get onto a Robben Island ferry tour!  The sea was choppy as the wind was picking up which made for a fun trip over (some people were very green)

Overall, an amazing day in Cape Town which we will have to do again soon.  When last were we up Table Mountain?

Great guesthouses in Cape Town

Visiting Cape Town? Stay in Noordhoek, in the centre of the Cape Peninsula. It’s the perfect base from which to explore the Cape. Peaceful and secure, but just 30 minutes drive or less from just about everything you’re going to want to see or do in Cape Town – Table Mountain, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch, Boulder’s Beach etc. Accommodation is much less expensive than the better known seaside suburbs of Camp’s Bay, Clifton or the V&A Waterfront.

The next big American soap opera

I like America – the people are nice, the country is large enough to tour for a while and there are plenty of things to see and do.  America reminds me of a cousin of mine – she is good looking and fun to talk to, but the problem is that she was an only child, and constantly seeks attention from everyone around her by trying to better what the last person said.

America and Americans have always been there, but I guess they became a blockbuster on September 11! Ever since then, they have been creating more and more of their very own “country soap opera”.  We had Bin Laden, international man of havoc, not only one, but TWO wars raged on other countries, a really stupid president being voted in AGAIN (huh?), hurricanes and the ridiculous response, an economic meltdown, a black vs. female presidential campaign, Californian fires, and today I see that the economic meltdown is back in the papers.

We have all seen the papers and television and other media, and know all about these American issues – but could America even point out South Africa on a map?  The thing that is affecting the whole world more than ever is the “economic meltdown”.  In my personal view, the only reason that this is now a panic is because the rich may not be rich anymore.  Africa has been poor for many years and all the “rich” countries have sent over rice – “big deal, the poor can stay poor.” – difference is that their own greed has now caught up with them.  Lets send them some rice.

As an onlooker from South Africa into the American problems, my suggestion is that you get off your soapbox and take some responsibility.  You can learn a lesson from South Africa!

A little info about a country called South Africa

This may come as a surprise to some people (even really smart one’s like Sarah Palin), that South Africa is a country.  An actual full size country – and guess where its located?  Yes, some of you may have guessed it (beauty contestants excluded), its nowhere near “the Iraq”, its in the south (bottom) of Africa (it’s the continent in the middle of the map, if you can find one)

South Africa is a country made up of nine provinces: The Eastern Cape, The Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, The Northern Cape, North West and The Western Cape

Tourists love this country for many reasons:
The Big Five: elephant, lion, rhinoceros, buffalo and leopard
The Little Five (less popular, but interesting to see): elephant shrew, ant lion, rhinoceros beetle, buffalo weaver and leopard tortoise

We are home to some of the world’s most famous and loved people including Mandela (Madiba) and Miriam Makeba (Mama Africa).

Our national anthem is called Nkosi sikelel’, the national animal is a springbok and the national flower is the King Protea.

This was just a very quick lesson in South Africa, and we will continue to bring you more information about our stunning country.

The penny holiday

Its important to save as much as you can on your holiday.  Not only will you come out having more value for your money, but you will be happier to come back the next time.  At the moment, South Africa is a great destination because of the exchange rate.  But even there, you can end up overspending.
 
My advise on getting the best out of your holiday would be the following tips.
 
-  Travel in a group of 4
Getting two couples together to go on holiday is generally going to be the most cost-effective way to travel.  You can split costs four-ways, and often get a discount for booking four instead of one or two.
 
-  Go to the backpackers hostel, and get a suite
Hotels are great – but also expensive.  Instead of looking for a costly hotel, rather take a look for a bed and breakfast or even a backpackers hostel.  Many people think that backpackers places are only for poor travel students – but we disagree.  Often they have double rooms with an en-suite at a fraction of the price of a hotel room.  Whats even better is that you get to meet far more interesting people at these locations.  This is the area you can save most of your money. 
 
-  Stay central to the sites you want to see
By jumping around the country, you are going to quickly rack up the costs in airfares, new accommodation, new car rental, etc.  Rather choose a town that is central to most of the activities you would like to do.  Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg all have more than enough to do for ages.  Stick to one at a time, instead of flying back and forth – in other words, plan carefully!
 
-  Ask locals for advise where to eat
The locals know where the best places are to eat in terms of quality and price.  When the concierge gives advise, its usually based on the best places in town – which means the most expensive.  Our suggestion is that you try the locals’ restaurants, and these will definitely give you far more value for your money.  And remember that you don’t always have to eat out – go to the local supermarket and there is an array of food to choose from.
 
-  Car Rental and SATNAV
Shop around on the internet to find your vehicle and book it before getting to South Africa.  There are car rental discounters or local car rental firms that offer a good car hire solution.  You don’t have to go with the fanciest vehicle – stick to a standard car like the B group, this will have all the necessities of air-con and power-steering, and wont cost a fortune.  The longer you take a vehicle, the less the daily rate becomes, so again, plan carefully that you do not have to chop-and-change all the time.  You can hire a GPS / SATNAV before you leave the UK
 
-  Dont always bargain hunt
Strange way to end this blog!  There is a saying in Afrikaans – “goedkoop is duurkoop”.  Translated, this means that “buying cheap is expensive”.  You have to be sensible, and not always go for the absolute cheapest option – as this option is usually cheap for a reason.  It will probably leave out things that you really want to do or see, and then when you end up regretting not paying the little extra, you have to go re-pay to do everything!  So enjoy your holiday, be sensible, plan carefully and do what you want to do.

Obama

Well done Barack Obama!  Now you can teach America where South Africa is.

Seize the holiday

If anybody from the United Kingdom wants to know the best time to visit South Africa, the time is definitely NOW!  When I say now, I don’t mean in two months time… I mean NOW, as in THIS week.  Honestly, this is the best time. At the moment, airlines such as BA and SAA are competing heavily to get people to travel, your vehicle hire from companies like Wise Wheels and Click Car Hire are better than during December when all the cars and hotels like Southern Sun and Cape Town Lodge are fully booked.

Camps Bay, Clifton, Hout Bay at the moment are not over-packed but you still have the advantage of the great weather.  If you are touring, organize a SATNAV.

At the moment you have the advantage of a world economic slump, so people will be far more willing to give grand specials, and with the Pound being so strong against the Rand, this will be a bargain. 

Even thought the currency is great for the Brits at the moment, we would still suggest a relaxed holiday and not a lavish expensive one – we find you will get far more value if you stay in Bed & Breakfasts, drive a normal vehicle and eat in average restaurants!  You can of course go for the luxury options and stay in Llandudno,  eat at the Mount Nelson and drive a luxury vehicle.  Up to you, as long as you enjoy.

SA Pride

Got this from a friend in New Zealand. They are going to wear their Sprinbok emblems on 1 December.

The message is as follows:

On 1 December 2008, the residents of South Africa are planning to stand up in silent protest against the political interference in the issue over the Springbok emblem. On this day we ask all of you to wear your hat, blanket, jersey,t-shirt, cap, scarf, pants, gloves or underwear with the Springbok emblem on it. Whether it is to work, school, church or even parliament,as long as the emblem can be seen.

Send this email to all South Africans who live in the country so that they may take part on the 1 December 08.

Whatever you do, REMEMBER, 1 DECEMBER 2008, IS THE DAY ON WHICH YOU CAN TAKE PART IN A COUNTRY WIDE PROTEST ACTION.

Supporters do it in green – with the Bok on their chests.

Send this to everyone abroad as well, and lets show support round the globe.

Good deals – travel guide to South Africa

I think that the whole world is currently looking for a cheaper holiday destination. Americans may not be traveling so much anymore, but they are definitely considering South Africa for a good break away.

 

The Europeans are stressed a bit too. Their overspending may see the collapse of some banks, and Iceland has already become a lot cheaper – but can you get a tan there? With the exchange rate as it is, South Africa is looking like a wonderful destination – our alcohol is better and cheaper than anywhere we know of, the sun is out all summer to play, the shops are full of bargains and the food… the food is amazing.

 

At the beginning of 2006, you could get R10.00 for each £ – in the last few weeks, the average you can get would be R14.00 to the pound. It even went up to R18.00 at a stage. It may get there again, and we would suggest buying up those rands for the bargain of a life-time. Imagine getting some of the world class wines on our garden route for under 10 pounds! You will hardly have jetlag, as we are practically on the same time-line. Your choices are to fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town, and from there you can catch a local flight to Port Elizabeth, Durban, East London, even Namibia. We suggest a slow trip along the popular Garden Route.

Lets explore options in Cape Town, South Africa

 

It may be almost 8000 km’s away, but its just a nights rest of the plane – this means that you can leave on Friday morning, and be back on Monday morning. Can you imagine what people will say if you said you went to Africa for the weekend! Although in South Africa, its hardly “Africa” as people think of the continent.

In Cape Town, there is the world class Waterfront and Canal Walk shopping centers, we have local restaurants such as The Spur, Cattle Baron and Fish Market. Then you get the restaurants like Pigelle’s, Baia and Bayside Café for your fine dining.

Must do’s are Robben Island, Table Mountain, and a drive to Hout Bay. Stellenbosch and Franschoek are the most popular wine routes for tourists.

There are many various accommodation spots to look at, including 5 star hotels, bed and breakfasts, backpackers, resorts, etc. We would suggest one of the wonderful b&b’s like Lagoon Lodge or Cotswold House or the Fairy Knowe backpackers further up the coast. You seem to get better value for money with the privately owned places, but don’t get caught into not seeing South Africa because you spend too much time around the pool.

 

The Garden Route

The full garden route is from Cape Town through to Port Elizabeth – but if you only have a weekend or even a week here, its advisable do only do the section from Cape Town to Knysna. Inbetween you will find a host of activities including bungy jumping, scuba diving, tree tours, and plenty more. If you have the time, consider taking an adventure tour.

Self drive

Going on a self-drive tour is very easy, the roads are great and we drive on the correct side of the road (ie: the left!). Hire a car from a car rental discounter such as Click Car Hire who can give better deals than going direct, or stick with a smaller independent company like Wise Wheels Car Rental who offer a personalised pick up and drop off service. As for SATNAV / GPS hire, you can orientate yourself before leaving London by hiring a TomTom.

Airlines have great deals at the moment for travel to South Africa, and you will find that you will get a seat from British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, or South African Airways

Local airlines are Kulula , 1time and Mango

For any information, you can email us at info@escape24.co.za

South Africa is arguably the best deal you are going to see for a very long time.