Wouldn't you rather be here?

Imagine how amazing this must be?

Home to the African Penguins

Boulders Beach in the Western Cape is home to the African Penguins. 

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach was started in 1983 and one of the very few mainland Penguin colonies.
The sea is great to swim in and the big boulders scattered on the beach provide shade and protection. 

Visiting the Penguins is a fun activity for the whole family, spend some time viewing and learning about the history and importance of conservation of these beautiful African Penguins. 

African Penguins, Boulders Beach

Tip: plan a trip with a few extra hours to spare and visit the small historical town of Simonstown. Simonstown has a lot to offer from whale watching to streets filled with history and heritage. Something you might not know is that their best time is during winter, I know right. Reason being they are part of the few small towns who are North-facing and they surrounded by magnificent mountains so well the rest are wet and windy, Simonstown is perfectly happy in the sun. 
  

Simonstown, Western Cape

If you have never been to Simonstown then I suggest you make a plan to visit this secret town situated between the mountains with magnificent views of the Giants of the Sea, our whales.

How precious

Zebras

Top 10 Reasons to Visit

I found this quite interesting to read. According to the southafrica.net website; the Top 10 Reasons to visit South Africa are:

1. Affordable

During these tough times, who doesn’t want an affordable holiday? In SA, you can even afford luxury and have spending money for shopping and other treats!

2.  Natural Beauty

South Africa’s scenic wonders are legendary. From Table Mountain to God’s Window, our mountains, forests, coasts and deserts will feast your eye and lift your spirit

3. World-class Facilities

Whether you opt for Afro-chic or authentic Africa, you’ll find it easy to get around, find a comfortable place to stay, have a great meal, connect.  

4. Adventure

South Africa is the adventure capital of the world. With over 130 adventures and counting, there is something for everyone from mountain walks to shark cage-diving!  

5.  Good Weather

In sunny South Africa, our great weather invites you to enjoy the outdoors, play golf year-round and take advantage of the nearly 3000km coastline

6. Rainbow Nation 

The Rainbow Nation celebrates all its African and immigrant cultures. Find out how friendly our people are whilst you try your tongue at 11 official languages!

7. Diverse Experiences

Go almost anywhere in SA and experience the ultimate combo of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure, heritage and vibe – you’re spoilt for choice, so pack it in!

8.  Wildlife

Warning! Watching wildlife is addictive. First you start with the Big Five in so many ways, then whales, penguins, meerkats, wild dogs, birds, dung beetles

9. Freedom Struggle

 Discover a nation’s struggle for freedom whilst following the footsteps of Mandela, Hector Pieterson and many other celebrated revolutionaries. It will touch and inspire you.

10. Responsible Tourism 

In SA you can travel with care as you explore our protected areas, contribute to social and conservation projects, buy recycle art and stay green. 

Source: http://www.southafrica.net/sat/content/en/za/top-10-reasons-to-visit 

Elephant with her baby

Photo by: Arthur Batenburg

Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa

7 World Heritage Sites

Did you know South Africa is home to 7 World Heritage Sites?

Here they are:

Cradle of Humankind, Johannesburg, Gauteng

1. The Cradle of Humankind 

The discovery of early human activity dating back 3 million years ago. The most popular      cave is Sterkfontein where over 500 fossils and over 9000 stone tools artifacts were     discovered. 

Australopithecus sediba was discovered two years ago.

2. The Greater St Lucia Wetland Park 

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu-Natal

It is now known as the iSimangaliso Wetlands Park. The Park was declared a World     Heritage Site on the 1st of December 1999. The Wetlands is home to the largest Hippo      population and over 1000 crocodiles. the Wetlands has a very special visitor during   November, the Leatherback Turtle and the Loggerhead Turtle uses the protected beaches to lay their eggs.

The Leatherback Turtle

3. Robben Island 

Robben Island, Cape Town, Western Cape

Famously known as the prison where President Nelson Mandela was held for 27 years. The   Prison was used for many reasons such as training and defence station in World War II     (1939-1945) and a hospital for people with leprosy, and the mentally and chronically ill    (1846-1931).Political and common-law  prisoners were kept on the Island during this time. 

Nelson Mandela

4.Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park

Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park, KwaZulu-Natal

SA-Venues describes it in perfect detail:

"The Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park has exceptional natural beauty in its soaring basaltic buttresses, incisive dramatic cutbacks, and golden sandstone ramparts. Rolling high altitude grasslands, the pristine steep sided river valleys and rocky gorges also contribute to the beauty of this world heritage site."

Visit their site: http://www.sa-venues.com/game-reserves/kzn_drakensberg.htm

Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape, Limpopo

5. Mapungbwe Museum, Limpopo

 The two main sites, Mapungubwe and K2, were proclaimed National Monuments in the early 1980’s. Boundaries are being set for the creation of a cross-border peace Park, named Mapungubwe National Park, this is also now a World Heritage Site.

6. Cape Floral Kingdom

Cape Floral Kingdom

The famous Fynbos region is found here. It is one of the richest areas for plants in the World. It is home to 20% of the continent's flora.

 7. Vredefort Dome

This is the biggest meteorite impact that geologists have yet found on Earth and it is nearly twice as big as the impact that killed the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. It is also the oldest impact crater that has been found on Earth. It is mainly for these reasons that it has been made a World Heritage Site. 

Vredefort Dome, Free State

Source: 

Cradle image: http://johannesburg.jozibeartours.co.za/images/mar.jpg

Cradle info: http://www.southafrica.info/travel/cultural/sterkfontein.htm

Skull: http://www.savingwater.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Australopithecus_sediba.jpg

St Lucia: http://www.south-africa-tours.com/images/st-lucia2.jpg

Leatherback Turtle: http://www.wildlifeextra.com/images/leatherback-underwater.JPG

Robben Island: http://www.robben-island.org.za/

Nelson image: http://members.shaw.ca/mklerck/robbenisland/madibajail.jpg

Robben Island: http://www.flintstours.co.za/images/robbenisl.jpg

Drakensberg image: http://www.nature-reserve.co.za/images/1ukhahlamba001.jpeg

Mapungubwe: http://reservedlife.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/62290_resized_mapungubwe_entrance.jpg

Cape flowers: http://www.safarinow.com/files/images/travel-guide/Cape%20Floral%20Region/300%20wide/CF-Watsonias.jpg

Vredefort Dome image: http://news.cheapflighthouse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/vredefort.jpg

Vredefort Dome: http://www.vredefortdome.org/index.html

Namaqualand Flowers

Purple Flowers from Namaqualand

 

The hills are covered with vibrant colours of oranges, reds, yellows and purples. The Namaqualand Flower season is beautiful, thousands of little flowers bloom in such rich colours. Over 4,000 different types of

The show of colours depend on the rainfall received early that year but the best time to see the flowers is end August and early September when South Africa enters Spring.

If you would like to experience the flowers differently, try the hiking or cycling tours through the fields.

Tip: Stop at the nearest tourism information office to find the best display as each year varies.

Namaqualand Flowers, Northern Cape

Namaqualand Flowers

 

Image source:

• http://www.saphototours.com/uploads/5/4/8/4/5484837/6978071.jpg?239
• http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-photo/rachelandmike/2/1250074210/wildflowers-of-namaqualand.jpg/tpod.html
• http://www.panoramio.com/photo/62348809

Golf in South Africa

Golf is one of the most popular activities to take part in. Here in South Africa, there are a number of beautiful golf courses to visit. 

http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/1f/95/eb/giraffe-on-golf-course.jpg

All over the country no matter the Province, I promise you there is a lavish green course waiting to be explored. Even our wildlife cant resist the temptation of the green lawns stretching across hectares of land.  These gentle giants paid a visit to one of the Golf Courses in Phalaborwa, Limpopo.

While you  exploring South Africa be sure to visit some of the beautiful Golf Courses around our country.

Images speak louder than words, so I have attached some photos from the courses:

Royal Cape Golf Club Pearl Valley Golf Club

Durban Country Club

Sun City, North-West

 Picture sources:

http://www.golfdirect.co.za/specials-Golf-Special-Cape-Town-and-Garden-Route-8-nts--16.php 

http://www.embassyconferences.co.za/media/social_programme/cities_surrounds/jnb/sun%20city%20golf%20course.jpg

http://www.livethemagicofafrica.com/putt-your-way-through-south-africas-most-celebrated-golf-courses

African Elephant Bull

Imagine you on a Game Drive in Addo Elephant National Park and you see this in your side mirror?? How amazing!

http://farm1.staticflickr.com/40/123900378_e668dd966e.jpg