Out with the old, in with the new.
New Year’s Eve is around the corner and if you haven’t yet made any plans for the big night, we’ve got some ideas that might help you celebrate the end of 2016 in the Cape Town.
Tag: south africa
Explore South African Safari
South Africa is blessed with amazing wildlife and luxurious safari accommodation to match.
Book your South African safari getaway with us today and enjoy the sights of the big 5 and picturesque beauty of the African planes.
Spring Specials in Port Elizabeth
The To Do List: Port Elizabeth
The To Do List: Johannesburg
Route Planner South Africa: Pit-stops on the N2
Planning one last road trip before winter creeps in? Why not attempt the longest and most beautiful road trip South Africa has to offer? Stretching from Cape Town to Ermelo in Mpumalanga, the N2 paves the way to the best East Coast destinations. The road is long, and we know how important it is for you to stretch your legs, so we’ve picked a few of our favourite pit-stops so that you can give the Wimpy coffee a break.
Peregrine Farmstall
A short drive along from the hair-raising and breath-takingly beautiful Sir Lowry’s Pass, is the popular Peregrine Farmstall. Located in farm country, this essential pit-stop boasts heaps of local produce and unique homemade delicacies. With mouth-watering pastries and dried fruit and nuts on offer, it’s the ideal place to stock up on the car-trip snack stash. Start your trip up the coast with the tasty and affordable all-day breakfasts and coffees served at the on-site cafe. Sit on the deck under cooling misters and enjoy people-watching as travellers stop to stretch their legs.
Open Daily:
Winter – 07h30 to 18h00
Summer – 07h30 to 18h30
Nanaga Farmstall
Somewhere between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown you’ll find the Nanaga Farmstall– a welcome oasis after a long stretch of highway. Browse a wide variety of homemade jams, relishes and chutneys, or take home some straight-out-of-the-oven breads, rusks and the perfect coffee-dipping biscuits. Nanaga is well-known for the flaky, golden deliciousness of their meaty pies and crispy roosterkoek, so make sure to try as many flavours as you can. The charming gift shop is filled with arts, crafts and interesting trinkets, for something to take home that won’t get devoured in the car.
Open Daily: 08h00 – 17h30
Ou Meul Bakkery, Riviersonderend
For years, roadtrippers have been in unspoken agreement. No South African road trip is complete without a stop at the Ou Meul Bakkery in Riviersonderend for a mouth-watering pie. With filling like chicken, bobotie, venison and steak, its flaky pastry is something you can really sink your teeth into. You can enjoy this buttery delight in the Ou Meul courtyard with a coffee, or you can take it to go. Make sure you check out the selection of sweet treats, and nibble on a milk tart or apple crumble, before you start back on the road.
Open Daily:
Weekdays: 06h00- 18h00
Saturday: 06h00- 15h00
Sunday: 07h00– 18h00
Blue Crane Farm Stall
Nestled in the rolling hills, 3km west of Heidelberg, you’ll find the bright blue roof of the Blue Crane Farm Stall. Specialising in fresh handmade goodies and farm bread still steaming from the oven, the Blue Crane is an N2 must. Feeling peckish? The restaurant uses only garden-fresh fruit and vegetable, and local ingredients so you can expect home-cooked meals dripping in farm-style charm. If you’re just stopping by, the bakery churns out fresh muffins and scones for a quick snack to tide you over till the next stop. The Blue Crane also boasts an aromatic Fragrance Boutique where you can buy scents imported from France; meaning you’ll leave The Blue Crane with not only a full belly and a backseat full of homemade pies, but you’ll smell amazing too.
Open Daily: 08h00- 17h00
If you’re going to be venturing out for the best East Coast road trip around, you’ve got to make sure you’ve got accommodation to match. Venues4Africa is the best route planner South Africa has on offer, so let us help you find the best spots to rest your head after a long day’s drive. Choose anything from comfortable Garden Route accommodation, to seaside getaways in Durban. Don’t let summer slip away, start planning now!
Image Credit:
peregrinefarmstall.co.za
bluecranefarmshop.co.za
Masroor Hamid
nanaga.co.za
Top 10 Reasons to visit the Kruger National Park
If anything is on your bucket list, it should be a trip to the Kruger National Park. Just in case you’re unsure of what the fuss is about, we’ve rounded up ten reasons why it’ll be the best decision you make this year.
1. The Climate
You can visit the park all year round, and each season brings its own special perks. With its subtropical climate, you can enjoy sunshine for most of the year. As far as wildlife is concerned, the dry winter months are known to be the best time for game viewing, but at the same time, the wet summer months have new-borns, full waterholes and migrant birds to offer.
2. The Size
The sheer size of it is enough to blow your mind. With almost two million hectares of unspoiled African bushveld, and a multitude of safari camps, guest lodges and resorts scattering the area, you won’t be left wanting.
3. The Bird Watching
With a list of over 500 species of bird, some of which are not found anywhere else in South Africa, and hideaways in the most remote places – the Kruger National Park is the birding fanatic’s dream. Look out for the Big 6 of the bird world: the Saddle-billed Stork, Kori Bustard, Martial Eagle, Lappet-faced Vulture, Pel’s Fishing-Owl and Ground Hornbill.
4. The Wildlife
A bucket-list essential is the safari search for the legendary Big Five and the phenomenal creatures that you’ll spy in the process. There are over 145 species of mammals found in the park, so make sure to download a checklist here so you can keep track of your findings.
5. The Walking Safaris
Ever crossed paths with a dung beetle rolling its treasures home? Didn’t think so. With the incredible array of guided walking safaris you can experience nature in real time. Come face to face with the African bushveld and witness the minute details that make the experience all the more magical.
6. The Biodiversity
The Kruger National Park is home to five vegetation zones, each with their own special flair and diverse range of species. From arid semi-desert to thickly wooded areas with flowering trees, it’s a mixed bag of remarkable nature at its best. Be on the lookout for the iconic Baobab trees that pepper the region, and the interesting creatures that make them their home.
7. The Sunsets
Enough said.
8. The Conservation Efforts
Dedicated to ensuring the extraordinary biodiversity of the park remains untouched, the Kruger National Park is world-renowned for its conversation efforts. Experienced guides and rangers make sure that the beauty of the African bushveld is preserved for many generations to come.
9. The Sense of Adventure
There’s nothing like anticipating the scene of a lion kill around the next bend, or watching the animals flock to a watering hole at sunrise. Add some spice into your daily life with an African safari adventure.
10. The Status
Over 1.4 million visitors a year consider Kruger to be the best National Park in Africa, and arguably the world, and it’s no secret why it’s so popular. But don’t take our word for it, book one of the many fantastic Kruger National Park accommodation options on Venues4Africa and see for yourself.
Image Credits: Wild in Africa, Dren Pozhegu, kruger-2-kalahari.com