Information: Attractions |
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| African Steam Trains |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
This is the last steam hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa and runs daily (excepting Sunday) between George and Knysna. The route of the Choo-Tjoe is from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna and encompasses some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa in the heart of the Garden Route lake district.
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| This area is under construction |
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| Sailing |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Yachts and powerboats can be hired at certain locations. Charters and short daily cruises, down to excursions and hourly cruises are offered at most harbours with public waterfront activities. Popular venues are the Cape Town Waterfront and Knysna Waterfront. |
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| Scuba Diving |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
The Cape Area
is well known for its many shipwrecks
that
have floundered from the earliest explorers to modern times.
The northern Coast is known for its coral
diving. |
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| Surfing |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Any surfer knows that South Africa offers top surfing beaches. The entire coastline offers the ultimate in waves. Jeffrey's Bay, Victory Bay, and Durban ring with the sound of Surf. Most destinations offer surf boards for the time of your visit. |
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| Table Mountain Climbing |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Probably the most popular sight in South Africa. The top of Table Mountain can be reached via a network of paths. Do not attempt a climb on your own unless you are well equipped with a guide, some routes involve expert climbing. The only safe walk to the top is up Platteklip Gorge. Platteklip Gorge is on the road past the lower cable station and is marked. |
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| Table Mountain Cableway |
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Two cable cars with revolving floors will take you to the summit within 5 minutes. This trip offers breathtaking vistas of the City and area. On the relatively flat top of the mountain are many well paved walks to enjoy the beauty of the Western Cape. Looking out to the south you will see the the Cape Peninsula with Hout Bay in the distance. |
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| The Blue Train |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
"The blue Train" is unique - it is not merely a train but combines the luxury of the world's leading hotels with the charm of train travel. Think of it as an all inclusive luxury rail cruise with an opportunity to view South Africa's spectacular landscapes and visit interesting tourist attractions along the way. Take a journey into a timeless world of grace, elegance and romance, where spectacular scenery stirs your imagination and luxurious comfort soothes your body and soul. |
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| Tree Top Tours |
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The first of its kind in Africa, the canopy tour involves traversing from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30 meters above the forest floor. Most platforms are located in giant Outeniqua Yellowwood trees. The scenery and bird life is spectacular and professional guides provide interesting facts about the forest ecology during the three-hour tour. |
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| Whale Watching |
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Of the numerous species of Whales and Dolphins seen off the Cape coast the most common is the Southern Right so called because it had all the qualities required by early Whalers. They did not sink when harpooned and had a good yield of meat, bone and oil. They feed on Krill in the Antarctic waters and migrate in Winter to the shallow, warmer bays of the South African coast to mate and calve. The mating can actually be seen from the shore with groups of males performing around a single female each one hoping to be the lucky sire. A must see on your South African seaside holiday. The peak season when whale sightings are virtually guaranteed is July to October. Calving season is between August and September and the whale population peaks in October. Due to the close proximity to the shore where the whales swim the Cape coast is considered to have one of the best land based whale viewing sites in the world. |
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| White Shark Diving |
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Dive within the safety of a cage and visit the ultimate predators of the sea. So close you can touch them - the banks of awesome razor edged teeth are but centimetres away. The huge gaping jaws revealing the true danger of this exciting adrenaline encounter - all from the safety of your cage. An experience during your South African adrenaline holiday tour. |
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| Wind Surfing |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Opportunities exist all along the coast as well as on the inland waterways. Langebaan Lagoon is the most popular windsurfing resort. Kite surfing and boardsailing are popular around the Cape Peninsula. |
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| Wine Estates |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Treat yourself to a winelands tasting experience. Savour the fruits of some of South Africa's world renowned wines. You can purchase wines and have them shipped directly back to your home. Either explore the farms at your own pace in your self-drive car or we will organise a guided wine tour of the winelands. |
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| Zulu Culture |
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Feel the pulsating rhythm of mysterious and magical Africa as you re-live the excitement and romance of the days of Shaka, King of the Zulus, in this authentic re-creation of the Great Kraal overlooking the Phobane Lake. Experience the sight of assegaai-wielding warriors, share the fascinating secrets of the Sangomas and witness traditional customs such as tribal dancing, spear making and the beer-drinking ceremonies. |
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| Ratanga Junction |
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| Your visit would not be complete without visiting this new development in
the Cape. Ride the famous "Cobra". Your legs hanging free as you fly high on
the suspended roller coaster. Set aside at least a day to enjoy all the
facilities, you will find something for everyone. A must do for a children's
holiday in South Africa
Open from November to May. |
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| Robben Island |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Prisoners and unwilling inhabitants included slaves from various parts of Asia, political and religious Muslim leaders who opposed Dutch colonialism in East Asia. Lepers, the sick, the mentally disturbed and during World War ll, French Vichy prisoners. The most famous prisoner, our first President of the New South Africa, Mr. Nelson Mandela, was inprisoned here. |
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| Abseiling |
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| South Africa has the highest commercial abseil in the world at 122 m as well as many others. This is a heart stopping 122 m high abseil from Table Mountain with stunning views and shear cliff face descent. A little fitness is required. |
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| Bartholomew Diaz Museum |
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The complex boasts a replica of the vessel used in the 1488 voyage of discovery. It is incredibly small - seeing it brings home the extraordinary skill and courage of the explorers. The replica was built in Portugal and sailed to Mosselbay in 1988 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Diaz' trip. In addition to the maritime museum, the complex includes the original spring and postal tree, the 1786 VOC granary, an acclaimed shell museum, and a local history museum. See Mosselbay |
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| Beaches |
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The perfect place to relax during your South African holiday. White soft sand on endless beaches. Tidal pools and masive waves. Warm or cold seawater, depending on whether you are on the west coast or the south coast. Water temperature can vary 10 c depending on which side you visit. This is due to the cold Benguela current coming up the west coast from the Antarctic and the warm Mozambique current coming down the east coast. You will find beaches that go on for miles where only your footprints disturb the sand, or popular spots like Camps Bay or Clifton. |
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| Bungie Jumping |
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The southern Cape coastline offers some exeptional bridge jumps. Bloukranz Bridge is in the Guinness Book of Records as the highest bungie jump in the world at 216 meters. Even if it is not for you, it is well worth holding your breath and watching others. On your holiday of South Africa you can stop off for as long as you want and watch these daredevils taking a jump. Some statistcs: the free fall takes 5 seconds, the stretching of the Bungy rope takes another 2 seconds. The first rebound is higher than the Victoria Falls Bridge jump and the second rebound is higher then the Gouritz Bridge, which is 65 meters. The jumper accelerates to around 200kmh before decelerating. |
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| The Cango Caves |
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The Cango Caves are one of the world's great natural wonders, sculptured by nature through the ages. Mysterious and breathtaking limestone formations in a wide variety of natural colors. A subterranean wonderland. Regular guided tours daily. |
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| Fishing |
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Trout fishing in the mountain rivers, surf fishing from the beaches, or from harbour walls. Deep sea fishing is offered at all coastal resorts. The fish varieties are vast due to the warm ocean current on one coast and the cold current on the other. |
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| Golf Courses |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
South Africa was an unknown
destination only a few years ago for golfers. This has dramaticaly changed
over the past few years as more and more golfers take the opportunity to
play on the over 500 fantastic courses offered by the country. |
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| Horse Riding |
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Horseback riding adventure trails vary from half day trails to a comprehensive three day horse trail through the magnificent nature. Trails are aimed at individuals and small groups allowing for personal attention. |
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| Hot Air Balooning |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Africa is the land with sensational sunrises and sunsets with an unforgiving terrain. Kilometres of panoramic vistas and breathtaking nature can pass under you while suspended in an open basket.
Experience the beauty and tranquillity of our hidden valley not known to many and yet a mere 40 km from Pretoria on route to Cullinan. Relax and absorb the peaceful nature of the African cliffs and bush while brushing the trees with the basked and listening to the cobbling of the water in the stream below.
Paarl balooning contact in Paarl: Mettendorf
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| House Boating |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
Do you sometimes dream of escaping a while? A special vacation experience is a trip and overnight stay on a house boat. Catered or self-catered, you’ll be free to explore the safe, tranquil waters of Knysna’s Lagoon. For holiday-makers, houseboating is your accommodation - and it’s your entertainment; for honeymooners, it’s romance; and for business people, it’s an unusual conference and team building opportunity. The house boats are full arranged and you can navigate this swimming hotel suite entirely. Enjoy all the pleasures of boating. |
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| Monkeyland |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
This unique
primate sanctuary is currently the top eco-tourism attraction on the Garden
Route and for very sound and sunny reasons. Monkeyland has captured the
hearts of visitors in its efforts to rehabilitate and free previously caged primates. The sanctuary is exceptional as it
caters for several species of primates, and they are not caged. They
are free to move about the forest, and this they do most harmoniously. |
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| Nature Trails |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
From a gentle 1 hour
stroll to a strenuous 5
day hike through unspoilt territory with magnificent views, there is
something for everyone in every age group.
More information can be found under the
towns. Undoubtedly the best known and most popular
of the South African hiking trails, the Otter trail must rank alongside the
best trails in the world. The trail follows the spectacular Eastern Cape
coastline from Storms River Mouth to Natures Valley in the Tsitsikamma
National Park. |
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| Ostrich Farms |
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| "Copyright: South African Tourism" |
On operating Ostrich Show Farms you can see large flocks of ostriches at different stages of development in the surrounding fields. During the course of a tour a guide explains every aspect of ostrich farming, from breeding to rearing. The tour starts in the breeding camp, with a nest of ostrich eggs, where the first stage of the ostrich life cycle is explained. Visitors will get the opportunity to test the strength of the eggs by standing on them - a great photo opportunity. During the breeding season visitors get to see ostrich eggs hatching in the incubator rooms. Visitors get to sit on an ostrich and those who are brave enough can even try their hand at riding one. A highly entertaining and educational tour is guaranteed. |
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| Steam Trains |
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| Die Bogenbrücke am Kaaimans River |
The Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe is the last steam hauled scheduled passenger train operating in Southern Africa and runs daily (excepting Sunday) between George and Knysna. The route of the Choo-Tjoe is from George, via Victoria Bay, Wilderness, Sedgefield and Goukamma to Knysna and encompasses some of the most spectacular scenery in South Africa in the heart of the Garden Route lake district. The section from Victoria Bay along the Cliffside and over the Kaaiman’s River viaduct to Wilderness is the highlight of the journey. |
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