South Africa What to Expect

Worcester, surrounded by mountains, it is picturesque. The town itself is a reasonably lively town and most activity occurs in the mall (the mountain mill mall). Crime is reasonably low and the community is definitely one you would want to raise your children in.

Simon's Town is still home to South Africa's navy, and has regained much of its historic splendour and character.

Living close by in Fish Hoek for a few years, we would often drive here on the weekends and go for lovely walks. There is loads to eat here (all types of restaurants), art galleries, crafty things, clothing etc. The shops are aimed more toward the tourist and local person... and there are NO chain stores!

For many years this was a British Royal Naval Base. It is still home to South Africa's navy, and has regained much of its historic splendour and character.

My husband and I enjoy the Navy Days, when the navy do displays (airplanes do too, like the Buccaneer!), and allow us mere mortals onto their pride and joy... their ships!

Have you ever felt claustrophobic? We have!!! In the teeny tiny submarines.

To think that big men, much taller and possibly wider than me have to live in one of these for months on end, rotating their bed too, is beyond me.

Between the naval town of Simon's Town, and on the way to Cape Point Nature Reserve, you will find Boulder's Beach.

A conservation area, it is primarily used for the preservation of it's unique and world-renowned penguin colony.

The jackass penguin (Spheniscus demersus) can be seen here at close range, in its natural habitat.

These penguins enjoy the heat and the sand, not the ice cold. They are comical to watch and a pleasure to visit :)

We usually take a picnic and clamber onto one of the big rocks overlooking the beach where they are (Boulders Beach), and don't pay for this, although when we were there in February this year we took our bathing costumes and swam and viewed the penguins in the birthing area... saw loads of baby penguins :)

You can pay a fee and get up and close and personal with them, or climb onto the high rock near the car park and still get a pretty good view.

A must-see for the kids and adults alike!

The Butchers Shop Grill

Shop 30, Nelson Mandela Square
Johannesburg 2146



Phone: +27 11 784 8676
Fax: +27 11 784 8674

Neighborhood : Sandton For the Finest in Meat Dishes: The floors here are coated with sawdust in the spirit of a traditional butcher shop, but heavy wooden furnishings give this steakhouse a clubby feel. Diners sit surrounded by an estimated ZAR1.5 million worth of wine stacked about the restaurant. All available cuts are displayed in the central butchery, an indication that this restaurant is truly serious about meat. The menu features grain-fed South African beef and more unusual game meats, all aged under controlled conditions in on-site cold rooms. Children under the age of 14 years are not allowed

great artsy town on the coast, excellent place to buy souveniers as well as qualtiy pieces of art....be aware of people begging on the street, most dont need money (for example saw a kid begging as soon as we passed he whipped out an iPod).

My families Favourite Place to eat at the strand is the Spur. It is a Steak house with a great selection of foods and they always have a play area for Children. The Resaurant also looks over the ocean which is very beautiful. My favourite thing to order was either the salad bar or the Calamari. They also do a great Mushroom Steak. If you are looking for somewhere to have a kids birthday party they are great for those also. They make then feel very special.

If you are female, you absolutely can not miss the fairy garden. It is positively the cutest garden I have ever seen and they sell one of a kind fairies - beautiful artwork.

Calamarie At Camelot is Fantastic!!! The Beach is Awesome in the early morning, when there are no other footprints in the sand... Maybe you will be lucky and see The Paper Nautillus, they Wash out during the mating season, which only lasts for 6 weeks, only the female produces a shell, that is incredibly delicate with it s wings. Go to the botanical Gardens, and there is the Beautiful Rod's Trail, Behind the Trail House. Watch out when you go walking, in the reserve, there are snakes, respect the fact that you will be going into their territory. This is an awesome place, please dont litter or damage anything, It is certainly a Natural Gem in the Western Cape.

When travelling through South Africa you must visit the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National park. Less commercial than the Kruger and more a treat when you finally see some wildlife.

I've been around but this is the most beautiful place on the planet. I know, it will be hard to find a similar spot. Lovely nature reserves where you can do a safari. You should go for a horse riding safari as you get closer to the animals,nice! Many high quality restaurants with decent prices. Not to forget a fantastic choice of wine all local! And you can go out for days and meet the nice and friendly South Africans! *****

Keep your windows wound up as you enter the park - there are monkeys around and you want to avoid them getting into your car.  They may jump onto your car roof, though, so drive slowly.

A brillant place to explore in the esturaty. Look out for Hippos at night, they are DEADLY

Go to the top of Table mountain at the first chance of fine weather as it can often be cloudy and the cable car to the top of the mountain is closed when it is cloudy.

When travelling through South Africa you must visit the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National park. Less commercial than the Kruger and more a treat when you finally see some wildlife.

I've been around but this is the most beautiful place on the planet. I know, it will be hard to find a similar spot. Lovely nature reserves where you can do a safari. You should go for a horse riding safari as you get closer to the animals,nice! Many high quality restaurants with decent prices. Not to forget a fantastic choice of wine all local! And you can go out for days and meet the nice and friendly South Africans! *****

Keep your windows wound up as you enter the park - there are monkeys around and you want to avoid them getting into your car.  They may jump onto your car roof, though, so drive slowly.

A brillant place to explore in the esturaty. Look out for Hippos at night, they are DEADLY

Go to the top of Table mountain at the first chance of fine weather as it can often be cloudy and the cable car to the top of the mountain is closed when it is cloudy.

For those who want a taste of South African wine, Stellenbosch is a great place to make a daytrip to, out of Cape Town. But remember: If you want to drink, please do not drive! Make full use of the land tours instead, and save a limb and your sanity!

Für jeden Weinliebhaber ist diese von Hugenotten besiedelte Kleinstadt ein wahres Paradies, was zum herumschlendern und geniessen lädt.

Besuchen Sie die Diamantenmiene Big Hole in der ehemals reichsten Stadt der Welt! Das Museum bietet zudem eine eindrückliche Filmpräsentation die Sie auf keinen Fall verpassen dürfen. Wer kommt schon nach Kimberley??? Na ja, fahren Sie einfach im Rovos Rail; ob von Kapstadt nach Pretoria oder umgekehrt, ein Kimberley-Besuch steht so oder so auf dem Programm.

Ok, über diese Stadt könnte ich tagelang erzählen! Nun, da man hier sowieso täglich mindestens etwas/jemand neues erlebt, entdeckt oder kennenlernt, rate ich jedem einfach nur dazu mal einen Trip in die Mothercity zu unternehmen! Auf keinen Fall verpassen: Die Feuerspiele am Clifton Beach, das Open-Air Seafood Restaurant in Langebaan (120km nördlich von C.T.), Abseiling an Vollmond vom Lions Head, Appeltizer Sommer Concerts im botanischen Garten Kirstenbosch, einen Ausflug ins nahegelegene Spier kombiniert mit einem traditionellen Mittagessen im Moyo, Vortex Partie bei Wellington... Ok, ich glaube es liegt nun an dir, die Liste weiterzuführen!! ;)) Cape Town rocks!!!!

SOmerset West is not a town for the young. It has a few hang out spots but not first class . This town is more for the older generation, a retirement destination more than anything else. Looking for peace and relaxation this is indeed the spot driving up to Lourensford
Estate and the Reserve