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Whether you’re a seasoned golfing enthusiast who always keeps their clubs on them, or are the type who plays the odd game now and then to relax, luxury holidays in South Africa are impressively well catered for. South Africa’s varied terrain makes it a unique destination for golfers, with a mix of breathtaking coastal courses, a fine elevated selection and a good number included in international events. Then of course there’s the weather – the climate is absolutely ideal, with the bright sunshine perfect for those who like to spend their times on the fairways and outside the clubhouse. Here are some of the best golf courses in South Africa. If you only play a couple of times while out there, make sure one of these is on your list: Leopard Creek Leopard Creek is pretty much the undisputed jewel in South Africa’s golfing crown, and is a frequent inclusion in ‘World’s Best Courses’ lists. If you only play a handful of courses on your golf holiday in South Africa, make sure this is one of them. As well as being an entertaining and challenging course in its own right, what is really unique about Leopard Creek is its location: right on the border of the world-renowned Kruger National Park. The course (a Gary Player design) is sculpted to make the most of its location, and you shouldn’t be surprised to see a number of moving hazards around the water features, as warthogs, giraffes and crocodiles have been known to wander the course, and the trees are full of exotic birds too. With this kind of scenery, it’s an unforgettable round of golf, but don’t let it spoil your concentration for the final hole: a dramatic island green that has been known to make and break scorecards! Gary Player Country Club Unsurprisingly, this South Africa golf course was also designed by the legendary Gary Player, and it’s very much a challenge fitting for the man himself. This is one of the longest and toughest courses in the country, and not one for South Africa holiday makers who barely play. If you have the skills though, this course is another which frequently sneaks into ‘worlds best’ lists, albeit at a lower entry point than Leopard Creek. You need to have an accurate approach and watch out for the copious bunkers and water hazards to get a decent score here. Wild Coast Country Club Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by the incredible Indian Ocean views – this is actually quite a tricky course, especially if you find yourself straying into the rough, or the coastal winds whip up! It’s quite a varied course, featuring several unexpected changes in elevation, which offset the relatively wide fairways. Look out for the thirteenth hole, which is a particularly taxing one, craftily designed to be up there with some of the best in the world. If you’re heading for a golf holiday in South Africa, this is a must. Fancourt Hotel, Country Club and Golf Estate Yet another Gary Player design that’s world renowned for a great round of golf, the Fancourt Hotels’ golf course is located on the charming southern Cape. The views are stunning, as is the golf – though it took a lot of effort to make. Over 700,000 metres of earth were moved to make this links style course on a surface that was originally flat! It was well worth the effort though, and if Links style play is your preference then this is certainly worth a visit. The hotel itself is very nice as well, and a good choice if you want to combine a few rounds of golf with your luxury holiday in South Africa. Arabella Country Club Not even 10 years old yet, the Arabella Golf Club has come a very long way in a short time, and is now one of the most celebrated golf courses in South Africa. Designed by the celebrated South African golf architect Peter Matkovich, the course is a wonderfully memorable mix of rolling fairways, cheeky bunkers and well placed water traps. It’s quite a sight too, as the course borders South Africa’s largest natural lagoon! There are plenty of golf courses in South Africa, and although most struggle to match up to the high standards laid out by these ones, the perfect conditions mean you’re pretty much guaranteed an enjoyable round wherever you go. So if you’re planning on a luxury holiday in South Africa, don’t rule out some quality time on the fairways! Robert Santry is a South Africa expert for key2holidays, an online tour operator specialising in luxury South Africa holidays, as well as trips to Australia, Cuba, the Caribbean, Europe, the Far East, the Maldives, Mauritius and the Seychelles, Egypt and the Arabian Gulf. Key2holidays has a dedicated team of experienced travel consultants to share their knowledge and help you to plan and book your ideal holiday.
South Africa is an extraordinarily unique sub-Saharan African nation jutting formidably – for sailors who have planned to round its cape – into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans at the southernmost top of Africa. The archeological evolution of humanity has been documented in South Africa, with a history as old as any on the planet. Even more, the wildlife and biodiversity of South Africa’s semi-arid plateaus, bush and coastline are possibly the most thrilling and rewarding in all of Africa. Explore the vibrancy of a multiethnic, forward thinking democracy interlaced with the splendor and community of traditional Africa! The South African Identity – 11 Languages Strong After independence, the European minority remained in political control and apartheid ensued until 1994 when black Africans finally gained full political rights and enfranchisement. Interestingly, South Africa is the only African nation to be ruled by a continuous democracy and the first and only nation in the world to build nuclear weapons only to voluntarily dismantle the weapons program altogether. Whales, Wine and Wetlands Most of the popular areas are in the Western Cape and along the coast, although more pristine wilderness and less urbanized indigenous culture will be found inland. Also, the commercial capitals of Johannesburg, Durban and Pretoria (the administrative capital) are exciting for their urban juxtaposition to the African wilderness at large. South Africa is a wondrous and historic land of global culture that has never been more accessible or enjoyable. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to explore the gem of the oldest and most diverse continent on earth!
In some ways South Africa is different from the rest of Africa as there is less poverty and strife here. South Africa is home to some of the most spectacular game reserves and landscapes. Considered as the adventure capital of the world, South Africa offers many pleasures from the Gold Reef city in Johannesburg to hiking across the scenic route of N12. It is known as the rainbow nation and has a diverse range of activities to offer and places to see. One of the most popular destinations in South Africa is the Kruger National Park, which is the icon of African Safari. The Kruger National park is home to several lion prides, herds of wild elephants and thousands of other small and bid animals and birds. From spotting the elusive leopard at Sabi Sands to watching the lion pride enjoy a meal in the Mala Mala, this national park is one fairy tale ride. The Sun City and the Garden route are two attractions that you can afford to miss. The garden route is a natural theme park that is home to Dolphins and whales and if you are lucky enough, you might end up with a pearl of your own. Why Volunteer In South Africa South Africa lies deep in a myriad of colors that vary from the different cultures to the different flora and fauna that lies in the heart of this magnificent country. Types Of Projects Available As a part of volunteering in South Africa, you will get to choose the kind of project you are interested in. The different types if projects available include: • Wild Coast wildlife conservation project: This is one of a kind project, which will bring out the best in you. As a part of volunteering in South Africa, you will be surrounded by the stunning and awe-inspiring wild coast that stretches from Durban to East London. Situated in the Transkei homeland, it has some dramatic coastlines and will including working at the base camp as well as on the field. The age requirement for this project varies from 18-40 years. As a part of volunteering in South Africa, you will get different opportunities to work with wildlife under this project. You will get the opportunity to learn about the South African big cats and other wildlife during your stay. The different activities that you will be involved with as a part of volunteering in South Africa includes: 1. Patrolling the fence and looking for and removing snares and any other threat to the wildlife. Also assist in fence management as well as maintenance. 2. Assist in removing any alien vegetation and help towards controlling soil erosion 3. Wildlife research as well as monitoring their activity 4. Interaction with the locals and other monitoring activity of elephants 5. Working at the rearing centre for lion cubs 6. Attending as well as giving lectures on environmental issues and wildlife management 7. Participating in bush walks and taking game drives to help in identification of different species and interpreting their behaviors. 8. Assisting in cultivation of indigenous plants in a nursery. These plants will later on be used for rehabilitating the erosion sites. 9. Creating a catalogue of birds by monitoring their activity, breeding and behaviors. • Wildlife Research and Rehabilitation: As a part of volunteering in South Africa, you will be handling different wildlife research activities. You will be assisting field supervisors in the following: 1. Capturing of wild animals for collar tags and releasing them in the wild. 2. Observing complex procedures done on wild animals especially if they are injured 3. Grooming horses 4. Rehabilitation work on various animals 5. Learning the coastal systems as well as the ecology and developing an understanding of the coastal dynamics 6. Assisting other volunteers and staff on various local community projects 7. Working with experienced staff in wildlife identification and identifying behavioral changes Volunteer Requirements Age: The minimum age for volunteering in South Africa should be 18 or older. Fee and Other details There is a fee attached to each of the projects that you volunteer for. The fee is charged in advance and is charged for the following: 1. Accommodation 2. Emergency evacuation services 3. Food/meals 4. Travel insurance 5. Transportation within the region 6. Emergency support 7. All types of training material 8. Supervision by local staff 9. Orientation on arrival 10. Local sightseeing & recreational activities Conclusion Cheap Flights to South Africa – 3 Top Tips for Finding Cheap Airfares To, From & Within South Africa
The following tips will help you find the cheapest flights to, from and within South Africa, no matter what time of year you want to travel. Tip # 1: Use Airline Consolidators That Specialize in Africa to Find Cheap Airfares to South Africa What are airline consolidators? They are travel wholesalers who buy large quantities of plane tickets on airlines. For South Africa and Africa you need to see if the consolidator has contracts with airlines like South African Airways, British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France. These are some of the top airlines to Africa and if the consolidator has contracts with them, among others, they can pass on big savings to you. In the UK, consolidators, and the travel agents that they often sell through, are also known as bucket shops. They can save you a lot of money, especially on international flights to South Africa. Sometimes the savings are up to 70% off the airlines’ published airfares. Tip #2: Once in South Africa Look at Low Cost, No Frills Airlines to Get Cheap Flights Within South Africa Increasingly, cheap flights within South Africa are found on some of South Africa’s newer, no frills or low cost airlines. Kulula, Mango, 1 time, all have cheap flights within South Africa. But the no frills airlines aren’t the only ones to look at. Because so much business has been lost by Comair and South African Airways to these airlines, both have had to fight back. So don’t ignore South African Airways & Comair, they can often low airfare deals as well. Tip # 3: Be Flexible! – Look at Traveling Through Another Country Flying nonstop or direct from London or New York will cost you more. Look at flying through Dubai for example if you live in Europe, Canada, the USA or Australia. And if you live in Europe, say Manchester or Birmingham or Dublin for example, you may find it is cheaper to fly through Amsterdam on KLM rather than via London on Virgin or British Airways. This same principle applies if you live in Paris for example. High and increasing airline ticket prices seem to be a fact of life. Lack of competition means finding discount airfare to Africa in general, and South Africa in particular will continue to be a challenge. Follow these tips to have the best chance of finding cheap airfares to, from and within South Africa.
Here are some ways to find the best prices on flights to Africa: Look At Flying Through Countries With Historic Links To Africa Here are some examples: Germany Frankfurt â Namibia, Tanzania Netherlands Amsterdam â South Africa Italy Rome â Ethiopia Portugal Lisbon â Angola, Mozambique In brief, if you are looking for a flight to a francophone West African country, use Paris as your hub. For East and Southern Africa most flights will go in and out of London. Even If You Live in a City Like London, Look at Traveling Through Another Destination To Get A Cheaper Flight To Africa Don’t Ignore Airline Consolidators To Find Cheap Tickets To Africa Follow these tips and you should be able to find cheap flights to anywhere in Africa you choose from South Africa to Egypt to Ghana to Kenya! |
johannesburg
September 8, 2010, 4:58 am
 Mostly clear 9°Creal feel: 5°C
current pressure: 1004 mb
humidity: 52%
wind speed: 6 m/s S
wind gusts: 9 m/s
sunrise: 6:28
sunset: 19:09
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