My clients, the Sirois family, just returned from their African safari vacation to South Africa, where they traveled to Cape Town, the Garden Route and went on safari.  Here’s what they had to say:

The Sirois family having a Cape Malay cooking lesson

Thanks to Hills of Africa we had a very unique and personalized experience on our visit to South Africa. We would never have been able to find all the wonderful places we visited without their invaluable advice. We even learned to cook a traditional Cape Malay meal in a home in the Bo Kaap District of Cape Town! Tour books don’t come close to what they did.
We had a fairly rigid time line and lots of things we wanted to do. They put together a fabulous itinerary that not only allowed us to fit in all the things we wanted (touring, shopping, wineries, safari, etc…) but also gave us some flexibility to add things along the way. They booked us with hotels, game reserves and tour guides that they KNEW would be top notch. Hills of Africa met all our expectations and more. We can’t wait to go back.

The Sirois family having lunch in Kalk Bay, Cape Town

I love Africa, I love planning vacations to Africa, and I think it really shows.

Have you been to Africa?  What were your lasting impressions of your trip to Africa?

Today’s article is from a very good friend and avid travel freak, Keith at Velvet Escape.  Keith is also on Twitter – you may contact him at @velvetescape through Twitter.

I fell in love with South Africa’s Western Cape province on my first visit there in 2004.  Cape Town certainly is one of the most stunning cities in the world but that was just one of the many highlights in this province. The waters that lap the shores of the Western Cape coast teem with a staggering diversity of marine life while the hinterland, with its imposing mountains, gentle rolling hills, mile upon mile of gorgeous vineyards, expansive plains and quaint historic towns, is quite simply magical.

There is so much to see and do in the province. Cape Town will keep even the most jaded traveler intrigued for at least a few days. The rest of the province will sweep you off your feet for an unforgettable love affair!

Cape Town

Cape Town has arguably one of the most impressive locations in the world. Backed by the incredible Table Mountain, the city has a magnificent ocean-side setting, with beautiful marinas, white sandy beaches and stunning nature all within the city limits. A visit to the top of the Table Mountain is a must. The views of the city, surrounding mountains and the ocean are spectacular. Then there’s the gorgeous V&A Waterfront, historic Robben Island, the electric BoKaap neighbourhood, trendy Camps Bay, and the lovely Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Outside of Cape Town, the breathtaking Cape of Good Hope beckons. On the way, drive along the Chapman’s Peak Drive for some astounding views of Hout Bay. On the way back to Cape Town, head for charming Simon’s Town and along False Bay to Muizenberg, passing the beautiful expanse of the bay and lovely bayside communities.

From Cape Town, I recommend flying to the town of George, in the heart of the Garden Route, then hiring a car at the airport to explore this region. The places described below are part of a giant loop that starts in George and ends in Cape Town. This loop can be done in about ten days at a leisurely pace.

Knysna

Knysna, located east of George, is a lovely town with excellent restaurants and hotels. Situated at the edge of Knysna Lagoon, the town is particularly famous for its oysters. They are indeed divine! Go for a cruise across the lagoon and enjoy the views of the Heads at the entrance of the lagoon and across the Indian Ocean.

Klein Karoo

The Klein Karoo is a desolate and wild region characterised by expansive, shrubby plains and rugged mountains. If you’re driving from Knysna (something I strongly recommend), you’ll pass beautiful lagoons and lakes, the stunning coast with its impressive cliffs and rocky headlands up to the lovely community of Mossel Bay. From here, head inland towards Oudtshoorn, a quaint colonial town, across the majestic Robertson Pass. The fabulous mountain scenery and views across the coast are breathtaking. On the other side of the Pass are flat, bushy plains: ostrich country! Oudtshoorn is also known as the ostrich capital of South Africa. The cuisine in this town feature exotic courses like crocodile salad and ostrich carpaccio.

One of my favourite drives around Oudtshoorn is the Swartberge mountains loop. This drive takes you past the plains which are dotted with ostrich farms, alfalfa grass fields and the occasional vineyard. De Rust is worth a stop to explore the lovely main street lined with beautiful Cape Dutch houses and old jacaranda trees. Then drive through the Mieringspoort, an extraordinary gorge At the other end of the gorge, turn westwards to Prince Albert. Prince Albert is a charming village surrounded by fruit orchards. It’s a perfect place for a lunch stop. From Prince Albert, head back towards the Swartberge mountains over the Swartberg Pass. This pass is more than 30 miles long (along a winding, cliff-hanging gravel road) and reaches a height of 4500 feet. The views from the top of the dusty, expansive Karoo plain is truly spectacular. The geology of the area, exemplified by the many folds, crevices, cracks and intriguing rock formations, is astonishing. On the other side of the mountain range, the scenery becomes more gentle and green. It’s a wonderful, eye-pleasing drive back to Oudtshoorn. You can stop at the Cango Wildlife Ranch where you can see crocodiles, cheetas, lions, jaguars and pumas; and the Cango caves where you can marvel at the fascinating subterranean limestone formations.

When you’re out here in the Little Karoo, don’t forget to look up at night. The sky spreads out over you, like a giant diamond-encrusted velvet sheet. It’s absolutely stunning!

Route 62

From Oudsthoorn, head west through the heart of the Little Karoo along the route that is widely known as Route 62. Look out for the wonderfully atmospheric Ronnie’s Sex Shop (I can tell you this much: it isn’t a sex shop!). This route takes you past beautiful vineyards (stop by some of these wineries for some wine-tasting), olive groves, fruit orchards and small villages. Continue past the hamlet of Barrydale and head to Swellendam, another lovely town with delightful restaurants and hotels housed in gorgeous Cape Dutch buildings. Swellendam is situated at the foot of the imposing Langeberg mountains and boasts a shady main street lined with historic houses and villas. After the dusty plains of the Little Karoo, verdant Swellendam will come as a breath of fresh air! The nearby Bontebok (a resplendent relative of deer) National Reserve is a noteworthy attraction just outside Swellendam.

Robertson Valley

Thinking back to the Robertson Valley always fills me with a great sense of serenity. It is a beautiful area, with lush green valleys, towering, mist-clad mountains and mile after mile of vineyards, fruit orchards and forests. It is a breathtaking drive from Swellendam to the Robertson Valley, along the foot of the magnificent Langeberg mountains. There are many wineries to explore, and charming lodges where you can sit back and enjoy the lush surroundings. Take some time to explore the area. There’s the beautiful hot springs village of Montagu (the drive there through the Kogmanskloof gorge is stunning), many wineries to drop by for a wine-tasting, the impressive gardens of Soekershof, and the unforgettable cruise along the Brede River from the Viljoensdrift wine estate (check out their excellent Pinotage!).

Hermanus

From Robertson, it’s a long drive down to the coast but one that’s very rewarding. The hilly scenery always reminds me of Tuscany! Hermanus is a lovely town, and is a well-known coastal vacation area sandwiched between the Kleinriviersberg mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. It’s also one of the few places in the world where you can spot whales swimming close to the cliff-side lookouts – they’re sometimes less than ten yards away! Drive up into the mountains for a stunning view of Hermanus – this is also a favourite spot for paragliders. I can also recommend driving to Gans Bay and taking the Dyer island cruise from there. The cruise is a phenomenal experience! It takes you along the coast where you’ll get to see Great Whites, whales and dolphins, and on to Dyer Island which is home to thousands of penguins and seals.

Cape Winelands

The coastal drive from Hermanus along the Garden Route to the Cape Winelands is breathtaking. Stop at Betty’s Bay to visit a penguin colony. Continue along the R44 to Gordon’s Bay. The views of the coast and the imposing cliffs are nothing short of breathtaking. From Gordon’s Bay, head inland, past Somerset West (you can opt to stop by the historic Vergelegen wine estate here) to Stellenbosch. Stellenbosch is a historic university town in the heart of the winelands. Its oak-tree lined streets are packed with restaurants, cafés and art galleries. The Cape Dutch and Georgian houses here are stunning.

The drive from Stellenbosch to Franschhoek through the Hellshoogte Pass is simply astounding. You’ll pass mile after mile of vineyards set against the dramatic backdrop of the towering Groot Drakenstein mountains. On the way to Franschhoek, you’ll pass two of my favourite wine estates: Boschendal (totally breathtaking location; fabulous wine-tasting/lunches in the garden; try the intriguing Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend) and La Motte (beautiful wine-tasting hall; exquisite Merlots and Sauvignon Blancs).

Franschhoek is a small village bursting at its seams with restaurants and B&Bs. It is arguably the gourmet capital of South Africa and lies in a lush green valley surrounded by imposing mountain ranges. The food and wines here are indeed world-class!

Another beautiful drive is the Jan Phillips Mountain Drive above Paarl. It offers breathtaking vistas of Paarl and the surrounding winelands and a close-up of the giant granite domes from which Paarl derives its name.

From here, it’s a short hop back to Cape Town.

The impressions and memories from this trip will stick with you forever.

Thanks to Keith at Velvet Escape for sharing his memories with us.  If you are looking to drive the Western Cape of South Africa, I hope that you will Live the Magic of Africa through the beautiful drives and villages Keith has described for us.

• The average giraffe’s legs are 6 ft. tall, while the neck can be 20 ft. tall! Their total body height is around 13 – 15 ft.—and they’re quite lanky.

• They can sprint up to 35 miles per hour.
• Remember the black tongue mentioned above? It can grow anywhere from 18 – 21 in. long!

• Giraffe’s travel in herds ranging from 20 – 40 individuals and are led by a male giraffe—also known as a bull.
• Each giraffe has a different set of patterns, which are unique to that individual giraffe.
• While the average human baby is around 7 ounces, the average giraffe baby is around 6 ft. tall and weighs 100 – 150 lbs. and endures a nice 6 ft. drop as the mother gives birth—agonizing for both the mother and the baby. Wouldn’t you say?

When many people think of an African safari, they only envision one type—an adventure in a rugged vehicle, bouncing about the rolling terrain of Africa. This is absolutely true, but there are also several other types of safaris that are just as exhilarating, and shouldn’t be overlooked when planning your trip to Africa. Although a vehicle safari is a must while on your African safari trip, there are plenty of other types of safaris you may not be aware of, that are unique and just as exciting.

Did you ever think there could be five different types of an African safari vacation?

• A game-drive safari or vehicle safari could be considered the most traditional. The thrill of the vehicle’s invigorating speed and ruggedness create a truly authentic safari. Vehicle safaris offer an exceptional view of wild game throughout the area, and allow you to sit back and enjoy the excitement of a lion attacking its prey unravel before your eyes. Most luxurious lodges and camps offer excellent vehicle safaris.
• A walking safari allows you to connect with nature on a whole new level. The movement and feel of this safari is completely opposite to a vehicle safari, as you can feel the ground beneath your feet, and are on a different height level than a vehicle. A walking safari offers the same fantastic game-viewing experience and adventure as a vehicle safari, while offering a different perspective on nature. Zambia’s Luangwa National Park is famous for its exceptional walking safaris.
• A canoe safari boasts a fresh perspective on animal behavior. The rivers and water holes provide a place for animals to bathe, play, and drink from. Watch a hippo charge into the water or a baby elephant play with his mother. In addition to observing animals behaving in a different environment, a canoe safari boasts a large variety of birds and water-dwelling animals, which cannot be seen on any other type of safari. The Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe is the ideal place to enjoy a canoe safari.
• A balloon safari is one of the most interesting safaris there is. This one-of-a-kind safari is truly a unique adventure since riders have a bird’s-eye-view of the land, and can observe nature from a whole new perspective. Game-viewing is spectacular as you glide above the treetops, and soak in the picturesque moments. Enjoy a hot-air balloon safari at Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania, and experience an out-of-this-world escapade.
• A horseback safari is arguably one of the most adventurous safaris there is. Running with a herd of zebra on horseback is an experience that cannot be matched by any other. Feel the adrenaline rush through your veins as you ride along the sprawling hills and observe spectacular creatures and the Big Five at close proximity. Singita Grumeti Reserve in Tanzania now offers horseback safaris for experienced riders.

Don’t miss the bountiful opportunities that await you in Africa. Let Hills of Africa Travel plan the perfect, tailored itinerary for your next African family safari or honeymoon safari. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802, and experience an unforgettable journey.

WOW! We have just learned about an amazing deal with South African Airways. Imagine giving your loved one an African Safari Vacation of a lifetime.

South African Airways is offering FREE airfare for travel between January 23rd – March 31st, or October 31st to November 30th 2009.

All you need to do is purchase ONE economy class ticket from New York or Washington to Johannesburg at $1399 (taxes and fees of approximately $375 are additional) and you get ONE FREE ticket so you can take a friend, loved one or companion.

But you must book soon – you must purchase by February 16th to qualify.

For more information call Hills of Africa Travel or visit www.flysaaspecials.com

Find out how you can experience the magic of Africa with Hills of Africa Travel. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802 to learn more about our family safari and honeymoon safari itineraries.

Hills of Africa Travel is so excited that South African Airways has a new Daytime Flight beginning May 1st 2009.

South African Airways has announced that they are offering a new daily non-stop service from New York-JFK Airport to Johannesburg, South Africa starting May 1, 2009. By adjusting their flight schedule, the new daytime departure from New York-JFK will arrive in Johannesburg the next morning and provide convenient same-day online connections for you to begin your South Africa family safaris, or take an Africa family safari to Botswana. You can even begin your African safari honeymoon in Mozambique by taking this non-stop day flight.

Here are the daily SAA flight schedules from New York JFK to South Africa, Johannesburg and on the return from Johannesburg to New York JFK:

SA #204
Depart JFK: 11.35am
Arrive JNB: 8.45am the following day
Non-stop

SA #203
Depart JNB: 7.05pm
Arrive JFK: 7.40am the following day
brief 1 hour stop in Dakar

Here are the flight schedules from Washington Dulles to Johannesburg and returning from Johannesburg to Washington Dulles:

SA #208
Depart IAD: 5.40pm
Arrive DKR: 5.55am the following day
Leave DKR: 6.55am
Arrive JNB: 5.20pm

SA #207
Depart JNB: 5.25pm
Arrive DKR: 12.o5am the following day
Leave DKR: 1.05am
Arrive IAD: 6.00am

Let Hills of Africa Travel plan your dream safari. Contact us today, and utilize our detailed destination planning services and expert advice to send you on a life-altering experience like no other.