Protea Cynaroides--Photo from South African National Biodiversity website

Protea Cynaroides--Photo from South African National Biodiversity website

Spanning across 528 hectares of manicured estate, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town, South Africa, is home to a wide spectrum of indigenous South African plants and cultivated gardens. It’s setting against the tall slopes of Table Mountain is the perfect accent to an already stunning garden.

One of the best times to view the garden is during springtime–beginning in July–when bulbs and annuals burst to the surface. New life is present all around the garden–from busy insects to blooming proteas, and ericas to berry heath.

Delightful surprises are around every corner at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden . . .

* Peninsula Garden: Here, you’ll find over 2,500 species of indigenous flora species.

* Water-Wise Garden: This garden is comprised of a variety of plant species that lack constant attention and an abundance of water.

* Fragrance Garden: One of the most delightful gardens in Kirstenbosch, the Fragrance Garden is home to stunning flowers with sumptuous scents and beauty.

Proteaceae--photo from South African National Biodiversity website

Proteaceae--photo from South African National Biodiversity website

 

* Medicinal Garden: Many cultures throughout South Africa use plants for medicinal purposes and this garden showcases these various types of plants and their interesting uses.

* The Dell: Filled with an eclectic array of ferns and other lush plants, the Dell is the oldest area of Kirstenbosch.

* The Protea Garden: The King Protea, South Africa’s national flower, is a prime focus in the Protea Garden. The best part to view this garden is during the winter and spring when the variety of protea species are in bloom.

* Restio Garden: Comprised of whistling reeds, the Restio Garden is teeming with a diverse mixture of reed species.

sunset concertAfter a long day soaking in the rich scents, textures, and sights of the gardens, unwind at one of Kirstenbosch’s infamous summer sunset concerts. Held every Sunday starting December 27, 2009 to April 4, 2010, the summer sunset concerts are the perfect way to end an exceptional day. With an outdoor amphitheatre featuring rock, jazz, and big band music, it’s no wonder these concerts attract a whole variety of music lovers. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of wine and a picnic to share with friends and family as you watch the sunset behind the vibrant gardens.

 

 

Imagine bringing your family on the vacation of a lifetime that is not only safe, luxurious, and unique, but worldly, inspirational, rich with culture, and bursting with adventure. A life-altering vacation such as this could only take place in one of the world’s few remaining unspoiled destinations. Africa.

Where the eco-systems are as diverse as the people, Africa has a profound impact on travelers, leaving some with a new outlook on life and a new found appreciation for worldly cultures. Immersing yourself in the varying cultures and terrain across this continent have the indescribable power to enlighten, connect, and inspire. Wouldn’t you love to introduce your family to this rare and unique experience?

Even though you’ll have the opportunity to purchase valuable African keepsakes such as hand-crafted art, pottery, and sculptures, you and your family will return home with more than just tangible souvenirs. You’ll return with a large variety of priceless keepsakes including knowledge, unforgettable memories, and quite possibly, a new outlook on life. Whether your children are in elementary school, middle school, high school, college, or out-of-college, a family vacation to Africa will give the entire family first-hand knowledge of some of the world’s most fascinating geography, nature, culture, history, and anthropology.

Taking the whole family on vacation–especially to an international destination–may seem stressful, but at Kruger National Park, South Africa, all your worries are left behind you. From your first step onto African soil to your last, South Africa has the power to make every family’s vacation one with life-lasting memories of sprawling flood plains, adventurous activities, and sightings of the Big Five, unusual game, and exotic birds.

Kruger National Park is a private reserve and is celebrated for being one of Africa’s best game-viewing destinations. This premier wildlife reserve was the first to be established in southern Africa and boasts some of the best-known and exclusive safari lodges in the world. There are a handful of accommodations in and in the surrounding areas of Kruger National Park that cater to each and every family’s individual preferences and needs, and provide wonderful activities for families. Two of the Park’s most highly-acclaimed lodges for family vacations are the Tintswalo Manor House and Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp.

Tintswalo Safari Lodge:

Designed specifically to accommodate families, Tintswalo Safari Lodge’s Manor House can hold up to 10 guests and requires occupants to have a minimum of six members in their party. During your stay, you will be provided with a private safari vehicle, expert guide, and tracker. In addition to these included features, Tintswalo’s staff is their to accommodate your every individual preferences–down to the very last detail. Their superior service and staff ensures that stress is completely absent from your vacation.

In the Manor House, you will find three twin or double bedrooms downstairs with an optional child room attached to one of them. Upstairs is the main double bedroom with spectacular views of the African bush.

During the day, enjoy relaxing and socializing by the pool or read a book on the patio or boma or take part in one of Tintswalo’s numerous activities. Whether your looking to spend most of your day on a vehicle safari, a walking safari, enjoying a long and leisurely tea time, or relaxing at the Vital Source Spa, Tintswalo caters to your every desire and is completely flexible to ensure your stay is filled with only the things you want to do. In the evening, dinner is served on the patio or in the open air boma and each meal is prepared with the freshest ingredients and with a contemporary flare.

If you are bringing a younger child with you to Africa, Tintswalo Manor House is the place to stay. With an exceptional Children’s Program that takes children on safaris that are specifically catered to their age group, you can enjoy a variety of adult-oriented safari excursions without the worry of ensuring your child’s safety. Tintswalo even has a children’s menu for the young travelers in your group.

Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp:

Situated between the Kruger National Park and the Manyeleti Game Reserve, Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp is a family-friendly accommodation where you and your family can enjoy some of the best game-viewing Africa has to offer. With accommodations for up to 20 individuals, this luxury safari camp has an intimate atmosphere that makes it possible for staff to provide each guest with extremely personal and superior service. Whatever your need or desire, Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp is dedicated to fulfilling it to the best of their ability.

With exclusive tented-suites that are not only luxuriously decorated but also extremely comfortable and safe, this Camp prides itself on its ability to bring the African bush into its accommodations. Inside each suite there are twin or double beds, a private veranda, double showers, and a separate bathroom.

Activities offered by the Camp include walking and vehicle safaris that take you through the Manyeleti Game Reserve and Kruger National Park. You will be able to see the Big Five as well as a wide spectrum of other game and animals. When you return from an adventurous day in the African bush, you can enjoy a delectable meal in the dining area, which encircles a log fire, or have cocktails at the bar.

If you’re traveling with younger children, you can rest assured that they’re in good hands at the Camp’s private children’s center, which has a DVD player and a large variety of nature and animal films and documentaries, as well as toys and children books. Kids can also enjoy the children’s pool area under supervision or enjoy walking and vehicle safaris with their parents if they are of appropriate age.

avondale

Photo from Avondale website

The wine country of South Africa is full of old-world Dutch estates, family-owned vineyards, and charming countryside, but there is one vineyard, in particular, that is appraised for not only its eco-friendly practices, but also for its delectable wines.

Each year, Avondale picks their best wine from the barrel and awards it the Les Perleus label. This label of excellence was given to their Merlot 2006 this year because of its “deep velvety texture,” hints of fruit flavors, and long, subtle tannin finish.

merlot

Photo from Avondale website

Below you will find more information about the Les Perleus Merlot 2006:

• Some of the grapes were fermented in open tanks and the other part in closed tanks.

• Part of the fermentation process occurred in French oak barrels to draw out deep flavors of wood.

• The wine is ready to drink now. However, if you would like to wait until the wine has aged the recommended time is 15 years.

Avondale, an exceptional vineyard that began in Paarl, South Africa, features some of the most exquisite wines in the world and since its opening has expanded satellite vineyards to fifteen countries across the globe. But Avondale is famous for more than its splendid wines—they are Bio-LOGIC certified for their entire farm. In a nutshell, Bio-LOGIC certification requires that a farm does not use pesticides (even if they’re organic) or herbicides in their grape growing process. Avondale has taken great pride in this certification and strives to do their part in sustaining the environment.

Learn more about this exceptional vineyard here:

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPVV9YbsY-s&hl=en&fs=1&]

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Impressionable mediums such as Hollywood and novels have positioned Africa as a continent synonymous with fierce game, adventurous safaris, and stunning wildlife. But Africa embodies much more than its traditional stereotype as a game-viewing safari destination. Although game-drives are the perfect way to observe the Big Five and other large African animals, it’s impossible to immerse yourself in the minute details of the African bush, where vehicles are forbidden.

Teeming with some of the world’s most intriguing flora, peculiar insects, stunning nocturnal creatures, and mysterious wilderness, Africa is abundant with hidden treasures and unspoiled terrain that make walking safaris a must. There are a variety of walking safaris to choose from, depending on your personal preference. Many travelers enjoy the niche-oriented walking safaris such as those that focus specifically on birding, plants, or lions. But one of those most interesting niche-oriented walking safaris is a frogging safari.

Frogging Safaris at The Dunes Country House

It may sound odd, but a frogging safari is a unique way to observe some of Africa’s endangered amphibian species, and is highly adventurous as it does encourage some detective work on your part. One of South Africa’s most reputable places to enjoy a frogging safari is the Dunes Country House in St. Francis Bay, South Africa. Here, extremely knowledgeable safari guide, Warren, who specializes in frogs, educates you on the unique lifestyle, behavior, and habits of frogs and opens your eyes to peculiar frog species that are endemic to the area.

Frogging Safaris at Dunes Country House, St Francis Bay

With nearly 100 species of frog found throughout Southern Africa, approximately 47% of which are only found in the South African region, a frogging safari in St. Francis Bay opens your eyes to some of the world’s most rare and mesmerizing amphibians. The decrease in the African frog population can be correlated with indirect human influences such as pollution and deforestation.

As wildlife preservation supporters, Dunes Country House is diligently working to help preserve the fragile South African wilderness and give every last frog species the power to live on. One of their greatest conservation projects is the alien eradication program, which helps preserve the area’s drying wetlands and a specific frog species known as the Sand Toad. Dunes Country House’s alien eradication program works to remove any non-indigenous vegetation from the area and prevent human destruction of the wetlands.

Frogging Safaris at Dunes Country House

When you partake in an unforgettable frogging safari, you’re getting more than an educational and adventurous experience, you’re contributing to the preservation of the Southern African frogs’ natural habitat. All frogging safari funds go to the alien eradication program, which is helping to expand the wetlands and give life back to the endangered frogs of this fragile region.

frogging

On the Dunes Country House frogging safari with Warren, you’ll . . .

  • Begin your excursion at sunset and will be equipped with headlamps, nets, and gum boots.
  • Take a Land Rover to Dunes Country House’s private nature reserve, Thula Moya, where you will find a variety of frog species.
  • Hear the beautiful whistles and songs of the resident male frogs. Each male frog looking for a female mate works hard at their music to be the loudest, because in the end, the loudest frog gets the girl.
  • Learn about the frog species in the area and discover what makes these frogs unique creatures. From the soothing sounds to the vibrant colors and hues of these frogs, you’ll discover the purpose of each frog characteristic.
  • Need to keep an eye open in search of colorful frogs. Frogs range in color to bright reds, yellows, and greens, to brown hues with intricate detailed skin.
  • See a variety of frog species including the painted reed frog, cape sand frog, raucous toad, eastern leopard toad, clicking stream frog, bronze caco, and striped stream frog–to name a few.

When you arrive back at the Dunes Country House, you have the opportunity to purchase a hand-beaded frog statue as a souvenir from local crafters. The proceeds from this purchase will further go to the preservation efforts of the area.

Experience the beauty of Africa on a South African family safari or honeymoon safari vacation. Let Hills of Africa Travel create for you a detailed itinerary that is tailored to your every individual preference. Contact us today at 800.940.9344. We’re looking forward to making your dreams come true.

Would you enjoy a frogging safari in Southern Africa?

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Some of the world’s most spectacular art forms were born in Africa’s culturally diverse countries. One such art form, famous for its fascinating ability to turn recyclable materials into works of art, has been spotlighted in Cape Town, South Africa for many years. These unique creations are known as wire art.

The origins of wire art are still slightly ambiguous, but it is believed that these unique art forms originated in South Africa’s rural Northern Kwazulu-Natal. Young herd boys were the first to introduce these works of art. Designing wire creations from any recycled materials they could find, these boys produced some of the most magnificent, functioning appliances—they even built cars! Their inspirational wire creations encouraged other locals to participate in this highly marketable art form. 

Today, one of South Africa’s most highly-acclaimed shopping hubs to purchase these exquisite works of art is none other than Streetwires. This community project comprised of creators of modern African wire and bead craft, is an amazing place to experience Cape Town culture and witness the fusion of traditional African craft skills and First World resources. Streetwires is a Proudly South African project that provides formerly unemployed citizens with training and materials to foster their natural born gifts of creating works of art. When you buy from Streetwires, you are contributing to a sustainable society and economy in Cape Town, because the money goes back into the local community. 

Wire artworks are African inspired sculptures created from wire, beads, tin cans, and other recycled materials. These functioning, hand-crafted pieces are some of the most fascinating art forms recognized in South Africa.

Here are a few things you can purchase while visiting Streetwires in Cape Town, South Africa:

• Beaded Sculptures: Choose from sculptures of warthogs, zebras, meerkats, lions, cheetahs, frogs, elephants, giraffes, or any other animal you can think of.

• Lamps and t-light holders: Illuminate your home with elephant shaped t-light holders, gecko lamps, lanterns, and wild creations that can hold candles or bulbs. 

lighting

• Picture frames: Bring South Africa’s cultural spirit and vibrant colors into your home with original, hand-crafted picture frames.

• Wine racks and tableware: Purchase a one-of-a-kind wine rack to hold all of your delicious South African wine and decorate your table with African inspired bowls, baskets, or trivets. 

• Accessories: Add color and life to any outfit with Streetwires’ elegant earrings, cuffs, and hairclips.

Experience the rich art forms and cultural heritage of Cape Town, South Africa while on a South African family safari or honeymoon safari. Bring back local pieces that inspire and reflect Africa’s unique artistic spirit. Let Hills of Africa Travel take you there. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802 and let us create a completely personalized itinerary for you and your loved ones. We’re looking forward to making your dreams come true . . .

 

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If you’re looking to sink into the calming surroundings of South Africa while enjoying a luxurious stay at one of Africa’s finest accommodations, Kensington Place is the ideal hotel. Celebrated for its lavishly decorated rooms, exquisite services, ideal location, and deluxe amenities, Kensington Place was voted Winner of Traveller’s Choice 2009 in the Luxury Hotel category. It was also featured in the Tatler Travel Guide as the “coolest bolthole in the Cape.”

Experience the unspoiled surroundings of Kensington Place on a South African family safari, or honeymoon safari. The hotel’s perfect location on Table Mountain offers guests a private and quiet place to retreat after a long day on South African safari tours or a day shopping in / exploring Cape Town. Guests are minutes from the best spots in the Cape, making Kensington Place one of Cape Town’s most highly-acclaimed hotels.

Kensington Place guests enjoy . . .

• Spectacular rooms boasting luxurious African contemporary décor, twin / king size bed, lavish en suite facilities, and stunning views of Table Mountain.

• Delectable lunches in the quaint gardens of this delightful hotel.

• Laying on the sundeck and frequently dipping in the lush plunge pool to cool off.

• A fantastic social setting in the evenings at the hotel’s bar and lounge area. Luxurious outdoor seating allows guests to sip flavorful cocktails under the starry African sky.

• Exciting activities, including a trip to the summit of Table Mountain on a cable car, helicopter flights, horseback riding, a trip to the aquarium, and so much more.

• Delightful day trips to Cape Winelands, Cape Town, neighboring beaches, Robben Island, Cape Point, Kirstenbosch, and a wide spectrum of shopping destinations.

• Extraordinary Cape Town dining. The hotel arranges reservations and transportation for guests to their restaurant of choice each night. Cape Town boasts some of Africa’s finest restaurants, and bars and lounges. After a scrumptious meal at a critically acclaimed restaurant, guests can walk to hot nightlife hubs, where socializing and cocktail drinking continues.

Explore a world where sheer beauty, luxurious accommodations, exciting social scenes, and spectacular adventures awaits you. Let Hills of Africa Travel create for you a detailed and personalized itinerary tailored around your every preference. Whether enjoying a South African family safari or honeymoon safari, we ensure you’ll have the trip of a lifetime. Contact us today at (877) 845-4802.  We’re looking forward to making your dreams come true . . .

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