Venues4Africa - Accommodation and Routes in Southern Africa

Drought: Use Water Sparingly During Your Trip

The city of Cape Town has reported that all of the Western Cape’s water reservoirs are sitting at just under 30% of their capacity. The city officials anticipate that “Day Zero”, the day water finally runs out will be the 12th of April.

The plight of the drought

This severe water shortage is a direct effect of a climate phenomenon known as the El Nino Southern Oscillation. The second cause of this drought is also the rapid growth of population in the region. It is estimated that there are 6.5 million people living in the Western Cape and this is growing at 2.3% rate a year. Over time, this population growth has increasingly put a strain on the water resources available, therefore depleting the water resources currently available. Due to the water crisis in the Western Cape, we are unfortunately unable to fill our pool with municipal water.

If you are planning to visit the Western Cape, use water sparingly during your holiday. Help save water in order to support eco-tourism. Most hotels, restaurant and services have implemented water saving measure to counter the anticipated “Day Zero”. Save water, every drop counts.

Tips on saving water:

Shower Bucket or shower in pairs
Turn off the tap when soaping during a shower
Use a glass when brushing your teeth
Turn off the tap while washing your hands
If it’s yellow, let it mellow, flush the toilet when necessary
Ensure all taps are closed securely
Remember to “save like a local”

Wine, Food & Music- It’s the Plett Feeling!

One cannot imagine the buzz and excitement in Plett as everyone seems to be up and about getting ready for the Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival. Wine, Food & Music- It’s the Plett feeling!

This year, this successful annual event is taking place from the 25th and 26th November at Plett Central Beach. The event gives you a chance to spend some time at the beach. If you are wondering about your weekend plans and you are a wine lover- you’ve got an exciting weekend coming your way.
The event will feature a number of winemakers showcasing their art of wine-making and anyone is sure to enjoy tasting locally produced boutique wines. Because wine has to be coupled with a snack, there will be food and wine pairing opportunities- from cheese and bread to sushi, oysters and several savoury treats, what more could you ask for?

The event will feature educational talks and there you will learn all there is to learn about good and wine. That’ not all, there will live music and popular musicians like Charlie Flinch and Gerald Clarke to name a few will perform. Tickets are R200 for a day pass and R350 for the weekend pass and different coupons are included. You can book your tickets at https://www.quicket.co.za/

Dress Code: Sparkle in Blue & White

Participating wine farms:

Bitou Vineyards, Bramon Wine Estate, Kay & Monty Vineyards, Lodestone Wine & Olives, Luka Wines, Newstead Lund Family Vineyards, Packwood Country Estate, Plettenvale Wines, That Wine Demesne

PE shoreline’s prominent feature

Who can guess what this is? Of course, you all know that besides the harbours, the most prominent feature on the shores of the “Friendly City ” is the Shark Rock Pier. Situated between the Humewood and Hobie Beach, the Shark Rock Pier is 137 metres long and it’s construction started in 1998 to stall beach erosion.

The pier is famously known for it’s notorious views of both Humewood and Summerstrand beachfronts and loved by most sightseers. The views of Algoa Bay and the city are also outstanding from here. Families can also enjoy strolls along the pier and it makes a perfect spot to catch the sunset. Visitors to the pier also enjoy free admission as well as activities like swimming, surfing, snorkelling and scuba diving in the small reefs near the pier. Various fish species can also be spotted. One’s visit to the “Friendly City” is not complete until one has made a turn to PE shoreline’s prominent feature, the Shark Rock Pier!

The pier is also ideally located close to many other attractions in Port Elizabeth. Restaurants and eateries, bars, shopping centres and the iconic Boardwalk Casino are all within a walking distance. It is he perfect place to enjoy the outdoors before retreating to you hotel, or even grabbing a snack and a sundowner.

Stay tuned for more exciting blog about the ins and outs of South Africa.

Slow Food & Wine Festival

In the outback and picturesque country of Route 62, you will find the quaint town of Robertson. Robertson hosts a much loved event; the Slow Food & Wine Festival, where food is slowly made and slowly enjoyed. This year’s festival is taking place between the 4th and the 6th of August 2017. Robertson, also known and the ” Valley of Roses” is situated in the most thriving area of the renowned Cape Winelands and couldn’t have chosen a better place to host the show.

The festival takes place and various wineries and and tourism establishments. It is the perfect change to explore the romance between good food and good wine, while escaping into a timeless country this winter. There will be lots of wines and cuisines to choose from, wholesome country dishes such as traditional South African curries, seafood, and venison dishes to gourmet cheese, meet and olive platter, every dish you pick with a a perfect wine match.

A host of activities will abound and will e enjoyable for couples, friends and families. It’s an all in one but perfect winter getaway. Yow will especially enjoy wine cellar and farm tours, cooking classes, food and wine pairing, and finally, the family market which takes places on the Sunday.

Don’t miss out on an opportunity to take your taste buds on an adventure that has long-lasting memories.

For more bookings,tickets and more information, visit http://www.robertsonslow.com or download the program of the event.

If you are going to be in Robertson, you know where to find you Robertson accommodation. Stay tuned for more exciting blog about the ins and outs of South Africa.

Durban July, chic fashion & style meets equestrian

Some call it the Durban July, others call it the July Fever, whatever your preferred name, it doesn’t change the rage and excitement the durbanites are feeling right now -Durban July, chic fashion & style meets equestrian. Perhaps not only the durbanites, but also for many of the fashion and horse fanatics around South Africa. This is a perfect chance for fashionistas to express their fashion senses while the equestrian revel in horse races and horse parades, above all, entertainment, food and drink will also make people jolly and merry.

Durban July, is a South African Thoroughbred horse race held annually on the first Saturday of July since 1897 at Greyville Racecourse in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. This year, taking place on the 1st of July, the theme of the event is ” The Colour of Magic” which is red, and there is loads to look forward too. Most South African celebrities will be on the scene, looking to be seen and a host of the country’s musicians including AKA, Mafikizolo, Glen Lewis and many more will be making their appearances. A fashion show ramp will also be there and a host of South African fashion designers will be looking to get their designs spotted. If you are fashion fad, you will not want to miss a catwalk or two by the beautiful models on the ramp.

The first race will begin just after 11 am, so make you get you bets placed in time. All participating horses will also be on show alongside music and all sorts of entertainment.

Visit http://www.durbanjuly.info/index.php for more information. If you are going to be in Durban, you know where to find you Durban accommodation. Stay tuned for more exciting blog about the ins and outs of South Africa.

Photo credits: Sowetan LIVE

Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival 2017

There is never an event that rivals the Oyster Festival in Knysna and days are starting to be counted. Knysna is one of the top oyster cultivating town on the Garden Route where oyster cultivation dates back to 1949. That’s good enough a reason to indulge in 10 days of such joyous celebrations. Despite the recent devastating fires in the town, the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival 2017 is going ahead as planned and it is set to delight.

This year’s event will take place from the 7th to the 16th of July. The annual event, as any other year will bring families, sport lovers and foodies together to celebrate what is best described as ” the best 10 days in winter“. Why couldn’t it be when an estimate of 200 000 oysters are consumed over this 10-day period?

The events will feature several activities for every attendee to enjoy. From The Momentum Knysna Cycle Tour, The BIG 5 Challenge, The Pezula Golf Tournament to the Oyster Rapid Chess Tournament. For kids, the BIG5 Junior Challenge, the Simola Little Phantom Kids Adventure Run, the Fun Fair and the The Momentum Health Kiddies Area will keep the little ones occupied well – enough. Foodies will especially enjoy the Pick n Pay Seafood Wednesday – back by public demand, were top restaurants will showcase the best of their culinary skills of seafood. The Pick n Pay SASSI Fish Braai, Oyster Shucking and Eating Competitions will also be a great amusement. There will be more activities to enjoy and you sure will find a few suited for you.

The festival will also be a perfect opportunity to explore Knysna at its best. Whether you are new to the town or not, it won’t harm to pay the Knysna Heads a visit, Garden Route National park, Thesens Wharf and many other attractions Knysna has to offer.

For information on the festival visit http://www.oysterfestival.co.za

Call : +27 (0) 44 382 5510

Email: [email protected]

If you decide on visiting Knysna during this festive time, look nor further that www.Venues4Africa.com to find your accommodation.

Stay tuned for more exciting blog about the ins and outs of South Africa. This week, we are are proud to announce: Fijnbosch @ Jacobs Bay, luxury self-catering holiday apartments in Jacobs Bay, West Coast ,1-on-Ross, 3 lovely, bright cottages in Grahamstown and Boutique Villa Guest House, a luxury manor house in Somerset West, who have just joined our growing Venues4Africa Family.

Living the Karoo Life

Often referred to as the outback of South Africa, The Karoo is a semi – arid region in the country. It is characterized by vast open spaces with desert flora and fauna thriving across the plains. A bunch of small sheep farming and laidback towns, rocky layers, low rainfall, clear blue skies and either extreme heat or cold constitutes this charmingly arid land. Divided into the Klein Karoo and the Groot Karoo, this expanse spreads across 4 of the country’s 9 provinces and takes up to 40% of the country’s land. The Karoo is that large that you have to explore it slowly, town or area at a time. Otherwise you know what they say “Once you go Karoo, you ever go back.“

With a description so general and so vague, you are almost not enticed to want to visit the Karoo. It all sounds like it is such an uneventful area but that is the actual Karoo life you ought to see. It is the experience that counts, the real rustic country experience of a loving and friendly community and the togetherness of the locals. The Karoo life is such that everyone knows each other, you know your butcher, your storekeeper, your nurse or handyman who fixes anything from you toaster to your tractor. It makes a perfect alternative lifestyle. For those looking to detach from your ever busy life that is profoundly affected by just about anything, the Karoo is your ideal escape. Living the Karoo life is actually liberating.

A Chance to Re-invent Yourself

Stockbrokers become rose growers. Company mavens become cheese-heads. Former coal miners now make forest fairies for a living. Old journos become wine-makers. OK, that’s not much reinvention but it’s something. http://bit.ly/2rFMqrv

Another thing you will enjoy living in the Karoo is its timelessness. The old Cape Dutch and Edwardian buildings will just take your breath. Strolling along the streets of Graaff- Reinet or Nieu – Bethesda is the best thing you can do to relax and take you back in time. Riding ostriches in Oudtshoorn is also great if you need to shake it up a bit. Although change is taking place slowly, the old charm is resistant and is still very prominent in many Karoo towns. The annual gatherings such as the Vleisfees in Calvinia every August continue to hold the sense of community together.

Stay tuned for more exciting blog about the ins and outs of South Africa.

Why visit South Africa in winter?

We often find ourselves asking the question whether or not we need a getaway during winter. There are mixed feelings about this question! The we go on and ask “Why visit South Africa in winter?” Now, we have an answer to that question.

Whale Watching

Whale watching is one of the most popular thing to do during the South African winter. Between June and November a host of whales migrate to the Cape Coasts and the North Coast of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa and up to 37 whale and dolphin species can be found in the waters of South Africa. Hermanus, Plettenberg Bay and St Lucia are the best whale watching spots where you can even partake in an ocean and marine life safari and encounter these marine beasts up close and other marine creatures altogether.

Kruger National Park

It is a fact that wild animals tend to roam freely in winter and this is when you get the best chances of spotting some of the rarest of them. In South Africa, Kruger National Park, Africa’s largest game reserve, is the ideal destination for a winter safari. Not only will you enjoy the sightings of the wild, but the beauty of the atmosphere, biodiversity and natural and historical sites are overwhelming in winter. You won’ want to leave.

Wine tasting

A real winter warmer that one! An excellent glass of red wine paired with fondue or a thick juicy steak in winter keep the cold away. With a host of wine farms and cellars, some still emerging in the country, wine tasting makes a perfect winter activity, enjoyable either in the afternoon or in the evening. Wine cellar tours are also enjoyable. Make a trip to the Cape Winelands, where you can experience authentic winery excursions, and weather you are in Route62 or in the actual Cape winelands, the experience is the same and overwhelmingly incredible.

Matroosberg

Known to be the tallest mountain in the Boland region, the Matroosberg mountain is a popular winter attraction as it is one of the few places that experiences snow in winter in South Africa. Abounding activities for families as well as bigger groups include 4×4 drives, quad biking, fishing, ice climbing, abseiling, cherry picking and farm tours in the area. Treat yourself and your family to an unforgettable and eventful winter vacation.

The Clarens Route

A 3 hour drive from Johannesburg and tucked in the Maluti Mountains sits the quaint “The Jewel of the Free State”, Clarens. The little village overlooks fertile and stunning landscapes and Lesotho is visible in a distance from here. The famous Golden Gate Highlands National Park is just outside the village and is renowned for its rare sandstone cliffs which turn golden in the rays of the setting sun. For those seeking an alternative lifestyle, Clarens quiet and serene, picturesque while offering various outdoor ventures, such as birding, hiking trails, horse riding, 4×4 trails, trout and bass fishing, golf, to name a few. The Clarens Route makes a perfect escape for or the log cabin, crackling fire and woolly-blanket-lover.

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5 Travel Rules

If you are looking to take a break and really want to unplug and detach from your daily life, there are 5 travel rules you need to abide by to get the most of your experience.

1. Travel with someone you love

There is no point in sharing a special moment with someone that does not add value to your life, or at least someone that doesn’t’ share your passion or have the same dreams as you. If you do, you will regret this time wasted.

2. Collect moments not things

Things wear out, they get lost, they lose importance and value with time, at some point you will even forget you ever collected something. But moments will always stay attached to your mind and the memories are unforgettable. Take loads of pictures, loads of selfies, capture every moment.

3. Indulge

Be adventurous and try something you’ve never done before. Try skydiving, bungee jumping, shark cage diving, whatever it is you choose to do, be sure it gets your blood rushing. Eat a lot and drink a lot- otherwise there no point of travelling in the first place. And don’t hesitate to try the weird food too!

4. Don’t regret anything

If you spend too much money and go over your budget – don’t regret it, because it’s money well-spent. Remember travelling is not about money, it’s about courage. Do and see everything you possibly can and make sure you do not regret not having done something – that will just be a total waste of time and energy.

5. Share the experience

Be sure to always have your smartphone or tablet with you. Take pictures of the food, the drinks, the places that you get to see and post them on social media. Check in at every place you visit – believe it or not, people want to see those pictures and want to know where you’ve been.

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Cape Winelands! Top must see places

A world of unique destinations, each with its own beauty and charm is what you can expect from spending a few days in the Cape Winelands. This world-renowned ruote offers any keen visitor a chance to explore a mix of old colonial charm and modernity, while also getting a good enough taste of nature. The Cape Winelands Route , known for its serenity and tranquility, also boasts a wealth of picturesque vineyards lying against rugged mountains and enjoying a beautiful country feel. Here are some of the best towns not to miss during your winelands route vacation.

Stellenbosch

This lovely and quaint town boasts a glorious and quiet location 50 Km outside of Cape Town while lying on the banks of the Eerste River. Stellenbosch makes a perfect weekend getaway destination for Capetonians. Like any other winelands town, Stellenbosch is known for unrivalled viticulture where an endless list of award winning wines are produced. If you are not going to Stellenbosch for the wine experience, then you are definitely looking to enjoy some sightseeing and exciting events that always set the town abuzz.

Franschhoek

Amidst a majestic range of mountains, 75 km from Cape Town is Franschhoek, a small town we like to identify as a” dynamite in a small package.” For any town in the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is praised for it’s quaint old charm of Cape Dutch architecture – most of which still retain its original form. Although some houses have been meticulously restored, there is no doubt that this little town’s most enjoyed activity is sightseeing, beside the wine culture of course! The town also offers aplenty restaurants and places to dine that will just make a perfect getaway.

Wellington

Not too far from from Paarl, is Wellington, a small town the oozes an abundance of wine and brandy, altogether with deciduous fruit. Wellington boasts an incredible position at the centre on of the Cape Winelands and at the base of the Bain’s Kloof Pass, the oldest mountain pass in the country. Surely, you ought to know that a visit to the winelands is not complete until you have wandered through the streets of the town and absorbing the simplicity of a lifestyle the town offers.

Hermanus

With its own little wine route coming along and showing potential, Hermanus also falls under the glorious Cape Wineland and offers a fantastic range of wineries worth a visit. This coastal town not only boasts locally produced wines, it s also notorious for the presence of the Southern Right Whale in winter and spring. In September, there is an annual Whale Festival, so taking some time to celebrate the beginning of their mating season is time well spent in the town.

Robertson

Situated in the heart of the rustic and scenic Route62, Robertson is just a perfect retreat for romance. The wine industry in Robertson has grown significantly with up to 50 wine cellars now registered and for wine tasting venues, you are spoilt for choice. With the town’s tourism growing too, you are sure to enjoy romantic star- gazing under the African night sky, hiking and skydiving.

Stay in the loop to keep up to date with our newest members of our growing family. This week, we are are proud to announce: 75 Cascades, a luxury self-catering holiday apartment Umdloti Beach, KwaZulu Natal’s Dolphin Coast.