Hermanus boasts festivals such as the annual Hermanus Whale Festival so it comes as no surprise that the local destination has been hailed the best spot in the world. The international publication described the town as “a small fishing village”, noting the migration of the Southern Right whale as a must-see event. The Southern right whales come to calf and mate off this coast between June and November, performing their acrobatics incredibly close to the shore. Southern Right Whales are known for their friendly and playful nature and can weigh over 47 tones and reach a length of 18 meters.

Here are the top 10 whale watching spots across the world according to The Telegraph: 

1. Hermanus – South Africa

2. California – United States of America

3. Canary Islands

4. Vancouver Island – Canada

5. San Ignacio Lagoon – Mexico

6. Grundarfjorour – Iceland

7. Queensland – Australia

8. Cetaceans – Azores

9. Christchurch – New Zealand

10. Madeira – Portuguese Island

Hermanus is a destination we look forward to visiting every year and one we cannot recommended enough! Please contact us if you would like some more information on a whale watching experience or some sample packages showing how this experience can be incorporated into a package.

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Leopard – leopards are the shyest of the big cats, preferring their own company and hanging out in bush during the day and only emerging in the late afternoon to hunt for dinner. Leopards  mostly hunt at night although they will seize any opportunity for a kill. The illusive leopard is found throughout the Kruger National Park and if you are lucky you will spot one, they prefer dense riverine forest – especially along the Sabie River – and rocky outcrops.

Cheetah – cheetah’s are lean and wily, built for speed and can run at speeds over 110 km/h. Cheetahs use their speed for hunting, catching their prey off-guard and then running at it, full-speed. They usually eat quickly because they cannot guard carcass against scavengers. The Central Kruger is the favorite spot for the fast cheetah with sightings in and around Lower Sabie and the Crocodile River.

Caracal – caracal’s are highly secretive and difficult to observe. They are territorial and live mainly alone or in pairs. The caracal is a carnivore that typically preys upon small mammals, birds and rodents. Caracal’s have a variety of habitats but this secretive creature prefers the open savanna where there are rocky outcrops.

How to behave when you meet a cat in Kruger:

Be very quite, human noise will disturb the cats.

In most reserves, animals have become habituated to the vehicles used – and their shape. So do not stand up or move your arms and legs out of the vehicle, as this will frighten the animals and may result in them retreating or attacking.

Never try to interfere with the animals you encounter. This includes trying to change their behavior or position for a good photo shot and feeding them.

Please contact us if you would like some more information on visiting the Kruger National Park or some sample packages showing how this destination can be incorporated into a package.

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Cape Town’s dam levels are double what they were in 2018. Dams supplying water to Cape Town are currently at 52.7% capacity, a welcomed contrast to last year’s very low 23%. The Theewaterskloof Dam, the province’s biggest dam, is still over 40% full, which is four times its level in 2018. 

Hydro-climatologist Piotr Wolski says it’s too soon to tell how this year’s winter rainfall will improve the water situation. “I think anything can happen. It’s possible we will have another dry or wet year. I think what’s important is to look at the range of possibilities.”

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Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy the 5-day G!ano Coastal Hiking Trail which offers the choice between a lighter 42km or full 50km slack-packing route, taking in the coastal beauty of the Cape Whale Coast, starting at Quion Point Reserve and ending in Walker Bay Reserve. This unique nature experience allows you to explore the undeveloped and untouched beaches of the Whale Coast. The tour is professionally interpreted, stopping at historically significant sites and learning about with special insights into marine ecology, local plants and wildlife an in-depth understanding of Khoisan history and the many shipwrecks in the waters nearby. The trip includes an unforgettable gastronomic foraging experience.

The rich diversity of wildlife which can only found here, combined with the freshest air and spectacular natural scenery around every point, makes the 5-day G!ano Coastal Hiking Trail a top adventure for family and friends.

The 3-day Whale Coast Adventure is perfect if you are looking for an active scenic adventure. You will experience all of the natural splendour that the West Coast has to offer to taking in the amazing afternoon sun and sunset. The 3-day Whale Coast Adventure is full of exciting activities, enjoy a guided sand dune trail on Fatbikes, ride down the dunes to the seaside and enjoy the fantastic scenery of the Fynbos. If you are feeling adventurous, you can try to tackle cycling up the steep sand dunes. Nature lovers will enjoy the indigenous plants and animals throughout the area, there is so much to see and photograph.

Other adventure activities include an early morning shark cage diving adventure and an afternoon sunset horse ride on the beautiful Pearly Beach, about 20 minutes from Gansbaai. Riders can enjoy the beach freely and are offered the opportunity to swim in the ocean with their horses, a real bucket-list worthy adventure. After galloping on the open sand, you will relax with sundowners and snacks and then a stargazing experience.

Both experiences offer a member of staff who will document your whole trip and take photos throughout. The horses are also filmed with a drone, adding real value-added to your trip.

If you visit the area between the months of May and November, you are visiting between whale watching season. It is common to spot Southern Right whales frolicking in the water close to the shore.

There are shorter trips or day tours on offer, the perfect add-on options to add to your holiday experience in the Whale Coast area. You can choose from white shark cage diving, boat-based whale watching, zip lining, quad biking and exploring options like wine and gin tastings. Please contact us if you would like some more information on this unforgettable experience or some sample packages showing how this experience can be incorporated into a package.

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Tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom, and Mayor of Mogale City, Patrick Lipudi, were present on the day to cut the ribbon across the giant granite stones which serve as an entrance to Stone Park and are designed as stone tools to symbolise human endeavor and industry.  Managing Director of Maropeng, Michael Worsnip, introduced the special occasion, as well as Minister Hanekom, Mayor Lipudi, and CEO of the Cradle of Humankind and Dinokeng Project, MakhukhuMampuru.

Heritage Day encourages South Africans across the spectrum to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions. After years of Apartheid the Heritage Day public holiday is an attempt by the government to bring South Africans together in mutual understanding of each others’ respective cultures.

The Stone Park was designed and com­plet­ed by award-win­ning land­scap­ing firm FSG late last year. A rolling green land­scape punc­tu­at­ed by strik­ing gran­ite pieces make the space con­tem­pla­tive and artis­tic. It was the ide­al set­ting for the Cra­dle Colour Fest, due to the event being held at the begin­ning of spring, one of the most beau­ti­ful times of year in the Cra­dle of Humankind.

The site is an important World Heritage Site as it represents the story of human development and how humans craft their environment to suit their needs. The park can be used for a variety of events such as picnics, concerts, weddings, gatherings or festivals. After the unveiling of the Human Impact picnic site, Maropeng hosted its first-ever festival event called the Cradle Colour Fest, inviting visitors to celebrate their shared history and heritage, or experience the local cultural history and celebrate the diverse cultures of the South African nation.

The colourful festival was a fun event for all ages to celebrate and hosted appearances and performances by a number of South African artists, musicians, fashion designers and dancers such as DJ Dino Bra­vo and The Fos­sils. The festival was a collaboration with a number of South African organisations including the SA Department of Arts and Culture, Gauteng Tourism and Go West!

The Cradle of Humankind is globally recognised as the world’s richest hominin site, home to around 40% of the world’s human ancestor fossils. It is also where the discovery of Homo naledi took place, fossils that scientists date from between 335 000 and 236 000 years ago.

The Maropeng Visitor Centre and Sterkfontein Caves give tourists the opportunity to explore the history of humanity, captured in preserved fossils in the museum, or explore the caves where many of the fossils were found.

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Guests of The Blue Train, which usually travels between Cape Town and Pretoria,  can expect 19 hours of pampering on board, as the train departs Pretoria at 15h00, arriving in Hoedspruit at 10h00 the next morning, or vice versa.

This is also an ideal option for those with a tighter itinerary wanting to experience The Blue Train, compared with the longer Cape Town journey.

The upcoming Blue Train Safari departures from Pretoria to Hoedpsruit:

• October 19, 2018.
• December 14, 2018.
• July 19, 2019.
• September 27, 2019.

The Blue Train Safari departures from Hoedspruit to Pretoria:

• October 20, 2018.
• December 15, 2018.
• July 10, 2019.
• September 28, 2019.

Contact us for more information at info@southernafrica360.com adding this experience to our holiday package.

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The objective of the Speed Marketing workshop was not only to bring together Gauteng Province tourism products and SATSA accredited tour operators with the aim of promoting business, but to truly show off the diverse culture, heritage and future prospects that locals, tourists as well as businessmen and women can look forward to.

Maboneng

The Maboneng Precinct, also known as the Place of Light is nestled in the heart of Johannesburg CBD, an amazingly rejuvenated part of the city filled with a broad mix of people from all walks of life. Maboneng is fast becoming Jo ‘burg’s most unique and innovative area, offering fine restaurants such as Ravioli & Che Argentine Grill, entertainment venues, retail stores and art galleries, to The Bioscope, South Africa’s only independent cinema. Completed developments includes Arts on Main, Main Street Life, Revolution House, and Maboneng flagship accommodation and hotel development, Hallmark House.

There is a warm-friendly buzz with the smell of great cooking from the array of restaurants. The vibe is proudly South African with dancers and music in the streets.

– Alethea

The Cradle of Humankind

Maropeng, The Cradle of Humankind is the perfect destination for a quick getaway just an hour’s drive from Johannesburg. The Maropeng Visitor Centre is an exciting, world-class exhibition, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors over the past few million years. Not only is the Cradle of Humankind the only one of its kind in the world, it is also the only World Heritage Site that showcases human origins and development through interactive and entertaining exhibitions.

Southern Africa 360 offers day tours into both of these places and they can be booked as both a single tour or an add-on to a package. If you are interested in booking one of these tours you can contact us at info@southernafrica360.com

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Each note will celebrate a different milestone in the life of the Mandela starting with the R10 note that will highlight the Eastern Cape and his birthplace. The R20 note will feature Mandela’s hometown of Soweto and the R50 note will depict the site he was captured in KwaZulu-Natal. The R100 note will feature Robben Island, the site of Mandela’s Incarceration for 18 of the 27 years of his imprisonment. The R200 note celebrates the grandest event, Mandela’s presidential inauguration in Pretoria.

“This is a proud moment for the SARB and indeed for our country. It is the first time in the history of the SARB that we issue a series of commemorative banknotes‚ and there is no more fitting an occasion than the 100th birthday of Madiba”

said SARB Governor Lesetja Kganyago.

Southern Africa 360 has also decided to honor the late Nelson Mandela this year by launching two special tours, a 13 day and an 18 day,  that will take guests on a journey Mandela’s life and visit all the places depicted on these special notes. These are incredible tours that will not only take guests around South Africa but give them a greater understanding of the father of the Rainbow Nation.

To inquire about our Nelson Mandela Centenary tours contact us at info@southernafrica360.com.

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There has been a 50% increase in tourist arrivals to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe this year, with some hotels fully booked for the rest of the year! The Victoria Falls region last experienced 100% bookings in 1999 and this trend seems to be spreading through the rest of the country!

This boom can be attributed to a number of factors;

“The intense marketing and PR by the private sector together with Ministry, plus the impact of the new Victoria Falls International Airport and increased routes and access, have played a major role in this growth.”

Says Ross Kennedy, Chief Executive of Africa Albida Tourism.

With this news, it’s important for all travellers into the region to boo in advance to avoid disappointment as space is becoming limited as we head into the busy season! For more information on our Victoria Falls packages, visit our website and book today!

The post Victoria Falls: The New Must See Destination? appeared first on Southern Africa 360.

Dams supplying water to Cape Town have risen significantly and consistently, putting the region in a stronger position compared with winter last year. Provided that adequate water restrictions are maintained, the City of Cape Town is confident that there will be no prospect of reaching ‘Day Zero’ in 2019. As of June 28, dams in the area reached a capacity of over 43% which is a big jump from the previous year where they reached only 38%

The City’s Executive Deputy Mayor, Alderman Ian Neilson says:

“Having analysed this new data, we are now in a position to state that, not only have we managed to avoid Day Zero this year, but we will also safely get through summer in 2019.”

This is great news for all travellers heading to Cape Town! If you are interested in an exciting holiday in the Mother City Check out our awesome Cape Town packages!

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