Its winter in South Africa, the day time average temperature is around 22 deg. C and the evenings are chilly by African standards with most areas between three and twelve degrees centigrade. Here’s a quick aside, South Africans always drink cold lager, normally out of a 2-4 deg. Fridge, even within the coldest of weather, unlike the ecu beer drinkers where the beers, except perhaps in summer, are normally served at room temperature This has little however to do with winter travel in South Africa, what can we advise. Firstly, camping seriously is not an option, i’m an avid camper but to most South African travellers this also means a barbecue (or braai because it is stated in South Africa) daily or evening and the cold weather doesnt make this appealing. For the sport reserve visitors, winter is basically the best possible time to go to, in summer most animals find shade and a few type of shelter in the course of the period between nine within the morning and 4 within the evening, as with humans, they get hot, using the coolers morning and evening hours for the collection of food and hunting. Our first suggestion then is to pack your woollies and head for the numerous game reserves, enquire first about electric blankets, heaters, wood fires and other winter comforts, we certainly recommend this as an option, the reserves and their different accommodation options are well geared for this. A top for travel in winter is that wherever you go, pack a knee rug and an old-fashioned hit water bottle that you should fill within the evenings and take it along to bed with you, the knee rug is warm if chilly air hits an open game viewing vehicle and it may double up as an additional blanket if you find yourself sleeping.
Winters are generally dry in South Africa, it is a very nice time to take a drive-yourself tour along the fewer travelled roads, the Prince Alberts Pass, connecting the Garden Path to the Karroo is an effective one, Route 62 from Worcester, running in the course of the old fort toward Montagu and along during the Robertson wine area, an excellent spot to prevent, to taste the glorious wines, this area is producing some exceptional Chardonnays, wooded and un-wooded. The wine estates are extremely hospitable, welcoming visitors with open arms, many have accommodation units on offer, worth a stop over.
The street winds along through quaint towns equivalent to Calitzdorp a dorp is the name for a small town in Afrikaans), Barrydale and Ashton, all offering accommodation, good food and snug tourist services. Toward the Eat is the bigger town, still small by many standards, of Oudtshoorn, the house of the Cango caves, to not be missed and the various ostrich farms, famous for being the house of the ostrich feather industry, many a product adorning the hats and dresses of a time passed by. Ostrich meat is becoming further and further popular, give it a try, particularly an ostrich steak, low in fat and cholesterol, a delectable and healthy alternative.
a bit of further North is the gorgeous Eastern Transvaal because it was known some time ago, now named Mpumalanga. A self-drive trip along the N4 during the beautiful scenery of Waterval-Boven, Pilgrims rest and the various pretty towns along the manner toward the Kruger National Park, the most important and most stunning of the South African National parks. Travellers are advised to make accommodation well prematurely, particularly in the course of the South Africa school holidays when accommodation within the Parks are scarce.
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Alan Hawkins CEO
http://www.staysa.co.za
