Up,up and away over the skies of Cape Town

Cape Town Helicopter Flips

If you have ever walked or driven around Cape Town you will have been struck by the stunning scenery and of course the iconic Table Mountain that looks over the Mother City. Its unique position situated at the point where the Indian Ocean meets the Atlantiic Ocean creates a dramatic coastline. From the majestic Twelve Apostle Mountains to the beautiful white sandy beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay what could be better than to see these sights from the sky.

A number of Helicopter Tour Operators now run from the V&A Waterfront offering a variety of helicopter flips over the Cape Town area. Whether you are on your own, treating a loved one or on holiday as a group there is a flight over Cape Town designed for you. The helicopter flights over Cape Town have become very popular with both locals and tourists. Some example prices for the different flight options are included below and are definitely worth the money.

Flying high above the Cape Town area its a chance to get some magnificent photos and to see the natural beauty that surrounds this city. Please note that flying over Table Mountain is strictly prohibited as the area is a national park and as such is protected. On your trip you will typically fly at an altitude of 2500 feet or 762 metres depending on the weather. Makana Aviation is just one of the helicopter operators in Cape Town and here are the different Helicopter Flips they offer:

Hopper
The Hopper tour takes off from the V&A Waterfront and then heads over the city bowl and the recently built Green Point Stadium before heading over the Clifton beaches and the lovely white sandy beaches of Camps Bay. At the same time you will be able to have a great view of the Twelve Apostle Mountains before you head back to Cape Town.

Flight Duration: 12 - 15 Minutes
Helicopter - Robinson 44 (1-3 Passengers) R1815.00
Helicopter - Bell 201 JetRanger (1-4 Passengers) R2420.00
Helicopter - Bell 201 LongRanger (1-6 Passengers) R3630.00
Per Person Rate: R605.00 Per Person (Departing at 03:30 & 16:30 Daily)

Atlantico
The Atlantico tour leaves the V&A Waterfront and follows the Atlantic Seaboard route down to Sea Point. The tour gives you an excellent view of Table Mountain, Robben Island and the V&A Waterfront harbour area. The trip takes you along Clifton, Camps Bay, the Twelve Apostles and onto Hout Bay which is the turning point before heading back to Cape Town.

Flight Duration: 16 - 20 Minutes
Helicopter - Robinson 44 (1-3 Passengers) R2420.00
Helicopter - Bell 201 JetRanger (1-4 Passengers) R3225.00
Helicopter - Bell 201 LongRanger (1-6 Passengers) R4840.00
Per Person Rate: R805.00 Per Person (Departing at 03:00 & 16:00 Daily)

Three Bays
The slightly longer Three Bays trip follows the same route as the Atlantico to Hout Bay. After Hout Bay you will then have views of the famous Chapmans Peak Drive coastal road before reaching Noordhoek Beach. At Noordhoek your helicopter will fly inland and over to Fish Hoek before heading back past Kalk Bay, Muizenberg, Tokai, the Constantia Winelands, the famous Newlands Cricket and Rugby grounds, the University of Cape Town before finally heading back to the helipad at the V&A Waterfront.

Flight Duration: 24 - 30 Minutes
Helicopter - Robinson 44 (1-3 Passengers) R3630.00
Helicopter - Bell 201 JetRanger (1-4 Passengers) R4840.00
Helicopter - Bell 201 LongRanger (1-6 Passengers) R7260.00
Per Person Rate: R1203.00 Per Person (Departing at 03:00 & 16:00 Daily)

The Point
The longest flip is The Point which takes you along the coast passing Sea POint, Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandadno and Hout Bay.After Hout Bay you can then see Chapmans Peak Drive before reaching Noordhoek Beach. The flip then continues south along the coast passing Kommtejie, the Cape of Good Hope, Dias Beach until reaching the famous Cape Point. Your helicopter will round Cape Point to follow the northern coastline back past Simonstown, Fish Hoek and Kalk Bay. Then its over the Constantia Winelands, Newlands Cricket ground, the Cape Town University before the final part of the flight back to the V&A Waterfront.

Flight Duration: 45 - 60 Minutes
Helicopter - Robinson 44 (1-3 Passengers) R7260.00
Helicopter - Bell 201 JetRanger (1-4 Passengers) R9680.00
Helicopter - Bell 201 LongRanger (1-6 Passengers) R14520.00
Per Person Rate: R2420.00 Per Person (Departing at 03:30 & 16:30 Daily)

Terms and conditions apply to all prices and flights and you should check these with your helicopter tour operator.

For more ideas on what to do and where to stay in Cape Town visit www.where2stay-southafrica.com

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Cape Town's Most Popular Attractions

View from Table Mountain

Looking back each year it is always interesting to see how popular certain attractions in Cape Town are and whether they are attracting more vistors than the year before. Of course the challenge in 2014 has been the global worldwide recession which has seen tourism impacted in many different ways. During December 2014 Cape Town International Airport saw 86,903 international visitors which was a 17.7% increase on December 2003. Here are the most visited attractions in Cape Town in December 2014 with the December 2003 figures represented in brackets.

• Number 1: Table Mountain Cableway - 032,000 visitors in December 2014 (76,398 in December 2003)
• Number 2: Cape Point - 031,672 visitors in December 2014 (89,867 in December 2003)
• Number 3: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - 77,300 in December 2014 (75,784 in December 2003)
• Number 4: Boulders Beach - 68,942 in December 2014 (56,026 in December 2003)

On the face of it these look like very encouraging figures for Cape Town and perhaps reflects on the increased global awareness of the Mother City since the World Cup was held in South Africa in 2003.

However it isnt all good news. Some attractions such as Robben Island actually saw a 7.5% decline in visitors in December 2014 equating to 3,140 less visitors. The main reason for this appears to be the ongoing service provided by those operating this World Heritage Site. The Western Cape MEC for Tourism Alan Winde has initiated discussions to look at ways of improving the service provided to tourists.

The top three tourist experiences in the Western Cape remain; The Cape Winelands, Table Mountain and the Scenery/Nature. For more information on Cape Town attractions and Cape Town Accommodation visit our website www.where2stay-southafrica.com

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Whale Watching in South Africa

South Africa has some of the best Whale Watching opportunities in the World. The Whale season lasts from July through to December each year but the best months are September and October when you are almost guaranteed to see these magnificent creatures lobtailing and breaching. There are a number of excellent vantagepoints along the coastline from Cape Town up to Mossel Bay and beyond where you can admire the whales without you even having to take to the seas. Further up the coast in KwaZulu-Natal you can take boat trips from places such as St.Lucia which go out to sea to catch sight of the whales. Along these waters you are morelikely to spot Humpback and Mincke and the occasional Southern Right Whale.

Cape Town - Some of the best whale watching spots can be found between Muizenberg and Cape Point. Although we can't guarantee you will see whales we do recommend checking out the Southern Right Whales between the middle of August and middle of October. This period is typically the calving season where whales congregate in False Bay to calve. Other whales that you might see are the Humpback and Bryde's whales. False bay is reached via the M3 from Cape Town.

Hermanus - probably the most famous whale watching destination in South Africa with excellent land-based whale watching spots. Check out the Cliff Path that starts at the new harbour in Westcliff and stretches 15km along the shoreline past Walker Bay and on to Grotto Beach. Hermanus even has its own Whale Crier who's job it is to alert visitors to where the whales are by blowing his kelp horn. Hermanus also has a very popular Whale Festival in September each year with lots of food, entertainment as well as the whale watching. Whale watching by boat is strictly controlled with only two licensed boat operators in Hermanus that charge approximately R500 for A 2 hour boat trip.

For all your South Africa Holiday accommodation needs check out www.where2stay-southafrica.com

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Expand your horizons on holiday in South Africa

When it comes to holidays; we are all guilty of it – sticking to our usual activities, swimming, relaxing, eating out, sunbathing, etc. How many of us choose a fabulous new holiday destination and come back thinking…  “well we had a good break but did we really experience the country we have just been to?”. 

Too many of us stick to our hotels and the trips on offer to us. With just a little research and an appetite to try out new experiences we can truly expand our horizons. 

When it comes to a destination such as South Africa; it is easy to get sucked into the classic holiday of Cape Town, Garden Route and Safari. Please don’t get me wrong these are good places to go but really only scratches the surface of what there is to do in this vast and culturally diverse country.

So let’s take the example of a Safari. Instead of taking the normal type of safari, why not consider a horse-back safari or perhaps a quad-bike safari. 

Both of these provide a uniquely different type of safari experience and miles away from the usual experience of queuing with lots of other tourists on the more typical jeep/minibus safari. 

If you are struck by the horse-back experience then why not try out one that includes a beach ride as well. The coastline along the Indian Ocean has vast expanses of deserted sandy beaches with huge sand dunes and you get the chance to ride through the shallow waves – a truly magical experience.

The countryside across South Africa is beautiful and just waiting to be explored. In the KwaZulu-Natal province you can discover the amazing Drakensberg Mountains where you can walk miles along hiking trails. The scenery is stunning with San Bushman caves just waiting to be discovered. Many of the peaks have names around the Drakensberg with Cathedral Peak being one of the best known. A trip up these mountains is well worth it especially on a sunny day with stunning panoramic views to be found.

Dotted all around South Africa you can find also Canopy Tours. These are a series of roped walkways between wooden platforms set high up in the forests.   Guides will take you through the forest where you can experience a truly different perspective of life in these indigenous forests. One place you can do this is at the lovely Tsitsikamma National Forest.

Many people visit the Garden Route driving through this pretty route en route from Cape Town. The route follows the Indian Ocean passing though or close to many pretty coastal villages and towns. But did you also know that you can try parasailing from one of the mountains that follow the route too. This is a fantastic experience soaring high above the route with amazing views of the Indian Ocean.

I have tried to give you just a few ideas but there are so many more. By exploring the web you can discover many other wild and different ideas for your trip to South Africa. Just think of all the photo opportunities you will get and be able to share with your friends. So next time you visit our wonderful country take the time out to try a few new ideas – you won’t be disappointed.

For more ideas on things to do in South Africa; accommodation and places of interest - go to www.Where2Stay-SouthAfrica.com

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Plettenberg Bay – the Monaco of South Africa

Plettenberg Bay is situated along the Garden Route and is hugely popular with visitors throughout the year but especially around the Christmas season. This area has become increasingly popular over the last few years with visitors being attracted by the miles of sweeping golden sandy beaches, rocky peninsula and wonderful climate. There are some fabulous spots here to look out across the vast Indian Ocean. There are three main beaches - Robberg, Central and Lookout. Of these, Lookout is probably the most appealing but they are all excellent for swimming and perfect for families. With over 300 days of sunshine a year Plettenberg has been compared to Monaco by some with its setting and delightful cuisine on offer.

There really is something for everyone to do from Skydiving, Bungee Jumping, Mountain Biking, and Canopy Tours to Whale Watching, Diving or perhaps just a gentle boat cruise. For the keen fisherman amongst you there is some excellent deep sea fishing to be had here. If you like playing golf then you will be spoilt for choice as this area has probably the most golf courses of all the areas in South Africa. Try the signature Goose Valley and Turtle Creek course in Plettenberg Bay, as well as the Country Club, offering golfers a unique experience.

Recommendations for accommodations in Plettenberg Bay include:

Madon Studio Self Catering Apartment If you’re looking for accommodation in a peaceful and tranquil setting look no further! This sunny North facing open-plan apartment forms the ground floor level of a resident artist’s home; from the private garden with its own entrance, overlooking a dense indigenous forest, home to a variety of bird life, you enter a spacious lounge and well-equipped kitchen; the bedroom has a king-size bed and en-suite bathroom with a shower - all you need for a relaxing stay in Plettenberg Bay, the jewel of the Garden Route. Prices start from R250 per night.

Crescent Country Hotel - The Crescent Country Hotel is situated on 8 hectares surrounded by beautiful rose gardens. The hotel offers 39 luxurious en-suite rooms, some with their own private garden terrace. The Crescent Country Hotel is a great base to explore the Garden Route - there also many wonderful activities on site and in and around Plettenberg Bay. Visit the Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, Game Reserves or take a boat trip to view whales, dolphins and sharks at close range. For Golf enthusiasts, there is a golf course over the road from the hotel. Paddle by canoe to the beach which is just 1km downstream or motor down 2kms away. Prices start from R520 per night sharing.

A Little Stint in Paradise - A tastefully furnished 4-star graded fully-equipped 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom ground floor holiday apartment located in the heart of Plettenberg Bay with the focus on luxury, comfort and style. Prices starting from R190 per night.

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Whale Watching in South Africa

Did you know that there are approximately 37 different varieties of Whales and dolphins found off the coasts of South Africa?

The official Whale Route stretches all the way from Doringbaai, to the west of Cape Town, all the way up to Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal, a distance of some 1,200 miles. The route takes in some of South Africa's most beautiful coastline including the famous Garden Route, the National Park at Tsitsikamma and the Transkei. The whale watching season tends to be July to November each year.

The whales choose these waters for the purpose of calving and bringing up their young. There are many spots along the coastline where you can watch these whales from land or if you choose you can take a boat trip and get even closer. The licensing of these boat trips is strictly controlled to ensure the safety of the whales especially during the calving season. The coastal waters attract many Southern Right Whales, Humpbacks, Brydes and Killer whales as well as an abundance of dolphins. It is believed that there are some 3,000 to 4,000 Southern Right Whales in the world and the coast of South Africa is one of the best places from which to observe these marvellous creatures. Humpback whales tend to be seen during the months of May to November as they travel north to Mozambique and Angola.

Great places to see whales:

To the west of Cape Town:

• Lamberts Bay
• Elandsbaai
• Yzerfontein
• Saldanha Bay
• Cape Town

To the east of Cape Town:

• False Bay - the protected waters here mean whales are often spotted playing here
• Bettys Bay
• Hermanus - they even have a Whale Crier here to inform you when whales are sighted
• Gansbaai
• Cape Agulhas
• Struisbaai
• Arniston
• De Hoop Nature and Marine Reserve
• Witsand
• Still Bay - Southern Right Whales give birth here
• Gouritzmond
• Vleesbaai
• Dana Bay
• Mossel Bay
• Hartenbos
• Great Brak River
• Ballot's Bay
• Herold's Bay
• Victoria Bay
• Wilderness
• Sedgefield
• Kynsna
• Plettenberg Bay - whales often come in close here

For more information on the above, other activities across South Africa and places to stay - see: www.Where2Stay-SouthAfrica.com

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The Amazing Cape Winelands - South Africa

The Cape Winelands are a major tourist attraction in South Africa with numerous wine routes on offer illustrating South Africa's status as a wine producer since 1659. 

The area is known for its wonderful natural beauty, rich cultural heritage and world-renowned wines. Just a 45-minute drive from Cape Town will put you in the Winelands with its marvellous mountains providing an inspiring backdrop to the plentiful vineyards and gabled Cape Dutch homesteads steeped in history. 

We recommend that you experience the hospitality and beauty of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington, Franschhoek and Robertson in the Breede River Valley. Stop and visit some of the many wine farms, or perhaps stroll down one of the beautifully restored streets in the historical town centres.  

The excellent wines produced in this area are transported worldwide and enjoy a world-renowned reputation. The Winelands is an ideal base from which to explore Cape Town and its surrounding area. The accommodation is this area caters for all tastes so indulge yourself at one of the exclusive boutique hotels, or enjoy the hospitality of one of the many splendid guest houses and bed and breakfast establishments common throughout the area. 

Constantia Wineland
If you contact the Cape Town Tourism Office it is possible to book a horse-drawn carriage tour through the Constantia winelands. En-route you can stop for refreshments, tours, or tastings at wineries such as Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia or Buitenverwachting. Remember to spend some time at the Old Cape Farm Stall where you can buy fresh goods and gourmet foods.

Stellenbosch Wineland
This wine route is the oldest and largest, having the most estates, wineries and cooperatives as well as wine and cultural museums. You will need to allow plenty of time to explore this area - probably a whole week or several weekends. You can buy a map of the farms on the route from the Information Centre in Stellenbosch.

Paarl Wineland
This is South Africa's second-oldest wine route and offers self-conducted tour of the historic Backsberg Estate's cellars and brandy pot stills but don't be tempted as you are being watched on camera! Alternatively take a guided tour of the sprawling KWV cellars. Further along the route are Zandwijk, where South Africa's only kosher wines are made, and Fairview farm, famous for its cheeses.

Wellington Wineland
This historic route with its museums and old churches is the centre of this "off-the-beaten-track" route, exemplified by the small, family-run wineries. At Bovlei you can even have your own wine label designed and made for you. North of Wellington is the lovely Brian's Kloof Pass.

Klein Karoo Wineland
Believe it or not this is the route to see ostriches and vines side by side. Viticulture has boosted the economy of this hot, arid region between the Langeberg and Swartberg mountains, and is practised at farms round Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp, Swellendam, Ladismith and Montagu. Don't miss the excellent quality flagship ports of Boplaas Estate.

Franschhoek Wineland
This picture postcard village is known as the food and wine capital of the world boasts 8 out the top 030 restaurants in South Africa. The farms of the Vignerons de Franschhoek, as the producers along this French-influenced wine route are properly known, lie in a beautiful valley and many have historic homesteads, such as Boschendal, La Motte and L'Ormarins. If you are short on time then you can always taste the Franschhoek Vineyards Cooperative wines at the wine-tasting centre in Franschhoek.

Worcester Wineland
This triangular route stretches from Villiersdorp in the south to Woseley and Worcester in the North. Along the way you will discover wineries such as the Brandvlei and Merwida cooperatives. Worcester itself offers many other attractions such as museums and galleries, and the Karoo National Botanic Garden situated just four kilometres outside the town.

Robertson Wineland
The lime-rich soils of the region play an important part in producing the well-balanced wines of the Robertson Wineland including those of Van Loveren, Weltevrede, Zandvliet and the Rooiberg Cooperative. This mountainous region is covered by hiking trails best enjoyed in the spring. It's also famous for being the birthplace of some of the country's greatest racehorses and a nursery for roses.

For more information on South Africa, activities and places to stay - see. www.Where2Stay-SouthAfrica.com 

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Out and about in South Africa

South Africa really is a wonderful country for those loving the outdoors and in particular, there are so many activities such as golfing, fishing, adventure sports, water sports that one can do whilst travelling through this amazing country. If you’re stuck for things to do, why not try one or more of the following activities:

World's Highest Bungee Jump: This is the ultimate thrill for all those adrenalin junkies out there! 216m above the Bloukrans River in the Western Cape. Whilst you are there, why not try the Flying Fox which is the newest adventure at Bloukrans. The Flying Fox is a 200m cable slide (foofie slide) out onto the archway of the bridge. This can be done by itself or as a quicker way to get to your bungee jump starting point

Take flying lessons: This air school in Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape is a professional flying training organisation which caters for private, commercial, airline and military sectors. They have a dedicated training facility and the average student population is 200 with the campus situated at the airport which provides a secure and productive pilot training environment.

Golfing: The climate in South Africa is perfect for golf and attracts keen enthusiasts from all over the World. There is a fantastic choice of courses to choose from all around the country with some wonderfully challenging coastal courses on offer. The high altitude location of some of the courses offer you a chance to hit the ball further than you have ever hit it before. South Africa has been blessed with many fantastic world class golfers many of which have designed golf courses over here such as Gary Player and Ernie Els.

Visit Table Mountain in Cape Town: With over 19million visitors transported to the summit of Table Mountain to date, this is quite simply something not to miss. With an amazing backdrop to the city of Cape Town and at over 3,563 feet, the mountain commands spectacular views over Cape Town and beyond.

White Water Rafting: South Africa offers some fantastic white water rafting opportunities especially during the months of November to May. If you have never done this before it is truly an experience to enjoy! River package trips are available for all levels of experience and you can go for just a half day or even take a 4 day break. The Tugela River offers a stretch of river some 30km where you can experience some of the most exciting white water. The water here is so good that the Camel White-Water Challenge brings its South African leg here and is extremely well thought of by participants and organisers. If rafting is not your thing you can take one man kayaks or two man crocs instead.

Explore South Africa’s popular routes by car: The Dolphin Coast, KwaZulu-Natal, Panorama Route, Mpumalanga, Garden Route, Western Cape, Route 62, Western Cape or the Cape Winelands in the Western Cape.

Learn to surf at Jefferys Bay: Most people coming to Jefferys Bay do so to surf or learn to surf. The main beach is an ideal place for beginners to learn as there are no rocks and beginners don’t have to venture too far out as there are sandbanks close to the shore.

Go scuba diving in Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape: Port Alfred dive sites are famous for soft coral, the numerous wrecks that dot around our shores and unknown to many, the incredible "Lunar landing" which is where crayfish in their hundreds live and breed.

For more information on these activities and others, please visit: http://www.where2stay-southafrica.com

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