It's no secret that we in South Africa have some of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. Well, the rest of the world also knows it now as recently 18 South African beaches were awarded international Blue Flag status for 2007!The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label awarded to beaches and marinas in 36 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean. There are 29 criteria that Blue Flag candidates are required to meet regarding water quality, safety, services and environmental education, information and management.South Africa's 2007 Blue Flag beaches are:
EASTERN CAPE Dolphin Beach, Jeffrey's Bay; Humewood Beach, Port Elizabeth; Kelly's Beach, Port Alfred; Kings Beach, Port Elizabeth; Wells Estate, north of Port Elizabeth.
KWAZULU-NATAL Addington Beach, Durban; Hibberdene Beach, South Coast; Margate Main Beach, South Coast; Marina/San Lameer Beach, South Coast; North Beach, Durban; Ramsgate Main Beach, South Coast.
WESTERN CAPE Bikini Beach, Gordon's Bay; Clifton 4th Beach, Cape Town; Grotto Beach, Hermanus; Hawston Beach, near Hermanus; Kleinmond Beach, near Hermanus; Lappiesbaai Beach, Stilbaai; Mnandi Beach, Strandfontein.
Ahead of 2010, it's fantastic to hear that, according to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, a further 21 SA beaches are piloting the Blue Flag Programme, with the aim of achieving full accreditation in 2008 or 2009. Congratulations to all of the 2007 SA Blue Flag beaches.
Source: Getawaytoafrica.com
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
2010 FIFA Worl Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup will be staged at 10 venues across nine South African cities. With two nd a half years to go we are set to host the world's biggest sporting event outside the Olympic Games. South Africa offers the visitor a variety of attractions. From the metropolitan cities of Johannesburg and Pretoria, one can easily travel down the N1 Highway to the central city of Bloemfontein with its beautiful flora. If breathtaking coastline is what you are after, journey from the "friendly city" of Port Elizabeth, along the spectacular Garden Route, arriving in Cape Town, one of the most spectacular cities in the world! Want to take a safari? Then Nelspruit and Rustenburg offer everything including the "Big 5"! From Polokwane which is a vibrant city, rich in cultural heritage, a “Big 5” safari can also easily be arranged. Durban has a great climate and is a surfer's paradise. Visitors will find our country positively inviting, with excellent infrastructure, transport and accommodation! If you only have a few days between the games then it will be a good idea to explore the various cities and plan a decent 5 or 6 day safari after or even before the games.
To keep abreast with all plans and proceedings please visit the FIFA website http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/ for information about the tournament and click on the Destination Tab for information on SA. For all you safari, garden route and Cape Town travel requirements contact Go Safari or visit our website
To keep abreast with all plans and proceedings please visit the FIFA website http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/ for information about the tournament and click on the Destination Tab for information on SA. For all you safari, garden route and Cape Town travel requirements contact Go Safari or visit our website
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Drinking Water in SA
In South Africa, we're lucky to have good-quality drinking water, we are one of only 12 countries in the World that it is safe to drink tap water.
But that doesn't mean that all our tap water is always 100% safe.
As a general rule, it's best to get your drinking water from the cold water tap. Sometimes nasty things can get into hot water tanks and cisterns if they're poorly maintained, so rather heat drinking water up in the kettle or microwave. It's also a good idea, if you're not sure of the age or state of the plumbing, to let the cold tap run for a minute or two to flush any traces of lead or other undesirables.
From this month, for the first time, South African bottled water will be officially regulated and monitored by the Department of Health. And both here and in the United States important moves are being made to clamp down on bottled-water suppliers that don’t specify the source of the water on their labels, whether it be natural or municipal.
With water being in the news right now, we decided to dispel a few popular water myths:
Myth: Clear water is safe water
“Just because water looks clear, doesn’t mean that there’s nothing dissolved in it,” says Dr Frans Kruger, director of Purificare Water Purifiers.
Clear water may contain inorganic minerals, herbicides, pesticides, bacteria, viruses, hormones, chemicals and toxins – in other words, substances that could harm you. Municipal water quality varies from time to time and one can’t determine what’s been dumped in it just by looking at it.
Myth: Bottled water isn’t tap water
While many bottled-water suppliers get their water from natural sources, some bottlers do indeed use tap/municipal water as a source/raw material for their processed water, according to the South African Natural Bottled Water Association (SANBWA).
One example of such a product is Bonaqua, which is produced by the Coca-Cola Company.
Myth: Flavored water is a whole lot better than soft drinks
Unfortunately, flavored, sweetened water isn’t that much healthier than soft drinks. These drinks still contain a lot of sugar and have a high kilojoule content as a result.
Purely in terms of kilojoules, a 340ml can of Coca-Cola is equivalent to 2½ slices of bread, while 500ml flavored, sweetened water is equivalent to 2 slices of bread. This is bad news for your waistline and for your teeth.
Sources:
• PurifiCare Newsletters, compiled by Dr Frans Kruger, www.purificaresa.net
• Website of the South African Natural Bottled Water Association, www.sanbwa.org.za
But that doesn't mean that all our tap water is always 100% safe.
As a general rule, it's best to get your drinking water from the cold water tap. Sometimes nasty things can get into hot water tanks and cisterns if they're poorly maintained, so rather heat drinking water up in the kettle or microwave. It's also a good idea, if you're not sure of the age or state of the plumbing, to let the cold tap run for a minute or two to flush any traces of lead or other undesirables.
From this month, for the first time, South African bottled water will be officially regulated and monitored by the Department of Health. And both here and in the United States important moves are being made to clamp down on bottled-water suppliers that don’t specify the source of the water on their labels, whether it be natural or municipal.
With water being in the news right now, we decided to dispel a few popular water myths:
Myth: Clear water is safe water
“Just because water looks clear, doesn’t mean that there’s nothing dissolved in it,” says Dr Frans Kruger, director of Purificare Water Purifiers.
Clear water may contain inorganic minerals, herbicides, pesticides, bacteria, viruses, hormones, chemicals and toxins – in other words, substances that could harm you. Municipal water quality varies from time to time and one can’t determine what’s been dumped in it just by looking at it.
Myth: Bottled water isn’t tap water
While many bottled-water suppliers get their water from natural sources, some bottlers do indeed use tap/municipal water as a source/raw material for their processed water, according to the South African Natural Bottled Water Association (SANBWA).
One example of such a product is Bonaqua, which is produced by the Coca-Cola Company.
Myth: Flavored water is a whole lot better than soft drinks
Unfortunately, flavored, sweetened water isn’t that much healthier than soft drinks. These drinks still contain a lot of sugar and have a high kilojoule content as a result.
Purely in terms of kilojoules, a 340ml can of Coca-Cola is equivalent to 2½ slices of bread, while 500ml flavored, sweetened water is equivalent to 2 slices of bread. This is bad news for your waistline and for your teeth.
Sources:
• PurifiCare Newsletters, compiled by Dr Frans Kruger, www.purificaresa.net
• Website of the South African Natural Bottled Water Association, www.sanbwa.org.za
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
The meaning of Conservation
We would like to share an excerpt out of Kobie Krugers book called ‘All Things Wild and Wonderful’ about her life as wife of a Kruger Park Game Ranger:“
Time and time again when I would think that I was alone I would hear a strange noise or sense a movement and discover that I was being watched. But one gets used to the idea of being watched. And in time the idea grows on one until it acquires a very comforting dimension. “ I am not alone. I am now a part of nature.” I wondered about city people about their stressful lives and their loneliness. I wondered if they still recognized within themselves the longing for wilderness and solitude, if they still remembered the soothing harmonies of nature, the repetitive refrains of the seasons and sunsets, the exhilaration of each new dawn the sweet delight of making the acquaintance of a wild creature. If they have forgotten this then they might think of conservation merely as a necessary exercise to preserve the planets finite resources and to prevent our eventual extinction. And the whole effort would seem such a joyless one.
But if they remember then they will know that conservation is also about preserving the magic that nourishes our souls, a cause therefore that also holds a promise of joy.”
Time and time again when I would think that I was alone I would hear a strange noise or sense a movement and discover that I was being watched. But one gets used to the idea of being watched. And in time the idea grows on one until it acquires a very comforting dimension. “ I am not alone. I am now a part of nature.” I wondered about city people about their stressful lives and their loneliness. I wondered if they still recognized within themselves the longing for wilderness and solitude, if they still remembered the soothing harmonies of nature, the repetitive refrains of the seasons and sunsets, the exhilaration of each new dawn the sweet delight of making the acquaintance of a wild creature. If they have forgotten this then they might think of conservation merely as a necessary exercise to preserve the planets finite resources and to prevent our eventual extinction. And the whole effort would seem such a joyless one.
But if they remember then they will know that conservation is also about preserving the magic that nourishes our souls, a cause therefore that also holds a promise of joy.”
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Vital Visa/Passport information
In some of the various countries in which we operate there are very stringent government regulations regarding the number of blank pages in travellers’ passports and their expiry dates, and it is vital that guests are made aware of this and ensure that they have the correct documentation. One of the stipulations which seem to have been misunderstood in the past is that at least THREE BLANK PAGES are required in your passport on departure from South Africa. These need to be VISA pages, not endorsement pages. As guests normally include more than one country in their journey (South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and/or Namibia), we therefore recommend that there are at least 4-5 blank pages in the passport prior to arrival as guests can be denied entry and deported if the immigration officials do not have blank pages on which to place their entry/departure/visa stamps.
Friday, October 12, 2007
New Hotel for Cape town
One & Only Hotels has announced that the R900m luxury (6 star) hotel, is finally to go ahead at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.
The seven-story, 130-room hotel is expected to be completed in two years and is the first new project by Kerzner in South Africa since he completed Sun City in 1992. The hotel will have a state-of-the-art spa and fitness centre with two of the suites offering en-suite spa treatment rooms.
Each of the guest rooms and suites will have a maximum size of 60 sqm and will include either a private terrace or balcony. The hotel will also have a 'Kids Only' clubhouse for children under 11, which will be equipped with the latest hi-tech entertainment. There will also be a 263 sqm banqueting and conference room that can host up to 200 people.
The seven-story, 130-room hotel is expected to be completed in two years and is the first new project by Kerzner in South Africa since he completed Sun City in 1992. The hotel will have a state-of-the-art spa and fitness centre with two of the suites offering en-suite spa treatment rooms.
Each of the guest rooms and suites will have a maximum size of 60 sqm and will include either a private terrace or balcony. The hotel will also have a 'Kids Only' clubhouse for children under 11, which will be equipped with the latest hi-tech entertainment. There will also be a 263 sqm banqueting and conference room that can host up to 200 people.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Malaria
Malaria is a word many people associate with game parks in Africa. However only two of the South African National Parks are in a malaria risk area and they are the Kruger National Park and Mapungubwe National Park, although at both these venues the risk is usually low. Historically there have been incidences of malaria in other parks, but then there are recorded incidences of malaria from urban Europe and other non-risk areas. But to all intents and purposes Kruger is the only malaria risk park in the SANParks’ set-up.
Anti-malaria prophylactics are thus recommended for visitors for Kruger. The highest risk period is between December and April (end of the rainy season). A 24-hour malaria hotline is available on +27 (0)82 234 1800 to give detailed explanation on risk and advice on precautionary measures. Visitors wishing to take prophylactics should consult a knowledgeable medical practitioner or recognized travel clinic about recommended medication, as certain products cause nausea, hallucinations or other negative side effects with certain people.
Very often (particularly after periods of low rainfall) the malaria risk in Kruger is very low. Many people decide not to take prophylactics and rather try to avoid getting bitten. The most vulnerable times are between dusk and dawn. People are advised to stay indoors during these periods, or cover exposed skin with light clothing or insect repellants. The ankles are the most critical area. Burning anti-mosquito coils and ensuring netted screens are kept closed are other preventative measures.
While malaria prophylactics are recommended, no prophylactic is foolproof and any person developing flu-like symptoms 7 to 20 days (or even longer) after being in malaria areas should be tested immediately for malaria, until the symptoms clear or an alternative diagnosis is made. It is important to advise medical practitioners that you have been in a malaria area to avoid incorrect diagnosis.
On the question of prophylactics, no drug is guaranteed 100% effective, but a combination of choroquin (taken weekly first one week before) and paludrin (daily - first 2 days before) appears to be the most recommended prophylactic. Mefloquin is a single alternative. These would be available from pharmacies in Johannesburg and en route to the park. However as they should be taken a week in advance, if one chooses to use them, buying them in SA would be leaving it late, unless you will be spending time elsewhere in the country (most of which is malaria free).
The threat of malaria should not affect your decision to enjoy and experience the Kruger Park, but is just something one should be aware of and take precautions to be exposed to.
NB! Most types of mosquito do not carry the malaria plasmodium and if one is bitten it does not mean one will contract malaria. Only mosquitoes of the anopheles genus carry the plasmodium, and then only if they have previously fed on an infected host. As the presence of people with the plasmodium in their bloodstream in the park is greatly reduced compared to past times, risk is once more reduced. One reason for these reductions is that the accommodation units in the parks are sprayed periodically throughout the year. Now that international campaigns see treatment taking place in adjacent countries such as Mozambique and Swaziland, malaria occurrence has been further reduced.
Anti-malaria prophylactics are thus recommended for visitors for Kruger. The highest risk period is between December and April (end of the rainy season). A 24-hour malaria hotline is available on +27 (0)82 234 1800 to give detailed explanation on risk and advice on precautionary measures. Visitors wishing to take prophylactics should consult a knowledgeable medical practitioner or recognized travel clinic about recommended medication, as certain products cause nausea, hallucinations or other negative side effects with certain people.
Very often (particularly after periods of low rainfall) the malaria risk in Kruger is very low. Many people decide not to take prophylactics and rather try to avoid getting bitten. The most vulnerable times are between dusk and dawn. People are advised to stay indoors during these periods, or cover exposed skin with light clothing or insect repellants. The ankles are the most critical area. Burning anti-mosquito coils and ensuring netted screens are kept closed are other preventative measures.
While malaria prophylactics are recommended, no prophylactic is foolproof and any person developing flu-like symptoms 7 to 20 days (or even longer) after being in malaria areas should be tested immediately for malaria, until the symptoms clear or an alternative diagnosis is made. It is important to advise medical practitioners that you have been in a malaria area to avoid incorrect diagnosis.
On the question of prophylactics, no drug is guaranteed 100% effective, but a combination of choroquin (taken weekly first one week before) and paludrin (daily - first 2 days before) appears to be the most recommended prophylactic. Mefloquin is a single alternative. These would be available from pharmacies in Johannesburg and en route to the park. However as they should be taken a week in advance, if one chooses to use them, buying them in SA would be leaving it late, unless you will be spending time elsewhere in the country (most of which is malaria free).
The threat of malaria should not affect your decision to enjoy and experience the Kruger Park, but is just something one should be aware of and take precautions to be exposed to.
NB! Most types of mosquito do not carry the malaria plasmodium and if one is bitten it does not mean one will contract malaria. Only mosquitoes of the anopheles genus carry the plasmodium, and then only if they have previously fed on an infected host. As the presence of people with the plasmodium in their bloodstream in the park is greatly reduced compared to past times, risk is once more reduced. One reason for these reductions is that the accommodation units in the parks are sprayed periodically throughout the year. Now that international campaigns see treatment taking place in adjacent countries such as Mozambique and Swaziland, malaria occurrence has been further reduced.
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