Betta Car Hire is a Cape Town based car rental agency which offers a range of services, including cash car rental, free delivery and pick up within Cape Town CBD, no extra charge for extra drivers or baby and booster seats, unlimited mileage, discounts for senior citizens and long term car hire from only R99 per day. With branches in Tokai, Bergvliet and Diep River, Betta Car Hire is not only the most affordable cash car rental in Cape Town, but also the most accessible. Find out more about this discount car rental agency on the Betta Car Hire website.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Betta Car Hire | Discount Car Rental
Betta Car Hire is a Cape Town based car rental agency which offers a range of services, including cash car rental, free delivery and pick up within Cape Town CBD, no extra charge for extra drivers or baby and booster seats, unlimited mileage, discounts for senior citizens and long term car hire from only R99 per day. With branches in Tokai, Bergvliet and Diep River, Betta Car Hire is not only the most affordable cash car rental in Cape Town, but also the most accessible. Find out more about this discount car rental agency on the Betta Car Hire website.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Cash Car Hire
Soooo I recently came into a bit of trouble when planning a road trip with my friends… None of us had a car that was big enough or suitable. Our best option was car hire. Seeing as we are all recently graduated students, none of us have credit cards which made hiring a car in South Africa rather tricky. We came across Drive Africa, a car hiring company situated in South Africa. They offer a cash only deal which was a complete life saver! We were all very impressed with their services. There is also no extra charge if you are under 21.. So being a student totally pays off!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Cape Town medium term apartment rentals: Choosing your apartment
Planning on where to rent an apartment can often be a difficult and tedious process, especially if you’re only going to be in area for a limited time and can’t afford to make mistakes to learn from. Cape Town has a variety of accommodation on offer for short-term holiday makers and professionals on business, however if you’re planning on staying for several months, finding an affordable and appropriate apartment to rent can become unpleasant. Here are a few pointers to take into consideration when looking for Cape Town medium term apartment rentals.
When looking for a temporary apartment to stay in for only a few months, it is important to find a balance between everything that you want this apartment to be and have. Location and number of bedrooms are often important and non-negotiable, however you may have to forgo your balcony with a view, garden, off-street parking and swimming pool to get them. Depending on the nature of your trip, you will have to prioritise some qualities over others. Cape Town medium term apartment rentals each have a range of different features, many with stunning views of the city and mountains, some of the beach front, and others in security complexes. Before you set out to look for an apartment you must decide what your non-negotiables are and what you’re willing to sacrifice to get them.
Another important factor to consider is transport and travelling. Unfortunately Cape Town doesn’t have a very reliable public transport system so you may have to hire your own car or rely on calling taxis. Although the trains can take you out of the city centre towards Kalk Bay or even Stellenbosch, they are not the safest way of travelling. If you are here on business, if would be advisable to rent an apartment that is close to where you will be working. Traffic is particularly bad and time consuming travelling towards the CBD in the mornings and away again in the evenings. If you are here on holiday, many tourist attractions are easily reached on foot around the business district in Cape Town. Medium term apartment rentals in Milnerton, Green Point and Sea Point, however offer stunning sea views and are far enough outside of the CBD to get away from the hum but still feel the city’s vibe. If you rent an apartment in one of these areas it would be wise for you to hire a car to be able to get to the tourist
destinations in the CBD and around the peninsular.
Renting a furnished house will help your budget and save you from the stress of having to sell furniture and appliances when you need to leave. Off-street parking is vital if you are renting in the CBD as there is very little parking available on the roads, however if your apartment is outside of the city you should easily find a place to park on the streets but will need to remain aware that this may not be the safest option. Gardens and swimming pools are also added bonuses, especially if you have a big family and you’re here during the summer. However these also mean added responsibilities, costs, and can become a hassle. If it’s hot, you’ll probably want to go to one of the many beaches surrounding Cape Town.
Medium term apartment rentals can be a nuisance to find, however the process can be easy and exciting once you know what you’re going to be looking for. Online websites and agencies mean that you can find your perfect apartment before you even reach your destination. It is important to be patient however and eventually you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for.
Source: Cape Town Apartment Rentals
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Types of Transportation in Cape Town
Cape Town is an exciting city to explore and getting around shouldn’t pose too much of a challenge for those who study the bus and train routes in advance. However, traveling by public transportation comes with certain risks, especially at night, at first time visitors to the city often opt to travel by taxi or arrange car hire through their cheap Cape Town hotel.
Quick and Convenient
By taxi
Available to hire by phone or at special taxi ranks, metered taxis are monitored by the city council and are usually very safe and reliable. While the average rate is around R4.50 for each kilometer, those embarking on a longer journey should be able to set a fixed price with the taxi driver. Taxi ranks can be found all over the city and there is generally one within a few minutes walk of most cheap Cape Town hotel.
Car hire
The ideal option for those who put a premium on freedom, car hire in Cape Town can be arranged easily. The city is served by a large number of internationally recognized car hire companies, most of which have booths at the airport and at large hotels. Driving around Cape Town is fun as traffic density is low and this is a great way to really get a feel for the city.
Hiring motorbikes and bicycles
Popular with those who are traveling alone, bicycles and motorbikes can be rented quite easily from a large number of hotels and guesthouses in Cape Town and are also available for hire in special bike shops. While the vehicles on offer are usually in good condition, it is advisable to check them over thoroughly before signing any papers as existing dents that go unnoticed at the time may end up costing the driver a lot of money upon return of the bike.
Cheap and Cheerful
On foot
Wandering through the heart of Cape Town serves as a good introduction to the city. Although it is impossible to explore the whole of Cape Town on foot, those who want to take a tour of the center of the city should be able to walk around this area in a few minutes. Featuring pretty parks, bustling markets and world-class attractions such as the Natural History Museum, walking through the heart of the city is an uplifting experience.
By bus
Although not exactly extensive, bus routes cover most of Cape Town’s most prominent attractions, including Table Mountain and the main museums. The best place to catch a bus is at the terminal, which can be found on Grand Parade. Buses tend to arrive every ten minutes or so and while this may not be the most convenient way to explore Cape Town, bus travel is certainly cheap.
By minibus/Rikki
Hiring a Rikki is a good and also cheap way of getting around Cape Town. This open sided minibus travels from place to place very quickly, covering most popular places within the city. However, while Rikkis run regularly during the daytime, they don’t operate after dark and visitors who are exploring the city in the evening will need to search for an alternative form of transportation.
By train
While train travel in Cape Town has a reputation for being dangerous, those who take a few precautions will find that this is an interesting way to get around. It is best to stick to the scenic Simon's Town line and avoid traveling by train after dark. In addition, visitors should avoid carrying anything of value with them and get belongings hidden.
Article Source
Cape Town Car Hire
Quick and Convenient
By taxi
Available to hire by phone or at special taxi ranks, metered taxis are monitored by the city council and are usually very safe and reliable. While the average rate is around R4.50 for each kilometer, those embarking on a longer journey should be able to set a fixed price with the taxi driver. Taxi ranks can be found all over the city and there is generally one within a few minutes walk of most cheap Cape Town hotel.
Car hire
The ideal option for those who put a premium on freedom, car hire in Cape Town can be arranged easily. The city is served by a large number of internationally recognized car hire companies, most of which have booths at the airport and at large hotels. Driving around Cape Town is fun as traffic density is low and this is a great way to really get a feel for the city.
Hiring motorbikes and bicycles
Popular with those who are traveling alone, bicycles and motorbikes can be rented quite easily from a large number of hotels and guesthouses in Cape Town and are also available for hire in special bike shops. While the vehicles on offer are usually in good condition, it is advisable to check them over thoroughly before signing any papers as existing dents that go unnoticed at the time may end up costing the driver a lot of money upon return of the bike.
Cheap and Cheerful
On foot
Wandering through the heart of Cape Town serves as a good introduction to the city. Although it is impossible to explore the whole of Cape Town on foot, those who want to take a tour of the center of the city should be able to walk around this area in a few minutes. Featuring pretty parks, bustling markets and world-class attractions such as the Natural History Museum, walking through the heart of the city is an uplifting experience.
By bus
Although not exactly extensive, bus routes cover most of Cape Town’s most prominent attractions, including Table Mountain and the main museums. The best place to catch a bus is at the terminal, which can be found on Grand Parade. Buses tend to arrive every ten minutes or so and while this may not be the most convenient way to explore Cape Town, bus travel is certainly cheap.
By minibus/Rikki
Hiring a Rikki is a good and also cheap way of getting around Cape Town. This open sided minibus travels from place to place very quickly, covering most popular places within the city. However, while Rikkis run regularly during the daytime, they don’t operate after dark and visitors who are exploring the city in the evening will need to search for an alternative form of transportation.
By train
While train travel in Cape Town has a reputation for being dangerous, those who take a few precautions will find that this is an interesting way to get around. It is best to stick to the scenic Simon's Town line and avoid traveling by train after dark. In addition, visitors should avoid carrying anything of value with them and get belongings hidden.
Article Source
Cape Town Car Hire
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Boat Trips - Tips On Choosing The Right Destination
Once you have decided that you would be taking a holiday on a cruise, sailing through small cities and ports, your next step would be to decide on which cruise you should opt for. One is spoilt for choice with the luxurious spread of boat trips that one can choose from. Knowing about a few simple trends and measures, could help you choose that perfect ship which would be ideal in every respect for you and make your journey a memorable one.
Decide on the time span of your boat travel. Do not plan a long voyage if you have little time available on hand. Visiting one or two ports over a period of three to four days could be cheap. Fellow passengers on such cruises are likely to be youthful, partying kinds. Short, week-long cruises are more popular, and comparatively cheaper, they usually visit more ports of call. However, seven days, can pass by soon and you might still have fellow passengers who are party animals. Cruises which are longer than a week visit more ports of call and in locations more exotic, like the Mediterranean or the South of America, though your co-passengers are likely to be more restrained. The cost and time involved in such cruises hamper more people from opting for them.
While making your decision, do keep in mind your budget. You have a large range to choose from and you are sure to find one that fits your choice. Web sites and travel agents could offer you great deals at low prices. Be aware of port, cruise cancellation insurance, and airfare charges and whether your cruise is charging you for them or not.
Apart from time and money there are other factors which you should consider before selecting on something suitable. Time of travel, ability to carry out your hobbies, and the number of ports you want to visit, should also be considering factors. There is nothing as frustrating as being stuck at sea, while you are sailing past through beautiful islands. Some places are easily accessible and sometimes more popular during the winter; Mexico, the Caribbean, and the Panama Canal, are such destinations; but visitors should be careful of hurricane seasons. Again European and Alaskan cruises are usually not available during winter months.
Incase you have other preferences apart from that of money, time and itinerary; consider them before you zero in on a particular choice. Though differences between different vessels have been lessened over time, there are a few which are better and much more luxurious than the others. Evaluations of cruise ships are available online as well as in travel journals, ask your travel agent or talk to friends.
As a conclusion, remember that, scouring the available options for your next cruise however is not the time to give up what you actually want; be it an opportunity to watch whales in Alaska or have your hair braiding done in Nassau.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Guide to Addo Elephant Nationwide Park
Common Info
Addo Elephant National Park is positioned in an place that is free of malaria and just a 1 hour drive from Port Elizabeth metropolis, which is found along the Backyard Route. The Park as a total is effectively known for its outstanding diversity – with a key variance of game viewing, adventures in the excellent outside, tourist accommodation and wonderful experiences of culture. A visit to the park provides the discerning visitor a unique perception into the wonderful flora and fauna of South Africa.
The Addo Park was initially set up in 1931 through the efforts of renowned naturalist Sydney Skaife, in response to the urgent require to provide sanctuary for the number of remaining elephants in the Eastern Cape location here. These days, there are more than 450 elephants in the park, plus a large assortment of wonderful native South African animals, from Cape Buffalo, Black Rhino, Antelopes these as the Springbok, and the distinctive flightless Dung Beetle that is to be discovered virtually exclusively in the Addo Countrywide Park.
In recent a long time the original Addo Park has been expanded to incorporate the Woody Cape Nature Reserve, which runs from the mouth of the Sundays River to Alexandria and a h2o reserve, which encompasses St Croix Island and Bird Island. The latter is an critical breeding property to gannets and penguins. The planned expansion is aspect of the preparing approach to enlarge the current 1,640 km2 Addo Countrywide Elephant Park into a 3,600 km2 Larger Addo Elephant Nationwide Park.
This expansion will mean that the park will have five of the seven primary vegetation zones of South Africa. Much more importantly, the park will most likely be the only park in the world to contain the “Large Seven” of animal species: Elephants, Rhinos, Lion, Buffalo, Leopard, Whale and Great White Shark in their natural habitats. The park also has a prosperous heritage of websites of that are critical in the archaeology planet.
Animals at Addo
In whole, the park is property to more than 450 Elephants, virtually 50 Black Rhinos, and some amazing species of Antelopes this kind of as Red Hartebeest, Eland, Buschbuck, Gemsbok, Springbok, Buffalo and Black Wildebeest. Game species contain Cape Mountain Sebras, Hyenas, Reedbucks, Baboons, Aardwolf and Red Rock Rabbits.
Extremely scorching days at waterholes are greatest for viewing the elephants. The early evening is the very best time to see Black Rhino. Lions and Hyena are best spotted early morning or early evening.
Pets are not permitted into the park, and you are not allowed to feed the animals.
Accommodation at Addo
It is possible to book accommodation at Park, equivalent to other Countrywide Parks all around South Africa. There are two restcamps that are located inside the park:
· Addo Main Camp – close to the entrance gate, and presenting more than 60 units of accommodation to reserve.
· Camp Matyholweni – positioned near the Eastern Cape town of Colchester, which is located along the N2, around underneath an hour’s drive from Primary Camp.
It is also possible to reserve private Sport Lodges at Addo Nationwide Park:
· The Gorah Elephant Camp found inside of the park and that contains luxurious tent camps.
· Darlington Lake Lodge – positioned in the Darlington Dam area of the park.
· River Bend Lodge – this is locatred in the Nyathi region of the park, with eight rooms.
· Nguni River Lodge – 8 luxurious suites with wonderful views of the Zuurberg Mountains
There are other accommodation choices obtainable in the Fantastic Addo Region, this sort of as Private Game Reserves, B&Bs and Guesthouses.
Activities at the Park
It is feasible to organize hiking, horse trails, and arrange organized bird watching at the park. The principal game location of the park has nearly 200 bird species. You can also partake in Discovery Trails of the location. If you consider the path amongst Kabouga and Darlington, you will learn all about the main battles that transpired in the area in between the British and Boer forces in the course of the Anglo-Boer War in the early twentieth Century.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Cape Town self-catering accommodation; Experience a culture don’t see a city
When visiting Cape Town, self-catering accommodation should be considered as an option for your stay. Whether visiting by yourself, with a family, for business or for pleasure self- catering accommodation in Cape Town will give you an experience that no tourist guide can offer. From cooking like a local to staying on when the busses have left, Cape Town self catering accommodation is the best possible option for seeing the city the way the locals do. Many people consider Cape Town self-catering accommodation as all about saving money, as you’ll see here it’s about a lot more.
Many people can’t see the benefit, when on holiday in Cape Town, of self-catering accommodation, it’s an instinctive reaction to believe that having to cook for yourself defeats the purpose of going on holiday. However it would be short sighted not to at least consider this option when visiting somewhere with as much to offer as Cape Town. Sitting at the tip of Africa, Cape Town is a melting pot of cultures, influenced by its history first as a Dutch settlement then an English colony and its involvement in the slave trade. The food you’ll find here is a unique blend of flavours from all over the world and the best way to experience it is to cook for yourself in one of Cape Town’s self-catering holiday apartments.
There are many fresh food markets, stocking local produce, available in Cape Town. Self-catering accommodation allows you to enjoy the experience of spending a day wandering through these markets, sampling exotic ingredients and getting advice on how to use them from friendly locals. When your feet are sore and your shopping bags are full you can return to your self-catering accommodation and prepare a meal that is unique to Cape Town. Self-catering accommodation allows you the freedom to spend your days and then your evenings like a real local, experiencing Cape Town rather than just seeing it.
The benefits of Cape Town self-catering accommodation are obvious, even for those that have no interest in cooking. There is no shortage of good restaurants in Cape Town so self-catering accommodation shouldn’t make you harbour fear about having to cook for yourself, instead consider it an opportunity to find out where the locals eat, rather than where the tour guides think you should.
Package tours will see you forced to say goodbye, perhaps before you are ready, to Cape Town. Self-catering accommodation gives you the freedom to decide when your time in Cape Town is over. Cape Town is full of tourists that came for a week and stayed for three and Port Elizabeth is full of tourists that would rather be in Cape Town but had to leave with their tour bus.
Source: Cape Town Self Catering
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Money Saving Tips With Internet Online Shopping
Learn grеаt money saving tips wіth online shopping аѕ thеу сουld really give уου hυgе savings іf уου practice thеm well. Internet online shopping hаѕ bееn gathering popularity аѕ уου саn easily sift through many online stores іn thе shortest time frame tο gеt thе best deal, аt thе click οf a mouse button. Wіth discount vouchers, discount codes οr promotional codes, уου саn save even more whеn shopping online.
5 Essential Money Saving Tips Wіth Internet Online Shopping
1. Always aim fοr thе best deal аnd save more fοr thе item(s) уου desire. Dο nοt immediately settle down wіth уουr рυrсhаѕе οn thе first online store thаt уου come асrοѕѕ. Scout through a few οf thеm аnd mаkе уουr price comparison tο gеt thе best deal. Lookout fοr sale items especially. Sale prices саn bе dramatically lower thаn thе standard prices аnd hеlр уου tο save bіg.
2. Always υѕе coupons οr discount voucher codes іf уου know whеrе tο check online. Thеrе аrе many websites out thеrе thаt offer thousands οf coupons tο аlmοѕt еνеrу online store.
Typically уου pay 20% more fοr аn item fοr shipping fee, аnd іf уου аrе аblе tο save thаt much wіth discount vouchers, уου аrе essentially getting free shipping fοr уουr items. Eνеrу time уου gеt tο thе last checkout page, јυѕt key іn thе promotional code іntο thе lіttlе box wіll dο.
3. Always keep аn eye fοr online rebates given bу retailers thаt саn hеlр tο save a hυgе percentage οn thе selling price. Simple fill out a lіttlе form аnd сυt out thе UPC code. Uѕе thеѕе rebates аnd save bіg.
4. Always look out fοr sites οr items thаt come wіth free shipping. Aѕ mentioned above, shipping fee іѕ normally 20% more thаn thе item price itself. Saving οn уουr shipping саn bе tremendous іf уουr item costs a lot.
5. Dο nοt miss out those state retailers thаt dο nοt charge sales tax fοr уουr items fοr уουr state. Thе money saving here сουld bе significant tοο.
Wіth money saving tips above аnd іf уου hаνе practiced thеm well, уου саn add up аnd see hοw much уου hаνе easily saved fοr yourself. Thе best раrt іѕ, уου don’t even hаνе tο walk іntο a store tο save a bundle. Spend ѕοmе time tο search аnd I аm sure уου саn find more money saving offers аnd tips out thеrе. Stаrt saving аnd еnјοу living debt free today!
Article Source
South Africa Online Accommodation
5 Essential Money Saving Tips Wіth Internet Online Shopping
1. Always aim fοr thе best deal аnd save more fοr thе item(s) уου desire. Dο nοt immediately settle down wіth уουr рυrсhаѕе οn thе first online store thаt уου come асrοѕѕ. Scout through a few οf thеm аnd mаkе уουr price comparison tο gеt thе best deal. Lookout fοr sale items especially. Sale prices саn bе dramatically lower thаn thе standard prices аnd hеlр уου tο save bіg.
2. Always υѕе coupons οr discount voucher codes іf уου know whеrе tο check online. Thеrе аrе many websites out thеrе thаt offer thousands οf coupons tο аlmοѕt еνеrу online store.
Typically уου pay 20% more fοr аn item fοr shipping fee, аnd іf уου аrе аblе tο save thаt much wіth discount vouchers, уου аrе essentially getting free shipping fοr уουr items. Eνеrу time уου gеt tο thе last checkout page, јυѕt key іn thе promotional code іntο thе lіttlе box wіll dο.
3. Always keep аn eye fοr online rebates given bу retailers thаt саn hеlр tο save a hυgе percentage οn thе selling price. Simple fill out a lіttlе form аnd сυt out thе UPC code. Uѕе thеѕе rebates аnd save bіg.
4. Always look out fοr sites οr items thаt come wіth free shipping. Aѕ mentioned above, shipping fee іѕ normally 20% more thаn thе item price itself. Saving οn уουr shipping саn bе tremendous іf уουr item costs a lot.
5. Dο nοt miss out those state retailers thаt dο nοt charge sales tax fοr уουr items fοr уουr state. Thе money saving here сουld bе significant tοο.
Wіth money saving tips above аnd іf уου hаνе practiced thеm well, уου саn add up аnd see hοw much уου hаνе easily saved fοr yourself. Thе best раrt іѕ, уου don’t even hаνе tο walk іntο a store tο save a bundle. Spend ѕοmе time tο search аnd I аm sure уου саn find more money saving offers аnd tips out thеrе. Stаrt saving аnd еnјοу living debt free today!
Article Source
South Africa Online Accommodation
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Online English Courses
More and more language schools are now offering online English courses as an alternative to traditional language lessons. There are also a fair number of websites that specialize in online courses alone. There are many ways where online courses differ to traditional lessons.
Online courses usually take place over Skype or other similar software. The tutor and student arrange a time to take the lessons. Some language schools use webcams and others prefer not to as they can be distracting for the student.
An online lesson is similar in many respects to traditional one-to-one learning. The course is specific to what the student needs and wants to learn. If the student is struggling with particular grammar pointsFree Web Content, the tutor will put those grammar points into the lesson plan and use different techniques to make sure that the student goes on the understand what is being taught.
Online English courses can specialize in certain English areas. Many students need to take the IELTS test for academic reasons and need a lot of preparation before the test. This is a good example of how language schools tailor the lessons to meet the needs of the student. An IETLS preparation course is very popular and can make the difference between passing and failing. Other students may want to improve spoken English. The tutor would then introduce a lot of pronunciation material into their lessons.
Online group courses usually involve 3-9 students and follow a certain syllabus. Students are placed into different groups according to their level and meet at a regular time each week. These group courses are very similar to courses undertaken in conventional language schools.
Online English courses are a great way for students to improve their English.
Article Source
English Courses Cape Town
Online courses usually take place over Skype or other similar software. The tutor and student arrange a time to take the lessons. Some language schools use webcams and others prefer not to as they can be distracting for the student.
An online lesson is similar in many respects to traditional one-to-one learning. The course is specific to what the student needs and wants to learn. If the student is struggling with particular grammar pointsFree Web Content, the tutor will put those grammar points into the lesson plan and use different techniques to make sure that the student goes on the understand what is being taught.
Online English courses can specialize in certain English areas. Many students need to take the IELTS test for academic reasons and need a lot of preparation before the test. This is a good example of how language schools tailor the lessons to meet the needs of the student. An IETLS preparation course is very popular and can make the difference between passing and failing. Other students may want to improve spoken English. The tutor would then introduce a lot of pronunciation material into their lessons.
Online group courses usually involve 3-9 students and follow a certain syllabus. Students are placed into different groups according to their level and meet at a regular time each week. These group courses are very similar to courses undertaken in conventional language schools.
Online English courses are a great way for students to improve their English.
Article Source
English Courses Cape Town
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Cape Town Driving and Cycling
Drivers and cyclists everywhere are often at odds over such matters as who has the right of way, but visiting car drivers and bicycle riders agree on one thing; Cape Town has good roads and bad drivers. Whether you will have your foot on a gas pedal, or be pushing pedals when you travel around Cape Town, there are a few things you should know. The first, of course, is that South Africans drive on the left. If you are accustomed to driving on the right, find some quiet place to practice a little before you get into major traffic. An ounce of orientation can save you many pounds of trouble.
Good Roads and Fast Freeways
Cape Town roads are good, and several fast freeways can take you across town in no time. Because the city is on a peninsula, orientation is easy. You have the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and False Bay on the other. Table Mountain provides an excellent landmark. It really is very hard to get lost. There are some wonderful routes you can take, either by car or by bike. One of the most scenic is along the Atlantic seaboard to Hout Bay and the Chapman's Peak Drive. Another takes you around the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park by way of the False Bay coast.
Regulations and Driving Tips
National roads are marked with an N prefix, and provincial roads with an R prefix. During the Easter and December breaks, the highways can become unusually congested. During these times, notoriously bad driving habits are made worse by alcohol consumption, although police have been cracking down on drunk drivers. Speed limits range from 60 kph in urban areas, to 100 kph on rural roads and 120 kph on highways. Roundabouts follow the British rule of giving way to the right. Four-way-stops allow the first vehicle at the intersection to proceed first. In Cape Town traffic signals are called robots.
Drive With Caution
South Africa has one of the world's worst records for motor vehicle accidents, so drive with caution. Keep your distance from vehicles in front. Watch out for cars coming straight at you while they are overtaking other cars. You are expected to pull over onto the paved shoulder - where there might be people walking. Cape Town has a few unwritten rules of the road all its own. For example, minibus taxi drivers assume they have the right of way at all times. They will cut you off and run traffic lights with impunity. Be very careful approaching a freeway in Cape Town. The on-ramps often lead directly into the fast lane, and most local drivers won't slow down to let you in. Freeway signs also don't give much warning of the off-ramps. Plan your trip, so you know where you're going.
License, Gas, and Parking
If you're cycling around Cape Town, your main problem is watching out for drivers who have no respect for two-wheeled vehicles. To drive a motor vehicle, you must have a valid driver's license, printed in English. Otherwise you must obtain an International Driving Permit. Always have your license and passport with you. There are plenty of gas stations on the major highways, but they are less frequent on country roads, so fill up when you can. The best places to park in Cape Town are the multistorey parking garages. If you park on the street, you may have to pay a "car guard" not only to watch your vehicle, but to direct you in and out of the parking spot.
Article Source
Cape Town Car Rental
Good Roads and Fast Freeways
Cape Town roads are good, and several fast freeways can take you across town in no time. Because the city is on a peninsula, orientation is easy. You have the Atlantic Ocean on one side, and False Bay on the other. Table Mountain provides an excellent landmark. It really is very hard to get lost. There are some wonderful routes you can take, either by car or by bike. One of the most scenic is along the Atlantic seaboard to Hout Bay and the Chapman's Peak Drive. Another takes you around the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park by way of the False Bay coast.
Regulations and Driving Tips
National roads are marked with an N prefix, and provincial roads with an R prefix. During the Easter and December breaks, the highways can become unusually congested. During these times, notoriously bad driving habits are made worse by alcohol consumption, although police have been cracking down on drunk drivers. Speed limits range from 60 kph in urban areas, to 100 kph on rural roads and 120 kph on highways. Roundabouts follow the British rule of giving way to the right. Four-way-stops allow the first vehicle at the intersection to proceed first. In Cape Town traffic signals are called robots.
Drive With Caution
South Africa has one of the world's worst records for motor vehicle accidents, so drive with caution. Keep your distance from vehicles in front. Watch out for cars coming straight at you while they are overtaking other cars. You are expected to pull over onto the paved shoulder - where there might be people walking. Cape Town has a few unwritten rules of the road all its own. For example, minibus taxi drivers assume they have the right of way at all times. They will cut you off and run traffic lights with impunity. Be very careful approaching a freeway in Cape Town. The on-ramps often lead directly into the fast lane, and most local drivers won't slow down to let you in. Freeway signs also don't give much warning of the off-ramps. Plan your trip, so you know where you're going.
License, Gas, and Parking
If you're cycling around Cape Town, your main problem is watching out for drivers who have no respect for two-wheeled vehicles. To drive a motor vehicle, you must have a valid driver's license, printed in English. Otherwise you must obtain an International Driving Permit. Always have your license and passport with you. There are plenty of gas stations on the major highways, but they are less frequent on country roads, so fill up when you can. The best places to park in Cape Town are the multistorey parking garages. If you park on the street, you may have to pay a "car guard" not only to watch your vehicle, but to direct you in and out of the parking spot.
Article Source
Cape Town Car Rental
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Township Tours in Cape Town
Any visitor to South Africa should visit a township to understand how the majority of South Africans live and the importance of the New South Africa to them.
The trend of township tours is establishing itself not only in South Africa, but in developing nations across the world. Initially, tourists may be concerned that taking a township tour in South Africa, or indeed a favela tour in Brazil or slum tour in India, is a money-making scheme allowing middle-class tourists to look at poverty from the tinted windows of an air-conditioned minibus. Township residents will soon set any visitor straight on that misconception. Not only are they proud that foreign visitors are interested in learning about their lives, but it also provides them with the opportunity to earn a living.
A Typical Township Tour in Cape Town
There are now scores of tour operators and individuals offering township tours in Cape Town. The majority of tours tend to follow more or less the same formula and will take visitors to the townships of Langa, Khayelitsha and Guguletu.
Langa is Cape Town's oldest informal settlement and was established in 1901 when inhabitants from a farm called Uitvlugt were resettled in the belief they posed a threat to health as the city had just recovered from a bout of the bubonic plague. 'Langa' means 'sun' and the township's residents played an important role in the struggle against apartheid.
Khayelitsha, which means 'Our New Home' in isiXhosa, has a mixture of formal and informal housing and is the largest single township in South Africa. Home to approximately 1.5million people, Khayelitsha covers an area of 47 square kilometres.
Guguletu, affectionately known as 'Gugs', was established in the 1950s to house migrant workers from the Eastern Cape. Men were housed in cramped hostels, but when their families joined them, they were forced to build shacks as no additional accommodation was provided. Guguletu thus became an informal settlement. Nowadays, some of the poorest families live in the hostels. Rooms typically have at least three beds, with one family taking each bed.
Amy Biehl
Guguletu is also home to the Amy Biehl Memorial and provides a constant reminder about a tragedy of the apartheid, as well as inspiration to move forward. Amy Biehl was a Canadian exchange student studying at the University of Cape Town in 1993. She had friends in Guguletu and visited them often, despite being unwelcome in the 'blacks-only' zone. A mob of more than 100 residents descended on her in the township one day, beating her up then stabbing her to death. Following the heartbreak of losing Amy, her parents went on to forgive the two boys ultimately responsible for killing her and adopted them. Amy's legacy lives on through The Amy Biehl Foundation set up in her honour.
Which Township Tour?
As well as visiting the three notable townships, different tour operators offer various additional items to the itinerary. Most tours will include a combination of walking and driving tours of the three townships and a visit to a shebeen (a township tavern). The drivers/tour guides typically have a wealth of knowledge, factual and anecdotal, that they will share with the group en route. Grassroute tours also include a visit to the District Six Museum and a stop with a witch doctor. Springbok Atlas offer a half day cultural tour, which also includes a visit to the Bo Kaap, home to the city's Muslim community. Taking the blue route of the hop-on hop-off city sightseeing bus offers the opportunity to take the Imizamo Yethu township experience at stop 22. Uniformed community guides walk visitors around the township themselves and all funds apparently go back into the community. Other noteworthy township tours are run by Camissa, Inkululeko tours and Babi's tours.
With the increasing commercialisation of township tours, it can be a concern that more money goes to tour operators and less to the township communities themselves. The Grassroute tour employs a township resident called Archie, who does the walking tour around Langa. Those who categorically want to make sure that at least the majority of their money goes into the townships need to do their homework. Talking to any local resident of Cape Town will help, as they may have friends or family who would be willing to do a tour around their township. It's worth remembering, however, that the more informal tours may not be as safe as the more established tour operators who have more back-up should anything go wrong.
There are a number of projects in the townships that take international volunteers. In particular, there are a number of crèches that volunteers are sent to in Masiphumelele (known as 'Masi'), meaning 'We will succeed'. Volunteering will give visitors a greater insight into township life far greater than can be gleaned from a tour.
Township tours, whether run by tour operators or individuals, tend to cost 300 to 400 Rand for a 3-4 hour tour. The Imizamo Yethu tour along the hop-on hop-off bus route costs 50 Rand for 40 minutes.
Township Accommodation
Another emerging trend comes in the form of township bed and breakfasts. Staying overnight in a township is increasingly seen as an extension of the whole township experience. Vicky's B&B in Khayelitsha is the most established B&B in a Cape Town township. Vicky was the first to spot the gap in the market for tourist accommodation in townships and has now extended her brand to a self-sustaining sewing centre across the road. Ma Neo's B&B in Langa also comes highly recommended, as well as Kopanong B&B in Khayelitsha and Liziwe's Guest House in Gugulethu. In addition to providing accommodation for the night, the guest house owners tend to give much more to visitors who stay. They may invite them to help prepare the meal, watch their traditional cooking methods or take them to local music and dancing events.
Johannesburg Township Tourism in Soweto
Staying the night in townships in Cape Town is less established than in Soweto, south-west of Johannesburg. There are dozens of guest houses in Soweto and a number of decent bars and restaurants have emerged in response to the increased interest from tourists. The more advanced township tourism in Soweto is undoubtedly due to landmarks of historical significance, including Nelson Mandela's house, which is now a museum.
Article Source
Cape Town Sightseeing Tours
The trend of township tours is establishing itself not only in South Africa, but in developing nations across the world. Initially, tourists may be concerned that taking a township tour in South Africa, or indeed a favela tour in Brazil or slum tour in India, is a money-making scheme allowing middle-class tourists to look at poverty from the tinted windows of an air-conditioned minibus. Township residents will soon set any visitor straight on that misconception. Not only are they proud that foreign visitors are interested in learning about their lives, but it also provides them with the opportunity to earn a living.
A Typical Township Tour in Cape Town
There are now scores of tour operators and individuals offering township tours in Cape Town. The majority of tours tend to follow more or less the same formula and will take visitors to the townships of Langa, Khayelitsha and Guguletu.
Langa is Cape Town's oldest informal settlement and was established in 1901 when inhabitants from a farm called Uitvlugt were resettled in the belief they posed a threat to health as the city had just recovered from a bout of the bubonic plague. 'Langa' means 'sun' and the township's residents played an important role in the struggle against apartheid.
Khayelitsha, which means 'Our New Home' in isiXhosa, has a mixture of formal and informal housing and is the largest single township in South Africa. Home to approximately 1.5million people, Khayelitsha covers an area of 47 square kilometres.
Guguletu, affectionately known as 'Gugs', was established in the 1950s to house migrant workers from the Eastern Cape. Men were housed in cramped hostels, but when their families joined them, they were forced to build shacks as no additional accommodation was provided. Guguletu thus became an informal settlement. Nowadays, some of the poorest families live in the hostels. Rooms typically have at least three beds, with one family taking each bed.
Amy Biehl
Guguletu is also home to the Amy Biehl Memorial and provides a constant reminder about a tragedy of the apartheid, as well as inspiration to move forward. Amy Biehl was a Canadian exchange student studying at the University of Cape Town in 1993. She had friends in Guguletu and visited them often, despite being unwelcome in the 'blacks-only' zone. A mob of more than 100 residents descended on her in the township one day, beating her up then stabbing her to death. Following the heartbreak of losing Amy, her parents went on to forgive the two boys ultimately responsible for killing her and adopted them. Amy's legacy lives on through The Amy Biehl Foundation set up in her honour.
Which Township Tour?
As well as visiting the three notable townships, different tour operators offer various additional items to the itinerary. Most tours will include a combination of walking and driving tours of the three townships and a visit to a shebeen (a township tavern). The drivers/tour guides typically have a wealth of knowledge, factual and anecdotal, that they will share with the group en route. Grassroute tours also include a visit to the District Six Museum and a stop with a witch doctor. Springbok Atlas offer a half day cultural tour, which also includes a visit to the Bo Kaap, home to the city's Muslim community. Taking the blue route of the hop-on hop-off city sightseeing bus offers the opportunity to take the Imizamo Yethu township experience at stop 22. Uniformed community guides walk visitors around the township themselves and all funds apparently go back into the community. Other noteworthy township tours are run by Camissa, Inkululeko tours and Babi's tours.
With the increasing commercialisation of township tours, it can be a concern that more money goes to tour operators and less to the township communities themselves. The Grassroute tour employs a township resident called Archie, who does the walking tour around Langa. Those who categorically want to make sure that at least the majority of their money goes into the townships need to do their homework. Talking to any local resident of Cape Town will help, as they may have friends or family who would be willing to do a tour around their township. It's worth remembering, however, that the more informal tours may not be as safe as the more established tour operators who have more back-up should anything go wrong.
There are a number of projects in the townships that take international volunteers. In particular, there are a number of crèches that volunteers are sent to in Masiphumelele (known as 'Masi'), meaning 'We will succeed'. Volunteering will give visitors a greater insight into township life far greater than can be gleaned from a tour.
Township tours, whether run by tour operators or individuals, tend to cost 300 to 400 Rand for a 3-4 hour tour. The Imizamo Yethu tour along the hop-on hop-off bus route costs 50 Rand for 40 minutes.
Township Accommodation
Another emerging trend comes in the form of township bed and breakfasts. Staying overnight in a township is increasingly seen as an extension of the whole township experience. Vicky's B&B in Khayelitsha is the most established B&B in a Cape Town township. Vicky was the first to spot the gap in the market for tourist accommodation in townships and has now extended her brand to a self-sustaining sewing centre across the road. Ma Neo's B&B in Langa also comes highly recommended, as well as Kopanong B&B in Khayelitsha and Liziwe's Guest House in Gugulethu. In addition to providing accommodation for the night, the guest house owners tend to give much more to visitors who stay. They may invite them to help prepare the meal, watch their traditional cooking methods or take them to local music and dancing events.
Johannesburg Township Tourism in Soweto
Staying the night in townships in Cape Town is less established than in Soweto, south-west of Johannesburg. There are dozens of guest houses in Soweto and a number of decent bars and restaurants have emerged in response to the increased interest from tourists. The more advanced township tourism in Soweto is undoubtedly due to landmarks of historical significance, including Nelson Mandela's house, which is now a museum.
Article Source
Cape Town Sightseeing Tours
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Cape Town – A Holiday With a Difference
Cape Town, in South Africa, is one of the world’s great marvels and a destination that’s guaranteed to give you a unique holiday. Sometimes however holidays can be as much of a challenge as they are a pleasure. The discerning traveller typically has limited time and high expectations and this leads to certain requirements.
• You may not enjoy spending endless hours trying to sort out your itinerary – and you simply may not have the time.
• You probably won’t welcome finding on arrival that you’re being shoehorned into agendas and sightseeing trips that are simply not to your taste.
• You probably are looking for holiday experiences that are a little more individual than the traditional packaged holiday.
• You may very well be a little jaded with many of the ‘conventional’ holiday destinations.
If this sounds like you, a tailor-made holiday to Cape Town may suit you better and here’s why.
Why Cape Town?
Few destinations can offer the variety of holiday experience that you’ll encounter in the Cape area. Although it’s something of a painful cliché, in reality there really is something for everyone including:
• Magnificent beaches on the peninsular – you can even choose whether to swim in the Indian or Atlantic Ocean.
• A city with centuries of history.
• A vast and diverse cultural legacy that incorporates elements of African, Dutch, British, Indian, Indonesian, Chinese and many other origins.
• An incomparable natural backdrop of Table Mountain, which offers walking and countryside exploration.
• A world famous centre for exotic plants (Kirstenbosch National Gardens).
• Access to great game and wildlife encounters in various reserves.
• Coastal path explorations with rare wildlife and penguin colonies.
• Access to the great South African vineyards and wine industry (and samples!).
• Superb shopping at any one of several major centres.
Cape Town is sometimes called Africa’s most cosmopolitan and interesting city. Whether you agree with that or not, just a glance at the above list indicates why it is a serious contender.
Your holiday
Interesting as the above list of attractions may be, not all of them may be to your personal taste. That’s why a holiday that shapes your time in South Africa to meet your requirements rather than somebody else’s may be of interest. It will allow you to indulge your tastes and in a fashion to suit you. So, for example, if you wish to visit the art galleries or museums then you can do so – and without being limited to a 15-minute breakneck tour.
Perhaps you’d then like a day on the beach followed up by a tour of the vineyards. After that you’d possibly like a guided walking tour around some of the historic streets but really aren’t too bothered about trips into the countryside to see wildlife. If so – that’s not a problem. Whatever your needs, an itinerary can be constructed to ensure that you see what you want to see and most importantly, enjoy your time in this great city.
Experience the Rainbow
People have lived in the cape region for millennia. Europeans have been coming here since the 15th century and people from all corners of the earth have made it their home. The city fully and proudly plays its part in the development of the modern South Africa’s ‘rainbow nation’ culture. So, come and explore it and see why Cape Town is so highly regarded as a holiday destination. It’s waiting to welcome you!
Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury South Africa holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
Article Source
Century City Holiday Apartments
• You may not enjoy spending endless hours trying to sort out your itinerary – and you simply may not have the time.
• You probably won’t welcome finding on arrival that you’re being shoehorned into agendas and sightseeing trips that are simply not to your taste.
• You probably are looking for holiday experiences that are a little more individual than the traditional packaged holiday.
• You may very well be a little jaded with many of the ‘conventional’ holiday destinations.
If this sounds like you, a tailor-made holiday to Cape Town may suit you better and here’s why.
Why Cape Town?
Few destinations can offer the variety of holiday experience that you’ll encounter in the Cape area. Although it’s something of a painful cliché, in reality there really is something for everyone including:
• Magnificent beaches on the peninsular – you can even choose whether to swim in the Indian or Atlantic Ocean.
• A city with centuries of history.
• A vast and diverse cultural legacy that incorporates elements of African, Dutch, British, Indian, Indonesian, Chinese and many other origins.
• An incomparable natural backdrop of Table Mountain, which offers walking and countryside exploration.
• A world famous centre for exotic plants (Kirstenbosch National Gardens).
• Access to great game and wildlife encounters in various reserves.
• Coastal path explorations with rare wildlife and penguin colonies.
• Access to the great South African vineyards and wine industry (and samples!).
• Superb shopping at any one of several major centres.
Cape Town is sometimes called Africa’s most cosmopolitan and interesting city. Whether you agree with that or not, just a glance at the above list indicates why it is a serious contender.
Your holiday
Interesting as the above list of attractions may be, not all of them may be to your personal taste. That’s why a holiday that shapes your time in South Africa to meet your requirements rather than somebody else’s may be of interest. It will allow you to indulge your tastes and in a fashion to suit you. So, for example, if you wish to visit the art galleries or museums then you can do so – and without being limited to a 15-minute breakneck tour.
Perhaps you’d then like a day on the beach followed up by a tour of the vineyards. After that you’d possibly like a guided walking tour around some of the historic streets but really aren’t too bothered about trips into the countryside to see wildlife. If so – that’s not a problem. Whatever your needs, an itinerary can be constructed to ensure that you see what you want to see and most importantly, enjoy your time in this great city.
Experience the Rainbow
People have lived in the cape region for millennia. Europeans have been coming here since the 15th century and people from all corners of the earth have made it their home. The city fully and proudly plays its part in the development of the modern South Africa’s ‘rainbow nation’ culture. So, come and explore it and see why Cape Town is so highly regarded as a holiday destination. It’s waiting to welcome you!
Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury South Africa holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.
The online travel writing provided by Travel Content Online is free to take, providing you take the links in the text, too. Use it to add fresh online content to your website. Thank you for visiting us – hopefully our travel content will bring more visitors to your site, too.
Article Source
Century City Holiday Apartments
Friday, January 7, 2011
Chill Out With Cape Town Car Hire
It's the end of the year and the party mood is upon us all, and for many of us party central is the Mother City, Cape Town. If you're going to be heading down to the Cape for the festive season then you'll want to know that when you get off the plane that there's a hire car waiting for you so that you can immediately set off on your Cape adventure with the minimum of fuss and bother.
Cape Town car hire can represent extremely good value for money and allow the visitor the choice from amongst a wide variety of motor vehicles.
Cape Town car hireis as easy as making a phone call to one of the many car hire companies in the Peninsula or using the Internet and your credit card to pre book your hire vehicle. The key to successful car hire is timing. The popularity of Cape Town as a holiday destination means that you should book your vehicle well in advance of the holiday season.
If you're looking to take advantage of the convenience of Cape Town car hire then you should shop around at least a month before you are due to leave for the Cape Province, this will ensure that you get the best bang for your buck.
When you're making your choice don't limit yourself to the mundane, this is a city that is comfortable with individual expression, if you want to book a Harley, or an open top sports car then don't hesitate, it'll make your holiday that much more fun.
In fact it can be just as much fun as the holiday itself, don't hold back, you only live once. Take advantage of the sun and the sand and make sure that you get the most out of your holiday in the Cape Peninsula.
Whatever choice you make as far as Cape Town car hire try to get the most out of the experience and make sure that you don't limit yourself to just the city, get out into the countryside. You'll be glad you did.
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