100% Africa !

Colesburg Overnight is close to the van der Kloof dam and the Doornkloof Nature Reserve, with animals like kudu, brown hyena, mountain Reedbuck, steenbuck, grey duiker, bat-eared fox, aardvark and the aardwolf, is where a place called Colesberg is found. An ideal stop over, between Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, the deviation off the N1, you’ll find is shorter than the N1 and you have no trucks to contend with either. Enjoy a night or few at the Starry Nights Karoo Cottages. A lovely little village for those wanting to escape from the city for a few days, for those wanting to enjoy the silence, the closeness to nature, stargazing, bird watching, no traffic… the list continues. This is definitely a quintessential town, if ever there was one. Having a rich history, with not only it being the oldest settlement in the Free State, it was established as a mission in 1823, it is also the centre of the old Griqua captaincies and was caught up in the events of the Boer War. Philippolis is in the centre of South Africa. There are many attractions one can take part in, the Laurence van der Post Memorial Centre, this memorial centre is the first tourist attraction as tourists enter the town of Philippolis. However the best probably is the experience one will get when visiting the tiger experience at John Varty’s Tiger Canyons Game Drives and Concert. Going out in a 4×4 vehicle, designed with a cage, means you’re the caged animal and the tigers are free, and yes, this does mean that they will more than likely jump up on the vehicle. For more accommodation options in the Northern Cape, click here

For many people, a true African experience includes a visit to a Guest Game Farm. This particular Guest Farm is situated on the border of Botswana and is owned and managed by Frikkie and Ans Du Preez. This is a place where you can relax and unwind and enjoy the bush and experience a true safari during your visit.
The accommodation offered, provides you with plenty of comfort ranging from luxury en-suites rooms which are adjacent to the main farm house or the detached thatched chalets which offer additional privacy for guests. Campsites are available if you favor a more traditional experience of tenting or caravanning. All the usual amenities which are expected from a campsite are accessible such as, braai facilities, hot and cold running water, electricity and a communal camp fire.
For a more primitive experience, one also has the option of camping at the Boma Bush Kraal Camp, where no luxuries are accessible; it is just you and the bush, sleeping under the stars. The benefits of this spectacular location are the views of the Molopo River, as well as the picturesque sand dunes of Botswana, which are in my opinion, breathtaking. You will also have the opportunity to witness some spectacular sunsets, which will be a great conclusion to the day. If all the fresh air and bush life still does not tire you, then there are plenty of activities to explore, such as, day and night game drives, bird watching, donkey carts, horseback riding, hiking trails and bike trails. For further Northern Cape accommodation.

When it comes to self catering, the majority of people enjoy staying at a place which ‘feels’ like home, a place where one can sit back and relax without the hassle of worrying about making your bed, doing the dishes or tidying up the children’s mess. The Islandview house is a home away from home, and here is where you will most definitely find the time to relax in a private tranquil haven where luxurious amenities are made available to you, such as a large swimming pool, air conditioning and en-suite bathrooms. Islandview house is located on the banks of the Orange River, so be sure to enjoy plenty of picturesque sunsets echoed with the call of the fish eagle, retiring for the night. For those who prefer to do some leisurely activities, there are plenty scenic activities that include a trip to Augrabies waterfalls, a seasonal flower show and a nature park. For the more adventurous dare devils at heart, fill your day with a micro lighting flight, a boat ride or some water skiing, which is a must. On site staff are hands on and go the extra mile for each and every request, whether you need a rugby game taped whilst you are out on your adventures, or perhaps are in need to have a lunch packed for the family’s outing the next day, no task is to big. Personal service is hard to find in a hotel, that’s why the majority of people enjoy staying at a Bed and Breakfast, as it is more relaxed and less ostentatious than a hotel. The Islandview house is comfortable as well as memorable, and most definitely offers an unexpected experience. For more accommodation options in the area, click here

The Richters was declared a World Heritage site, as of 10 years ago when the disadvantaged people united, reclaiming the title to their traditional land, setting it aside as conservancy for research and tourism. The last refuge of the Nama people living what is known as the transhumance lifestyle, migrating seasonally with their livestock from mountains to rivers, making full use of the sustainable fragile and succulent ecosystem. If you’ve started wondering why you’d like to visit this World Heritage site, it’s because it’s here that you’ll find The Gariep River or the Great River. Gariep means the “Great River” it is its Nama Name. This is the Orange River is the only perennial river in the region and comes to its end in the desert region of the Karoo and Southern Namib. What I find so very interesting about this is, that the river mouth supports 33 mammal species including the Straw-Coloured Fruit Bat and the Cape Clawless Otter. But the local people mistake the ripples made by the otter in the water, for that which the legendary Big Snake that roams the area makes. You see, near Cornellskop, is where you’ll find the Wondergat, or as the Nama call it, the “Heitsi Eibib” which means “spirit” or “emptiness”. Many connect the Wondergat to the “Big Snake” due to its size, thus inspiring many a story and attracting many a visitor. Some say the Big Snake can transform itself into a young maiden, luring men to the river to drown them, whilst the San believed the snake can kill with its breath alone. Stories? One wonders…. for more local information and accommodation options, click here.