South Africa hotels, holidays, villas & Safaris. Travel Link Co., South Africa holidays & South Afrrica travel. Travellinkco-ordinators.co.uk Travel Links to the World
Preserving a wild
corner of AFRICA
NESTLED in the rolling hills of Roodepoort,
the Kloofendal Nature Reserve offers urban dwellers a retreat from the bustle of the city.
CALL FOR HOLIDAY INFORMATION OR BROCHURE (All ABTA telephone Links)
0845 358 287 6
Flights, hotels and accommodatin in Capetown:
0845 225 049 2
From PAGE & MOY HOLIDAY & TOURS IN AFRICA
OR TRAVELSPHERE holidays, Tours and Whale watching in South Africa.
South Africa is a treasure chest of unforgettable scenery, from lofty mountains to sun-baked deserts
and dramatic coastlines washed by the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Its game viewing equals the best in Africa,
and where else can you find both penguins and elephants?
Overshadowed by dramatic Table Mountain and surrounded by the Atlantic, Cape Town is one of the world’s
most picturesque cities. You can sample fine wine under the grapes in the tranquil winelands,
while the pretty Garden Route offers country towns, lagoons and forests to explore.
The Wild Coast boasts isolated beaches, rocky coastline and traditional rural villages, and the resorts along
the KwaZulu-Natal coast offer lots of familyseaside fun.
Inland are the intriguing and moving battlefield sites that lay testament to the Anglo-Boer war.
Here too rise the Drakensberg Mountains where vultures ride on the thermals over deeply green valleys
and jagged peaks. To the east is the Kruger National Park where the thorny bush harbours the ‘Big Five’
animals to see (the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) as well as many other fascinating animals and birds.
SOUTH AFRICA By Thomas Thale
IN a pristine corner of Joburg's western suburbs lies dense bush, a sanctuary for numerous species of birds, plants
and small animals, harking back to the days when the veld fringed the city's borders.
Located on the doorstep of high-density development, the 150 hectares Kloofendal Nature Reserve,
run by Johannesburg's City Parks, is a model of urban conservation.
Nestled along Galena Avenue, just north of Horison and to the west of Christiaan de Wet Road in the Roodepoort
suburb of Kloofendal, some 25km from the city centre, the reserve offers urban dwellers a retreat from the hustle
and bustle of city life.
Here, visitors can take walks along winding footpaths, be treated to the melody of chirping birds, and catch sight
of trees and animals in their natural environment.
Kobus Theunissen, professional specialist at City Parks, says Kloofendal boasts 132 flowering plants, 53 species
of indigenous tree and over 60 species of grass. "Kloofendal is considered to be a prime habitat for 97 species
of birds, including warblers that migrate there from Europe every year," says Theunissen. The reserve is also home
to mountain reedbucks, common duikers, hares, guinea fowl and butterflies.
In 2004, the City reintroduced into the park small game, including mountain reedbucks, duikers, small antelopes
and hyraxes (dassies) partly for the black eagles from the botanical garden nearby to feed on.
A bird hide was also put up close to the dam to enable visitors to catch a glimpse of birds quenching their thirst.
But Kloofendal was not always earmarked for conservation.
Indeed, back in 1884, one Frederick Struben undertook gold prospecting and exploration on the site, leading to the
establishment of the Confidence Reef Mine. The mineshaft can still be seen on the site, but it is closed to the public.
It was in 1972 that the City Council reserved Kloofendal as a protected wilderness area. A small section of the park,
close to the main entrance, was turned into a festival venue, complete with an amphitheatre and picnic facilities,
the rest remained a protected nature conservation area.
Theunissen says the environment of the area is very sensitive. "The place cannot be subjected to any disturbances such as
picnic fires or domestic pets. This could upset the natural balance."
For visitors, the park offers various activities mainly organised by Friends of Kloofendal, a voluntary organisation
dedicated to the preservation of the park.
Bart Simon, chairperson of the organisation, says the programmes, which are organised in conjunction with City Parks,
include three-hour educational walks for school kids during the week, and for adults over Weekends.
"We have qualified guides who speak with authority on various topics, including birds, flowers, indigenous plants and spiders."
Theunissen says one of the fascinating walks covers traditional medicine. "We have a traditional customs walk,
in which the guide explains the use of various tree bucks and roots in traditional medicine."
Other walks focus on topics such as the geology of Kloofendal, indigenous fruit and tea, butterflies, spiders,
spring wild flowers and nocturnal small mammals.
Credit is given to the Johannesburg News Agency; A link is provided to www.joburg.org.za;
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION IN SOUTH AFRICA - CAPE TOWN
Cape Town villa accommodation - holiday house CB 109: Spacious, modern & elegant 6 bedroom,
6 bathroom, luxury holiday villa in a quiet Camps Bay street with spectacular sunsets and sweeping views
of the ocean from Robben Island to Bakoven - Large, sunny pool is heated and private.
You can see the entire Camps Bay coastline with a backdrop of mountains; you may also see whales
and dolphins from this villa, free wireless broadband internet 24/7, highly sophisticated security system,
garden, garage, maid service 5 days/ week ( personal laundry at no charge) , satellite TV, DVD,
fully equipped kitchen, all amenities, can accommodate 12 guests in comfort;
Available over Christmas and New Years at only . Free transfer from the airport to villa.
You could reserve this entire luxury cape town accommodation for the 2010 FIFA WORLD CUP
at only 300,000 Rands for the entire month. Click on the links, to find your Cape Town self catering
holiday house, apartment or villa. We have your self catering holiday home in Cape Town
& many more apartments, villas, houses & flats
Cape Town Accommodation: Luxury holiday villas & apartments in Cape Town
RECOMMENDED Tour operator for South Africa & Capetown:
In December 2004, the company was acquired by the Travelsphere Group.
Today, the group consisting of Travelsphere, Page & Moy and singles holiday specialist,
Just You is the UK’s number one operator of escorted tours worldwide.
Page & Moy offers a diverse range of cultural holidays around the world that provide customers
with an enriching holiday experience that gets right under the skin of a destination –
they see the true hidden gems and not just the tourist hotspots.
Page & Moy offer seven main brochures: Europe, Worldwide, Ocean Cruises, River Cruises,
Motor Racing, UK Breaks and Christmas & New Year.
Tour Guides are amongst the most experienced and knowledgeable in the business.
Worldwide holidays departing from Heathrow, Gatwick or a regional airport include
complimentary travel to the airport if living within 250 miles. Alternatively, customers
can also enjoy complimentary train travel on Heathrow departures. Flexible product range -
upgraded hotel options, special departures to festivals, events,
concerts, choice of duration, extend your stay, add-ons, pre-bookable excursions and stopovers.
LOOK & BOOK HERE (Send for a South Africa Brochure !))
HOLIDAY AFRICA - KENYA
TLC 0845 22 50 049 2
