Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Information about the magnificent Addo Elephant National Park located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

The Addo Elephant National Park is situated north-westerly of Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The area comprises 8 600 hectares of dense Addo bush. The word Addo is derived from a Khoikhoi word Kadouw, which means river passage. The elephants inhabiting the area are know as the Addo elephant. The Addo elephant is slightly different to their more well known cousins, the African elephants - Addo elephants are smaller, have a reddish skin tone, their ears are more rounded and the females do not have tusks.

It was proclaimed a national park in 1931 when the elephant population of the area was an endangered species. Years before, in 1919, a professional hunter, Major Jan Pretorius, was hired to destroy the entire herd of elephants. They had become pests by raiding neighbouring farms - the area was too small to contain man and elephants, so man embarked on an expedition to wipe out beast. In only one year, Major Jan Pretorius managed to kill 120 elephants. After the year, public outcry against the killings forced him to stop. By now only sixteen of the elephants remained. They were scarred, maimed by bullets and hated man and no sane person ventured into the Addo bush - to do so, the person would be sure to meet with an elephant determined to wreak havoc.

It took more than twenty years for the government to erect an elephant-proof fence to confine the dwindling elephant population within the park and to keep hunters out. The area surrounding the Addo bush is know for the orange groves and to show their gratitude, the Citrus Corporation donated vast waste piles of oranges to the national park. This seemed to appease the angry elephants.

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Addo Elephant Park

Friday, March 4, 2011

Learn English In Beautiful Cape Town, South Africa

There’s no escaping the fact that learning to communicate in English is almost imperative in the modern world today. English IS, for better or worse, the international business language. For young school-leavers in countries where it is not the first language, studying English is often a major step towards becoming employed – either in their own countries in companies that work online with international clientele, or abroad if they wish to travel and work globally.

While there are numerous English Language schools all over the world, Cape Town has become one of the most popular locations for learning English.

It isn’t difficult to figure out why.

If you have to learn a new language, why not make the experience more exciting by traveling somewhere new? And Cape Town is a young person’s dream destination.

With glistening beaches and awe-inspiring mountains, Cape Town nestles at the foot of the famous landmark, Table Mountain. This is really one of the most beautiful cities in the world!

In between hitting the books you can explore the whole city and the surrounding regions with the new friends you’ll make from all over the world – your class mates!

There are great shops, plenty of fun and funky restaurants, cafes and bars, and a thumping nightlife.

You will enjoy wandering around the city streets, experiencing a true African city yet always able to access the latest fashion, movies and entertainment.

The multicultural society makes Cape Town a unique place, and we guarantee it will steal your heart!

Due to the ever increasing demand of foreign English Language students, more and more
Language Schools have opened up in and around the city. It is wise to compare the costs and the quality of the various institutes to make sure you’re getting the right course for your requirements. For the most part the quality of both lecturers and facilities in the various Language Schools in Cape Town is exceptional. You should have fully equipped classrooms, breakaway areas for socializing, Internet access for staying in touch with home, and assistance with accommodation and transport.

So come to Cape Town and combine the holiday of a life-time with learning to communicate in the language that will help you get your career off to a great start!

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Language School Cape Town

Friday, February 25, 2011

Green Point accommodation

Stay in Greenpoint and be part of Cape Town’s trendiest café culture society and gay scene. Recent gentrification has transformed this Greenpoint holiday destination into a perfect village-in-a-city for a fun packed holiday. In Greenpoint, you’ll find a mix of art and high fashion sitting comfortably alongside shabby chic, and bars and clubs that come alive at night. The winding lanes and historic houses give Greenpoint holiday accommodation the edge over other parts of the city.

Renting a Greenpoint Villa makes you feel like you belong amongst the hustle and busting of daily life along this street full of décor and interiors shops. All the best aspects of staying in Greenpoint come together in the Cape Quarter, a courtyard of restaurants, cafés and shops, buzzing with life. The overseas advertising and film crowd often stay in Greenpoint because they find that Greenpoint accommodation is central enough to get anywhere they want to go. From any accommodation in Greenpoint, it’s just a short stroll to the new 2010 World Cup Soccer stadium and the Sunday flea market. Keep some space in your luggage back at your Greenpoint villa, to take home African masks, stone sculptures, batik wall hangings and beaded jewellery.

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Self Catering Green Point

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Cape Town floating Restaurant

Experience the beauty of Cape Town from a floating restaurant.

Cape Town is often referred to as one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and with good reason. With its combination of mountain and seas Cape Town offers some of the most spectacular scenery you could ever hope to experience. Whether you are a visitor to Cape Town or seasoned local, taking time out to enjoy this beautiful city’s majestic scenery is an absolute must.

There are many different ways to enjoy the impressive vistas that Cape Town has to offer. One could take a drive around Chapman’s Peak where the mountainside simply drops away into the clear blue sea. Or you can take a trip up the cable car and view the whole peninsula laid at your feet.

But one of the best ways to view Cape Town is not by land but by sea. If you want a truly unforgettable experience then a boat charter from the V&A Waterfront on a floating restaurant or sunset cruise is the only way to see Cape Town.

A Cape Town boat charter, whether it is a fishing trip, sunset cruise or floating restaurant is by far the best way to admire the beauty of the cape peninsular in its full glory. A trip on a floating restaurant taken from the Cape Town Waterfront offers unparalleled views of Cape Town’s charming coastline, spectacular sunsets and dazzling city lights.

Cape Town offers many different types of boat charters most of which depart from the V&A Waterfront or Hout Bay Harbour. There are a number of different boat charters available at the Cape Town Waterfront offering everything from a quick sunset cruise with light snacks to an all day experience onboard a 5 star floating restaurant.

If you are looking for something romantic to do in Cape Town than it doesn’t get better than a sunset cruise for two on a floating restaurant, watching the sun slip below the horizon and the sparkle of the city lights as you cruise back into the harbour after a candlelit dinner. Cape Town boat charters and floating restaurants offer the perfect romantic evening, ideal for proposals, anniversaries or just a special treat for a loved one.

The floating restaurants at the Cape Town waterfront are also the ideal place to hold functions. Whether you are looking for a small intimate wedding against the backdrop of beautiful table mountain rising out of the sea or if you are just looking to impress important clients with a fantastic day out, a Cape Town Waterfront floating restaurant has everything you need.

So next time you are stuck for something to do in Cape Town head down to the Waterfront, take a trip on a floating restaurant and enjoy all the majestic beauty that Cape Town has to offer.

Source: Floating Restaurant in Cape Town

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Travel in Cape Town

Cape Town, the international diamond of South Africa. Cape Town truly epitomizes the ethos of South Africa. Cape Town offers the discerning traveller a world of choice and has been described as the most beautiful city in the world. The most fun way to see this melting pot of culture, nature and history is by booking a self drive holiday by renting a car from one of the many professional value for money Cape Town car rental companies.

Dominating this city is the majestic and famous Table Mountain which displays spectacular views of both the 'city bowl' as it is known, as well as the surrounding nature reserve of the Cape Peninsula. Travel in Cape Town has never been easier than with a rental car; you can make your way to the base station and once there, take one of the ultra-modern cable cars to the summit. On arrival at this pinnacle there are various of nature trails you can choose from, for example, the Agama Walk which shows unsurpassed views of the statuesque beauty of Cape Town. The weather plays a large part in determining the opening of Table Mountain, so ensure that you gauge the weather before your excusion, as the cable cars do not run in high winds.

You can spend your time at the 'Victoria and Albert' Waterfront which is an international shopping mecca. When you travel in Cape Town, everything is at your fingertips; you pack a picnic, indulge in a harbour cruise or even take a jaunt in a helicopter to discover the aerial vistas of both Cape Town and the surrounding towns. A special highlight will be a tour of the fabulous brewery located right on the waterfront, and indulge in the taste of the world famous South African beer right on tap, which is of the best quality in the world.

About five miles off the coast of this beautiful city lies probably one of the most famous islands in the world. Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela. Historically the island has been utilised as a colony for lepers and by the military. Its conflicted past is a vital insight for any traveller who has an interest in apartheid, which is the term that was coined to describe South Africa's policy of segregation by race. The tours are made more poignant by the fact that they are conducted by former inmates and political prisoners and as such they bring a bittersweet insight as to the conditions of this prison. The island was awarded the honour of being designanted a World Heritage Site. And no travel to Cape Town is complete without some time spent on this island.

Hiring a car to travel in Cape Town is the easiest way to see Cape Point which can be found at the very edge of the Cape Peninsula. From the viewing deck one is able to experience a tingling vista of False Bay and during the winter months this area is a whale and dolphin spotting paradise! The Cape of Good Hope provides a unique view of the point at where the mighty Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and bears a plaque detailing the fact that this is the most south western place on the continent of Africa.

All wine lovers must travel in Cape Town to the nearby towns of Stellenbosch and Constantia to enjoy the vineyards which make many award winning wines.The surrounding area offer a unique perspective of Cape-Dutch architecture with traditional homes nestled in the tree lined valleys and avenues.The independence of having a hire car means that travel in Cape Town is easy and enables you to plan your own trips and organize wine tasting tours of these famous vineyards.

Boulders Beach is a fun outing for the whole family that urges a visit. You can view a colony of natural African penguins as well as enjoy the beauty of the small seaside towns along the way. With Cape Town car rentals, the city is at your fingertips and you can decide on your own itinerary. It is a unique way to explore the Cape in a fun and fascinating way.

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Cape Town Tours

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Festive Season Activities In Cape Town

One of the best times to visit the Mother City is during the festive season, when the warm weather and spectacular scenery make for a blissful summer holiday. Time and again, Cape Town has been voted one of the planets most beautiful places, and you can experience it for yourself this summer.

Its almost impossible to pack everything in to a single Cape Town holiday theres just so much to experience in the city. The best idea is to create a holiday itinerary before you arrive. That way, you wont waste any time once you arrive, and youll be able to start the sightseeing straight away!

Of course, there are a few things that you simply must do in the city, and below, youll find a list of these top Cape Town summer attractions. Be sure to include these on your itinerary theyre some of the best attractions Cape Town has to offer. Get the most of out of your Cape Town festive season holiday start planning now!

Top 5 festive season activities in Cape Town

See the festive lights in Adderley Street
One of Cape Towns best-loved traditions is the switching on of the festive season lights in Adderley Street. For more than 40 years, colourful lights have festooned the CBDs main road during December and January, and its a delight to traverse the length of the street and take in the beautiful display. The lights create a truly festive vibe in the city centre, and are a unique Cape Town tradition that enchants locals and visitors alike.

Visit Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
During the summer, Kirstenbosch is a beautiful location for day time picnics or evening sundowners. Resting along the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, its views and diversity of indigenous flora are legendary. There are various walking and hiking paths, and seemingly endless stretches of emerald lawns, where you can relax in the shade, indulge in delicious snacks from the caf, or enjoy your own picnic. Various festive season concerts take place in December, most of them at sunset treating visitors to magnificent views combined with beautiful music and Christmas carols.

Spend a day at the beach
In South Africa, the festive season falls during summer, which means that its ideal weather for the beach. Cape Towns summers are legendary: Hot days, cool breezes and clear skies in other words, perfect beach weather!

A number of the citys beaches have been awarded Blue Flag status Clifton Beach, Mnandi Beach and Bikini Beach in Gordons Bay, to name a few. Spend a day with the family at Boulders Beach, famous for its penguin colony. Or take a romantic sunset stroll along the gorgeous Camps Bay strip, before enjoying refreshing cocktails at one of the trendy bars along the beachfront. You could gather a group of friends for a day of water-sports, games and picnics at the beach.

Travel to the top of Table Mountain
Everyone knows that a trip to the Cape wouldnt be complete without visiting Table Mountain and preferably getting right to the top of it, where youll be able to view Cape Town from the best vantage point in the city. The great news is that you dont have to venture to the top of the mountain on foot (if you dont want to, that is) simply take the cable car!

The floor of this 65-passenger car rotates as it travels up the mountain, offering passengers 360 degree views of the city. Youll enjoy spectacular panoramic views and the thrill of travelling up Table Mountain in the famous cable car. Once at the summit, enjoy refreshments at the caf, or stroll along the paths at the top of Table Mountain a truly unique experience for any visitor, and one that simply cannot be missed!

Experience the Cape Minstrel Festival
Every year, Cape Town celebrates Tweede Nuwe Jaar (Second New Year) in Adderley Street, the biggest carnival in the city. Theres no better way for visitors to gain fascinating insight into the traditions of the Cape, and to experience its colourful, vibrant festivities of the holiday period. Thousands of Cape Minstrels the Kaapse Klopse parade along Adderley Street in brightly-coloured outfits, playing instruments and singing and dancing. Amongst locals, its one of the most highly-anticipated events on the calendar, and for visitors, its a spectacle to behold.

A fantastic Cape Town holiday starts with the finest accommodation
A memorable holiday begins with first-class accommodation. The newest city hotels offer 5-star lodgings in the heart of Cape Town and prime positioning close to famous Adderley Street. Book your Cape Town holiday accommodation now, and enjoy luxury accommodation close to these world-class attractions.

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Holiday Accommodation Cape Town

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Education – Teaching English

Matthew van As joins us to discuss the TEFL and TESOL courses that the Cape Town School of English offers. Given the time of year when people might be looking at fresh idea for study, work or travel, TEFL gives people the option of incorporating all three!


The TEFL/TESOL course is designed to develop the skills required to be a TEFL teacher and to make one aware of ones own language and the difficulty faced by those who seek to learn it. Educational, psychological and linguistic theory is reviewed where relevant but the focus is more practical than theoretical.

Acceptance into the course is not automatic. They do require that all applicants have English first language proficiency and some kind of tertiary education or work experience. Accent and use of English is very important if you wish to compete in an international TEFL environment. 


Their costs are reasonable and include the course itself, the manual, certification and any observation and teaching practice at the English school. The theoretical component of the course is for a period of one week. 

Observation and teaching practice would take place over two weeks, depending on the person's training and background.

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English School Cape Town