The Elephant Has Been Eaten!

I'm really glad you are reading this because...

I’ve finally done it! The frustrations have been considerable and far too many to mention here, you will be relieved to know, but I have now “given birth” to my “elephant!

I’ve taken it bit by bit, as any good “elephant” eater will tell you and now it is finally here.

“An Insider’s Guide To South Africa: 101 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Cape Town” has hit the virtual “book stands” in the form of an immediately downloadable ebook in PDF format.

Find out those all important facts about a travel destination everyone has on their MUST DO list. Whet your appetite – here are just a few of the things you will discover within its pages:

• Looking for the insider secrets? Check out page 4 on where to look
• Find out why the Cape of Good Hope had an early change of name
• How the city evolved into today’s Cape Town - Castles, grand houses, luxury and magnificence
• Why Cosmopolitan Cape Town continues to thrive - how the buzz and energy seeps into your pores
• Discover the Gold of Africa – twenty carat gold chunks and glittering gold artefacts depicting the wealth and power of African kings
• District Six where you can find the history of apartheid and its devastating effects on the “ordinary” people
• The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - a mecca for those looking for the finest restaurants, shops, entertainment, living. A must read - find it on page 25
• Day Jaunts and Overnight stays - the choice is yours
• Discover the beauties of Cape Point and swim with penguins
• Sip wine all day under spreading oak trees, with your picnic laid out beside you on the Wine Route
• Shopping, Entertainment, Sports - not just for adults, but all the best things for children to get delighted about too!
• Where To Stay, Eat and be merry … let us whet your appetite
• And much, much more … we are longing to show you how dazzling this city at the foot of Africa REALLY is …

It’s been nearly 24 months in the planning, writing, organising, uploading etc, but you can now get the book at Tailor Made South Africa Travel.

I would love to know your thoughts on the book ... so check back soon and let me know!

Happy reading ...

Safari in South Africa - Guide to Malaria Free South Africa Safaris

Safari in South Africa and you immediately think of hot, steamy, wide open spaces of the African velde, but research closer under the skin and you will find a wealth of smaller safari reserves based away from the Kruger.

Most of these game reserves are malaria-free, such as the Western and Eastern Cape and a safari can be combined with other holiday requisites such as beach, mountains, shopping - the list is endless! Also when time is tight, less travelling is involved to bring these elements together, therefore making your holiday time stretch further.

Take a look at this wonderful video for Aquila, a two hour drive from Cape Town and I think you will begin to see the possibilities of combining a city and safari holiday in one trip.

You might want to click on the low-band video, then sit back, relax, enjoy the up-beat music and the fantastic pictures!


If you need help with an itinerary, don't forget we are just an email away at Tailor Made South Africa Travel ...

Rugby World Cup Clash for South Africa and England

Rugby World Cup fever has hit our household! South Africa and England are in the final and we are torn with who to support! Normally we support both teams because they don't play each other that frequently, but now they are both in the final ...

Sport in South Africa is amazing. Every bar, restaurant or shop has a television tuned into the sport of the moment, be it cricket, rugby, golf - the choice is endless. Everyone takes an interest, especially when the cricket is on, stopping by to ask the latest score, how's he doing, who's batting? It encompasses one and all, young and old.

Well, I'm going to sit firmly on the fence and say, "may the best team win!" You make your own minds up ... who do you want to win and why?

PS. Check out Percy Montgomery's hair. Apparently, the English players have to ruffle his hair to put him off his stride. His nickname is Peacock.

Tailor Made South Africa Travel Gets New Blog

Well, I've finally managed to pull Tailor Made South Africa Travel and Costa Brava Spain together under one banner at Coast 2 Coast Connection!

The two parts of my business (and life) have now come together in one place, but don't worry I won't be abandoning you here! I love to write, so I will be able to keep you all up-to-date with happenings in South Africa in both blogs.

The name, Coast 2 Coast Connection brings together two amazing coastlines, Costa Brava, Spain and the whole of the South African coastline that stretches for more than 2500 km from the Namibian border on the Atlantic coast, round Cape Point and Cape Agulhas right up to Mozambique on the Indian Ocean.

The Costa Brava is tiny in comparison, only 160 km, but its beauty is no less. Stunningly rugged in parts with turquoise blue seas and long sandy beaches and tiny inlets and coves. It is a fascinating destination with history, beauty, culture and cuisine which are international icons.

South Africa is billed as a "World within one Country" and it's not hard to see why! Such varied coastline alone would make it difficult to choose one particular beach to visit, but couple that with the mind-blowing diversity inland and it is not unexpected that people turn to those in the know to help them plan their travel.

Why not go on over to Tailor Made South Africa Travel and take your pick of exciting things to see and do on your own South Africa idyll?

Cape Town Daily Photo: To Harley or not to Harley

Cape Town Daily Photo: To Harley or not to Harley

I love this blog! Kerry-Ann takes lovely photos and here is one she's taken of Harley Davidson bikes holed up at their Sunday morning breakfast joint.

She made me smile too, with her thoughts on those amazing helmets!

Keep taking the photos, Kerry-Ann - I love your slant on Cape Town life.

African Bird Off-Course For Its Winter Destination

I went up to our villa rental on the Costa Brava, Spain yesterday, mainly just to check that everything was OK and also to show TorreMirona Golf & Spa Resort to a friend over from the UK. It was also a great excuse for lunch at one of my favourite haunts, Tamariu.

Whilst standing gazing at the spectacular view towards the Pyrenees mountains, I spotted an African Hoopoe bird sitting in our garden!

The photo above is courtesy of photo © Arkadiy Yarmolenko.

These amazing African birds spend the South African winter here in the southern and central parts of Europe before heading south again for the summer.

I think he must have been stocking up on grubs for his journey, as the weather here in Spain is decidedly Autumnal and I think he will be beginning to miss the sunshine! But how lucky was I?!

Check out this particular website for more African birds you can see on your travels to South Africa.

Encounter a African Lion Safari at Victoria Falls or A cheetah

What better way to get up close and personal to an African lion than to go on safari at the Victoria Falls!

At Victoria Falls you have the unique experience of the lion encounter! This amazing experience offers a once in a lifetime insight into the behaviour and social aspects of the African Lion.

Guests interact with 2 or 3 lion cubs for a period of approx. 1 ½ hours. The lions roam free with guests in the African bush, and you may even be lucky enough to experience the cubs stalking some of the wildlife species that occur on the property.

The training and rehabilitation techniques adopted with these lions are well supervised and professionally managed, which makes it very safe - so far over 11000 walks have been conducted without a single incident!

It is rather like the same experience with cheetah's. We spent two days at the African Game Lodge outside Montagu which was a truly magical experience and one not to be missed. You cannot imagine the peace and stars! Yes, imagine being able to see the stars in their entirety in the inky blackness of an African night.

Let us help you plan your special African safari, be it to see the lions or the cheetahs, you are guaranteed a magical time which ever you choose!

South Africa Vacation - Johannesburg to Cape Town Testimonial

Here is a great testimonial from some very satisfied customers! I think it says it all - to take two teenage boys on holiday with you and to keep them both happy and interested takes a lot of doing, but it seems we got it right ...

Spectacular! Seems the only thing we missed was meeting you..found some evidence at Jo'burg car hire though! Heartfelt thanks from us all, we had a fabulous time, grand accommodation, great people, and Rhino Post was a fitting final fanfare...from the elephants, we were surrounded at one point...

We swam, swung through trees, caved, cage dived, flew in helicopters round Cape Point and walked across the Kruger...and lots more

Our friends who live in SA were very impressed with our itinerary and joined us for various nights...so a BIG pat on the back...we could not have done this without your excellent help and interpretation of what we enjoy. You (and SA to be fair!) have wildly (pun intended) exceeded our expectations.

Best regards
Peter Jo Miles and Harrison

Not everyone has to have such an exciting "wild" vacation. We are currently planning an itinerary for an extra special 50th wedding anniversary with luxury safaris, helicopter flights over the Victoria Falls, Hippo watching on the Zambezie and ending on the beaches of Mozambique to watch the magnificent sunsets. Where do you want to go in South Africa?

Let us know and we will plan your itinerary especially for you ...

Desmond Tutu - Braai Master Extraordinaire

Desmond Tutu is truly a towering man.

He has become patron of the South African National Braai Day. Braai is the South African word for barbeque and uniquely spans 11 languages. One word that means the same to all those people - black or white.

Rev. Tutu says that his favourite braai dish is Boerwors, a thick spiral sausage of coarsely minced beef and spices.

To top it all he started distributing braaied Boerwors to people from the front steps of his office after having had an audience with surfers! A real DUDE!

What's your favourite braai dish?

South Africa Bill's Way

You must go and look at the video on SA Rocks! I think that Bill sums up South Africa pretty well and from a totally independant viewpoint.

South Africa Restaurants Where Food is Sublime

I've been busy recently with Costa Brava Spain and neglectful of all you lovely people wanting information on South Africa. To be honest, not a lot has passed over my desk that I thought "I've really GOT to tell you this", but this particular restaurant reminded me of our trip to Paternoster at the very beginning of the year.

Cafe Manatoka in Mosselbank Street, Paternoster is highly representative of the lovely little cafes/restaurants you will find in the West Coast seaside town. Well, village would probably be a better description, as it is small and you do have to winkle out the best eating places, but once you do, oh boy! You've just got to go back for more ...

For more information on Paternoster, check out Tailor Made South Africa Travel.

You'll be glad you did!

Johannesburg To Cape Town and The Kruger

Take a look at this article! All about the Kruger Park, I think you will find the photography stunning. Also the information is exactly what you will need to have to make sure you get the very best from your safari.

If you want some great pointers, sign up for the Tailor Made South Africa Travel's newsletter, Johannesburg to Cape Town and get the special report, "9 Surefire ways to have the Safari in South Africa you always wanted". You'll find the signup on the left hand side.

Hurry now - the best time of year to see the animals is just starting, simply because the weather is a big cooler and clearer and the animals come out to play!

Ex-Patriot South African's Causing London Storm

I found an interesting blog entry today about ex-patriot South African's. The Nicoll Family blog started the topic off and apparently caused quite a stir. Needless to say that I added my own ha'pence worth! (Not one to sit on the fence!).

Go and take a look, but whilst you are steaming (or otherwise) about the thoughts on offer, take the time to read further down about Head of the Family's exploits on getting a backpacker bus up and running from Bulawayo to Cape Town and how he picked up (literally) business in the beginning. I had a real giggle ...

South Africa Travel: Travel Stories win Cash Prizes

Can you write? Have you been on vacation to South Africa or live there and enjoy travelling around your magnificent country? Why not have a go at putting your travels down on paper and sending them off.

SA Venues is looking for your stories, be they about long vacations, short weekend breaks, or even days out to places you think are special.

Get your writing caps on and put pen to paper. Click here to read all about the competition, after all $2000 or 15,000 Rand is not to be sneezed at!

Here at Tailor Made South Africa Travel, we are having a hard job trying to narrow down all the wonderful places we can write about and still fit it all into our day!

South Africa Travel: Blogs That Go The Extra Mile

I've been writing some articles recently for a fabulous blog, approprietely called South Africa Blog! You will discover all sorts of hidden gems and facts about South Africa amongst its pages. If you are looking for somewhere to start your research, other than Tailor Made South Africa Travel of course, then you can't do better!

What about taking a look at the competition? Scroll down the page, below the article on the West Coast and start writing! Look what you can win!

Get down there as soon as you can ...

South Africa Travel: A Honeymoon in South Africa

Well, I'm back! After four months (or more) in the internet connection wilderness here in Spain, we are back online and I am able once more to bring you news of South Africa travel and all things associated with South Africa.

I have been looking at a most interesting blog, called "Diary of Planning a Wedding in Edinburgh", all about one couple's plans for their forthcoming wedding. Very sensibly they have chosen South Africa for their honeymoon destination.

Take a look and see what they are up to. I thought it was a very clever way to write about the trials and tribulations of wedding preparations. I hope it helps other brides with their plans. If you are looking for help with planning that wedding in South Africa or indeed with the honeymoon itself, please take a look at Tailor Made South Africa Travel. We will be delighted to help you plan that all important special occasion with no obligation. Get our free itinerary and see what we can achieve for you.