HOLIDAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA

HOLIDAYS IN SOUTH AFRICA

WEEK 3 – PORT ELIZABETH AND SURROUNDS

The Addo Elephant National Park is home to more than 550 elephants, various lions, black rhinos, buffaloes, hyenas, leopards, zebras and a plentiful variety of antelopes. It is the third largest park in South Africa and also concentrates on preserving a wide variety of flora. Entrance fee is R50 per adult, R25 per child for South Africans plus a Standard Conservation Fee for foreign visitors at R200 per adult and R100 per child.

There are numerous great private lodges in this area offering superb accommodation and game viewing. If you are on a lower budget there are loads of very reasonably priced b&b’s close by where one can drive into Addo during the day and/or take guided game drives in an open Land Rover into a private game lodge for an amazing experience where you will view more animals than you thought possible, enjoy a delicious dinner which is prepared over an open fire plus a short, spot lit night drive providing the possibility of more nocturnal animals completes your experience.

Addo offers a large variety of adventure activities such as an Addo River Canoeing Safari, quad biking, Addo Raptor and Reptile Centre tour, Addo Elephant Back Safaris, Ziplining, etc. Fast, fun and safe, the exhilarating zip line ride begins from a vantage point 60 meters above the Sundays River, overlooking a valley of citrus. The 500 meter twin zip lines fly two riders over the river at up to 60 km/h. An automatic breaking system at the end of the zip means you do nothing but enjoy the ride!

The Giant swing is the first of its kind in South Africa and guarantees to swing you to new heights. After being hoisted up 18 metres high, the rest is history as they say. A release into oblivion, the sky your limit, this is the ultimate test. Say goodbye to your stomach!

Blindekloof Walking Trails

Located about 8 km out of Uitenhage is the Groendal Wilderness Area, which features many lovely walking trails.

The Blindekloof Trail is 16 km long, which will take about 4 hours to complete. An easy day’s walk, the trail starts from the office parking area, leads through succulent thicket and forest, following the Blindekloof Stream to Crystal Cavern Pool. Hikers return along the same route.

The Upper Blindekloof Trail is a 2 day, 32 km long trail. This is a fairly difficult hike. From the parking area it leads uphill for 16 km, then descends steeply to Blindekloof Stream. Hikers follow the stream until the Paardekloof junction. Hikers will then climb steeply out of the kloof, and downhill back to the parking area. This route involves many compulsory swims.

The Drostdy Museum forms part of the Uitenhage Museum, as does the Cuyler Manor Museum and the Old Railway Station Museum. The Drostdy Africana Museum focuses on the development of the city and how it grew through the introduction of industries ranging from clothing, furniture and other items.

Daniell Cheetah Breeding Project

Be enchanted by the Harley-Davidson purr and graceful moves of the spotted felines at the Daniell Cheetah Breeding Project.  This once-in-a-lifetime experience offers an interesting, personalised tour and the chance to interact with the cheetah. Visitors are encouraged to touch the cats and have photographs taken with a few of them. Established in 2001, the project started with only three cats and has grown in leaps and bounds. The maintenance of pure genetic lines and public awareness of the importance of conserving this amazing species is the chief focus.

Open seven days a week, the Daniell Cheetah Breeding Project can be found on the R75 National Highway 80 kilometres from Port Elizabeth Airport. On site is The Padstal offering light meals, refreshments and a gift shop.

NEXT WEEK, JOHANNESBURG AND SURROUNDS!