Did you know There are 3 x African Elephant Sanctuaries across three provinces in Southern Africa?

Enjoy a day in the life of an African elephant, this is an experience for life.

The Elephant Sanctuary Hartbeespoortdam offers hands-on educational elephant interactions with African elephants as well as overnight accommodation.

Elephant Sanctuary, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay, has African elephants and offers an interactive elephant experience, elephant back riding and overnight accommodation

Experience an amazing day at the Hazyview Elephant Sanctuary in South Africa.

We offer hands-on educational elephant interactions with smaller groups of people. This provides our guests with a far more intimate experience with the elephants.

Madiba's Journey - Africa’s Travel Indaba gets a taste of Madiba Magic

In celebration of African art, song and memory, renowned South African playwright and artistic director of the Market Theatre, James Ngcobo, has produced a stellar showcase of the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela in celebration of the former statesman’s 100th birthday.

The showcase of South Africa through Nelson Mandela’s memory can be found on the Madiba’s Journey App, which allows users to view the attractions on a map, build their itineraries and share their own journeys on social media. Visitors can also experience the emotion and relevance of each location through audio, text and image galleries. The app also offers real-time weather information, distances and details of nearby attractions. 

Read the full article here and download the app

Visit Hermanus and Stay in the Luxurious On Whale Rock Holiday Apartment

On Whale Rock, a Luxurious Holiday Apartment in Hermanus

Looking for a tranquil, safe and secure environment to base yourself while you enjoy the beauty and adventure of Hermanus?
On Whales Rock, is nestled on the cliffs of Walker Bay, offers exactly that!

This beachfront, gated community with manicured gardens, saltwater swimming pool braai/barbeque area, squash courts laundry and spectacular sea views will leave you in no doubt that you have made the perfect holiday choice.
Click here for the web page and book now http://www.onwhalerock.co.za/

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This Holiday Self catering Apartment has 2 bedrooms

Facilities

In the Apartment

Ideal for 2-4 people
2 Bedrooms
Double bedded & twin bedded room.
A flat-screen TV,
DSTV
WiFi Available - Unlimited
Bathroom with shower.
Bed linen & towels provided
Kitchen equipped.
Washing machine.
Dishwasher

More info here

What do we know about Africa Elephants?

Here is 6 Elephant facts

The elephant is the largest land mammal on our planet – but it might not be with us for much longer!  Numbers have declined for a number of reasons, not least hunting but the biggest threat they face right now is through human population growth that encroaches their grazing land. They literally have nowhere left to go.

Read more
http://satourismonline.com/an-elephant-calf-will-only-learn-how-to-use-its-trunk-properly-at-about-six-months-of-age-and-6-more-elephant-facts

Heroic HMS Birkenhead Sinks 164 years ago and remains one of the greatest maritime disasters in South Africa's history.

The sinking of the Birkenhead remains one of the greatest maritime disasters in South Africa's history.

But what it is chiefly remembered for is that every one of the seven women and thirteen children aboard survived the wreck owing to the gallantry and discipline of the men on board. The soldiers of the British Army regiments, and the sailors and marines under Captain Robert Salmond, jeopardised their own chances of survival by putting the 'women and children first' in a gesture immortalised by Rudyard Kipling as 'Birkenhead Drill'. (read the poem)

This disaster started the protocol of "women and children first!", which became a standard evacuation procedure in maritime disasters. Similarly, "Birkenhead Drill" carried out by the soldiers became the epitome of courageous behaviour in hopeless circumstances.

Shipwreck:
The story of the Birkenhead begins at the Port of Cork in Ireland in January 1852. There she embarked 479 soldiers from a variety of regiments who were bound for the Eastern Cape to reinforce the British troops fighting in the 8th Frontier War. A number of military and naval officers, more than fifty women and children and a crew of 125 brought the ship's complement to about 693. All these were crammed into an iron hull less than 64 metres long and a little more than eleven metres wide - about the width of a tennis court....

Read the full story

Birkenhead Horses
Various sources mention that between 9 and 30 horses boarded the Birkenhead at Simon’s Bay. The conclusion drawn by diligent researchers, however, is that there were no more than nine horses on board – belonging to military officers, Wright, Bond-Shelton, Seton, Dr. Laing and Booth. They concluded that the Birkenhead was too small to safely accommodate and convey more than this number of horses along with the bales of hay needed for the voyage.   read full story

We enjoy the Brisan sundowner canal cruise in Cape St Francis

Cruising for about an hour on the Canal with the Swan of Brisan, was one of our greatest experiences while visiting St Francis on our recent road trip.  The upmarket black and white homes lining the waterways.

On our trip we noticed a number houses being repaired.  In 2012 a devestation fire destroyed 76 houses along the canal, he told us.  A sad time for the family and friends on the canal.

Treat yourself on the Swan of Brisan and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of the canals with the abundant birdlife and view some of the incredible houses on display.
Travel Blogger

Hermanus is a very special place

Hermanus, is a town on the southern coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is famous for southern right whale watching during the southern winter and spring.  

This spectacular seaside town extends from Fisherhaven to Voëlklip and forms part of the Whale Coast Route. Cradled by the mountains and the ocean, Activities in and around Hermanus:

The Fernkloof Nature Reserve is the smallest of the world’s six floral kingdoms, but it is also the most diverse. Nowhere else on the planet will you find such variety of species per square metre? In addition, there are many plants unique to this small area. A drive up Rotary Way will take you to the top of the reserve and has spectacular and sweeping view of the signposted. Several paths are accessible to wheelers – wheelchair users and parents pushing babies in prams.

Bird-watching is developing rapidly in the Overstrand. Its close proximity to the mountains and the sea results not only in a huge variety of flora but also bird species, which can be observed in Fernkloof, Middelvlei, Fisherhaven and along the Klein River and lagoon.

The Hermanus Cliff Path runs almost the whole length of the town for 12 km and stretches from Grotto Beach in Voëlklip all the way to the New Harbour. The rocky cliffs, varied seascapes, the multi-coloured lichen, coastal shrubs endemic to the easily accessed coastal walks in the world.

Hoy’s Koppie is an interesting and historical feature in the middle of town. There is a walkway to the top of the koppie which provides a lovely viewpoint of 360 degrees over the town.

Hermanus is known as the land-based whale watching capital of the world and from June to early December whales can be viewed up close from the Cliff Path, a whale-watching boat, or from a light aircraft. Ther hermanus Whale Crier has the status of a town crier, and is the only whale crier in the world. He is arguably the most photographed person in South Africa by visitors.

Welcome to Hermanus and enjoy your stay in our spectacular town.

Sources: Hermanus Online -  Hermanus Times  - Hermanus Tourism

Hermanus, a South African seaside town and it's history

Hermanus Historical information

This gorgeous seaside town, Hermanus has a proud history dating back to the early 1800s when a man by the name of Hermanus Pieters followed a path etched into the ground by a herd of elephants. Hermanus Pieters was a traveling teacher and Shepard who growing tired of his locality, made the decision to pack up and try somewhere new. He wandered south of Caledon along the elephant trail and ended up next to the sea where he discovered a fresh spring. Hermanus Pieters decided to set up camps here because of this spring and the fine grazing the land provided for his livestock. This beautiful setting became known as Hermanuspietersfontein (directly translated as Hermanus Pieters Fountain).