Arniston is a sleepy fishing village about 2 and a half hours from Cape Town and is a favourite retreat for families, and weekender’s. It is frequented mainly by South Africans, so if you are looking for something less touristy and with no choice of restaurants this is it.
The town is actually called Waenhuiskrans (named after its cave), but is now referred to as Arniston after H.M.S Arniston was wrecked here in 1815.
You get here on the N2 highway out of Cape Town until Caledon, then head towards Bredarsdorp through the Cape wheat and Grain basket and then towards to the Coast. Arniston is near Cape Aghulas which is the southernmost tip of Africa.
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Got back last night from a lovely few days in the garden route which has changed quite dramatically since I was last there. The landscape is even more beautiful than I remember it and when you hit the coast on the N2 near Mossel bay, the vegetation changes into lush rainforesty thickets on the hillsides. The George numberplate prefix CAW, is rumoured to stand for Cold And Wet, getting in the region of 700mm of rainfall a year, added to the heaps of mist that roll in from the sea.
We were pretty lucky with the weather though and it was only overcast for a morning before burning off to a strangely crisp 30C (90F ish), this is due to the cool air coming off the sea even though you are standing under a searing sun. Makes getting dressed in the morning interesting.
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The Property Is No Longer Available
Anyone interested in working and living in idyllic Ceres? The Farm Backpackers is up for sale as owners Chris and Laura Venter are heading off to pursue other business concerns.
Located on a working fruit farm, on the banks of the Breede river and surrounded by mountains, workers cottages have been arduously restored to provide basic accommodation for 30 backpackers, groups and team building events. A lot of work has gone into this place in the way of obstacle courses, a volleyball court, pool and plenty of bush clearing. It is quite rustic and you will not forget that you are on a fruit farm.
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Gardens Shopping Centre
Mill Street, Gardens
Cape Town | Map
Gardens Centre
Specialty: Big shops, boutique shops, banks and holiday accommodation.
Tel: +27 (0) 21 465 1841 (shopping) 461 8000 (holiday apartments)
Fax: +27 (0) 21 465 2097 (shopping) 461 5588 (holiday apartments)
gardenscentre@propertyatlas.com
SA Blog recommends a look inside? Possibly
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The freshwater vleis (shallow lakes - pronounced “flays”) that ebb and flow with the rains on the Cape Flats near Muizenberg beach are home to Cape Town’s only hippopotamus population, a sturdy herd of six, who mostly keep to themselves in the Rondevlei Nature Reserve.
Imvubu Sunset
Rondevlei, and its freshwater neighbors Zeekoevlei and Princess Vlei, are so close to the waves of False Bay that they often appear to be the product of ocean overflow. But the water is pure enough to support a good crop of endangered strandveld (beach vegetation) and sandplain fynbos, (indigenous heather), and sweet enough for the tastes of a staggering 232 species of bird. Best of all, the vleis are just 20 min by car from the Cape Town city center (see below for directions and map).
Experiencing Rondevlei’s many delights - including overnight stays on an island in the middle of the vlei - is easy. Just book a guided walk, boat tour, or self-catering cabin with Imvubu Tours, a Fair Trade-certified operation.
What is Fair Trade tourism?
Imvubu contact details
Tel: +27 (0) 21 706 0842
Fax: +27 (0) 706 9793
imvubu.co.za
info@imvubu.co.za
1 Fisherman’s Walk, Rondevlei Nature Reserve, Zeekoevlei | Map (Perth Rd.)
Directions: take the M5 south to Muizenberg (it becomes Prince George Drive along the way); turn right into 5th Ave., Grassy Park; proceed to Perth Rd. and turn left into Perth; follow Perth all the way to Fisherman’s Walk.
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The view from this place is absolutely jaw dropping! The Chalet’s are built up on top of the dunes and overlook the entire horizon of the Indian ocean. The roar of the constant surf and salt in the air, makes you feel like your eating oysters all day…
Our chalet was very large with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and comfortably housed the 7 of us without feeling cramped in the slightest. We had 2 huge balconies, which were also quite private even though there was another chalet adjoining ours. We could have used another bathroom since there were only 2 guys and 5 girls…but under normal circumstances i.e: 10 guys, it would have been more than enough. The rooms are nicely done out, and feel like a beach house, funny that.
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There is a lovely lodge just after the Huguenot tunnel on the N1, that I have always seen , but never stayed at until this weekend. With the advent of the tunnel it brings it too close to Cape Town, to be an overnight stop before heading North and I thought this may be the cause of it being so deserted of an evening…..but then we found out.
We went with friends, one of which has a penchant for giving bad news, so this will be a good cop / bad cop review. I will concentrate on the good stuff and then hand you over to Negeva to give you the not-so-nice. Should be ready tomorrow, seeping with blood and guts.
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Koornhoop Manor House
cnr., Wrensch & Nuttall Roads
Observatory, Cape Town | Map
Accommodation type: Bed & Breakfast, Self Catering
Number of stars: N/A
Rooms starting from (per person sharing): R235
SA Blog recommends? Enthusiastically!
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Koornhoop’s popularity is partially due to the rates - which seem to have got stuck in the late-90s, avoiding inflation altogether - but also because Vic and Trish are rock-solid when it comes to guests’ needs. Their tourism industry network is second to none - Vic is himself a SATOUR-cerfitied guide - and they always steer Cape Town first timers in the right direction. If Koornhoop is full, for instance, they’ll help you find alternate lodging; and don’t be shy to ask for recommendations on day trips.
(See full review below.)
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Hillcrest Berry Orchards
R310 (Pniel Road), between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek | Map
Hillcrest Berry Orchards
Specialty: Fresh berries and preserves; lunches and tea; self-catering accommodation
Contact: Tel: +27 (0) 21 885 1629, Fax: +27 (0) 21 885 1624
info@hillcrestberries.co.za
www.hillcrestberries.co.za
SA Blog recommends a look inside? Don’t miss it!
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Belvedere
Self Catering
SA Blog Recommends? Enthusiastically!
Belvedere Guest House
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Three pleasant bedrooms sleep six people - which means that you can have your own house in Cape Town during high season for less than R300/person/night.
(See full review below.)
Location: Mount Rhodes, Hout Bay
Number of Stars: N/A
Rate Range: R1500
Breakfast? N/A
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