For once, you don’t have to sit through…”why didn’t we do this…why didn’t we do that…I hated this hotel, etc….” The “Adventuring in South Africa” tour put together by Wilderness Travel was as close to perfection any trip could possibly be. – The South African game reserves and animals sightings were fantastic. You are almost [...]
“Travel Tips & Advice on South Africa”
Visiting South Africa: Hindsight is 20/20
May 3rd, 2009 
Sheila Simkin 
Posted in Africa, South Africa 
Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, destination, event, events, food, hotels, information, landmark, log, nature, sightseeing, South Africa, travel 
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Stellenbosch and Constantia Wine Routes in South Africa
May 2nd, 2009 Sheila Simkin Whether or not you are an oenophile (wine connoisseur), semi-knowledgable about what you are drinking or classify wine as red, white or rose (like ex-Marine and myself), Stellenbosch and Constantia are the great wine routes in South Africa. Stellenbosch was founded in 1679 and it wasn’t long before the perfect climate helped Stellenbosch become synonymous [...]
Posted in Africa, South Africa Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, Constantia, destination, event, events, food, hotels, information, landmark, log, nature, sightseeing, South Africa, Stellenbosch, travel, wine routes 1 Comment »
Klippe Rivier Country House in Swellendam, South Africa
May 1st, 2009 Sheila Simkin It was less than 225 kms/140 miles from George to Klippe Rivier Country House in Swellendam heading west to Cape Town and if I thought Phinda Forest Lodge was spectacular, the group nearly fainted upon arrival at Klippe Rivier Country House. I grew up sharing a three-bedroom, one bathroom Chicago apartment with parents, grandparents and [...]
Posted in Africa, South Africa Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, destination, event, events, food, Garden Route, hotels, information, Klippe Rivier Country House, landmark, log, nature, sightseeing, South Africa, Swellendam, travel 2 Comments »
Hike The Otter Trail in Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa
April 30th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Leaving Knysna and those delicious oysters behind, the drive continued along the 80-mile stretch of the Garden Route to Storms River for two nights and our next lodge. Armagh Lodge is located just at the edge of Tsitsikamma Forest with beautiful mountain views. The purpose of this overnight stop was to hike a small portion [...]
Posted in Africa, South Africa Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, destination, event, events, food, Garden Route, hike the Otter Trail, hotels, information, landmark, log, nature, sightseeing, South Africa, travel, Tsitsikamma National Park 1 Comment »
Eat Delicious Knysna Oysters Along The Garden Route, South Africa
April 29th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Knysna is one of the Southern Cape coast’s best known holiday destinations. A charming little town with cliffs guarding the mouth of the lagoon which connects the estuary with the sea. The Knysna Lagoon supports a oyster hatchery and the Knysna oysters are considered some the tastiest in the world. We hunkered down in the [...]
Posted in Africa, South Africa Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, destination, event, events, food, Garden Route, hotels, information, Knysna, landmark, log, nature, oysters, sightseeing, South Africa, travel 1 Comment »
Ondini Historical Reserve, and Durban, South Africa
April 28th, 2009 Sheila Simkin From the battlefields of Islandlwana and Rorke’s Drift, one last stop to the Ondini Historical Reserve. King Getshwayo chose to build his military capital, Ondini, not far from his father’s capital, KwaNodwengu. Short version – Ondini was burned by the British after the battle of Ulundi and King Getshwayo taken into exile. An archaeological investigation [...]
Posted in Africa, South Africa Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, destination, event, events, food, hotels, information, Knysna, landmark, log, nature, Ondini, sightseeing, South Africa, travel, Zulu history No Comments »
The Important Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift Battlefields, South Africa
April 27th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Dr. John Turner, our Zulu history expert, proved once and for all that history does not have to be boring. The group drove to the Isandlwana battle site site first where John handed out umbrellas for everyone, sat us down on the side of a mountain facing Isandlwana, and then proceeded to relate the historic [...]
Posted in Africa, South Africa Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, battlegrounds, destination, event, events, food, hotels, information, Isandlwana, landmark, log, nature, sightseeing, South Africa, travel, Zulu history No Comments »
Babanango Valley Lodge in The Heart of Zulu Country, South Africa
April 26th, 2009 Sheila Simkin The game viewing portion of this South Africa tour was over and it was time to load up the chartered planes for flights to Ulandi…View image… and Zulu country. The focus here would be learning about British-Zulu history, explore the battlefields and hear about the famous Zulu leader, Shaka Zulu who led his small clan [...]
Posted in South Africa Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, Babanago Valley Lodge, destination, event, events, food, game drives, hotels, information, landmark, log, nature, safaris, sightseeing, South Africa, travel, zulu country No Comments »
A Visit to Dumazulu Cultural Village, South Africa
April 25th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Dumazulu Village is a Zulu Cultural Village close to Phinda Forest Lodge. This excursion took place after a game drive one day to to give us an insight into the traditional lifestyle and customs of the Zulu People. The Zulus are renowned for their warrior culture and are the largest South African ethnic group. An [...]
Posted in Africa, South Africa Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, bushwacking, destination, Dumazulu, event, events, food, game drives, hotels, information, landmark, log, nature, Phinda Forest Lodge, Phinda Game Reserve, safaris, sightseeing, South Africa, travel, Zulu Village No Comments »
Searching for Game on Foot at Phinda Game Reserve, South Africa
April 24th, 2009 Sheila Simkin Bush walks on foot are now part of most Safari/Game excursions but not 10 years ago. Pat and rangers escorted us in Chitwa and that was nerve wracking enough (we’re wimps…what can I tell you.). Not overly enthused when Pat said today the Phinda ranger was taking us on another bush walk. Too bad nobody [...]
Posted in Africa, South Africa Tags: accommodation, adventure, africa, bushwacking, destination, event, events, food, game drives, hotels, information, landmark, log, nature, Phinda Forest Lodge, Phinda Game Reserve, safaris, sightseeing, South Africa, travel No Comments »
