At a time when an economic slowdown has affected various sectors worldwide, it would have been logical to expect a decrease in the tourism sector as well. But the opposite has happened in South Africa – statistics have shown an impressive increase in visitors over the December 2011 holiday period.
Reports revealed a vast increase in foreign tourists arriving in South Africa in December 2011 compared to the same time a year before. According to the Department of Home Affairs, 2.5 million foreigners entered the country during this month, with most visitors coming from the UK, USA and Germany.
When one considers that this was the year after the country hosted the 2011 Soccer World Cup, then an increase in tourism is a remarkable feat by any standards!
Most of the travellers who came to South Africa in December travelled to the Western Cape, traditionally one of the country’s top holiday destinations for domestic and international arrivals. In a statement released by the province, Western Cape Tourism Minister, Alan Winde said the province had seen a 17% increase in the number of international visitors arriving at Cape Town International during the past holiday season.
Regional travel to the province increased by 26% and even domestic arrivals increased by almost 5%. During the whole year, there was a growth of just over 4% in terms of passengers arriving at the airport.
The Western Cape’s top tourist attractions also saw an increase in the amount of visitors. The top destinations according to the numbers of visitors were:
• The Table Mountain Cableway
• Cape Point
• Kirstenbosch Gardens
There was a decrease, however, in the visitors going to Robben Island – which could be attributed to a host of problems besieging this World Heritage Site. Bad service, infrastructure problems as well as difficulties with staff on the island seem to have had an effect on travel to the island.
On the upside, travellers showed more interest in attractions outside of Cape Town, with the following areas attracting a significant increase in visitors:
• De Hoop Nature Reserve
• Arniston
• Napier
Outside of Cape Town, the Winelands was the most popular region to visit. More than half of the foreign travellers to Cape Town had travelled to this region.
The increase in tourism to Cape Town and surrounding areas has been attributed to a few factors, like the fact that the city won the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Number 1 Destination of 2011. The city was also chosen as the World Design Capital for 2014 and its glorious Table Mountain was voted as one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
Lonely Planet also named Cape Town as one of the world’s top ten beach cities. Exclusive travel magazine Conde Naste mentioned Cape Town as the top city to visit in Africa and the Middle East and Huffington Post also said it was in the top ten most popular cities in which to study abroad.
By Andrea Botha
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The highest pub in Africa
“Hello… hello… hello….” Answers my echo, on an icy breeze, no one close enough to hear it. The open spaces and rolling plains of the Drakensberg Mountains stretch for kilometers ahead of me. Our 4x4 vehicle snakes up the pass around one hairpin after another, an 8km crawl to the Sani Top Chalet or ‘rooftop of Africa’, best known as the highest pub in Africa. The pub is situated at a height of 2 874 metres above sea level on the edge of the Drakensberg, overlooking the foothills of KwaZulu-Natal from the mountain kingdom of Lesotho.
Mike enlightens me with the details, “Once, the Sani Pass was a rough mule trail descending from the eastern highlands of the old Basutoland into Natal. Basuto traders brought wool and mohair down the pass on donkeys to be exchanged for blankets, clothing and maize meal, the essentials for life in a poor, remote place. Today, the Sani Pass leads to the only border post between KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.”
“And when did the first 4x4 travel the pass?” I ask.
Mike continues, “The first vehicle to conquer the road was driven by ex-RAF Spitfire pilot and adventurer, Godfrey Edmonds in 1948. It took three and a half hours to complete using the assistance of a Basuto labour gang, ponies, chain pulleys and a lot of rope to get to the top.
The Landrover sloshes through a water puddle, sliding in the mud to the edge. Mike manoeuvres the 4x4, regains control and returns it to its normal course. He laughs at the frightful expression on my face and then tries to calm me with, “Be glad there’s no snow on the road yet. Many trucks have slid over the icy edge, as you can see by the rusted chassis skeletons in the ravines."
The rest of the trip passes in silence. Just like the terrain around us. The only disturbance is the occasional smiling shepherd with his herd, which, as quickly as they appear, disappear over the ridge like ghosts.
From the outside, the Sani Top Chalet resembles a small edifice hidden from the world, but a billowing chimney signifies life and promises a warm and cosy hearth. The only other structure up here is the small border checkpoint in a scruffy hut across the road which houses the Lesotho border officials.
Three men huddle around a pot bellied stove, a small desk and a short wave radio playing. They look bored, staring at me with lifeless eyes. More than likely I’m one of only a few people they will see today. Yet they still give the impression that I’ve interrupted a very busy schedule and that by stamping my passport they're doing me a huge favour.
Sani Top Chalet is a charming house-like hostel. The lounge and bar’s hearty atmosphere makes me sigh with content. Feeling cheery I hop into a high arm chair in front of the glowing fire, awestruck firstly by the homeliness of it all and then by the view through huge windows next to the fireplace.
The wind whips up, sending snowflakes in a stream across the windowpane. “The weather changes in the close of a shutter here,” says host Jonathan Aldous. The sudden snow squall had swallowed the blue sky and golden green foothills, a grassland mountaintop setting that was there just minutes before.
Jonathan takes out the Gluwhein, pours some in a glass, offering it with a smile, “There’s not plenty to do here. In winter folks go snowboarding, yet many just want to pass the time reading in front of the fire. While in summer there’re endless ridges to explore, like Mount Thabana-Ntlenyana, the highest peak in Southern Africa at 3 482 metres. You can hike or book pony treks, which is the best way to explore the local villages.” He fills my glass again and I close my eyes, head touching the headrest of the seat, recapping the events of the day.
This is not a destination for the easily bored. Its isolation is its attraction with hours spent musing over weather patterns, studying the many photos on walls, from the first ascent of the Sani Pass to the building of the chalet, to the many occasions when visitors have been stranded up here for weeks, snowed-in to the height of the roof. Here, like most of Africa, there’s always a story and this one says: ‘Sani Top boasts to be one of the calmest settings and best viewpoints from the rooftop of Africa’.
By Rizel Delano
Mike enlightens me with the details, “Once, the Sani Pass was a rough mule trail descending from the eastern highlands of the old Basutoland into Natal. Basuto traders brought wool and mohair down the pass on donkeys to be exchanged for blankets, clothing and maize meal, the essentials for life in a poor, remote place. Today, the Sani Pass leads to the only border post between KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho.”
“And when did the first 4x4 travel the pass?” I ask.
Mike continues, “The first vehicle to conquer the road was driven by ex-RAF Spitfire pilot and adventurer, Godfrey Edmonds in 1948. It took three and a half hours to complete using the assistance of a Basuto labour gang, ponies, chain pulleys and a lot of rope to get to the top.
The Landrover sloshes through a water puddle, sliding in the mud to the edge. Mike manoeuvres the 4x4, regains control and returns it to its normal course. He laughs at the frightful expression on my face and then tries to calm me with, “Be glad there’s no snow on the road yet. Many trucks have slid over the icy edge, as you can see by the rusted chassis skeletons in the ravines."
The rest of the trip passes in silence. Just like the terrain around us. The only disturbance is the occasional smiling shepherd with his herd, which, as quickly as they appear, disappear over the ridge like ghosts.
From the outside, the Sani Top Chalet resembles a small edifice hidden from the world, but a billowing chimney signifies life and promises a warm and cosy hearth. The only other structure up here is the small border checkpoint in a scruffy hut across the road which houses the Lesotho border officials.
Three men huddle around a pot bellied stove, a small desk and a short wave radio playing. They look bored, staring at me with lifeless eyes. More than likely I’m one of only a few people they will see today. Yet they still give the impression that I’ve interrupted a very busy schedule and that by stamping my passport they're doing me a huge favour.
Sani Top Chalet is a charming house-like hostel. The lounge and bar’s hearty atmosphere makes me sigh with content. Feeling cheery I hop into a high arm chair in front of the glowing fire, awestruck firstly by the homeliness of it all and then by the view through huge windows next to the fireplace.
The wind whips up, sending snowflakes in a stream across the windowpane. “The weather changes in the close of a shutter here,” says host Jonathan Aldous. The sudden snow squall had swallowed the blue sky and golden green foothills, a grassland mountaintop setting that was there just minutes before.
Jonathan takes out the Gluwhein, pours some in a glass, offering it with a smile, “There’s not plenty to do here. In winter folks go snowboarding, yet many just want to pass the time reading in front of the fire. While in summer there’re endless ridges to explore, like Mount Thabana-Ntlenyana, the highest peak in Southern Africa at 3 482 metres. You can hike or book pony treks, which is the best way to explore the local villages.” He fills my glass again and I close my eyes, head touching the headrest of the seat, recapping the events of the day.
This is not a destination for the easily bored. Its isolation is its attraction with hours spent musing over weather patterns, studying the many photos on walls, from the first ascent of the Sani Pass to the building of the chalet, to the many occasions when visitors have been stranded up here for weeks, snowed-in to the height of the roof. Here, like most of Africa, there’s always a story and this one says: ‘Sani Top boasts to be one of the calmest settings and best viewpoints from the rooftop of Africa’.
By Rizel Delano
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Namibian gems...
Klein Aus Vista, 120km from Lüderitz, is another worthwhile Namibian stop, with a great choice of accommodation. Their Eagle’s Nest chalets are recommended if you want a treat or would like self-catering and privacy.
Desert Horse Inn has spacious rooms, and a friendly campsite surrounded by an amphitheatre of granite rock. (A sunset walk up the koppie is a must!) Don’t miss a stop at the Garub viewpoint to see the wild horses of the Namib.
Lüderitz Safaris and Tours, owned by Marion Schelkle, is a booking agency for accommodation and excursions in the desert town of Lüderitz. They keep a good selection of books about Namibia and will happily offer advice on all activities.
The town of Lüderitz has a rich and interesting history. A visit to Kolmanskop, the abandoned diamond-mining town, on its outskirts, is highly recommended for a taste of what was once opulence in the desert, a touch of history and loads of photographic fun.
Shearwater Oysters offers tours and tastings, and if you’re there on Friday evenings, tapas style meals in their oyster bar.
To experience the desert extremes, view the cross planted by Bartholomeu Dias in 1488 and enjoy a slice of decadent chocolate cake and coffee, take a drive around the bay to Diaz Point.
Operators offer trips to the Sperrgebiet, once forbidden diamond territory, to see the remains of diamond mining towns and the Bogenfels rock arch that juts out into the sea.
Don’t forget to visit the Felsenkirche, the 1912 rock church, and to take a trip on a catamaran.
For an evening pint of local Namibian beer and oodles of Lüderitz character, stop in at the brightly painted Barrels restaurant and bar. Prost.
Ron Swilling is a freelance writer who has a love for the colourful continent of Africa, the land and her people. Her work is featured in magazines in South Africa and Namibia, and in two books recently printed on community tourism in Namibia and the wild horses in the Namib Desert.
Contacts
Ghost Town Tours/Shearwater Oysters
kolmans@iafrica.com.na
+264 (0)63 204 031
+264 (0)81 128 4336
Klein Aus Vista
reservations@klein-aus-vista.com/info@klein-aus-vista.com
+264 (0)63 258 116/258 021
www.klein-aus-vista.com
Lüderitz Safaris and Tours
ludsaf@africaonline.com.na
+264 (0)63 202 719
+264 (0)81 129 7236
Desert Horse Inn has spacious rooms, and a friendly campsite surrounded by an amphitheatre of granite rock. (A sunset walk up the koppie is a must!) Don’t miss a stop at the Garub viewpoint to see the wild horses of the Namib.
Lüderitz Safaris and Tours, owned by Marion Schelkle, is a booking agency for accommodation and excursions in the desert town of Lüderitz. They keep a good selection of books about Namibia and will happily offer advice on all activities.
The town of Lüderitz has a rich and interesting history. A visit to Kolmanskop, the abandoned diamond-mining town, on its outskirts, is highly recommended for a taste of what was once opulence in the desert, a touch of history and loads of photographic fun.
Shearwater Oysters offers tours and tastings, and if you’re there on Friday evenings, tapas style meals in their oyster bar.
To experience the desert extremes, view the cross planted by Bartholomeu Dias in 1488 and enjoy a slice of decadent chocolate cake and coffee, take a drive around the bay to Diaz Point.
Operators offer trips to the Sperrgebiet, once forbidden diamond territory, to see the remains of diamond mining towns and the Bogenfels rock arch that juts out into the sea.
Don’t forget to visit the Felsenkirche, the 1912 rock church, and to take a trip on a catamaran.
For an evening pint of local Namibian beer and oodles of Lüderitz character, stop in at the brightly painted Barrels restaurant and bar. Prost.
Ron Swilling is a freelance writer who has a love for the colourful continent of Africa, the land and her people. Her work is featured in magazines in South Africa and Namibia, and in two books recently printed on community tourism in Namibia and the wild horses in the Namib Desert.
Contacts
Ghost Town Tours/Shearwater Oysters
kolmans@iafrica.com.na
+264 (0)63 204 031
+264 (0)81 128 4336
Klein Aus Vista
reservations@klein-aus-vista.com/info@klein-aus-vista.com
+264 (0)63 258 116/258 021
www.klein-aus-vista.com
Lüderitz Safaris and Tours
ludsaf@africaonline.com.na
+264 (0)63 202 719
+264 (0)81 129 7236
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