Thursday, October 9, 2008

Botswana - a wildlife mecca !


Vast lands… wildlife… well, anyone may have those two in Africa but not definitely like the experience that may be had from Botswana Safaris.

This vast piece of land is only one of the few where wildlife need not compete for land and resources with man. The land area is as large as France yet the population counts only to mere 1.6 million people. As an outcome, wildlife has increased in great number that the place becomes a sanctuary for the finest games in all Africa.

Being the world’s largest exporter of diamonds, Botswana no longer has to compete with the tourist market. Yet as grand as its land offers for safari fanatics, it can’t help but attract as many tourists as its resources may allow. However, the government decrees the limited number of people allowed to penetrate Botswana safaris, thus the significant increase in prices, which ultimately made it as an exclusive safari destination.

Kalahari dessert dominates 84% of all Botswana. Though it is a dessert by name, Kalahari is not much like a dessert, as we may perceive Sahara. Except for occasional sand dunes, Kalahari is mostly covered with vegetation characterized by bushes, grasslands, trees and scrubs. However, water is meager thus the dessert label.
Visitors of Botswana safaris are almost always amazed at how creative and genius the creation and maintenance of its wildlife sanctuaries.

The finest games in the whole region are found in the Chobe National Park which is located in the north east side of the country. It harbors the most varied games in the country and is refuted to nurse the largest group of elephants in a single place. Elephants here are estimated to have reached up to 80,000 individuals.
Savuti Marshes, on the other hand (which is located in the Chobe National Park) is refuted to have the largest density of predators found in all Africa. Hundreds of wildlife species are found here, both preys and predators.
Its resources for water encourages buffalo, antelopes, zebras and the likes that are followed by predators such as the leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, lions, and jackals. Some predators here have the tendency to become lazy and living in Savuti Marshes sounds more like a gift than anything else.

Botswana safari is simply a unique place for wildlife conservation. But this act took time to accomplish. Botswana is a country that is bordered by neighboring countries. While great efforts are done to protect all its wildlife, it still needs other countries’ collaboration to make everything working. After all, animals do not comprehend international borders.

by L Jeremy
August 2008

Tips and facts for traveling to South Africa

South Africa is a relatively large country. Its is five times the size of Britain, twice as big as France and about one eighth the size of the United States of America.

Climate
South Africa ranks high in the world as far as sunshine days are concerned and the climate is generally mild throughout the year. Refer to the temperature charts for each region.

Safety
As in most countries in the world, travelers are advised to take the necessary safety precautions. Do not walk alone in unpopulated streets after dark or draw unneces-sary attention to money or jewellery on your person. Please make copies of passport and travel documents and keep in safe place. Only keep sufficient cash on your person for the days activities. Police emergency number is 10111

Dress
Light cotton clothing is normally the most comfortable in summer. Warm clothing is required for winter. South Africans dress casually on most occasions and for visits to theatres and restaurants smart casual dress is quite acceptable. Evenings can be cool pack accordingly.

Credit Cards
Most major credit cards are accepted, as well as traveller's cheques in major currencies. Please note fuel cannot be purchased with standard credit cards.

Shopping
There are plenty of shopping opportunities. Centres such as the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, Menlyn in Pretoria and Sandton City in Johannesburg offer first world shopping experiences. Shops are generally open in major centers on Sundays and shopping hours are from 8.30am till late.

Price indicators:

Cool drink R8.00,
Bottled Water R8.00,
Bottle red wine R40.00,
White Wine R30.00,
Beer R9.00,
Draught R12.00,
Spirit R8.00 per tot,
Shooter R10.00,
Cigarettes R13.00,
Steak R60.00,
Pizza R40.00,
MacDonalds meal R23.00,
Movies R30.00,
Game of Pool R5.00,
Milk R9.00 per litre and loaf of bread R9.00.

Dining and entertainment
These facilities are good and you can choose from international standard cuisine in top class hotels and restaurants or try one of the smaller bistro restaurants found all over the country. Dining out would cost on average R100.00 per head.

Tipping
Tipping for foodservice and guides is standard practice and while any tip is normally welcome a good guideline is a 10% gratuity.

Immunisation
No international immunisation is needed when entering South Africa. Malaria though is a risk, which is predominant in the malignant form P. Falciparum, and exists through the year in certain areas of the country, mainly northern Kwazulu Natal and Mpumalanga (Kruger National Park). Resistance to Chloroquine has been reported.

Medical care
Medical services are readily available from Doctors in private practice and private hospitals. It is very important for visitors to have taken out travel insurance which incorporates medical cover. Medicine may be purchased at pharmacies and emergency pharmacies are open at night.

Language
Although there are 11 official languages, English, Afrikaans and a variety of African dialects. The English-speaking visitor will have no problem while traveling through the country.

Taxation
Tourists can have sales tax refunded at a port of exit, provided the value of each invoice for goods purchased exceeds R50.00 and the value of the total items purchased exceeds R250.00. Tax of 14% is normally included in the quoted price of goods and services. Your passport, invoices and goods purchased must be available when claiming the refund at the departure lounges of Johannesburg (O R Tambo Int.), Cape Town and Durban International Airports.

Electricity
The standard power source is 220volts AC. Most foreign appliances will need an adaptor or transformer to link with local electrical power.

Driving in South Africa
We drive on the left hand side of the road. The roads are generally good and most National routes have toll fees. The cost varies from R7.00 to R40.00 The speed limit in built up areas is 60km per hour and varies from 100 to 120km on national roads.

Fuel
Many fuel stations throughout South Africa are open 24 hours a day and all with leaded and unleaded petrol and diesel. Fuel will cost approximately R10.00 per litre.

Seat Belts
It is compulsory to wear seat belts, both front and rear. Small children and babies must be restrained in an appropriate child seat or carrier. Child seats should be ordered when you book your car.

Drinking and Driving
You are strongly advised not to drink and drive. Penalties are severe.

Public Transport
Public Transport is not up to international standards. One needs a vehicle to get around effectively. Taxis are available but are quite expensive.

How fast by road?
Cape Town to Johannesburg 16 hours
Cape Town to Port Elizabeth 8 hours
Cape Town to Plettenberg Bay 5 hours
Johannesburg to Nelspruit 4,5 hours
Durban to Johannesburg 5 hours
Durban to Port Elizabeth 10 hours
Johannesburg to Sun City 2 hours

Sun Protection
The sun in Africa is harsh. Sun protection is strongly recommended.

Water
The water in most areas is drinkable however a wide range of still and sparkling water is sold throughout the country.

Welcome and Enjoy !

Warm African greetings

(revised in October, 2008)

Tips for selecting a virtual travel specialist

Gone are the days of relying on your neighborhood travel agent or spending the first day of your vacation hunting for a local operator or guide. Reliable travel specialists are located in virtually every corner of the world and can now be accessed on the web.
Whether you are searching for a tour operator, travel agency or outfitter, the following tips will help you weed through the plethora of travel specialists hawking their wears online.

Websites:
The design and content of a company's website speaks volumes about the way they do business.
A travel specialist's website should provide information that is useful, informative and fun.
The contact information, including a phone number and an email address, should be easy to locate.
The site should also include all relevant information, such as the cost of an excursion, maps and directions. And, for those engaging an adventure specialist, a packing list, either directly in the content or in the form of an FAQ (frequently asked questions).

Visible track record:
Great website, but how do I know they can deliver? Assessing a travel specialists credentials is not as difficult as it sounds.
Many industry associations and tourist boards list members and accredited agencies on their websites.
Check references, read testimonials from previous clients, pose questions on a travel forum.

Knowledge and experience:
Nothing can be a substitute for knowledge and experience.
Determine the agency or operators knowledge of your travel destination as well as the type of adventure you wish to experience.
Find out how long they have been in the business and whether they are accustomed to organizing tours for singles, families or seniors.

Location of the operator:
If they are not located in the country you will be traveling to you may also wish to understand:

- Who will sort out any problems, accidents, or emergencies that may arise during your holiday?
- When was the last time they biked down that country road?
- Or how they will obtain a refund for the boat tour that was cancelled due to inclement weather.

Client service:
If communicating with the specialist is a challenge there is a good chance your trip will turn out to be a disaster. Select a specialist that is committed to organizing quality trips and returning satisfied clients.

- How quickly does the agency or operator respond to your emails and telephone calls?
- Are they eager to assist you with the planning of your vacation?
- Do they go the extra mile to customize your itinerary?
- Does the proposed itinerary reflect your interests?

Cost vs. Value:
- Get more than one proposal and compare.
- Find out what is and what is not included in the price.
- Determine the location and quality of the accommodation.
- How many meals are included and whether they are buffet or a la carte.
- Is the trip fully guided or will you be touring on your own?
- In addition you will want to know what, if any, sightseeing is included and whether you will have any free time.

Conditions:
Make sure to read the fine print before you commit. The terms and conditions should clearly spell out your responsibilities as well as those of the specialist.

- What is the company’s policy on reservations, deposits and cancellations?
- Can a tour or excursion be cancelled for a lack of bookings?
- Who is responsible for additional payments in the event of a currency fluctuation?

Happy hunting and good luck !

An old favourite - the Kruger National Park

When choosing where to go for that special holiday ... some kids go to the beach and some go to grandma and grandpa ..., but this time round I thought that I would continue the tradition and we chose the bush !

In June 2008, we visited the Kruger again, but this time with my daughter whom was born in Argentina - it was her first visit. Needless to say an amazing experience for both of us.

Where nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms fuses with historical and archaeological sights – this is real Africa.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Established in 1898 to protect the wildlife of the South African Lowveld, this national park of nearly 2 million hectares, SANParks - Kruger National Park is unrivalled in the diversity of its life forms and a world leader in advanced environmental management techniques and policies.
Truly the flagship of the South African national parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. Man's interaction with the Lowveld environment over many centuries - from bushman rock paintings to majestic archaeological sites like Masorini and Thulamela - is very evident in the Kruger National Park. These treasures represent the cultures, persons and events that played a role in the history of the Kruger National Park and are conserved along with the park's natural assets.

Why the Land Rover Defender 110 ?

The Land Rover Defender is specifically built for over-lander and off-road purposes.
It is exactly what you want when traveling in the remote areas of Africa - basic, practical and reliable, yet comfortable and highly capable.
The important components like the chassis, suspension, engine and drive train are all very reliable.

- Excellent off-road ability: A number of features make the Land Rover Defender the best off-road vehicle, these include:

i) Excellent suspension travel and overall off-road suspension
ii) A very low ratio 4WD gear
iii) Centre diff lock system
iv) Very good ground clearance and offset differential

- Practicality: The Land Rover Defender is built for practical purposes, while to some the square shape may look outdated, it allows for excellent load space and good accessability.

- Accessories: A huge number of accessories unique to the Land Rover are available due to the shape and practical nature of the vehicle. Fender water and fuel tanks, large roof racks, fender covers and load systems are just a few of the vast number of accessories available and fitted by Safari4x4Hire safari on all Land Rover 4x4 vehicles.

- The Land Rover Defender looks the part and is strongly associated to an African Safari.

And it's the BEST 4x4 X FAR !

Why choose to travel in a 4X4 vehicle ?

If you are serious about your African Safari and game viewing and want to experience the best of Southern Africa then a 4x4 vehicle is essential.

Many of the most scenic areas, finest game reserves and more pristine coastal areas are only accessible by gravel roads or 4x4 tracks. This makes a 4x4 vehicle the ideal mode of transport when exploring the Southern African region.

4x4 vehicles offer rugged reliability and unlimited access to most areas.

Additional ride height - a 4x4 vehicle is far better for game viewing and many sightings will be missed when traveling in a standard car.

Ahh, and the pictures look great !

4X4 Driving Tips


Off-road
It happens to all of us once in a while. You’re driving along in your big 4X4 with a decent set of tyres and you’re overtaken by this yearning to veer off the beaten track and take to the hills. Let’s face it, it’s the natural thing to do. However off-road is no place to be if you don’t know how to handle yourself and your vehicle. There are several basic things you should be aware of before you set off.

The basics
For instance, understanding the difference between momentum and acceleration - momentum being the speed that the vehicle has already built up that allows you to go through that muddy patch or sand. Acceleration is what you use to build up that speed. What this means is don’t try to suddenly accelerate like mad when you hit that mud or sand If anything, this will only make sure that you get stuck. Rather build up the speed beforehand so that the momentum carries you through it.

Don’t fight it
As well as this there is our natural tendency to “fight” the vehicle. If you ever have the chance to watch vehicles driving through deep ruts in muddy terrain, notice the direction of the front wheels — very often they are pointing in a slightly different direction. When driving through demanding terrain, avoid the tendency to hold the steering wheel in a death grip — let the wheel move around and gently guide the vehicle. Releasing the wheel slightly allows the wheels to “centre”, ensuring that they are pointing in the right direction. Similarly, use gentle applications of the brakes and accelerator. This is especially important in sand driving.

Under pressure
And then there’s tyre pressure. Reducing tyre pressure increases the “flotation” of the vehicle. The tyre’s footprint becomes longer, reducing the pressure that the tyre exerts on the surface, spreading the vehicle’s weight over a larger surface. Reducing the tyres’ pressure will improve your traction, but remember that it will decrease your ground clearance and can expose the tyres’ sidewalls to damage in a rocky area.
It’s crucial that you get to know your vehicle inside out. Get down on your knees and look underneath. What are the lowest points, what could get damaged, how high is the air intake? Keep these in mind when driving off road.

Important Note
Get a good, strong tow rope. It’s essential to help you navigate through any problems in which you find yourself. However, remember this piece of equipment is useless unless there’s another vehicle to attach it to. Never go off-road on your own.

Personal Choice
When it comes to special vehicle modifications this is a highly debatable area. For every type of alteration, there’s a compromise that has to be made somewhere along the line. Tyres, for example. Changing to a more aggressive, off-road type tread pattern can affect the vehicle’s on-road handling and can have other side effects such as increased noise. Be honest with yourself about how you use your vehicle and modify it accordingly. The “Super Duper Extreme Mud Diggers” tyres may look cool but if 99% of your driving is on- road, they’ll be a large waste of money and cause you more irritation than pleasure.

Challenges
There are several very different types of terrain you’ll encounter regularly. Basically they are sand, mud and deep water, but with a little pre-planning and common sense they shouldn’t cause the experienced driver any problems.

Sand
To begin with there’s sand driving. Choosing a gear that allows the engine to rev slightly high, allows you a safety margin in the event of deep patches. When you feel wheel-spin beginning, ease off on the accelerator; if you feel that you’re getting stuck, take your foot off the accelerator and coast to a stop. If you can, reverse; if not get some help. It’s no good trying to keep going as you’ll only get into deeper trouble and make any chance of recovery more difficult. Stopping using the brakes while driving In sand will cause small mounds to build up in front of the wheels. You should avoid using the brakes. Wherever possible, try to park the vehicle facing downhill as this will make pulling away easier. Sand driving is easier in the early morning due to the effect that the condensation has on the sand particles.

You can reduce your tyre pressure as low as 1,2 bar on 4x4 vehicles, however do bear in mind that any sudden turns may cause the tyre to roll off the rim. If your vehicle is fitted with a “diff lock”, be very careful when using this in sand as it can cause the vehicle to handle strangely. For instance, people often tend to forget that the “duff lock” is engaged and try to make a turn while the vehicle tries to keep going straight. The driver turns the steering wheel more until the point is reached where the sand that is building up on the outside of the front wheels suddenly causes the vehicle to turn. Vehicles can easily roll over even at incredibly low speeds due to this.
There will, however, be times when you will become stuck. The first thing to do is stop. Take some time to work out why you’re stuck. Dig away any sand in front of the wheels and place items such as car mats, branches etc. under the wheels that will give you traction Another tip to try should you become stuck in sand is to rock the car from side to side. This allows the sand to fall into the holes made by the wheels, slowly lifting the car out. As always, when you’re going off-road take along your tyre gauge and compressor (to re-inflate tyres), a shovel and your trusty tow rope.

Mud
Then there’s mud. Mud comes in various types, from thick, bottomless clay to the slippery surface mud found in forests. As with sand driving, the keys are reduced tyre pressures, a low gear to give enough engine speed, and momentum. Before you drive through any mud, take the time to look at the terrain and where you need to go. Better to get your shoes a bit dirty than just blasting into it and getting stuck. Look at the terrain around you — if it’s rocky, there’s a good chance that there’ll be rocks in the mud too.
There will, however, be times when you will become stuck. The first thing to do is stop. Take some time to work out why you’re stuck. Dig away any sand in front of the wheels and place items such as car mats, branches etc. under the wheels that will give you traction.
No matter how much you are tempted, don’t change gear, as you’ll reduce the momentum of your vehicle and probably become stuck.

If you feel any wheel-spin, try easing off the accelerator to slow down the wheels and give them a chance to get traction. Alternatively you can try to gently move the steering wheel from side to side to give the tyres’ sidewalls a chance to get a foothold. Don’t try to force the steering wheel in a particular direction, just hold the wheel gently and guide the vehicle in the direction that you want to go. Of course “duff locks” can help you to get through muddy patches, but as is the case with sand driving, they will tend to force the vehicle to go straight.
Should you become stuck in mud, stop and determine exactly why you are stuck. Getting unstuck normally involves digging. Clear mud away in front of the wheels and try to get branches or any other items that will give you traction under the wheels. Pulling away may also require some assistance in the form of a push or a tow rope. Useful tools to take along are a tyre gauge, compressor, decent tow rope and a spade (a shovel is extremely hard work in sand).

Water
Water crossing can be a dangerous and often deceptive challenge. Again, a lot of problems can be avoided by knowing your vehicle: know how low your air intake is situated and let that guide you. For bakkies, as a rule of thumb, don’t try anything deeper than the top of your tyre. As you approach rivers, take in the surrounding terrain. Obviously, if the area around the river is rocky, there’s a good chance that there will be rocks in the river. There are several basic rules on fording water. Flowing rivers, for instance, normally have a more stable base than standing water, and a simple rule of thumb is if you struggle to stand up in the water, the water will wash your car away. Before entering the water, either disconnect the fan-belt to stop the fan turning, or jam the fan (if it has a viscous coupling) with a towel or such-like to prevent the fan turning. This will stop the fan moving forward and damaging the radiator, and prevent it from splashing water up onto the top of any electrical components. Look at your exit point, remembering that each vehicle will dump about 200 litres of water on this slope when driving out. Think what effect this could have on the last vehicle, and plan accordingly. When crossing flowing water, cross at an angle that is slightly against the flow - this gives you additional time if the water suddenly starts pushing the car, to either reverse or accelerate to the other side.

Once in the water maintain a steady speed, avoiding wheel-spin, as wet tyres are easily cut by any rocks that may be on the river bed. Don’t change gear, as the sudden loss of momentum when depressing the clutch will cause the bow-wave created by the vehicle to splash over the vehicle.
Securing a tow rope to the vehicle before it enters the water will reduce the time that the stuck vehicle will be in the water. Remember, if your vehicle stalls, don’t try to start it.
Instead tow the vehicle out, remove the air filter and check for water. If the filter is wet, remove the spark/glow plugs and turn the engine over on the starter to remove any water.
Check the engine, gearbox and axle oil as soon as possible after deep water crossings and drain the oil if there’s any sign of water (milky colour). Once you are out of the water apply the brakes gently to remove any water and dirt from the brakes. Whatever the terrain, use your common sense, think about what you are heading into and plan accordingly. Again, always take along a decent tow-rope, and a few friends. And enjoy.

http://www.firestone.co.za/

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

About Safari 4x4 Hire

Land Rover Rentals in South Africa - Explore Southern Africa off-road: guided or self drive - camping or luxury lodge. Big 5 Game Safaris & Scuba Diving Adventures. Welcome to Africa !

2010 FIFA World Cup - a kick off for sure ?

2010 WC to be the best: Motlanthe

Michael Appel
29 September 2008

South Africa is still on track to host the best Fifa World Cup ever despite recent changes in the government, newly-elected president Kgalema Motlanthe said during his televised address to the country on Sunday.
Motlanthe last week personally reassured Fifa president Sep Blatter of the South African government's full and continued support for both next year's 2009 Fifa Confederations Cup and the 2010 Fifa World Cup.
"As you know, the 2010 Fifa World Cup is one of our major projects as a nation and a continent," he said. "We remain on course to host in 2010 the best FifaWorld Cup ever - an African World Cup."
"We would like to assure Africa and the world that the deadlines set by Fifa will be met."
During the conversation, Motlanthe informed Blatter of the composition of his new cabinet, and also expressed his satisfaction with the infrastructure preparations to date.
Motlanthe further told Blatter that South Africa's hosting of the World Cup was a testimony to the achievements of a young democracy.
Unforgettable success
"I want to thank Mr Motlanthe for taking the time today to personally inform me about the situation, as this underlines the importance of the 2010 Fifa World Cup to the South African government," Blatter said during the telephone conversation.
"I was pleased to hear from him that the World Cup is fully supported by all political and governmental authorities, and that everything will be done to make 2010 and unforgettable success."
Blatter also reassured Motlanthe that Fifa remained committed to supporting and assisting in local preparations, while also having full confidence and trust in South Africa's organisational capabilities.
During Blatter’s recent courtesy visit to South Africa, former President Thabo Mbeki told the media that political change was inevitable in the country, but that the World Cup would not be affected.

Source: BuaNews

A Safari 4x4 Hire motto

“The happiness of the bee and the dolphin is to exist.
For man it is to know that and to wonder at it “
- Jacques Yves Cousteau