Australians love South African holidays

South Africans, like Australians, hear the call of the sea and pack local beaches in the summertime.

They share summer's beach culture with Australians. So, it's no surprise when rainbow nation tourism officials announce surging numbers of Aussies are taking African beach holidays. The Australian dollar's strong - making this inexpensive destination even cheaper.

Exploring its rich cultural mix and scenic attractions are year-round activities. However, summer isn't prime time for eyeballing wild animals in famed game reserves such as Kruger National Park.  While animal-viewing remains reasonable, conditions are sometimes wet with washed out roads. In South African game reserves, winter is high season (though climatic conditions vary in other African countries).

But the beach is a different story. Summer crowds make a beeline for South Africa's superb beaches.

From Cape Town in the far south (where some beaches cluster on the Atlantic Ocean side and others face the Indian Ocean) to the east coast's Durban and beyond - with Port Elizabeth and East London in between - are dozens of memorable options.

Here's some of the best:

CAPE TOWN

Clifton: South Africa's most glamorous beach is a 10-minute cab ride from downtown. Skimpy designer swimwear, high-fashion sunglasses, a well-toned body and loads of attitude are de rigueur at this see-and-be-seen chill-out zone for self-styled beautiful people where the beach is a series of coves.

Camps Bay: A white-sand strip a few more minutes' drive, similarly oozing affluence but not as crassly as at Clifton. Good restaurants thrive nearby. Regulars include surfers (as at Clifton) and families with kids. Be warned: the Atlantic can be chilly.

Sea Point: Between Clifton and the city, this isn't really a beach at all (though there's a swimming pool). It's more hang-out territory for seafront promenading. Sea Point has many restaurants (with particularly good seafood ) and bars along with vibrant nightlife.

Blouberg: Also an Atlantic beach, it's far less pretentious than Clifton. Splendid Table Mountain views attract professional photographers. Popular for swimming and surfing, its water is wonderfully cool on hot summer days.

Muizenberg: Faded grandeur lingers from 1960s trendiness. A long white-sand strip, with gaudily-painted "beach huts", still attracts big weekend crowds. On the Cape Peninsula's warmer-water False Bay side, Muizenberg has charming Indian Ocean neighbours: St James, Fish Hoek, Hout Bay (a fishing village renowned for swimming and kayaking) and Kalk Bay (with calm water and shallow tidal pools in a family-friendly setting).

Boulders: Alongside False Bay's Simonstown naval base - with quaint pubs, art galleries, souvenir shops and an English seaside ambience - is the Boulders, home of an African penguin colony which waddles ashore at dusk while watched from tourist boardwalks. By day, gigantic smooth-surfaced rocks create sheltered coves.

Strand: "Strand" is Afrikaans for beach. This 5km False Bay white-sand strip is reminiscent of Queensland's Surfers Paradise. A 40-minute drive from downtown, it's one of the safest near Africa's southern tip. Water sports include kayaking. Beginner surfers are numerous. The next beach, curved Gordons Bay, also pulls large crowds.

Hermanus: Whale-watching (of Southern rights) draws June-December crowds. An all-year lure: cage-diving among great white sharks. The less daring choose from several operators offering shark-spotting trips. One recent boatload watched a frenzied fish leap from the water with a seal in its jaws. Other Hermanus diversions: seal colonies, beach horse-riding. Several beaches entice swimmers; nearby Onrus is arguably the Cape Town area's number-one surfing destination.

DURBAN

Margate: South of Durban (127km), this tranquil holiday choice has abundant accommodation in all price categories. Swimming, body-boarding, surfing, fishing and undemanding beach-lazing are lures in a hideaway less frenetic than Durban itself.

North Beach, South Beach: Durban is one of the few cities boasting downtown beaches. Cross hotel-studded O.R. Tambo Parade to reach the Golden Mile's band of sand - just beyond footpath vendors of Zulu handicrafts.

Suncoast Beach: Nearby Suncoast is decidedly trendier than its downtown rivals. Some call it Durban's best. Tropical Durban - with weather similar to southern Queensland's - promotes year-round swimming but beaches do get chilly in winter.

Umhlanga Rocks: Ten minutes' drive north is an up-and-coming district with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and a beach liked by South Africans and tourists. Families congregate at calm areas. Surfers insist Umhlanga is unrivalled along KwaZulu-Natal province's coast.

La Lucia: Between Durban and Umhlanga Rocks is La Lucia with pristine beaches, safe Indian Ocean swimming and reasonable surfing. Upscale suburbia, it's a winner for diverse cheaper-than-Australia mall shopping. (Only electronics are more expensive.)

PORT ELIZABETH

Humewood Beach: Among many Algoa Bay beaches in and near Port Elizabeth. it attracts locals, solo travellers, holidaying couples and families with children. It's safe for swimming and recommended for surfing (which aficionados describe as reasonable rather than outstanding).

Bluewater Bay: A suburb of car-manufacturing Port Elizabeth, this beach is handy for city workers who throng here before or after work. to the city. Both swimming and fishing are evident during my weekday visit - with many people sprawled on the sand (some with laptops). Surfing isn't a drawcard here.

Blue Horizon Bay: 45kms from Port Elizabeth, this Indian Ocean area is awash in worthwhile choices including Maitland Beach (with 5kms of coastal dunes), Hobie Beach (great for body-surfing), Paradise Beach (with hotels, shopping and uncrowded sands) and Pollock Beach (with sheltered, shallow rock pools trapping sea life at high tide; I've beachcombed happily here, hopping between rocks and peering into rock pools - a pleasant postscript to several hours' snorkelling). A good side-trip is Addo Elephant National Park, a pachyderm habitat with other beasts also roaming free.

EAST LONDON

Orient Beach (in suburban Quigney), Nahoon Beach (where surfing contests are regularly held) and Gonubie Beach (25kms north, with a boardwalk across indigenous vegetation) are this laid-back Eastern Cape city's best.

And then there's Coffee Bay, also on the Wild Coast.

Coffee Bay: It's an East London-area gem, arguably South Africa's supreme surfing spot and a flourishing tourist destination (particularly for backpackers). Some lodgings offer transfers for the 197kms from East London. There's surprisingly little at Coffee Bay where rolling green pastures slope towards the sea - except splendid beaches, glorious surf, numerous backpacker lodgings, upmarket B&Bs and good tourist hotels, along with several restaurants.

Hundreds of tourists stranded as Kruger National Park floods

http://www.ecocta.com/

Several hundred tourists have been stranded by flood waters inside the Kruger National Park as torrential rains pound the region. The world renowned game reserve in South Africa - one of the largest in the world - has endured three days of heavy rainfall causing rivers to burst their banks and sever road connections. At least 12 camps are unreachable by road and 10 main entrance gates have been closed, according to officials.

 Flood-hit: Heavy rains and a river bursting its banks have caused significant damage South Africa National Parks spokesman, Reynold Thakuli, said the military, had been brought in to help with the evacuation. 'The situation is under control but has deteriorated severely,' he said.

'Several camps are now unreachable. The tourists and staff in each are all safe and being looked after, but are effectively stranded.' A river near the Kruger's main camp Skukuza has completely burst its banks, effectively dividing the camp in two and causing severe flooding.

 More...Greece set to rent out its ancient ruins to help pay for upkeep Devon delights as it scoops best hotel in the UK award... and three more spots in the top 10  Plans revealed to put Hitler's forest lair on the tourist trail

A doctor who works at Skukuza - which has become the centre of operations for the emergency services during the crisis - confirmed medics were flying emergency supplies to guests and workers in need.

Dr. Gary Pieser said: 'We are now totally stranded inside the camp – the only way to get in or out is via helicopter,' he added. Helicopter evacuations began after six holidaymakers were isolated by flooding during a game drive on Tuesday night. The group was airlifted to safety and treated by doctors at Skukuza. 'They had minor injuries and are now receiving medical attention,' said Mr. Thakuli.

 Safety fears: The famous Kruger National Park is currently closed due to the floods

Around 32 foreign tourists have been evacuated by helicopter, including 26 guests from the Tinga private lodge near Skukuza. Another of the park's private game lodges, Phinda, has been completely submerged by the flood. All organised game drives have been suspended and Mr Thakhuli has rushed to reassure holidaymakers that they will be well looked after. The reserve was currently around 50 percent occupied after the peak safari period over the Christmas break.

More than 1,500 people have been forced to flee their homes in the neighbouring Maputo and Gaza provinces of Mozambique as relentless flood waters devastate their land.  Nearby Hoedspruit weather station reported a 267mm rainfall in the 24 hour period between Tuesday and Wednesday, over five times the classification for heavy rain.  The downpour follows a prolonged spell of wet weather across South Africa's eastern provinces, Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Wanda Mkhutshulwa, head of communications at South Africa National Parks, said: 'We gather from reports that the worst is over. We are in contact with Mpumalanga’s disaster management centre and we will receive military support if necessary.' But South Africa weather forecasters have advised that another storm will be approaching Mozambique near Madagascar next Thursday, which could result in yet more heavy rain.

Travelling with children to Africa can be safe and fun

http://www.ecocta.com/

During any holidaytrip wih children,the most important thing to bear in mind is their safety. Ensure your children are aware of any possible danger but don’t upset their fun-making.

As the festival season beckons, many parents would love to wear off the year’s stress with a visit to some place for a quite time with family. However, some parents loathe travelling with children; but the following will make the event safe and full of fun: Prepare your children in advance of the trip you will be taking. Show them on a map the trip you will be taking .Even young children enjoy having a clue of where they are going. Show them travel brochures and books on the places you will be visiting.

Discuss the security clearance process with your children when travelling by any means, so they will not be frightened or surprised. It is better not to travel with toys that could be mistaken for weapons. Pack food they like in a carry- on bag. Children tend to be a little fussy and you do not wish to be embarrassed.

It helps to purchase disposable items like bibs, anti-bacterial wipes and plastic eating utensils you will need during your trip. Remember to write down the name, address and telephone number of the place you are staying on a piece of paper (and an ‘I am lost please call my parents’, or something of the sort) and make sure you child carries it in his/ her pocket/ wallet.

Tell the child that if he or she gets lost, he/she should hand the piece of paper to a woman - (a woman could be safer) for help. You can also make identity cards for the children with their names and age, along with any other information you desire written at the back.

While at your travel destination;

Learn a few essential terms in the native language of the nation or place you are visiting , especially words for ‘Hello’, ‘Food’ ‘Water’ , ‘Police post’ etc.. Not only will the natives appreciate your effort, you trip will be more enjoyable and really helps you to get around the venue easily.

Be an ambassador: Attend at least one cultural event: a football game, concert, carnival, traditional dance performance, beach volleyball etc…

Eat and drink as the locals do:  Get off the beaten tourist path: take a bus or boda boda ride out of the city and visit the countryside or remote village. Travelling this way makes you much more than a tourist, hence an ambassador.

Money matters: Some countries consider credit cards s ‘live currency’ hence the need to mention them if asked by the custom officials. This helps you avoid trouble with issues to do with money importation. It is advisable to carry change money for public pay phones, vending machines, public toilets etc... It is better to have your money changed with banks or forex bureau to avoid counterfeits.

Keep an eye on your wallet. When shopping it is better to split your money into different pocket s and always put some inside a jacket pocket or next to your skin. You will always have some money in case you are pick pocketed. Besides, it is advisable to keep your wallet in a front rouser pocket because the thighs are very sensitive, it is difficult for a pickpocket to get at without you noticing.

Directions: When visiting any foreign place, carry a post card with the name and address of your hotel, that you can show to taxi drivers or when asking directions. This is particularly important in countries like Greece, where the alphabet is different.

Bottled water: At a hotel or a restaurant, ask for bottled water. At least every hotel or restaurant has bottle mineral water these days. It saves you from trouble that would arise if the kids fall sick courtesy of taking un boiled water

Play space: Keep you kids in eyesight while they are playing especially if surrounded by water bodies and sharp objects.

Emergency Services: Seek knowledge of the location of nearby clinics or hospitals in case you little ones develop unexpected illness. Having taken note of the above, you will have a wonder full time with the kids