 |
| # 1 Groeneweide Hikes - RSA Information |
|
|
| Tour Information for 2004 | Last Update Sun: 21 Dec 2003 |
|
|
| 
SOUTH AFRICAN INFORMATION LOCATION AND BOUNDARIES
At the southernmost tip of the African continent, the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is flanked in the west by the Atlantic Ocean, in the south and east by the Indian Ocean, in the north by Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and in the north-east by Mozambique and Swaziland.
SIZE
The RSA covers an area of 1,219,080 sq km (470,689 sq miles). - about one eighth the size of the USA, and nearly five times the size of the United Kingdom.
CLIMATE
Western Cape
Mediterranean climate (warm dry summers, cool wet winters). Occasional winter snowfalls cover the surrounding mountains. Average maximum summer temperature is 24 C; winter 18 C.
Eastern Cape (Garden Route)
Enjoys elements of the Mediterranean climate of Cape Town as well as that of the summer rainfall regions to the east.
Kwazulu/Natal
Enjoys summer rainfall (typically after thunderstorms) and cool dry winters. Snowfalls on the Drakensberg cause brief cold snaps. Average maximum summer temperature in Durban is 25,5 C; winter 22,6 C.
Gauteng, North/West Northern Province and Mpumalanga
Enjoys summer rainfall, typically afternoon thunderstorms of short duration. Mild dry winters are the norm with occasional early morning frost on the Highveld. Average maximum summer temperature in Johannesburg is 24,7 C; winter 18 C. Pretoria summer 27,5 C; winter 21 C. Midsummer temperatures in the Kruger National Park can exceed 35 C.
SEASONS
SUMMER - December to March.
AUTUMN - April to June.
WINTER - July to September.
SPRING - September to November.
GOVERMENT
Republic. Gained independence from the UK in 1910. Head of State and Government: President Thabo Mvuyelwa Mbeki since 1999.
RELIGION
Most inhabitants profess Christianity of some form and belong to either Catholic, Anglican and other protestant denominations, Afrikaner Calvinist churches or African independent churches. There are also significant Hindu, Muslim and Jewish communities, and traditional beliefs are still practised widely, sometimes in conjunction with Christianity.
WHAT CLOTHES TO PACK
Pack what you would normally wear in a warm, temperate climate. In the game parks, at holiday resorts and on tour, casual clothing is advisable. In city hotels and restaurants dress is more formal in the evenings. Men usually wear ties and jackets for evening meals and also in the lounges after 18h00. On tour, wear comfortable clothing for traveling and comfortable shoes for walking. Warm clothing must be packed for the late afternoon and early morning game viewing in the game parks.
PHYSICAL FEATURES
Sun, wind, rain, rivers and the opposing influences of two currents, one cold, the other warm, have given rise to a phenomenal spectrum of awe-inspiring landscapes: mountains, plains, plateau and coast lands, lakes and lagoons, deserts and sun-scorched 'moonscapes'.
TIME
GMT + 2.
MAJOR CITIES
There are three capital cities: Cape Town (legislative), Pretoria (administrative) and Bloemfontein (judicial). Johannesburg is the largest industrial, financial and cultural center in South Africa. Cape Town and Durban are two of the most popular holiday playgrounds. Notable cities and towns from a historical and cultural point of view include: Pietermaritzburg, Grahamstown, Graaff-Reinet, Port Elizabeth, Kimberley and Stellenbosch.
POPULATION
The population is currently estimated at approximately 44,054,306 (2002). Population Density 35.3 per sq km. Most Whites are descended from Dutch, French, British and German immigrants who settled in the country between the 17th and 19th centuries. In more recent times, the country has attracted additional immigrants from these countries, as well as other parts of Europe, China and Africa north of the Limpopo. Unofficial estimates put the number of people of Portuguese extraction (the largest group of recent immigrants) at half a million. It's said that apart from New York, there is no city outside Israel which is quite as Jewish as Johannesburg, where some 60% of the country's 120,000 Jews live. The Black population is made up of several major ethic groups. The majority are Zulu's, followed by Xhosas, North Sothos, South Sothos, Tswanas, Shangaan-Tsongas and Swazis. All are descendants of tribes who migrated south from central Africa. About 50% of South Africa's Blacks are urbanized. The majority of Coloureds (people of mixed racial origins) inhabit the eastern Cape. Cape Malays, a subgroup, number about 200,000, and most inhabit the Cape Peninsula, with a heavy concentration in Cape Town's Malay Quarter. The first Asians arrived in 1860 to work on Natal's sugarcane fields, and today over 85% of South Africa's Indians live in Natal. After India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, South Africa's Indian community is the fourth largest in the world. Many are prosperous merchants, traders and professional people.
LANGUAGES
English and Afrikaans, only two of 11 official languages, are spoken throughout the country. The official languages at national level are Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Pedi, Sotho, Swati, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. Official notices and road signs appear in both languages. Each of the Black groups has its own language. Urbanized Blacks are usually competent in English and/or Afrikaans. A number of (mainly older generation) Indians still speak the languages of their forefathers, but the practice is gradually falling away in favor of English. Languages such as French, German ad Italian are spoken by staff members at many up market hotels and shops.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Efficiency is the keynote of the South African infrastructure: travel and accommodation reservations may be relied upon with confidence.
ACCESS
The national carrier, South African Airways, and several international air and shipping lines link the country with the rest of the world. South Africa's international airports are situated in the vicinity of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
DOMESTIC TRANSPORT
Road and transport systems are the finest on the continent. The road network links all centers, from the largest metropolis to the tiniest village. In addition to domestic airlines, the following transport options are available: railways (the Blue Train offers a five-star ride), inter-city coaches and fly-drive safaris. 'Designer' tours, arranged to suit individual preferences, are offered by this operator.
Major international car hire companies are represented in South Africa.
ACCOMMODATION
Standards are generally high. All tourist accommodation establishments, belonging to the national grading and classification scheme are graded and classified. A one-star grading ranks as good; five stars indicate that the establishment is outstanding. Classification indicates those establishments that offer superior standards of service and hospitality. In addition to hotels, tourist accommodation encompasses motels, holiday flats and chalets, beach cottages, game lodges, guest farms and youth hostels. Caravan/camping parks occur throughout the country. Time-share units are a relatively new, but fast developing concept. On a limited scale, accommodation in private homes provides an attractive option. Farm holidays are catching on fast, and these are offered throughout the country - a boon for city people who yearn for wide open spaces and a simple life style.
COMMUNICATION
A direct dialing service connects all local centers except for tiny villages in remote country districts. Europe, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand and India, the Republic of China, Hong Kong, Japan and Israel are among a large number of places where subscribers may be dialed direct. Major hotels and businesses have telex and fax services.
ELECTRICITY
220/230 volts AC; 250 volts AC, 50Hz. three-pin round plugs are in use. Most city and town power systems are 220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. The Pretoria power system generates 250 volts and Port Elizabeth 220/250 volts. (Adapters for electric shavers and hair dryers are obtainable locally.)
WATER
Tap water is purified but not 100% safe to drink.
MALARIA / BILLHARIA PRECAUTIONS
Visitors to the eastern Transvaal lowveld and northern Natal should take anti-malaria tablets before, during and after their stay. The tablets are obtainable without prescription from local pharmacies. It is inadvisable to swim in rivers; and lakes in the eastern and northern regions of the country, as the bilharzia parasite may be present in the water.
MONETARY SYSTEM
The South African currency unit is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R. R1 = 100 cent.
The Rand Exchange Rate is in Your Favor!
In addition to shopping bargains, an up market hotel will cost you a fraction of the tariff charged by equivalent establishments elsewhere. And the same applies to fine cuisine and wine, entertainment and transport.
VAT (VALUE ADDED TAX)
VAT, currently at 14%, is included in the marked/quoted price of most goods and services. Foreign tourists may claim refunds of VAT paid on goods which they take out of South Africa. Information leaflets on the procedure to follow to claim VAT refund, are available from Vat Refund Administration offices at the borders and airports. If you have any questions please e-mail me. [email protected]. 
GRH Tours PO BOX 186 Knysna 6570
South Africa
Tel: +27-044-8744213 Cell: +27-0829573561 
| |
Atlantic,West Coast,Africa,Creole,Portuguese,Guinea,volcanic,tropical,rain,forest,waterfall,bird,deep,sea,fishermen,ocean,
blue,marlin,yellow,fin,tuna,sailfish,T-craft,Blackfin,Bertram,marine,snorkel,scuba,diving,dive,undersea,Johannesburg,capital,
stock exchange,historical buildings,Pretoria,Union Buildings,Voortrekker Monument,Church Square,Presidential house,Sun City,
hotel,entertainment,Pilanesberg,casinos,movie theatres,restaurants,Lost City,Valley of the Waves,Royal Baths,
Gold Reef City,gold,mining town,horse and carriage rides,rollercoaster,Soweto,apartheid,township,Kwandabele,Ndebele,
Mzumba,Tribal,Dance,barbecue,operetta,rain ceremony,sacrifice,traditional,Lesedi,cultural,village,bushveld,Zulu,Xhosa,
Pedi,Basotho,ethnic,tour,flora,yellowwood,Tsitsikamma,whales,Hermanus,lagoon,Knysna,ostrich,Plettenberg Bay,
Cape Agulhas,Southern Right,whale,Oudtshoorn,Swellendam,desert,Karoo, Anglo-Boer,war,history,sheep,farms,Cango Caves,
crocodile,Outenique Pass,cruise,narrow gauge,tjoo tjoo,train,oysters,champagne,forests,Port Elizabeth,Nature's Valley,
,safari,experience,African,lodges,camps,hotels,comfort,wildlife,Victoria Falls,Namibia,Botswana,Mozambique,Kenya,
Tanzania,Ghana,Zambia,Bom Bom,island,Kruger,Timbavati,reserve,Kruger National Park,private,game,lodge,Mpumalanga,sanctuary,
beach,accommodation,tourist, Equator,Great Rift Valley,flamingo,Lake Nakuru,Roger,Tory,Peterson,extinct,volcanoes,
lunar,highlands,giant,mountain,ranges,Mount Kenya,Aberdares,Mau,agricultural,coffee,tea,horticulture,floriculture,
fruit,vegetables,flowers,smallholding,mosaic,luxury,air-conditioned,minivan,big game,Big Five,big five,
Big 5,game drive,4x4,qualified ranger,fauna,flora,ranger,guide,spotlights,nocturnal,African,boma,stars,
tailored,safari,elephant,lion,giraffe,zebra,birds,en-suite,South African,Express,Airways,flight,transfer,
airport,fly, fly-in safaris,tickets,African,Outposts,Crocodile,River,Limpopo,Zimbabwe,Mozambican,border,
International Peace Park,Transfrontier,Park,paradise,conservation,breeding,eco-zones,ecology,courses,research,
programmes,Skukuza,Letaba,diversity,Kingdom of Swaziland,Mkhaya Game Reserve,black,white,rhino,environmental,
education,tourism,eco-tourism,upliftment,preservation,Cradle of Mankind,evolution,tour planning,
itineraries,incentive,Sandton,training,spirituality,bush,ecology,physical,environment,ecological,
interrelationships,spoors,meditation,adventure,vineyards,rural,sundowners,panorama,Blyde River,
Canyon,Bourke's Luck,Potholes,God's Window,Shangaan,eagles,hawks,vultures,rollers,sunbirds,cultural,
sites,Zululand,Shaka,Dingaan,Ceteswayo,world,heritage,wetlands,St Lucia,hippo,crocodile,leatherback,turtles,
Durban,Zulu,beachfront hotel,Jeffreys Bay,Storms River,bungi,jump,Cango Caves,ostrich,Mossel Bay,
Walker Bay,Boland,Stellenbosch,Franschhoek,wine,tasting,Victoria & Alfred Waterfront,Table Mountain,Peninsula,
Point,Boulders,Penguin,colony,George,Oudtshoorn,Outenique Mountains,Grabouw,Sir Lowrey's Pass,
Cape Town International Airport,Lydenburg,Drakensberg,mountains,Sabie,Graskop,Pilgram's Rest,Orpen Gate,
Olifants River,wildebeest,zebra,impala,buffalo,lion,cheetah,Malelane Gate,Jeppe's Reef,border post,
Foresters Arms,Hotel,curios,Mbabane,Big Bend,uSutu River,Lavumisa,Hluhluwe Game Reserve,Mkuze,
Hilltop Camp,Damaraland,Kaokeveld,Namibia,desert,rhino,elephant,Addo Elephant Park,Eastern,Hluhluwe,Umfulozi,
KwaZulu Natal,Kgalagadi,Transfrontier,Park,Kalahari Gemsbok,Richtersveld,Kalahari,Botswana,Etosha,
Game Reserve,Namibia,origin,mankind,Sterkfontein,Caves,Makapansgat,Tulamela,excavation,Limpopo Valley,
Klasies,predators,aardwolf,lions,Pilanesberg,Karongwe,cheetah walking trail,cheetahs,cheetah,wild dog,hyena,
Karongwe Ecological Research Institute,reefs,offshore,islands,reef dives,potato bass,cage diving,dives,
great white shark,Kwa Zulu Natal,coastline,virgin,dolphins,whale sharks,Maputaland coast,Loggerhead,
Leatherback,turtles,Sodwana Bay,Sodwana,Bay,Coast Vidal,marine reserve,Ponta do Ouro,scuba,scuba dive,diving,
locations,excellent fishing,snorkelling,safari,safaris,human,San,Bushmen,Kalahari desert,kalahari,desert,
Kimberley,diamond,Big Hole,Kgalagadi,Twee Rivieren,Nossob,Augrabies Falls,Orange River,Kuruman,Wonderwerk Cave,
bushman paintings,Moffat's Mission,Museum,Eye of Kuruman,camelthorn,Upington,Fish River Canyon,stone age,iron age,
Thulemela,archeological,treasure,chest,ruins,Masorini,Renosterkop,San cave paintings,slave,trade,routes,
Sabi Reserve,Harry Wolhuter,Jock of the Bushveld,Pafuri,Crook's Corner,Zimbabwe,Sabi Sand,Timbavati,Manyeleti,
Mala Mala,Kirkmans,Harrys,Singita,Djuma,Akeru,Gomo Gomo,Edeni Safari Lodge,train,Rovos Rail,train safaris,Skukuza,
Victoria Falls,Blue Train,Zambia,free,wildlife,photos,graphics,pics,pictures,Johannesburg,capital,stock exchange,
historical buildings,Pretoria,Union Buildings,Voortrekker Monument,Church Square,Presidential house,
Sun City,hotel,entertainment,Pilanesberg,casinos,movie theatres,restaurants,Lost City,Valley of the Waves,
Royal Baths,Gold Reef City,gold,mining town,horse and carriage rides,rollercoaster,Soweto,
apartheid,township,Kwandabele,Ndebele,Mzumba,Tribal,Dance,barbecue,operetta,rain ceremony,sacrifice,
traditional,Lesedi,cultural,village,bushveld,Zulu,Xhosa,Pedi,Basotho,ethnic,flora,yellowwood,Tsitsikamma,
whales,Hermanus,lagoon,ostrich,Plettenberg Bay,,Cape Agulhas,Southern Right,whale,Oudtshoorn,Swellendam,
desert,Karoo, Anglo-Boer,war,history,sheep,farms,Cango Caves,crocodile,Outenique Pass,cruise,
narrow gauge,tjoo tjoo,train,oysters,champagne,forests,Port Elizabeth,Nature's Valley,tour,
safari,experience,African,lodges,camps,hotels,comfort,wildlife,Victoria Falls,Namibia,Botswana,Mozambique,Kenya,
Tanzania,Ghana,Zambia,Bom Bom,island,Kruger,Timbavati,reserve,Kruger NationalPark,private,game,
lodge,Mpumalanga,sanctuary,beach,accommodation,tourist,Equator,Great Rift Valley,flamingo,
Lake Nakuru,Roger,Tory,Peterson,extinct,volcanoes,lunar,highlands,giant,mountain,ranges,Mount Kenya,
Aberdares,Mau,agricultural,coffee,tea,horticulture,floriculture,fruit,vegetables,flowers,smallholding,
mosaic,luxury,air-conditioned,minivan,big game,Big Five,big five,Big 5,game drive,4x4,qualified ranger,
fauna,flora,ranger,guide,spotlights,nocturnal,African,boma,stars,tailored,safari,elephant,lion,giraffe,zebra,
birds,en-suite,South African,Express,Airways,flight,transfer,airport,fly, fly-in safaris,
tickets,travel agent,African,Outposts,Crocodile,River,Limpopo,Zimbabwe,Mozambican,border,
International Peace Park,Transfrontier,Park,paradise,conservation,breeding,eco-zones,ecology,
courses,research,programmes,Skukuza,Letaba,diversity,Kingdom of Swaziland,Mkhaya Game Reserve,black,white,
rhino,environmental,education,tourism,eco-tourism,upliftment,preservation,Cradle of Mankind,
evolution,tour planning,itineraries,incentive,Sandton,training,spirituality,bush,ecology,
physical,environment,ecological,interrelationships,spoors,meditation,adventure,vineyards,rural,
sundowners,panorama,Blyde River,Canyon,Bourke's Luck,Potholes,God's Window,Shangaan,eagles,hawks,
vultures,rollers,sunbirds,cultural,sites,Zululand,Shaka,Dingaan,Ceteswayo,world,heritage,wetlands,
St Lucia,hippo,crocodile,leatherback,turtles,Durban,Zulu,beachfront hotel,Garden Route,Jeffreys Bay,
Storms River,bungi,jump,Cango Caves,ostrich,Mossel Bay,Walker Bay,Boland,Stellenbosch,
Franschhoek,wine,tasting,Victoria & Alfred Waterfront,Table Mountain,Peninsula,Cape Point,Boulders,
Penguin,colony,George,Oudtshoorn,Outenique Mountains,Grabouw,Sir Lowrey's Pass,International Airport,
Lydenburg,Drakensberg,mountains,Sabie,Graskop,Pilgram's Rest,Orpen Gate,Olifants River,wildebeest,zebra,impala,
buffalo,lion,cheetah,Malelane Gate,Jeppe's Reef,border post,Foresters Arms,Hotel,curios,Mbabane,Big Bend,uSutu River,
Lavumisa,Hluhluwe Game Reserve,Mkuze,Hilltop Camp,Damaraland,Kaokeveld,Namibia,desert,rhino,elephant,
Addo Elephant Park,Eastern,Hluhluwe,Umfulozi,KwaZulu Natal,Kgalagadi,Transfrontier,Park,
Kalahari Gemsbok,Richtersveld,Kalahari,Botswana,Etosha,Game Reserve,Namibia,tour,origin,mankind,
Sterkfontein,Caves,Makapansgat,Tulamela,excavation,Limpopo Valley,Klasies,predators,aardwolf,lions,
Pilanesberg,Karongwe,cheetah walking trail,cheetahs,cheetah,wild dog,hyena,Karongwe Ecological Research Institute,
reefs,offshore,islands,reef dives,potato bass,cage diving,dives,great white shark,Kwa Zulu Natal,
coastline,virgin,dolphins,whale sharks,Maputaland coast,Loggerhead,Leatherback,turtles,Sodwana Bay,Sodwana,
Bay,Coast Vidal,marine reserve,Ponta do Ouro,scuba,scuba dive,diving,locations,excellent fishing,
snorkelling,human,San,Bushmen,Kalahari desert,kalahari,desert,Kimberley,diamond,Big Hole,Kgalagadi,
Twee Rivieren,Nossob,Augrabies Falls,Orange River,Kuruman,Wonderwerk Cave,bushman paintings,
Moffat's Mission,Museum,Eye of Kuruman,camelthorn,Upington,Fish River Canyon,stone age,iron age,
Thulemela,archeological,treasure,chest,ruins,Masorini,Renosterkop,San cave paintings,
slave,trade,routes,Sabi Reserve,Harry Wolhuter,Jock of the Bushveld,Pafuri,Crook's Corner,
Zimbabwe,Sabi Sand,Timbavati,Manyeleti,Mala Mala,Kirkmans,Harrys,Singita,Djuma,Akeru,
Gomo Gomo,Edeni Lodge,train,Rovos Rail,train,Skukuza,Victoria Falls,Blue Train,Zambia
gardenroute,hikes,western cape,adventure,southafrica,travel,guide,photos,holiday,
experience,on foot,guided,wilderness,hikes,Garden Route Hiking Tours,The ultimate outdoor experience,
guided hikes,south africa,western cape,adventure,tour,trips,co.za,flowers,fynbos,indigence,forest,trees,outdoors,cape,
four,day tours,Old Post Office Tree,Dias Museum,Ostrich show farm,Cango Caves,Outeniqua Pass,
Tsitsikamma National Park,The Big Tree,Knysna Heads,Outeniqua Choe Tjoe Steam Train,flowers,fynbos,indigence,
forest,trees,travel,outdoors,sunshine,Dias Museum,Ostrich show farm,Cango Caves,Outeniqua Pass,Heads,
Steam Train,stellenbosch,paarl,worcester,wilderness,cape town,mossel,bay,mossel bay,george,
oudtshoorn,wilderness,great brak,sedgefield,knysna,plettenberg bay,tsitsikamma,storms river,port elizabeth,
western cape,western,province,garden,route,cape,eastern,eastern cape,province,sunshine,coast,boland,
South Africa,south,africa,SA,ZA,RSA,SOUTH,AFRICA,zuid afrika,südafrika,gerald crawford
Barrydale,Calitzdorp,De Rust,George,Heidelberg,Humansdorp,Jeffery's Bay,Knysna,Ladismith,Mossel Bay,
Oudtshoorn,Plettenberg Bay,Prince Albert,Riversdale,Sedgefield,Storms River,Uniondale,Wilderness
St Blaize,Guided Day Hiking Trail,Koumashoek,Circuit,Cradock,Pass,Brownhooded,Kingfisher,
Cape Dune Molerat,Jubilee Creek,Milkwood,Terblans,Elephant Walk,Kranshoek,Robberg,Keurpad,Stinkhoutkloof,
Captain Harioson's,Swellendam,Outeniqua,Swartberg,Harkerville,Tierkop,Perdekop,Doring River,
Boosmansbos,Groeneweide,Forest,Grootvadersbosch,Kristalkloof,Rooiwaterspruit,
Die Posroete,Oukraal,Attaquaskloof,Bay to Bay View,Guided Overnight Hiking Trail,Amatola Mountain,
oland Mountains,East London Coast, Beaufort West,Augrabies,Tsitsikamma,Langebaan,Leeu Gamka,Calitzdorp,
Ladismith,Genadendal,Grabouw,Kleinmond,Colesberg,Vosburg,Nieuwoudtville,Ceres,Robertson,Robertson,
Tulbagh,Worcester,Garies,Amatola,Limietberg,Strandloper,Overnight Hiking Trail,Springbok,
Klipspringer,Otter Trail,Postberg,Wild Flower,Hillandale,Die Posroete,Oukraal,Besemfontein,
Genadendal,Hottentots-Holland,Highlands,Eenboom,Nuwedam,Rameron Pigeon,Suurpootjie,Arangieskop,
Dassieshoek,Silwerfontein,Brandvlei-Quaggaskloof,Rooiberg
