Cape Town Bicycle Map Launched

The first ever Cape Town Bicycle Map, which details safer urban cycling routes, bicycle parking, painted and segregated bicycle lanes and other urban cycling information, has been released.

This first edition covers the central city, the West Coast to Milnerton route, the southern suburbs and south peninsula. The soon-to-be-released Winelands Map will include the Durbanville area as well as the Winelands.

The print map is complemented by the blog, ‘rideyourcity.wordpress.com’, which gives updated route information as well as details of bicycle-friendly venues, bicycle parking, new policy issues and infrastructure.

Individual copies of the A1 full-colour maps cost R40 each; orders of 10 copies or more cost R30 each. Maps are also available, free, from the Cape Town bicycle map advertisers, whose details can be found at http://www.capetownbicyclemap.co.za/.

Mauritius School Holiday Family Special

Take advantage of this Mauritius Family Holiday special for the March/April school holidays. Choose from the luxury resorts of La Plantation Resort & Spa, Ambre Resort & Spa or Indian Resort & Spa.

One child stays & eats free in a standard room. Two kids stay & eat free in family room, only paying for flights and transfer.

For more information and bookings email info@findingafrica.com or contact us on + 27 (0)21 685 6460.

Terms and conditions apply.

Moon phases for Cape Town 2011

Due to much interest from the Lion’s Head Full Moon Hike post yesterday, above are the moon phases for Cape Town in 2011. You can also view the information here. Don’t forget to bring torches for the way down. Enjoy the hike and see you at the top!

View from Lion's Head on a Full Moon Hike

Lion's Head is a mountain located in Cape Town, between Table Mountain and Signal Hill. Known for spectacular views over the city, an hour-long walk to the top is particularly popular during full moon.

Click here for a spectacular 360 degree view of a moonlit sky on top of Lion’s Head, don’t forget to drag your mouse up and down and side to side.

50% off Luxury Five Star Mauritius Holiday

The Four Seasons Mauritius is offering an incredible special of R 15 215 per person for a 7 night luxury resort holiday, including airfare. For further information, email info@findingafrica.com.

Rehabilitated penguins take to the seas

Almost 90 penguin chicks have been released after being rescued and rehabilitated at the Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Centre in Cape St Francis.

The Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Project is an organisation dedicated to help oiled, sick and dehydrated or injured African penguins. It rescues and rehabilitates vulnerable and injured penguins and other marine animals and educates people about the effects that factors such as pollution have on the environment.

“The subsequent release of almost 90 chicks two weeks ago was surely an incredible feat. Most of the chicks were rescued off the island making it their first encounter with the ocean after being taught to swim at the Penguin Centre’s swimming pool,” said the organisation in a statement.

The project relies solely on contributions from benefactors who effectively “sponsor” each animal’s rehabilitation. One of the patrons of this caring organisation is the Cape St Francis Resort, parents to two of the penguins who were recently released. These two chicks had a special place in the hearts of the staff at the Cape St Francis Resort and were dubbed Elvis and Priscilla. For more information about the Eastern Cape Penguin Rehabilitation Project, visit http://www.penguin-rescue.org.za/

SAA fly’s direct to New York

South African Airways (SAA) is revamping its schedule with new direct services to New York and more seats on routes into Africa.

"Effective 01 May 2011, we will offer our customers the convenience of flying non-stop between Johannesburg and New York. Our non-stop flights to New York will allow a full day in Johannesburg with an early morning arrival in New York.

"Further, the reduced travel time result in fast and efficient connections to several key US destinations such as Boston, Chicago, Florida, California, as well as Canada and the Caribbean," says Theunis Potgieter, SAA’s General Manager: Commercial.

The non-stop flight from Johannesburg to New York (SA203) will depart OR Tambo International Airport daily at 20h35 arriving John F. Kennedy International Airport at 6h40, whilst the non-stop flights from New York (SA204) will depart daily at 11h15 arriving in OR Tambo International Airport at 8h40.

Due to increased demand for services in Africa, SAA will also introduce the wide-body Airbus 340 on flights to Kenya and Namibia. From the end of March, the airline will also introduce wide-body services between Johannesburg and Windhoek on 7 of its 20 weekly services.

Full the full article on iafrica.com, click here.

Seriously Beautiful Cape Town

This clip offers a different perspective of Cape Towns unique beauty, using short time lapse photography. Table Mountain and its swirling clouds take center stage in a day in the life of Cape Town’s City Bowl.

The sounds track is rather dramatic, but its still works well in setting the scene. We look forward to the full length feature later this year.

The prelude film was put together by Silver Bullet production.

Cape Winelands Hotel tops TripAdvisor

The Steenberg Hotel in Cape Town’s Constantia Valley was named the Best Luxury Hotel in Africa by http://www.tripadvisor.com/, in its 2011 Travelers’ Choice awards.

Praised for its ‘excellent service and perfect mixture of old world charm and modern amenities’, Steenberg topped the list as voted by real travellers from across the globe, many of whom have stayed at the hotel, and experienced its service and amenities.

South African hotels also proudly claimed 2nd and 3rd place in the same category, with Four Rosmead in Cape Town and Hunter’s Country House in Harkerville taking the honours respectively.

This is the ninth year that the “Travelers’ Choice Awards” has been conducted, with catagories such as best bargain hotels to best luxury hotels.

The Bamboo Guest House - Hermanus

This weeks accommodation feature is the recently opened Bamboo Guest House, located in the seaside town of Hermanus, one of the top land based whale-watching destinations in the world.

The Guest house is perfectly situated, close to the town centre, beaches, the 27 hole golf course and a stones through form the beautiful cliff paths. This also makes it the perfect base to go shark cage diving at Gaansbaai, an hours drive away.

The entire guest house has been furnished in hand crafted Bamboo furniture which has been custom designed and purpose made by Bamboo Living. Floors are Bamboo and towels are 50% Bamboo/Cotton mixed fibre.
A beautifully landscaped garden and pool area with a custom built bar will reward you with hours of entertainment and relaxation in the Overberg sun.

All rooms at The Bamboo Guest House are spacious with either sea or mountain views. Each en-suite room is furnished with hand crafted Bamboo furniture and equipped with flatscreen LCD televisions, bar fridges, hospitality trays and executive desks. Bathrooms are spacious with luxuriously appointed showers and baths.

The Bamboo Guest House offers great value for money, with affordable rates of between R 450 and R 550 per person per nigh sharing.

For bookings and more information.

Adventure Hikes in the Cape Peninsula

Adventure Hikes in the Cape Peninsula has been written for the adventurous hiker or mountaineer, from keen beginners to rock climbers wanting a day off from their ropes and 'friends'. Whatever your background, following a route description is an adventure.

Here are more than 30 tried and tested hikes, with detailed descriptions illustrated with more than 450 colour pictures to help you find you way. The routes are classified into three sections: easy, moderate and difficult. The guide includes additional information about the flora and history, as well as and safety and conservation tips.

Adventure Hikes in the Cape Peninsula is the ideal guide to carry in a rucksack, whether a beginner, moderately fit or experienced hiker, or just curious.

This is Karen Watkins second book; the first was Adventure Walks & Scrambles in the Cape Peninsula, published by Double Storey in September 2003. She has been leading day hikes and trails, including to wilderness areas for people of all ages, for more than 18 years. She is involved with many hiking organisations and has been a volunteer for the Table Mountain National Park for ten years.

At present the book is available at R130 (pre book launch price) from the author at karen.watkins@inl.co.za or call 076 543 7266. It will also be available at R150 at independent bookshops such as The Book Lounge in Roeland Street, Bay Bookshop in Hout Bay, Book Shoppe in the Pick 'n Pay Centre in Tokai, Folio Books in Main Road Rondebosch, Kalk Bay Bookshop, Kirstenbosch book shops and others.

Dewani arrested in Britain

British millionaire Shrien Dewani was arrested in London on Tuesday night for suspected involvement in his wife Anni's murder, the BBC reported on Wednesday.

He was arrested at 11pm London time at the request of South African authorities on suspicion of conspiring to kill her, Scotland Yard told the broadcaster.

Speaking to reporters on the court steps afterwards, an emotional Vinod Hindocha, Anni's father, expressed his gratitude to South Africans.

"I'd like to say thank you to the South African people for their support and thank you for the whole world for the condolence messages to our family," said Hindocha, who had flown out from Sweden for the hearing.

"And I hope... no, I have nothing more to say. Thank you all. Thank you."