Hartbeespoort attractions & entertainment:

African Water Safari
Enjoy lunch while cruising across the dam in this floating restaurant.

Cheese Factory
Sample some local concoctions at this factory located in Skeerpoort.

Hans Kretschmer
Exclusive woodwork and handcrafted sword sticks.

Hartbeespoort Cableway
A magnificent view awaits those who take this cable car to the top of the Magaliesberg.

Hartbeespoort Snake & Animal Park
A rewarding close up encounter with nature.

South East Harbour Development
Consisting of two restaurants – Dockers and the open-air Fisherman’s Arms.

Tant’ Malie se Winkel
A local shop & restaurant, near the dam wall, offering everything dainty and artistic.

Magalies Park
An all-encompassing venue for outdoor activities, offering a restaurant, golf course, tennis courts, sauna and canoeing.

Chameleon Village
Curio Village and entertainment centre with various restaurants and shops. Venue for Live Entertainment.

Chameleon Village Reptile Park
Live reptile shows daily.

PHOTOS:

Bridge at Hartebeespoort Dam

Hartebeespoort Dam

Cradock has witnessed much of South Africa’s history.  The Great Trek originated here and from neighbouring districts; and the ostrich boom of the early 1900s graced farmers in the area with a prosperity only now resurging with the demand for fine leather and low-cholesterol meat. Cradock is probably best known for its natural sulphur spring, now the source of the town’s modern spa.

But there are other reasons visitors are attracted to Cradock. The original part of town is graced with some of the finest buildings, like the Dutch Reformed Church, a national monument and designed to look like London’s St Martin’s-in-the-field, and the Olive Shreiner House Museum, devoted to the authoresses life and works. Olive was said to write the novel ‘The Story of an African Farm’ whilst working as a governess on farms in the district, and much of her early life was spent in the town.

The town’s streets are lined with Ilex Oak Trees, particularly on Dundas Street, where they have been declared a national monument. The Old Water Mill, completely restored, is worth a visit; and the Great Fish River Museum is a must see when visiting this town.

Things to do & see:

• Olive Schreiner House

This was also the home of the famous South African authoress, and a fine example of Karoo architecture.

• Olive Schreiner Grave

A three to four hour hike to the summit of Buffelskop Mountain.  The grave of the authoress, her husband, baby & dog will be found here.

• Great Fish River Museum

A museum in the converted second Dutch Reformed parish.  Its theme is the settler lifestyle from the time of the second British occupation of the Cape in 1806.

• Ilex Oak Trees

The city is adorned with these distinctive trees, which, on Dundas Street, have been declared national Monument.

• Old Water Mill

An old yellowwood watermill, restored to its original glory.

• Egg Rock

A 10m high rock formation 8km out of town.

• Congregational Church

The Rev Robert Taylor for whom the church was built, is buried under the pulpit after renovations to the church meant the new pulpit was built directly over his tomb.

• Dutch Reformed Church

A national monument, designed in a style similar to London’s St Martin’s-in-the-Field church.

• Mountain Zebra National Park

A sanctuary for the rare Cape Mountain Zebra. The park also features the historical Doornhoek House Museum.

Pictures of Cradock:

Egg Rock

Dutch Reformed Church

Olive Schreiner House

Cradock

We were greeted with a warm, friendly & homely welcome by the owners of the farm, Bruce & Roelie Pretorius.  We couldn’t ask for better service, a warmer welcome or even friendlier assistance.  Blaauwbosch Trout Inn was the idyllic setting for a relaxing getaway from the city life.

We booked into Robin House (which was the original house of the farm) for the Easter weekend and were pleasantly surprised by the spacious rooms, big old veranda & homely atmosphere we encountered once we arrived.  It felt like HOME away from HOME.  The huge old farm house with its fireplace, sunny family room, idyllic setting and breathtaking view of the surrounding area and trout dam showed us the meaning of tranquillity, peace & majestic beauty.

Apart from the homely accommodation Blaauwbosch Trout Inn offers (Robin House, Drongo Chalet, Eagle Cabin & Woodpecker Cabin) one can entertain oneself by one of the following activities whilst staying at this farm:

• Hiking• Bird watching
• Bird watching
• Fly fishing (Bruce share his passion with beginners and experts and assist were he can)
• Swimming (solar heated pool)
• Reading (Robin House has a small library and there is a variety of book for ones use)
• Feeding the horses & horseback riding through nature
• Visiting the ruins on the farm (300 year old ruins scattered all over the farm – very interesting)
• Relaxing on the veranda whilst the men and children try their skills at fly fishing

A beautiful sight of nature at work could be seen early in the morning when the dew was still fresh on the grass – the spider webs were scattered all around the ridges of the trout dams.  Every morning the horses would come up to the fence waiting to be greeted with something to eat while the birds’ chirped their morning greetings in the surrounding trees.

The best time to catch a Rainbow trout we found was early morning and late afternoons.  It felt as though a sense of peace hugged us while we sat at the dam casting our line and waiting for a catch.   In the distance we watched as the sun rose over the hills and greeted us with its warm rays.  It was in these moments that we experienced that time stood still and we had the pleasure of enjoying a truly beautiful view in a beautiful part of our country.

We hiked, we relaxed, we caught some trout, we visited the ruins and fed the horses but most of all the quality time we as a family shared will carve beautiful & lasting memories in our hearts for years to come.

As our last morning approached and we realized it is time to pack & leave we all promised ourselves that this would not be the last time we would stay at this Heavenly place because here we experienced quality time with each other, we renewed our strength & fed our hearts and souls on beauty and tranquillity and here we found a place that would always make us feel as though we’ve come HOME!
PHOTOS OF BLAAUWBOSCH TROUT INN:

The Horses on Blaauwbosch Farm

Fly fishing at the dam at Robin House

Senic views of the farm

The village has become known as the “Jewel of the Free State” – rich in beauty, with an aura of peace and tranquillity.  Clarens is endowed with more trees than most other Free State towns. The village of Clarens is situated in the foothills of the Maluti Mountains and is also an Artists haven with many well known artists either living in or frequenting the village on a regular basis with many art galleries scattered around the village square.

Clarens is part of the scenic Highlands Route and is surrounded by mountainous splendour. The Rooiberge is the range encompassing the village, whilst further on towards the southeast, the mighty Maluti’s stand proud in shades of purple and blue. All around are the sandstone cliffs with their multi-coloured layers – this horizontal strata is a unique geological feature of the area, and is known as the Clarens formation. Many homes in the Clarens Valley are made from Clarens Sandstone.

Find tranquillity in Clarens, as the crisp air fills your lungs and the vast mountainous beauty fills your horizons. This is a place where the rush of the commercial world disappears.

The relaxed village atmosphere and the spectacular views and mild climate makes Clarens a popular weekend getaway with visitors from both Johannesburg and Durban, both of which are about 3 – 3½ hours drive away.

THINGS TO DO

Basotho Cultural Village:

A visit to the Basotho Cultural Village which nestles at the foot of huge sandstone mountains, will give you a deeper insight into the lifestyle of the South Sotho from the 16th century to the picturesque present. On arrival at the Cultural Village, a friendly receptionist will show you an introductory video which illustrates the building process of the museum. Demonstrations of the decorations of huts, making of basket ware, crushing of maize and traditional dances are shown.

Golden Gate National Park:

The Golden Gate National Park is nestled in the rolling foothills of the Maluti Mountains of the north-eastern Free State.  The park derives its name from the brilliant shades of gold cast by the sun on the park’s sandstone cliffs, especially the imposing Brandwag rock, keeping vigil over the main rest camp. This 11 600 hectares of unique environment is true highland habitat, providing home to a variety of mammals including black wildebeest, eland, blesbok, oribi, springbok and Burchell’s zebra – and birds, including the rare bearded vulture (lammergeier) and the equally rare bald ibis, which breed on the ledges in the sandstone cliffs. Ribbokkop, the highest point in the park, reveals a breathtaking tapestry of red, yellow and purple hues as its warm shades merge with the cool mountain shadows towards evening.

Sterkfontein Dam Reserve:

The rugged, steep krantzes silhouetted against the skyline, mountain slopes snugly covered with a grass blanket, deep lushly vegetated kloofs and a crystal-clear lake are facets of the beauty of the Sterkfontein Dam Reserve which covers 18000 Ha.   A two-day hiking trail has been established in the Sterkfontein Dam Reserve. Those wanting to relax and savour the great outdoor sensation and the beauty of the mountain will not be disappointed.

Titanic Rock: Overlooking the entrance to Clarens

Clarens Museum: At the information centre on the square

The Ash River Outfall: This is one of the Highlands water scheme’s view points on the Bethlehem road about 8km from Clarens

Mushroom Rock: On Clifton Farms about 3km on the Fouriesburg road

Surrender Hill: A historic Anglo Boer War site about 10km on the Fouriesburg road.

Clarens is not short of arts, crafts, traditional curios and blankets, art galleries, gift shops, pottery studios, a huge variety of handmade items, antiques and much more.  Spend a day walking around Clarens visiting all these shops:

• Walk around President Square and visit the many arts & crafts shops.  These shops include : Gift shop & gallery, pottery, leatherwork, cat rocks, candles, ethnic art & upholstery
• The Artist Amble takes you to various artists who have opened their galleries to the public.
  These galleries include :
  Weaver Nest Gallery – Clarens scenery in pastels and oils
  The Enslin Vorster Studio – Landscape art & pottery
  Rooikat Gallery – Handmade knives & pottery
• Visit The Barbet, for Authentic local craft, Art Gallery, coffee shop and weekend braai. Horse rides for the children.
• Visit our country store, The Post House
• Buy traditional blankets at Di Mezza & De Jager, on Sias Oosthuizen street
• Bibliophile a special little book shop (& CD’s)

Clarens is truly a place of beauty to behold.

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]]> http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/2011/05/12/clarens-%e2%80%93-the-jewel-of-the-eastern-freestate/feed/ 0 http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/2011/05/12/mystical-haenertsburg/ http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/2011/05/12/mystical-haenertsburg/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 09:39:27 +0000 admin http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/?p=255 THE LAND OF CHERRY BLOSSOMS

This is a region of mountain peaks, crystal clear waterfalls and silent lakes set amidst beautiful indigenous forests. Haenertsburg is known as the capital of the land of the Silver Mist.  The town was established in 1886 with the discovery of gold by Carl Ferdinand Haenert.

Haenertsburg is a village situated on the edge of the Great Escarpment in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, on the R71 road between Polokwane (formerly Pietersburg) and Tzaneen. Farming and tourism are the main economic activities on “The Mountain” as it is called by the locals as Haenertsburg is in mountainous terrain. The Iron Crown is a well-known landmark.  Frequent mists and relatively high rainfall have created lush vegetation with forest patches occupying the kloofs which dot the rolling grasslands and surrounding mountains.

Although Haenertsburg is a fairly small village, with only one main street, it offers the avid hiker, the urban escapee, and the nature lover a variety of activities and scenic views to enjoy while staying at one of the many accommodation facilities Haenertsburg has to offer.  The scenic beauty of the Haenertsburg area attracts many tourists. It is a favoured spot for cycling, biking and fishing.

The sight of Azealas flowering and the smell of cherry blossoms & apples fill the air when you enter the beautiful Haernertsburg during Spring Festival.  While the colours of the flowers and the smells of the cherries and apples greet your taste buds you can enjoy a Spring Festival fit for a king.  As you indulge in the sights and smell of the flowers and fruits you can purchase unique goods the craft market offers, participate in the carnival and dances and enjoy some of the best food the Festival has to offer.

Things to do:

Arboretum:
An international arboretum is cited in the Market Square and is home to over 400 species of trees.

Spring Fair:
Haenertsburg is also famous for the annual Spring Fair where various crafts and flower displays are exhibited. The Spring Fair takes place on 24 September up to 2 October of each year.

Holistic Fair:
July sees the advent of the Holistic Fair which displays the diverse creative talents of the Mountain folk.

Dap Naude Dam:
A scenic drive off the R71 takes the visitor to this tranquil spot.

Ebenezer Dam:
A magnificent setting with sparkling waters back dropped by the imposing Iron Crown Mountain, the highest peak in the Wolkberg. Sailing and other water sport take place on nearby Ebenezer Dam.

Hiking Trails:
Some of the country’s best-organised and most scenic trails through the Magoebaskloof and near the town. This includes SAFCOL Magoebaskloof Big 5, Louis Changuion, Lesodi, Cheerio Gardens and Wegraakbos Farms.

Trout Fishing:
The area offers the fly fishing enthusiast a vast selection of lodges with private waters and guided fishing trails.

Wegraakbosch Dairy:
During tours visitors can watch then taste cheese being made in the age old traditional Swiss manner.

War Memorial:
The War Memorial was erected in memory of local residents who died in the Makgoba War.

Kiwi Festival:
It has been said that the kiwi tastes like a succulent green sherbet. For 2 days in April (02-03 April) the beautiful area of Magoebaskloof, together with the quaint village of Haenertsburg, celebrates this fruit with an annual Kiwi festival.

Where to stay:

1. THE PENNEFATHER:

Relive the mining era of historical Haenertsburg.  The Pennefather Gold Mining Company Limited consists of two trading posts and six B&B /self-catering cottages.

‘The Pennefather’ takes you back to the period of rough miners and stage coach robbers more than a hundred years ago when Haenertsburg was founded because of the gold that was discovered here.

The complex is called The Pennefather Gold Mining Company Ltd. and the two Trading Posts:

Never Despair and
New Found Out.

All three are named after mining companies that mined gold here when Haenertsburg was founded in 1887.

The Cottages Are Named:

Karl Mauch,
Ferdinand Haenert,
Doel Zeederberg,
Rider Haggard,
Long Tom and
Prester John.
(Each name is applicable to the history of Haenertsburg).

2. Kuhestan Farm Cottages:

Touching indigenous Afro-montaine forests on the crest of the majestic Magoebaskloof pass and situated in the grounds of an organic avocado farm, rest the Kuhestan Farm Cottages.

3. Glenshiel Hotel:

Luxurious country living in the heart of the Magoebaskloof mountains. Glenshiel Hotel is situated on the Northern-most section of the mighty Drakensberg range, which also incorporates the Wolkberg and the Iron Crown mountain, that forms a spectacular backdrop for the boutique styled Hotel. In the bracing fresh air of this unspoilt landscape Glenshiel combines all the pleasures, luxuries and activities to relax both body and mind.

We at No rush Tours would like to make your visit & stay in Haenertsburg an unforgettable experience. Please feel free to contact us for more information or a custom made tour to the mystical region of Haenertsburg.

PENNEFATHER

HAENERTSBURG CEMETERY

WEGRAAKBOSCH DAIRY

CHERRY BLOSSOM TIME

No Rush Tours

South Africa

In Conjunction with

Of Louisiana

Has pleasure in offering the African Safari tour package to Southern Africa as you visit.

· The Victoria Falls by train to Zimbabwe or flying to Zambia

· The Kruger National Park

· Sun City and the Pilansberg Game reserve

· Kimberley and relive the sparkle of the diamond era in South Africa

· The Drakensburg Mountains

· The Cape Wine Farms and a visit to Robben Island

· Return to Johannesburg for a visit to some Historic sites before returning home

We will arrange & cost a tour to suit your group size, length of stay and your budget.

For more details visit:

www.norushtours.co.za

http://thetravelinpelican.com/index.html

& contact: Giselle@whisperpoetry.com

stan@whisperpoetry.com

marcies04@bellsouth.net

]]> http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/2011/03/10/african-safari/feed/ 0 http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/2011/03/07/kimberley-%e2%80%93-the-city-that-sparkles/ http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/2011/03/07/kimberley-%e2%80%93-the-city-that-sparkles/#comments Mon, 07 Mar 2011 11:22:10 +0000 admin http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/?p=167 Kimberley is a prospecting city famous for its quality diamonds, the largest man-made excavation in the world and impressive variety of tourist attractions

It is the capital city of the Northern Cape and surrounded by five of South Africa’s big rivers, two of them being the Orange and Vaal Rivers.

Kimberley has an average of 9.4 hours of sunshine per day throughout the year and receive an annual rainfall of about 450 mm. Kimberley is situated almost in the centre of South Africa between Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Surrounding Kimberley are many memorials and sites of some important battles of the Anglo-Boer war, most notably the Siege of Kimberley in 1899 with the famous “Long Cecil” on display, and the battlefield site of Magersfontein where Boer General used trench warfare for the first time.

The city boasts other firsts like the first city in the Southern Hemisphere to install electric street lighting and the first city in South Africa to switch to an automatic exchange, and it housed the country’s first Stock Exchange.

Kimberley’s tram service operates daily between 09:00 and 16:15 carrying visitors between the City Hall and the Big Hole and Kimberly Mine Museum. En route visitors are treated to some of the city’s historical and noteworthy sites, while the tram also stops outside the Star of the West, the oldest pub in Kimberley.

Although it’s a provincial capital and the historic centre of production of one of the world’s most valuable materials, KIMBERLEY itself is neither large nor glamorous. During the diamond rush, it was the fastest-growing city in the southern hemisphere and Cecil Rhodes held in his grip not only the fabulously wealthy diamond industry, but the heart and mind of the British Empire – yet status and sophistication have been draining from Kimberley ever since.

However, Kimberley’s legacy gives it an historic flavour few other cities in South Africa can match. It’s worth spending a few hours seeking out some of the many old buildings, not forgetting to peer into the depths of the Big Hole, the remarkable, hand-dug chasm taking up almost as much land area as the city’s central business district (CBD).

Places of interest

Museums and Historic Places – a trendsetter in many ways, various memorials and national monuments in Kimberley remind us of historic firsts.

Art Gallery in the Kimberley Mine Museum, it contains a set of De Beers-commissioned watercolours depicting Victorian life in Kimberley

Belgravia – The oldest, exclusively residential suburb features architecture from 1873 to today.

Cathedral Church of St Cyprian – has the longest nave in the country.
Dunluce – and elegant home built in 1897 for Gustav Bonas and John Orr’s family home from 1902 to 1975.

Market Square – Kimberley was developed around this square, formerly the main trading area for the dry diggings.

Rhodes’s Statue – Kimberley citizens knew him, astride his horse, a map of Africa on his lap.

Square Hill Memorial – Built to honour those of the Cape Crops, who lost their lives in the Battle of Square Hill, Palestine during the First World War.

Star of the West – formerly a hotel and today South Africa’s oldest continuously operating bar, it houses CJ Rhodes’s custom-made barstool.

Synagogue – a building in Byzantine Style.

THE HALFWAY HOUSE INN – Situated half way between Kimberley city centre and Beaconsfield, “The Half” was, and still is, a drive-in pub (believed to be the only one remaining in the world). Legend has it that the original “driver” was Cecil Rhodes on his horse, en route between his mining interests in Kimberley and Beaconsfield. Another legend has it that when instructed by the municipality to erect a 6ft [2m] wall around the front of the premises, the then owners of “The Half” dug a 6ft deep trench and erected the wall in the bottom of that. (Apparently these both fall into the category of “urban legends” – but they make good yarns to tell visitors!)

Halfway House Inn

Star of the West

The Big Hole

Diggers Memorial

City Hall

Steam Locomotives

]]> http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/2011/03/07/kimberley-%e2%80%93-the-city-that-sparkles/feed/ 0 http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/2010/11/02/157/ http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/2010/11/02/157/#comments Tue, 02 Nov 2010 06:49:49 +0000 admin http://www.norushtourssa.co.za/?p=157 Kaapsche Hoop, also known as Kaapsehoop or Kaapse Hoop, dates from the famous gold rush of the late 1880’s where fortunes were made and more often, lost.
The land with legends of gold and horses has an exciting history which dates back to 1721.  In 1882 Bernard Chomse claimed to have found gold in the bed of a stream on a high, narrow plateau which projects like a finger between the valleys of the Elands and the Little Crocodile Rivers.  Situated in the hills above Ngodwana 32km from Nelspruit this picturesque village also do have a charming country atmosphere.
The diggers called the strange place Duiwelskantoor “devils office”.  The mountains are so rugged that only the devil could live here.The valley is often covered in mist and the plateau then resembles a cape in a sea of clouds.  It became known as De Kaap “the cape”, and the centre of the gold rush was named Kaapschehoop “hope of the cape”.

Today this village offers the environmentally conscious tourist a number of options and has a lingering atmosphere of the gold-rush days, and prospectors still work in the area.

The historic mining village of Kaapsehoop is situated about 25 kilometers from the town of Nelspruit in the South African province of Mpumalanga. The Kaapsehoop area offers exceptionally beautiful landscapes, complete with gushing waterfalls, indigenous forests and rugged hillsides. A large area of the grasslands of Kaapsehoop has been designated as a protected National Heritage Site and is a haven for endemic birds including breeding pairs of the endangered Blue Swallow.  It is within this paradise-like setting that the legendary wild horses of Kaapsehoop roam freely.
There are numerous eco-friendly tours available which give visitors the opportunity to see the natural beauty of Kaapsehoop on horseback, in much the same way that pioneering miners did in the past. Experienced guides lead the horseback tours along the magnificent Drakensberg escarpment, which offers a breath-taking view over the Barberton valley. Riders will also be given the opportunity to experience the excitement of galloping alongside the Kaapsehoop wild horses. Tours include a visit to the old mines and swimming in the cool, clear water of pools below the waterfalls.
South Africa is truly a country of great natural beauty and diversity.  Visitors to the Kaapsehoop area in Mpumalanga should not hesitate to explore its beauty on horseback and enjoy the exhilaration of riding alongside the Kaapsehoop wild horses

Festivals, festivals, festivals…………… that is what we have to offer you all year round. South Africa has a celebration for every event, art form, food, place and agricultural commodity. From February to November South Africa offers our visitors a wide selection of festivals. Here are some of Africa’s best excuses for a party:

FEBRUARY

Prickly Pear Festival – Uitenhage, Nelson Mandela Bay, Eastern Cape The Prickly Pear Festival held in late February or early March at Cuyler Hofstede farm. It’s a day of traditional food such as ginger beer, pancakes, potjiekos, home-made jam, a spit braai and fish braai, bunny chow and home-made pudding.

MARCH

Splashy Fen – Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal Every year the Splashy Fen music festival attracts thousands of people to a farm near Underberg, for a feast of mainstream and alternative rock and pop. The site is fully equipped and there are also some interesting market stalls. There are great bed-and-breakfasts in nearby towns for those who believe music festivals can be enjoyed without mud.

Lambert’s Bay Crayfish Festival – Lambert Bay, Western Cape An annual event held on the 2nd week in March on the West Coast. Here you will be able to feast on fresh crayfish and get festive at the rock concerts by some of South Africa’s favorite musicians. There’s also bungee jumping, aerial displays, a half-marathon, beer tents and more.

Tonteldoos peach Festival – Village of Tonteldoos near Dullstroom, Mpumalanga This event happens in late March or early April in the village of Tonteldoos. It offers peaches and pretty much everything that can be made from the fruit, including peach mampoer.

Sasol Scifest – Grahamstown, Eastern Cape SciFest Africa is held in late March. Over 7 days it features some 600 events: lectures, game drives, a laser show, workshops, robotics competitions, science Olympics, school quizzes, interactive exhibitions, the PlayFair, field trips, talk shops and a film festival. Attendance now exceeds 35 000.

APRIL

Klein Karoo National Art Festival – Oudtshoorn, Western Cape The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees features well-known and young up-and-coming artists in dance and theatre. Started as an Afrikaans alternative to the mainly English National Arts Festival, KKNK has 200 different shows on three different stages.

Splashy Fen – Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal Every year the Splashy Fen music festival attracts thousands of people to a farm near Underberg, for a feast of mainstream and alternative rock and pop. The site is fully equipped and there are also some interesting market stalls. There are great bed-and-breakfasts in nearby towns for those who believe music festivals can be enjoyed without mud.

Tulbagh Goes Dutch & Cheese Festival – Tulbagh, Western Cape Tulbagh Tourism describes its two-day Dutch Festival as “a Gezellig Feestje for the whole family”. In April the town’s Church Street with its beautiful Cape Dutch architecture hosts cultural activities; appetising spijs en drank temptations and authentic treasures. It includes a traditional Dutch beer garden and a tulip exhibition at the Volksmuseum. Strut down Church Street bustling with Dutch delicacies ranging from krakelingen to chunky chocolades, haringbroodjes to creamy cheese from Holland.

Prince Albert Town and Olive Festival - Prince Albert, Western Cape Held in the Swartberg region of the Western Cape in April, this festival offers a whole lot more than just the region’s famous olives and wine. There’s an art exhibition, beer tents, live music, crafts for kids, historic tours, a cycle race, an olive pip-spitting competition, culinary demonstrations, a midnight ghost walk, stalls, cabaret, a dance and more.

MAY

Riebeek Kasteel Olive Festival – Riebeek Kasteel, Western Cape The Riebeek Kasteel Olive Festival takes place in the Swartland area of the Western Cape in May. A feast of wine and the best olives in SA, the festival also has an art competition, live entertainment, stalls and lots of food.

JUNE

National Arts Festival – Grahamstown, Eastern Cape The National Arts Festival, held in late June or early July every year, is South Africa’s oldest, biggest and best-known arts festival. The 10-day event offers culture hounds every indulgence of theatre, music, song, dance, film and a whole lot more. If there’s one South African festival you have to attend, this is it.

JULY

Knysna Oyster Festival – Knysna, Western Cape The coastal town of Knysna is famous for its oysters, and increasingly famous for the July festival that celebrates them. In addition to oyster braais, oyster tasting, oyster-eating competitions and other molecular activities, there’s live entertainment and lots of sporting events.

Ellisras Bushveld Festival – Ellisras, Limpopo This Festival takes place in early July in the heart of the bushveld. The festival includes cattle shows, a game auction, horse jumping, dog shows, agricultural activities, a three-day battle for the best 4×4 competition, hunting opportunities, bird- and tree-identification competitions, traditional food, a beer tent and huge camp fires.

AUGUST

Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival – Northam, North West Held on the bushveld farm of Oppikoppi, this festival offers three permanent thatched stages, a smaller comedy stage and a stage for more chilled music at the top of the koppie. Oppikoppi has helped establish many South African musicians’ careers, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. This is real bushveld: hot and dry, and everywhere red dust and thorn trees.

Cellar Rats Wine Festival – Magaliesberg, Gauteng Taste South Africa’s best wines in a tranquil outdoor setting in Magaliesberg. Held every year in August, the Cellar Rats Wine Festival is a day of wine tasting, with picnic baskets for sale and many activities for the kids. Enjoy huge shady trees, lush green grass and an abundance of birdlife on the banks of the picturesque Magalies River.

SEPTEMBER

Arts Alive – Johannesburg, Gauteng Arts Alive, held every September since 1992, features a heady mix of dance, visual art, poetry and music at venues in Johannesburg. The main concert, held at the Johannesburg Stadium, headlines international superstars such as 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes. Over 600 artists perform during the four-day festival, with most shows at various venues in Newtown.

Aardklop Arts Festival – Potchefstroom, Free State This Festival offers a feast of arts and an all-round good jol for five days. First held in 1998, Aardklop has over 90 productions, with classical music, jazz, hard rock, cabaret, visual arts, theatre, opera, poetry and more.

Hermanus Whale Festival – Hermanus, Western Cape Every year, southern right whales travel thousands of miles to the Cape south coast to mate and calve in the bays. Join the villagers of Hermanus for an entertainment-packed festival, in the town with the best land-based whale watching in the world.

Gariep Kunstefees – Kimberley, Northern Cape Now in its sixth year, the Gariep Kunstefees (arts festival) has an impressive line-up of local musicians, a film festival showcasing South Africa’s new film-makers, as well as art exhibitions and children’s theatre.

Knysna Gastronomica – Knysna, Western Cape A new addition to South Africa’s festival circuit, the Knysna Gastronomica is a celebration of good food, wine and culture in the coastal town of Knysna.

White Mountain Festival – Estcourt, KwaZulu-Natal The White Mountain Folk Festival in the Central Drakensberg mountain range offers great music in an awesome setting for three days in September. Featuring acoustic performances by some of the South Africa’s top folk musicians, the festival is held at White Mountain Lodge in the foothills of the Giant’s Castle Nature Reserve.

OCTOBER

Herman Charles Bosman Weekend – Groot Marico, North West Herman Charles Bosman was one of South Africa’s greatest writers, and this weekend festival celebrates his work in dry town of Groot Marico, the setting for many of his stories. Some of South Africa’s top actors read from and perform Bosman’s work; there’s also good food, good company – and lots of mampoer.

Rocking the Daisies Music and Lifestyle Festival – Cloof Wine Estate, Darling, Cape West Coast The Rocking the Daisies Music and Lifestyle Festival features top South African bands performing a wide variety of music, as well as comedy, burlesque dancing, acoustic jams, and giant African puppeteering. The Food Village looks after the stomach and the Traders Market offers exciting goodies.

NOVEMBER

Ficksburg Cherry Festival – Ficksburg, Free State One of the oldest festivals in South Africa – first held in 1969 – the Ficksburg Cherry Festival now attracts around 20 000 visitors to this small eastern Free State town every November. The scenery is magnificent, and the festival offers cherry and asparagus tastings, tours, picnics, music, and the Miss Cherry Blossom and Miss Cherry Pip competitions.