Although not South Africa, I thought that I must tell you about a wonderful way to experience Africa that will truly make your holiday one that you will never forget.

I have come across Uganda Lodge in the heart of Uganda where you can experience exactly how life in Africa really is and where you can give something back to these impoverished farmers.

Volunteering can be such a rewarding experience – take Camilla and Joanna, two Swedish university students who are doing a project for their studies.

Help them develop their guest house, by just staying for a night or two, or offer your services – you are assured of a warm, African welcome and grateful thanks. Explore the surrounding countryside, take a safari and discover this little known part of the world and all it has to offer.

Tailor Made South Africa Travel has had a wonderful testimonial back from some people who are still on their South Africa idyll!  They have been planning for this trip of a lifetime since August 2007.  They had booked to go to Victoria Falls, as well as Indigo Bay in Mozambique, and also taking in a safari in Sabi Sands Game Reserve, South Africa.

Here is what Kevin and Julie have to say of their tailor made South Africa travel:-

“A quick email as we have been out of email and mobile range. We are now at Indigo Bay on the last leg of our holiday and are having a brilliant time. Everything is great and especially the Exeter River Lodge which was an unbelievable experience, but everything so far as been brilliant.”

Here are some photos of their stay:-

The first four photos are of Exeter Lodge, Sabi Sands Game Reserve and the last photo is of Indigo Island, Bazaruto Island, Mozambique.  Just a little taster of the sort of vacation you can expect from Tailor Made South Africa Travel!

South Africa wine country is like no other! They have made an art form of displaying their wares to the market and taking a tour of the wine route is a definite MUST on your South Africa travel itinerary, even if you don’t like wine.

Why? Because there is something for everyone from amazing historical homesteads to patting a cheetah, breathtaking scenery to sampling olives. And these are just a few of the activities you can find out in the wonderful winelands of South Africa.

If you are particularly interested in wines, as I am, why not take a look at this blog, WineCountry? I have picked out this entry all about the Pinotage grape because like the author, I think the red pinotage is a greatly under rated wine, but then I am biased towards all things South African, especially their wines!

Can’t you just see yourself under those wide, blue, warm African skies chilled glass in hand soaking up the peace and tranquility? Go on I dare you – come and get your free personalised South Africa travel itinerary and add the wine route to your vacation plans …

South Africa travels with Castle Beer! It sums up their character. Just take a look at this ad and see what I mean. I agree with I Luv South Africa … about his country. See beyond the inadequacies of the government and go visit the people and the country. It truly is one of great beauty and warmth and deserves to have its time in the sun.

The Cradle of Humankind conjures up images of a load of old bones!  I know, I’ve had that feeling.  One rather wet January day 2 years ago I was very kindly taken north of Johannesburg, across the not-so dusty veld to Maropeng, the new visitor centre that had just opened at the Cradle of Humankind.

I was reminded of this visit by the excellent report in travel.iafrica, which takes you through the  Sterkfontein valley to the Caves where Dr Robert Broom un-earthed Mrs Ples.  This World Heritage site is well worth the visit to discover over three million years of human habitation.

Maropeng was facinating!  Definitely not a load of old bones.  Taking us through the years and bringing us bang up-to-date with green issues, it is thought provoking and insightful.  A great place to take children of all ages, young and old to press, pull, whirl and listen to the dusty old subject of where we all came from.

Weather seems to be high on every travellers list.  Cape Town weather is no exception and I wanted to point you in the direction of my lovely friends at South Africa Blog.  Here in the Costa Brava, Spain, Costa Brava weather today is our most looked at page, so it is no surprise that you all want to know what the temperature is and whether you need to pack that bikini!

At the moment it seems to be much like we have here, 18 degrees centigrade  and mostly sunny.  Get out the beach gear for the weekend!

Tailor Made South Africa Travel is now back online! Can you believe it but we have been three and a half months without internet connection here in the office. Moving to Spain was the easy bit and I must say that in all the dreams and actuality of the move, I never once imagined that we would have so many internet problems. Other problems, yes, especially language and communication with real people, but never once did I think we wouldn’t be able to access the internet.
Needless to say we will be breaking open a bottle of South African sparkling wine to celebrate our great good fortune. A bottle of Villiera Tradition from Stellenbosch has been sitting on the cellar stairs just waiting for a suitable opportunity to be consumed! I think it deserves to be tonight.
I feel like a small girl in a sweet shop – the excitement is almost too much. This blog is the first thing I’ve done since we have been connected, but I wanted everyone to know that I can now talk to the world again. I must say that it’s been isolating in the extreme and a great example of how much we depend upon modern technology to operate our lives. Not something I wish to experience again in a hurry. So, long live Telefonica (for the time being).

Read a fantastic story in the Cape Argus the other day. Real pioneering stuff! You can just imagine fighting your way through the undergrowth to reach … the wine?

Doing a wine tour is considered a very sophisticated thing. You are supposed to know what you are doing, but it’s rather like opera for the beginner. How do you get the experience so that you know you like this “thing” enough to continue learning about it and so that you don’t feel a complete idiot the first time out?

Wine is like an exploration – of you. Don’t get hung up on what everyone else thinks. Trust your own instincts and if you like the taste, drink it!

I would love to be on Vukile Pokwana’s tour of the Eastern Cape to discover Xhosa maidens lurking in the backwaters …