Wikitravel - Changes related to "Garden Route" [en]

South Africa

2013-05-21T19:40:29Z

‎Do:

South Africa

2013-05-20T10:29:01Z

‎History:

South Africa

2013-05-17T18:32:59Z

‎Money:

Bloemfontein

2013-05-17T18:02:02Z

Don't move listings to place yours on top.

Cape Town

2013-05-17T17:58:08Z

‎By car:

Bloemfontein

2013-05-17T17:44:12Z

‎By Car:

Kimberley (South Africa)

2013-05-17T17:40:18Z

‎Get around:

Port Elizabeth

2013-05-17T17:38:01Z

‎By car:

Cape Town

2013-05-17T17:36:40Z

‎By car:

Durban

2013-05-17T17:34:51Z

‎By car:

Johannesburg

2013-05-17T17:31:55Z

‎Car rental:

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:40, 21 May 2013
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	* '''River Rafting:''' The Orange River on the border to Namibia is a popular destination for rafting tours. Several tour operators launch 4-6 day trips in blow-up boats from Vioolsdrif with camping under the stars.		* '''River Rafting:''' The Orange River on the border to Namibia is a popular destination for rafting tours. Several tour operators launch 4-6 day trips in blow-up boats from Vioolsdrif with camping under the stars.
		+	*<do name="GoVertical Mountaineering Adventures" alt="" address="" directions="" phone="+27(0)82 731 4696" url="http://www.govertical.co.za" hours="" price="" lat="" long="">Guided Drakensberg Trekking</do>

	==Buy==		==Buy==

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 The tip of [[Africa]] has been home to the Khoisan (''collective name for Hottentot (Koi) and Bushmen (San)'') people for thousands of years. Their rock art can still be found in many places throughout [[South Africa]]. It is estimated that Bantu tribes may have started to slowly expand into the northernmost areas of what is today [[Southern Africa]] at around 2,500 years ago and by around 500 AD the different cultural groups as we know them today had been established in the lush areas to the north and east of the what is today known as Eastern South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. The desert and semi-desert areas of the Western and Northern Cape provinces, as well as the western parts of the Eastern Cape province remained unsettled by the Bantu as the arid climate, limited seasonal rainfall, sparse vegetation and scarcity of natural sources of water could not sustain large migrations of people and herds of cattle, cattle being the primary livestock reared by the Bantu and fulfilling numerous cultural and economic functions within the tribal society (cattle served as a rudimentary currency and basic unit of exchange with a mutually agreeable value between bartering parties, thus fulfilling the function of money). The "Khoisan" existed in these areas as nomadic hunters, unable to permanently settle as the movement of desert game in search of dwindling water supplies during winter months determined their own migration. Not until the "Boers" (see next paragraph) moved into these areas and established boreholes and containment ponds could any permanent settlements be established in these areas. Today, with more reliable sources of water and modern methods of water conservancy the agricultural activity remains limited mainly to sheep and ostrich ranching as these animals are better suited to the sparse feed and limited water.
-The first permanent European settlement was built at Cape Town after the Dutch East India Company reached the Cape of Good Hope in April 1652. In the late 1700s, the ''Boers'' (''the settling farmers'') slowly started expanding first westward along the coastline and later upwards into the interior. By 1795, [[Britain]] first took control of the Cape, as a consequence of the Napoleonic wars on the Dutch, and in 1820, a large group of British settlers arrived in the region. In 1835, large numbers of ''Boers'' started out on the ''Groot Trek'' (the great migration) into the interior after becoming dissatisfied with the British rule. In the interior, they established their own internationally recognized republics.
+The first Europeans to reach South Africa were the Portuguese, who named the tipping end of the country "Cape of Good Hope" in 1488, when they managed to sail around it to reach India. But permanent European settlement was only built at Cape Town after the Dutch East India Company reached the Cape of Good Hope in April 1652. In the late 1700s, the ''Boers'' (''the settling farmers'') slowly started expanding first westward along the coastline and later upwards into the interior. By 1795, [[Britain]] first took control of the Cape, as a consequence of the Napoleonic wars on the Dutch, and in 1820, a large group of British settlers arrived in the region. In 1835, large numbers of ''Boers'' started out on the ''Groot Trek'' (the great migration) into the interior after becoming dissatisfied with the British rule. In the interior, they established their own internationally recognized republics.
 Two wars for control over the region were fought between the ''Boers'' and the British in 1880 and 1899.  The second war occurred after British settlers flooded into the area surrounding Johannesburg known as the "Witwatersrand" (white water escarpment) in response to the discovery of gold in 1886. The Second Boer War (Afrikaans: 'Die Tweede Vryheidsoorlog' or 'Second War of Independace') was particularly unpleasant, as the British administration contained the Boer civilian population in concentration camps resulting in one of the earliest recorded genocides. Boer farms, livestock, crops and homesteads were also largely destroyed.

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 Coins are in denominations of R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c. Production of 2c and 1c coins was suspended in April 2002, but those still in circulation remain legal tender. All transactions are rounded down to the nearest lower 5c, so as not to require the use of 2c and 1c coins.
-[http://www.xe.com/ict/table.cgi?currency=ZAR&historical=false&template=ict-en Conversion rates] vary wildly depending on politics. It's best to import or carry US$, € or GB£, as conversion between any of them and the Rand can be done at any bank without trouble. South Africa is part of the ''Southern African Common Monetary Area'' and the Rand can be used in Namibia (''where it is an official currency along with the Namibian Dollar'') as well as [[Lesotho]] and [[Swaziland]] (''where it is widely accepted, but not an official currency'')
+[http://www.xe.com/ict/table.cgi?currency=ZAR&historical=false&template=ict-en Conversion rates] vary wildly depending on politics. It's best to import or carry US$, € or GB£, as conversion between any of them and the Rand can be done at any bank without trouble. South Africa is part of the ''Southern African Common Monetary Area'' and the Rand can be used in Namibia (''where it is an official currency along with the Namibian Dollar'') as well as [[Lesotho]],[[Swaziland]] and [[Mozambique]] (''where it is widely accepted, but not an official currency'')
 '''Traveller's Cheques''' are a safe way of carrying money around. You can exchange them at all banks (which are found throughout the country even in rural areas) and you will get a refund if they are stolen. The disadvantage is that you cannot pay with them and you will need change when exchanging them into Rand. Use ATMs instead if possible.

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 ===By Car===
 As with most of [[South Africa]], it is best to hire a car.
-* <listing name="First Car Rental" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="Bloemfontein Airport" phone="+27 11 230 9999" email="reservations@cmh.co.za" url="http://www.firstcarrental.co.za" hours="" price="">Car rentals Bloemfontein.</listing>
+* <listing name="Avis" phone="+27 (0)51 433-2331" address="Bloemfontein Airport" hours="Open 6AM to 8PM weekdays, 8AM to 4PM on Saturdays" url="http://www.avis.co.za"></listing>
-* <listing name="Avis" alt="Car Hire" phone="+27 (0)51 433-2331" address="Bloemfontein Airport" hours="" url="http://www.avis.co.za">Car rentals Bloemfontein.</listing>
+* <listing name="Tempest Car Hire" phone="+27 (0)51 433-2146" address="Bloemfontein Airport" hours="Open 6:30AM to 6:30PM weekdays, 8AM to 2PM on Saturdays" url="http://www.tempestcarhire.co.za"></listing>
-* <listing name="Tempest Car Hire" alt="Car Hire"  phone="+27 (0)51 433-2146" address="Bloemfontein Airport" hours="" url="http://www.tempestcarhire.co.za">Car rentals Bloemfontein.</listing>
+* <listing name="Hertz" phone="+27 (0)51 400-2100" address="Bloemfontein Airport" url="http://www.hertz.co.za" hours="Open 6:30AM to 7:30PM weekdays, 7:30AM to 5PM on Saturdays" ></listing>
-* <listing name="Hertz" alt="Car Hire"  phone="+27 (0)51 400-2100" address="Bloemfontein Airport" url="http://www.hertz.co.za" hours="" >Car rentals Bloemfontein.</listing>
+* <listing name="First Car Rental" phone="+27 (0)51 430-0390" address="Bloemfontein Airport" url="http://www.firstcarrental.co.za/f-Book-a-car.aspx" hours="Open 7:00AM to 8:00PM weekdays, 8:00AM to 4PM on Saturdays" ></listing>
 ==See==

@@ Line 93: / Line 93: @@
 * <listing name="First Car Rental" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 11 230 9999" email="reservations@cmh.co.za" url="http://www.firstcarrental.co.za" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Cape Town.</listing>
-'''Drive South Africa'''[http://www.drivesouthafrica.co.za/car-hire/cape-town/]
+* <listing name="Drive South Africa" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 21 423 6957" email="" url="http://www.drivesouthafrica.co.za/car-hire/cape-town/" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Cape Town.</listing>
-Tel: 021 423 6957
-'''Reeds Car Rental'''[http://www.reedscarrental.co.za/]
+* <listing name="Reeds Car Rental" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 21 443 5250" email="" url="http://www.reedscarrental.co.za/" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Cape Town.</listing>
-Tel: 021 443 5250
-'''Wise Wheels'''[http://www.wisewheels.co.za/]
+* <listing name="Wise Wheels" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 21 551 9515" email="" url="http://www.wisewheels.co.za/" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Cape Town.</listing>
-Tel:021 551 9515
-'''Value Car Hire'''
+* <listing name="Value Car Hire" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 21 386 7699" email="" url="" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Cape Town.</listing>
-Tel: 021 386 7699
-−
-'''CapeXplore'''[http://www.findit.co.za/wpbdm-directory/car-hire-cape-town-capexplore/]
-Tel: 021 997 4544
 ===By bus===

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 17 May 2013
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	==Get around==		==Get around==
		+	===By car===
		+	'''Car Rental companies in Cape Town:'''
		+
		+	* <listing name="First Car Rental" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 11 230 9999" email="reservations@cmh.co.za" url="http://www.firstcarrental.co.za" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Kimberley.</listing>

	==See==		==See==

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:38, 17 May 2013
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	All the national car rental agencies have offices in the city.		All the national car rental agencies have offices in the city.

		+	* <listing name="First Car Rental" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 11 230 9999" email="reservations@cmh.co.za" url="http://www.firstcarrental.co.za" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Port Elizabeth.</listing>
	* <listing name="CABS Car hire" alt="" address="90A Hugh Road, Walmer" directions="" phone="+27 (0)21 386 5500" url="http://www.cabs.co.za/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="info@cabs.co.za" fax="+27 (0)21 385 1110"></listing>		* <listing name="CABS Car hire" alt="" address="90A Hugh Road, Walmer" directions="" phone="+27 (0)21 386 5500" url="http://www.cabs.co.za/" hours="" price="" lat="" long="" email="info@cabs.co.za" fax="+27 (0)21 385 1110"></listing>

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 17 May 2013
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	'''Car Rental companies in Cape Town:'''		'''Car Rental companies in Cape Town:'''
		+
		+	* <listing name="First Car Rental" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 11 230 9999" email="reservations@cmh.co.za" url="http://www.firstcarrental.co.za" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Cape Town.</listing>

	'''Drive South Africa'''[http://www.drivesouthafrica.co.za/car-hire/cape-town/]		'''Drive South Africa'''[http://www.drivesouthafrica.co.za/car-hire/cape-town/]

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:34, 17 May 2013
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	The best way to get around Durban is by car. Be sure to check that you have the latest updated street maps and/or GPS device as a number of street names have changed in recent months. It also helps to have a list of old and new names as some of the new names are vandalized.		The best way to get around Durban is by car. Be sure to check that you have the latest updated street maps and/or GPS device as a number of street names have changed in recent months. It also helps to have a list of old and new names as some of the new names are vandalized.

		+	* <listing name="First Car Rental" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 11 230 9999" email="reservations@cmh.co.za" url="http://www.firstcarrental.co.za" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Durban.</listing>
	* <listing name="Europcar Car Hire" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 32 436 9500" email="info@europcar.co.za" url="http://www.europcar.co.za" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Durban.</listing>		* <listing name="Europcar Car Hire" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="" phone="+27 32 436 9500" email="info@europcar.co.za" url="http://www.europcar.co.za" hours="" price="">Car rentals in Durban.</listing>

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 For getting money try to avoid the many banks and money changers on the left of the arrivals door: They display the exchange rates but don't indicate their excessive "commissions" that can reduce what you actually get by 10% or more - this is the case at all banks and bureaux de change in South Africa.  Better to use the ATM machines to withdraw cash (South African ATMs do not charge fees  for withdrawals). The ATM machines are located one floor higher up in the airport, in the retail mall where there are many shops and restaurants.
-*'''Lanseria Airport'''[http://www.lanseria.co.za], is Johannesburg's other airport that caters for passengers on commercial airlines. It is privately owned unlike O.R. Tambo which is run by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). Situated north west outside of Johannesburg, it is reachable from the Sandton, Pretoria, Westrand and Midrand regions, but can be traffic hell to get there. Fewer airlines fly to this airport and it is mostly used for regional, corporate and diplomatic passage. There are however regular flights from Lanseria on some of the budget airlines such as Mango and 1Time.
+*'''Lanseria Airport'''[http://www.lanseria.co.za], is Johannesburg's other airport that caters for passengers on commercial airlines. It is privately owned unlike O.R. Tambo which is run by the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA). Situated north west outside of Johannesburg, it is reachable from the Sandton, Pretoria, Westrand and Midrand regions, but can be traffic hell to get there. Fewer airlines fly to this airport and it is mostly used for regional, corporate and diplomatic passage. There are however regular flights from Lanseria on some of the budget airlines such as Mango.
-For South African travel and discounted fares you can search for : [[Discount airlines in Africa]] and [[Air travel in South Africa]] airlines like Mango, Kulula and 1 Time.
+For South African travel and discounted fares you can search for : [[Discount airlines in Africa]] and [[Air travel in South Africa]] airlines like Mango and Kulula.
 ===By train===
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 From the airport: Stay on the freeway between the airport and Sandton, and don't divert through the townships and Alexandra on London Road.  A GPS following the fastest route will usually divert around the townships, but it pays to know where you are going. (If you are coming from the airport and you are afraid of getting this wrong, carry on past Marlboro Drive with the N3 (which becomes the N1) until you reach Rivonia road.  Then turn left/south and this will take you straight into Sandton, bypassing any townships.)
 * <listing name="Pace Car Rental" alt="Car Hire" directions="" address="34 14th Street, Marlboro , Sandton" phone="083 236 7129 or 087 808 2542"
 email="info@pacecarrental.co.za" url="http://www.pacecarrental.co.za" hours="" price="">[http://www.pacecarrental.co.za/ Long Term Car Rental]in Johannesburg South Africa.</listing>