Sherman's Travel

The Luxury Extraordinary Journeys’ seven-night Bright Lights and Desert Luxury package begins in Cape Town, where you’ll board a plane to Tswalu Kalahari, the largest private game reserve in South Africa. There you’ll spend four nights exploring by Land Rover, horseback, or on foot to view wildlife like cheetah, black-maned Kalahari lions, and antelopes, before bedding down in one of eight luxury suites at the foot of the Korannaberg mountains. Then, return to Cape Town for three nights at Kensington Palace, an all-suite hotel with a hip bar and pool overlooking Table Mountain.

The Value The $4,200 per person price tag for this trip essentially amounts to three free nights. Plus, it’s a $1,050 savings off the regular package price. Available for travel from November 1 through December 15.

The Catch Flights to Cape Town, which average about $1,200 from New York City in November, are not included.

The Details 212-246-7650 (mention the Bright Lights and Desert Luxury package); www.ejafrica.com

For general trip-planning information, see our South Africa Travel Guide.

If the World Cup (and its accompanying vuvuzelas) didn’t inspire you to jet to South Africa last year, we have another tempting offer: Take a 10-night trip to South Africa’s wine country – for free.

We’ve partnered with Snooth.com – a vino-centric site that lets oenophiles contact winemakers, peruse some 2 million vintage reviews, and track down local wine retailers – to give away a 10-night vacation to South Africa. The winner scores two round-trip tickets on South African Airways, 10 nights’ lodging at one of four winery estates, and up to 14 private, VIP wine tastings and tours.

Entering is as painless as pouring a glass of Cabernet: Click here, and register before June 30, 2011. The winner will be notified around July 11, 2011.

Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, packages, and more travel deals.

A diverse country, both in terms of its people and its attractions, South Africa has always been a first-rate vacation destination. Yet, stuck somewhere between a developed and developing nation, it has often been over looked by travelers. Now, with the country making moves to become a member of the global economy and its current stint in the limelight, thanks to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we foresee it transforming into one serious vacation hot spot.
 
In preparation for hosting the World Cup, the South African government put millions of dollars into preparing its host cities for the expected hundreds of thousands of visitors. While financially, these renovations may leave the country in debt once the competition ends, the improvements will make the lives of tourists (and residents) easier for years to come. Now, it will be even easier and safer to experience South Africa’s beautiful landscapes, exciting safaris, serene beaches, and unique cultures – in style.  Read more

The excitement in South Africa surrounding the 19th Soccer World Cup is intense. Having left Cape Town just before the beginning of the competition, after a five-month stay, I can attest to the adrenaline that’s pumping into the country. The tournament is well on the way now, teams have been eliminated and teams have made surprisingly glorious feats (go USA!), but what it seems we’ve heard most about is the overuse of vuvuzelas (plastic trumpet-like horns) – the culprits behind the constant buzzing noise heard during every single soccer match. Players, coaches, and broadcast networks alike have called for a ban of the noise-makers saying that the amplified humming is distracting and annoying. FIFA, however, has refused the ban, as the instrument is a part of the South African soccer culture and has become a symbol of the 2010 competition.  Read more

As part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Johannesburg hosted the opening ceremony and will be the site of several key matches. The energetic city is also home to a burgeoning art scene that’s evolved leaps and bounds since the end of apartheid. At its axis is David Krut (pictured), founder of David Krut Publishing and Arts Resource, which essentially acts as a circuit board connecting the country’s artists, both emerging and established. For those traveling to Joburg this summer, Krut, who also owns a South Africa-centric gallery in New York City, shared a few of his favorite spots in and around the leafy Parkwood arts district where he’s based.

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All eyes are set to turn towards South Africa this summer, a dazzling destination where the first-ever FIFA World Cup on the African continent will be held from June 11 to July 11. Some 400,00 visitors are expected to storm South Africa for this major sporting event. In response, South African Airways (SAA) – South Africa’s national carrier – has set up a special division for the planning and handling of the tournament. For one, SAA is bolstering their domestic service within South Africa with an enhanced schedule that will span 24 hours daily. This will enable visitors to fly between match cities in one day, even after evening games. In North America, SAA is working closely with four MATCH-approved (the official hospitality provider for FIFA) tour operators that are offering game tickets with packages: Sportsmark, Great Atlantic Travel, Cartan Tours, and Destination Southern Africa.

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As everyone’s eyes turn toward South Africa and the upcoming World Cup, prices are about to skyrocket and crowds soon to descend to the tip of the African continent. With the terrific deal we found, you can soak up some of the excitement before the hordes arrive, in high style. Cape Grace, a premier luxury hotel right at the heart of Cape Town’s bustling Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, is offering a stellar pre-World Cup package. This special, seemingly expensive at $3,200, is in fact really well-priced, considering the iconic Cape Town experiences and exclusive perks that it includes. The package covers three nights in one of the luxury rooms at Cape Grace; a harbor cruise on Cape Grace’s own luxury yacht, Spirit of the Cape; a beach picnic on trendy Camps Bay Beach; a cable car up and rappel/hike down Table Mountain; a tour of local Constantia wineries in motorcycle sidecar; and a helicopter flip over Table Mountain. Apropos of the property: Winner of many awards, Cape Grace is a top Cape Town retreat, known for its outstanding service, the classic chic of its recently refashioned guestrooms and suites, and its top-notch facilities. Value-added elements include complimentary in-room Wi-Fi and chauffer transfers in a luxury BMW within a 12-mile radius of the hotel. The package is valid from April 1 till June 1, 2010. 

See our Cape Town Travel Guide for more trip planning information.

While rumors are whirling that Cape Town hotels are booked solid for the World Cup, we’ve received word that Cape Town’s Radisson Blu Waterfront, a chic Beach Road resort with award-winning seaside bar, has available rooms in June and July – that’s prime game time.

The World Cup, the world’s biggest sporting event after the Olympic Games takes place this June 11 through July 11 (91 days away and counting); it’s also the first time an African country will host the soccer tournament. The Radisson Blu Waterfront is situated only about a mile from Greenpoint Stadium, one of two semi-final venues. All rooms have a nautical theme and sea or Table Mountain views. There’s a small infinity-edge, ocean-side pool, and Tobago’s, the hotel’s restaurant and bar, has a great, big terrace which has made it a hotspot for locals and tourists alike.

Granted, rates during this period have gone through the roof. Nightly rates at the Radisson Blu go for, ahem, $835/night (up from the usual $350/night) but inflated prices span across South Africa. At least here you get stunning views and free Wi-Fi and Nespresso machines . . . if that helps you rationalize it. South African Airways also still has availability on its direct flights from New York and Washington D.C.

For more info, see our Cape Town travel guide.

Rarely impressed by the airline industry’s food and beverage service, I was recently won over by South African Airways (SAA) in-flight wine selection. En route to Johannesburg I swirled a white that was just too good to be served on a plane–until I learned the history of how it got there. Each year SAA spends two-and-a-half-days hosting an event with an expert team of local and international wine connoisseurs choosing the 80 wines offered on their flights throughout the year. In 2008 alone more than 900 wines were submitted for vigorous tasting and voting. Beyond assembling the team of judges, SAA actually employs the help of independent auditors Deloitte and Touche to monitor the scoring of each top wine in its respective category (Best White, Best Red, Port, among others). The top-flight white that that I enjoyed so much was the Bellingham 2007 Maverick Chenin Blanc–which came across with a strong fruit note followed by a spicy finish. Finally, an amenity worth flying for.