Part 2 - Winter Getaways
The country of South Africa is a brilliant destination this time of year. Summertime is at its peak and the country enjoys a very diverse terrain, so there are lots of different activities to indulge in.
Cape Town is a wonderful place to act as your base in exploring much of the country. The beautiful white sand beaches (OK, I’ll warn you the water’s downright chilly) are within a few minute’s drive, as is a cable car trip to the top of the iconic Table Mountain. Many people don’t realise it, but the top of the Table is actually a national park where one can go for a three and a half hour hike, take a picnic lunch or enjoy a fine meal in one of the restaurants there.
Venturing a bit further afield, there are the beautiful winelands of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl – at certain venues, you can even ride horseback as your means of transportation between wine tastings.
Kitesurfing is incredibly popular on the beautiful windy beaches of Bloubergstrand, and kayaking, both fresh and seawater, is available as well as shark cage diving and whale spotting along many areas of the Cape.
Fish River Canyon in Namibia is a day’s hard drive from Cape Town if you fancy a three day hike in an incredible setting.
A three hour drive to the east of Cape Town will take you to the charming mountain town of Oudtshoorn, where ostriches abound and the intriguing Cango Caves are waiting to be explored.
With so much to do, you shouldn’t overlook some basic health precautions before your trip. Anti malarials are a given if visiting Kruger Park or any of the surrounding private game reserves.
Also recommended for South Africa are a tetanus booster and also a Hepatitis A booster (if you have had a Hep A vaccination in the past, a single booster will provide a further 20 years protection) before visiting the country. My husband hadn’t had a Hep A vaccination on a previous South African trip, and contracted the disease after having dinner at a restaurant in an area a bit off the beaten path. He was seriously ill for about three and a half months. It turned out the restaurant had been drawing its drinking water from a local contaminated well.
A medical kit which includes a sterile needle pack is a great idea in general, and a must if you are planning to participate in any strenuous water or land-based activities. Your local Nomad Travel Clinic nurse can advise you on all of the above precautions.
By the way, did you realize you can abseil back down Table Mountain just as quickly as taking the cable car...
Sue Ellen Cooper-Jones
Nomad Bishop’s Stortford
The family of a Manuden man who suffered a fatal heart attack while driving raised more than £20,000 for the Herts air ambulance to mark the first anniversary of his death.
TREE surgeon Trevor Shaw, from Bishop's Stortford, is gearing up for one of the toughest bike rides in the UK in memory of his older brother.
TWO trail-toughened cyclists from the Observer area hit the road with two of the biggest names in sport to raise money for charity.
Have you been thinking of taking a walking holiday in Western Europe this spring?
A TEAM of 11 cyclists - including six from the Observer patch - will be pedalling 500 miles from England to Holland in five days in aid of Isabel Hospice.
Events aimed at breaking down the last great taboo are being organised by NHS West Essex.
Missed appointments at the main hospital serving the Observer area last year cost the NHS an estimated £1.6million.