There are many exciting things happening in this corner of the world and there’s never been a better time to visit. If you or anyone you know is planning to visit Southern Africa, have a look at our user-friendly website – www.ashworthafrica.com

This issue focuses on the city of Cape Town in the south-western corner of South Africa.

Summer in Cape Town is a joyous time. The sun rises early and sets around 8pm. Days are typically clear, with average highs of 25C°/ 77F°. Humidity is low and the arrival of the “Cape Doctor” (Cape Town’s legendary summer wind) cools things down and freshens the air. There is something mesmerising about the quality of light here at the tip of Africa. Colours are almost painfully sharp; the deep blue of the overarching sky, intense greens of leafy oaks, dancing whitecaps on the Atlantic ocean. There is a feeling of optimism here right now; the economy is performing well, property prices have soared (32% last year) and crime has dropped significantly in the downtown area of the city. 2004 saw South Africans celebrating ten years of democracy and it’s heartening how people of all races are pulling together with compassion and good humour to build a new nation, notwithstanding some enormous challenges facing us. For the visitor there is so much to do here – the city is a delectable combination of historical, cultural and scenic attractions, blessed with a Mediterranean climate. Award-winning restaurants, funky bars and nightclubs, awesome accommodation, some of Africa’s best beaches and friendly, laid-back locals. If this all sounds too good to be true, come and find out for yourself!

We wish you all the very best for 2005 and we hope to welcome you to our shores soon.

Yours,
Patrick Ashworth

Indigenous buck back on Table Mountain

Nine klipspringers (“rock-jumpers”) have been released in the Table Mountain National Park, 80 years after the original population was hunted to extinction. The tiny, delicate antelope were relocated from protected areas in the mountains east of Cape Town. The event has been heralded as an important part of the restoration of the mountain chain, involving the return of indigenous fauna and removal of alien plants and animals. The klipspringer is the only antelope which lives on cliffs.

Hippo on the loose in Cape Town's suburbs

There was great excitement in the city over a wild hippopotamus - dubbed "Houdini" - which evaded capture for most of last year. Last February the two-year-old male, weighing 800kg (1 760lbs), escaped from the Rondevlei Nature Reserve south of the city centre into the adjoining Zeekoevlei lake which is surrounded by houses.

Concerned that the elusive hippo was becoming too accustomed to humans, wildlife authorities finally succeeded in capturing him late last year. However Houdini's violent rejection by his father ("Brutus") forced his relocation to a private game reserve in the Eastern Cape province, 500 miles east of Cape Town.

2004 a bumper season for whale sightings

South Africa enjoyed a bumper whale season last year and continues to offer the best land-based whale watching in the world, especially at Hermanus, south-east of Cape Town. Most of the whales spotted by visitors are Southern Rights, which visit the southern coast of Africa from June to December each year to breed and calve before returning to sub-Antarctic waters. A rare environmental success story, these protected mammals are reproducing at 7% per year, the maximum possible rate.

"Did you know?" Early whalers named this species of whale the Right whale as it was, sadly, the "right" one to catch - they swim slowly, are easily spotted due to their unique, V-shaped "blow ", yield much oil and baleen, and float when dead.

Cape Town Is Number One!

The city of Cape Town (population 3.5 million) is invariably rated as one of the world's most beautiful cities, alongside Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver and San Francisco, and its continued appeal is reflected in some recent surveys. In the UK, travellers polled for the prestigious Telegraph Travel Awards voted Cape Town "Best City in the world"; while in the High Life Travel Awards the city was voted the best for dining out. In the USA, the 2004 Conde' Naste Top 100 Reader's Choice Awards named Cape Town as "Best City" in the category of Africa and the Middle East.

Nelson Mandela Invitational golf tournament

At the end of November a list of international celebrities flocked to South Africa to participate in the 2004 Nelson Mandela Invitational golf tournament, which was held at the five star Arabella Country Estate east of Cape Town. Teeing off with professional golfers such as Ernie Els, Darren Clarke and Lee Westwood were stars like actor Samuel L. Jackson, Irish singer Ronan Keating and Spanish supermodel Inés Sastre.

The eight-team, two-day event raised money for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund and the Gary Player Foundation.

Tourists worth their weight in gold

A new report on South Africa's economy suggests that tourists are indeed worth their weight in gold! Last year tourism receipts topped US$ 7.7 billion while net gold exports brought in only US$5 billion. South Africa remains the world's largest gold producer. Mining overall remains the country's number one foreign exchange earner but tourism now accounts for 7% of GDP and adds more to domestic growth than mining. Tourism has grown rapidly in the region since South Africa's first democratic elections in 1994.

For every seven tourist arrivals, one permanent job is created along with two temporary jobs - a fantastic excuse for you to visit the region soon on holiday! For more great reasons to visit, click here

Elton John's charity bash raises R7m for AIDS projects

Last month saw British pop legend Sir Elton John hold a charity ball at historic Vergelegen Estate east of Cape Town. Guests included composer Tim Rice and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, of whom a bronze bust was auctioned for US$92000.00. Musical entertainment was provided by acts like Ladysmith Black Mambazo (who performed on Paul Simon's Graceland album), Soweto String Quartet and Sir Elton himself. R7 million (about US$1.2 million) was raised for local AIDS charities.

Featured Cape Town Property: EZARD HOUSE, Camps Bay

Southern Africa boasts a variety of awesome hotels and guesthouses, and our newsletters focus on some of the more outstanding ones. In this issue: Ezard House in Camps Bay.

This magnificent five star boutique hotel was opened in September 2003 by Don and Christine Ezard who hail from Cheshire in England. Ezard House provides luxurious accommodation in complete privacy, offering the discerning guest panoramic views of the Atlantic ocean and the surrounding mountains. All 10 suites have balconies facing the sea or the private tranquillity of the landscaped gardens with koi ponds. Facilities include a Daimler courtesy car, swimming pool, sauna, Kanebo Wellness Centre and rooftop Jacuzzi. The deck on the rooftop is one of the city's best spots for enjoying "sundowners", a popular tradition of toasting the setting sun with a cool beverage.

Ezard House is one of our favourite properties in Cape Town.

To make a booking or for more information, contact us at: info@ashworthafrica.com

Rovos Rail from Cape Town to Pretoria

Recently I was invited to travel aboard one of the world's most luxurious trains, Rovos Rail, on an amazing three-day journey from Cape Town to Pretoria. Rovos Rail is named after its owner, Mr Rohan Vos, who turned his passion for restoring old steam engines into a hugely successful business.

My trip began in style at Cape Town railway station, sipping sparkling wine and checking out my fellow passengers to the soothing strains of a string duet. Following an official welcome from the train manager, I was shown to my luxury, air-conditioned suite where I received a comprehensive briefing from my personal butler. The compartment was surprisingly spacious and contained a generously-sized double bed, a writing desk and sitting area and an en-suite bathroom with shower (the bathroom in the Royal Suite has a separate bath AND shower for those who really want to indulge themselves!).

From the coast the 1000 mile route follows an old pioneering trail carved out of the African bushveld, passing through the lush wine region with its soaring sandstone cliffs, before climbing to the interior through the Hex River Valley.

In the late afternoon we briefly toured the quaint Victorian village of Matjiesfontein (pronounced "Mikeys-fontayn", meaning "the fountain of little reed mats"), a 120-year-old refreshment stop in the Karoo, South Africa's arid central plateau. The Boer War Museum beneath the platform is unmissable. As the light faded in the passing semi-desert landscape I donned jacket and tie and made my way to the historic 1920s-era dining car for a delectable gourmet meal of Ostrich carpaccio and fresh Cape Salmon, accompanied by some excellent South African wine.

Nightcaps were enjoyed in the comfortable lounge car, where the bar is open 24 hours. At around 11pm the train pulled into a siding for the night which allowed for a restful night's sleep. Early the next morning I sat awhile on the outdoor veranda at the rear of the train, taking in the cool air as the countryside rumbled past, before making my way through to a hearty breakfast of Eggs Benedict. We stopped a few hours later at Kimberley, the historic diamond town that's home to the Big Hole - at one time the world's largest man-made excavation. After touring a recreated mining village we lunched in the historic, wood-panelled Kimberley Club, once frequented by such diamond magnates as Cecil John Rhodes and Barney Barnato.

The next day we passed through downtown Johannesburg, previously a by-word for crime and grime but now undergoing a remarkable renaissance marked by projects like the futuristic Nelson Mandela Bridge and a planned high speed train linking the city with Pretoria to the north. Africa's second largest city after Cairo, "Jo'burg" or "Jozi" has amazing shops, restaurants and hotels, and fascinating attractions like the black township of Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.

Just outside Pretoria we all left the train to watch as a huge steam engine replaced the diesel locomotive for the final few miles of our journey. We puffed our way into Rovos Rail's private and opulent Capital Park station, a memorable way to end an incredible trip. This really is one of the world's great travel experiences, one which will stay in your mind forever. Highly recommended!

Note: Rovos Rail has several different itineraries, including an annual 15-day journey from Cape Town to Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania.

For more information, please e-mail us at: info@ashworthafrica.com