Pretoria for the Business Traveler

A short distance from Johannesburg (an hour’s drive along the busiest highway in Africa) lies Pretoria, in the Tshwane metropolitan area. The official seat of government in South Africa, Pretoria is a beautiful city, famed for its Jacaranda trees which blanket the city in purple-blue blossom every spring. Pretoria is more laid-back than Johannesburg, and has a more “African” feel. On the perimeter of South Africa’s “lowveld” area, the thorny bush of Africa mingles with Pretoria’s lush vegetation and its rich red soil. Even in mid-winter the temperatures are mild, ideal for viewing the city’s many historic sites, its tree lined avenues and its Herbert Baker architecture.


Where can we hold our event?

Pretoria offers many diverse places to hold conferences or events, herewith but a few to have a look at. Alternatively contact me direct with your needs at alet@saitravel.co.za

Menlyn Events Arena
Zebra Country Lodge
Victoria Hotel
Tuscan Conference Centre
Tshwabac Clubhouse
Tshwane University of Technology
St George Hotel & Gauteng Convention Centre
Sinodale Conference Centre
Sidibane
Sherwood Forest Guest House
Shere View Lodge
Sheraton Pretoria Hotel & Towers

History and Government:

The Herbert Baker designed Union Buildings, the seat of South Africa’s government, rival the grandeur of the White House and are not to be missed. Ideal for the historian, the city is rich in historical sites relating to Afrikaner history and beautifully preserved historic buildings, including the prominent Voortrekker Monument, the home of Paul Kruger and the city’s original town square, Church Square. Equally important are sites of our recent political history, with Freedom Park a “must see” destination commemorating the lives of thousands of South Africans who devoted their lives to their country’s liberation. The city also has a wealth of historical and natural history museums.


Culture and Entertainment:

Pretoria has a strong music and theatre scene, some outstanding restaurants and nightclubs and excellent art galleries, most prestigious being the excellent collection of South African art at the Pretoria Art Museum. The National State Theatre in Pretoria offers the very best of South Africa’s ballet and opera with international standard shows. The city also has good shopping, a wealth of African and local arts and crafts markets and an African cultural village, for a taste of tribal life.


Top-Rated Attractions

National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
The Blue Train
Burgers Park
Kruger House Museum
Melrose House
The Pretoria Art Museum
Transvaal Museum
Museum of Natural History
Sammy Marks House
Mineral Resort

For more activities, click here
Or contact Charl at Cardinal Tours via email - charl@saitravel.co.za

Durban for the Business Traveler

Not many people know that warm sub-tropical Durban, with its kilometres of golden beaches, is home to one of the largest concentrations of people of Indian descent (Muslim, Hindu and Christian) outside India itself.

With its rich influences from the East, along with its colonial heritage and its location in the heartland of the famed Zulu Kingdom, and a diversity of other peoples, Durban offers a remarkable melange of people and cultures, reflected in its notable cuisine and it’s friendly and informal ambiance.

And from Durban it is an easy drive on excellent roads to some of the most beautiful places in South Africa.

Why go there?

Durban is one of South Africa's fastest growing urban areas with a population of 3.7 million people. A previous winner of the UN Award for Best Managed City in Africa, the local authorities are geared towards international conferences and go to great lengths to ensure their success. This conference city also goes the extra mile – from erecting welcoming banners to closing off roads to include street and beach parties in conference programmes.
Durban is in the heartland of the Zulu Kingdom and located in an area rich in scenic beauty – with majestic mountains, lush subtropical forests and many game and nature reserves, home to the much sought after "Big Five".

What about transport?

- The Durban International Airport is situated within 20 minutes of the International Convention Centre, the City's Central Business District (CBD) and beachfront hotels. The airport receives direct flights from various international destination and domestic services link the city to the rest of South Africa.
- A sophisticated road network serves Durban and transport is fast and reliable. Within Durban the Mynah Bus service ferries passengers between the north and south beaches, the CBD and surrounding suburbs.
- There are conventional metered taxis which can be summonsed by telephone. This is a service offered by all hotel reception staff.
- All the major car rental agencies have offices at the airports and in the cities.

Top-Rated Attractions

Durban Botanical Gardens
Sea World Aquarium
Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
Waterworld
uShaka Marine World
Umgeni River Bird Park
Mitchell Park
Fitzsimons Snake Park
The Valley of a 1000 Hills
Umtamvuna Nature Reserve

For some couple ideas and activities, click here.

Will we be safe?

- In terms of safety, the Durban area is one of the safest in South Africa. The North Coast beach areas are also safe for families to relax and enjoy a day or an evening out, while the Durban beachfront and promenade enjoys a high police presence.
- Durban’s CBD in partnership with the metro police, South African Police(SAP) and Tourist Protection Unit have made a considerable effort to protect and safeguard tourists and civilians alike: from surveillance cameras and improved lighting on the beachfront, to security guards watching over most large shopping centres and many businesses .

Johannesburg for the Business Traveler

Johannesburg, the business capital of South Africa, dominates South Africa’s smallest but richest province, Gauteng. Johannesburg also hosts the airport hub of the sub-continent, OR Tambo International Airport.

Why go there?

Johannesburg is Africa’s most industrialised city, the economic hub of South Africa, the city built on gold first discovered in 1886, and also the gateway to all of Africa.
Home to key communication networks, state-of-the-art technology, conferencing, conventions, trade shows and international summits, Gauteng is one of the fastest-expanding world trade and investment frontiers. Johannesburg is South Africa's business capital and is a vibrant, exciting city with a wide variety of recreational, cultural and historic attractions, making it an ideal travel destination for business or holiday travel.

What about transport?

- OR Tambo International Airport (formerly Johannesburg International) is the busiest airport on the continent and the air transport hub of southern Africa. Over 50 airlines fly in to OR Tambo and the airport caters for over 13 million passengers each year.
- From OR International, you can take a domestic flight (max 2 hr flight) to another South African city. The airport is 24 kilometres from the city centre – it's a quick drive by hotel shuttle, hired car or taxi to your destination.
- Visitors are warned that Johannesburg, much like Los Angeles, is a young and sprawling city geared to the freeway-borne private motorist, and lack of convenient public transport is an obstacle for tourists to the city.
- There are conventional metered taxis but these do not cruise the streets in search of passengers and must generally be summonsed by telephone. Major hotels do often reserve bays for taxi companies, however, and reception staff can quickly make arrangements for visitors.
- All the major car rental agencies have offices at the airports and in the cities.

Where can we hold our event?

- Johannesburg has more than 75 top-class custom built conference venues designed to international specifications in major centres. There are also facilities for small to large meetings, seminars, corporate events and functions, with a conference or boardrooms equipped with standard conferencing equipment.
- Johannesburg's top conference venues include:The Sandton Convention Centre is next door to Africa's top-class shopping and business centre. It can accommodate 3 500 people and was the venue for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The centre has a gold classification for compliance with environmental responsibility, awarded by the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme.The Dome, the fourth-largest domed structure in the world, is ideal for exhibitions, concerts, large conferences and other special events and accommodates up to 16 000 people.The Nasrec Expo Centre has massive exhibition facilities and can accommodate up to 20 000 people.

What should we see?

Soweto – The unique life and vibrancy behind the scenes of Johannesburg’s upmarket venues and site of some of our turbulent history.
The Apartheid Museum – A moving tribute to the events and heroes of South Africa’s Freedom Struggle.
The Cradle of Humankind - World Heritage Site which offers a fascinating insight into the palaeontology of the origins of man.
Newtown – The historic quarter of downtown Johannesburg brings our history and culture to life.
Sun City - Southern Africa's most dynamic and exciting entertainment complex and world famous golf resort.
Pilanesberg – Game reserve set in the crater of an extinct volcano, home to the Big Five.
Gold Reef City - Africa's greatest theme park created around an authentic 19th century Gold mine with underground tours, gold pouring, historical exhibits, restaurants, amusement attractions, a Victorian hotel and a casino.

Not Enough for you, click here for some more activities...

Alternatively, contact charl@saitravel.co.za to book your day trip to one of the above places!

Will we be safe?

You should be as vigilant in Johannesburg regarding your safety as you would be in any other major city in the world. Admittedly, crime has been pretty bad here in past years with numerous hi-jackings and car-jackings, as well as more serious crimes, but our police force have recently announced a massive reduction in crime and living here in Johannesburg. You wouldn't venture out at night on your own walking the streets and this applies to most areas in Johannesburg. Driving a car presents no problems but you would need to make sure you know where you are going.

Cape Town for the Business Traveler

Cape Town glistens at the southern toe of the African continent. Amazing sites, from Robben Island, Nelson Mandela's former prison, to tourist brochure-views at Blaauwberg Beach and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, are within easy driving distance of "The Mother City". Sun worshippers, surfers and divers flock to nearby white sand beaches and azure waters under Table Mountain. The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve provides sweeping sea vistas, hiking trails and wildlife encounters.


Why go there?

With world-class conference and hotel facilities complemented by stunning natural and cultural tourist attractions, Cape Town is increasingly making its mark on the international scene for meetings, incentives, conferences and events.

Is it accessible?

- Cape Town International Airport has world-class facilities and many of the major international airlines fly direct to Cape Town.
- Domestic travel within South Africa is also very efficient with various airlines offering flights on the hour to other major cities. For connecting flights, the flying time from Cape Town to Johannesburg is 2 hours.

Where can we hold our event?

- Cape Town offers over 400 conference and exhibition facilities, including custom built centres designed to top international specifications, facilities at hotels, educational institutions and theatres. These extend to impressive venues located at wine estates, beach resorts and exclusive golfing estates.
- The city’s top venue, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), has been designed to bring all its facilities under one giant roof – 10 000 square metres of dedicated exhibition space, and banqueting and meeting facilities, and a link to a deluxe 483-room hotel. The CTICC can accommodate up to 10 000 delegates, its technology and infrastructure is state-of-the-art, its venues are flexible, and the kitchen facilities are the largest and most advanced in the Western Cape.
- Located near the sea and harbour and the world famous Victoria & Albert Waterfront in a cosmopolitan environment, the CTICC is without doubt on an equal footing with other top international convention centres.


Will we be safe?

Concerns regarding personal safety in South Africa are valid – it would be completely remiss of anyone to deny this, but the visitor to Cape Town can rest assured of the city’s excellent security standards and safety record. Common sense rules for safety are promoted everywhere, and all reputable establishments employ state-of-the-art security measures.


Activities around Cape Town

Wine Desk Waterfront
Table Mountain
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
World of Birds
Boulders Beach
Robben Island
Cableway
Signal Hill Winery
Long Street
Slave Lodge

To View More Attractions in Cape Town, click here.