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Johannesburg Airport Car Hire

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The busiest airport on the African continent, OR Tambo International, also know as Johannesburg International Airport, sees high traffic volumes pass through her terminal gates. Business travelers and tourists alike are faced with the same decision upon landing: How do I get from OR Tambo to my destination? The four most common choices are Johannesburg Airport car rental, hotel shuttle bus services, metered taxis, other minibus services and the Gautrain.

Each service has its merits, below is a brief explanation of each service.

Johannesburg Airport Car Rental

Experienced travelers and regular visitors to Johannesburg often choose Johannesburg Airport car rental as their primary option for independent and flexible travel. With almost every car rental supplier represented at Jo’burg International it’s easy to pick up of a vehicle that suits your taste, budget and itinerary. Ensure you have your credit card with you when renting a car from Johannesburg International Airport to cover the deposits required when hiring a car.

Hotel Shuttle Bus Service

If you are staying in hotel accommodation in Johannesburg, enquire about their airport shuttle service, most hotels offer this as standard. If you wish to make use of this point-to-point transfer let the hotel know your arrival time and flight details.

Metered Taxis

Considerably more expensive than a shuttle service, but more flexible, metered taxis are useful when Hotels don’t offer a shuttle service. Metered taxis are available at OR Tambo located outside arrivals; look for the cars with lit ‘taxi’ signs on the roof.

Other minibus services

These are similar to the hotel minibus transfer service, offering a transport option at a cheaper rate than metered taxis. These minibuses service key areas of Johannesburg. It’s worth booking this service at a kiosk in the arrivals hall to ensure you receive a regulated service, the informal minibus services at the airport vary in terms of quality and reliability.

The Gautrain

New, shiny, fast and slick. The Gautrain, when complete, will link Johannesburg, Pretoria and OR Tambo International Airport in a high-speed network. At present only the Sandton to OR Tambo portion of the network is open.

If you are looking for transport beyond a transfer from OR Tambo, Johannesburg Airport car hire makes the most sense, giving you unrestricted access to the metropolis that is the financial hub of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Author Bio:

This article was written for Drive South Africa talking about the different types of Johannesburg Airport Car Rental.

Johannesburg Car Hire

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Johannesburg, also known as Jozi, Jo’burg or eGoli, has grown into a thriving metropolis over the decades; it is the financial capital of South Africa, has the largest metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa and is the largest city in the world not located on a lake, river or coastline.

It comes as no surprise then that transport is a key factor when planning any trip to Johannesburg. We’ll take a quick look at each type of public transport available and finally at Johannesburg car hire.

Johannesburg public transport services are functional and generally cheap, but they don’t offer much in the way of flexibility and each has its advantages and disadvantages.

Minibus Taxis

Minibus taxis function as a small-scale bus service but without designated stops or a timetable. Taxis go almost everywhere in Johannesburg, servicing the majority of the working population, they are frequent and very cost effective. Using a minibus taxi requires an understanding of the undocumented minibus etiquette; if you don’t understand the lingo, hand signals and routes you might end up very far away from your intended destination. It does provide an interesting African experience, and offers perhaps the best opportunity to mix with ordinary everyday people.

On a cautionary note, minibus taxis often operate outside vehicle safety standards, worn brakes, bald tyres, unlicensed drivers and overcrowding are not uncommon. Couple this with chaotic driving in order to maximize the number of paying passengers transported. It can be a wild ride.

Rail

Connecting the satellite towns on the Witwatersrand this transport system carries large numbers of workers each day. The Pretoria, Soweto and Johannesburg connections are particularly busy. The problem with this system is that it only covers ‘old’ or southern Johannesburg. More recently Johannesburg has expanded northwards and areas like Sandton, Midrand, Rosebank and Randburg lack any rail network penetration.

Bus Service

This is constantly improving with additional routes and special needs buses, though reports of reliability suggest leaving ample time to reach your destination.

Metered Taxis

These are hailed via appointment or telephone rather than as a roadside flag down service. Very useful for getting around, though they come at a price.

Johannesburg Car Hire

Taking all the public transport services into account, the best way to navigate Johannesburg is often via Johannesburg car hire. This allows you to dictate your own schedule, take your desired route and give in to spontaneous ideas, which is an ever-important part of being on holiday.

Author Bio:

This article was written for Drive South Africa talking about Johannesburg Car Hire.

Travel packages in South Africa can save you money

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Ask most of us what is the one thing that we want to accomplish in life and the answer might be ‘to travel’. This is especially true of people who are young and still carefree, though it is not uncommon to hear of an older person also expressing this same, almost basic, wish – to explore this wonderful, wide and sometimes frightening world that we occupy.

One of the caveats, however, is that travel isn’t always as clear-cut as it may seem to the outsider who often seems to be unaware of the costs involved. It may be easy to decide to travel but so many of the costs are not as transparent as they should be at first glance. This is why it makes sense to consider travel packages in South Africa: this is very often one of the best ways to see a country. There are a number of reasons why this is true but one of the best explanations is that this greatly reduces the total cost of the vacation. These alternatives to finding your own accommodation, flights, car rental service and food are the reason why many more young people have managed to explore countries that are vastly different to the ones that they grew up in.

Travel packages in South Africa offers the opportunity to explore a country’s customs, culture, and beaches on a budget that won’t be as forgiving if everything had to be paid for separately. This ensures that a greater proportion of the population can have access to some of the most exciting and rejuvenating experiences that our modern lives crave – adventure.

But one of the best things about travel packages in South Africa is that it is possible to get all the information online, before you even pick up your credit card to make the booking. Read up about all the costs, benefits, and features of the package and also compare it to some of the other packages you may have seen somewhere else, whether it is on another site or on another section of the same website you are using.

There are also many other reasons why it really pays to go exploring on one of these deals: couples generally pay much less than singles so this is a good excuse to go on holiday with one of your friends.

Author bio:

Flightsite wrote this article about the benefits that travel packages to South Africa offers us.

Things to do and see in Comoros

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Ever heard of Comoros? Many travellers have not even heard of this charming Indian Ocean Island, and what a shame that is. Because there is so much to see and do at this Indian Ocean treasure.

The Comoros is an island national off the coast of East Africa, nestled quietly between northern Mozambique and northern Madagascar. The island itself is largely desert, with occasional patches of green here and there. But what the island lacks in greenery it more than makes up for in natural beauty, owing much of its popularity to its stunning array of volcanic islands.

The Grande Comoro is the largest island in Comoros, and is well known for its famous Bouni Beach, Chomoni Beach, lush rain forests and active volcano Mt Karthala. An added bonus during your Comoros travel package is the hot sulphar springs at Lac Sala. There is also a wonderful beach there which offers tourists opportunities to enjoy vigorous dances by local men.

Moroni is the capital of Comoros, and offers a charm of its own. The city boasts a medina of interconnecting streets, shops and buildings, all reminiscent of the Swahili eras. Indeed, you are welcomed with a variety of cultural experiences in Comoros. The city itself is peaceful and enchanting, with narrow, winding streets and a bustling marketplace. The city is also home to a number of mosques, most notably the Vendredi Mosque. A not-to-be-missed experience to include in your Comoros travel package.

Mohelo is the smallest and wildest of the islands, but offers the most fantastic views. Camping is a popular activity here, as well as heading out to the beach at Fomboni to observe the Arab sail boats being built. There is also a beautiful waterfall located at Miringoni, ideal for nature lovers.

For those interested in experiencing traditional island life, a visit to the Anjouan Island is not to be missed. The island is known for its beautiful waterfalls and lush plant life, as well as its hiking opportunities and sprawling coral reefs.

Mayotte is an island under French administration and offers a distinctly French flavour. This is one of the oldest islands, and offers an abundance of coral reefs. This is a popular spot for fishing, scuba diving, and boating.

Author bio

This article was written by Flightsite and offers information on Comoros travel packages.

Top 10 attractions in South Africa

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South Africa is a land abundant in natural beauty, spectacular attractions and world class activities. Anybody travelling to this country will be spoilt for choice. The best thing you can do when travelling here is to choose a South Africa travel package that includes various attractions. And while South Africa has many more attractions, here we cover the 10 must see attractions when visiting the country:

Cape Town

No trip to South Africa is complete without visiting the Mother City – Cape Town. The city is known for its natural beauty, world class facilities and services, exquisite cuisine, vibrant and diverse culture, friendly and welcoming locals and, of course, the beaches and Table Mountain – everything you would want from a South Africa travel package.

Table Mountain

Definitely one of the main reasons tourists descend onto Cape Town every year is the ever popular Table Mountain, a mighty mountain set in the middle of the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. Offering an array of fauna and flora, Table Mountain is one of the most famous landmarks in the world.

The Winelands

The Winelands is located in the Western Cape, and offers some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. From sweeping vistas to stunning wine farms, the Cape Winelands is another glorious destination to include in your South African travel package.

The region is known for its cultural and historical heritage, offering some excellent examples of typical Dutch architecture dating back to the 17th century. The Winelands encompasses several well known regions, each one more charming than the next. Popular towns include Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Wellington and Paarl. Rent a car during your South African travel packages and take in the sights of the Cape Winelands, home to an array of wine tasting routes, hotels, bed and breakfasts, and excellent restaurants.

Knysna

Knysna is often regarded as South Africa’s favourite town, and it’s not surprising why. Situated in the heart of the stunning Garden Route, Knysna is as friendly as it is breathtaking. Not only that, the town offers activities and attractions galore. The popular lagoon is ideal for water sports and the surrounding lush forests are perfect for walking.

Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga

Kruger National Park is the oldest and biggest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa, and offers the ultimate wildlife and safari experience. The Park has the highest concentration of wildlife in South Africa, and includes the spectacular Big Five, hippos, crocodiles, giraffe, cheetah, as well as a wide abundance of birdlife and insects.

Soweto

A trip to Soweto promises a cultural experience of note, and a poignant look into how the poorer communities of South Africa live. This area is rich in historical and cultural significance, and is the largest township in South Africa, home to 3.5 million people. Soweto played a significant role during the Apartheid era, with many of the most prominent political fighters hailing from this township.  Enjoy vibrant music, traditional cuisine and friendly and welcoming locals in Soweto during your South Africa travel package.

Durban

Durban is a typical holiday city – superior beaches, great weather and a bustling and exciting atmosphere. Situated in KwaZulu-Natal, this thriving city features year-round water waters, making it a must-visit destination for sun-worshippers and beach lovers.

The Drakensberg Mountains

Stretching the entire length of KwaZulu-Natal, here one can enjoy stunning hiking trails, bird watching, game viewing, horse trails, guided tours, 4X4 trails, quad biking, golfing, trout fishing, white water rafting, rock climbing and more. This is a true adventure-lover’s dream destination.

Hogsback, Eastern Cape

This magical little place is said to be the inspiration behind the famous Lord of the Rings series. Featuring lush landscapes, sparkling waterfalls and indigenous forests home to many exotic and stunning birds. Hogsback is also great for walking, trout fishing and horse riding.

Hermanus

Situated just 2 hours from Cape Town, Hermanus is a major tourist attraction because it is the best place in the world to watch whales, in particular the Southern Right Whale. The best time to visit for whale watching is from August to November.

Hermanus is a sleepy seaside town, known for its friendly locals and stunning location. It also plays host to numerous festivals throughout the year. Besides whale-watching, visitors can enjoy township tours, wine-tasting, and even shark cage diving on nearby Dyer Island.

Author bio:

This article was written for Flightsite talking about the magical places in South Africa.