http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34468 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33626 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33626 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33234 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33234 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33107 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33107 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33056 Endless beaches with massive sand dunes fringed by a dense coastal forest.
My favourite place is to the left of the lighthouse, just to sit and watch the southern right and humpback whales breach as they makes their journey up and down along the coast of Africa. Watching the sun set with a beer in hand is another way of celebrating the area's natural beauty, peace and quiet.
The rock pools have great nudibranchs and loads of tropical fish juveniles - great for snorkelling.
Between November and February you can see turtles laying eggs and the babies hatching (leatherbacks, loggerheads amongst the species).
You can also watch dolphins on their daily feeding route along the coast.
What more can I say? It has to be seen to be believed :)]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/33056 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32966 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32966 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32426 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32426 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32384
The Green Point Urban Park in Cape Town is oh-so-accessible, sandwiched between Signal Hill, the oldest lighthouse in South Africa, and the iconic football stadium of World Cup 2010 fame.
Set within this, the Biodiversity Garden celebrates all that is unique about the Cape and its flora, where wanderers are shown the interconnectedness of life and encouraged to 'Make a Difference'.

What’s not to love about this appeal? Perfect for a sunset amble or a morning wake up wander. Big enough to seriously stride around the large circular lawn area, pound the running paths, work out at the trim park or just meander along the wetland walk, among the more 300 local fynbos plant species.

Why the Biodiversity Garden works for me?
The garden is truly laid out ‘for all’ – ages, activities, levels of botanical interest as much as physical mobility …
The signs are crafted to casually inform, the storyboards are easy reads, the plants labels let everyone ‘get the picture’- effortlessly …
So much thought has gone into how the biodiversity message gets across – they ‘show’ things, and ‘tell’ stories, rather than facts …
Botanic biomes and endemic rarities are seamlessly woven into ‘demonstration gardens’, alongside responsible gardening practices …
Threats, like agriculture and alien invasive plants, are dealt with in bite size pieces, and drill down consequences …
Interconnectedness indeed!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/32384 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30805 In summer open air concerts take place on Sunday evenings (Nov – April). These are family friendly events with people getting there early with a picnic basket and blanket and making themselves comfortable on the grass. Few experiences can match sipping on good South African wine, listening to South African music and having Table Mountain as the backdrop for all of this.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30805 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30801 The owners coordinate this feeding scheme by receiving donations for guests of the Lemon3lodge.
It was awesome to see how a little donation can save and affect the lives of 400 children.
And of course, we stayed three nights at Lemon3lodge. Beautiful rooms, great swimming pool, garden and views. Perfect hosts.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30801 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30775 A well known exhibitor at Chelsea Flower show, displaying the floral diversity found in southern Africa, this natural paradise offers a comprehensive taste of the Cape's flora and fauna.
Enjoyed by locals walking their dogs and tourists alike, often seen picnicking on the manicured lawns which lead to ponds frequented by bird life, an afternoon can be had in the warmth of the sunshine and peaceful sound of Cape reeds moving in the breeze, perhaps only marginally dogged by inquisitive and noisy guineafowl.
Permanent Shona stone sculptures from Zimbabwe are positioned around the grounds while organised events including changing art exhibitions showcasing contemporary, local talent and botanical drawings can be viewed and purchased. During the year bonzai and orchid workshops are held as well as summer concerts in the warm evenings under starry, African skies.
Craft markets provide outlets for local communities to showcase their work while the deli and restaurant offer local specialities and champagne breakfasts. The ever popular tearoom refreshes hikers with cups of rooibos tea and tasty cakes.
Ancient cycads are housed in their own protective amphitheatre while rockeries and streams provide interest for youngsters. The shady camphor avenue offers some respite from the heat of the day and if you are lucky, the sighting of owls, almost hidden in the upper branches. This is near the conservatory, home to southern African succulents and cacti, the majestic baobab, the smaller kokerboom and rock plants.
Paths for children, the blind (sensory trail) and wheelchair users are all catered for while longer trails radiate into uncultivated areas and the surrounding Table Mountain National Park. These surrounding routes, enjoyed by dedicated walkers follow in the footsteps of historical figures such as General Smuts, leading to native silver trees which shimmer in the sunlight and the location of van Riebeeck's hedge on the slopes of the mountain - the Dutch national credited with establishing a refreshment station for seafarers at the tip of Africa in the1650s. Here the occasional mountain tortoise can be spotted ambling along on the hot, dusty sand.
Energetic visitors can walk past beds of ericas and proteas to embark on a winding route up Nursery Ravine to Castle Rock, the imposing stone hunk above the gardens and admire the vegetation or fynbos, as it is called, from above. You might be lucky to spot a disa orchid, indigenous frogs or just admire the sunbirds and sugarbirds darting around dipping their long beaks into nectar rich blooms.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30775 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29750 Saturdays 9am - 2pm.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29750 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29126 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/29126 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27771 There are very detailed notes to read looking at the subject from a variety of angles, but if you don't want the detail there is a more concise version. There is also a lot of contemporary video footage to go alongside the other material.
If you are going to give it your full attention you could spend easily more than half a day and I would recommend doing so.
It is a very moving experience - it took us quite a while to recover.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27771 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27768 It is staffed and managed by the community and they benefit directly from the profits. You can go on a visit to the village.
The staff are very friendly and attentive and the accommodation is beautiful, spacious and comfortable. It's an absolute treat.
The lodge is in an elevated position and the views over the reserve are stunning.
The game drives were excellent during our stay (July 2010), we saw a vast amount and variety of game in three days.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants the safari experience with a clear conscience!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27768 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27606 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27606 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27181 Above and alongside the sea, the spray from breaking waves that occasionally land over the boundary railing reminded us of our location, at the southern end of the African continent.
The sound of seagulls overhead, the visual pleasure of seemingly limitless open ocean as you cool off on a hot Cape summer's day and the imposing yet restful backdrop of Table Mountain make this outdoor pool quite special.
The aromas from BBQs on the adjacent grassed area encourage locals and tourists from all walks of life and is the ideal spot to relax after a refreshing dip beneath blue skies.
Whatever your swimming level it is an affordable day out and costs adults around R9,50 while children pay R6,00. Die-hard swimmers meet in the winter months as it is open all year round from mid-April to mid-October (08:30 -17:00) and in the more popular summer season from mid-October to mid-April (07:00 -19:00) when swimming just prior to sunset and the onset of the evening precede a lazy stroll along the paved coastal path, ice-cream in hand.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27181 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27046
After the late afternoon game drive, which normally finishes just after sundown, you will be served an evening meal that will definiately impress and be a talking point. Cooking on the barbeque, or brie as the South African's call it, will be a choice of meats including warthog and kuku!

At meal times you eat with your guide and the other guests that will share your vehicle giving you a great opportunity to get to know each other. This reals helps everyone to bond and enjoy a shared experience together.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27046 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26921 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26921 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26893 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26893