Extreme Safaris

Even Prince William and Kate Middleton roughed it when they got engaged on an African safari. But you don’t have to pay like a king on safari. These new, no-frills safaris are more affordable and authentic way to safari – if you dare.Forget luxury lodges and comfy jeep tours, these hard-core safaris let you see the game from the ground – up close and personal. Plus, they’re often more affordable. Here’s a sampling of walking, mountain-bike, motorcycle, boat-based, self-guided driving and horseback riding safaris. Which do you think will give you the best bragging rights?

City Guide: Top Insider Sites in Cape Town

From June 11 to July 11, football fans from around the world will descend on South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The 20-hour flight for Americans means it’s worth staving off jet lag for another week or two and sticking around to explore the country. Of the nine cities where games will be played, Cape Town is by far the most desirable place to spend the extra time, and its in close proximity to one of the most stunning wine regions in the world. We’ve compiled a list of top insider tips for what not to miss in Cape Town. Here it is:

Saturday at The Old Biscuit Mill Neighbourgoods Market
An old Victorian Mill has become ground zero for the artisanal food movement in Cape Town. An artists’ collective started the wildly popular open-air market held each Saturday. The Biscuit “Mull,” as it’s pronounced by locals, is filled with beautiful stalls selling local cheese, biltong (the popular South African jerky), organic chocolates, and other prepared foods, but the real scene is under the large tent where vendors prepare fresh grilled pizzas, hash brown eggs Benedicts, bloody Mary’s, Cape Malay curry dishes, crepes and more, all prepared to order and eaten at jam-packed picnic tables. The Mill has served as an incubator for several local, artisanal-food businesses, too, such as Knead and &Union (see below), which both now have shops in town.

The Grand Daddy Hotel Sky Bar
The glamorous Grand Daddy Hotel (right) on downtown Cape Town’s hopping Long Street has a little secret: Seven Airstream trailers sit perched on it’s roof in a playful “penthouse trailer park.” Guests can rent a themed Airstream rather than a room and stay under the stars with the comforts of restaurants and concierge a few floors away. For the not-so-adventurous, take a look at the “trailer park” by grabbing a drink at the hotel’s tented rooftop bar adjacent to the trailers. And even though it’s winter, the sky bar comes equipped with heaters so visitors won’t catch a chill while chilling.

Read the full story at Luxist.com.

New Mountain-Bike Safari in South Africa

If viewing elephant, lions, leopard, buffalo and rhino from the comfort of a Land Cruiser is too staid for your taste, the new mountain-bike safari option at the luxury Nkomazi Game Reserve might be more your speed.

The reserve lies along the banks of the Komati River in the northeastern Mpumalanga region of South Africa, an area referred to as “the holy grail of geology.” Each morning, five guests and a guide with rifle, depart from the lodge traveling through ancient river valleys and mountains, getting up close to the ancient rock formations, rock paintings, flora and fauna of the region, plus the oldest and largest meteorite impact deposits on earth – not to mention the aforementioned “big five” game.

By riding through on a bike, guests get the thrill of being among the wild – with a distinct, two-wheel advantage.

Read my full story at Luxist.com.