Author: Travel-Republic-Africa

Clubs, pubs, and taverns galore decorate the streets of South Africa’s most touristy city during its pulsating weekend nightlife - but what’s there to do and see when the weekend is a distant dream and we need a fix for those Monday to Thursday blues? Cape Town is home to several cultural activities, and when the daytime fades and the streetlights come on, it's time to play. But for those not in the local know-how, what can one do during the weekday that doesn’t leave you digging deeply through your wallet? 1.) Go to House of The Machine on Tuesdays for Open Mike night You’ll be forgiven for believing that “open-mike” is synonymous with karaoke-level quality singing, implying a variety of performers ranging in levels from poor to semi-professional. The House of Machines, based in the heart of central Cape Town, throws all of that out the window by showcasing top-shelf singers, exotic instrument players, rappers, and slam poetry artists –  sometimes a dizzying combination of all the above. The MC of the evening - Andy Lund - is no exception; effortlessly juggling between hyping up the crowd and playing a few songs of his own (both originals and covers). He has been the main attraction of The House of Machines since its inception. It’s open seating with no bookings, so first come first served! Venue: The House of Machines - 84 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town. Day of the week: Tuesday Times: Registration to perform opens at 8 PM, performances begin at 9 PM Cost: No cover charge. Link to the official website 2) See a show at Alexander Bar Alexander Bar is a hidden hole-in-the-wall bar in the centre of town and the centre of the heart of every theatre nut in Cape Town. Home to a diverse crowd

Get Your Adventure Travel On In Madagascar Ask most people what they know of Madagascar and they’ll probably tell you something about the highly successful eponymous animated film series. While the popular movies certainly brought the Indian Ocean island nation to the attention of the global populace, there’s so much more to this unique African travel destination than a colourful movie with a cast of hilarious animal characters. From idyllic white sand beaches to thrilling rainforest excursions and from fascinating cultural encounters to intriguing wildlife species, this large African island provides its visitors with some of the most unforgettable African travel experiences possible. We’ve highlighted 3 of our top Madagascar travel experiences below to give you an authentic taste of what this unbelievable island destination has to offer: Enjoy Exotic Wildlife Encounters Perhaps the most iconic of all Madagascan animals is the iconic lemur family, which consists of a wide and diverse variety of different lemur species. To catch a glimpse of these intriguing creatures in their natural habitat, we’d recommend a lemur-trekking safari with a trained guide through one of Madagascar’s national parks, such as the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park, which being only a 3-hours’ drive from the capital city, Antananarivo, is convenient and very accessible for most travelers. An added bonus of visiting the Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is the opportunity to see Indris – the largest of all the lemur species – in the wild. Well known for their loud, distinctive and eerily beautiful calls, the Indris will provide a hauntingly memorable soundtrack for your Madagascan rainforest adventures. And by staying at the beautiful Vakona Forest Lodge, situated within the park’s borders, you’ll be provided with maximum opportunities to witness for yourself the incredible Madagascan wildlife that reside in the protected forest. Experience Otherworldly Landscapes Besides the island’s incredible

Consistently voted as one of the world’s top travel destinations (by both tourists and the travel industry alike), Cape Town is a real gem on the southwestern tip of the African crown. Sandwiched between a breathtaking Atlantic coastline and towering mountain peaks, you’d be rather hard-pressed to find a cosmopolitan city with more natural beauty and exciting attractions than the Mother City, as Cape Town is affectionately known by locals. With such a diverse range of sights and attractions, it’s no wonder the travel world has fallen in love with Cape Town. From shark cage diving and spectacular mountain adventures to world-class restaurants and award-winning winelands, there’s something for every kind of traveler in and around this African city. And to celebrate their new direct route to Cape Town, Singapore Airlines recently featured 5 of our best Cape Town tours and excursions to showcase the best this incredible city has to offer. Wine & Dine   The Cape winelands region is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest wines in some of the most beautiful scenery you could imagine. Stellenbosch is the historic centre of the wine-producing area, but the region is made up of a number of equally picturesque towns and districts, including amongst many others Franschoek, Paarl, Tulbagh and Wellington. City Bowl Discovery   With an unmistakable flat-topped mountain backdrop, the Cape Town city centre is rich in both history and natural beauty. Explore the city’s historic streets and discover its diverse and vibrant urban life. Highlights of any city bowl tour would include a trip to the shopping mecca at the V & A Waterfront, a stroll down the bustling Bree and Long streets as well as a leisurely walk through the stunning Company Gardens, an impeccably manicured and maintained park that flanks the country’s parliament buildings right in the