11th sept: Visit Cooper’s Cave situated 1.2km from the famous Sterkfontein Caves near Johannesburg,  a relatively new excavation site where several species of animals and a number of stone tools have been found. Activities on offer for the morning include an interactive fossil and site talk, cave exploration and fossil finding, and an opportunity to learn how to make stone tools, all followed by a light picnic lunch. The price is R350 per person including lunch, and the tour will start at 09h00. This is a family friendly event. Remember to pack a hat, birng a camera, apply sunscreen and wear comfortable walking shoes.

18th Sept: join a small group led by scientist Morris Sutton to see Swartkrans, one of the Cradle of Humankind’s richest fossil sites, usually closed to the public. Swartkrans has yielded the largest sample of Paranthropus robustus, and contains evidence of the earliest use of controlled fire in Southern Africa, dating back 1-million years. I went on this tour this time last year and loved it. See blog post http://lizatlancaster.co.za/blog/cradle-of-humankind-fascinating-tour-of-our-origins 

Rocking the Gardens is set to be huge this year! This rock festival  will showcase some of South Africa’s top talent, including bands, dj’s and comedians. Eat, drink and save the world by treating yourself at the Green Market or getting pampered at the Daisy Den.
When: 9 & 10 October 2010
Where: Emmarentia Dam, Johannesburg
Price: Full Weekend Online: R230 At the Gate R280; Saturday (only) Online R150 At the Gate R200; Sunday (only) Online R100 At the Gate R120
More info: Tel: 021 481 1832 info@rockingthegardens.com www.rockingthegardens.com

Launched 11 years ago, RMB WineX is the premier wine event in South Africa. There will be some 1 500 wines available for tasting from the 250 Cape Producers exhibiting. The exhibitor line-up this year includes award-winning producers such as Nederburg, Fleur du Cap, Tokara and Saronsberg, while there will also be newcomers such as Bartinney and Kleinood, as well as specialist cellars such as The Winery of Good Hope. The task of engaging with more than 230 wine exhibitors and 1 300 wines at the show is quite daunting, so showgoers will have access to the WineX comprehensive festival guide and list of wines on the website. Visitors can also convert their best WineX tasting experience into a home consumption opportunity through the Shop@Show facility.
When: 27-29 October 5-9pm daily
Where: Sandton Convention Centre
Price: Early bird price for tickets booked by and including Sunday 24 October are R90 per person. Thereafter and at the door:  Wednesday and Thursday nights R100; and Friday night R120. Includes tasting glass and unlimited tastings. Two-night ticket pass for Wednesday and Thursday nights, if booked by 24 October costs R160. Includes tasting glass and unlimited tastingsR90.00 – R120.00
Book: www.computicket.com or 083 915 8000
Tip: Given the vast choice of what is on offer, you may prefer to arrange to be driven to and from the Sandton Convention Centre. WineX promotes responsible drinking and its organisers have teamed up this year with Corporate Cabs. To book a Corporate Cab for your evening at WineX, either log onto the Corporate Cabs website (www.corporatecabs.co.za) and follow the WineX link, or phone the call centre on 0800 800 800. All bookings are immediately confirmed by email and you will receive an SMS 1 hour prior to pickup stating your driver’s name and cell number.

Now in its eighth year, The FNB Whisky Live Festival has grown into the largest whisky and lifestyle event of its kind, attracting more visitors and brands than any other whisky festival globally.  According to the Scotch Whisky Association, South Africa is the fifth largest Scotch market by volume in the world. Last year’s FNB Whisky Live visitor breakdown showed that 73% of the total visitors were aged below 45 and the profile of whisky drinker is changing to include more women, and younger, upwardly mobile adults.
When: 10-12 Nov 18h00 to 22h00 daily  .
Where: Sandton Convention Centre
Price: Tickets to the Tasting Hall cost R180, with a range of other ticketing options available through Webtickets from 15th September, including the multi-day passes/group bookings and the new Tasting Hall/Food Deli ticket.
Book: Www.webtickets.co.za
Tip: The FNB Whisky Live Festival promotes responsible drinking. No persons under the age of 18 years old will be allowed into the Tasting Hall, and dedicated driver tickets are available. Discounted food vouchers and a bottle of Valpre mineral water are included in the ticket price, and taxis will be on hand to ensure that everyone in your party is able to have a good time.

Taste of Joburg is back! This festival brings together the city’s most acclaimed restaurants and carefully selected exhibitors to attract 15 000 of Joburg’s most dedicated and sophisticated foodies.  Taste of Joburg brings together the city’s finest restaurants, award winning wineries, premium drink brands, niche food exhibitors and fantastic entertainment. If you love eating out this is an opportunity too good to miss!
When: 2010-09-30 to 2010-10-03
Where: Bryanston High School
Price: R60.00 – R500.00
Book: Tickets available from: http://www.computicket.com
Contact: http://www.tasteofjoburg.com

Mail & Guardian Literary Festival 2010 3-5 September@ 44 STANLEY Avenue, Milpark, Johannesburg in partnership with BOEKEHUIS at Fawley street, Auckland Park on 011 482 3609
Opening address (free event): Friday night 3rd Sept at 7pm, by Nic Dawes, editor of the Mail &Guardian – celebrate 25 years of the M&G with a glass of wine, RSVP: tamarinm@mg.co.za Find the full programme at http://www.mg.co.za/specialreport/mg-jhb-literary-festival-2010

 Rich flame orange sunsets, the deep roar of a lion at night, an elephant in the reeded river bed below the deck outside my tent, showering al fresco under the warm midday African sun, making out the constellation of Scorpio with the help of Brian’s laser beam (Brian was the chief ranger for our stay), finding a pre-historic hand-held tool which sparked a whole discussion around creativity in pre-hominids  …. A break in the Greater Kruger feeds the soul and a week-end with Transfrontiers Wildlife Walking Safaris is a really magical bushveld experience. My adventure started with catching the Gautrain to the transport pick-up point at O.R. Tambo International Airport. Along with Sarit and Libby from Israel we set off in our 9 seater mini bus to collect others from nearby airport hotels: Jack (who had arrived from Holland the night before) and Marion and her daughter Sabrina (from Germany). Hitting the road for an easy 5 ½  hour trip to Hoedspruit, we arrived in the Klasire Game Reserve on the western border of Kruger National Park at around 1 pm.  At a meeting point we finished all the paper work and then transferred into the open vehicle for the hour’s drive to our camp.

The camp is very basic and sooo beautiful. There is no electricity, the ‘loo occupied’ signs consist of chains across the reeded passages, good sustaining meals are produced from a small basic kitchen and served either around the camp fire or in a covered open-sided ‘dining area’.  And best of all, 6 permanent double tents under stunning riverine trees, are set on wooden bases with decks giving a wonderful viewing area of the reeded river bed below and the bank opposite.  Our rangers Brian and Vicky, along with Olga and Aster in the kitchen, made sure that we were well looked after in camp and in the bush. With Brian’s paleontological knowledge and basic astronomy a whole new dimension was added to our bush experience. And of course one of the wonderful things about walking is that the small things come into focus. So whilst we were lucky enough to see the Big Five: lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhino, we also became aware of the Small Five: ant-lion, buffalo weaver, rhino dung beetle, leopard tortoise and elephant shrew. The latter two are almost certainly scarcer than their Big Five counterparts! 

Days went way too quickly with early morning walks, a short relax in camp in the middle of the day and then a drive and/or walk before sundowners out in the bush, and a night drive back to camp. I so relished the solitude and tranquility of being in the camp on my own, that I declined one of the drives to relax on my tent deck reading, enjoying the peace and soaking in the bird life. Transfrontiers is beautifully run and particularly good value for money. Guests can opt for the mid-week stay (4 nights Monday to Friday) or the weekend stay (3 nights Friday to Monday) at R1525 a night.  At present transport costs are R650 per person per trip, there is a R100 conservation fee, all drinks consumed in camp are extra and a 10% tipping structure is expected. In comparison to other walking safaris, this is extraordinarily reasonable and the quality of the whole bush experience is just wonderful.

I can’t recommend it highly enough and can’t wait to go back. Thank you to all at Transfrontiers Wildlife Walking Safaris and all who made my stay at  Tusker’s Camp so memorable.    Check them out at www.transfrontiers.com 

Park areas closeby to Liz at Lancaster – enjoy the warm weather and the spring air  http://www.jhblive.com/reviews/adventure/searching_for_sunshine/44423

This week’s pick by Adrian of Fifty Two:  Bohemian and Burlesque
Genre: Theatre of Dreams
What: Get into character and dress to the extreme – the more outrageous, enchanting, intriguing – the better. This is Madame Zingara and anything goes. Well known for their uniqueness in staging a captivating cirque, a fine show, a feast to the eyes – there isn’t a theatrical extravaganza in South Africa like it. Think Cirque du Soleil, Oompa Loompas, Moulin Rouge, Midsummer Night’s Dream or Avatar – all things wild and wonderful define this show. Super natural creatures, exotic contortionists, magic, acrobats, colour and sound. Here, all engines fire.  
FiftyTwo review: “Was that for real?” we ask after leaving the show’s merriment – our senses totally roused, imaginations soaring. This is enchantment. As you step into Victoria, the plush mirrored dome, you’re whirled into a world of dream, mystique and wonder. The love magic tour is sheer escape – known to rock audiences – we highly recommend you book today and with the edginess that is Joburg the show will take a form of allure unknown in other corners of this country. All boundaries are blurred, all art forms fused, all dance styles combined and music mixed. Welcome to the known and unknown, anticipate anything and ogle as theatre unravels as an illusion before you.
Tip: When you arrive go pick out some fanciful hats, wigs and moustaches from the Bijoux Boutique – their in-house dress up store – there’s something for everyone. If you don’t secure seats, just show up and it’s been known that Madame Zingara will sprinkle magic dust and somehow welcome each person waiting at their door. 
Interesting fact: The tent was shipped in from Belgium and one of the few 1920’s Vaudeville originals left worldwide. It boasts mahogany walls and is framed in hand carved teak columns and stained glass windows. This wonderland has toured the globe for the last eight years.
Where: Melrose Arch
Book: October to February 2011 from Monday to Saturday – call the box office on 021 001 3366 but hurry. (Prices start at R350)

Without a car in JHB – Kultcha – Johannesburg Live The Beginners Guide to JHB Public Transport http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jhblive.com%2Flive%2Fkultcha_view.jsp%3Fkultcha_id%3D46843&h=7bb79