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Why go? For its incredible natural beauty: South Africa is a large country of massively varied and spectacular terrain - from the picturesque winelands to the awesome Drakensberg mountains and the unspoilt wilderness of the bush. There's loads to do - nature lovers and adventure seekers will not be disappointed. Its wealth of plantlife is outstanding and there are few better places to see Africa's wildlife. And for those just wanting to relax, there's mile upon mile of glorious sandy beaches - some of the best and least crowded in the world. There's excellent accommodation to suit all budgets, ranging from treehouses and luxury tents to chic guesthouses, characterful country inns and Africa's most stylish safari lodges. Eating out is still quite cheap, and great infrastructure makes it perfect for touring. There's plenty of sunshine and the seasons are reversed, so it's ideal for escaping the European winter. For Europeans, it's long-haul without the jetlag - the time difference is just 1-2 hours. Any downsides? Apartheid may be dead, but the inequality of wealth and racial tensions still pervade. The segregation of society is still extreme with most blacks living in townships like Soweto or in basic housing in the rural areas. Visitors to the Western Cape will find the atmosphere more American or European than African. Crime is a major problem in South Africa's cities and main towns, but despite this most travellers to South Africa experience a hassle-free visit. Downtown Johannesburg is one of the worst affected areas; Cape Town is generally much safer. Use common sense and be cautious but don't get paranoid. South Africa is huge so unless you have several weeks, it would be unwise to attempt a tour of the whole country. Better to concentrate on either the east or west. Current weather/time: In Cape Town:  |
Activities * Wildlife safaris: rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo are most prolific in the eastern regions - Mpumalanga, N and NW Provinces, KwaZulu Natal and Swaziland. Private game reserves offer luxury camps and game drives in open vehicles, on foot and horseback. * Hiking: excellent self-guided trails (sleeping huts en route; carry your own equipment). Giant's Cup (Drakensberg), Tsitsikamma and Otter Trails (Garden Route), Blyde Riverspoort (Mpumalanga) are among the best 5-day hikes (book in advance). Also guided walking safaris. * Adrenaline sports: Abseil down Table Mountain or paraglide off Lion's Head. For the ultimate buzz head for the world's highest bungee jump (217m) at the Blaukrans Bridge on the Garden Route. Rock climb in the Drakensberg. * Winetasting: east of Cape Town. Picturesque valleys filled with vineyards and old Cape Dutch-style estates. Head for Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschoek. *Diving: KwaZulu Natal's north coast offers warm waters and the best reefs. Wreck-diving near Cape Town. *Hot air ballooning: in the Winelands * Surfing: some of the best in the world. Jeffrey's Bay on the Eastern Cape is the most famous spot. * Golf: Dozens of championship-quality courses, many in beautiful locations. * Horse Riding: Horseback safaris in the Lapalala Wilderness or Swaziland. Pony trekking in Lesotho. * Whalewatching: Head to Walker Bay in the Western Cape between Jun-Sep when the southern right whales come to calve just offshore. * Rafting and Canoeing: on the Orange river through desert wilderness or the Olifants through the Blyde River Canyon, but don't expect the most demanding rapids. * Birds and Flowers: over 700 species of bird - north KwaZulu Natal is best spot for pelicans and flamingoes. Spectacular flower displays during August/September in the semi-desert area along the west coast and in Namaqualand. * Fishing: Excellent game fishing - tuna and swordfish - off Cape of Good Hope. Trout fishing - southern mountain ranges of the Western Cape and Drakensberg. Tiger fishing in Pongola. *Culture: Robben Island off Cape town, township tours (Soweto and Cape Town), Zulu battlefields |
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