Destination:  South Africa

South Africa is a popular tourist destination because of the vast array of ethnic diversity and rich culture and wildlife that the country offers.   The country’s scenic wonders are legendary and it is considered the adventure capital of the world.  Go almost anywhere in South Africa and experience the ultimate combo of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure, heritage and vibe.  Even during these tough economic times, in South Africa you can afford luxury and have spending money for shopping and other treats.

General Information

South Africa is located at the southernmost region of Africa.  The coastline stretches along both the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans.  South Africa is the 25th largest country in the world and hosts a sizeable refugee and asylum seeker population from other areas of Africa.

Here are some fast facts about South Africa

• Capital City:  Pretoria (executive), Bloemfontein (judicial) and Cape Town (legislative)
• Largest City:  Johannesburg
• Government:  Republic
• President:  Jacob Zuma
• Language:  There are 11 official languages recognized in the constitution.  Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sotho, Swazi, Tswana, Tsonga, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.  English is the fifth most-spoken home language
• Currency:  Rand (ZAR)
• National Flag:  two equal width horizontal bands of red (top) and blue separated by a central green band that splits into a horizontal Y, the arms of which end at the corners of the hoist side; the Y embraces a black isosceles triangle from which the arms are separated by narrow yellow bands; the red and blue bands are separated from the green band and its arms by narrow white stripes; the flag colors do not have any official symbolism, but the Y stands for the "convergence of diverse elements within South African society, taking the road ahead in unity"; black, yellow, and green are found on the flag of the African National Congress, while red, white, and blue are the colors in the flags of the Netherlands and the UK, whose settlers ruled South Africa during the colonial era.  The South African flag is the only national flag to display six colors as part of its primary design
• Religions:  Numerous—most people have syncretic religious practices which is a combination of Christian and indigenous influences.  Zion Christian 11.1%, Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%, Catholic 7.1%, Methodist 6.8%, Dutch Reformed 6.7%, Anglican 3.8%, Muslim 1.5%, other Christian 36%, other 2.3%, unspecified 1.4%, none 15.1% (2001 census)
• Time:  South Africa Standard Time (SAST).  It is 7 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
• Climate:  Generally temperate, but certain areas do vary.  There is a desert in southern Namib, a lush tropical climate along the Mozambique border, and mountains near the interior plateau known as Highveld. 

Major Cities

• Cape Town:  Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula up to Cape Point, are famous for scenic beauty; celebrity beaches; Table Mountain; whale-watching; world-class shopping, nightlife, food & wine; and a laid-back atmosphere.  On the eastern slopes of the mountain are the celebrated botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch, with walks of all levels to tackle, landscaped picnic spots and restaurants serving as a refined break with their offerings of tea and scones (or a glass of good Cape wine).  Cape Town is the ideal vacation spot for those seeking adventure, relaxation and entertainment. The city offers something for everyone and all accommodation tastes and budgets are welcomed.
• Johannesburg:  South Africa’s pulsating African heartbeat is felt in the ‘City of Gold’ with its endless opportunities for shopping, entertainment, freedom tours and eating out.  In Johannesburg, wining and dining is superb; the championship golf courses are of the highest standard; and there seems to be an ongoing party all day, every day. In addition, the city boasts beautiful natural surroundings, adventure sports and the world’s foremost paleontological site at Sterkfontein.  The area where Johannesburg stands was once grassland, but is now one of the biggest man-made forests in the world.  The thriving local music scene caters for all musical tastes.
• Soweto:  South Africa’s largest and most famous township was a hotbed of anti-apartheid activity. Visit Freedom Struggle sites and eat at a shebeen or township restaurant.  Known the world over for its role in the struggle for democracy, Soweto hums day and night, and its vibe is electrifying. It’s Gucci and ghetto, Hummers and hip hop, Loxion Kulcha (a sought-after local fashion brand that originated in the townships) and livestock, glamour and gogo’s (grandmothers).  Trend-setting Soweto loves to have a good time, and its suburbs abound with local eateries, shebeens (taverns) music venues and pumping nightclubs. Grab a bite to eat at a shisanyama (hot food) roadside barbeque, and if you’re up for it, try a smiley (boiled sheep’s head), it’s considered a local delicacy; or go to Wandie’s Place, a Soweto restaurant institution; celebs from across the globe have dined on its local specialties and booking is essential.
• Durban:  Durban is South Africa’s most popular domestic holiday city and it’s easy to see why. It has miles of soft, sandy swimming beaches, great surfing and warm weather all year round. There’s everything from B&Bs to world-class hotels, and you’ll never run out of fun things to do.  Durban is green all year round, thanks to its subtropical weather. To see the city and coastline at its best, head to La Lucia Ridge early on a clear morning.  Durban is recognized for its well preserved art deco and Victorian architecture, particularly along Victoria Embankment and on the Berea. Many events, cultures and nations have shaped Durban and you’ll find more than a dozen museums that tell its unique story.  You can even pack in some adrenalin activities at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping—it has a powerful Wavehouse and an indoor climbing wall, which at 23 meters is the highest in the world. Plus, there are fast go-karts and a Tony Hawke-designed skate park. Stroll along the Umhlanga Rocks paved beachfront walkway and you may see dolphins surfing the waves just offshore. Or take to the air as a microlite passenger for a flight along the coast. 

What to See

• The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park:  Decades before the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park came into existence, South Africa's Kalahari Gemsbok National Park and the Gemsbok National Park in Botswana had been united in all but name.  Now that the parks have been officially united, tourists are able to cross into an entirely new park without a passport – unless exiting on the other side, of course.  Stop by to check out desert conservation at its finest.  The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park is a storehouse of some of the most exquisitely adapted plants and animals on Earth.
• Largest Baobab Tree in the World:  The largest baobab in the world is great place to relax on your African adventure and have a quick drink or two. As baobabs age they become hollow inside and after a few thousand years that space becomes big enough for the world-famous Baobab Tree Bar.  The Bushmen believe that the baobab had offended God, and as punishment God planted the tree upside down; this is because in winter the bare branches look like a mass of roots pointing skywards instead of being underground.  At around 6 thousand years old the tree is no spring chicken. It's older than the pyramids of Giza. When its first leaves sprouted the Sahara was still lush and green, and yet it's lovelier now than the day it first took root. The tree is a premier Limpopo tourist attraction and is found in Modjadjiskloof.  The tree is currently in the care of the van Heerdens who squared off a natural vent in the trunk to make a door and installed a railway sleeper pub, which holds close on 60 people, inside the trunk. The tree is famous around the world and has even appeared on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.
• Big 5 Safaris:  Big 5 safaris in South Africa are a must-do for anyone fascinated by wildlife. The Term Big-5 comes from the animals considered most dangerous to hunt. Now the thrill comes from photographing them in their natural habitat.  Any first-timer looking for a Big 5 safari experience in South Africa would be well advised to head straight for Mpumalanga province in general, and the Kruger National Park in particular.  The Big 5 - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo - are abundant in this area, and you see them by self-drive, guided drives or guided walks through the bushveld.  But know that you're dealing with wild animals, famed precisely because they are so dangerous and powerful. There are rules of engagement relating to Big 5 safaris in South Africa.  Learn bush etiquette, dress codes, silent times and, if possible, the basic habits of the Big 5. Heed the words of your ranger at all times. 

What to Do

• 2010 FIFA World Cup:  From the 11 June - 11 July, South Africa will host the 2010 FIFA World Cup - the world's largest, most-watched football extravaganza. Staged across eight provinces, and nine host cities, almost half-a-million visitors are expected to experience the spectacle firsthand, while a worldwide, a television audience of between 35 and 40 billion "cumulative" viewers will witness the action and drama on screen.  The ultimate goal of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is to harness the power of football to create positive social change. An improved public transport system and better-skilled and equipped safety and security, health, emergency services, accommodation and tourism providers are just some of the lasting legacies of 2010.  New urban recreational areas and multi-disciplinary sports facilities will benefit all, whilst many previously disadvantaged communities are currently benefitting from job opportunities in the construction of infrastructure and telecoms networks across the country. Four revamped and six new world-class, multi-purpose stadiums will continue to stimulate regional economies and provide jobs long after the football fanfare is over.
• Sample the Local Wines:  South Africa has developed into a major wine producer and the best vineyards lie in the valleys around Stellenbosch, Franschoek, Paarl and Barrydale.  A short 20 minute trip by car from the centre of Cape Town is all it takes to reach the scenic Constantia Wine Route. Constantia is the Cape’s oldest wine producing region, dating back to 1684, and also the only wine district located within a city.  The smallest of the Cape’s wine routes, the Constantia winelands encompass 11 vineyards, 8 of which are open to the public. Heavyweights Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig, and Steenberg are world renowned, and attract busloads of visitors to experience their award-winning wines, scenic settings and superb restaurants. Constantia Glen, Eagles Nest and High Constantia estates represent a new generation of winemakers turning out smaller quantities of high quality wines.  Escape to Mont Destin in Stellenbosch, where you and your beloved can soak like royalty in an outdoor Pinotage wine bath. With the whole vineyard to yourselves, relax in the warm, anti-oxidant packed liquor, sipping estate wine and reveling in the beauty of nature.
• Check out the Music Scene:  These South African nightclubs cater for the entire range of musical and stylistic tastes of South Africans as well as those of our visitors. You will find jazz and salsa clubs next door to house and trance venues and up the road from clubs playing rock, kwaito (a unique style of singing in traditional African languages that was developed in the mid 1980s and has become the most popular social economical form of representation), hip-hop, punk or heavy metal.  Traditional music clubs, pop music clubs, theme bars and retrospective clubs all exist. If you have a special interest, you will find a nightclub catering for it somewhere in South Africa.  From the opulent, up market dance culture of Rhodes House in Cape Town to the Afrocentric vibe of Moloko in Johannesburg, nightclubs in South Africa pride themselves on delivering a tailor-made experience to a discerning clientele.  There's the multi-purpose venue Carfax in Newtown, Johannesburg, which can and does host anything from rock to rave and everything in between, Zeplins in Pretoria for black-clad goths and Chrome in Cape Town for the rave generation
• Go Shopping:  South African craft markets offer an opportunity to get a true sense of the country's creative culture. For years, local crafters have sold their works direct to the public – some are established artists, others are talented amateurs from small villages using traditional skills handed down from generation to generation.  Items sold at South African craft markets are varied and can range from traditional beaded necklaces and clay pots to eco-friendly bags made from recycled material and fruit bowls made of colorful wire. Amongst the local craft markets not to be missed is Cape Town's Waterfront Craft Market. Locals and travelers flock to the country's largest indoor market, hosting over 120 stalls, which can be found wedged between the V & A Waterfront and the Two Oceans Aquarium.  Colorful, noisy and buzzing with activity, the Pan African Market is another must-visit market. Also in Cape Town, the Pan African Market offers 3 floors of African masks, clothing, wooden figurines, paintings and other African-inspired curios.  For a real taste of local flavor, go to the Khayelitsha Craft Market, situated 40 kilometers south-east of Cape Town’s city centre. Here, within a vibrant township, you may get the chance to meet the crafters in addition to purchasing their wares.  The Mgwali Village Market in Stutterheim and the Mzamba Village Market near Port Edward both focus on Xhosa crafts, such as beaded dresses and wraps, jewelry, woven items and paintings. If you're in Mpumalanaga, the Kruger National Park's road-side markets focus on Swazi, Tsonga and Sotho traditional crafts. Look out for the 4 markets near the Numbi, Kruger, Phalaborwa and Punda Maria gates for a taste of authentic local crafts.