(c) Copyright 2001 Antbear Guesthouse
South Africa as a tourist destination - let us help arrange your visit
South Africa as a tourist destination really is a whole world in one country. European city life, western culture, modern health care, a well maintained web of roads and a functioning economy are combined with the ancient beauty of the nature and traditional culture of the African continent, which never fails to enchant us with its unique wealth of plants and animals. The variety of scienic landscapes is also fascinating, ranging from burnt-out deserts and arid savannahs through idyllic rolling hills and fertile valleys to bizarrely shaped alpine mountains with snow-covered peaks. A couple of thousands of kilometres of coastline hem the country. Rough, melancholy and harsh in the west, the beaches on the east coast are mild and Mediterranean, and the north-east coast is tropically warm. The great variety opens up innumerable ways to spend a holiday. Enjoy leisurely walks in the lovely mountains of the Winelands, a beach run on the wild Atlantic coast, fly-fishing for trout in the Midlands or playing a game of golf on the world's best and most beautiful courses. Delight in a drive through the glowing desert and a glass of excellent wine on a verandah in the Cape Town sunset. Enjoy French,Malay or Indian food or have a braaivleis-barbecue-at the beach. Go shopping in exclusive boutiques or admire African arts and crafts at a colourful street-market. Explore the African bush on safari, watch elephants having a bath at a waterhole or lions hunting their prey. And the cherry on top of the icing is that you can have all this for about R10,00 to an American dollar or about R17,00 to a British pound!! And of course there are many more options. Get ready with a first impression of South Africa's diversity. In this introduction to South Africa, I have collected some information on five main attractions: the Kruger Nationl Park in the north-east, the Drakensburg in KwaZulu- Natal,the Kalahari Gemsbok Nationl Park with its rich game stock, the Garden Route with its stunning beaches and indigenous forests and, Cape Town, "The Fairest Cape," including the charming Peninsula, the Winelands and the West Coast.
1] The Kruger Park, a Tourist Magnet Hardly anyone hasn't heard the name," The Kruger Park." It is the oldest game reserve in the world. In a huge area of 350 by 60 km one can view Africa's unique animal world at close range. The main attractions are of course the "big five"-lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant and rhinoceros, but there are also giraffes, cheetahs, hyenas,zebras, elands, impalas, kudu, hippotami, crocodiles, hundreds of bird species and many more. The animals are not in a zoo, but live in the wild. Especially fascinating are the waterholes early in the morning and in the late afternoon, when the animals come to drink. A diligently planned 2,000 km long web of roads covers the park. They are partially tarred, so that one can travel comfortably, without being constantly enclosed in a cloud of dust.However, one can also explore the park in a more adventurous manner and drive off the tourist mainstream on sandy side roads. The Kruger Park is big and diverse enough to guarantee each visitor his or her personal safari adventure. Excellent accommodation is available in the park, ranging from stylish thatched lodges to plain camps in the middle of the bush. The bigger camps provide good restaurants and shopping facilities.
2] Drakensburg in KwaZulu- Natal The Drakensburg region like the entire province of KwaZulu-Natal is one of the lesser known tourist attractions of South Africa. The spectacular mountain region is a paradise for any nature lover. Excellent national parks invite hiking, mountain climbing and relaxation in unspoiled nature. The Drakensburg and the Midlands below them are also perfect for fishermen, because the crystal-clear mountain streams and rivers make for excellent trout fishing.
The quiet mountain world is only a four hour drive from Johannesburg. Plenty of excellent and affordable accommodation is available: hotels guest houses, lodges and many well equipped camping sites. The province of KwaZulu-Natal offers many more attractions. From the Drakensburg it only takes two hours to get to Durban and enjoy swimming in the tourquise-blue waters of the Indian ocean.The game reserves of Umfolozi and Hluhluwe are an alternative to the Kruger Park. They are the ideal places to watch and photograph rhinos. And the cultural villages in Eshowe,and Botha's Hill near Durban, finally, provide a close insight into the traditional Zulu culture.
3] Fascination of the Kalahari Like all deserts, the Kalahari with its orange-red dune ranges leaves a deep impression on the visitor. The clear, intense colours, the stillness and expanse of this landscape, and the special animal and plant world exert an almost magical attraction. Particularly fascinating is the change the desert undergoes after a thunderstorm, when it becomes a colourful sea of wildflowers within a few hours, and large herds of wildebeest, springboks and onyx antelopes stroll through the riverbeds. The park is known to be a favourite destination for lion admirers. The big cats are quite numerous and easy to watch, as they lie in wait for prey on a dune,seeking the shade under one of the sparse trees or stalking a quarry. Therefore, renowned animal photographers from all over the world are frequent visitors to the Kalahari Gemsbok Park.
4] Dream Beaches on the Garden Route - Anyone who wishes to spend a beach holiday in most idyllic surroundings, should travel to the holiday paradise on the Garden Route. Here the coast of the Indian Ocean is one long stretch of stunning beaches.There are luxurious seaside resorts like Plettenberg Bay and Knysna, and quiet, remote bays and lagoons with turquoise-blue water as well. The bordering mountains are covered in fynbos and evergreen rainforests. Washed by the warm Mozambique current, one can enjoy a swim in the Indian Ocean all year round. Accommodation possibilities in hotels and guest houses is richer than virtually anywhere else in South Africa, ranging from luxury lodges for the discerning traveller to plain and cosy guest houses, where one can spend the evening by the fireplace chatting to the hosts and making friends. Any type of watersport is possible along the Garden Route: surfing and canoeing, diving and deep-sea fishing. Play a game of golf on one of the excellent courses, have a wonderful walk through the rainforest or just go for a ride on the historic steam train to enjoy the picturesque coastline. And there is a multitude of options for trips into the hinterland, to the famous Cango Stalactite caves for example, to the ostrich farms near Oudtshoorn or to the Addo Elephant National Park near Port Elizabeth.
5] Cape Town, Between Two Oceans The oldest city in South Africa, founded by the Dutch in 1652, is also the most beautiful city in the country. It owes this distinction primarily to the mighty Table Mountain, which surrounds the citycentre protectively. Table Mountain can be accessed by cable car. From the top, on has stunning views of the centre of town,of the harbour in Table Bay, with its outline of white beaches, and of the mountains of the Cape Peninsula. Cape Town has a great variety of attractions to offer its visitors. There is the Castle of Good Hope and many more historic buildings from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. At the V&A Waterfront, one can go shopping in style, visit the art galleries and arts and craft shops, browse through flea-markets or indulge in the fresh local specialities of seafood restaurants. Cape Town is surrounded by stunning white, sandy beaches, offering choices on both the fresh Atlantic coast and the warmer Indian Ocean. Not to be missed is the Cape Peninsula with its nature reserve and the Cape of Good Hope at the point.
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With it’s diverse natural splendor South Africa can boast having the world in one country.
Tourists can enjoy a variety of experiences ranging from a vacation on the mountains to holidays on the beach. Attractions also include going on safari in the Kruger National Park, or visiting the Cango Caves in the Karoo.
South Africa can be described as the powerhouse of the African continent. It is a mixture of first world technology with the simplicity of a developing nation. It has the facilities to pander to the needs of the first world tourist with five star services which all meet international standards. But if it is adventure that you are looking for then it can also offer exciting holidays that encompass the spirit of Africa.
Kwa Zulu Natal is a unique melting pot of cultures and influences from the east, west and the African continent. It is blessed with a diversity of natural resources and a sunny all year- round climate and offers the adventurous tourist exciting tourist opportunities. The game parks of Zululand are teeming with wildlife, while the lakes, rivers and estuaries of Maputaland provide and endless unspoilt wilderness to explore. The long coastline north and south of Durban is a paradise of clear, warm water, dotted with holiday towns, craft villages and golf courses. There are also hiking trails, water sports and an exciting night- life. The jagged spine of the Drakensburg mountains run for 360km along the western boundary of the province and is the ultimate destination for adventure seekers with its long hikes and breath taking views
"Cape country casts a spell upon its inhabitants,” wrote a distinguished academic who was referring to the charm that seems to make visitors to the Cape fall in love with it and its people. The Cape extends from the rocky out crops on the West Coast to the south-striding mountains of the peninsula, and converges at the tip of a continent were two great oceans meet. If you venture eastwards along the Cape coast you will find oysters, otters, ostriches and maybe a small band of elephants which together with the communities of yellowwood, candlewood and Cape chestnut bear testimony to the evergreen Knysna forests which blessed this area. The Cape peninsula is one of six floral kingdoms of the world and is unparalleled in natural beauty and variety. Inland will find you in middle of the vineyards of Stellenbosch, which is now famed for the internationally recognised wine that the area produces.
The northern parts of South Africa were once barren and rocky but concealed a vast mineral wealth. It was dubbed “the Witswatersrand” (Ridge of White Waters) by hordes of fortune seekers who came a century ago at the first hint of gold. Although the first discovery of gold bearing rock was on present-day Johannesburg, it was soon evident that the reef was much richer and far more extensive. Today it yields carbon, uranium, green diamonds, silver and platinum and boasts some of the deepest gold mines in the world. The throbbing city of Johannesburg has an allure of its own. It is one of the fastest growing cities in the world and is the economic capital of Africa and merits inclusion on any tourism venture. The number of opportunities offered in this urbanised area are surprising. They include museums, theatres and galleries as well as some unique attractions such as mine dances and game parks.
The Northern and Western Transvaal is a land of dramatic contrasts characterised by wide-open spaces and majestic mountains, indigenous forests and plantations. Those who wish to experience Africa in a more tangible way will probably enjoy the Kruger National Park or other game reserves which have still appears the way it has been for centuries.
A major attraction to the African continent is the wildlife. The best place to view this is at the Kruger National Park. The park supports the greatest variety of wildlife species to be found on the African continent, it is internationally acclaimed and contains over 2 000 000 different varieties of mammals, birds, reptiles, insects and plants and is surrounded by a mystical aura that evokes the spirit of Africa.
If God had dipped his brush and painted Africa first, he would have ran out of paint for the other continents. Africa is so rich with culture, customs, heritage and natural beauty. South Africa encompasses all of this, while still being able to be a first world country in many respects. It leads the African continent in technology and development and will provide the ultimate tourist destination no matter what type of holiday you are looking for. Come “See the world in our country, see South Africa.”
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The image the media has projected of South Africa is in no way a positive one. The international community relies heavily on the media to inform them as to the events occurring within the different countries and thus people make judgements according to what they have seen on the television or read in the newspaper. South Africa has a rather infamous history but we have now come through it looking towards a bigger, better and brighter future. I believe that South Africa is one of the most beautiful and versatile countries in the world and this is our country’s greatest asset. The South African economy relies on the tourism industry which in turn relies on the media to project a good and positive image of South Africa.
Within the borders of South Africa exists two independent countries namely Lesotho and Swaziland. Each is unique in its own right and holds many treasures for the adventurous tourist.
South Africa has so much to offer the world because of it’s very diverse cultures, customs and creeds. Our country is rich in culture, history and natural beauty and with its moderate temperature it makes South Africa an ideal tourist destination. Each of the nine provinces have something uniquely special about them. Whether it is mountains, empty beaches, deserts or crystal clear water that appeal to you- we’ve got it all!
KWAZULU NATAL
This being my home province I am inclined to be a bit biased and brag about its beauty a bit more than the others. In this province alone we have a number of natural and historical land marks. This province is, above all else, known for its rolling hills which on the north western side of KwaZulu Natal give way to the Drakensberg mountain range.
The rolling hills of KwaZulu Natal are also given the name “Valley of a thousand hills” and they are one of South Africa’s most accessible natural wonders. The Drakensberg mountain range is the most breathtakingly beautiful mountain range in South Africa and is also called the great escarpment. Above they give way to the plateau which extends along the width of Southern Africa. The massive wall of the berg rises from less than 1500 metres at the Natal foothills to between 3000 and 3480 metres at the summit on the Lesotho plateau. In the winter months the peaks of the Drakensberg are covered with snow and the mountains turn into a winter wonderland. The Drakensberg is a popular tourist attraction because of it’s high green peaks, undulating rivers and Bushmen paintings. Bushmen paintings have been found in many caves, the oldest dating back to 27000 years ago. These mountains began to form 150 million years ago and thus hold much of our history and of course, beauty.
The wild coast is exactly that – wild characterised by stretches and stretches of untamed beaches, interrupted now and again by rocky outcroppings. The vegetation is lush and green and there are plenty of holiday resorts on the beach offering everything for the perfect summer holiday even in the middle of winter.
The city of Durban is situated on the coast and offers everything from fantastic night life to lazy sunny days on the beach. The aquarium, harbour, Hare Krishna temple and the city hall are popular tourist sights. Durban also holds the massive ICC (International Convention Centre) where the International Aids Conference was recently held. It has everything and is definitely one of the most beautiful cities in South Africa.
In the northern part of KwaZulu Natal one can still find evidence of our rich African heritage. This part of the province was home to the famous Shaka Zulu and has thus received the nickname “Shakaland”. There are many curio shops and markets all along the roadside where the local people sell many fruits and hand carved ornaments.
NORTHERN PROVINCE
The region, no more than 600m above sea-level at its highest point, has a subtropical climate with an average annual rainfall of well over a 1000mm. This area is the focal point of the country’s subtropical fruit industry producing mangoes, litchis, pawpaws, bananas, and avocado pears. For the tourist this province is the land of nature and game reserves. It is home to the king of all game parks – The Kruger National Park. There are also many private parks e.g. Timbavati, Manyeleti, Klaserie, Sabie-sand and Mala Mala.
The world tends to identify countries by characteristics and for South Africa that characteristic is the Kruger National Park. The Kruger covers 21497 square kilometers – larger than Wales or Israel. It is more than 380 km long and never more than 100km wide. In the area there are more than 23000 plant, 146 mammal, almost 500 bird, 114 reptile, 49 freshwater fish and 33 amphibian species. To reach the park one has to travel on highways through countryside full of human activity: Towns, farms, shops, hotels, hawkers, taxis and people everywhere. Go through the entrance gates and you are in ancient Africa. There are quite a few campsites and hotels that will allow you to experience real Africa.
It is also an area of important mining activities. The world’s third largest deposits of phosphates are mined at Phalaborwa. The open cast mine taken down the Phalaborwa phosphate and copper pipe is probably the widest man-made hole in the country.
NORTHERN CAPE
The Northern Cape is known for having the town of Kimberley which of course holds the Great Hole of Kimberley. So far 14,5 million carats of diamonds have been excavated from the hole. The diameter of the hole is 457 meters and the perimeter is 15 ha. The hole was worked to a depth of 800m and was closed in 1914 at a depth of 1100m, reached only by shafts and tunnels. The Kimberley Mine Museum is a turn of the century theme museum and transports you into a time and place long forgotten.
The Kalahari Gemsbok National Park is also found in this province. The view is the same in all directions, it’s hot, bleak and hostile but still people make a point of returning to this place which seems to have been formed by a force of nature in a bad mood. Yet, looking past it’s grim façade one can see a uniquely beautiful wildlife environment. Although there are no crocodiles, hippo’s or elephants but there are lions, leopards cheetahs, hyenas, jackals, eland, wildebeest and a host of others. The Kalahari desert is not a typical desert like the Namib or the Sahara as it is more of a Savannah. Occasionaly it rains and the desert is changed briefly into fields and fields of flowers. The Kalahari Gemsbok Park is a harsh place to live in but a hard one to leave.
The desolate bleak Karoo spans across both the North West Province as well as the Northern Province. Bushmanland is incorporated within the boundaries of the Northern province. This is a very large arid region and there are less than 50 000 people in this entire area. The most important economic activity of the region is sheep farming (merino and karakul) on huge ranches.
Mention Namaqualand and all South Africans will immediately think of the greatest flower show on earth, where the ground is carpeted in all different kinds of flowers. From July to September thousands of tourists from South Africa and abroad will make a pilgrimage to view the unique spectacle when about 4000 different species of wild flowers transform the usually barren landscape into a paradise.
NORTH WEST PROVINCE
The Karoo is a flat area that spans kilometre after kilometre. It is a very barren and bleak landscape with no significant topographical features. It is very repetitive and desolate but at sunset it is turned into a magical world of fire as the sun’s setting rays shine red, orange and pink on this god forsaken landscape. The Karoo is a great place to marvel at the stars as there is no pollution. This is merino sheep country where some of the finest stud farms are found. The towns are all very quaint most of them revolving around one church and one cultural exhibit.
The Eastern part of North West Province is Sunflower land. In the rainy season the landscape is covered in sunflowers from horizon to horizon.
Maize is the main crop grown here. Potchefstroom is the oldest town in the whole of the North West Province and was founded on the banks of the Mooi River. There is a stone age museum and artifacts from the Voortrekers, who were the founders of this town, can be found here. There is a memorial garden which was once a concentration camp cemetery.
Krugersdorp gained international recognition for two significant archaeological sites discovered in the district. The first is Sterkfontein (strong spring) caves, 10 km NW of the town and one of Africa’s richest sites of hominid fossils. The second major site is Kromdraai, only 1,5 km from Sterkfontein. Models of extinct animals and birds can be seen at the Kromdraai Palaeontological Reserve.
The Magaliesberg mountain range is some 120 km long, roughly from Rustenburg in the west to Pretoria in the east. The relatively high rainfall on the range has given rise to a multitude of streams flowing both north and south. The climate is moderate on the Southern slopes and subtropical on the Northern side. This, coupled with the many well-watered ravines in the range, has made the area a popular inland holiday destination.
MPUMALANGA
Mpumalanga is probably the most productive region in South Africa. Most of the maize crop is grown here. The region also contributes a host of other essential products to the national pantry – beef, mutton, grain sorghum, sunflower seed, groundnuts, potatoes and other vegetables. This is one of the best mineralised parts of the country. In the town of Cullinan you can South Africa’s premier diamond mine. This diamond mine is the only mine in the world to produce several diamonds larger than 10 carats everyday.
A disused coal mine shaft at Witbank bears the illustrious name of Churchill as Winston Churchill was the name of a reporter who had come to South Africa to report on the Anglo-Boer War. He was captured, but managed to escape only to end up in an old coal mine.
Fort Merensky on the banks of the little Olifants River about 15km north of Middleburg on the original wagon trail from Pretoria to Lydenburg, is now a national monument. It was founded here in 1865 by the reverend Alexander Merensky for converted refugees who fled from Chief Sekhukhune of the Ndebele tribe.
Mpumalanga is more commonly known for its game parks as it also hosts part of Kruger National Park.
GAUTENG
Gauteng holds South Africa’s biggest city – Johannesburg. Johannesburg was and still is the industrial and financial capital of South Africa. Diamond mining but mainly gold mining is still the main source of income for many in this area. Gold is one of the main exports of South Africa along with coal and sugar. Johannesburg also boasts some fantastic war museums and military exhibits. Every year at Easter time the Rand Show is held at the National Exhibition centre and is the largest agricultural and industrial exhibition in South Africa. Ellis Park, the country’s most famous rugby stadium and where the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup in 1995 is found in the centre of the city. Gold Reef City is a popular tourist site as it is partially a living museum where one can experience mining conditions, witness a gold pour and see traditional tribal dancing which used to be a regular feature of the lives of black mine workers together with all the likes of a modern theme park. There are many theatres, art galleries, restaurants and open –air flea markets. Kyalami race-track is situated just outside Johannesburg where the South African Grand Prix is held every year.
Gauteng is also home to the city of Pretoria also known as Jacaranda City. This city has a much slower pace than Johannesburg and has a totally different ambience. It is known for the Voortrekker Monument and the spectacular Union Buildings. Tswaing (place of salt), known as Pretoria Salt Pan, north-west of the city is one of the best preserved meteorite craters in the world and now the National Cultural History museum’s first eco-museum.
Germiston is the sixth largest city in South Africa and it boasts the largest man-made lake on the Witwatersrand. Germiston Lake is a 57ha expanse of water which offers a large variety of water related and other recreational facilities.
WESTERN CAPE
In my opinion the Cape is the most beautiful part of South Africa and Cape Town is definitely the most beautiful city of all. There is so much to do and see in Cape Town itself. The Waterfront is the city’s most vibrant attraction. It looks onto the harbour and has a very Mediterranean ambience about it. The reason I love Cape Town is because of its diversity and the feeling that “anything goes”. The Two Oceans Aquarium is huge and absolutely amazing. Cape Point is where the two ocean currents (the Mozambique on the eastern side and the Benguela on the western side) meet. The aquarium emphasizes the difference between the two oceans and the majestic beauty of our coastline.
Kirstenbosch Gardens is one of the worlds great botanical institutions with it’s 560 ha expanse filled with over 9000 species of trees and plants. During the summer months open-air concerts are held regularly against the backdrop of Table Mountain. In summer the white beaches with crystal clear water are flooded with people soaking in the rays on the beaches in and around the city. The popular beaches are Clifton, Camps Bay and Hout bay.
Ratanga Junction is a popular theme park in the area with live performances and music concerts every night and is definitely worth a visit. Robben Island is one of the worlds most famous heritage sites as this is where the former president Nelson Mandela spent 27 years of his life. Hout bay which is about a fifteen minute drive away from the centre of Cape Town offers daily trips to Seal Island, home to one of the biggest seal colonies in Southern Africa.
Moving into the central part of the Western Cape we come to the vineyards of Stellenbosh and Boschendal where wine tasting is very popular and one is allowed to picnic on the perfectly manicured lawns. The Ceres mountain range is very beautiful with different kinds of fruit trees and one can savour the natural delights of fruit picking.
Knysna is a quaint town built around a lagoon and is a very popular tourist destination just like the whole of this province because of it’s astonishingly vast natural beauty.
FREE STATE
The Free State was known before as the Orange Free State because it has the Orange River running through it. This province has a very striking terrain very much like that of Natal. There are massive sandstone mountains which are strangely shaped and coloured either yellow or red. Cinderella’s castle is rather unique but popular nonetheless as it is made out of 35 000 beer bottles and can be seen from the main road. There are many caverns and shelters with bushman rock art in this district.
Welkom is part of the Free State’s gold mining area yet the mines are very deep and the threat of flooding of the shafts is an ever-present threat. Enormous quantities of water, slightly saline, have to be pumped toward the surface where it is collected in pans. It is in these pans that bird life proliferates. This city is not like any other as it was designed by William Blackhouse who eliminated traffic lights and planted over a million trees, turning Welkom into a garden city.
Virginia is just 19 km south –east of Welkom and holds the largest sulphuric acid plant in the southern hemisphere with a production capacity of 350 tons a day. Virginia Park is a recreational resort which has been developed on the banks of the Sand River.
The Western Free State has no significant topographical features as it is mainly vast prairies which produce crops like groundnuts, sorghum and to a lesser extend wheat. Cattle and sheep farming is also popular.
EASTERN CAPE
Port Elizabeth is the main city in the Eastern Cape. The whole province is mostly coastal and boasts many holiday and nature resorts. Port Alfred is the most beautiful little town and has everything from an ideal climate to picturesque surroundings making it a perfect tourist destination. There are quaint little waterways and many bed and breakfasts and a relic from the 1820 Settler period which has now been proclaimed a national monument.
East London is situated at the mouth of the Buffalo river and is South Africa’s only river port and the sixth largest port overall. The area formerly known as the Transkei is also in this area and has much to offer the visitor. The Xhosa speaking tribes of this territory- the Mpondo and Mpondomise in the north , the Thembu and Bomvana in the middle and the Gcaleka and the Fingo in the south- are still largely bound by the traditions and the lifestyle of their ancestors. Many customs and rituals have survived intact.
The town Aliwal North was founded in 1894 and presently the town’s principal assets is Aliwal Spa with its two mineral springs which, respectively produce three million litres of warm (34C) and highly mineralized water every day. The facilities have developed around these springs and were recently upgraded to cater for the growing number of people visiting this area.
The merino wool industry was founded about 8 km north of Aberdeen, which is a town that specializes in ceramics, including cottage pottery, and weaving. The famous Camdeboo stinkwood tree was first discovered in the Camdeboo mountain just west of Aberdeen.
CONCLUSION
In this assignment I have shown South Africa in all its splendour. We as a country have so much to offer the rest of the world. From our cultural heritage to our natural beauty. Like all countries, we’ve made our mistakes, but it is through making mistakes that we learn and better ourselves. South Africa is a very diverse country. From the Northern Cape to the rolling hills of KwaZulu Natal we cross racial, political, physical boundaries, but in the end we all stand as one. Simunye!
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