Feb 13, 2001 05:05 PM
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There is a certain high in shooting animals (albiet through the lenses), sipping champagne under a starlight night, (while danger lurks in every conceivable form), dancing to drumbeats, (that echo a history of thousands years)…….if u r doing the above, then u can bet u r holidaying in Africa.
South Africa is a large and diverse country. It has picturesque Garden Route towns of the Western Cape to the raw stretch of subtropical coast in northern KwaZulu-Natal. In this incredibly beautiful country even the travel facilities are the best in the African continent. Good air links and bus networks, excellent roads and a growing number of first-class B&Bs(that’s bed n’ Breakfast) make South Africa a perfect touring country. For those on a budget, rapidly mushrooming backpackers' hostels and guest houses are an attractive proposition.
WHEN TO GO
Summer can be uncomfortably hot, especially in the lowveld. Higher altitudes are pleasantly warm over summer, but the mountains are rain and mist-prone. The north-eastern regions can be annoyingly humid, but swimming on the east coast is a year-round proposition. Spring is the best time for wild flowers in the Northern and Western Cape provinces. Winters are mild everywhere except in the highest country, where there are frosts and occasional snowfalls. Holiday-makers stream out of the cities from mid-December to late-January: resorts and national parks are heavily booked and prices on the coast can more than double. School holidays in April, July and September can clog up beaches and national parks.
WHERE TO GO
The Have to See national parks are the KRUGER National Park which is the most famous, biggest and the oldest and the ROYAL NATAL NATIONAL PARK whose southern boundary of the park is formed by an 8km stretch of cliff which is spectacular from below and even more so from the top.
Elephant herds, lions lazing under the shade, cheetahs on the look out for prey and gently grazing giraffes are just some of the sights that will behold you. There are some superb wilderness trails in the area and several mountain-climbing opportunities. Bergville is the jumping-off point for Royal Natal. (I wud suggest u get ur doc. Along with u for this trip. Even looking down from the cliff, races ur heart to ur mouth)
CITIES to visit/stay
CAPE TOWN is a pretty mixture of first and third worlds, of mountains, sea and sceneries. This oldest settlement of South Africa is comparable
to any city in the world, for its relaxed atmosphere, fantastic tropical climate and superb landscape. It is dominated by the 1000 metres high flat topped Table mountain, vineyards, great walking trails and sunny
strands.
The city centre often referred to as the City Bowl is small and holds most of Cape Town's attractions. It is also the place for budget and mid-range accommodation. The Castle of Good Hope, is the oldest European structures the region itself.
At DURBAN, you will feel at home in what with this subtropical city home to the largest concentration of Indian-descended people in the country. It is also better known for fun, frolic and a happening nightlife. The weather and the water thankfully remain warm year-round and Durban's long string of beaches are great for surfing, swimming or just lazing around.
Marine Parade is the vibrant beachfront. The Indian area has all the hustle and bustle, but other must sees here are the Juma Mosque and the Alayam Hindu Temple.
JOHANNESBURG, is nevertheless the largest city in South Africa, brash, ugly, wealthy and with beautiful climate. As Jo'burg is the major hub for domestic transport as most international flights stop here. Hillbrow was for a time one of the most exciting places in South Africa; a bohemian mecca, rivaling Soho and Greenwich Village. CAUTION - however it is possibly the most dangerous place in the country, dominated by towering apartment buildings and cheap residential hotels. If you must go there, wait until you've got your bearings and don't go at night.
One place which is a must see is the stretch of SHIPWRECK Coast in Eastern Cape Province which is the graveyard for numerous ships. It has some resort towns with the casinos thrown in. If you want to get away from this touristed kitch, there are several hiking trails. Your efforts will be rewarded with wild, unspoilt surf beaches, rich coastal vegetation, beautiful estuaries and diverse birdlife. East London and Port Elizabeth are the main entry points to this area.
This is one place where you will have to don ur sneakers instead of ur dancing shoes. Excellent hiking trails and mountain biking opportunities will ensure that they remain dusty. With excellent infrastructure it is easy to organise a safari in South Africas national parks. Airborne pursuits, hang-gliding from Table Mountain, ballooning and parachuting along the beach resorts are popular. Though the white water rafting is not as adventurous as in other countries like Nepal. South Africa also has some of the best, least crowded surfing in the world.
GETTING THERE & AROUND
Although about 50 airlines now fly to South Africa, it still isn't exactly a hub of international travel and the fares reflect that. Johannesburg is the main international airport but there are an increasing number of flights to Cape Town and a few to Durban.
South Africa is geared towards travel by private car, with some very good highways but limited and expensive public transport. If you want to cover a lot of the country in a limited time, hiring or buying a car might be necessary. If you don't have much money but have time to spare, hitching is often possible (but not highly recommended…unless u wanna get muggggggged!!!!!!), There's an extensive network of minibus taxis, buses and trains. Translux buses operate on major routes and will usually be pretty comfortable. Their poor cousin Transtate buses run just about everywhere else.
Advice –Nuthing can be better than an African Safari this year. Go get it!!!!!!
