SIGHTS TO SEE:
SOUTH AFRICA:
If there is any place where there is just lots and lots of things to do it has got to be in South Africa. You can do almost anything under the sun in sunny South Africa. There are numerous experiences that you may want to enjoy and there is an endless list of activities to do too. If you are an adventure sport fan there is all adventure you can think of. You can choose anything from bungee jumping to surfing from gliding to abseiling. There are general sports in every one of South Africa’s provinces. There is a cricket, rugby and soccer field everywhere you go in the country and to top it all South Africans are real adventure and sport fanatics.
You can enjoy any cuisine you like. Dotted across the country are restaurants that cater for almost every culture in the world from Asia to Europe. From Africa to America and our very own originally South African delectable dishes.
TABLE MOUNTAIN
No visit to Cape Town is complete without a trip up Table Mountain – home to some of South Africa's most breathtaking views. Take a guided walk on one of the many routes or simply ride the cable car to the top - it will be one of your lasting memories of SA.
ROBBEN ISLAND
A short cruise from Cape Town's V&A Waterfront by ferry, this legendary island is a must-see on any newcomer's itinerary. This is where Nelson Mandela and his comrades were imprisoned for decades during the Apartheid era. Former inmates will take you on an insightful tour of the prison grounds. This historical island is now a World Heritage Site and a proclaimed nature conservation area.
THE GARDEN ROUTE
From Cape Town along the coast to the Tsitsikamma Forest, this 600-kilometre stretch of small towns, wineries, farms and sea villages has been a traveller's delight for more than a century. Take your time, soak in the scenery, stay over in a guest-house, enjoy the cuisine and let South African hospitality take over.
BEACHES
From KwaZulu-Natal to the Wild Coast, from the Eastern Cape to the West Coast, South Africa boasts more than 3 000km of coastline. Pristine beaches, fishing communities, golf estates, luxury hotels and guest-houses dot the landscape as you explore the marine wonderland that is South Africa.
NAMAQUALAND
Every Spring (August to September), the Northern Cape comes alive with vast fields of daisies in a natural splash of vivid colour. Fed by winter rains, the flower grounds of Namaqualand are a photographer's delight.
KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
About the size of Israel, the Kruger Park is the greatest of South Africa's many national parks which attract a great number of visitors intent on drinking in the wilderness. On guided walks, drives or self-drive, visitors have the best chance of spotting the Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) in this park.
THE DRAKENSBERG MOUNTAINS
A thousand kilometres of mountain majesty, the Drakensberg (Dragon Mountains) range is the adventure tourist's playground. It is also perfect for nature photography, easy walking and simple relaxation. Full of game sanctuaries, Bushman rock art sites, challenging peaks and cascading waterfalls, the views in the Drakensberg will compete with anything the rest of the world has to offer.
SOWETO
Just South of Johannesburg lies Soweto - the largest of South Africa's “townships”. This vibrant city is home to some 2 million people and a number of historical sights. A typical visit to Soweto includes a stop at a traditional shebeen (drinking hall), where you can savour local beer, food and hospitality, as well as a visit to the homes where Nobel laureates Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu once lived.
BOTSWANA:
Botswana is Africa at its very best - untamed, vast expanses of pristine wilderness, teeming with wildlife, alive with expectancy and an ultimate safari destination. The magnificent Okavango Delta and neighboring Chobe National Park form the nucleus of this ultimate African safari destination, where great herds of grazers and browsers - followed by predators - roam between the red sands of the Kalahari – home to the San Bushmen – prides perfect peace and solitude, and the grand channels of the Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Linyanti Rivers. Also worth visiting are the searing thirst lands of the Makgadikgadi Pans - a unique range of ecosystems in which bird, plant and animal life abound, and the Central Kalahari. Botswana is a land locked country, dominated in geographical terms by the Kalahari Desert; however it is probably more famous for its safari tours in the spectacular inland Okavango Delta. Botswana safaris offer travellers truly amazing and diverse experiences in pristine environments.
Explore the fascinating deserts, wetlands, savannahs, the delta and wildlife-packed game reserves of one of the wildest regions in Africa. Exhilarating game drives, night drives and walking safaris enable you to see magnificent African wildlife at close, yet safe range. Botswana prides itself of low volumes and high returns. An African safari is truly an unforgettable experience - an event which captures the imagination and evokes noble ideals of an era of exploration and discovery. Almost every safari experience you have ever dreamed about can come true in Botswana. You can fly, drive, walk with Bushmen, glide past Hippos in a dug-out canoe, horse ride or wade through the delta on the back of an elephant. You can even swim in it (if you dare!).
Botswana is renowned for understatedly stylish accommodation in the heart of the breathtaking Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Moremi Wildlife Reserve areas. They range from tented sites, to established camps with permanently tented camps, to chalets built from reeds or brick. Throughout Botswana, camps are sited at prime locations and strive to achieve the perfect balance between comfort and ambiance with the enjoyment of the natural bush. After your evening game-drive, enjoy a delicious alfresco banquet of Pan- African cuisine in the boma (outdoor) illuminated by dozens of candles and lanterns. Alternatively, your private deck provides a romantic setting for intimate candlelit dinners.
KENYA:
Kenya has some of the world's best parks (which may be referred to as National Parks or Game Reserves) where you can see some of the finest African flora and fauna. They are famous for Lions, Giraffe, Elephant and huge herds of Zebra, Wildebeest or Buffalo. The annual Wildebeest migration (from Masaai Mara to the Serengeti) is a awesome sight & best experienced via a balloon safari. Bookings to watch the migration are best done months in advance due to the high demand and limited lodging available in the Mara. Kenya also is a great destination for beach holidays and has some of the world's most beautiful beaches, located along the coastal regions and the city of Mombasa. Kenya is also becoming a preferred golf holiday destination, with an abundance of beautiful courses around the major urban areas. Green fees range from US$15.00 to US40.00 per round, plus US$5-7 for caddy fee.
GEDE RUINS - ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE:
The Gede ruins are one of the principal historical monuments on the Kenyan coast. Hidden away in the forest, the ruins are a vast complex of houses, palaces and mosques, made all the more mysterious by the fact that there are no records of Gede's existence in any historical texts. Excavations have uncovered Ming Chinese porcelain and glass, and glazed earthenware from Persia, indicating not only trade links, but a taste for luxury among Gede's Swahili elite. Within the compound are ruins of ornate tombs and mosques including the regal ruins of a Swahili palace.
HELLS GATE NATIONAL PARK:
Hell's Gate is an experience indeed. The park is truly unique, as it allows you to walk or cycle unguided across its breadth. Sure you can still drive, but why would you? Senses are heightened tenfold when you're face to face with grazing zebras, towering giraffes, galloping gazelles and massive eland antelopes. There's a 22km (13mi) round trip that can be done by car, bike or foot in a day, or you can hike off the beaten track along the Buffalo Circuit. Camping is highly recommended.
KAKMEGA FOREST RESERVE:
This superb small slab of virgin tropical rainforest is home to a huge variety of birds and animals and is becoming particularly popular with independent travellers. The wildlife is a major attraction, especially the birdlife, with more than 330 species recorded. Tribal practices in the forest, such as circumcision rituals, persist. Official guides, trained by the Kakamega Biodiversity Conservation and Tour Operators Association, are well worth the money. Not only do they prevent you from getting lost (many of the trail signs are missing), but most are excellent naturalists who can recognise birds by call alone and provide information about numerous animals.
LAKE MAGADI:
The most southerly of the Rift Valley lakes in Kenya, Lake Magadi is rarely visited by tourists because of its remoteness, although it actually makes an easy day trip if you have a vehicle. The most mineral-rich of the soda lakes, it is almost entirely covered by a thick encrustation of soda that supports many bird species and gives the landscape a weird lunar appearance. A causeway leads across the most visually dramatic part of this strange landscape to a viewpoint on the western shore. It's worth a drive if you have a 4WD, otherwise you can head to the hot springs further south. The springs aren't particularly dramatic, but you can take a dip in the deeper pools, and there are large numbers of fish there that have adapted to survive in the hot water. You may run into local tribesmen, particularly Maasai, who will offer to show you the way and 'demonstrate' everything for you for a fee.
MASAI MARA NATIONAL RESERVE:
This world-renowned reserve, which stretches over 1510 sq km (938 sq mi) of open rolling grasslands, is backed by the spectacular Esoit Oloololo (Siria) Escarpment, watered by the Mara River and littered with an astonishing amount of wildlife. Of the big cats, lions are found in large prides everywhere, and it is not uncommon to see them hunting. Cheetahs and leopards are less visible, but still fairly common. Elephants, buffalos, zebras and hippos also exist in large numbers. The ultimate attraction is undoubtedly the annual wildebeest migration in July and August, when millions of these ungainly beasts move north from the Serengeti. While you're more likely to see endless columns grazing or trudging along rather than dramatic TV-style river fordings, it is nonetheless a staggering experience.
MOUNT KENYA:
Mount Kenya is the highest mountain in Kenya, and the second highest in Africa (after Mount Kilimanjaro). The highest peaks of the mountain are Batian (5,199 m - 17,058 ft), Nelion (5,188 m - 17,022 ft) and Lenana (4,985 m - 16,355 ft). Mount Kenya is located in central Kenya, just south of the equator, around 150 km (95 miles) north-northeast of Nairobi. The area around the mountain is protected in the Mount Kenya National Park, which is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The National Park is around 620 km˛ (240 square miles), and receives up to 15,000 visitors every year.
TANZANIA:
Tanzania is a country with great national parks where you can see some of the finest African flora and fauna.
WILDLIFE VIEWING:
Serengeti National Park, made famous by numerous Discovery channel specials, hosts a wide range of wildlife including lions, cheetahs, leopards, hippopotamuses, elephants, zebra, buffalo, water buck, gazelle, warthogs, and wildebeest. One major attraction is the wildebeest migration, which occurs continuously between Serengeti and Masai Mara. Park fees are $50/person/day as of July 2007, and a guide with 4 wheel drive vehicle is required.
Ngorongoro Conservation Area also hosts an abundance of wildlife, particularly in the Ngorongoro crater. Formed by the same volcanic activity that formed Kilimanjaro and the Great Rift valley, Ngorongoro consists of the highlands around the crater (rich in elephants) and the crater itself (similar animals to Serengeti, but at higher densities and with a small population of black rhino). Park fees are $50/day/person as of July 2007, plus $200 per vehicle for a six hour game drive in the crater.
Ruaha National Park and Selous Game Reserve are far less popular but very enjoyable. You won't find quite the volume of wildlife you would in the Serengeti, but if you're looking for a destination with fewer tourist, greater range of wildlife and animals that are not so tame, these parks are for you. Additionally, Selous is the only other place besides Ngorongoro where you may see a Rhino. You can also visit the Uduzungwa mountains park for a truly wilderness hike through untouched spectacular scenery. There are few places left in the world like this.
*When visiting wildlife parks be sure to stay as close to the viewing areas (center of the parks) as possible and leave as soon as you can in the morning as animals are typically most active soon after sunrise.
ISLANDS:
Zanzibar is an island off the coast of Tanzania which includes both Zanzibar and Pemba. Zanzibar has beautiful beaches and historical Stone Town. Zanzibar is great for scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming with dolphins. Other attractions include spice tours and Jozani forest, which has a small population of red Colobus monkeys.
Mafia Island Marine Park is south of Zanzibar and boast some fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling, and if you're lucky you may get to swim with whale sharks. This is one of the few areas in the world where they congregate annually.
MOUNTAINS:
Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak in Africa and one of the highest freestanding mountains in the world. Many people travel to Tanzania just to climb this mountain. You can either organize your trek up the mountain from your home country through a travel agency, but you'll pay a lot more for this convenience, or if you've got a bit of time, hop on plane and save some money by organizing it in Arusha or in Dar. Be advised that there are as many incompetent and dishonest trek organizers as there are good ones. Ask around to make sure your guide will deliver on his promises.
NAMIBIA:
Brandberg Mountains
* The highest mountain in Namibia at 2 573 m.
Etosha National Park
* Animals! Throughout the park, particularly at watering holes, of which there are many.
* Rest Camp watering holes At all three rest camps, there is are watering holes just outside the perimeter fence. At night they are lit with flood lights and visitors can sit and watch as the animals come down to drink, flirt and occasionally fight well into the night. They are ideal places to wander down to with a sundowner after getting back from a days game spotting.
* Visitors are not allowed out of the rest camps after sunset so the waters holes can provide the opportunity to continue watching the animals after dark.
Kolmanskop
* Kolmanskop is a ghost town in Namibia. Founded in 1908, it was a major settlement for diamond miners until richer ore and alluvial deposits were found near Oranjemund. The last settler left in 1956, giving the town over to the sand dunes that have crept in and started to take over the town. It is one of Namibia's premier ghost towns.
Waterberg Plateau Park
* The vegetation of the plateau is green subtropical dry woodland. This contrasts the acacia that grows at the base of the plateau. Typically, the north slope of the rocky formations have colorful lichen growing on them in contrast to the reddish color normally found. There are approximately 200 species of birds located within the confines of the park. It is currently home to the only breeding colony of Cape vultures in Namibia. It is also the breeding ground of several rare game species including rhinoceros, buffalo, and sable and roan antelope.
Sossusvlei
* Sesriem Canyon A small canyon just south of the petrol station. It's a nice place to watch the sunset, and you can easily climb down into the canyon and walk along the dry riverbed. The old Dutch name means the place where six thongs are required to get water, “ses” meaning six, and “riem” meaning thong.
* The Namib Desert All around, dunes ranging from 100m-450m, including some petrified dunes.
* Sossusveli and Dead Vlei in two valleys side-by-side in the Namib. One has living trees, and on rare occasions gets snow or rain. The other is completely cut off from all water sources and the trees are just dead stumps.
Skeleton Coast
* Examine the lichen fields supported by the nightly fog. At times it is amazing that anything lives in such a desolate area. Enjoy many kilometers of undeveloped coastline that extends without limit.
* Over two hundred bird species are regular habitants of the coast line.
Fish River Canyon
* Fish River Canyon Trail: Though a very tough trail, the Fish River Canyon Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Southern Africa. It is an 85 km hike from Hobas to Ai-Ais. Beware that temperatures of 40C are not uncommon on the trail.
* One- or Two-Day Trips inside the Canyon: Vogelstrausskluft offers one or two-day excusions into the Canyon and to several Viewpoints.
* Scenic flights from several vantage points
Spitzkoppe
* The Groot Spitzkoppe is 1728 meters above sea level. The Klein Spitzkoppe is 1584 meters. There is also Pondok Mountain. The Groot Spitzkoppe is often referred to as the "Matterhorn of Namibia" because of the similarity in shape.
Opuwo & Kaokoland
* Himba People
* Epupa Waterfalls
* Marienfluss
* Desert Elephants
* Van Zyl's pass (4x4)
* Traditional villages of the Himba
* Herero and Dhimba people
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