A Travel Guide to Exploring South Africa
Thinking of what to do to have fun in this country? This travel guide is just right for you. South Africa is popularly known as the Rainbow nation, simply because of its diverse ethnicities. A very beautiful country blessed with incredibly scenic views that attract tourists every year.
South Africa has 11 official languages including English and 3 capital cities: Pretoria, Cape Town and Bloemfontein. Its official currency is the South African Rand. Wondering about the best time to travel to South Africa? It doesn’t get better than May to September. Although, South African winter is from June to August, pack appropriate clothing if your trip falls within that period.
In this travel guide, we will be discussing a few places to consider visiting when planning your trip to South Africa:
Johannesburg
Its largest city is Johannesburg and its the entertainment hub of the country. Johannesburg’s vibrant nightlife is perfect for fun loving tourists, a night out in Sandton will convince you. Visit Soweto (an abbreviation for South Western townships) to go on a tour of one the houses that the South African icon, Nelson Mandela once lived in. Fondly called Jo’burg or Jozi, this mega city is home to some of the continent’s tallest buildings and exotic shopping malls that cater to exclusive tastes.
Durban
Durban, a beautiful coastal city located on the east coast of South Africa. Its close proximity to the Indian ocean is evident in the presence of its Indian population and their influence on the culture and food. The clean, blue beaches are perfect for tourists to get a little sand in their hair and also enjoy the phenomenal beach sunsets in Durban as they’re a sight for sore eyes. For more adventurous tourists, go bungee jumping at the Moses Mabhida stadium to get your adrenaline pumping.
Cape Town
Cape Town is absolutely mesmerizing. The beautiful landscape and picturesque mountains are some of the few things that make this city a delight for tourists. Popularly known as the home of the very famous Table Mountains, set aside a day for hiking up the mountains, marvel at the breathtaking scenery from a 1000 metres high. Then, board an aerial cableway car back down, to get a more stunning view of the city. There are also a lot of vineyards in Cape Town that make good wines. My advice to you, go wine tasting in Stellenbosch, you’ll get your money’s worth. For an evening stroll, you can take a walk through Bo-Kaap, and enjoy the beauty of its brightly colored houses. If you love viewing animals, Boulders beach; home to a colony of African penguins is the right spot for you.
Kruger National Park
Kruger National park is a paradise for animal lovers to enjoy the vast landscapes and the incredible African wildlife. You can choose either the exclusive private safaris or the more affordable group safaris. Be rest assured that you’re in for a ride, because you get to see majestic animals especially Africa’s big 5; Elephants, Rhinos, Buffaloes, Lions and Leopards in their natural habitat. The best season to visit this park is during the dry season that is, April all the way to September. More importantly, make sure to follow the rules at the park to avoid putting yourself in harm’s way.
Pro tip: Johannesburg to Kruger is about 4 hours by car. Feeling adventurous? Go on a road trip, if you’re travelling in a group.
V & A Waterfront
For a very touristy feeling, visit the V & A waterfront. The Table Mountain plays a perfect backdrop to this historic location. This dazzling harbor houses retail outlets, hotels, the largest museum of contemporary art and even an aquarium. It also serves as a getaway to Robben Island.
If you’re looking to flatter your taste buds with a few South African dishes, Braais are perfect. They’re equivalent to barbeques, to braai is simply to grill meat. Get a group of friends, organize a braai with the help of the locals for a more wholesome experience. Bobotie is also a popular choice. Its basically baked minced meat with curry, herbs spices and dried fruit. This meal originated from Asian settlers who migrated to South Africa.
In conclusion, South Africa is so full of great activities, it’s almost impossible to get bored when you go on a trip there. Planning a vacation to South Africa? You can contact us at Wakanow to help with all your travel needs.
