The Facts:
Capital: Pretoria- (executive), Bloemfontein- (judicial), Cape Town- (legislative)
Currency: Rand
Time Zone: GMT +2
http://www.southafrica.net/
Introduction:
Dubbed the 'rainbow nation' South Africa can boast 11 different languages and a culture as varied as its landscape. Washed by both the Atlantic and Indian oceans South Africa just seems to keep its dramatic backdrops coming. Overlooked by the lofty Table Mountain, Cape Town is one of the world's most stunningly located cities. Inland there are the craggy Drakensburg Mountains, the deep desert of the Kalahari, the semi arid outback and ostriches of the Karoo. To the east at Kruger National Park game viewing opportunities rival the rest of Africa - after all in what other country can you find elephants and penguins? You can unwind in the wine growing regions or relax on the sub-tropical coast of the Kwazulu Natal. Scratch beneath this wonderful surface and you'll be reminded that the drama isn't just in the scenery. South Africa, where apartheid once ruled, remains a living, breathing work in progress.
Where To Go:
South Africa is located at the southern tip of the African continent. The South African coast stretches 2,798 kilometres and borders both the Atlantic and Indian oceans. To the north of South Africa lie Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, while the Kingdom of Lesotho, an independent and landlocked enclave to the north east is entirely surrounded by South African territory
What to Eat & Drink:
- Meat features heavily with Ostrich & Springbok steaks on many menus.
- Bobotie is a curried mince dish.
- Biltong is dried seasoned meat, (similar to jerky) often eaten as a snack and sold almost everywhere.
- Rooibus is the red-leafed tea grown in the Western Cape.
- The famous liquor Amarula Cream is made from the fruit of the Marula tree.
- Try the wines. There are major vineyard and production centres at Paarl, Stellenbosch and Worcester. South Africa can claim her own grape variety in the Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault. The country is also the second home of Chenin Blanc, known locally as Steen.
Unmissable South Africa:
5 things you really should do in South Africa
1.Get Tracking
Go in search of the eponymous Big 5 and take a safari through the infamous Kruger National Park for outstanding game spotting opportunities.
www.sanparks.org/parks/kruger/
http://www.krugerpark.co.za/
2. Top That
If you have a head for heights take the airy cablecar ride up Cape Town's Table Top Mountain for incredible views out to the Atlantic Ocean. For those feeling energetic the Platteklip Gorge route leads walkers to the summit.
http://www.tablemountain.net/
3. Go behind bars
Visit the notorious Robben Island prison in Cape Town's Table Bay where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. The island is 7kms from Cape Town and accessed via ferry.
http://www.robben-island.org.za/
http://www.roundtheworldineightydays.com/robben-island-south-africa
4. Try something blooming brilliant
Drive the famous Garden Route a scenic section of southern highway, so called for its floral diversity. Stretching from Mossel Bay in the Western Cape to the Storms River it includes towns such as George, Knysna, Oudtshoorn, Plettenberg Bay and Nature's Valley. If you'd prefer to explore on foot a garden route walking trail has recently opened. The southern right whale can often be spotted along this coastline.
http://www.gardenroutetrail.co.za/
http://www.oystercatchertrail.co.za/
5. Get about town
If you are in Johannesburg take the Soweto township tour to see what life was like in these 'black only' communities forcibly set up during apartheid.
www.simkile.co.za/township-soweto-tours-south-africa.html
