Once you’ve been there, you’ll want to go back as soon as possible! South Africa, a country with so much diversity, in people, in animals, in landscapes and so much more. I’ll promise you one thing: you’ll love it!
South Africa is a large country in the southernmost part of the African continent and has almost 55 million inhabitants. The country has 3 capitals: Pretoria (administrative branch), Cape Town (legislative branch) and Bloemfontein (judicial branch). There are no fewer than 11 official national languages.
Those are of course some informative facts, but above all; South Africa is breathtakingly beautiful. The grandeur of the country, with a number of attractions that stands out from anything else. Everyone has heard about Johannesburg, the Kruger Park, the Drakensberg, the famous Panorama Route, Robben Island and I can name a dozen of them. And yes, each one is definitely worth a visit. In addition to the well-known attractions, South Africa offers much more, the more unknown and less visited areas such as ‘The Wild Coast’, the Karoo, to name a few examples.
What makes South Africa so special is the country’s diversity. You will find this in the people, in the animals, the biodiversity and the enormously diverse landscape. You have the beautiful National Parks with the well-known African bush, and savannas full of beautiful animals and nature, for example the famous parks such as Kruger Park, Pilanesberg national park, Hluhluwe-Imfolozi park, Addo elephant park. You’ll find spectacular mountain areas in South Africa such as Cederbergen, Blyde River Canyon and the Drakensberg, where you can take beautiful walks and with a bit of luck you might even see a bearded vulture circling above you.
There is also Isimangaliso Wetland Park, a unique area consisting of 5 separate ecosystems where the wetland flows into the Indian Ocean. It is an enormously biodiverse area with a lot of varied nature, wildlife and beautiful beaches. A treat for bird lovers, but you will also find countless crocodiles, hippos and other wildlife.
There is also plenty to visit along the coast of South Africa, such as the bustling city of Durban, but also a beautiful National Park Tsitsikamma where you can take beautiful walks, or even kayak on the Storms river along steep rock walls. You can rent a cottage along the coast and watch the rough waves of the Indian Ocean from your bench with a delicious glass of South African wine in your hands. When you are lucky enough, you will see dolphins and maybe even whales pass by.
If you go south and a little more inland you can visit one of the many wine regions. You’ll beautiful lodges and B&Bs where you can taste the most delicious wines, learn about how the wine is made and then roll into bed on the spot.. Just in case if you have tasted just a little too much wine. 😉
Then there is the Karoo and the area around it, a semi-desert that takes up almost a third of the entire country. You may hear less about it, but it is a beautiful and vast landscape. You will find the well-known red African soil, mountains and some spectacular endless views. The flora and fauna is very different from the rest of the country. It just goes to show how diverse this country is.
Cape Town should of course also be mentioned in this article, the city -and actually the entire region around it- is very popular with many tourists from all around the world. Cape Town itself is a bustling city where you can experience so much! It is a real metropolis, you can eat delicious food, visit beautiful museums and so much more. You’ll meet many different people, young and old, from artists to hipsters, from retirees young backpackers looking for adventure in the city. There is always something for someone! As far as I’m concerned, the city has a fairly western feel and at times you would almost forget that you are in Africa. Don’t forget to visit Table Mountain to enjoy spectacular and breathtaking views. If you have a car at your disposal, be sure to drive the Chapman’s peak drive, a beautiful coastal route that takes you 9 kilometers along the coastline, with beautiful views. Did you know that you can spot penguins in Cape Town? You can see them on Boulders beach, or a little further from Cape Town, at Betty’s Bay. You can also book a boat trip to spot whales, dolphins and white sharks, if you are there in the right season. Hermanus is a well-known place near Cape Town to often see whales from the coast. A personal tip from us: visit ‘de Kelders’ to see whales really up close, it is a lot less touristy and with some luck the whales swim just a few meters away from you: goosebumps guaranteed!
In short, South Africa is a country where you can travel endlessly without ever getting bored. The country is huge, has so much variety and has a lot to offer for every traveler! You can choose to drive the classic route from Johannesburg to Cape Town or vice versa, or you can take an intermediate flight to save time. Of course you can also choose a certain region and explore it for a few weeks, it is all possible. The country is the perfect place to start your Africa experience. In addition to the real Africa feeling, you basically also have almost all the comforts we are used to in Western Europe. The roads are easy to drive, in the cities or the larger towns you have all the shops you need to provide yourself with everything during your trip. You can camp, go back to basic, just go luxurious or pick something in between: it’s all possible! You have suitable accommodations for all budgets, ranging from a few tens to thousands of dollars per night, take your pick! On this website you can find a nice overview of the average costs in South Africa: Click here
SOUTH AFRICA: IS IT SAFE ENOUGH?
As everyone knows, South Africa is a country with a complex history and perhaps an equally complex present and very uncertain future. Poverty, racism and violence are still a daily occurrence. In addition to all the beautiful things the country has to offer, it also brings some points of attention when it comes to safety. Anyone traveling to South Africa will undoubtedly have heard it; ,,Oh, South Africa, are you sure you want to visit that country? Dangerous”! My answer? Yes, definitely go and visit South Africa, because you will have the time of your life! Can you do that without thinking about safety? No. It is certainly recommended that you read carefully and prepare as much as possible so that you can enjoy your trip as safely as possible and thus avoid ending up in unnecessarily difficult or dangerous situations. Is there danger on every street corner? Most definitely not. But don’t get yourself in situations that aren’t safe. For instance, never just drive through a township without a guide. Be alert and aware of your surroundings, especially in large cities and busy places. For example, do you drive past intersections with traffic lights in busy cities? Then it may be wise to keep your car doors locked and your windows closed for a while. Never leave your luggage or expensive items in plain sight when you park the car somewhere. Do not walk outside with an expensive camera in your hands or expensive jewelry. Don’t just take unsolicited photos of the local population and always treat people with respect.
These are very basic rules that actually apply to so many places in the world. However, it is good to be aware of it. Always behave kindly and politely towards the locals and never forget that you are a guest there. In general, you get what you give. Most people in South Africa will always show an interest in you and help you where necessary. Don’t be fooled by all the horror stories circulating on the internet, but don’t be blind or lax when it comes to taking safety precautions either.
Furthermore, follow the rules that apply in the National Parks / Game Reserves, keep enough distance from the animals to prevent dangerous situations and do not just get out of the car. Only do this in the assigned places and be alert even then.
Also, do not drive in the dark in South Africa, the potholes (holes in the road surface) are then difficult to see. People often walk along the road – sometimes tipsy or drunk – wild animals cross the road or a car without headlights on suddenly flies by you. It is always strongly advised not to drive or walk in the dark, do not seek the danger! Also watch out when you see people with their car broke down or an accident on the way, unfortunately this sometimes leads to (armed) robberies, so it might be better to drive on and then call for help instead of just approaching the situation yourself. Always consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for current situations and safety tips before you travel: Check here.
SOUTH AFRICA: WHY YOU SHOULD GO THERE
South Africa can actually be traveled all year round, because of the large surface area it has several climatic zones so find out for yourself which season and which area suits you best and just go! There is a very good chance that you will fall in love with the country, millions of people have already preceded you and many return to discover the country further. It is a great country to independently drive the most beautiful routes by car throughout a continuously changing landscape, it gives you the absolute feeling of freedom. But also group travelers or backpackers can get around South Africa perfectly!
It’s almost impossible to describe the whole of South Africa in 1 article, because that would take me a year. To perhaps give you that very last push to take the plunge and book that trip, I’ll list a few more reasons to convince you:
- The people are very warm-hearted, helpful, cheerful and welcoming.
- Do you love nature and wildlife? Then you just have to go. Period.
- The country is ideal for the novice Africa traveler because of all the amenities and conveniences. There is a good road system, even in the National Parks.
- It is an affordable country to travel and also to go on safari.
- You can eat and drink deliciously and very affordable, be sure to try the local cuisine!
- South Africa is easily accessible all year round.
I hope I was able to convince you to book that trip to South Africa and experience it. Feel free to leave a message if you have any questions or if you would like to share your experiences or tips!
