| There are so many different fantastic ways of touring | | | | Africa, making it a valuable learning experience as well |
| South Africa that it can be very difficult to choose just | | | | as a great opportunity for some pretty wild parties! |
| one for your holiday. | | | | Backpacking is also ideal for nature lovers since you |
| Explore the Major Cities | | | | can get up close and personal with Mother Nature if |
| Jet-setters of all ages and from all countries love to | | | | you opt to travel with a tent! |
| back-pack from city to city, staying in each for a week | | | | Every major city in South Africa is chock-full of |
| or more. It can prove to be a truly fantastic way of | | | | back-packers' lodges and simple bed & breakfast |
| exploring South Africa. This is especially true if you are | | | | accommodation. There are strict laws regarding |
| fond of "retail-therapy" since there are beautiful, safe | | | | safety and hygiene so it is rare to have an unpleasant |
| shopping centres in every city. Some of the large | | | | experience at any established lodge. Clean rooms, |
| shopping centres in South Africa have gained | | | | simple fare and interesting people are the things you |
| international acclaim, for example: | | | | should expect from a backpackers' lodge. Never the |
| The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town was the very | | | | less it is always a good idea to let word-of-mouth |
| first five star shopping centre to be built in a fully | | | | guide your decision on where to stay. What better |
| functional harbour. The Randburg Waterfront is also | | | | recommendation could you have than the good |
| famed for being the only inland waterfront shopping | | | | experiences of a fellow traveller? |
| centre in the world. | | | | Packaged Tours |
| -Cape Town is called the "Mother City" for many | | | | These are a hassle free way of discovering the |
| reasons. This was the first 'modern' city to be founded | | | | beautiful and diverse country of South Africa. It's also |
| on the South of the African continent. The city also | | | | great if you have only a small amount of time to |
| has a tremendous nurturing power when it comes to | | | | devote to travelling. Everything you could possibly want |
| creative talent. Many of South Africa's most famous | | | | is laid out for you and you get to devote every waking |
| creative names are from Cape Town. Among the | | | | moment to experiencing the magnificent scenery and |
| most well known are Pieter Dirk Uys (actor and | | | | fantastic wildlife. There are also township tours in all |
| political satirist) and Beezy Bailey (artist) | | | | major cities. These guided tours allow you to |
| -Johannesburg - a city with many names - is an urban | | | | experience life in the townships safely as a group. You |
| hub of activity, nightlife and dynamic business. If you | | | | even get to visit a genuine shebeen. |
| want something done in South Africa, go to "Jozie". | | | | Packaged tours can be simple and easy or quite |
| The City was founded in the gold rush that gave | | | | adventurous, depending on what your interests are. |
| South Africa's economy one of its initial sparks. The | | | | For those in need of an escape from city life, there |
| atmosphere of commerce still gives the "City of Gold" | | | | are many straight-forward safari tours with great food |
| its unique vibe and energetic spirit. | | | | and accommodation provided. For the adventurous, |
| -Durban is famed for its beaches and eastern cuisine. | | | | activities could range from white-water rafting to diving |
| If you want a taste of the east, try taking a traditional | | | | with sharks (from the safety of a big, metal cage of |
| Indian rickshaw along the beachfront and stopping | | | | course)! Overland 4x4 drives are a great way to let |
| along the way for some of the finest curry, bobotie | | | | out some city-born frustration and get close to nature |
| and bredie in the world! | | | | at the same time. 4x4 adventures are run by |
| -Pretoria is not really a major tourist destination unless | | | | ecologically sensitive companies and wildlife is strictly |
| you have a fascination with South Africa's political | | | | respected at all times. Ecologically sensitive areas are |
| history. This was the high seat of the apartheid | | | | out of bounds for any self-respecting 4x4 tour! |
| bureaucracy. Many famous buildings and statues are | | | | One at a time |
| found throughout the city and there is a copious | | | | There are many other options available and the best |
| volume of information available on the transformation | | | | way to find out more is to explore websites of |
| of this country. | | | | companies that offer different options. Perhaps the |
| Roughing It | | | | best idea is not to choose at all but rather to enjoy |
| The exact opposite of the South African shopping | | | | each style of travel, one at a time! South Africa is a |
| spree would have to be backpacking. This is the most | | | | friendly place and you will be welcomed year after |
| popular form of travel for students since it brings you | | | | year after year. |
| into contact with all the ordinary people of South | | | | |