We have put together some ideas on what to experience either before you leave or while you visit this beautiful and enchanting country. From literature to cuisine, accommodations to historical attractions, or simply souvenirs, you will find it here. Simply click on a tab above to read more about the topic.
The world-renowned Kruger National Park is South Africa's largest ecotourism attraction with more than 750,000 visitors per year. It stretches over 19,485 km. Its game population includes mammal species in excess of 140, more than 450 species of bird, 114 species of reptile, 40 species of fish and 33 species of amphibian. The 24 rest camps offer a range of accommodation from rudimentary to luxurious, and together with caravan sites, shops and restaurants, can cater for more than 6,000 people at a time.
The Kruger Park also offers several wilderness trails where visitors can cover large areas of unspoiled wilderness on foot under the guidance of a trail ranger.
In 1994, the Kruger National Park was enlarged by 14,696 ha by incorporating parts of five farms into the park. The new land is on the western border of the park between Orpen and Phalaborwa gates.
During 1995, game fencing between the Kruger National Park and private reserves was removed. This had a positive effect on the overall grazing situation and the migration of wildlife. The area is now managed as a single entity.
The Kruger Park also offers several wilderness trails where visitors can cover large areas of unspoiled wilderness on foot under the guidance of a trail ranger.
In 1994, the Kruger National Park was enlarged by 14,696 ha by incorporating parts of five farms into the park. The new land is on the western border of the park between Orpen and Phalaborwa gates.
During 1995, game fencing between the Kruger National Park and private reserves was removed. This had a positive effect on the overall grazing situation and the migration of wildlife. The area is now managed as a single entity.
The Palace of the Lost City at Sun City
The Lost City is an African fantasy world of incredible jungles, cliff tumbling gardens, sparkling streams, waterfalls and swimming pools, and al fresco entertainment areas. It is dominated by The Palace of The Lost City, one of the finest and most extraordinary hotels in the world.
Superb cuisine is offered in The Palace's two top class restaurants, and elegant bars and lounges provide the perfect atmosphere for casual pre-dinner, and after-dinner drinks. It has several exclusive shops, and the hotel's facilities and services meet all conference and banqueting requirements.
The Palace's 338 rooms are decorated in a unique style to reflect the rich flora and fauna of the area. The Hotel features the incredible King, African, Royal, and Desert Suites (available on request); each is individually decorated in evocative African style colors and the ultimate in luxury. Standard rooms have entrance foyers, en-suite bathrooms, lounge and seating areas. Amenities include air-conditioning, TV, radio, safe, telephone, mini-bar, and butler station.
The Lost City is an African fantasy world of incredible jungles, cliff tumbling gardens, sparkling streams, waterfalls and swimming pools, and al fresco entertainment areas. It is dominated by The Palace of The Lost City, one of the finest and most extraordinary hotels in the world.
Superb cuisine is offered in The Palace's two top class restaurants, and elegant bars and lounges provide the perfect atmosphere for casual pre-dinner, and after-dinner drinks. It has several exclusive shops, and the hotel's facilities and services meet all conference and banqueting requirements.
The Palace's 338 rooms are decorated in a unique style to reflect the rich flora and fauna of the area. The Hotel features the incredible King, African, Royal, and Desert Suites (available on request); each is individually decorated in evocative African style colors and the ultimate in luxury. Standard rooms have entrance foyers, en-suite bathrooms, lounge and seating areas. Amenities include air-conditioning, TV, radio, safe, telephone, mini-bar, and butler station.
South Africa is acclaimed for its top quality fresh produce and culinary excellence. In most cities and towns, menus feature French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Greek, Mexican, Cape Malay and every other cuisine imaginable. The standard ranges from the unexceptional to the sublime. This country is also internationally renowned for its fine wines. Many estates have been producing world-class wines for years -- and they're improving all the time. South Africa has a wide range of red and white grape varieties. Most are traditional vinifera grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Chenin Blanc and Riesling. They also have two varieties that originated in South Africa -- Cape Riesling and Pinotage. The new plantings in South Africa have been of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay -- most of these having been established in the late 1980's.
Try African Herbalist Shop 14 Diagonal Street near the Stock Exchange. This is one of Johannesburg's more interesting muti (traditional African medicine) shops, where advice and medicines obtained from herbs, the bark, roots and bulbs of plants, and other ingredients are dispensed. Open Monday - Saturday: 7:30am - 5:00pm. Guided tours are available. Phone (011) 838-7352.
South Africa has a rich and vibrant oral tradition. This form of expression goes back many centuries and has been passed down from generation to generation. The oral tradition continues to be important as a way of sharing advice, remembering history, telling stories and reflecting on contemporary society.
Creative writing finds expression in most of the languages used in South Africa. The wide linguistic spectrum is one of the many reasons why no encompassing history of South African literature, tracing the development of the different literatures and their interaction, has yet been written.
However, the variety of works constituting the entire literary heritage can hardly be ignored, because it reflects the South African experience as a whole.
The `fatherland,' and the political and linguistic struggles of the Afrikaner were the themes of early Afrikaans writing. Following the Anglo-Boer War (1899 - 1902), the war and nature were the staples of the young Afrikaans literature. During the thirties respect for writing as a craft increased. Early literature from this period was introspective, autobiographical and confessional; gradually, however, a more objective expression developed. Themes in the forties included the world war, the city and a new social consciousness; literature displays a sensitivity to contemporary and earthly stimuli and all facets of the author's experience. Since the fifties, the themes of Africa and South African politics have been meaningfully, often critically, explored. Early English literature in South Africa depicted border romanticism and tragic realism. This was followed by a substantial body of work on the Anglo-Boer War and the conditions in mining settlements.
Literature written by black South Africans using English as medium of communication originated in the mission schools and training colleges of the late nineteenth century. Between World War I and II, this literature developed from romantic escapism into a genre of the consciousness and depiction of a divided and politically oppressive world. After the Sharpeville and the Soweto uprisings, resistance literature blossomed.
Creative writing finds expression in most of the languages used in South Africa. The wide linguistic spectrum is one of the many reasons why no encompassing history of South African literature, tracing the development of the different literatures and their interaction, has yet been written.
However, the variety of works constituting the entire literary heritage can hardly be ignored, because it reflects the South African experience as a whole.
The `fatherland,' and the political and linguistic struggles of the Afrikaner were the themes of early Afrikaans writing. Following the Anglo-Boer War (1899 - 1902), the war and nature were the staples of the young Afrikaans literature. During the thirties respect for writing as a craft increased. Early literature from this period was introspective, autobiographical and confessional; gradually, however, a more objective expression developed. Themes in the forties included the world war, the city and a new social consciousness; literature displays a sensitivity to contemporary and earthly stimuli and all facets of the author's experience. Since the fifties, the themes of Africa and South African politics have been meaningfully, often critically, explored. Early English literature in South Africa depicted border romanticism and tragic realism. This was followed by a substantial body of work on the Anglo-Boer War and the conditions in mining settlements.
Literature written by black South Africans using English as medium of communication originated in the mission schools and training colleges of the late nineteenth century. Between World War I and II, this literature developed from romantic escapism into a genre of the consciousness and depiction of a divided and politically oppressive world. After the Sharpeville and the Soweto uprisings, resistance literature blossomed.
