Holiday in South Africa

The guide books tell that there are a hundred countries in South Africa and that is it a land of many contrasts, and so it is.

International flights touch down either in Johannesburg, the city of gold, or Cape Town, the mother city. Both can be used as a good portal to see the many sights of the country.

Johannesburg is a cosmopolitan city equal to any. To the south lies Soweto – South Western Township, the ‘location’ where Africans made their compulsory homes during the apartheid years. At times Soweto can be a dangerous place and it is best avoided; at other times, it is vital with music and dance and the traveler who spends an evening there will not soon forget it.

Gold Reef City is a resort-like monument to the early gold mining days of Johannesburg. Shops and mines reflect the gold fever of the 19th century. Zulu dancing is staged for the visitor and the Gumboot dance is flamboyant and rhymic. It’s difficult not to tap one’s feet and feel the wild heart of Africa.

Rosebank flea market is worth a visit on Sunday and a purchase of African beadwork and a beautiful animal carving will be cherished for a long time afterwards.

To the north of Johannesburg lies the Kruger National Park and safari time. Here lions, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, rhino, monkeys, baboons, buck, hyenas, elephants and all the indigenous animals of Africa roam free. Early morning game drives and late evening game drives will take you to the watering holes where the animals come to quench their thirst.

Durban is south of Johannesburg on the east coast. It lies nestled in the Valley of a Thousand Hills in sub-tropical climate. Blossom fragrance lingers in the air at all times and it does not matter what time of the year you call. It is always hot. For a breathtaking experience, hire a car and to drive through the many hills.

No holiday in South Africa is complete without a visit to Zululand, the home of the legendary Zulu people. It lies a few  miles north of Durban and the drive there, just for the sake of the lush vegetation, is a sight worth seeing. However, caution must be taken. Like many places in South Africa, it is not always safe.