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You can expect a truly unique and beautiful experience when you travel South Africa. Situated on the southern tip of the continent, South Africa is bordered in the north by Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. South Africa's landmass exceeds that of France, Germany and Spain combined and offers a diversity of cultures, history, heritage, natural beauty and wildlife to match.
In the cities of Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town, you will find first world infrastructure, culture and cuisine. Outside of these centres, the infrastructure remains excellent, but you will start to experience the more traditional African way of life. There are a total of five World Heritage sites, as well as some of the most famous Game Reserves in the world and unspoilt beaches that make for a holiday that is second to none. South Africa also acts as the hub for travel into much of Southern and East Africa.
Tours in South Africa offer visitors a wide choice of ways to see the country. The more adventurous or repeat visitors may wish to tailor-make their own South Africa holiday packages, while hiring a car and choosing accommodation along the chosen route. Others may wish to stay put in, while there is also the choice of going on a fully escorted (guided) tour in South Africa, which is guaranteed to give the best introduction to the country and its people. Thompsons offer all of these options.
Most visitors enjoying holidays in South Africa start their tour in Johannesburg, although Cape Town with its international flight connections is a good alternative. A virtual tour of South Africa is probably one of the better ways of describing this country, so here goes:
Start your virtual tour from Johannesburg by flying into the modern Johannesburg International Airport. From there, stay overnight in Sandton, at one of the many excellent hotels in this shopping Mecca. (The Sandton Sun and Towers is a good suggestion). This is followed by a day tour of Johannesburg (optional) or possibly a trip to Sun City. The alternative is to continue the tour by travelling to Pretoria, the South African Capital.
From there, head east to what was formerly known as the Eastern Transvaal, and now known as Mpumalanga. This is where the beauty and history of the country really starts to manifest. Towns like Pilgrims Rest, a famous 19th century gold rush town represents the historical part, while the Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes, and other features on the "Panorama Route" make for wonderful days of travel.
We then enter the "lowveld", which can also be described as "Big Five" country. The Kruger National Park dominates this region - an area larger than many European countries, and one of Africa's most famous game parks! Accommodation options abound in this area - which range from budget conscious Kruger Rest Camps like Pretoriuskop to luxurious nights in the famous Sabi Sands Private Reserve.
From Mpumalanga, you can travel south through Swaziland, into the North of the province of KwaZulu-Natal, home of the Zulus. This province can really claim to have it all. Your tour can take in two world heritage sites at St Lucia or the Drakensberg, or one of the most famous game parks in the world, the Hluhluwe Imfolozi. Alternatively you could take a simple beach break at one of the provinces many wonderful beaches. Durban is the warm capital of the province and the centre of the South African domestic travel market - that should tell you something!
From Durban, carry on south past the green sugarcane fields, and into the Transkei were Nelson Mandela was born and grew up. This area is rural and mostly untapped by tourists, a state which won't last long as you will observe if you get to spend any time there - then on to the Eastern Cape, and the Garden Route. This 200km stretch of coastline is as beautiful an area as you will find anywhere, and is worth spending a good bit of time exploring. Towns like Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Wilderness are good bases to start from.
Finally, we come to the end our tour in Cape Town, which needs no introduction. However, more realistically we could say that our tour in South Africa has barely touched the surface of this "world in one country". |
